Monthly Archives: April 2012

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Opteka VM-200 Stereo Microphone

New Opteka VM-200 microphone. Claims an metal body, directional XY stereo, shock mount suspension, PAD switch, high pass noise filter, and windscreen filter included. Sounds like a decent build on the outside.

Is it effective? Well, we all know If the guts are cheap, it will sound cheap. It also looks a bit beastly compared to some of the smaller microphones on the market, or maybe even just a Zoom H1 portable recorder. More than likely it's still better than trying to use the in-camera microphone. No additional information or reviews I could find right now, but curious minds can find additional specs and pictures of the sub $140 dollar Opteka VM-200 Stereo Condenser Microphone on eBay (click here).

Opteka Microphone Stereo VM-200Stereo Windscreen Microphone
find-price-button Opteka VM-200 Stereo Condenser Microphone

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Gini Rig iFollow Focus

Above is a Gini iFocus Follow Focus I use, and have a video review about it (here). One of the shortcomings of this design is that the gear is not reversible, so it could be tricky trying to align it with short lenses, or sometimes you can't get it far enough on short 15mm rods. The marking indicator is also at a fixed position so you have to be able to see this in use. Outside of those small issues, the iFollow Focus is one heavy well crafted solid unit, with almost no backlash.

Gini Rigs iFollow Follow Focus DSLR

Recently some images for Gini Rigs on auction show a slightly modified Follow Focus with a shaft (above). This clearly shows that the gear can now be removed from one side and installed on the opposite, making it a reversible Follow Focus. One thing I can't seem to locate though is if there is a change with the marking indicator. Aside from the new shaft poking out the opposite side, it looks almost exactly like my iFocus. So the question is does the shaft design have more / less backlash or maybe it's the same? There doesn't seem to be an official name for this new FF, and he still has the original iFocus available on many bundles. If you're shopping, look carefully when choosing a rig that comes with an FF. If you guys happen to get one of the new ones, would love to see more about the differences.


gini-riggini-dslr-rig
find-price-button Gini DSLR Rigs, Cages, Follow Focus Systems

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Lexerd Screen Protector

Finally had time to add the Lexerd LCD screen protector on the Sony NEX-7. The Lexerd is a thin film screen protector, much like you would use on your iPhone. Easy to apply, comes with all the right tools. There are other hard plastic screen protectors, but some may introduce more glare. The thin film type works for me on this camera.

NEX-7 ViewFinder Loupe LCD

NEX-7 Loupe

NEX-7 View Finder

Afterwards, I decided to install a cheap 16x9 LCD Loupe for those bright days when I want to pixel peep and review my photos or video. There aren't very many options for viewfinders to fit the very wide 16x9 LCD of the Sony NEX-7, so I just grabbed a cheap one on eBay which works well to block out any light and to magnify the screen. This one fits perfectly without cropping any of the view. It might not be the best on the market, but it beats trying to cover the LCD with my hand.

Sony NEX7 ViewFinder
find-price-button NEX-7 16x9 Wide Screen LCD ViewFinder

lexerd-anti-glare-lcd-screen
find-price-button Lexerd Screen Protectors

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A few months ago, Vimeo member HDSLR NOW showed a video review on the Trusmt D100 matte box (seen here), and this time Joel is showing features of the new Trusmt D140.

Trusmt D140Trusmt D140 Matte Box

It's a larger sized Matte Box but provides many more features over the D100 that some people might require. There's not much more I need to say as the video is pretty detailed in all the specs. [Thanks Joel] Trusmt video gear can be found on it's eBay store (click here).

Trusmt Video Matte Box D140TrusMT-MatteTrusMT Follow FocusTrusMT-HandleBars
find-price-button TrusMT MatteBox, Follow Focus, DSLR Gear