Monthly Archives: June 2011

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find-price-button Amazon 20% Discount Kata Camera Bags

Thanks to a tip from Conrad about Amazon offering an additional 20% off select Kata Camera Bags for a limited time. Aside from the discount, some qualify for additional Mail-in-Rebates. Double the discount. Definitely not as cheap as the LowePro stuff i'm using (which i'm happy with), or the Pelican Carry On Roller, but Kata's known for making some of the lightest and very durable Photo / Video equipment bags. For those who care to opt for the higher value, there are many different styles from slings, to backpacks, to rollers and more.

To take advantage of this offer, simply add the qualifying Kata bag from the list below to your Shopping Cart, enter promotional code KATADISC, and Amazon will automatically apply the discount off the current Amazon.com price at checkout.

There's a few rules like 'one per customer' you can read more about, and the ones that are available for discount can be found following the link below.

Kata Camera BagKata Roller BagKata Lighting Bags
find-price-button Amazon 20% Discount Kata Camera Bags

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canon-5d-mark-ii

Available again is a couple of refurbished Canon 5D Mark II & Canon 7D DSLRs over at the Canon direct store. There's also 60Ds and T2i cameras as well. Last time I ordered a refurbished 5D Mark II, Canon had a really nice discount going on. I received mine looking brand spanking new and it's heavily in rotation with the rest of the equipment. A refurbished camera is 'never' a camera that has been repaired.

These refurbished cameras might come back from stores with excess inventory or returned for other reason, but never because they had previous issues. These refurbished cameras are also run through the same testing to make sure everything is in 'as new' condition. The one I received had 0 shutter actuations, and no signs of use. Besides Camera bodies, there's also lenses and other sorts. Check out the stuff over at Canon's site: https://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/

Canon Red T3 Bodies

In other news, Canon has discounted some Exclusive colored T3 bodies in Red, Metallic Grey, and Brown. I think this is the first time Canon's offered such colors in any of their DSLRs. If you're not planning on doing any video, the T3 would be a good camera for just plain photography. You can find these exclusive colored bodies following the link: https://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_41771

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Planning on shooting some off camera flash photos? Here's a decent kit to diffuse that lighting for portraits or product photography. If you hate setting up and breaking down softboxes (like I do), then these umbrella/softbox hybrid light modifiers work great. Often referred to as Brolly Boxes, the shoot through diffusers pack up small, set up quick, and provide nice soft even lighting on your subject. Yes, you could do the same shooting through a normal umbrella, but if you don't block the light being reflected backwards, you'll get quite a different look than how softboxes perform. Two Brolly Boxes, two Stands, two Flash Brackets, and a bag completes the kit.

Brolly Box Kits
find-price-button Umbrella Softbox Brolly Box Light Stand Kit

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When it's time to pack for a shoot, i'm a roller bag kinda guy. Easier on the back, and a good way to transport heavy gear. Instead of using one very large roller, I use several FAA approved Airline Carry On sized roller cases. It keeps me from making one case too heavy, easier to fit into smaller cars, and still serves a purpose for airplane travel. Now my current rollers I purchased a while back. I'm definitely due to purchase at least two more rollers, and when I do, here's my direction.

Thinktank SecurityThink Tank Security
find-price-button Think Tank Security Roller Bag Case

First, I'm sure people will point out the Think Tank Security Carry On Rolling Hard Case. Nice case, but upwards of about $400 dollars for a single Roller (not easy on the wallet).

LowePro x100 Roller
find-price-buttonLowePro DSLR Camera Roller Bag Case

Head on over to eBay and do a search for 'Camera Roller'. Yeah you're not going to find any good deals doing it that way either. You'll most likely run into the LowePro x100 Carry On Roller that runs just over $200. Again nice roller, but still not the best deal IMHO. Even the smaller LowePro rollers run quite a bit.

Here's what you should be looking for - The Pelican 1510 Carry On.
red-epic-pelican.
In fact this is the case that's bundled with the Red EPIC camera which starts at $58,000 dollars (shown above). It's a hard case roller that you can grab (empty) for just over $110 dolllars. Waterproof, Dust Proof, and Crush Proof - Can't get that in the LowePro or Think Tank. The Pelican cases have a reputation to be rough and rugged. What's great is that you can build a case to suit your needs, and even replace or repair parts should you ever find a way to do some real damage. New O'Rings? New Locks? New Waterproof Liners? Find a used Pelican and you can bring her back to life. The 1510 is basically future proof.

Pelican 1510 Case
find-price-button Pelican 1510 Carry On Size Roller Hard Case

Choose the one with the Pluck Foam inserts and your looking at about $30 dollars more from the empty case. You can also go with the optional Padded Dividers and tack on that lid organizer for small parts. Not looking to use it for your camera gear? Switch out the inserts and change the carry on roller into your Overnight luggage. There's also Laptop dividers you can add to the lid areas. The Pelican 1510 is a modular hard case roller with features other cases twice it's price can't begin to compare to. Albeit not cheap, the Pelican 1510 Carry On sized Rolling Hard Case is a solid roller I think gives the best bang for the buck.

