Here’s a peek at a few tool carts i’m using in the studio. These are just basic tool carts you can find at your local hardware or auto parts stores. The tool carts roll close to the set, giving me a table area to work on, while keeping all the gear together and easily accessible. You’ll have less of a chance loosing small parts (batteries, SD cards, lens caps).

Some of the items on the cart during a shoot include clamps, small hand tools, charged batteries, white balance cards, slate, QR plates, audio recorders, headphones, lenses, camera bodies, microphones, friction arms, HDMI Monitors, cables, and of course gaffer tape. There are expensive dedicated Grip Carts on the market, but for now I seem to be getting by using these inexpensive service carts.

I would first check your auto parts store or hardware store to see if they carry something like this. I purchased the black cart for just $60 bucks at my Lowes, but you can also find many different versions online (here).

Rolling Tool Service Equipment Gear Cart

I originally thought this could render your phone useless while it’s controlling the camera, but one thing noted in the video (above) is that the app can continue to control the camera even while texting, tweeting, reading emails, surfing the web, etc.

The Satechi Smart Trigger is a fully functional wireless timer remote designed to be controlled from your iPhone or iPad. Use the Smart Trigger app to control your DSLR camera with three unique shooting modes: REGULAR (basic wireless remote), MANUAL SHOT (long exposure), or TIMED SHOT
(techniques like time-lapses).

The Satechi Smart Trigger can be found via Amazon (Click Here)

Satechi Bluetooth Wireless Timer Remote For DSLR

YouTube member blkphoto sends in this video test using the Rode SmartLAV while shooting with a Panasonic GH3 [Thanks Larry]. If you jump over to 1:43 in the video you can hear the immediate difference between the recording and the sound from the GH3 internal microphone.

The Rode SmartLav is a microphone that connects directly to an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad. You can download a free version of the Rode Rec app to adjust sound levels and with the paid version of the app you can immediately share your recordings to the cloud.

It may not replace your other high end mics and digital recorders, but as you will often hear stories about Lav mics breaking in the middle of a project, it might be handy to keep a Rode SmartLAV around in the kit. Available at the DVEStore.com (found here)

Rode smartLav iOS Lavalier Microphone.

Today the Sony MDR-V6 is on sale for about 15% off typical retail price [thanks for the Tweet Dave]. Over 1100 reviews at 4.5 stars, you can find the sale following the link (click here)

Sony MDR-V6 Monitor Series Headphones with CCAW Voice Coil

On that note, this may sound quite silly, but yesterday I was working with a set of Tascam’s latest TH02 Closed-Back Stylish Headphones, and was pretty blown away. We purchased a set over at NAB and didn’t really think too much about them because the retail price was only around $20 dollars (found here). Crazy right? I had three other people from the crew monitor with the headphones and we were all pretty amazed at the quality and price of these new headsets from Tascam.

(above) Monitoring Sennheiser G3 Wireless + Tascam DR-60D with Tascam TH02 Headphones

Checking back on the Amazon reviews, seems like everyone else shares the same opinion. I feel pretty silly for suggesting a set of $20 dollar headphones, but damn these things sound good. If they carry them at your local retailer, you should really give these a try. There’s also an excellent video review over at Amazon I suggest you take a look at if you’re interested (found here).

Tascam TH02 Closed-Back Stylish Headphones

This unique bag has a hard case at the bottom, might be good for storing items you’d like to have protected such as the Steadicam Arm, Light Stands, Monopods, or maybe even create a padded divider for lighting. The top is a flexible Duffle area for storing larger items like a padded stabilizer vest, cloth backdrops, extension cords, or other grip gear.

The brand name is ‘FUL’ and so far Amazon reviewers give it a full 5 star rating (see here). Might be worth looking at if you need a good travel duffle that has a separate protected hard case area. I found these same name brand bags listed on eBay starting as low as $62 dollars + FREE SHIPPING (here).

Ful Hybrid Rolling Duffel Bag Hard Case

Available in 7 different colors via Amazon (click here).

Ful Hybrid Rolling Duffel Bag Hard Case

The XCAM no doubt shares the same design as the original Skyler MiniCam, and the 2013 XCAM version now offers a folding leg design. For the XCAM, this means you don’t have to remove the legs when it’s time to pack up. The XCAM is also half the price of the Skyler MiniCam for those who were looking to get into a similar stabilizer.

The tripod style legs from these two stabilizers are not just for design aesthetics, it also allows you to confidently set your stabilizer down without fear of tipping over. Not something you can do with a Merlin, and you may not be as confident doing this with a Glidecam. The spread legs also give clearance for a center mount, used to thread a monopod underneath when you want to be stationary and not have to carry the weight.

Both are excellent stabilizers, with only minor differences shape of counterweights) between the two. (i.e. folding legs, colored qr plate). The new XCam 2013 Mini video Stabilizer is offered at just $238 via eBay (click here)

XCam 2013 FL Mini Hand Held Video Stabilizer

The original Skyler Minicam stabilizer is available for $450 dollars (found here on eBay)

Skyler MiniCam Video Camera Stabilizer

I was curious to test out the new Aputure LED Video light panels, and so I reached out to Aputure to send over this package of 3 different portable LED Video lights. Within these three boxes sit the 528w, 528c, and 528s LED Light Panels waiting to be unboxed.

Aputure AL-528W LED Video Light Panels

The three different lights share mostly the same features which include a Digital brightness display, Double power supply system (battery or AC), the ability to charge batteries from the unit while being powered by AC, a Battery power indicator, and all come with a nice Carrying case. I’ll try to get to them later this week, but for now here’s what the different models represent.

The AL-528W is an all daylight color temp rated at 5500K and throws a 75 degree beam angle.
The AL-528S is an all daylight color temp rated at 5500K but throws only at a 25 degree beam angle (spotlight type effect).
The AL-528C throws at the 75 degree beam angle, but can adjust color between 3200K-5500K using two sets of different color LED bulbs.

I’m just waiting for a color temp meter (should be here later this week) to measure LUX for a better comparison of these new panels.

Aputure AL-528W LED Video Light Panels

I’m guessing once the ML menus have been refined and the workflow to process the RAW images becomes easier, this will create a second wave demand on the 5D Mark III. If you’re looking for one, the Canon 5D Mark III currently retails for $3400+ (no current rebates), so as a reminder there are still deals available for Brand New, USA Warranty, Canon 5D Mark III cameras at below $2890 (check here).

Canon 5D Mark III (Body) Deals

If you need to get proper alignment back on a set of 15mm rails, check out a few of the adjustable baseplates on the market. Here Stewart is using one of the CAVision adjustable baseplates which offer up/down as well as left/right adjustments found via B&H (click here).

CAVISION Adjustable BasePlate with 15mm Rails