A mandala magic tapestry is a decorative textile piece that features intricate mandala designs. Mandala, a Sanskrit word, represents a geometric shape or pattern that represents the cosmos or the universe. These designs are often circular and symmetrical, comprising various symbols, shapes, and motifs within them. The magic tapestries are a visually captivating art form that has been prevalent across cultures and religions for thousands of years. In Hinduism and Buddhism, mandalas are used as a tool for meditation and spiritual growth. They are believed to aid in focusing the mind and achieving a sense of unity and harmony within oneself.
Author Morgan Moore on the right demonstrating the finer points of Getting In The Van.
The Micro Cinema Camera also promises to be pretty handy in low light especially if paired with very fast glass on the Metabones Speed Booster BMPCC. I will be working with Super 16mm film on another shoot coming up soon, so this was a nice reminder that you don t need full frame or even Super 35mm to achieve a cinematic look.
They are believed to aid in focusing the mind and achieving a sense of unity and harmony within oneself. The concept of mandalas has also transcended into other aspects of art and design, including tapestries. Mandala magic tapestries are characterized by their vibrant colors, intricate details, and powerful symbolism.
Blackmagic Micro Cinema camera: first impressions by DP Sam Morgan Moore
I’ve had Blackmagic Design’s new Micro Cinema Camera for a couple of weeks and personally I am very excited by this tiny camera.
I feel the need to own a tiny camera for two reasons (I also have an FS7 and an EX1). Firstly to mount it in silly places, either on a stabiliser or hard mounted to vehicles and the like. Secondly to have a fun camera to take to the park, or back home for a family weekend, or even do a simple corporate or news assignment with.
Micro Cinema Camera, Speedbooster and manual focus Nikkor lens.
Tiny cameras
Over the years I have had a lot of fun with the Sony NEX5n. I’ve had two (the first died after a small drop) – I had an expensive cage fabricated for that camera and with the cage it served me very well. I’ve also had fun with GoPros but the lack of shutter control is enough to make the share price tumble.
The NEX5n is a little long in the tooth now so last year I bought a GH4 and YAGH box. This has worked well for me as an interview ‘B camera’, (with a YAGH unit, XLR connections and a V-lock battery) but not as a ‘tiny camera’ with no accessories. And ultimately the onboard 8-bit codec doesn’t quite have the flexibility to make it work well against the 10-bit 4K Sony S-Log my FS7 produces.
Sony’s A7s MkII: great camera, many menus.
Many people see a Sony A7s camera as their tiny camera. Personally I find the Sony menus and multifarious crop options to be a drag. The short battery life, rolling shutter, single 1/4″ 20 mount point, mini HDMI, and odd results with 8-bit S-Log make the A7 cameras uninteresting to me.
Roll on the Micro Cinema Camera. Four 1/4″ 20 screw points, large HDMI, reasonable battery size of a type I own from my 5D Mk2 days, and 1080p 10-bit ProRes. 1080p? Yes. I feel that with a small sensor, jamming 4K’s worth of pixels often leads to difficulties, especially when you compress your 4K to 60Mbps (the NEX5n is 25Mbs for HD – a higher data rate per pixel).
I love the simplicity of Blackmagic cameras. Picture profiles? Flat or Not Flat. Simple. Frame rates, it has a few – colour temperatures, it offers some of them too. What else does one need?
With a Sony the options are baffling. The FS7 for example can only do certain frame rates in certain resolutions, it cannot offer other frame rates if you are in PAL, if you change to NTSC you can’t play back your clips when in PAL mode. On set under pressure this can all get a bit baffling.
Rigging
Back to the Micro, well I also bought a Ronin M and most certainly the thin profile of the camera will help you rig it. By comparison the GH4’s HDMI lead was at constant risk of clashing with the Ronin body. The Blackmagic also just feels ‘right’ when you’re handholding it. It cradles in one hand, almost like just holding a lens.
Testing the Micro Cinema Camera mounted on the Ronin M gimbal in the car.
So it is looking good to make the perfect gripping camera, mounted on a Ronin or hard mount. And I hope to build it up to make a fun walkabout camera matched with my old Rode videomic from my 5D Mk2 and SmallHD DP502 monitor. The camera is so compact the 502 feels big and heavy by comparison (A side note: I hope to use the headphone jack on the 502 to monitor audio). Clearly for ‘serious’ audio jobs I will use one of my XLR cameras, or employ a sound recordist.
I have a short floppy HDMI lead which feels like it is going to be OK as a jump between the camera and monitor although I would of course prefer SDI.
In the field
This weekend I shot a short comedy film and thought I would add a few shots with the Ronin/Micro combination as a kind of test. Shooting with a largish cast and crew hanging over one’s shoulder is where the chickens come home to roost. The camera was duly mounted via the Ronin on a small jib.
Firstly I was reminded of my desire never to use a ‘5D’ battery ever again. By the time we had done a couple of rehearsals and a bit of actor-director chat had occurred the first battery was dead. I really dislike small batteries with no level meters. The Micro does hold out hope on this front as it will accept power via the rather wacky COM port and I’m sure people are rushing to offer options. I will probably use BPU batteries which, fitting my EX1, FS7 and having level meters are my go-to batteries when I’m not using V-lock.
Simple menus are all very well but when rigged to the gimbal control buttons are all but inaccessible.
