When the Canon 5DII was announced four years ago, way back in 2008, it was touted by many as the camera that would “redefine the future of photography”. But few could have predicted the wave of film and music video makers that were inspired by the accessibility and flexibility of a Canon camera geared towards film.

Although Nikon were the first to introduce a DSLR with a HD Movie mode, Canon sparked a mini-revolution with the 5D II and followed it up with the popular EOS 7D. At the end of last year, Canon announced “something big”, something that would once again promise to change the game, that something is the C300. This little beast promises to bridge the gap between the worlds of DSLR film-making and traditional digital cinematography.

Have a look at this hands-on review by the geniuses B&H Photo, in New York:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Go here for detailed specs and more: http://bhpho.to/yXR65K

I know we’ve all put on a couple of pounds over the food and drink holidays but for all who have decided to take up any wheeled activities this year like skateboarding, in-line skating or fixed gear riding, we have the place just for it.

Quick and easier access for anyone south of the river as the skate park is situated in Clapham Common Park, Rookery Road.  The skate park was built by Freestyle Skateparks who have also made Ealing skate park, Mudchute and Meanwhile 2, that’s near Royal Oak station.  The 500m2 float finish concrete floor has been built with resurfaced skateable grade Tarmacadam extending the park to approx’ 1500m2.  It’s a true street sytled skate park with no bowls and no big drops, but a nice volcano which you can jump, plus there’s a great up-down grinding ledge. It’ll be open from this weekend.

Big shout out to Mikey for the consitent updates and news on this opening, thanks!

Go on, get your skate on. But be safe and wear a helmet!

The tsunami of photoshopped “beauty” is being targeted by this fantastic spoof video by filmmaker Jesse Rosten. This great work by Jesse should tickle every photographer and retouch wizard I know, as it advertises beauty product, Fotoshop by Adobé. The video is accompanied by the statement, “This commercial isn’t real, neither are society’s standards of beauty.” Need we say more? Check it out.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Looks interesting right? Ice in the Big Smoke is usually skated on or used to guzzle down drinks! The London Ice Sculpting Festival adds a curve-ball to the city’s usual uses for the substance with its annual display of worldwide craftsmanship. Spread across three spaces; Montgomery Square, Canada Square Park and Jubilee Place Shopping Mall, in London’s Canary Wharf, sculptors forming eight teams from around the globe aim to captivate you with their artistic talent and competitive spirit.

The main competition sees international teams battle it out on 2 metre high blocks of ice interpreting the theme of Winter Sports and following the main competition one member of each team will take on a speed sculpting challenge on the theme of Team Spirit. As well as the competition, there is an opportunity for you to try your hand at sculpting, in a free ice carving masterclass. Other attractions of the festival include a Snow Pit, where you can  can enjoy making snowmen or snowcastles, whatever the weather, in the covered area of real snow, and a Frost Fayre where you can purchase warming winter drinks and snacks.

For more info on this coming weekend’s festival between January 13-14th, check out its website. Peep the video below of last year’s London Ice Sculpting Festival and to get a teaser of what to expect this time round.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s the dawn of a new Nintendo generation. After five years of pursuing a “blue ocean strategy”.(Say what? I hear you cry – B.O.S is the idea of creating a new market space – ‘the blue ocean’, thereby making the competition irrelevant – Rather than attempting to out perform ones competition.) The Big N is shifting to a new console, one that rivals (and potentially exceeds) consoles currently in stores. The primary controller for Nintendo’s next console is tablet based, featuring a 6.2 inch touch screen. I’m not going to say much more than that, as Nintendo unveiled their next video games console, the Wii U, in the trailer below. It speaks volumes.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you are like us at WeAreHQ, then you will have a keen desire for amazingly designed furniture. The Lollipop Shoppe is a London store that provides the highest quality of contemporary furniture from the world’s greatest manufacturers. They have got a sale on at the moment with up to 60% off selected items.

The one item that really caught my eye was the Panton Illumesa light. This light has two purposes; it can be used as a light source or as a desk/coffee table or both! For those that know the Verner Panton brand, you’ll know what you are getting with this, as they’re considered one of the most iconic manufacturers of our time. The Illumesa light’s original retail price of £450 now down to £225. Check out what else they got over here.

The G-Shock East Sessions have taken place throughout the year with all star line ups always confirmed. Hosted by Shades the Misfit, this Friday 16th December will be the last one of the year and it’s set to be some what massive! Performers on the night include Loick Essien, Asha D, No Lay, DVS, Dimples, Artful, Saskilla, Blacks and Lady Chan (preforming Rewind), A.L., It’s Nate, Ash Catch’em, Piff Gang, Chunk, with DJ’s Mark Hill (original Artful Dodger), DJ Swerve and Marco Del Horno on the decks. Ending the year with some of UK’s finest acts, each session has featured a different genre but still maintained the G-shock ethos of toughness.

