Monthly Archives: March 2011

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240-led-dimmable-led-video-light

Fresh new LED Video light hits the market for on camera use. This one looks like a winner, and a first for color changing dimmable LED video lights at this price. Look closely and you'll see a familiar build similar to the makers of the popular 126 LED video light that changed everything. The Magenta (minus green) and clear diffuser filters look very similar to the latest 600, 900, and 1200 LED video lights also made by the same company as the 126 LED.

LED-dimmable-video-240-light

This time around they're throwing in a 240 LED Dimmable video light with Color Changing knobs. If you don't know how this works, check out this article: http://cheesycam.com/color-changing-variable-color-led-video-lights/

240-led-color-changing

The only other color changing for 'On Camera' use are the 312 LED Color Changing Dimmable Video Lights, which look damn good, but run more than twice this price. Of course for the lower price this new 240 LED Video light does not include the popular Sony or Panasonic camcorder batteries required to power, and also doesn't have a port for external power adapters.

240-led-sony-battery

Still don't think you're getting a deal on the price? Check out what looks to be the exact same LED video light found here.

For the price, the new Color Changing features, and coming from a company who's recently been releasing some of the most popular LED lights for the budget filmmaker, it sounds like a great buy. Unfortunately they are fairly new and limited supply at this time.

240-led-video-light
find-price-button Color Changing Dimmable LED Video Lights

[Update Update] Now Back Available Online:
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find-price-button 240 Dimmable Color Changing LED Video Light with Barndoors

barndoor-240
find-price-button 240 Dimmable Color Changing LED Video Light without Barndoors

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I've lost a few myself. Once that little guy is gone, you've rendered your tripod quick release plate pretty much useless. You can order these replacement screws through some of the big retailers for over $10 dollars, or you can check out eBay for some cheaper prices. Problem is you've got to wait weeks for that over seas shipping, so might be something small to keep handy. Call it Preventative Maintenance..

Screen shot 2011-03-24 at 9.36.11 AM
find-price-button 1/4 x 20 Replacement Screw for Quick Release Plates

[Update] This one would work out as well, but doesn't look like the standard 'slotted' screw head, where a quarter comes in handy. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/302185-REG/Wimberley_SW_100_Extra_Screw_1_4_20.html

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Vimeo member Lolo Two is at it again with another DIY project. This time using EMT a.k.a conduit to assemble a solid DSLR style Fig Rig / Cage. Interesting to see the 90 degree Conduit connectors in use, and gives me more ideas on where I could use these things. [Thanks Lolo Two]

If you haven't passed by your local hardware store and looked through the Conduit / EMT section, you'll be surprised to find a whole bunch of clamps and connectors that have a ton of uses. I think I found some very cool clamps that can be mounted to 15mm Rails as accessory mounts.

As far as a DIY cage, I'm still hung up on my DIY DSLR Cage found here: http://cheesycam.com/cheesycam-exclusive-diy-dslr-cage-stabilizer/. Using inexpensive strut channels in my design requires zero drilling and just two cuts to assemble a solid rig with a bunch of different mounting points.

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Lexar-SDXC-Memory-Card
find-price-button Lexar Pro 128GB SDXC Media

That sexy new Lexar 128GB SDXC Card is now shipping (first metioned here: http://cheesycam.com/lexar-sdxc-media-cards/). The fact that this comes with the name Lexar at the introductory price is already exciting. Interesting that on Lexar's own website, the Buy It Now price is $80 dollars more than at B&H. Sounds expensive upfront, but those who remember having to pay over $1,000 dollars for a very small amount of sxs Memory feel the deal.

Sure it's not something DSLR shooters will go nuts over, but there's plenty of higher end cameras that can take advantage of these new Extra Capacity cards. Of course the newly announced Sony NEX-FS100E could benefit, but even other cameras like Canon's XA10 Pro-Sumer video camera would be a nice home, since it has a feature to use Double SDXC card slots and record simultaneously (for redundancy). Maybe an sxs adapter will be available to fit the new Sony PMW-F3 and take some of the cost of ownership down a bit. I'm just more curious to see if a Canon T2i can see that much 128GB memory..

[Update] For those who questioned the demand on such high priced media, it just sold out in a few hours. About two weeks out, but you can still order.

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Previously listed as out of stock, but this is the first time i've heard that they are actuall 'on the way'. B&H has now opened up Pre-Orders to start that waiting list. Just another one of those hot items that you can register for, or cancel if you found one elsewhere. So if you're like all the other people who have still been waiting to grab a Panasonic GH2 you can get on the list.

black-gh2
find-price-button Pre Order Black with 14-42mm Lens

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find-price-button Pre Order Silver with 14-42mm Lens

Here's the Black with 14-140mm
Screen shot 2011-03-24 at 9.38.53 PM
find-price-button Pre Order Black w/ 14-140mm Lens

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Konova is now pushing a small Fluid Head for their SpiderTrax-Like Rotating Video Dolly or their popular Camera Roller Bearing Slider. This new little fluid head could be slightly compared to the Manfrotto 128RC or even the very nice Calumet Video Fluid Head. Obviously for a cheaper price, and possibly not at the same level of build quality. Either way, i'm sure it's a great little low profile fluid head for many DIY projects, but if you could afford to, you might want to check out the Calumet Fluid Head or Manfrotto Fluid Head.

