Who doesn’t love the Samyang (or a.k.a Rokinon) 35mm F/1.4 prime? It’s a decently sharp lens with fast aperture for a not so bad price. I couldn’t pass up a recent deal and was able to grab (2) of them for just $375 the other day.

The 35mm focal length is nice for Full Frame cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II. There’s been talks about Samyang releasing a 24mm F/1.4 lens for quite some time, which is a better focal length on cameras that have a cropped sensor like a GH2, Sony NEX, or even Canon 7D, 60D, T3i, etc. The good news is this 24mm F/1.4 prime lens is available now, but the bad news is they are dropping this bad boy for a starting price of over $800. Before you start flipping out, in contrast the Canon EF Auto Focus 24mm F/1.4L will run you about $1600 retail.

Check out the new listings (here).

Samyang 24mm F/1.4 Prime Manual Focus Manual Aperture

Made some slight mods to support a heavier camera and lens. Now it’s a Canon 7D + Tokina 11-16mm on a Giottos quick release plate. I needed to pull the front heavy camera a bit backwards. Threw on some extra counterweights from a Flycam Nano, and then performed a slight test. Brings me back to my roots of flying an expensive Steadicam Merlin, except this one is only 1/5th the price.

Steadicam Smoothee for GoPro and iPhone

At about $100 dollars cheaper than the price listed with B&H (seen here), the Canon 60D gets a discount on the Daily Deal page. Find it below.

Canon EOS 60D (Body Only) DSLR – Daily Deal

We thought we would have a little fun at MacWorld this year, so we covered the entire event with the iPhone 4s mounted on custom PhotographyandCinema Pistol Grip rigs. I already shared a little BTS footage of crowd response with our custom iPhone rigs from our Macworld coverage with Olivia, but we also brought out another fun experiment. You know it’s Macworld, so we wanted to show something different and put together a custom iPad BackPack playing an Oliviatech.com demo reel. It’s all about having fun, and here are some BTS footage of the crowds reaction to our unusual equipment…

Finally! The focus assist on the SmallHD DP4 caused the screen to go fairly dark, and although you could see the focus assist lines, you couldn’t really see what you were focusing on! They made the feature much better in the DP6 through a recent firmware update, and now they’ve made it available for the smaller DP4. Information below, but as usual check with the SmallHD website for any known issues about upgrading your firmware.

SmallHD is happy to announce the release of DP4 Firmware Update V1.2.
This is our latest effort to add more value to your investment and provide the tools to help you do your job even better.

You can find the Firmware Update Instructions for the DP4 here:
http://www.smallhd.com/s.nl/ctype.KB/it.I/id.8261/KB.1407/.f?category=48

DP4 Firmware V1.2:
http://www.smallhd.com/DP4_Firmware/SMALLHD_DP4_OSV1_2.bin

New Features and Fixes
* Focus Assist + has been added to replace Focus Assist (Menu>Advanced>Focus Assist) While the old Focus Assist worked well to achieve critical focus, it darkened the image beyond comfortable viewing levels. The new “Focus Assist+” enhances the in-focus areas even more while retaining the image much more than the original Focus Assist. This is an excellent new tool to help you achieve accurate focus quickly and efficiently.
* Improved accuracy of the Nikon Preset (Preset>N DSLR REC) Enjoy the benefits of a full screen image while recording with your Nikon camera.
* Custom Scales will now be saved after using 1:1 Mapping (Menu>Advanced>Custom Scale. Menu>Advanced>1:1 Mapping) Use 1:1 Mapping confidently knowing that the Custom Scale settings that you have set will still be there where you are done.
* Menu Flip function fixed (Menu>System>Menu Flip)

These handles are crazy fun. Since the new GoPro HD Hero2 supports HDMI output, it’s possible to create a top handle for a low flying GoPro with an external monitor. A setup that skateboarders love to shoot with.

GH2 – DIY Top Handle

I just posted the availability of these new P&C Pistol Grip handles late last night and we didn’t expect such a response. The P&C website has been updated to ‘out of stock’ status. Until we get more stock, you could still grab one with a small amount of remaining inventory available at eBay and Amazon (below).

P&C Custom Pistol Grip Camera Handle – via eBay

P&C Custom Pistol Grip Camera Handle – via Amazon

Above is an old video I did a few months ago showing the new P&C (photographyandcinema.com) Pistol Grips and more importantly, explaining why we decided to make them. These unique wide platform handles make shooting video with small cameras more ergonomic and stable. We’ve had prototypes of these Pistol Grips for several months already, and have been using them quite a bit for casual news gathering and event coverage.

BTS Photo Credits by @NastyClamps

Our primary setup to cover Las Vegas PMA @ CES 2012 with Olivia, was based on two P&C Pistol Grips and a friction arm. We attached the camera on one handle and the LED light on the other. We simplified the audio by just using a Zoom H1 portable audio recorder for the interviews. Although it may not have been the best video quality from the Sony HX9V point and shoot cameras, we were able to travel extremely light and get the job done to provide content for the viewers.

