BSC Expo 2024: Best in show
Posted on Feb 12, 2024 by Katie Kasperson
A regular calendar fixture, BSC Expo once again hits London’s Battersea Park. Here’s what we can expect at this year’s pro cine event
Words Katie Kasperson
The premier destination for film and TV professionals in the UK, the British Society of Cinematographers’ (BSC) annual expo is right around the corner. Returning to London from 15-17 February, the show will welcome hundreds of filmmakers, brands and everything in between, combining presentations and panel discussions with an expo full of cameras, lighting and much more to explore.
Since its formation back in 1949, the BSC has enjoyed 75 years of professional, educational and social opportunities for DOPs and camera operators. Devised to promote the highest standards in motion picture photography, the society regularly invites new members, recognising outstanding feats during its annual BSC Awards. The recurring BSC Expo furthers the society’s mission, encouraging filmmakers to get their hands on best-in-class gear and expand their creative practices.
Show & tell
This past year has been historic for the production industry, with the actors’ and writers’ strikes impacting almost every facet of filmmaking. Technologies like LED volume and generative AI are also on the rise, representing new possibilities (and potential hurdles) for creators.
BSC’s programme of free-to-attend panels will touch upon these and other topics, keeping professionals engaged in essential conversations and informed on game-changing product releases. This year’s seminars include ‘Thinking creatively about sustainability’, ‘On-set image-based lighting (IBL) for VP’, ‘TV drama: in practice’, ‘A spotlight on the hit TV series Boiling Point’, ‘Mentoring for the future with Fabian Wagner ASC, BSC’ and ‘Camera to grade, hosted by Blackmagic Design’. Whatever your speciality, there’s bound to be something up your street.
Hit list
Located at Evolution London in the heart of Battersea Park, BSC Expo offers 5500 sq m of floor space, housing hundreds of exhibitors across cinematic disciplines – from video cameras and lenses through lighting and rigging. You will undoubtedly find us wandering the stands, getting our hands on the latest in gear, software and more. We’ve listed our must-see stands below – be sure to check them out!
If it’s your first time at BSC Expo, don’t fret! The website (bscexpo.com) is ripe with information on exhibitors, floor plans, seminars and more. Whether you’re a DOP, camera operator or something else entirely, there’s a lot to learn at the expo. Registration is free and only takes a minute or two – we’ll see you there!
True Lens Services
Motion Impossible
Cineo Lighting
Fujifilm
Aputure
Tiffen International
LEE Filters
Panalux
Elation Lighting
Panavision
In the stands
We’ve rounded up some of the essential stops at this year’s show:
ARRI | Stand 323
ARRI is showcasing its latest camera and lighting products, with the new SkyPanel X LED system taking centre stage. Introduced as an all-weather, modular system, SkyPanel X offers native soft and hard light technology, setting a new bar for colour science, output and beam quality. The ALEXA 35, TRINITY Live and 360 EVO are also on display.
Holdan | Stand 127
As one of the leading distributors in the audio-visual, pro video and imaging sectors, Holdan distributes leading brands such as Samyang, Xeen, Atomos, Kondor Blue, Studio Network Solutions, Orca, Angelbird and Mark Roberts Motion Control to name but a few.
Hawk-Woods | Stand 413
With upwards of 30 years in the industry, Hawk-Woods takes pride in designing and manufacturing professional-grade power solutions, keeping simplicity at the forefront. Its range of products – including batteries, chargers and power adapters – is essential for the production of television, film and digital media. The company offers advanced but dependable battery technologies such as lithium-ion, which are compatible with a wide array of broadcast equipment.
True Lens Services | Stand 106
True Lens Services is one of the UK’s largest lens rehousing and service providers, now recognised worldwide for its innovative approach to the designing, manufacturing and servicing of film lenses. Whether you are hoping to rehouse your optics or you simply need a quick service, the team holds a vast wealth of knowledge, giving you the confidence and peace of mind that your gear will be returned in top working order.
Cineo Lighting | Stand 355
A leader in innovative lighting technology, Cineo Lighting will unveil the Cineo Reflex R10. Expanding the Reflex series of LED production lighting and weighing just 25.8kg, the Cineo Reflex R10 uses Cineo’s patented liquid-cooling and leading-edge LED technology to provide an IPX5-rated fixture that replaces legacy HMI and tungsten lights all in one sleek package. The Reflex R10 also features a first for Cineo: a modular design for easy replacement of the bicolour LED tower with any future upgrades. Cineo will offer hands-on experiences with the R10, Quantum II and Quantum Studio at its stand, plus a show of the Cineo StageLynx OS and App.
Panavision | Stand 222
Panavision will display the breadth of its proprietary optics inventory, which covers the gamut from sharp to soft and high contrast to low contrast, offering filmmakers the freedom to select lenses whose optical features match their vision. Products on show will include the Ultra Panatar II anamorphic and VA spherical prime lenses, the innovative LCND electronic filter and select Panavised camera systems, featured in a hands-on demonstration area. Complementing the on-site product offerings, a lens comparison system will offer further insights into the optical attributes that distinguish one lens series from another. Attendees can connect with representatives from the wider Panavision group.
Panalux | Stand 222
Panalux will spotlight many products from its vast lighting rental inventory. In addition to proprietary lighting innovations including the Panalux Allegra range of full-colour and bicolour LED heads, the booth will exhibit a selection of third-party products in a demonstration area shared with Panavision’s camera and optics division.
LEE Filters | Stand 451
Part of the Panavision group, LEE Filters is a global manufacturer of professional lighting filtration. The company will be in a dedicated booth to present its renowned technical, diffusion and coloureffect filters for motion picture lighting. Attendees can speak with a LEE representative to learn more about the company’s solutions, which help cinematographers, gaffers and other image makers realise their creative intent.
Fujifilm | Stand 121
Fujifilm will exhibit its latest mirrorless digital cameras and premium range of Fujinon lenses – including the Fujinon HZK24-300mm PL mount. Also find the 8K-capable X-H2 and X-H2S; the latter will demo Fujifilm’s new camera-to-cloud functionality.
Motion Impossible | Stand M002 (Mezzanine)
Motion Impossible is a tour de force in the world of camera movement. Offering smart camera dollies and stabilisation solutions that streamline complicated shots with creative freedom and precision, its products have been crafted to complement your expertise, simplifying intricate and inconceivable movements while providing unmatched control. This year, the company returns to BSC with its biggest solution to date. Originally unveiled as a prototype at the show last year, the AGITO Cine takes everything you know and love about the AGITO and amplifies it for the demands of top-end cinema production. Be sure to get your hands on the new AGITO Gen 2 and play the AGITO simulator.
Rosco | Stand 138
Having forayed into more than a dozen product categories, Rosco will show off its LED lighting fixtures and backdrop solutions. Test the new RDX LAB System on a state-of-the-art LED wall and see it alongside one of Rosco’s popular SoftDrop backings. The stand will also include the DMG LION LED fresnel and the DMG DASH Octa Kit.
Aputure | Stand 117
Step into the future of lighting with the Aputure booth for a glimpse into the latest LED innovations. Experience first-hand the revolutionary Electro Storm series, featuring the all-new XT26 and CS15 models, which set a new standard in lighting technology. Get hands-on with Aputure’s Spotlight Max and see the full potential of its new projection technology.
Elation Lighting | Stand 152
Elation is exhibiting at BSC for the first time with a line of award-winning automated lighting products optimised for broadcast. Elation offers tuneable white and full-colour options, user-friendly, noise-sensitive designs engineered to flexibly adapt on today’s fast-paced sets. Among highlights are the Proteus Odeon, the company’s KL “Key Light” series, the full-colour-spectrum Fuze MAX Profile LED and Fuze Wash 500 LED Fresnel moving heads, as well as the award-winning NETRON data distribution range by Obsidian Control Systems.
CVP | Stand M007 (Mezzanine)
CVP specialises in providing a wide range of production equipment and services to help meet your particular technical and creative needs. Visit CVP’s usual spot on the mezzanine floor to explore its diverse skills and craft. Meet the teams behind CVP’s unbiased advice, accredited engineering facilities, educational workshops plus technical and financial consultation.
Symply | Stand 30
Designing and engineering storage solutions that cater to the needs of content creators: that’s what Symply is all about. From the initial stages of data ingest and acquisition, through post-production and VFX, all the way to delivery, archive and future monetisation, Symply offers a comprehensive range of storage options. Don’t miss out!
Vocas Products | Stand 18
Based in the Netherlands, Vocas is a manufacturer dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality and ergonomic accessories for film and video professionals. Its product range includes both universal and specialised camera accessories. For this year’s show, Vocas will be showcasing its complete line-up.
Canon | Stand 341
Discover professional imaging technologies for future-proofing film and TV production workflows with Canon. The team will be demonstrating how Canon’s Flex Zoom cine lenses and Cinema EOS range work together to deliver exceptional image quality and versatility for virtual production.
Tiffen International | Stand 100
Tiffen will exhibit its line of glass filters for professional production, advancements in its authentic Steadicam stabilisers, new Domke camera and accessory bags and Lowel lighting systems. Get your hands on the Steadicam G-70×2 Arm, which holds up to 31.8kg and offers an innovative structure with easy set-up, tuning and tool-free adjustment. Also, be sure to test the Black Fog and Night Fog filters.
Blackmagic Design | Stand 352
Blackmagic has grown rapidly to become one of the world’s leading innovators and manufacturers of creative video technology. That’s because its philosophy is refreshing and simple: to help true creativity blossom. Blackmagic is dedicated to making the highest-quality video affordable to everyone in the postproduction and television industries, no matter their position.
Bebob | Stand 124
Alongside various additions to its ever-increasing B-Mount portfolio, Bebob will be presenting the Coco-Vmicro2. Compatible with a pair of Vmicro batteries of any capacity, the adapter allows battery replacement during camera operation. As a junction box, it features several outputs for accessories and can also be deployed as a charging station through the integrated D-Tap connector. The new Coco-Vmicro2 is perfect for all V-Mount cine cameras, including the Sony BURANO.
