27Jan 30% OFF All Cinevate Sliders
In case you didn’t catch the announcement, Cinevate is offering 30% off all Slider Models until February 8th. Find all the models and pricing options through the banner below.
26Jan Litepanels MicroPro vs. Konova Ledgo CN-B150 LED Showdown
Dave Dugdale over at LearningDSLRVideo.com, puts the Litepanels MicroPro up against the Konova Ledgo CN-B150 LED. It’s not surprising that the overall light output fails against some of these cheaper LED video lights, as we’ve seen it fail against the $70 dollar Z96 LED Video Light
Of course light output isn’t everything, when you consider the quality of light. Still, Konova’s branded LED light for a third the price holds up pretty well. Next to consider is build quality, and the Litepanels for over $350 bucks doesn’t shine too well in both the plastic housing and dimmer electronics. The Konova LED light also has an option to ’stack’ amongst each other to create one large panel. It’s also nice to see that the much cheaper option can fair pretty high shutter speeds without banding. [Thanks Dave] You can find the Konova 150 LED video light at their store (click here).
Konova LED Video Light
25Jan Custom Fancier 717 Fluid Head Quick Release – Teaser
Very small production run of a quick release adapter compatible with the 717 Video Fluid Heads (seen here)
[Update] Just a note, that this is ‘NOT’ an ‘Official’ Fancier sponsored product. Those guys never provided a QR solution, so it was about time we made a few available. This is a custom QR adapter made from P&C and there’s a limited inventory. This ‘DOES NOT’ include a quick release plate. This is only the adapter base itself. This base adapter will allow you to quickly mount your camera from your WF717 Fluid Head to a DSLR Cage, Crane, Slider, Shoulder Rig, Steadicam, etc.
It has a very flush base that will work perfectly on a Glidecam or Flycam and you can tighten the knob without interference. It also ‘mounts’ and ‘dismounts’ from the top instead of sliding into the base. This makes it easier to mount shoulder rigs that have hanging handles, or low mounted counterweights that often make sliding the QR plate difficult.
PhotographyandCinema.com will list this item tonight with Free Shipping for USA buyers. For USA & International, you can purchase through eBay (click here).
Custom Fancier 717 WF717AH Fluid Head Quick Release Adapter (base only)
If you need a plate for this QR Adapter base, you can find some following the link (click here)
717 WF717 WF717AH Base Plate
25Jan Cineroid L2C-3K Daylight Tungsten On-Camera LED Video Light
The good folks over at EVSOnline gives you a peek at Cineroid’s L2C-3K LED Video light. Instead of providing two different LEDs which normally cuts your output in half, they decided to provide options for swapping out ALL of the LEDs. Of course this means you can’t dial in mixed temperatures. It definitely looks like a good light, but if you want the variable temp options, be ready to throw down over $500 bucks. Three different packages, available via B&H (click here).
Cineroid L2C-3K DayLight / Tungsten On-Camera LED Video Light
24Jan Azden Audio – ECZ-990 SMX-10 FMX-DSLR
Over at PMA CES 2012 we stopped by the Azden Booth to see what they had to show for DSLR Audio. They showed us a new mixer / preamp called the FMX-DSLR, along with the SMX-10
Azden FMX-DSLR Portable Audio Mixer for Digital-SLR Camera
24Jan Gruv Gear V-Cart – Solo Lite Cart
A 4 wheel wagon is nice for moving gear, but when conquering a small set of stairs, a two wheel hand truck is better. These carts look pretty cool for hauling gear transforming from a basic Hand Truck, to V Dolly, to 4 Wheel Cart. The V-Cart version holds up to 500lbs, and the Solo Lite rated at 250 lbs. The Gruv Gear carts roll on flat free tires. I think i’m fond of the Orange/Black color scheme because it’s similar to the SF Giants. Not priced for the average hobbyist, as the Solo Lite starts at $179 and the larger V-Cart at $249. Find them below.
23Jan Steady Dragon Camera Stabilizer
There’s a million different little stabilizers on the market, but about a month ago (maybe a bit longer), the Steady Dragon brand upgraded the Gimbal to a universal joint. This type of gimbal provides the maximum amount of range compared to the little Ball-and-Socket type like found in the Hague MMC. The Steady Dragon seems to have all the right parts with front and rear counterweights, side to side weights, and adjustment of the camera forward and back.
With the optional camera plate, you can also add side to side from the top stage. A Tripod mount is also available so you can dock your camera. There’s ways to create your own stabilizer with U-Joint from a Traxxas RC, but If you’re not the DIY type, this little stabilizer looks like a good start for small cameras and under a hundred bucks. The Steady Dragon states it’s rated to balance cameras just around 3 lbs and you can find some demo videos following the link (click here).
Steady Dragon Video Camera Stabilizer Streadicam
21Jan Skyler MiniCam DSLR Video Stabilizer
The Skyler MiniCam has been a work in progress floating around the Internet for a very long time, but this is the first time i’ve seen it available on eBay. A clever little stabilizer which stands on it’s own like a tripod, looks to have great build quality, and very simple fine tuning knobs. A 1/4-20 thread under the stabilizer allows you to mount it on a Monopod so that you can don’t need to dismount your camera.
Unfortunately the asking price of over $620 dollars is a big umm..’heck no’ for me. It’s too bad they couldn’t get the Skyler under the $200 dollar price tag, I think it could be a hit. I guess if you want to compare the price to an $800 dollar Steadicam Merlin, it’s not looking so bad, but there’s so many more stabilizer options now for under $300 dollars. If you’re still curious, there’s some additional demo videos of the Skyler MiniCam stabilizer in use over at the auction page (click here).
