Monthly Archives: October 2010

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Canon 60D with Ikan F3 Friction Follow Focus System on 85mm F/1.2

I finally had some time to test out the Ikan F3 Friction Follow Focus system, it's actually quite neat. What's there to really say about it? It's built with quality parts, and it does the job for any entry level DSLR shooter looking for a first time follow focus system. It's a friction based system so no geared rings required. Position it to just about any lens and it will immediately improve the ergonomics of focusing. The unit I have here has a dual rod mount adapter, but the F3 was also designed with a clever standard 1/4 x 20 thread for even more mounting possibilities.

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If you've got a Rod rig, Tripod, Shoulder Support, from the left, to the right, over the top or even from the bottom, you really have no excuses on why you can't mount this thing. DSLR or Mini Camcorder, I bet it will even work just fine on those tiny little focus wheels on a Canon HV30 - can't do that with a ring geared FF. Just from the flexible Power Arm alone there's a hundred different places to lock it in place. It's obviously super lightweight, and not too shabby on the price. Many of us don't have an enormous collection of lenses, so If you're looking for a simple and effective follow focus that works, Ikan's got a good thing here. You won't find too many follow focus systems that have the flexibility to mount onto just about any camera and any lens combination like this. Here's the link over at B&H (which is cheaper than through the Ikan website): Ikan F3 Friction Follow Focus system

Or check out more information about the additional accessories for the F3 Follow Focus system over at Ikan's website: https://ikancorp.com/productInfo.php?id=232

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I've confused myself on this one. Almost 2 years ago, I purchased a whole bunch of LP-E6 aftermarket batteries that did not display the battery meter on the cameras. I still use them today, but since I was looking to add more batteries to the collection, I was searching for the newer ones that are 'chipped' to communicate to the camera and display the proper battery meter for the Canon 5D Mark II, 7D, and 60D cameras. As of now the ones that people are buying are these Maxtek LP-E6 Aftermarket Batteries.

They are indeed much cheaper than the OEM Canon ones, even with the bit of shipping padded to the cost too.

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I took a chance on an eBay auction that looked to be a knock off battery, and I was confused to see an OEM package and OEM labeling. This battery looks good and looks OEM, but incredibly inexpensive with Free Shipping. In fact after Amazon shipping on the Maxtek battery, this eBay battery I received is almost $10 dollars cheaper. I'm not sure if it's Canon legit or not, but the battery looks exactly like OEM, charges with my OEM, and reads the battery information properly in all the cameras. I've taken a bunch of snaps to show you the comparison between my OEM batteries and the one I just received. The one to the right is the cheap battery I just received.

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I'm seriously thinking this is the real deal and at such a great steal of a price too. Here's the link: Canon OEM? LP-E6 battery for Canon Canon 60D, Canon 7D, & 5D Mark II.

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Above, i'm showing off my Tamron 18-270mm with VC 'Vibration Control'. I just took a few snaps right now for you guys in honor of this next post. I'm a believer that not one lens can do it all, which is why in this hobby you'll find yourself collecting quite a bit of different lenses. If I had to say that there was one lens that was close to doing it all, it would be the Tamron 18-270mm with VC (vibration control). It's a crazy lens that gives you both wide and super telephoto capabilities. I talk about it on this blog quite a bit and I never travel without it. Anyone who's ever asked me about a single great lens for a cheap price, this is the one i've been talking about. With it's wide range and 'Vibration Control' (a.k.a image stabilization) it rocks for run and gun Video use too. If you want to know a little more about this lens and check out a video sample, i've posted about this lens here: http://cheesycam.com/tamron-18-270mm-with-image-stabilization/

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If you're looking for a simple single lens that's great for just about anything, especially for traveling, sporting events, and concerts - Today you're in luck. Cheaper than I've ever seen it before, there's a huge mail in rebate going on. Normally priced for over $620 dollars, B&H has the cheapest deal going on right. Believe me, i've seen this out of stock before and you don't want to miss this deal. Go ahead and compare it against a few other websites, you'll find it almost too good to be true. (Note: Not to be confused with the earlier 18-250mm, this is the 18-270mm with VC)

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Check out the Tamron 18-270mm for Canon: Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens
Check out the Tamron 18-270mm for Nikon: Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. (IF) Macro Lens

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Click for Tamron 18-270mm Mail In Rebate

If you like this post and want to share this information, it's helpful to me if you can link back to this article.

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Just got an email this morning again asking about how I like the Cheap 3pc Lighting kit that I talked about a short while back. For the price of a single 500 LED light, you can get this set of three - all dimmable with diffusers. There's pros and cons to all lighting, this is a cheap entry level set but very flexible to integrate into any project. Since then there's been many questions about how well they work, and people wanting to see more examples. So i've been trying to show a few things that i've used them for when possible.
First I showed a video where I used it during a Zoom H1 vs. Tascam showdown here: http://cheesycam.com/tascam-vs-zoom-h1-audio-samples/
I think I also showed the kit in use during an EA Sports interview about the new Need for Speed game here: http://cheesycam.com/need-for-speed-hot-pursuit-bts-interview/

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Cheap 3pc Lighting Kit on set with Linda Le

Here's another lighting sample just shot last night in the studio. With just continuous lighting (no strobes) I was able to grab a few Photos for some BTS footage. Last night we worked with the fun and lovely Linda Le in which she'll be featured in a video / photo / interview profile. If you're a Comic Con type fan, I believe the anime inspired costuming is known as 'Cosplay'? I'll show you guys that stuff later, because I know we're all more interested in the Equipment, rather than photos and videos of random beautiful women.

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Green Screen area

We made quite a mess of things with backdrop stands setup, several different lighting sets, a green screen area, and more. When using the 3pcs Lighting Kit off on one end of the studio I grabbed the Canon 60D with Canon 85mm F/1.2 to take a few snaps. No flashes here, just all ambient from the lighting kit. There were just two additional lights for the colored gels behind. Just goes to show it's not just for video use, but can be effective in a bit of fun photography as well. The kit comes with 3 Lights, 2 Softboxes, 3 Light Stands, 1 barn door, a travel case, all with dimmer switches. For small projects, it's a great cheap set that gives you a little bit more creativity to your projects found here: http://cheesycam.com/new-800w-barndoor-softboxes-3pcs-lighting/

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Photos taken with lighting from cheap 3pc Lighting Kit
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find-price-button 3pc 2400w Dimmable Video Lighting Kit Softboxes

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find-price-button 2400 watt 3 lights Continuous Video Light Kit

Kit + Green Screen
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find-price-button 2400w Green Screen 10 x 12 ft Lighting Kit

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Thanks to a tip from Tim for sending this in. Here's a clever LCD View finder from Vimeo member Alan Morris. Crafted from Plexi Glass and a Child's Binocular toy for the magnification piece, this view finder looks pretty legit. Alan also throws in an interesting way to mount and release the view finder from the camera. More of the details can be found at the video description following the link: https://www.vimeo.com/15912528

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Your inquiries have been answered. Not long ago Greg Royar mentioned on this blog about a DIY DSLR bearing based slider he made. Here's the video explaining how it's all put together. Of course Greg does mention he's had some help from his Machine Shop to get everything a bit more accurate. Sounds like you'll all have to pressure Greg in pricing out a quote to get a few more of these things run off for sale. [Thanks Greg]

Details from the video:

The slider was built with some simple C-Channel aluminum acting as a rail, and the block is solid aluminum that's been ground down and bolted together. I picked up a box of replacement skateboard bearings from the local sports shop. The bearings were $8 for all 8. Right now I have the slider bolted onto a saw horse from home depot, but I'll probably be buying the popular fold away version so that I can get dolly shots from the ground.

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Lately, Ikan has been putting more effort into expanding DSLR accessories, especially Camera Support Stabilizers. Here's a recent Demo video talking about more additions to their 'Elements' line of DSLR targeted stabilizers and their F3 friction follow focus system, which mounts 'every which way but loose' (old Clint Eastwood reference). You can find some of their configurations and accessories over at B&H: Ikan Elements DSLR Support Stabilizers

You can find more information about their Friction Follow Focus here: F3 Friction Follow Focus

Or you can follow Ikan at their WordPress blog where they'll be talking about some of their new products here: https://ikancorp.wordpress.com/

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Here's a couple of DIY Custom Form Molded Cases from Vimeo member Roberto Caverra and Bernie Hipos. A couple of peeps with some DIY inspiration on camera bags and rolling cases.

Email from Roberto Below -

Hey, simple idea using expanding foam in a can. $20 case bought at a flee market, $10 foam can.

1. I covered all my equip very well with something like Cine foil and spaced them out to my liking.
2. Sprayed the expanding foam around cam body and lenses.
3. Once it was dry (about 24hrs) I removed equip and sprayed foam black.

Lenses and Cam body fit very snug and there is no movement once lid is closed. The cool thing is that you can cut it easily once dry.

In hindsight, I could have used more foam. I wasn't sure how much it was going to expand.

It's definitely a custom form mold to tightly hold the gear. I'm thinking another thin layer of black foam over the top and nobody would ever know what lies beneath.
[Thanks Roberto]

For a Roller bag, Bernie Hipos writes in with a tip on using Foam Fabric from your local Fabric store (below). You can find the full WordPress post at his blog here: https://berniehipos.com/2010/10/17/diy-thinktank-bag/img_4402/. Cut out the forms for your gear and double layer it up to sandwich. Keeps things from shifting around during travel, as well as a bit of cushion to absorb shock impacts.
[Thanks Bernie]

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