Monthly Archives: February 2012

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I grabbed one of these little starter rigs to use for a prototype product i'm working on that will be an addition to existing rigs on the market (it will make more sense later). I decided to share the unboxing and assembling images for the 'Thanks SJ' Gini rig. If you're curious what 'Thanks SJ' means, this odd little title for a rig came about after the death of Steve Jobs.

This is one of the cheapest Gini configurations he makes available that has a shoulder pad, handles, camera mount, and tripod mount. That's pretty much the bones most people are looking for in a basic shoulder rig. There are two foam pads depending on if you want firm or soft cushion. The firm pad is is very very firm, and I can only imagine it to be uncomfortable.

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Gini-Quick-Release-2

The provided Camera Mount / Tripod Mount is actually a quick release design.The large knob on the side tightens up the top stage so you can dismount your camera very quickly and easily. If you are planning to add something else on the top stage (another quick release adapter), the knob provides plenty of clearance and sits low enough to be out of the way of any obstruction. Anything you place on the top camera mount will have a wide level surface.


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find-price-button Gini Rigs Follow Focus Shoulder Rigs DSLR Cages

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Do you think with all the new gear Canon is announcing, they might be trying to offload some of their existing models that have been around for some time? Who knows, but the Canon Rebates are back, and they double if you bundle them with a select camera body. More information on the dedicated Rebates page (click here).

Canon-Rebates
Canon DSLR Cameras, Lenses, and Speedlite Rebates

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It was only a couple of weeks ago I posted information on how to modify a Steadicam Smoothee, essentially making it a mini Steadicam Merlin stabilizer (a.k.a Baby Merlin). If you have a small camera, and you're a fan of the Merlin steadicam, this mod will come in at about 1/5th the price. In the past few days i've received some comments about successful modifications and am just waiting to see some of those results.

Today I just happened upon Vimeo member dhardjono with a recent video posted showing a modified Steadicam Smoothee and a GH2 camera. I happened upon it, because i've been wanting to get a certain lens for a while, and in this video the Rokinon 7.5mm Fisheye (found here) was used on the GH2. Results are pretty impressive already removing harsh vibrations and quick jerking movements, but i'm sure with more practice, the results will be solid. If you want to build your own, I have my article posted here: http://cheesycam.com/diy-steadicam-smoothee-mod-cheesycam-baby-merlin/

The Steadicam Smoothee stabilizer is currently on sale until the end of the month following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Steadicam Smoothee for GoPro and iPhone

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Lilliput 7" LCD HMDI Monitor

A few significant differences between the high end LCD monitors and cheaper versions are the lack of False Color, Peaking and or Focus assist features. There's also resolution, pixel density, color, and exposure accuracy. Although it may not be the best, Lilliput's new 7" 5D-II/P monitor is throwing down some of these features normally reserved for only high end HDMI monitors. Aries writes in and shares a video showcasing the peaking feature. [Thanks Aries]

The focus assist feature shows bright red lines on areas that are sharper on screen basically showing you what's in focus. In the new Lilliput monitor you'll also find other options like a Brightness Histogram, Exposure Zebras, and False Color.

Lilliput Zebra Exposure
Lilliput 5D False Color LCD
Lilliput Focus Peaking Assist
Lilliput Brightness Histogram

Don't be confused with older Lilliput 5D-II/O lcd monitors, this version is listed with Peaking normally shown with a 'P' in the model information. There are a few different models to choose from and if it includes an 'O', that basically means it has HDMI output (pass through) available also. You can find more pretty pictures, and listed information following the link to the new Lilliput (click here).

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find-price-button Latest Lilliput 7" LCD HDMI Monitor with False Color, Zebras, Focus Peaking, Histogram

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I don't know exactly when it happened, but it happened. Although i'm a big fan of the Konova slider, I always wished they had a smaller version than 31". At 31" inches, that was just a little bit too long to pack in some of my bags when traveling. So recently they just started listing a smaller 60cm / 23.6" version which still has the new leg / feet design. Having a shorter run slider also makes it easier to balance on a single tripod.