That’s not all — G-Shock and the New York based design duo Dee & Ricky, are pleased to unveil their latest collaboration — the second limited edition chronograph in this joint effort. It’s inspired by the primaries of life and a cop car, that pairs an extra-large analog/digital with Dee & Ricky’s bold design aesthetic. I really wanted the initial black version of this but it sold out first day and was triple the price on eBay.

Forever inspired by Lego, Dee & Ricky said that they are delivering “time via the coolest kids in America.” This version keeps primary colour pops; red, blue, green and yellow, across the face that add a fresh pop to the stark white matte finished timepiece. It’s what made me fall in love with this piece in the first place. The watch is set to release at 6pm, so I’d get there very early.

G-Shock EAST
Unit 3
Dray Walk,
Old Truman brewery
91 Brick Lane
London
E1 6QL

Charlie Dark and Run Dem Crew have stirred up a fuss in the running scene. Charlie’s brainchild with his running crew — don’t get it twisted that it’s a club — sees like-minded individuals (aside from the obvious running) get together for regular Tuesday sessions down at Nike’s 1948 spot to then go pound the streets of London. It’s gotten couch potatoes who think and feel that they can’t run to save their lives, catch the running buzz, including myself. Mister Dark is a truly motivational guy. He’s the kind of speaker — without the awkwardness and scepticism — who’ll definitely get you going in the right direction and break a sweat.

Since Run Dem Crew started three years ago, creative agency Rosie Lee have been involved in their activities. This year, several of the crew’s members took on their biggest challenge, it being the London Marathon. Rosie Lee have compiled ‘AWAY! AWAY! AWAY!’ that follows the crew’s members journeys, from their regular Tuesday sessions through to the final finish line of the mammoth marathon.

‘AWAY! AWAY! AWAY!’ features over six ‘zine’ style photo essays, using images shot by Tom Hull, who followed and ran with the gang. The result of this book has an energetic and loose feel. A certain realness
captures a more honest and ‘hands-on’ look and feel, that’s helped by Ditto Press’s Riso printer, as one of the unique features of Riso print is the vivid range of the colours it offers. The finished books were sewn together and the spine left exposed, giving making the book feel unselfconscious and heartfelt. It’s compelling stuff. Major props to Charlie Dark for making this happen and wearing his heart on his sleeve. A definite leader of any pack.

Find out more about Run Dem Crew over at their website. Stay tuned for more news, as WeAreHQ’s involvement with Run Dem Crew will be more apparent next year.

Better known for their rock ‘n roll styled clothing, the Sin Star have released this a batch of fix geared bikes. Bikes are simply handy to have. Hop on them and you get to where you want to be with minimum fuss — dodge traffic or not worry about waiting to get on public transport.

These fixies are constructed of a lightweight frame and topped off with clean colourways in navy/white, black/red, orange/white and silver/black. They’re available for £349 online store.

Legendary camera makers, Leica opened its doors for their official London store back in 2009. One our first features on WeAreHQ was on the incredible Leica S2, which we were able to get an exclusive look. Since then, the store has been a huge success and has decided it was time for a refit. Clearly taking inspiration from the Apple store and other high end retailers, Leica have cut no corners to make this store a luxury experience for anyone who walks in. The ground floor will be the main shopping area with the classic M series and D Lux range along with lenses and scopes. As well as the buying side, there will be a customer care area ”allowing the company to offer a wider range of training workshops, one-to-one product demonstrations, advice sessions and private consultations for its customers,” says Leica.

Leica has also leased a third building in Bruton Place for the launch of a “café-style area for Leica owners on the ground floor of No. 27.” The three-storey building, which is being renovated by the company, will also incorporate a glass-partitioned laboratory, “where light repairs and sensor cleaning will be undertaken.” The brand also plans on opening a media centre, “where members of the media will be able to hold meetings and interviews with Leica representatives.

On the second floor, Leica is creating a new professional photographic studio, dubbed Studio-S, which will be available to hire exclusively to photographers using the Leica S-System. Make-up areas, changing rooms, assistance and access to all facilities in-house will be available to accommodate for high-profile or confidential shoots. “As well as on-site equipment, Leica will offer additional support such as Leica-trained photographic assistants, therefore providing a unique hire package,” further stated by the company.

The space is a very exciting step for Lecia, as the new premises is scheduled to open in early Spring 2012. Visit their website for more info.