Monthly Archives: October 2011

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Speaking of DSLR follow focus systems, here's another new one. Looks like the same RJ follow focus with a few upgrades adding in some hard stops. [Thanks Jacob]. This version is also reversible, but the mostly plastic quality will not stand a chance against the new Gini iFocus FF on the market. The hard stops is a nice added feature, but the asking price of this new version RJ follow focus will have it collecting dust on the store shelves. It's about $160 more than the original RJ Follow Focus. Until they do something about pricing, I would definitely skip the 'A/B hard stop' pony trick and check to see if you can get a better deal with the latest Gini version first.

You can check to see what the prices are on these new FFs (click here).

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find-price-button Latest Follow Focus with A/B Hard Stops

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Here's a closer look at Gini's latest Follow Focus a.k.a. 'iFocus'. Having been a huge fan of the Cinevate Durus design and quality, it was very obvious where Gini was getting inspiration from. I took the chance of ordering this latest FF knowing that it would be good. Especially since it's a custom designed gearbox and not the ol' Huco plastic Box. The craftmanship on this entire FF is like any other Gini part. Flawless machining, quality anodizing, and smooth finish. Absolutely no plastic on this follow focus system (except for marking ring).

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find-price-button Gini iFocus DSLR Follow Focus

The marking disc holds strong with 4 powerful magnets. The hand knob (obviously influenced) is large and comfortable with a standard mount in the center for a whip or crank. The Gini FF gear is 'reversible' and can be used on both left and right side of your rig by removing the rod clamp and swapping the position. The design is tall enough to hit lens gears on a variety of different sized lenses - No riser required (a problem some FFs have because they aren't designed tall enough). To put weight in to perspective, the Durus is 19.4 ounces and the Gini iFocus is 19 ounces, both very solid units.

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find-price-button Gini iFocus DSLR Follow Focus

The one thing that Gini falls short on is the marking disc pointer. It can only be used at the top position and makes it hard for you to see if you're standing from behind the camera. It would be nice to see that changed in future versions, and a couple of hard stops would make this one hell of an FF. Of course, I jumped on the deal early, but who knows where prices will be as this FF becomes more popular. You can find the Gini Rig parts following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Gini iFocus DSLR Follow Focus

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GoProHD was already surprising film makers with it's quality to size ratio, but they seemed to have found a way to make it even better. Not just 2x sharper images (bigger sensor), but more FOV (field of view) options, 120fps (yes!), more TimeLapse options, faster 10 photos in 1 second, but also mini-HDMI and external Mic input? Holy cow.

GoPro Hero 2

You think that's crazy, what about the other features that include Wi-Fi Remote Control, Wi-Fi video preview + playback, Wi-Fi streaming to web,Camera control via smartphone, tablet and computer app?? Yeah it's really something to see, and you can only find it available right now at the GoPro site. This will sell out for sure. You can also check out a video tutorial about all the new features and innards at the product page (click here)

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GoPro Hero 2 Wi-Fi Bac-Pac & Remote

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find-price-button GoPro Camera HD HERO2 Motorsports Edition CHDMH-002

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I posted up about a very effective (and cheap) Velbon fluid head a few weeks back and it literally sold out in a few hours. For around $26-29 dollars, it's a great way to add on a dedicated Fluid head for camera dollies, sliders, etc. You can find the original video, article, and other comments about the fluid here: http://cheesycam.com/cheap-velbon-video-fluid-head-review/.

A few of the units are back in stock at B&H (click here).
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find-price-button Velbon Fluid Video Tripod head - via B&H

or at Amazon (click here) available at both B&H and Amazon (click here)

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find-price-button Velbon Fluid Video Tripod head - via Amazon

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find-price-button Apollo Orb Softbox

I enjoy shooting with small flashes because it's just easier to travel with and set up. I can practically pull a three piece lighting kit out of a backpack. The problem you'll run into with small flashes is trying to diffuse it with light modifiers. Softboxes are a popular choice for portrait and beauty photographers, but normally you need to decide on the proper speedring - Broncolor, Elinchrom, Bowens, Calumet, Alien Bees? The list goes on and on. The Westcott Apollo Orb octagon softbox (above) is perfect for portable flashes (speedlites), but can also be used with larger studio strobes without speedring adapters. The umbrella-like design sets up quick and is easier for Photographers who travel and need to shoot on location. A slit in the bottom of the softbox allows the stand to be placed through the center covering the entire flash unit. Unfortunately besides being too big at 43" inches, the $130 dollar softbox is also out of stock.

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32" Umbrella Softbox for Portable Speedlite Flash

Searching around for the equivalent, I happened upon one company making a smaller (similar) design at about 32" and obviously only runs for one quarter of the Apollo price. Needless to say, i'm already all over it and ordered myself a few pieces. (light stand and flash bracket not included). Remember that once you have your flashes tucked away, in order to fire them off, you'll need at least a good cheap set of wireless triggers like the Yongnuo RF-603s (found here). There are also rectangular versions of this speedlite softbox, that also opens up just as easy as an umbrella.

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find-price-button Umbrella Softbox Brolly Reflector

You can find these clever Octagon softboxes following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Octagon Umbrella Softbox for Portable Studio Flash

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flexible-fotopro-tripod

The FotoPro Transformer flexible tripod (released sometime last year), has optional replaceable feet that can be swapped out from standard rubber balls, to suction cups, to magnetic, and also spiked feet. The different options screw in through standard '1/4-20 threaded inserts'. This particular flexible tripod is good for cameras weighing under 3lbs (lightweight cameras), or small accessories like lights and flashes.

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FotoPro Transformer tripod already setup with 1/4-20 threaded mounts

Having standard threaded inserts makes it very easy, if you decide to mount something else. You'll start seeing these tripods pop up in various colors with different package options, on both eBay (click here)

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find-price-button FotoPro Flexible Transformer Tripod – via eBay

and also via Amazon (click here).

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find-price-button FotoPro Flexible Tripod Rubber Suction Spiked Feet - via Amazon

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Here's a closer look at the TrusMT DSLR Follow Focus from Vimeo member HDSLR EQUIPMENT REVIEWS [Thanks Joel]. Looks like a solid build with adjustable hard stops, comes with different sized lens gears, an additional focus gear (possibly different pitch size), and the new version is designed with a better quick release 15mm clamp. You can find a variety of TrusMT equipment including cages, rigs, matteboxes, and of course the follow focus following the link (click here)

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find-price-button TrusMT DSLR Cage, Rig, Follow Focus, MatteBox, Gear