Monthly Archives: September 2010

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kaydawgy snatched up a Flycam Nano DSLR stabilizer for approx. $120 dollars and threw up an awesome video demo for us to see the results. Using a Canon 550D / T2i and Tokina 11-16mm lens, the Flycam Nano performed pretty well. Of course, for more people we wanted to see more more more about the gear itself, so kaydawgy was kind enough to shoot this excellent gear review.

Here you'll see what the Flycam Nano looks like and it's relative size to the camera. A quick release adapter was added, and if i'm not mistaken it looks like a Bogen RC-2 quick release adapter. With this setup, the Flycam Nano looks like it's just about at it's limit, in fact kaydawgy purchased two additional washers to get things fine tuned. This is a good video showing the size of the Nano sized handle. I'm wondering if at least a foam bike grip can slip over somehow to add a bit more comfort. I guess if it were any longer, it would just be banging against the lower sled. Thanks kaydawgy for taking time out for the review. Check out the video for more about the $120.00 Cheap Flycam Nano DSLR camera stabilizer.

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find-price-button Flycam Nano DSLR Video Camera Stabilizer

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Tokina 11-16MM F/2.8 ATX 116 Lens for Canon EOS AF Digital – Tokina ATX116PRODXC

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Manfrotto RC-2 Quick Release adapter system

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Pre-order for Nikon D3100

I've not known B&H Photo and Video (possibly the largest Camera retailer in the US) to be big on Pre-orders. Normally it's a waiting game trying to check the website periodically for when that hot new item lands in stock. Things are slowly changing with hot item pre-orders becoming more and more popular, and it appears B&H is already on the move.

First up, the Nikon D3100. The new Nikon D3100 is priced well below even the Canon T2i and it's the long awaited 1080HD 24fps capable DSLR Nikon users have been waiting for. If you want to get a jump on this item, B&H is now taking those pre-orders. In fact many of the new lenses and kits for this Nikon D3100 DSLR are up for pre-order. Second up, all the new Apple products. Not sure how you navigate through the website for the new Apple products, but here's the direct link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/New-from-Apple/ci/15638/N/4291059475

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Apple Pre-orders at B&H

I personally don't always associate laptops and computers with B&H, but let's not forget the wide array of professional products that are available through their retail website. They cover everything from audio, video, lighting, hard drives, computers, video capture cards, and more. You might think you can grab every Apple product direct from Apple, but here's a tip. When I get the jump on gear while it's sold out everywhere else, I don't normally go direct. In fact, when I first purchased the T2i (without pre-ordering), I found it in stock at a Computer Store website. Same technique I used on a few other sold out items. Sorry guys, I'm not letting that secret fishing hole out, just in case I need to get a jump on other items. LOL. So if you're lining up at Apple for some of the new gear, you might just get it faster over at B&H.

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It appears we're a bit blessed state side, as Marthin Nayoan is unable to get a decent deal on the Zoom H1 Portable Digital Audio Recorder. Instead Marthin is opting for Sanyo's new sexy Portable Audio recorder labeled the PCM ICR-XPS01MF (who's going to remember that name?). There's been plenty of pocket recorders in the past, but none with the audio quality of the Zoom H1's X/Y stereo mic and especially not for the $99 dollar price.

The new Sanyo PCM ICR-XPS01MF is not going to compete with the Zoom H1's price, in fact it's about three times the price. Hopefully the really sleek compact design might help break this into market. A few specs are 3 hrs recording with a 2GB microSD, and yes it has a line in. I believe it's highest quality audio recording beats the Zoom H1's marginally. My intentions were to use the Zoom H1 as a body pack with the ATR3350 Lav microphone to replace a wireless setup. The Zoom H1 does work nicely for this, but definitely not as sleek in the pocket as this new Sanyo. Unfortunately as we are blessed with the Zoom H1, we might be cursed with the Sanyo Xacti PCM ICR-XPS01MF. The Sanyo Xacti is not as easily found in our major website retailers in the US, but as with everything, available via eBay coming over seas. I'm hoping Marthin will give us a good review once it's in his hands. Here's the link with more techincal specs on the new Sanyo Xacti Portable Digital Audio Recorder PCM ICR-XPS01MF.

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New and Improved DIY DSLR Rig!! from Tony Carretti on Vimeo.

Tony Carretti submitted a video clip showcasing his Double L bracket Camera Stabilizer setup with a Flowpod base. Didn't sound like he was very content, so he's drummed up something new flipping the L brackets sidways into a design much more modular for his style of shooting. He does mention that his brackets are of plastic or fiberglass? Weird, mine is all metal and I have the ones show in this article: http://cheesycam.com/new-new-new-stuff-to-review/. I'm curious if there's different ones available? Thanks Tony.

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Sima Video Bracket with Handle + 2 Accessory Mounts

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Freeway microphone test: Rode VideoMic vs Audio Technica ATR-3350 (with a bonus Z96 test) from Cody Kitaura on Vimeo.

Ok, in all fairness this may not have all been perfect tests, but the final result in using a LAV microphone in this type of situation shows how effective it can be, so i'm going mainly off that result. So before other people start commenting on this video, i'll blog a little bit.

First test. The HG10 may have had some type of AGC turned on as I can hear the audio fluctuate up and down. If it were on, of course that may not have been a proper test, but a busy highway in the background is no place to use in camera microphone. So let's not look too closely at that first part of the review.

