Ken Tanaka

Canon DV / HDV

The ideal XL1S, with 16x manual zoom lens and B&W viewfinder.

25 Sep 2004 Ken Tanaka Review: Canon 16x Manual Servo Zoom Lens for XL1 / XL1S / XL2

General Features · Weight · 14x Manual Lens Compared · Servo ZoomND Filters · Back Focus · Summary · Specifications Chart The 16x Manual Servo Zoom lens introduced simultaneously with the XL1S in 2001 generated nearly as much interest as the XL1S itself. Backwardly compatible with the original XL1, the 16x Manual Servo lens replaced the now-discontinued 14x Full Manual lens previously offered by Canon for the XL platform. The 16x Manual…

Audio

26 Feb 2004 Ken Tanaka Article: Comparative Demonstration of the Sennheiser ME66 and MKH416

This article is presented mainly as an opportunity for you to just listen to each microphone do its job side-by-side… I made every effort to create the following demonstration clips to represent the true performance of each microphone in identical settings.

Lighting

24 Jan 2004 Ken Tanaka Review: Birns & Sawyer “Master Series of Filmmaking” Series

This set of two DVD’s from Birns & Sawyer is a winner. If you’ve been exploring filmmaking and videography for a while you have probably heard this many times: “Light is the paint for photographers and filmmakers…”

Lighting

24 Jan 2004 Ken Tanaka Review: Birns & Sawyer "Master Series of Filmmaking" Series

Camera Gear

12 Aug 2003 Ken Tanaka Review: Zoe DV-Lanc Remote Lens Controller

My first impression of the Zoe was that it’s very compact, lightweight and solidly manufactured. The Zoe’s main body is made of a polycarbonate plastic and the rocker appears to be machined from an aluminum block.

Camera Gear

12 Jun 2003 Ken Tanaka Review: VariZoom VZ-Rock Remote Lens Controller

The VZ-Rock controller represents Varizoom’s second compact controller product line. The VZ-Rock shares some of the StealthZoom’s design characteristics but features an extended set of controls. It also features a variable-speed rocker control for zoom, a first for Varizoom’s products.

Canon DV / HDV

10 Apr 2003 Ken Tanaka The Canon FU-1000 Monochrome CRT Viewfinder for the XL1 / XL1S

Although color LCD viewfinder screens have begun appearing on professional cameras they are offered as secondary, and often multifunctional, viewing aids. When professional camera operators put their eyes to a viewfinder cup you can be sure that they’re looking at beautiful black and white.

Canon DV / HDV

9 Apr 2003 Ken Tanaka Canon 16x Manual Servo Zoom Lens for the XL1 / XL1S

Shooters who bemoaned difficulties with the standard-issue 16x IS II Automatic lens’ focus control quickly began proclaiming this lens to be their savior, often recommending that new XL1S buyers forego the IS II lens altogether.

Author Ken Tanaka