Konova-Fluid-Head
find-price-button Konova Mini Video and Photo Fluid Head

BTW - Did anyone catch that other seller for the Konova Roller Bearing Slider that offers free shipping? Essentially saving you another $50 bucks? [Thanks Chris S.]

Found here:
konova-slider-dslr-video-shooter
find-price-button Konova Roller Bearing Slider

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When Panasonic announced the AG-AF100, there were claims that DSLR video was dead. Sure the Panny is a good camera, but they were too far from the idea of what DSLR’s really were. It seems they were designing around the needs of the high end filmmaker, but the largest community of DSLR shooters are from basic consumers. Today Sony announces a new NEX-FS100E, a nice balance between the influence from DSLR cameras as well as addressing more professional filmmakers. Depending on the price of this unit, some might say that Panny’s AF100 is dead. Vimeo member Den & James from F-Stop Academy had the chance to input all the good qualities of DSLR’s as well as the bad.

Sony NEX-FS100E

Some features and controls are said to be influenced from the EX1, but Sony’s NEX-FS100E will have the ability to use interchangeable lenses with Sony’s Super 35mm motion picture sensor. There’s also 1080@60p available, the top swivel LCD remains on even when another monitor is plugged in on the full size HDMI. XLR inputs with phantom power, Shotgun Microphone with top handle, manual audio levels, and even a bunch of ¼ x 20 mounting points built directly into the Sony camera body. There’s a ton of other features explained in the video (above) and more found at Sony’s Press Release page: https://www.sony.co.uk/biz/content/id/1237480587665?en_GB=

Sony new NEX-FS100E

I personally love the way this Sony camera was put together. Keep it small, that’s the whole appeal of DSLR’s. Today I can carry 4 Canon DSLR cameras + lenses to a location in a single roller bag. If manufacturers design these bodies too big (or too expensive), they’ll be losing the largest market of DSLR shooters. One thing I can safely say is that even this new Sony won't kill DSLR's. It's designed to have more ergonomics for Video rather than for Photographers. You might think this isn't a big deal, but having both a still camera and video camera in one tiny form factor is still appeals to a huge audience. The opposite side of the spectrum are cameras designed to have more ergonomics for Photos rather than for Video. Dedicated interchangeable lens 'still cameras' with 'a little bit of video' will still be a tool for a big audience. Sure I would love to throw this Sony NEX-FS100E in my bag, but it would be along side a DSLR. I'm not ready to give up a fast and professional Photography camera. There’s no word on pricing, but my guess is cheaper than the Panasonic AG-AF100. [Update] I guess pricing comes in at about $6550. This is definitely great news and could appeal to serious vide shooters who 'work around' the lack of features in DSLRs today, but it's early in 2011. Canon might still be dropping a 5D Mark III....

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Chest Pod Camera Support

Reader Jip shares a camera support find. Taking a few tips from the big guys about Camera Shoulder Shooter designs, this 'Chest Pod' acts like a shoulder stock or placed on the knee as a monopod. There's a sling strap included so i'm not sure if it can be worn in any other configuration. Pricing is way too high for something like this, but maybe you guys can track down something cheaper, or DIY something better. [Thanks Jip]


Screen shot 2011-03-22 at 3.58.45 PMScreen shot 2011-03-22 at 3.58.51 PM
find-price-button Adjustable Chest Pod Camera Support Shooter

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fuji-x100-camera

One the most hyped cameras finally reaching the market and yet there hasn't been as many reviews as there has been eBay auctions. The sheer scarcity and exclusiveness of this camera is commanding prices twice the original retail value. $2400 dollars is one of the highest it's sold for so far, but we'll see if that record will be topped this week. BTW, not a single one on auction right now is coming from U.S. (mainland) soil.

Sure it's a fixed lens on what some might call a Point and Shoot camera, but if you're an avid cell phone snapper (with no zoom) you'll come to realize this camera has it's place. In fact, images from the iPhone is one of the top 'cameras' on Flickr above all other DSLRs. There is definitely a confirmation of shortages with the X100, but they are still estimating last week of March to early April, so hopefully we'll see prices drop on this little beauty. For now prices are driven by bidding wars for those that just have to have it now. Check it out:


fuji-x100-rangefinder
visit-button Fuji X100 eBay Auctions