Come time for MacWorld in San Francisco just a few weeks ago, we decided to cover the event entirely on the iPhone 4s using the same Two Grip setup. The iPhone video isn’t quite up to par compared to the Sony, but we definitely were able to turn some heads at the event. You’ll start to see some of those videos online soon.

The Grips will come with a D-Ring so you can attach it to a keyring and have it readily available on your gear bag. You can find the new P&C Pistol Grips available via eBay for both USA and International (click here).

P&C Custom Pistol Grip Camera Handle

So the goal was to modify this Steadicam Smoothee for lightweight cameras, but it was surprising to see it fly my Canon 5D Mark II + 50mm F/1.4 Lens. Getting back to the real reason for the mod, I tested out a smaller setup with the GH2 + 20mm Lens (total 1.2lbs). It took about 6.8oz of counterweight, but she balances just fine. In fact, I really think Tiffen should offer something like this for all the new smaller lightweight cameras coming out. If they can keep the price about the same, they’d make quite an impact. There’s some additional information in the video about the Quick Release mount and Counterweight attachment.

If you’re late to the party, you can find all the build information on modding a Steadicam Smoothee for your small cameras in the previous article (here).

Yup, within the first few minutes the Steadicam Smoothee walked through the door it was laying helplessly in pieces on my workbench. As I suspected, it’s quite easy to modify this little stabilizer. With a quick release adapter, a top stage that can be fine tuned Left/Right & Forward/Back for easy balance, and one of the smoothest Gimbals on the market, i’m calling this the ‘Cheesycam Baby Merlin‘. If you haven’t seen how smooth the Gimbal is, check out the earlier video (here).

The original Steadicam Merlin will run you about $800 dollars (click here to see), and I know there’s a ton of people who want something similar for their GH2 or Sony NEX5n cameras. With this DIY, you can have just about the same features for 1/5th the price! Here’s how I went about the mod.

Peel Back the sticker at the  base and you’ll find a few small screws. Remove the metal plates inside so you can drill through the base.

I reassembled the base (without the metal plates) and then drilled through the center (almost center – oops). Using a 3/8″ Drill Bit, I was able to stuff a 1/4 x 20 coupler perfectly inside.

On the underside of the coupler, I added a washer and 1/4×20 screw to keep it from pulling through the top. On top I added my weight bracket. You could use just about anything here, and my counterweight was at 13.6 oz. which is needed to counter balance the 5D Mark II + 50mm F/1.4 (2.6lbs total).

DIY TIP
If you want to build your own counterbalance that can swing left to right, and allow you to adjust weights up or down, check out this little mock-up using basic off the shelf parts (below). An Eye Bolt will be at the top of your counterweight setup (attached to the base of the Smoothee). A threaded coupler will allow you to attach a long all-thread rod. You can use heavy washers on the rod and a pass-through thumb knob at the bottom. You’ll probably need a second thumb knob above the washers to clamp them down. If you need to make it less bottom heavy adjust the weights upwards. If you need to make it more bottom heavy, adjust the weights downwards.

Click image for larger view

Or you could also start with one of these slotted metal Dual Camera brackets to build up your swinging counterweight system.

Dual Metal Camera Bracket

Not really a cost saving idea, but If you really wanted that finished look like mine has, then here’s where I cannablized the lower counterweight bracket from.

Opteka Video Camera Stabilizer

For the Quick Release plate, I used a hacksaw to cut straight across and filed it down flat.

Drilled a hole down the middle of the QR plate, and added a screw underneath. I had to trim a bit underside to get the screw to fit.

There you go! A modified Steadicam Smoothee made into the Cheesycam Baby Merlin. A nice stabilizer with an adjustable top stage, a Quick release mount, Fine Tuning knobs for quick balance, and adjustable weights underneath with movement to counterbalance uneven weight.

Originally modified to use with my Sony HX9V or Canon S100, but sturdy enough to rock my Canon 5D Mark II + 50mm F/1.4 (2.6lbs.) This is a no-brainer awesome Stabilizer for all kinds of smaller cameras like the Micro Four Thirds, or Sony NEX5n / NEX-7 type cameras. Right now these little Smoothee stabilizers are on sale (click here).

Steadicam Smoothee for GoPro and iPhone

Original (more expensive) Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizer

I want to say when these things were first released they were over $200 dollars. Ridiculous pricing if all you plan to fly is a cell phone. They have since dropped down in price, and while they are listed at about $180 dollars elsewhere, this month they’re on sale at B&H (click here). Not bad if you could possibly do much more with it.

[Update] here’s the video

With one of the smoothest Gimbals on any stabilizer ever, I decided to pick one up and see if it can be pushed to carry much more than a small GoPro. So far the Gimbal is made with a metal bearing, and the frame is mostly a lightweight metal. If it’s possible to modify the frame to add more weights, then you’re looking at an ultra smooth Gimbal on a Merlin-like stabilizer for almost 5 times cheaper than the Merlin itself.

[Update] It’s been Modified here: http://cheesycam.com/diy-steadicam-smoothee-mod-cheesycam-baby-merlin/

Steadicam Smoothee for GoPro and iPhone

Original (more expensive) Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizer