I like these flexible tripods, and the $10 dollar DSLR one is great. I also wanted something much smaller to carry around in my backpack. I thought these mini ones would be quite handy to mount onto the many of the light stands I have hanging around. What can I say, it's $3 dollar shipped with a handy mount I can use for several small cameras and devices. Find it here: Mini Flexible Gripping Tripod
Transcend 32GB Class 10 SDHC Kit - Amazon
I'm in search to fill the card slots in the Canon 60D on order. For those who swear by the affordable Transcend SDHC cards, i'm surprised that SDHC cards have really dropped in price. Considering every new camera announced is practically using this format, and Nikon's new D7000 has dual slots, there would be some demand inflating prices. I've been looking at other options, but wow the Sandisk brand is going for more than twice the price!
I have to admit that i'm sold on those Transcend 32GB Compact flash cards I received. They are now standard issue in my cameras and have had absolutely no issues offering fast dump times through my Belkin card reader. So I think i'll take my chances. Available at BHPHOTOVideo and Amazon, these Transcend 32GB Class 10 SDHC Cards should be a hot seller after Photokina. I think i'll try these for the new Canon 60D I have on order.
If you're not feeling the Card Reader kit, you can save a few more dollars for just the card itself over at BHPhotoVideo.com
I got a tip about a new Tascam DR-03 Digital Portable audio recorder that looks similar to the DR-08 model. This product hasn't even been released yet. This model goes for fixed microphone positions over the flexible ones as the DR-08, and comes in cheaper than the Zoom H1. It's also advertised as a 'Solid State' recorder, so does this mean no MicroSD option? There was very little to no information about this recorder right now, so I emailed Tascam directly. After finding out The Tascam DR-03 only goes up to 48 KHz/24 bit compared to the DR-08's 96 KHz / 24bit, I lost some interest.
Although it's not the highest quality portable recorder, if you're not an Audiophile, even the compressed version of my Tascam vs Zoom H1 screwed up test wasn't all that bad. By the way, I did update the old article post with some Audio WAV samples for those who were asking. They are the large RAW files up to 80MB. So if you're looking for something in a slimmer profile than the Zoom H1, and don't mind the 48KHZ / 24bit audio, check out the new Tascam DR-03 SOLID STATE DIGITAL RECORDER .
The Swintronix Powerbase 70 Battery Pack is back in stock again. Supposedly 6 times longer run time than a single Canon LP-E6 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery, it is designed with two optional power ports for powering up other compatible accessories. Yeah I know, Swintronix Powerbase is old news right? Not really, since this battery pack is designed for use with the Canon 5D Mark II & Canon 7D which shares it's battery type with the Canon EOS 60D. Get where i'm going with this? Theoretically it should have absolutely no problems powering up the new Canon 60D camera, and with it's mounting capabilities can double up to be used as that rear weight on your new shoulder rig. Double function means lighter run and gun rig since you don't need to add on that extra battery grip + extra rig weight. Soon as the Canon 60D DSLR starts shipping, expect these power packs to sell out just as quickly. The charger for the packs are sold seperately which might be a good thing. You can purchase several battery packs without having to incur costs of having multiple chargers.
Switronix PowerBase Battery Pack Canon EOS 5D Mk II & 7D Pricing
Here's another interesting comparison between Nikon's new rival to Canon's G series camera. Nikon wasn't a big player in this sub DSLR space before the recent announcement of the Nikon CoolPix P7000, but check out what they had to bring to the plate against the new Canon G12. Both cameras have DSLR like functionality with manual control of shutter and aperture and come in with 10 megapixels. Estimated price around $500 dollars, these two cameras are HD video capable at 720p @ 24fps (interesting they would use only 24fps). 30fps can be achieved when shooting at 640 x 480, but you know what they say. Once you go HD you never go back. Ok maybe i'm the only one who says it, let's move on.
Canon's G12 can do an ISO of 3200 while Nikon can move up to ISO 6400. (It might be a terrible 6400 so i'm not looking into that feature so much). The Nikon P7000 zoom is rated at 28-200mm while Canon's G12 sits at 28-140mm. Canon's G12 LCD is a tad smaller at 2.8" than the Nikon P7000's 3" and the G12 LCD also has a lower resolution. C'mon Canon get in the game here. Ok here you go - Canon does have the upper hand in maximum shutter speed set to 1/4000ths while Nikon maxes out at 1/2000ths. Canon is also throwing in their new found love for Vari-Angle LCD that seems to be appearing on all their new gear including the Canon SX30 IS and Canon 60D. Feature wise, Nikon is definitely hitting hard this year and I expect them to gain some fair market share in at least entry level DSLR's and sub DSLR's. They are finally bringing down their prices to compete with Canon's new lineup. Everyone is still waiting for each brand to pull the big rabbit out of the hat at Photokina in a few weeks, shortly afterward we'll start seeing some real live comparisons.
Not sure how many of you are already working with Light Stands, but i've been working on my studio slowly and one of the things i've been trying to build is a rolling platform for the many different light stands I have. Because I use sand bags to prevent the lights from toppling over, it's a bit awkward to move them to a new spot. Calumet has some rolling stands but they are BuKu bucks.
Calumet Rolling Light Stand $249.00
My first idea was to sand bag the stands over furniture dollies. Most dollies that I found were wide enough were quite expensive though. Recently I just found exactly what I needed! These Caster Wheels for Studio Light Stands are perfect. They simply slide on and bolt on over the feet of light stands. Not too bad for the $10 dollars each price but the convenience for me outweighs the cost and it keeps a small footprint in the studio. The listing shows an image of 1, but they come in a quantity of 3. Just thought i'd share. Find them here: Slip on Caster Wheels for Studio Light Stands
The end of 2010 is an exciting time with all these manufacturers introducing new cameras. There's a whirlwind of features Nikon is throwing down in their new Nikon D7000 DSLR. The new Nikon D3100 Digital SLR was also announced which should make some Nikon shooters happy stepping things up to 1080p video. The Nikon D3100, we say, is paired up against the T2i market. This new Nikon D7000 is the more advanced model that will be competing against Canon 60D shoppers. It's about $100 dollars over the Canon 60D, but here's some of the new Nikon D7000 features. Coming in at 16 megapixels, the D7000 can shoot 1080p or 720p. Nothing special there. Options for 24frames per second and 30fps video. That's pretty standard these days.
If you care, this Nikon D7000 has Full time Auto focus in video mode and 39 point AF system. Like more expensive Nikons this one is rockin' dual SDHC/SDXC card slots, 6fps shooting up to 100 images, a new longer lasting battery, and a Magnesium alloy body. Whoa. There's quite a bit of features that the 60D lacks. The 60D can shoot almost as fast and doesn't have a magnesium alloy body. (60D had a slight upgrade adding some weather proofing though).
The Nikon D7000 doesn't appear to move into Variable Angle LCD (swivel) territory. The Canon 60D also has 60fps frame rates which I hear is hard to live without these days, and Nikon doesn't seem to have this option. No full time auto focus on the 60D like the D7000 has, but most of us wouldn't use it. Canon doesn't go with Dual card slots, but does come in 2 megapixels more in resolution. The Canon 60D also carries the new infrared trigger to fire flashes remotely, which I don't see an option for in the D7000. The Canon 60D might be better in low light from the ISO specs, but we'll just have to wait and see. It's a tough call with pros and cons for each one, but keep in mind that DSLR bodies always change, and your real investment is going to be in your lenses and other accessories. Sooner or later you'll have to make your DSLR bed and lay in it....lay in it for quite a while..
If anybody cares about why I shoot Canon, here's my story. Decades ago (it wasn't really that long) I shot with Canon, Nikon, Fuji (which was a nikon body and Fuji chip), Olympus, and Kodak DSLR's. Canon, year after year, and to this day (my opinion) has been the 'leader' in DSLR technology. There's controversy about this, and you might say they don't make the best glass, or produce the best images, but they've always had the best balance in latest features, pricing, and quality. I can always change bodies, but it's hard to change everything else. It's why I stuck with Canon a long time ago. Today it seems like a whole new ballgame with the switch to video and kinda feels like what it did over 10 years ago. It's a new market of shooters, and who's going to end up the leader? So for the newbies who aren't quite invested, looks like you've GOt some CAreful thiNking to dO Now. (<--subliminal message embedded)
Nikon D7000 Pricing
Canon EOS 60D Pricing
I purchased a Canon Powershot SX210 IS camera because I was impressed with the amount of Zoom, Image Stabilization, and 720HD video capable features. Although this is a different range of camera, Canon just announced the new SX30 IS, 14 Megapixel Point and Shoot camera with an incredible 35x Optical Zoom (not digital). Looks like i'll be upgrading my Point and Shoot soon enough! This range in 35mm terms is 24-840mm using the Ultrasonic motors from the EOS cameras. With that type of range, other features include their famous Image Stabilization and 720 HD video with stereo sound.
This sounds like it has all the bells and whistles one might need. Another feature is the articulating LCD screen which should come in handy for both photos and video use. It's an interesting camera that's almost DSLR like similar to that recent Canon G12 announcement. Could this steal some of that Canon G12 thunder? Of course the G12 does have a hot shoe. Oops, I guess this little camera has a hot shoe too. Well Canon now has several new cameras including the Canon 60D recently announced which are not yet available for purchase. With so many different options they've pretty much covered any gaps in what buyers could think they might need in a single camera. Don't think that it's over though, we still haven't heard the big big news from Photokina scheduled at the end of this month.
More information about these cameras can be found with the links below.
Purchase Canon Powershot SX30 IS
Available at BHPHOTOVIDEO.com:
Letus35 Talon K2
Letus35 Letus Hawk DSLR Viewfinder
Just about an hour ago, Letus drops in some new videos showcasing their solution for a Quick release adapter for the Letus Hawk VF. This new solution should be shipping later this month. Letus has always been associated with some very serious gear - check out the video above, who knew these guys were 'not so serious' with a great sense of humor?
Ok back to the new gear, the video below shows off the Letus Hawk VF Quick Release solution. This thing rocks. I like this alot and it's going to make using the Hawk VF much more versatile for Hybrid shooters of video and photography. This is going to be standard issue from here on out with the Hawk View Finders and compatible with all previous Letus Hawk VF's. Check in with Letus, inquire about a possible Free Upgrade for LetusDirect.com customers and solutions for previous customers who purchased before this release. Mention this blog and maybe they'll throw in some of those cool stickers. LOL
Check out the newest Aluminum version in the video below too. Wicked cool.
Light Stand Caster Wheels