If there are two things that doctors and lawyers love to spend their money on, it’s investing in independent film production and Leica cameras. Granted, that’s probably more the exception than the rule, but there’s no hiding that professionals with money to burn love their Leica Cameras.
Now, thanks to a partnership with Atomos, and a firmware update for the Ninja V/V+, the money can be spent both ways! Leica SL2-S cameras can now shoot ProRes Raw over HDMI when recording to the Ninja V or Ninja V+ External Monitor-Recorders. The update also brings WB and ISO Controls for FCP Settings slider adjustments.
Image Credit – Leica/Atomos
“We’re certain that the work the ATOMOS engineers have undertaken with the team at Leica will make our joint customers incredibly excited. The pairing of the Leica SL2-S with the NINJA V/V+ provides just the right balance of performance and flexibility. The ability to record ProRes RAW on a camera rig this compact will be extremely compelling to filmmakers at every level.” Trevor Elbourne, Interim CEO, ATOMOS
The Leica SL2-S is an improved version of Leica’s flagship mirrorless cameras, with a 24-megapixel backside-illuminated full-frame CMOS sensor with multi-axis stabilization when combined with L-Mount lenses. The camera is capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second.
The Atomos firmware update for the Ninja V and Ninja V+ brings ProRes Raw support for the SL2-S, enabling it to record 12-bit linear ProRes RAW at up to 60fps, as well as 10-bit 4:2:2 L-Log that comes natively in the camera. The Ninja line also offers the ability to choose between HLG and PQ (HDR10) standards.
The 5” Ninja V and V+ also bring to the party a range of software tools including waveforms, false color, check focus, framing guides, LUTs, and image magnification, which Leica users will be able to take full advantage of.
ProRes RAW continues to be adopted by a variety of camera makers to expand color gamut and dynamic range, and through the Atomos update, filmmakers using the SL2-S will have great latitude when adjusting the look of their images and extending brightness and shadow detail, making it ideal for HDR workflows.
Both ProRes RAW, and the higher bandwidth, less compressed ProRes RAW HQ are supported, with manageable file sizes for faster file transfer, media management, and archiving.
There are some limitations with the update, however. According to the release notes, chief of which is a few black frames that may be recorded when triggering the Ninja V with Pre-Roll and Record Run Timecode enabled. Signal locking for Leica RAW also requires the HDMI Standard to be set to Compatibility mode.
The required firmware updates for the Leica SLS-2 and the ATOMOS Ninja V/V+ are available now from the Atomos Support website.
[source: Atomos]
Order Links:
- Leica SL2-S Mirrorless Camera (B&H)
- Atomos Ninja V 5″ 4K HDMI Recording Monitor (B&H)
- Atomos Ninja V+ 5″ 8K HDMI Recording Monitor (B&H)
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