Monthly Archives: March 2011

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Lexar SDXC 64GB CardSandisk SDHCTranscend SDXC

If you aren't familiar with SDXC, it's going to quickly replace SDHC in higher end cameras (maybe even small consumer cams). It will definitely be a competing media with big ENG cameras that hopefully even Sony will adopt (Give up the Memory stick already...) It's all based on the SD format, but with a new exFAT file system that doesn't suffer from the same 4GB limitation as FAT32 (in SDHC cards). The "XC" is also being coined as "Extended Capacity" or otherwise known as (FAT64). Companies like Panasonic, Kingston, Transcend, and Lexar have released new SDXC cards in the last few months. Lexar wasn't the first one out the gate with SDXC cards, but they will be one of the first to release a whopping 128GB SDXC card this month (or next).

Lexar 128GB SDXC

I'll be honest. When I hear the name Lexar, the words 'pricey' and 'expensive' come to mind, but also 'robust' and 'professional'. Doesn't seem like 'pricey' and 'expensive' will be associated with Lexar's new SDXC media cards. In fact sorting by price over at B&H, they stand as one of the lowest prices against the current competitors. Maybe I can finally own something 'Lexar'?

So what does this mean for DSLR shooters? Well the Canon T2i, 60D, T3i, and other recent cameras that use SDHC will be compatible with SDXC cards. Some might work right off the bat, and some might just require a slight firmware upgrade. This doesn't mean that you'd be able to take advantage of the full potential with SDXC write speeds (not yet available). Will you still have a time limit per video clip? Most likely, YES. You will still have a time limit. The limit is placed in these cameras to prevent them from overheating. So what's the benefit? Current camera designs are always held back by Video Codecs and Storage Media. Affordable SDXC cards should speed up camera designs that could now be designed around the speeds and limitations of the media. With the new SDXC media hopefully we'll start seeing cameras that can shoot higher bitrates (RAW), longer video clips, and of course a new media with more capable storage for cheaper prices. [Thanks Julio]

Lexar SDXC 64GB CardLexar 128GB SDXC
find-price-button Lexar and other SDXC Media Cards via BHPhotoVideo.com

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Ready for a sweet little DIY DSLR Cage? Submitted by Andy Clancy, this cage was put together from an off the shelf light tent kit and a cheese style plate. The main part of the cage originally was a light tent for small product photography. A few bike styled handles on the rails, and the rest should be pretty easy to figure out.

diy-dslr-cage

The rails look to be aluminum and can probably be cut down to just about any size camera you own (including small GH2 shooters). Just by looking at how this guy is put together, it looks super light weight, adds tons of ways to stabilize a handheld shot, ability to get some really low shots, and tons of piping to drill mounts or add some cold shoe adapters for accessories (like a monitor). [Thanks Andy]

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find-price-button Product Photography Light Tent

The second part for the 'baseplate' was from a Glidecam Camera Weight (Cheese) Plate.

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find-price-button Glidecam Weight Plate

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One of the first videos on YouTube regarding the new Tascam DR-05.

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Tascam DR-05 Portable Recorder

zoom h1 recorder
Zoom H1 Portable Recorder

It's not quite the tiny package the Zoom H1 might be, in fact it looks about as big as the Zoom H4n. The build quality (at least from the videos) looks awesome, and looks to have more a few more features over the Zoom H1. Hopefully i'll have one in my hands soon to do a side by side comparison on build quality and size with the Zoom H1, and then put them through a few audio tests.

tascam-dr-05
find-price-button Tascam DR-05 Portable Audio Recorder

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Well it's been one of the most interesting products available, but the delays could cause the hype to die down a bit. Is it finally going to be available tomorrow? According to one seller it's estimated to be. If you don't know what the Ninja is, you can read the earlier article here: http://cheesycam.com/atomos-ninja-any-day-now/


atomos-ninja-HDMI-recorder
find-price-button Atomos Ninja Portable HDMI Recorder

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Vimeo member Lolo Two is at it again, but this time with a more 'polished' (no pun intended) version of his DIY Conduit Slider. The first version here: http://cheesycam.com/diy-conduit-camera-slider/ using 1/2" conduit piping looked like a simple build, but this new version (the Big Brother) with more surface area, polished piping, and double the couplers seems like a very solid build. You'll notice the smooth tracking with a simple push from a screwdriver, and the amount of weight thrown on with a Cinder Block. Very very cool stuff. [Thanks Lolo Two]

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fuji-x100-camera

I once fell in love with Fuji's Super CCD 'honeycomb' sensors in their early digital SLR's. With just a handful of different sensors on the market (long time ago) it pushed out some of the best images and color. Not long after, Canon and Nikon dominated and well I wasn't shooting Fuji any longer. There's no doubt that they've got the skills, but they've just been a step behind the competition IMHO.