Second test. The Rode VideoMic was placed over the camera, and it's possible it could have performed 'a little' better if the AGC was turned on. Since the highway was behind the subject, placing the Shotgun over the camera towards the noise also would not be a proper test. It would easily pick up the noise in the background. Shotgun microphones like this would be best used on a Boom Pole off axis and possibly just pointing down onto the subject from overhead. Obviously we don't always have a second hand with us, or a boom pole handy, so let's not look too closely at test #2.

Third test. This is a good example. It's highly possible the AGC might still have been enabled on the camera, and may have been able to fine tune sound without AGC, but you really see the difference in using a LAV microphone in a very loud and noisy situation. I wish I had these in my pocket when I shot in a nightclub trying to do an interview with two people. The background music was soo loud it was really hard to isolate the subjects from the background noise. For even better sound you can give your subject a quality hand held microphone. For those times you may want the microphone to be discreet, for $20 dollars, the ATR3350 can get you closer to the audio you want to use in your final project. So big thanks to Cody for just taking time out on the side of a busy highway and running some basic audio tests late night for everyone to consider. Thanks Cody!

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click image to purchase Audio-Technica ATR3350

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OK, maybe i'm the only one, but this may not be the most flattering looking accessory to add to your DSLR, but you can't argue it's functionality. If you caught my little DSLR video demo with the IndieHardware stabilizer where I walked outside in a breezy parking lot, you can hear the wind going crazy from the internal microphone. That video is found here: http://cheesycam.com/first-attempt-indiehardware-stabilizer/

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DIY DSLR Microphone Windscreen

Koji Honda shows us how his little DIY DSLR Faux Fur windscreen is put together and goes on and off fairly easy. You can find the step by step image gallery for this DIY DSLR Microphone Windscreen on his Flickr account.

If you're the type that relies on that internal microphone audio to be as clean as can be, possibly to mix in a bit of ambient audio, then you may want to look into something like this. This is also a very helpful tutorial on the materials that can help you build other windscreens, possibly a blimp for a large shotgun. If your plans are small, the only drawback with this DIY is that you may need to purchase Faux Fur and Foam in a larger than needed quantity. Since you may end up buying 20 times more material than you need, Koji also has his little Windscreen for sale found here: DIY DSLR Microphone Windscreen

An excellent tip through the comments, was clean audio from your camera would make things much easier when syncing in post using PluralEyes software. Good example of why you could use good audio from your camera.

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Kevin Clarkson shows what's in the box and what to expect if you happen upon a Lilliput 669GL HDMI LCD monitor. This version requires an external battery pack, and not like the version shown here with an internal battery pack: http://cheesycam.com/7-hdmi-lcd-w-internal-battery/. Luckily there are combo deals that include everything you need to get the LCD setup with your DSLR found here: http://cheesycam.com/new-7-lilliput-2010-battery-shoe-mount/

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Lilliput 7″ + Battery + Shoe Combo Deal

Kevin also shows his recent purchase for a small portable lightweight HorusBennu 988X Travel Tripod. It's not a video type tripod, but can definitely hold your accessories or be used for a lightweight photography setup. I've been using my travel tripod with a Canon 5D Mark II + battery grip + Sigma 50-500mm right now, so these little guys can definitely carry weight. I'm out here in Maui, Hawaii and I can tell you there's nothing like having a good travel tripod with you at all times. Especially with the hook available on this 988X, you can hang your camera bag to load it up for more stability. Mine is a smaller Velbon purchased years ago, but I can't imagine I paid under $100 dollars at the time. The 988X Travel tripod runs less than $50 dollars, with an LX-2T mini ball head goes up to $89 bucks.

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[Thanks Kevin]

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Lensse Camera Stabilizers

Not long ago I posted the Gizmo Camera stabilizer that was shipping from Turkey found in this article http://cheesycam.com/diy-steadicam-gizmo-merlin-design/. Just browsing for something else, I happened to run into the Lensse Camera Stabilizer, also coming from Turkey. Not to say it's anything super different in design compared to the Hague or IndieHardware Stabilizer, but normally i'm documenting different options on this website. How did I miss this? Appears sales have been going on for at least four months, the handle appears to be the same design that don't have the same range as a Tiffen Steadicam Merlin. There's two models available from Lensse, a MidX and a MidPro. The difference in the MidPro is a small clamp knob that allows the handle to be moved forward or back.

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Above: The MidPro has a handle that slides forward or back to fine tune weight distribution.

Looks well built, price depends on the model but comes in between the Hague MMC and Indiehardware Stabilizer. This one comes in black unlike the Indiehardware, but who knows how much weight it's 'really' going to balance. The handle looks much more comfortable though. Nothing more to say, i'm sure it works the same as the other similar designs. Scratch another camera stabilizer off the list. Here's the link to the Lensse Camera Stabilizers.

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Indiehardware Stabilizer

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Hague MMC

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Brian Williams runs a non profit called think https://ThinkKindness.org which produces a documentary and several videos throughout the year. As a birthday present for Brian, brother Nick was inspired by the Cheesycam blog and finished building out two DIY DSLR rigs. The first is the Cheesycam inspired fig rig, with aluminum mountain bike handle extensions rather than the top handle. The second is the ever popular Plug Wire Clams Rig by Johan. To save a few clips during the transition to the handles, Nick used 90 degree L brackets from Home Depot. Hopefully this will help Brian with additional stabilization when working with his inspirational videos for https://ThinkKindness.org. Happy Birthday Brian, enjoy the rigs.