Initial testing of the Atomos Ninja with the new Nikon D4 dSLR camera proves the Nikon D4 generates an uncompressed, clean HD signal over HDMI. It makes the Ninja a perfect companion for the Nikon D4.

Joby, the makers of well-know Gorillapod flexible tripods, have a new tripod that is not flexible. It is not like any other tripod either. We tested the Gorillapod Micro 800, a small, stylish camera stand that takes on 800 grams of equipment.

At IBC 2011, Atomos announced an Avid DNxHD codec upgrade for their flagship video field recorder and monitor, Samurai. They also announced the Atomos Connect devices, small, battery-powered video signal converters. Atomos looks set to win the hearts of Indie as well as broadcast video shooters with their innovative solutions for high-end video quality off a lower-end video camera.

The Atomos Ninja is a field recorder, monitor, and playback device for capturing video to Apple’s ProRes 422 codec (all three modes) straight from a video camera’s sensor, effectively bypassing the lesser quality AVCHD codec built into most consumer, prosumer and even professional camcorders.

Manfrotto, Really Right Stuff, Gitzo, or even Novoflex, are considered to be professional brands for tripods and the associated accessories, such as tripod heads. That doesn’t mean you can’t buy a tripod head from a manufacturer like Hähnel, which isn’t considered to be a pro-level vendor in this market, and still enjoy excellent quality and performance. I tried out Hähnel’s BH-40, an aluminium alloy ball head that fits standard tripod sockets on dSLRs.

One way to manipulate light in photography is to use reflectors and diffusors. Professionals will often use soft boxes to diffuse the light in a controllable way. Most speed lights comes with a diffusor head, but that allows for little creativity. Enter the Rogue Diffusion Panel.

A skirt for your lens? Yes, not one from Dior or Chanel, but one to block all reflections when shooting through a window when it’s dark outside; from your car, train coach, or room. Meet the Lenskirt, a foldable, flexible hood to block all light from the inside.

The Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt adapter is the first that enables users of eSATA capable devices to connect their device to an iMac.

What do you do when it rains? Stay inside, or go out and shoot with an unprotected dSLR camera, or go out and risk a broken camera? An alternative is to protect your camera against rain and wind, and this new Kata rain cover seems to fit the bill.

Video field recorders such as Atomos’ Ninja and Samurai, the Cinedeck Extreme and others allow you to use the video camera’s HDMI output as a raw signal. A common problem with these field recorders is the cable. A good quality HDMI cable is thick and usually not very flexible, and as HDMI was never intended to be used in the field, there’s always a risk the thicker the cable, the faster it works itself loose.