Pelican 1510 Roller Camera Bag CasePelican 1510Screen shot 2011-06-20 at 12.41.15 AMPelican Padded Dividers
find-price-button Pelican 1510 Carry On Size Roller Hard Case

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[Update was confused to what this was] Available now over at Jag35 is the D|Zoom, which is a 'Zoom Lever' to control the 'Zoom Ring' on telephoto lenses.. To be used as in addition to a follow focus system (Prime lenses need not be concerned).

D zoom follow focusdfocus dzoom

Pull the lever and it turns the zoom ring using the same lens gears as any mainstream follow focus. Keep in mind you'll still need a rail system and standard lens gears to operate.

D|Zoom Follow Focus
find-price-button D|Zoom Follow Focus

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Here's a couple of small packs I recommended. When I just want to carry the bare minimum, my lightweight bag is a Lowepro Fastpack 100. I chose this one, because I hate the single sling setups. With the sling, there's just too much weight on one shoulder. Using the double straps evens out the weight. The really simple design also doesn't scream 'Look I have a camera in here'. I'm able to fit a Canon DSLR with a 24-70mm in the bottom area and another lens in the top part. Plenty of space for media cards, lens cleaners, and filters. If you're shooting with smaller cameras, there's more than enough room in the 100, but of course there's larger versions available too.

Lowepro Fastpack 100Fastpack 100 DSLR Bag
find-price-button Lowepro Fastpack 100 DSLR BackPack

The Fastpack 100 is a great small pack (I actually have two), but the Flipside versions from LowePro are just a bit larger and the next step up to being able to hold a Tripod and a long lens. It's called the Flipside because of the way you gain access to the gear which is both functional for keeping things out of the dirt, and safer from pick pocketing sticky fingered thieves. If you need to hold a Tripod, carry longer lenses, or external Flashes, the Flipside 200 would be a good start. There's also larger versions of the Flipside available too.

LowePro FlipsideScreen shot 2011-06-18 at 10.54.40 PM
find-price-button Lowepro Flipside 200 Backpack (Black)

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Remember this Budget DSLR Follow Focus creating a bit of hype? http://cheesycam.com/budget-dslr-follow-focus/. The seller moved quite a bit of these things, raised the prices twice (or more) already, and now lists that any new orders would ship at a later date.

Well turns out this follow focus is being made somewhere else, and a few new retailers have them available, not to mention cheaper too. If you poke through some of the listings you'll find some low priced auctions or BuyItNow + Free shipping. So instead of holding out for one retailer, you might get it faster from someone else.

Screen shot 2011-06-05 at 9.08.17 PMScreen shot 2011-06-05 at 9.08.26 PM
find-price-buttonNew DSLR Follow Focus

Remember that you'll still require a set of 15mm rods to mount, so take advantage of those Gini auctions.

Screen shot 2011-05-28 at 5.33.23 PM
find-price-button Gini DSLR Rig Stabilizer Kits

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Summer is here, and the weather is looking good. Time to take to the air with a Quad copter. These little GAUI quad copters are creating quite a 'buzz' (pun intended). GAUI makes inexpensive quad rotor helicopters that can carry quite a bit of weight, which seems to be trending towards small cameras like the GoPro HD or Contour HD. Keep in mind that these Copters are not toys and are serious flying machines that you'll need to take great care and responsibility with (unless you're a seasoned RC flyer already).

3 AXIS Gimble Camera Mount Stabilizer

Tons of other companies are making some very cool aftermarket accessories. Looks like tons of fun. There's also several accessories for landing gears, camera mounts, pan / tilt setups, and 3 axis gimbals to help keep the camera's horizon level even though the copter might sway a bit. There's a whole slew of GAUI Copter related videos over at YouTube.com, and plenty of GAUI quad copters kits and accessories can be found for great prices via eBay.

GAUI-coptersGaui-stabilizerGAUI-Remotes
find-price-button GAUI Quad Copter and Accessories

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zacuto-EVF

While we wait for other EVF solutions (RedRock where you at?), the Zacuto Z-EVF seems to be the hippest one available. Unfortunately, it's usually out of stock. If you've been on the hunt, the Z-EVF has shown up from a retailer out of new york, who has different models listed on both eBay and Amazon found below. They are also $50 dollars cheaper than from the Zacuto website. The difference in prices are relevant to the View Finder that is included. One is the more expensive Pro viewfinder.

Zacuto EVF
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Zacuto Z-Finder - eBay
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Zacuto EVF Viewfinder - Amazon