Monthly Archives: October 2011

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Linco is showing off a new light head that can be turned on/off with an included remote. The only problem is that from the specs, each head is linked to it's own remote. If you're running a few of these in studio, I can see how carrying a pocket full of remotes can get ugly confusing. Outside of the wireless remote gimmick, these Linco lights are one of the best performing CFL lighting kits for the buck with brighter light output, better color temperature, and less flickering. The heads are more durable and the proprietary umbrella-like softbox breaks down and sets up quick. It's about twice the price of the cheaper CFL Softbox lights I'm using in studio. Mine suck if you ever have to travel with them, but luckily they don't need to leave the building. The Linco Flora lighting kits are available on both Amazon (click here) and via eBay (click here).

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find-price-button Linco CFL Flora Lighting Kits Softbox

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find-price-button Linco CFL Flora Kits Softboxes - via Amazon

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A little tour of the Ruige TL-S701HDA 7" monitor with a Panasonich GH2 from Vimeo member James Bamford. Unlike some smaller versions from Ruige, this 7" monitor has HDMI in and also HDMI out. Towards the end of the video, you'll see the linear zoom remote test. First click zooms in, second click turns on 'Focus Peaking' so you can get focused, and finally third click returns to normal viewing. Accessories (some optional) available are a Sunhood, HDMI lock, Linear Zoom Remote Trigger, Battery Adapter plates, and D-Tap power cord.

The resolution on this Ruige is higher than 7" Lilliput monitors at 1024(H)×600(V), and it's a nice 7" monitor if you need something this big. If you don't need the size or that high of a resolution, you could get a 4" SmallHD DP4 for about the same price which can later be upgaded with their EVF Loupe view finder. You can find the Ruige on eBay (click here)

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find-price-button Ruige TL-S701HDA Field Monitor HDMI LCD

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Video demo from Vimeo member claire showcases the Wondlan Sniper Rods, BasePlate, and Follow Focus. I still can't get over the color, and the price isn't very competitive with what's on the market currently. I just got news that the RJ Budget Follow Focus is getting a special baseplate mount. This means that the Follow Focus can be used without rails. We'll start seeing that pop up soon, unless someone already knows where to find it.

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find-price-button Wondlan Sniper Follow Focus

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I'm sure many of you already know about this particular Velbon fluid head. It's been a hit for a while now, and I thought it was finally time for me to test one out. As much as possible I love shooting with smaller cameras, and this fluid head was a great surprise. Works great as a spare head on the Konova slider instead of using the static Ball Head (and cheaper too).

If you're just starting out with a GH2, Olympus Pen, or Sony NEX-5n camera you'll get some truly fluid movements with this sub $30 dollar fluid head. It's no wonder this fluid head gets rave reviews over at Amazon and B&HPhoto websites. Best bang for the buck no doubt. Here's a few things to keep in mind about the Velbon. It's plastic, all plastic (except for a bit of metal on the pan bar). Although it doesn't feel fragile to break in under your camera, it's not designed to be thrown underneath all your other heavy equipment or to be tossed around.

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Size Comparison (Left) Manfrotto 701HDV (Right) Velbon Fluid Head

Don't get the bundled tripods as i've heard nothing but horror stories. You'd be better off buying another one like the 190XDB from Manfrotto (found here). Don't overload the thing. I used a Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 100mm Macro F/2.8 which worked well, but the head does not have a 'balance' feature so it wanted to tilt forward with the heavy lens. It's too bad the build quality comes in short, because the performance is truly amazing for such a cheap head. Often you'll find the head on sale as low as $26 dollars, and for a spare head on your DSLR video slider, track dolly, or even one for your Monopod it's a deal. You can find them on sale at B&H (click here)

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find-price-button Velbon PH-368 Video Fluid Head

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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Canon-FlashLight-KeyChain (3 of 10)

Canon at one point sold these little 300mm/400mm Image Stabilized Lens Replica Keychain LED Flashlights which quickly sold out. I managed to track one down for my random collection. The Flashlight is only about 2" long and 1" wide with a single LED bulb. There are no on/off buttons to manage the flashlight. To turn on/off the flashlight you'll need to turn the lens body which seats the battery connection inside. On the side of the lens is the keyring which includes a Canon charm (opposite side stays 'Image Stabilized').

