Tag: Dealer Takeover

About AbelCine

AbelCine was established in 1989 as a service company by Pete and Rich Abel, two brothers who started on the bench as camera technicians. They expanded the company’s offerings through their close relationship with their customers as the needs of production professionals evolved. Their integrated model provides all the products and services that professional content creators need to understand, evaluate, and produce high-quality digital video. Over the years, they grew from a service company to a sophisticated sales, rental, and service organization.

“We carry over 150 product lines, carefully curated to offer the most relevant professional gear available. We specialize in outfitting features, episodics, non-scripted, multi-camera, and more through our rental department.”

One of their essential skills is to work with the customer every step of the way, no matter their knowledge level. Long time veterans or fresh new filmmakers receive the same undivided attention from the AbelCine team. Not only to provide the best equipment but also to help educate on any topic and to provide outstanding technical support. 

“Thanks to these deep roots in service, our offerings are always crafted with the needs and satisfaction of the professional customers in mind.”

Service and Technology

As to be expected from a company founded by camera technicians, AbelCine provides expert in-depth knowledge of the ever-changing technological landscape. Their ability to adapt to emerging technology allows them to integrate that expertise into all aspects of their customer service. AbelCine’s team can support customers in all aspects of video production, from equipment rental and equipment sales and finance to tech services, integration, and training.

“While technology continues to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible at a breakneck pace, consider us your grounding, your back room, your source.”

Their highly trained techs provide general maintenance and repair of most pro cameras, lenses, and accessories. Their NY and LA facilities are equipped with advanced optical calibration equipment, and they’re authorized to perform warranty repairs for several top optics lines. They also calibrate monitors and projectors to scientific industry standards.

Education

AbelCine innovates based on their customer’s needs, and one facet of that was the need for more educational opportunities. Their interactive showrooms and lab environments allow customers to get hands-on with gear and evaluate it all side by side. They implement in-person learning with workshops taught in small groups by experienced instructors. .  

Educating customers is not limited to just the store; they have curated a robust online experience as well. They’ve adapted their in-person workshops into virtual learning, giving their customers the ability to learn and grow from their own computers. They cover courses for camera operators, digital image technicians, independent filmmakers, post-production editors, and anyone else looking to expand their knowledge base. AbelCine even goes as far as providing custom training for those who wish for complete flexibility in terms of educational scope, training style, and subjects. 

“At AbelCine, we believe in the power of the moving image to evoke, enlighten, and inspire.”

Sigma and AbelCine

Whether you’re a Sigma photographer or cinematographer, AbelCine carries both the latest still lens line and the cine lens line. They’ve hosted a variety of Sigma related events such as “Gear & Schmear: Sigma Cine Lenses” and “Sigma Lens Night at AbelCine.” They typically see Sigma customers as individual owners/operators, working professionals in the cinema space, and institutions such as film schools.

“Sigma lenses offer some of the best value in our market. They offer cine style optics and features at very competitive pricing.”

Contact AbelCine

In addition to their interactive showrooms in NY, LA, and CHI, they have state-of-the-art theaters where they host workshops and events. 

Their rental facilities in NY and LA are built for comfort and efficiency. Private areas are available for large jobs, and all their bays are equipped with state-of-the-art resolution analysis systems. Their service facilities have earned authorized service status from a number of manufacturers.

• AbelCine Website
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About Band Pro

For the past 35 years, Band Pro has been one of the best one stop shops for cinematographers, videographers and professional filmmakers. Their wide range of equipment and accessories spans across all needs from audio, batteries, cable, lighting, lenses, filters, monitors, tripods and more. Band Pro also supplies technical and warranty repairs with their on-site engineers. However, they set themselves apart by not only supporting filmmakers but by being filmmakers themselves.  Band Pro was built on knowing how production tools perform and helping their clients navigate what tools will work best for them. When a Tai Chi master came  into town, Band Pro jumped at the opportunity to make him the subject of a short film and to shoot with the Sigma Cine Prime lenses. 

Artist Profile: Adam Mizner

Sifu Adam Mizner (founder of Heaven Man Earth Internal Arts International) discusses and demonstrates T’ai Chi Ch’uan.

Testing Sigma Lenses on Set

The main goal for shooting with Sigma lenses was to see the color transmission, resolution and, most importantly, just how it is to use them in a real shoot. They also needed to see how well the Sigma Cine Prime lenses can match with other brands. 

“We wanted to see what could be accomplished with these Sigma lenses especially at the wider and longer end of the focal length, and to play around with them at T1.5-T2.”

The camera package for this film consisted of the Sigma Cine Prime lenses, Angenieux EZ zooms, and the Sony FS7II. The Sigmas were able to blend seamlessly together even with the significant price difference between the Sigma Cine Primes and Angenieux EZ zooms. 

“Once the subject matter was determined, Sigma primes made sense.  We knew we had plenty of architecture, people and colors, and also we wanted a long lens to isolate people against the horizon in kind of a 2D shot”

Band Pro knew that to truly understand the Sigma Cine lenses they needed to highlight their strength as well as thoroughly stress test them. They felt shooting at the beautiful Korean Friendship Bell would be the perfect backdrop for this test.

“We wanted to get all the detail on the carvings, and also just shoot wild style handheld and go hunting for focus, doc style.”

Now that it’s all said and done, the film completed, edited, and distributed. What does Band Pro have to say as their final thoughts on using the Sigma Cine Prime lenses:

“A great option for a budget-minded, crystal clear modern look prime lens set.”

Check out Band Pro

If you’re curious about the film or want to learn more details about the equipment used in the film, look no further than Band Pro in Burbank, CA. If you can’t stop by in person, they offer phone calls, video calls, and direct loans. Band Pro can even set up a time with the filmmaker of Artist Profile: Adam Mizner to share his hands-on knowledge from using the products on a shoot and taking the whole thing all the way through post. 

• Band Pro Website
• Band Pro Instagram
• Band Pro Facebook