Product Review / Leeside Windscrim

The Leeside Windscrim is designed as a portable and easy-to-assemble control for wind and light.

Measuring 6.5' x 8.2'. Weight 4.6 lbs. The scrim will reduce wind to a workable level and will diffuse light by a neutral one stop. The scrim is constructed on an aluminum pop-up frame with a shock cord running through enabling each pole to fold into three sections. The vented fabric has been coated with PVC layer, making the scrim durable, weatherproof and light. 

Product Review / Photek softlighter II by Ichiro Okada

When you go to a location that has limited space or you just don't want to carry extra equipment to your shoot, what would you do?
Here is a little help; Photek softlighter II a.k.a. Photek sock.
It comes in three sizes: (Sm) 36", (Med) 46" and (Lg) 60" and it attaches right on to the Photek umbrella.
They are foldable nylon, very light weight material and can fit in your pocket.
Setting up and breaking down are a breeze.
It produces nice soft light that you can use for portrait work or for an interior shot.
In the March 2009 issue of Vanity Fair magazine featuring photos of Obama's cabinet, Annie Leibovitz used Photek umbrellas and socks to execute her job.
Photek sock: Simple, yet effective.

Product Review / VESA Mount by Andrew Altman+Ken Chan

Matthews is a company known for their wide array of grip equipment. One of their latest items connects monitors to Matthews stands and bases. The Matthews VESA Mount connects any monitor with a VESA mount to a 5/8" baby pin. This opens up a variety of ways you can use monitors on photoshoots.

It is an excellent tool for shooters as you can get immediate feedback on a large screen without looking away from your subject. You can set it up low on a turtle base with a BP pin in front of you without blocking your view. It can be eye level when set on a lowboy, medium roller or c-stand (sandbags are always recommended when used on a stand).

Another good use utilizes a 30' DVI cable, allowing you to place a monitor on a stand for clients and art directors to view without being right on top of the digital tech. Using a stand also means you do not need a table for the monitor and thus, one less piece to bring on location. With the right pieces of grip you can easily mount 2 monitors on a single stand (don't forget the sandbag).

The mount itself is machined from a solid piece of aluminum for strength and is able to hold up to 65 lbs. There are many points of articulation allowing for easy positioning to optimize viewing. Equipped with multiple hinges, the mount folds flat against the monitor for easy transport. Currently, T.R.E.C. Rental offers this mount for our 21" Eizo monitors upon request. The mount will come attached. All you need to do is place it on a suitable stand or pin (no tiny screws or hex keys to deal with). Try it out on your next job and let us know what you think.

Product Review / Profoto Acute B 600R by Ken Chan

Big pop in a small package

As the chill of winter thaws, we begin looking outdoors. We start planning for shoots on location in the sun. Except there isn't always sun when you want it, or where you want it. This is where battery powered lights such as the Profoto Acute B 600R comes in. There are a wide variety of battery powered lights, but the Acute B 600R has many features which make it stand out.

The ability to get 600 WS of power combined with Profoto's full range of light shaping tools is an amazing asset. At 11 lbs. for the pack plus battery, it weighs the same as the Profoto B2's battery alone. Size is another feature of this pack, roughly the size of a 6-pack, it is easy to transport in backpacks as well as shoulder bags. You can carry this pack with a shoulder strap and a ringflash attached. This allows you the freedom to be mobile and follow your subject as it's moving. Despite the small size, this is a full featured Profoto pack. The Acute B head which accompanies the pack is also smaller, lighter and easier to transport. You can get up to 160 full power pops with this energy efficient head. Keep in mind that there are many factors which affect how many pops you will get, such as temperature and modeling light usage. Luckily, extra batteries are also small and lightweight coming in at only 5 lbs. The R in the name means it has a built-in Pocket Wizard receiver, meaning 1 less piece of equipment and wire to bring and connect. The ability to go from 9WS to 600WS give you great flexibility as well.

If you need more power or need to use multiple heads you might want to consider the Profoto B2 instead as that gives you 1200WS and two head sockets compared to the Acute B 600R's one head socket. For me, the portability and value makes it a very worthwhile option especially for smaller productions or ones where the ability to move quickly is valued.