So what a year it’s been, huh?

2020 hasn’t been friendly to anyone, especially in the film industry. It has been a great test for a lot of people to think on their feet and find new and innovative ways to create content, collaborate, and do business. It has been no different here at Dragon Image, with a lack of content being produced over the country really slowing down business. That said, we've gotten through to the end largely unscathed and had the privilege of selling some incredible brand new products, which should be essential for a lot of filmmakers’ kits heading into 2021. Here are Dragon Image’s top 5 products for 2020!

RED Komodo 6K

In a year that has seen some incredible new cameras be released by Sony, Canon and Blackmagic, the KOMODO has probably been the most anticipated. Finally, the incredible RED colour science that seemed only exclusive to high-end professional filmmakers is now accessible to a more consumer market of independent filmmakers and content creators. 

Being Australia’s only authorised RED dealer, we’ve had a hard time keeping up with demand, however that is a testament to the quality of RED and why their products are so appealing to filmmakers of all levels. Right now, stock is extremely limited, and thus customers who are willing to wait can put down a deposit to say they are definitely keen to get one. Contact your local store if you would like to learn more about this.

Click here to learn more about the RED Komodo 6K!

Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro ISO

2020 saw a lot of changes to how content was produced and distributed, and perhaps one of the biggest beneficiaries of this was the world of live-streaming. With schools, universities and businesses moving to Zoom for classes and conferences, as well as content creators turning to streaming to showcase their content on online platforms like Facebook, Youtube and Instagram, there has been a big shift towards online content and a lot of products released with that in mind. 

The biggest game-changer has by far been the Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro ISO, which built off the success of the ATEM Mini and ATEM Mini Pro but now allows users to edit more freely by recording up to 5 isolated H.265 video streams. Essentially, this allows users to make more precise edits after the recording for future distribution.

Click here to learn more about the ATEM Mini Pro Iso!

Vaxis Atom 500 HDMI/SDI Wireless Transmission System

The Vaxis Atom 500 takes the amazing wireless video transmission technology that Vaxis is known for, and shrunk it down into an extremely compact and affordable system! There are two things that make the Atom 500 stand out above other Vaxis models (other than the price). Firstly, the built-antennas not only save space on the unit, but have also been rigorously tested to be essentially fail-proof when it comes to video connection. This is extremely appealing when it has a maximum range of 150m. 

Moreover, it supports H.265 encoding, offering better image quality at less bandwidth to previous models. Finally, other great features include its compatibility with the ATOM APP, which allows users to connect the system to their iPhone or iPad to be used as a recording monitor, and the ability to be powered by Sony NP-F batteries or USB-C power, rather than past models which rely on a V-Lock battery to draw power. 

Click here to learn more about the Vaxis Atom 500!

Fxlion NANO Two 98wh V-Lock Battery

The Fxlion NANO Two is proof of just how far V-lock battery technology has come in recent years. With only 98Wh of power, it makes forthe perfect V-lock battery to take on flights if you’re a travelling filmmaker. Not only that, but the battery has USB-C, Micro USB and USB-A ports, as well as D-Tap and the V-Mount on the back, making for 5 different in and out ports! 

This gives you a lot of flexibility with not only what you can power with the battery, but also how you can charge it, and can be very handy for charging phones and laptops when out on location. There also exist a lot of really handy accessories, such as a V-Lock to NP-F battery nano converter, belt clip and hot swap plates to name a few. You can find more information about these accessories, as well as this great little battery itself below!

Click here to learn more about the NANO Two!

Do you get excited about batteries? looking at the LightPro Nano ONE V-Lock from Dragon Image on Vimeo.

DJI RS2 3-Axis Motorised Gimbal

While this was released late in the year, this is still quite a revelation. DJI have gone up a level with the release of their new RS2 Motorised Gimbal, which is an upgrade to the original Ronin-S. The RS2 is about 25% lighter than the original, thanks to its carbon fiber build, and has a payload of 4.5kg. This alone makes it perfect to use with all DSLR cameras, as well as small cinema cameras such as the RED Komodo and Arri Alexa Mini LF (with limited rigging). 

The gimbal itself has all-round improved features, including better stabilisation, an LCD touchscreen to access settings, as well as various mounting accessories to allow users to mount the gimbal in ways they never could before.

Click here to learn more about the DJI RS2!

Honourable Mentions

• Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K Cinema Camera

• RODE NTG5 Shotgun Microphone

• Lightpro Shark 3500 LED Light

What are some of your favourite product releases in 2020?

These products are obviously just our picks for the year, however we are always open to customer feedback and suggestions for what they are looking for, so please feel free to let us know what products you were most excited about this year! After what has been such a tough year for everyone, we hope you enjoy your Christmas and New Years break, and Dragon Image looks forward to serving you again next year!