Earlier this week I posted up a few videos about possible inexpensive Seagate Thunderbolt adapters (found here). This could be a great speedy solution for Video Editors that need to edit from an external drive. Today Amazon has the OCZ Agility 3 Solid State drives on Gold Box Deals, in case you were thinking about experimenting. Check out the OCZ drive sales (Click Here).
OCZ Technology 2.5-Inch Sold State Drive
I wanted to test out this cheap variable ND filter from Fotga (found here on eBay), and so I purchased a small 46mm filter to fit my Sigma E-Mount lens on the Sony NEX7. Major major fail today because I left that camera at home.
So today I just held it in front of the Canon 40mm F/2.8 pancake shooting with the T4i. I wanted to see if there was a purplish color cast (normally found on cheap variable ND filters), but was very relieved to see it didn't! My camera was set to manual at 1/50th shutter speed, F/2.8, and ISO 100. You'll see a section of the video where I pull the filter away. To keep this ideal shutter speed and still shoot at a wide aperture, you can see how overexposed the camera would be without an ND filter.
The next test everyone is wondering about would be loss of sharpness, especially when shooting at longer focal lengths. Unfortunately I only ordered a 46mm which doesn't fit any of my longer lenses. It looks pretty good so far, so i'll place another order for a 77mm filter size. I'm happy with this $13.00 dollar purchase, even though it took several weeks to arrive, it's a perfect little ND filter for my little Sigma 30mm F/2.8.
Thanks to HDSLRNOW for the early video overview of the new Komodo Rotating Video Dolly from PhotographyandCinema.com. The Komodo video dolly was designed for the demands of a slightly larger table dolly to support a heavier payload. The unique design uses more surface area around the axles to provide more 1/4-20 mounting areas along the entire Dolly frame.
The Komodo Video Dolly comes complete with a Heavy Duty Ball head and is made available today over at https://PhotographyandCinema.com.
If you're not already part of the Servo City newsletter, there's a sale on select motorized Pan & Tilt Heads.
PT-2100 (super-duty) Reg: $1499.99 Sale Price: $1274.99
SPT50 (Micro) Reg: $19.99 Sale Price: $16.99
SPT100 (Small) Reg: $19.99 Sale Price: $16.99
SPT200 (Great for Go-Pro) Reg: $45.99 Sale Price: $38.99
Ray T writes in and shares this updated version of the Canon 5D Mark II anti-twist plate [Thanks Ray]. This time, the new plate supports pin location for both the Canon 5D Mark II and even Canon's latest 5D Mark III. Anti-twist plates are important for those who don't want their cameras to shift when using items such as a Follow Focus system. The little pins fit into the alignment hole under the camera body. The plate then offers multiple threaded holes to secure your QR plates with two bolts (instead of one).
Canon 5D Mark II & 5D Mark III Anti Twist Plate with HDMI Lock
This Anti-Twist Plate now works as an HDMI cable protector with a 6 cable pinch that attaches to the side of the baseplate. If you haven't dealt with HDMI cables much, they consistently come loose of get yanked out of the camera body. At times, this cable can even cause some damage to the camera's internal HDMI port (an expensive fix). HDMI locks prevent cable shifting once it's connected to the cameras HDMI input. A cable lock like this will also save you from having to buy new HDMI cables from the constant damage.
Canon 5D Mark II & 5D Mark III Anti Twist Plate with HDMI Lock
From what I can tell, if you don't use the alignment pins, this baseplate might mount to other cameras as an HDMI lock. It also brags about how it can connect up to 6 cables at a time unlike other cable lock solutions. 6 simultaneous cable locks appears to be overkill because I doubt you'll be connecting your USB/AV port at the same time you connect your HDMI port, and also have a PC sync cord for flash photography. At most I think three locks would have been suffice - a shutter cable (5D3 starts video now), Microphone cable, and HDMI.
It is what it is, and though it will run you just under $50 bucks, it's priced cheaper than some other HDMI lock solutions and still doubles as a solid anti-twist plate. Check out the updated HDMI protector / Anti-Twist Plate over at CoolLCD (Click Here).
Canon 5D Mark II & 5D Mark III Anti Twist Plate with HDMI Lock
Here's a few videos that could be advantageous for video editors that have access to Apple's thunderbolt interface. Until recently, there have only been a few thunderbolt external hard drives and they were quite expensive. Seagate offers thunderbolt adapter docks for it's GoFlex
The video below shows an example of a Vertex SSD Drive (found here on Amazon)
Seagate GoFlex Thunderbolt Adapter (STAE121)
Another video example below shows off Seagate's Desk Dock
Normally buying the Seagate ThunderBolt Desk Dock and SATA Hard Drive
Seagate GoFlex 3 TB Drive w/ Thunderbolt Desk Dock
Here's a very quick introduction on the parts that come with the new Servo City MPT1100-SS Pan & Tilt System. The complete kit is already assemebled for approx $650 US dollars. To start operating, you plug in a 12V DC power supply into a joystick remote. Either use the included AC wall adapter, or use your own battery. All power and controls are sent over a single CAT6 cabling to the head unit - couldn't be easier. From the remote you can adjust max speed for the Pan and Tilt individually. The Joystick remote can also control speed depending on how far you maneuver the joystick. There is some noise at the highest speed, but when slowing down the movements the noise is greatly reduced.
Right now the design supports mounting to a 90mm bowl found on some jibs. I'll have to ask them about some of the more common smaller jibs that mount 1/4-20 direct to cameras or 3/8" Fluid heads. If you didn't catch the second 'auxiliary' input on the controller, this will support future upgrades to control other items. I believe they are working on motorized remote Zoom and Focus controls through this system. There's also a link on the product page to the User Manual PDF File. I suggest taking a look at this also. You can find out more about the ServoCity.com MPT1100-SS Pan & Tilt system over at the product page (Click Here).
ServoCity.com MPT1100-SS Pan & Tilt System
New Gun Stock shooter style Video Stabilizer rig. This stabilizer configuration uses just a few rods, clamps, single handle, camera stage, and gun stock (chest support) that are found on other popular shooters like the Zacuto Striker (seen here at B&H), or as in the Wondlan Stabilizer (seen here on eBay)
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It's not exactly like the Wondlan Sniper as the Sniper does not come with a handle and runs for about $150 dollars. Maybe you can better compare the setup on this to the Polaroid Shooter Rig (seen here). This Gun Stock shooter can be broken down to fit in a small bag and runs for around $80 bucks (Click Here).
DSLR Video Stabilizer Rig Gun Stock
5D II 5.6" HDMI LCD Video Monitor 1280x800 HD Resolution
The very few cheap HDMI LCD monitors on the market at a size of 5.6" inches will have only 480 lines of resolution. At 1280x800, this New 5.6" HDMI LCD Monitor for DSLR video use would be considered true HD resolution.
the same resolution as the 13" Macbook Pro, but in a 5.6" display. This means that you'll see nearly a 300% improvement in detail with the H005 over competing field monitors"
For just about $230 dollars, this little monitor is quite impressive. If HD resolution claims are true, that price is a third what you could find elsewhere.
Of course it doesn't state fancy features like False Color on high end brands, but this monitor has Focus Peaking assist, powered by standard Sony batteries (or optional Canon LP-E6 battery plate), comes with a deep leather Sunshade, Ball Head Shoe Mount, Sony Battery Plate, XLR power adapter, HDMI cable, and BNC adapter. Check out this new min HD resolution HDMI LCD monitor via eBay (Click Here)
5D II 5.6" HDMI LCD Video Monitor 1280x800 HD Resolution