Skyler Mini DSLR Video Camera Stabilizer Steadicam
21Jan Varavon Slim Video Camera Slider Discount
The Varavon Sliders come in a few variations from Slim, Mini, EX, and ENG models. The ‘Slim’ is the smallest and narrowest version of their slider weighing in at around 5lbs total. It’s the common roller bearing carrier design, so it’s very smooth, and friction can be adjusted with the bearings.
Old video above of NAB 2011 where we first saw the Varavon Slim video camera slider. Normally even the smallest and cheapest Varavon slider will still run you about $600 dollars retail (seen here), but yesterday there’s been a few listings of the Slim Camera Slider on sale for just under $330.
Right now, that’s a bit cheaper than even Konova’s 31.5″ (first gen) slider. The Varavon ultralight Slim version is the narrowest slider on the market at 42mm wide, coming in at 39.4″ long, and says it can carry a max payload of 19kg (42lbs?). You’ll find those Varavon Slim Camera Sliders on sale following the link (click here)
Varavon Slim Camera Slider 39″ Roller Bearing
20Jan Gini Rigs Color Splash?
If I had to figure out who made this green DSLR cage with polished clamps, I would never have guessed it’s actually a Gini Rig. [Thanks Steve] Normally we see the Gini Rigs sporting a cliche’ and traditional Black with Red accents, but now we’re seeing a bit of color splash in a few products. What do you guys think? Go or No-Go? There’s a few more new Cage and rig configurations over at the Gini store following the link (click here).
Gini Rigs Green DSLR Video Cage
20Jan CarrySpeed Camera Straps New Adapter Plate
Another PMA video interview at CES 2012. Tim from CarrySpeed camera straps shows a new quick release ball adapter + heavy duty plate that leaves room for a tripod quick release plate. The quick release ball adapter design with plate allows the free movement without scratching the camera or lens. The prototype plate shown towards the end is a fold flat design so the ball adapter does not need to be removed for the camera to sit flat.
CarrySpeed CS-Pro Camera Sling Strap Rapid Adapter
Both versions are also available on Amazon
Carry Speed Black Color Cs-slim Camera Sling Strap System Fast Rapid for Smaller Camera System
Carry Speed Black Color Cs-pro Camera Sling Strap System Fast Rapid for Dslr
20Jan Cowboy Shoulder Support Discounted
The inexpensive Cowboy shoulder support gets a nice little discount and falls to about $17 bucks. [Thanks Serge]. This shoulder support is often considered a chest clamp and can be a true hands-free shoulder rig without the need of counterweights. It’s possible to expand on this system by using rails sets like the updated Rig X – B version from Express35.com.
I also have an old video showing some rails on this shoulder support (here). The Cowboy Shoulder Support is on sale right now via Amazon (click here).
Cowboy Video Camera Shoulder Support
20Jan Rode VideoMic HD and Stereo VideoMic Pro Soon?
When Rode released it’s VideoMic Pro, the little shotgun mic was sold out for weeks. I’m anticipating the same would hold true for at least the innovative VideoMic HD with built in digital audio recorder.
Through the comments, it looks like the Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro has now been listed for pre-order and comes in just shy of $300 dollars (found here).
There’s also a product listing for the VideoMic HD with built in Digital Recorder, but no price has been listed yet. You could of course check in and get notified when it becomes available following the link (click here)
20Jan Film Riot DIY Dual Shoulder Mount
The guys at FilmRiot throw together a $25 dollar build video for a DIY Dual Shoulder Mount. [Thanks Anthony].
20Jan Lightning Deals All Day – Camera, Photo, & Video
Starting at 6:00am this morning, there will be Amazon lightning deals in the Camera, Photo, and Video department. Lightning deals are special discount offers that run for a short time and new deals are thrown up just about every hour. Upcoming in the list are hard cases, backpacks, and bags, if anyone needs such. The most interesting item when browsing through the upcoming list of items, is the Rokinon 35mm F/1.4 Prime lens for Olympus, Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Pentax will soon receive a discounted price. A fast sharp lens that will work on both cropped and full frame Canon cameras, normally a a lens that runs about $450-500 dollars, will be on sale today (click here).
Rokinon 35mm F/1.4 Manual Prime Lens – Lightning Deals
[Update] Deal is on right now and they dropped the price by $125 dollars. Huge discount for this lens we won’t see again anytime soon. Choose the version you want, and then look to the right side to see if it still qualifies for the lightning deal price (click here)
19Jan Simple SunwayFoto Lens Zoom / Focus Lever
Let’s face it, most guys won’t ever use a Follow Focus system that requires rails to mount, and lens gears to shift around. There’s plenty of people who are already happy with something as simple as a Silicone Jar Opener to help move that lens gear around. Especially for some of those Panasonic lenses that seem to rotate forever. Check out the video from Vimeo member Tony Carretti a while back (below).
There’s been plenty of DIY ideas based around a little handle around the lens gear, some that mount on the lens ring using zip tie straps, some methods using pipe clamps and bolts. All very effective methods for the filmmaker on a budget. Now if you like the idea, but are concerned about the aesthetics of your gear (maybe to impress your clients), check out the adjustable focus / zoom lever from Sunwayfoto.
The Focusing lever is precision machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum with an Anodized finish, solid and durable. To maintain a slim profile, they come in about 4 different sizes from small to large depending on the diameter of the lenses you’re trying to mount these to. More information on these things following the link (click here).
Adjustable Focus / Zoom Lever SunwayFoto – via eBay
Also available via Amazon (click here)
Sunwayfoto Focus Lens Zoom Lever Handle – via Amazon
