Filming on a cell phone?

Recently, while speaking at the SHOK Summit event in Helsinki, Nokia’s Executive Vice President explained that cameraphones will soon make DSLR cameras and professional cameras obsolete. Anssi Vanjoki, who also acts as the General Manager of Markets at Nokia, claimed that in the next year there would be HD quality video available on camerasphones and within a few years after that, cameraphones would kill off DSLR’s completely.

Vanjoki explained that by packing 50 megapixel sensors and high-quality lenses into a package the size of a fingernail, Nokia could accomplish the high image quality needed to challenge to DSLR market. “There will be no need to carry around those heavy lenses,” Vanjoki joked as he gestured towards a professional photographer in the room.

On a related note, InVisage Technologies, a company out of California has recently developed a new image sensor that could possibly increase sensor performance by up to four times. According to InVisage, this technology is expected to help improve the quality of cellphone cameras.

While there still may be some technological hurdles before all this is possible, some important questions are still raised. Will the quality of images and videos taken from cameraphones rival those taken from a DSLR camera? And if they do, will cameraphones replace DSLR’s as the prefered mehod of shooting HD quality images?

Initially, it seems unlikely that the recent boom of DSLR ethusiasts will disappear as quickly as Vanjoki believes. It also seems that he has not taken into account the people who use DSLR cameras for video and filmmaking. The features offered on a DSLR camera far outway the convenience of being able to shoot from a phone. And the chances of someone using a cameraphone to shoot a professional video or film are slim.

Another issue that Vanjoki may have been overlooked is that of form factor. When using a DSLR camera for video, the user must hold a steady camera. It is a problem that can easily be solved by using a shoulder support. If a cameraphone is being used to film, there is not such an easy solution. This is a problem that may cause many DSLR users to shy away from using a cameraphone.

At the least, cameraphones may take a small bite out of the DSLR market. But until Nokia gives an example of HD quality images taken from their phones, we will remain skeptical.

-Brian H, Switronix, Inc.

HDSLR Switronix Remote Start/Stop

HDSLR Switronix Remote Start/Stop

Posted using ShareThis

Finner Knows Switronix

The people at FinnerKnowsBest.com focuses on some of our RED tailored products........












XC-4LSRED/XP-L95RED Video Review

TL-88 LED Light now offered in 3200k

The more and more we talk to people, everyone is asking us why we don't offer the TL-88 in 3200K form. 3200k Warm light is the preferred light for indoor shooters, especially those in the event videography field. Well after a nearly a year, the TL-88 is now offered with the 3200K optics, 75watts, part #TL-88CTO(color temp. orange).

The CTO version of the light is to the right(pretty obvious) and is offered at the same price as it's 5600k sibling.

What makes the XP-L95RED Battery Different

Over the past few weeks since the XP-L95RED batteries release, I've received some questions from dealers and endusers about this product. Will it communicate percent capacity to the RED ONE, will it charge on RED's charger, how long will it operate the RED One, etc.....

Lets start with these questions, and then I'll get a little deeper into some other important but overlooked features.

Will the battery communicate percent capacity to the RED One?

-YES. The XP-L95RED is the only battery pack currently available which will pass percentage capacity to the RED One camera and safe for Air travel(being that it's under 96wh/8g equivalent Li content)

Will it charge on RED's Charger?

-YES, in fact the battery will charge on any V Style, Lithium Ion charger.

How long will it operate the RED One?

-This depends........Under a typical configuration(LCD, EVF and camera) it'll run for 1 hour to 1 1/4 hours. If you need more power, look into the XP-L190RED(over 8g Lithium) or add a GP-TSRED or GP-TSRED2 hotswap into the mix. The three aforementioned products are available at Abel Cine Tech (www.abelcine.com)

So with the 'BIG 3" questions out of the way, I'm going to point out another 2 overlooked features you may want to take into account.......

The 2nd Generation Dura-Case housing

If you already own or rented one of our battery bricks you probably noticed the great non-slip, rubber-like coating we put on the battery case. The XP-L95RED has that casing, but it is the first of our bricks to have the redesigned housing. Their are some aesthetic differences; front is slightly more beveled and pronounced for one and the black/red labeling. But, the most important difference which the side by side(new case vs. old case) picture can not illustrate, is that we were able to shave 4/10 of a pound off the batteries total weight! We've done this by using a different ABS compound, but still wrapping it in the rubber-like coating.....and still as durable as before.

This feature will really be noticeable when you're using a Hotswap, as you'll be stripping almost a pound of weight from your rig.


Powertap in battery

The side powertap in all our battery packs is an overlooked feature that can be invaluable. If you need to power a monitor(or any accessory) in a pinch, or just need an additional power output, the XP-L95RED has it. The tap is fused, and unregulated, so the voltage will range between 11v-17v, but well within range of almost all 12v equipment.


If you have a question about one of our products, let me know, and I'll blog about it.

All the best. RK

Uncomplicating the TL-50 Battery Change

Here we go......My first blog with many to come with news and information about Switronix products........



One of the foremost TL-50 concerns of end users is that the internal LiPo battery only runs the light 3 hours and then what(many users have emailed me saying they're getting 3.5hrs). Our company offers additional batteries(part#TLB11) which you can easily swap out, and keep you going.

The next question I seem to always get is "how do I change the battery?" Below are the simple steps to do so.

The TL-50 is comprised of 2 parts. It has a threaded aluminum canister which houses the LED light array, as well as covers the electronics; and a 2nd part which holds all the electronics and battery components.

The front canister is simply removed by unscrewing it in a
counter-clockwise motion. Once removed, it reveals the electronics and
battery within the TL-50.





Then locate the 2-pin connector at the end of the battery wire,
disconnect it, and reconnect a freshly charged battery.




One last concern was asked regarding charging the TLB11 batteries since the TL-50 comes standard with a charger which can only charge the battery through the light housing(kind of
like a cell phone charger).

We offer a stand alone charger(part# TLBC) which allows you to remove the battery from the TL-50(or charge your spare) and plug it directly into any AC wall outlet. It also has LED indication to let you know when the battery is fully charged.

Whether charging through the TL-50 light, or the TLBC charger, the charge time is 2 hours flat!


If you have a question about one of our products, let me know, and I'll blog about it.

All the best. RK