Entertainment Technology News

(Bedford UK) Making its European debut at IBC 2009, Polecam's FFFS (Full Frontal Filter System) enables Polecam operators to use high quality optical filters with compact HD cameras that have no integral filter mount. The FFFS mount allows 62 mm Tiffen or Cokin filters to be deployed with the 29 mm diameter Fujinon TF lens series. Two or more filters can be combined without vignetting, even when the Fujinon TF 2.8mm (89 degrees horizontal field-of-view) lens is used.

Polecam's FFFS includes a Polecam filter holder and five 62 mm screw-fitting circular Tiffen filters plus a Cokin A121M Grad neutral grey medium filter. The supplied Tiffen filter set consists of infra-red cut; 0.9 neutral-density (equivalent to three stops); 85B daylight corrector; 85BN9 combined neutral density and daylight filter; plus a circular polariser. The system comes complete with a Cokin A121M graduated neutral-grey medium filter and a 62 mm adapter ring allowing the use of many Cokin-compatible filters. A LensPen lens cleaner is also supplied.

"Optical filters have tremendous creative potential both in terms of effects and to maximise the quality of the captured images," comments Polecam founder and Managing Director Steffan Hewitt. "Neutral density filters are often preferable to achieving exposure control with an unassisted 'electronic shutter'. A graduated ND filter provides the additional flexibility of allowing a bright sky, for example, to be darkened while the subject in the lower section of the image is left unfiltered. Most cameras are optimised for a 3,200 Kelvin colour temperature setting so optical daylight to tungsten filtering normally delivers better performance than relying on electronic correction. IR cut filters are frequently used in dimmed tungsten lighting to prevent black objects appearing as deep red. Circular polarisers significantly reduce surface reflections without the through-the-lens meter accuracy and auto-focus complications that often result from using linear polarisers."

Polecam FFFS comes in a compact and lightweight case which also has room to accommodate additional filters, giving users the option of creating a dedicated set to suit their individual needs. The FFFS case includes closed-cell foam filter-holders to minimise dust contamination.

Polecam was established in 1998 by extreme sports cameraman/director Steffan Hewitt. While directing a series of windsurfing kit commercials in Hawaii, he needed to obtain close wide-angle front sequences of a windsurfer in action, shot from a tracking boat or jet ski. Steffan improvised a rig comprising a miniature camera on a carbon-fibre windsurfing mast. Returning to Britain, he developed a lightweight go-anywhere rig with a remote joystick controlling a high-precision pan and tilt head. Polecam is now supplied in HD and SD versions with a range of additional options including underwater and 3D pan/tilt heads. Polecam Ltd is active globally from its base near Bedford, England.

See Polecam at IBC 2009, Stand 10.C49, RAI Centre, Amsterdam, September 11-15

www.polecam.com