Monthly Archives: December 2011

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Opteka releases a dual cold shoe bracket that mounts to your camera's hotshoe. It's a simple way and inexpensive way to mount two accessories directly to your camera such as an LED light, microphone, or audio recorder.


Opteka-Cold-Shoe-BracketDual Cold Shoe Bracket
find-price-button Opteka Dual Cold Shoe V Bracket

The Opteka looks to have a shorter profile, but it is very similar to the Dual Light and Sound type bracket found below.
dual-light-bracket
find-price-button Photo Video Dual V Bracket for Video Lights & Microphone

If you really want to load up on your hotshoe, another slightly more expensive option is the Alzo Multi Mount. This includes a microphone / portable audio recorder shock mount, 4 cold shoes, and 1/4-20 holes for even more accessories. It can be used on the camera, but we often use this type of mount on a light stand config (seen below).

Alzo Multi Mount
(above) Our Alzo Multi Mount Config

Screen shot 2011-09-23 at 11.56.51 AMzoom-h4n-h1-shock-mount
find-price-button ALZO DSLR Shock Multi-Mount Accessory Bracket

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If you didn't catch the news, SmallHD has a new eyepiece available for the DP4 EVF [Thanks Joel]. The DP4 originally was available with a Canon LP-E6 battery tray, but with the new eyepiece announcement, there is also three new battery tray options as part of the bundle. For a limited time, you can get a bundle which includes the new eyepiece, select the battery tray, a 1.5ft HDMI cable, SmallHD Cleaning Cloth, Prying tool, Screen Protector, and more for just $34 dollars following the link (click here).

SmallHD EyePiece Bundle

SmallHD DP4 Update
SmallHD DP4 New EyePiece and Battery Tray

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The old Focus Assist in the SmallHD DP6 HDMI LCD monitor would make the screen literally go black and show white lines in what was in focus. The problem was it was hard to see what you were trying to focus on. You can see an example in the video (above) of how dark the old Focus Assist feature was. Here you can see the new Focus assist feature (below) works much better than before acting more like an overlay.

I know i'm really late to update the DP6 firmware and it's probably been out for months, but i'm also using other LCD monitors so I was in no rush. When they said the SmallHD monitors were future proof, here's another example of how they've managed to continue to improve on the features.With a simple USB drive, you download the latest firmware from the SmallHD.com website, and then run the install. This update took only 30 seconds or so, and i'm back in business. I've had this monitor for quite some time, and although i've neglected it lately, with the new focus assist feature it feels like a totally different tool again.

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2011-12-15 18.46.29

The Z96 next to the latest W12. If you don't know the story, the W12 is pretty much an exact form factor replica of the Z96 except they've replaced the LED lights with high power ones.

2011-12-15 18.47.142011-12-15 18.47.31

2011-12-15 18.46.53W12 LED Light

I snapped these images before walking out of the studio last night. I'll be in later to snap some example light comparisons. I'll try to have some side by side lighting examples later today. These W12 high power LED lights are found at (click here).

W12 LED LightW12 LED Video Light
find-price-button 12 High Power LED Video Light

The Z96 prices have also stabilized somewhat. They can be found on eBay (click here), but make sure they are selling the 'real' F&V branded light since there has been quite a few replicas floating around. If you're unsure, you might want to check out Amazon for the real version of the Z96s.

Z96LED
find-price-button Z96 LED Video Light

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Here's a better look at Varavon's latest Loupe Viewfinder. This one has a 180 degree flip up loupe that will provide you shade from the sun, even when you don't need a magnifier. The lens is glass and has a diopter to adjust for vision imperfections. Solid build with metal mounting brackets that can be positioned to fit a variety of cameras. The bottom thumb knob is all metal with a large base so that you can position a quick release plate underneath without wobbling.

If you choose to use the Loupe EX with a Swivel LCD camera extended (i.e. GH2 / 60D), they also sell a bracket for this to safely support the LCD from over extending.

swivel-bracket
find-price-button Varavon Loupe EX Solo Bracket

The view finder is a solid choice amongst some of the other high end brand names, and is available for Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic GH1/GH2 cameras. Varavon also makes DSLR sliders, Cages, Video rigs, and other viewfinders. I'm extremely fond of their cage. Simple, ergonomical, functional, and lightweight. You can find more of those Varavon products available at B&H (click here).

varavon-cagevaravon-loupevaravon-rigvaravon-slider
find-price-button Varavon Products - View Finders, Cages, Sliders, Rigs

And I didn't know it was available, but apparently they have almost all of their products on Amazon too (click here)
varavon-bracketpro-finder
varavon-loupevaravon-rig
varavon-rig Varavon Products

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YouTube member macrilegious posts a review on the latest Okii mini USB Remote. A handy little remote to not only start and stop video mode through USB communication, but also to control shutter, aperture, and iso settings. Especially handy if you want to control these features from the back of a jib or crane [Thanks Thomas]. There's a few more features the Okii is capable of tackling all found at their website. https://www.okii.net/product_p/mc1.htm

okii-usb

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Just posted a few days ago, YouTube member djteebz appears to be the first with his review on the little 5.6" external LCD. The video below is an unboxing, run through of the feature menu, along with some pros and cons with the Canon 5D Mark II.

Where's my Swivi Review? Well the Swivi has a built in miniHDMI male ended cable. This connects directly to any camera with a miniHDMI port, but because of this you can't use it remotely with a long HDMI cable. So before I posted my own review I ordered a small miniHDMI female to female coupler.

female-hdmi-coupler(click image for product)
This little coupler (ideally) would allow me to use the Swivi as a remote monitor if I wanted to use it on a Jib / Crane. Well unfortunately shipping from overseas takes several weeks, and i'm still waiting. Swivi units are available on eBay (click here)

And also available on Amazon (click below)
Screen shot 2011-11-27 at 11.02.45 PMScreen shot 2011-11-27 at 11.03.05 PM
find-price-button
Swivi External Swivel LCD Monitor 5.6" Peaking Focus FREE sunhood included - via Amazon