In fact I even went as far as cutting down one of my IGUS rails because I really wanted something down to the 24" length. At just over 23" inches, this slider can be worn with the tripod carrier of your backpack. You can start to find the shorter Konova sliders popping up online (click here).

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find-price-button Konova K3 60cm 23.6" Video Slider

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Above you see some fine examples from Vimeo member StillMotion about shooting with a particular monopod - the Manfrotto 561BHDV. I share this with you today, because if you've been eyeballing this monopod, it's currently available as a Gold Deal on Amazon (with only a slight $14 dollar discount). You won't see the price difference immediately until you click on the Gold Deal button on the right side of the Amazon product page.

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find-price-button Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 Fluid Video Monopod with Head

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New cheap speed crank for follow focus systems just popped up today. These little levers attach to the side of a Follow Focus knob and makes it easier to move from point to point. The 12mm x 12mm on this crank is an industry standard and should fit Most FF systems (not old RJ ones). The image below looks like they have it mounted on a Fotga, but for sure I know it will work on the new Gini iFocus - I measured mine.

Aluminum, black anodized, 12mmx12mm, and the first time i've seen one below $17 dollars. Just had to grab one for myself (found here).

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find-price-button 12x12 Follow Focus Speed Crank Lever

If you guys aren't hip to the Gini Rigs iFocus follow focus, there's some new listings over at the store front (click here).

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find-price-button Gini Rigs Follow Focus Shoulder Rigs DSLR Cages

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Nikon-50mm-E-Series-Lens-Adapter

I originally picked up this Nikon 50mm F/1.8 E Series Pancake lens for use with the new Sony NEX-7, but I thought I would remind others that are just starting out in DSLR video, that these very inexpensive lenses can be used with your Canon DSLR cameras as well.

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One of the first lenses most people suggest to others (if they are strapped on budget) is the Canon 50mm F/1.8 (found here). It's a fast and sharp prime lens that runs around $120 dollars, and the images will blow away the basic 18-55mm kit lens. The main complaint on this lens is the plastic build quality. If you don't require the autofocus feature, you can shop for older manual lenses which are better built with a smoother focus ring for video.

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Lately i've been seeing a trend with inflating prices on older lenses. I'm constantly being outbid on many of the faster (vintage) prime lenses. Today, there are more mirrorless type cameras that can use these lenses, and more lens adapters available to mate the older Minolta, Pentax, Nikon, Canon, etc. lenses. If you have any collected from an old stash, keep them close. They have more value today, than they did just a few years ago.

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Canon 5D Mark II + Nikon 50mm F/1.8 E Series Lens

If you're just starting out, these Nikon 50mm F/1.8 pancake lenses may not be the sharpest of older manual lenses, but I like the compact size, wide aperture, and the out of focus backgrounds. You can find many of them still for under $75 dollars (click here).

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find-price-button Nikon 50mm F/1.8 E Series Manual Aperture Manual Focus Lens

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find-price-button Nikon Lens to Canon EOS Adapter

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About a year ago, I posted about some Calumet QR adapters there were pretty much clones of the Manfrotto 577. They work great, and people have been buying them since. While a Manfrotto 577 can run you just over $50 bucks, the Calumet version runs about $34.99. Not bad savings, but wait there's more! ("You following me camera guy").

Right now they are on sale knocking off an additional $7.00 dollars, bringing it down to just $27.99. Ok, so it's good, but here's the better news. Today Kevin shares the infromation that Calumet is offering $10 off purchases of $20+, so after adding in (3) Calumet QR Adapters to my cart and adding the coupon code 'TENOFF' at the checkout, those 3 QR adapters are totalling $60 dollars cheaper (even after tax + shipping) than if I went with the Manfrotto 577 from Amazon (seen here). [Thanks for the heads up Kevin].

You can find the Manfrotto Compatible Calumet Version QR adapters following the link below. Just remember to use the Coupon Code 'TENOFF' during checkout.

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find-price-button Calumet Quick Release Adapter (Manfrotto Compatible)