Monthly Archives: June 2011

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If you have the means, the space, and the transportation, ladder track dollies are a great solution for camera movement. Rod shows how he's picked up a set of ready-made 'bolt on' dolly wheels to a simple plywood board to create an 8ft dolly capable of carrying a good amount of weight. In smaller more confined situations a slider is a must, but there's plenty of benefits to using a wider platform for stability in your shots.


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find-price-button717A Fluid Head Used on Dolly

These dolly wheels are designed to run on pipes as well, but when possible using a Ladder will provide a very firm solution that can be laid out in just about any type of terrain (gravel, grass, mud) and still maintain a super rigid track - unlike long PVC pipes. In this older article you can see how a ladder was used for a DIY Timelapse rig: http://cheesycam.com/diy-motion-controlled-timelapse/

If you're intersted in building your own dolly system, you could try some angle iron and at least 8 skate wheels + bearings, but if you're slightly off in drilling it's going to cause you quite a bit of wobble. To make things easier, these wheels that Rod is using are an inexpensive solution.

Dolly Wheel Assembly
find-price-button Bolt On Dolly Track Wheel Assembly

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Is smaller really better? That seems to be the trend lately for many camera manufacturers like Sony and Panasonic. Recently Sony announced the NEX-C3, what they called the 'smallest interchangeable lens camera'. Before it was even availble, Panasonic didn't wait too long to steal that thunder. The new Panasonic GF3 (I just bought the GF2 - wth?) comes in just a tad smaller and takes away Sony's short lived title.

As for smaller Interchangeable Lens cameras go, my bet is the GF3 will be the better performer on the market with it's already huge following in the Micro Four Thirds world. There also seems to be more support and compatibility for adapting any type of lens. Right now, i'm having fun with the GF2, and it's been a blast using those inexpensive C-mount lenses. So if you're current DSLR is weighing you down on vacation, these are the new smaller models that are both available for Pre-order via Amazon.

Panasonic GF3
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Panasonic Lumix GF3 Compact ILC

Sony NEX-C3
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Sony Alpha NEX-C3

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contour HD video camera
find-price-button Contour HD Camera - Deal of the Day

There's no doubt Contour HD Video Cameras and the GoPro HD Video Cameras are head to head competition in the same action sports market. There's quite a few video comparisons with side by side footage you can catch online, and obviously pros and cons with each. Regardless of your choice, the Contour HD Video camera is Amazon's Deal of the Day giving Contour a slight edge in price (available in Prime shipping too). At least just for today...

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Ok, so another 4 is available online just today. These things have been moving very very quickly. I just received mine and wow this thing is very well made indeed. At all pivots they use nylon washers to reduce friction, but in between the frames there are actual little 'bearings' for extremely smooth movement. This is the only little jib I know doing this.

The unit has a nice flat black finish, assembly and weld points are clean, and this thing is super duper light. Traveling with this is a breeze and using it indoors even in tight space is even easier. I'm using one of my standard Fancier tripods to support the crane. With a Canon 5D Mark II and 24-70mm lens, it would require about 12lbs of weight in the back. I'm going to post a video up soon with a look around, but if you can't wait, there's a few online as we speak...

Screen shot 2011-06-03 at 10.48.55 AM
find-price-button Short 4ft Video Camera Crane Jib

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Standing Monopod

Here's a clever free standing Monopod that might be useful for more than just camera support. In the image they show a free standing DSLR with a long telephoto lens which is quite a bit of weight. Packs down to about 20 inches, much smaller and lighter than your basic light stand and with a mini ball head attached, it could also serve to hold a microphone, a portable audio recorder, or LED video light in place. Maximum height is approximately 4' 6".

Monopod light StandMonopod Tripod Standing

Should be able to hold a portable Photo Flash when working on portraits or Macro photography, or maybe just throw a small camera off to the side for Time Lapsing an event while you run around shooting. I guess something like this would also work as an extra stabilizer towards the end of your Camera Slider. The Monopod works as a usual monopod, but if you need it in free standing mode, it has three legs that extend to a fairly stable tripod stand (unlike the small feet on the Manfrotto's). If you're in the market for a Monopod, this might be pretty a cool dual, triple, or quadruple purpose stand.

Monopod Stand
find-price-button Free Standing Monopod With Tripod Feet

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Opteka's new 23" Slider video sample from Vimeo member skooKILLfilms. Camera used was the Canon 60D + 18-135mm kit lens and Samyang 8mm. The Opteka 23" slider is based on the IGUS rails, and offers a decent start for those who aren't looking to modify or DIY their own. It's an inexpensive slider that can provide excellent results, especially if you're shooting on a smaller format camera like the Sony NEX or Micro Four Thirds system, these linear rails should work fine.

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find-price-button Opteka DSLR Video Camera Sliders

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Despite the name, It's not something you'll mount to your bicycle. Here's an interesting PVC configuration from Vimeo member Vu Le. The PVC rig was designed to allow multiple points to grab and stabilize, a short shoulder support, and a chest bar. The video is pretty self explanatory and in the end shows you how to make one yourself. There's some additional 'pros' and 'cons' you can find in the Vu Le's video description. [Thanks Vu]

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Screen shot 2011-06-10 at 7.05.14 PMLCD VF CarrySpeed VFinder
find-price-button LCD View Finder for Canon T2i, 5D Mark II, 7D and other 3" LCD's

In order to save your swing out LCD on your Canon 60D or T3i, CarrySpeed looks to have added a new metal frame that doesn't stick to the glass. This new version attaches under the camera at the tripod mount, but still keeps one available in case you need to go to monopod / tripod mode. A nice touch for those who have problems with the metal sticky falling off, or for those who still want to flip the LCD back into the DSLR body for protection.

Heck, why not just permanently glue that sucker onto the Metal frame? You'll have a solid LCD ViewFinder for sure, and with a twist of a knob, it's off when you need it off. Oh and there's a pretty hefty price drop going on..

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find-price-button LCD View Finder for Canon T2i, 5D Mark II, 7D and other 3" LCD's

Also Available via Amazon
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New LCD View Finder for Canon T2i, 5D Mark II, 7D and other 3″ LCD’s