The little item is now being represented on my backpack.
Canon-FlashLight-KeyChain (1 of 1)

So random, but a very cool gift idea if you can track 'em down. There's only one spot to find them on eBay (click here)

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find-price-button Canon Lens Replica KeyChain LED FlashLight

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ritz-camera

Sad to hear all the rumors of large Photo corporations filing or close to filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and now Ritz Camera is on the list. Kodak has also been getting quite a bit of attention with the stock price falling, but they have assured people they are not ready to file. Short piece of press quote regarding Ritz:

"On August 19, 2011, Ritz Interactive, Inc. filed a petition with the court to avail itself of the protections and provisions provided by Chapter 11"

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Shane Hurlbut ASC Master Cinema Series

There's no question that Shane Hurlbut ASC knows what it takes when working with DSLRs, so he's teamed up with Letus to design a new line of DSLR gear. Click the image (above) for a video trailer, and other information quoted below.

"Over the past 3 years, my team and I have shot 2 feature films, 20 shorts and over 100 commercials on the DSLR platform. This out of the box thinking was the result of collaborating with directors Scott Waugh and Mike McCoy on the feature project "Act of Valor". We used the Canon 5D to deliver an immersive, visceral, cinematic first person perspective that intercut seamlessly with film.

As a direct result of this exploration, Hien Tu Le, owner of the Letus Corporation and I have designed a groundbreaking new gear system with film production as it's benchmark. This form factor looks and feels like a motion picture capture device that morphs effortlessly between configurations."

More information about the Master Cinema Series gear should end up at https://mastercinemaseries.com.

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Rode commemorates 15 years of classic sound with a very limited edition Classic II microphone. A fine collector piece that looks as great as it sounds. Press release found below.

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RØDE CELEBRATES ‘15 YEARS OF CLASSIC SOUND’ WITH LIMITED EDITION CLASSIC II

Wednesday October 5, 2011, Sydney Australia - To commemorate the Classic and Classic II tube microphones, RØDE has announced a custom edition of its Classic II, exclusively limited to an edition of 500 worldwide.

The release of this microphone coincides with RØDE’s decision to retire the RØDE Classic lineage, following a celebrated 15 years as the Australian microphone manufacturer’s flagship model.

At the heart of the microphones’ ‘classic sound’ is the 6072 twin triode valve, as found in most of history’s most revered transducers. The transformer, custom designed by Jensen to perfectly match the 6072, pairs with the valve to provide the signature classic warmth.

Both the Classic and Classic II capsules are hand assembled dual pressure gradient transducers, sputtered with pure gold. The microphone body is machined from solid brass and polished by hand before coating with stain nickel.

This new limited edition Classic II microphone is the most exclusive offering that RØDE has ever presented –– only 500 microphones will be crafted, and then the RØDE Classic badge will be retired into audio history.

For the very first time the RØDE Classic is finished in a lustrous matte black, with the ‘15 Years of Classic Sound’ logo proudly etched onto the microphone’s brass body to signify the microphone’s esteemed status as one of the most revered tube microphones of the last 30 years.

A second of the extremely rare 6072 twin triode tubes is supplied in a custom made, etched aluminium storage cylinder to ensure that this microphone’s classic sound will last for many years to come. A leather bound embossed collector’s coffee table book documents the history of RØDE’s flagship microphone.

RØDE’s reputation of providing outstanding product support and warranty is exemplified in the microphone’s lifetime warranty. Upon online registration the owner will receive a fully personalised titanium warranty card featuring their name and the serial number of their microphone.

The microphone’s aluminium case and power transformer are also finished in black, and marked with the commemorative logo. The included 30’ (10m) cable features double-shielded, oxygen free copper wiring with heavy duty plugs and sockets. A suspension shock mount and stand mount are also included to complete the package.

For more information on this extremely limited collector’s edition please visit https://rodemic.com/classic

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Stores should begin carrying this item soon. When the limited edition collector item microphones become available, you should be able to find it through authorized dealers like B&H (click here).

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Screen shot 2011-10-05 at 12.07.08 AM
find-price-button Rode Limited Edition Classic II