Monthly Archives: June 2011

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Double camera straps are definitely my choice. Having two cameras is faster than swapping lenses. Normally I have a 24-70mm on one side, and a 70-200mm on the other. I've had the Black Rapid double straps for quite some time now. At the time, it was the best thing I could find on the market, but I guess it's just a matter of time before someone else 'builds a better mousetrap'.

Rod sends in his review of the new CarrySpeed CS-Double straps, and there's no doubt it's definitely beefier than the BR's. The new CarrySpeed CS-Double padding looks pretty sweet too. Not very much padding over on the BR side. It's some rubber bubble type padding called Octopads to aid in grip and said to deter sweat by allowing air to vent. (I don't sweat much, not a problem for me).

Screen shot 2011-06-04 at 11.16.46 AM

Of course the real deal maker is a quick release adapter that still allows access to the tripod mounting hole - something my BR double strap totally lacks.

Screen shot 2011-06-04 at 11.32.18 AM

A tripod mount on a quick release adapter? Yeah this makes total sense. Even though these straps are convenient to carry two cameras, most pros still need quick access to a tripod or monopod. While the BR straps will run you around $130, the CarrySpeed CS-Double will only run you a nice $70 US. Actually just checked and the CS-Double is on sale right now for $54. [Thanks Rod]

Black Rapid
find-price-button Black Rapid Double Strap

Screen shot 2011-06-04 at 11.37.30 AM
find-price-button Black Carry Speed CS-Double Strap OCTOPAD

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For you Magic Lantern junkies, here's a DIY video from Vimeo member Moritz Graeser on using the USB port to monitor audio from the camera. Of course if you're already using an external LCD monitor with a headphone jack, disregard. The instructions aren't super clear, but from a USB connector, you'll probably be using the middle two wires. Green cable being 'data -' and the white cable being 'data+'. The outer wires normally red and black are for Power.

On another note, shouldn't a basic Mini USB to 3.5mm Adapter for 0.99 cents + Free Shipping work too? Maybe i'm missing something though..
Screen shot 2011-06-03 at 9.14.13 PM
find-price-button Mini USB to 3.5mm HeadPhone Jack

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Without going much into detail, you can cut shapes that will show up in your Bokeh. Here's an excellent video from Make Magazine on how to do just that. This was a very popular DIY thing with still photographers, you can find tons of examples on Flickr. This technique also can be used with Video on DSLRs too. Best used with a shallow depth of field lens and more prominent with highly lit objects (lights).

Another fun DIY Bokeh video (below) from Vimeo member SuperNormals. Now go cut some paper and see what you can come up with. A good start is to turn off all your lights, pull out those old Christmas Tree lights and blur them away with your shapes..

If you're the lazy type, you can always start out with an already made Bokeh Kit, like the one found below. There's also some additional examples on that product page.

Bokeh Masters Kit
find-price-button Bokeh Kit for Creating Bokeh Effects

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Wondlan's new Leopard Stabilizer system comes in along with some of the cheapest Dual Arm Vest + Stabilizer kits. How well does it work? Hmm..There's a few videos that are showing up over at Vimeo for you to take a look at. One demo above, and an instructional type video showing how to assemble the entire kit and balance (below). So far, nothing else online from an actual 'owner' especially here in the US. I'm more interested in how comfortable the vest is and if it might be available seperately. The spring design and dual arm looks to be of very high quality and much better than the Flycam junk vest stuff.

Wonland's products can be found below:
Wondlan Leopard Steadicam Stabilizer
find-price-button Wondlan DSLR Leopard Vest Video Camera Stabilizer


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With a new seller online, there's a huge price drop on the 312 Bi-Color LED video lights. Falling approx. $80 dollars off from the normal pricing, this is an awesome light to use both on and off camera. Come to think about it, this is probably the largest 'on camera' LED Video light - and it's color adjustable. To get the most flexibility on this large light, don't forget about the Variable Friction arms.

flexible-power-arms
find-price-button Variable Power Friction Arm

Unlike the Socanland 277 LED, this one can adjust and mix between 3200K-5600K, and comes with two Sony compatible NPF550 batteries + charger + Carrying Case + Metal Ball Hot Shoe mount + Diffuser Panel. The lowest price i've ever seen it in the world, no excuses, says a few available. Take a look at the video review above, and find it below.

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find-price-button 312 Bi-Color Changing Dimmable LED Video Light

Not quite ready for the big 312? The smaller 144 Bi-Color LED Video light from the same manufacturer uses only one Sony style battery (below).

144 LED Color Changing
find-price-button 144 Bi-Color Changing Dimmable LED Video Lights

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Frank passes along a tip about this inexpensive 4ft. Camera Jib. 4 feet is the perfect size for a tool like this to make traveling a bit easier, and at the same time provide you with sweeping and booming shots. Adding a bit of camera movement always helps to up your production.

In a restaurant, real estate video, or night club music video. These smaller jibs are great for interior shots where an 8ft crane would just be overkill and cumbersome. Take note that there doesn't seem to be a tilt function at this size (something I rarely use anyways). The camera will stay perfectly level on it's Horizon as you sweep and move in vertical shots. This one seems to have a decent price and 100 percent feedback from a seller who makes other cam equipment. [Thanks Frank]

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

If the above is sold out, another highly recommended 4ft. crane can be found below:
camera-crane
find-price-button Bargain Camera Cranes and Accessories

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It's a tough body to find, it's been out of stock with many retailers. If you've been on the hunt, B&H now has a very very few Canon 1D Mark IV bodies. Ready to ship and cheaper than Amazon, Adorama, and most other retailers.

Screen shot 2011-06-03 at 10.00.25 AM
find-price-button Canon 1D Mark IV Digital SLR Camera

And currently the 5D Mark II and Canon 7D Bodies are available as well.

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1200-led-light1200-led-bi-color
find-price-button 1200 LED Color Changing Light 3200K-5400K

The latest 1200 LED light panel is now being offered in a Color changing model. An added dimmer knob allows the LED panel to switch and mix between two different sets of LED colored bulbs giving you a range between 3200K-5600K. Unfortunately like the other 1200 LED panel, it still does not have the V-Mount adapter to use this off the grid like the smaller 600 or 900. Something to keep in mind - since the 1200 panel uses two different rows of LED lights, when switching from one color over to the other, you'll be cutting the LED count down to half (600 tungsten LEDs and 600 Daylight LEDs). The question you're all thinking about - why not just use Gels? First, Gels cut down light quite a bit, and it's also one more thing to carry. Using a Bi-Color LED light like this 1200 can also mix in between temperatures. If color changing on the fly is an important part of your work flow, you might want to look into these below.

yellowhite
find-price-button 1200 LED Color Changing Light 3200K-5400K