Well I think i'll be playing Fuji Fan Boy again with their latest release. If you've got a love for cameras, you won't be able to neglect the sexy new Fujifilm X100 Digital Rangefinder. Like the announcement of Olympus' PEN cameras, It's a throw back to old school designs stuffed with modern technology. It's not all about looks either. Fuji has taken many considerations on the X100 to include some awesome features in both video and photography not found in this line of Digital Rangefinder cameras. First off, this is not an interchangeable lens camera, but with it's 35mm (equivalent) F/2 prime lens who needs anything else? Using a large 12.3MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor, it's much larger than the micro four thirds cameras (Olympus Pen 7 GH2, and more like Canon's T21, T3i, 60D, or 7D.

rangefinder-fujifilm-x100

You can switch between optical or EVF viewfinder, shoots in both JPEG and RAW, up to 12800 ISO, 720p HD Video @ 24fps with Stereo Sound, Manual Kelvin white balance included, and the body is built with a Magnesium Alloy Top Cover. Did I mention built in ND filters with an equivalent f-stop reduction of 3?? That's crazy! To keep with the throw back feel, the new X100 also has Provia, Velvia, Astia, and other Film Effects. For flash control, there's even a Hot Shoe on the X100 and an old school manual cable shutter release can be used by threading into the shutter release button (how many young folks know about that?).

It's all digital, but they've even added the detail of an actual 'click' on the shutter button, click feedback on every dial, and aperture control through the lens ring - oh snap! The only other camera that I would consider next to this would be those of Leica's Digital rangefinders, which will run you close to $2,000 dollars. Fujifilm's new X100 Digital Rangefinder should be giving Leica a run for their money.

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find-price-button Fujifilm Finepix X100 Digital RangeFinder Camera

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tascam-front
find-price-button Tascam DR-05 Portable Audio Recorder

Tascam has released a new DR-05 portable audio recorder that's firing back at the Zoom H1. Set up at the same pricing and target audience looking for a tiny portable recording device, this one might be the real game changer. Specs for the new Tascam DR-05 recording bitrate is similar to the Zoom H1, also includes stereo microphones, powered Mic 3.5 line input, headphones out, built in speaker, accepts MicroSD Card media, powered by (2) AA batteries or optional AC adapter.

tascam-dr-05-back
find-price-button Tascam DR-05 Portable Audio Recorder

There's no doubt that Zoom had cornered the market for $99 dollar portable recorders, but there was comments about the Zoom H1 plastic body and battery drain issues. Previously Tascam failed in providing a cost effective portable recorder to follow, as even the DR-03 was pricier than the Zoom H1. The DR-03 was thinner, but lacked mounting options and could only support a limited sized MicroSD card. With the release of this DR-05, this one could take the $99 dollar portable recorder crown. Oh and yes, this new Tascam DR-05 also has a threaded 1/4 x 20 mount (finally).

The Zoom H1 was a sell out for many weeks on it's first release, and from everything i'm seeing, this new Tascam is clearly a Charlie Sheen Winner. Once it arrives, i'll make the decision to move to all Tascam's and sell all Zoom H1's. Check out all the specs through the link below.

tascam-dr-05
find-price-button Tascam DR-05 Portable Audio Recorder

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If you're an iPhone Video shooter, this Lensse Camera Stabilizer for phones is pretty fluid. (BTW that's not an iPhone. That's the Samsung Galaxy) I'm thinking it should be able to support my GoPro HD once i've added enough counterweights. The drilled brass socket for the Gimbal is smooth, but as other stabilizers like this the angle of rotation is limited. I'll need to really test the weight once my GoPro LCD Bacpac has come in, but it should be fine.

lensse-cell-phone-stabilizer
find-price-button iPhone / Cell Phone Video Camera Stabilizer

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Don't say I didn't tell you so if you happen to be short on a few lens caps and body caps. When that happens, it will make things difficult to pack things back into your bag since you can't remove the lens from the body. After a long shoot this past Sunday, i've realized i'm down to a few spares (again). Luckily for a set of two caps, it's just over $1.00 dollar + Free Shipping. Had to grab a few more sets since they'll take about 2 weeks to come in..

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find-price-button Canon Rear Lens and Canon DSLR Body Caps

For an important list of other inexpensive spare items (including Front Caps with Logos, Hoods, & Pouches), check out this article: http://cheesycam.com/hoods-covers-caps-and-pouches/