Now, that simple menu? Not so simple when the camera is upside-down, hanging from a crane with the menu also upside-down in the monitor, wrestling tiny buttons on a live gimbal. Personally I find the buttons tiny, and the menu a little unintuitive. I also struggle with the GoPro menu and am completely lost on Sony menus this isn’t a fault unique to the Blackmagic!
With controller, monitor and follow focus the Micro Cinema Camera is much bigger than an Osmo and many things need charging. Seen here the camera and Metabones Speedbooster are mounted to the Ronin M gimbal with DJI focus control; the Ronin Follow focus mounts a SmallHD DP1 monitor, focus controller and is powered by a Hawkwoods V-lock + battery plate.
Now the BM may feel tiny, but on the Ronin gimbal it is still quite big. One reason not to buy one right now is to wait and consider the Osmo and X5R – a combination that could be even more small, simple and powerful with an excellent app that will control everything. Controlling and monitoring the Ronin/Blackmagic combo is still always going to be a jumble of wires with a heap of menus to dig into.
It is also a shame that the camera had to be mounted upside-down (or the right way up on an upside-down gimbal). If Blackmagic had gone the final mile they could have offered three 1/4″ 20 holes on the top side, this would have made the camera orientation agnostic. Personally I find single 1/4″ 20 threads to be close to useless because I always want to double mount any accessories to make sure they cannot come unscrewed.
The camera certainly needs a cage – I will make my own, others sell them. I note the Skier cage has only one hole on the bottom, which seems wrong to me. I would therefore suggest checking out Wooden Camera for a commercially available cage.
Lensing and picture
I’m lost with the maths but I bought a Blackmagic Pocket Speedbooster. It is a very snug fit and seems to give a FOV and DOF look very similar to S35. This will live on the camera and work well with my old manual Nikkor glass.
Image looks great, here with a little added grain.
And finally, the picture. 10-bit ProRes. Oh yes. To me, and I have only done a very few shots so far, the picture just looks pretty, owners of the Blackmagic Pocket probably understand. I don’t think there is really a technical way to evaluate ‘pretty,’ the dynamic range is not huge but when one blows the highlights one is not presented with problems and that is worth a lot to me and other shooters who are not scared of flare or backlight. A LUT in Resolve or a tweak of curves or saturation and the image becomes rich and malleable.
Author Morgan Moore on the right demonstrating the finer points of Getting In The Van.
Overall then a very positive first couple of weeks and I’m looking forward to finishing the build – both for rigging and using the camera for fun.
Sam has been making images professionally since 1994. Based in Bristol in the UK he produces video and stills for broadcast, websites, social media, print and press.
I gave myself a day and a half to come up with an idea, shoot, edit, and color. Having no budget or crew, I decided to keep the idea really simple, shoot only with natural light, not have any dialogue, and limit the locations as much as possible. Ultimately things came together well, and the small footprint of the camera made it possible to capture lots of material even while shooting guerrilla style.
They can be used as wall hangings, bedspreads, beach blankets, or even as curtains to add a touch of spiritual and aesthetic appeal to any space. The symbolism within these tapestries can vary, depending on the specific design and its cultural or religious influences. Some common symbols found in mandala magic tapestries include the lotus flower, which represents purity and enlightenment, and the Om symbol, which signifies the ultimate reality or divine consciousness. Aside from their spiritual significance, mandala magic tapestries are also appreciated for their artistic beauty and versatility. They can transform any room into a serene and peaceful sanctuary, creating a sense of tranquility and calmness. Whether used as a decorative piece or as a meditation aid, mandala magic tapestries offer a unique and impactful way to enhance the ambiance of any space. Overall, mandala magic tapestries are not just decorative items; they hold deeper meanings and spiritual significance. They serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of finding inner peace and balance. These tapestries are an exquisite representation of art, culture, and spirituality, making them a valuable addition to any home or sacred space..
Reviews for "Understanding the Spiritual Significance of Mandalas"
1. Jane - 1 star - The "Mandala Magic Tapestry" was a huge disappointment. The quality of the material was cheap and the colors were completely off from what was advertised. It looked nothing like the vibrant and intricate design that was promised. The print was blurry and pixelated, making it difficult to even make out the pattern. I would not recommend this tapestry to anyone looking for a beautiful and high-quality wall hanging.
2. Mike - 2 stars - I was really excited to receive the "Mandala Magic Tapestry" but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The size was much smaller than I anticipated and the fabric felt rough and scratchy. The colors were also not as vibrant as shown in the pictures online. Additionally, there were some imperfections in the printing, with lines that were not meant to be there. Overall, I was disappointed with the tapestry and wouldn't purchase it again.
3. Sarah - 1 star - The "Mandala Magic Tapestry" was a complete waste of money. The fabric was thin and flimsy, which made it difficult to hang properly without it looking wrinkled. The print quality was also very poor. The pattern was not sharp and clear as shown in the pictures, but rather blurry and distorted. I was extremely disappointed with the overall quality of this tapestry and would not recommend it to anyone.
4. Alex - 2 stars - I was really excited to receive the "Mandala Magic Tapestry" as it looked beautiful and unique in the pictures. However, when it arrived, I was disappointed with the quality. The fabric felt cheap and the colors were faded and dull. The print was not as detailed as I had hoped, with some parts of the design barely visible. It did not meet my expectations and I cannot say that I'm satisfied with my purchase.