Showing up now on eBay, there is another Steadicam Merlin-esque type video camera stabilizer called the Manyan. Build quality looks pretty good and seems to hold up a decent amount of weight. Some of the video samples at the product page are over 2 years old, so it's obviously been around for a while. Anyone use this Manyan before? Check out the other images at the eBay store (Click Here).
Manyan Video Camera Stabilizer Steadicam
Jag35 has released their motorized slider to help you perform smooth and consistent movements across your tracking shots. Starting at around $299, the new slider can be purchased with or without the motor, along with optional leveling legs. Considering what you could spend to get a motorized slider kit together from other manufacturers, the price is not out of the ball park. I'd like to find out more about it's fastest and slowest speed time across the 24" or 36" track.
Product Description: The eagerly awaited Jag35 slider is here! This Afordable slider is constructed for the capability of capturing the smoothest quality images possible. It is made of solid durable aluminum, that has the capacity of withstanding up to 10 pounds of weight. The slider is also tripod mountable and can be mounted vertically for sliders with drag system capabilities. It has the available option of adding Leveling Legs for floor use and the selection of two portable lengths, 24" and 36". For more information, check out the product page. https://jag35.com/products/dslrproducts/slider.html.
Jag35 Motorized Video Camera Slider
More variations of DSLR Rigs are showing up. These new style DSLR Rigs not only sport the blue accents of popular RedRock Micro rigs, but you can tell they try to mimic the texture of the RedRock Micro Hand Grips (as seen here) and very close design of the RedRock Micro Body Brace (seen here).
Nice to see more Body / Chest brace type stabilizers becoming available instead of full on over the shoulder types. Configurations of these new rigs are available with either one handle or two. Check out more of the photos over at eBay (Click Here).
New 15mm Carry Handle DSLR Rigs
Benro has available a new line of compact folding travel tripods perfect for the light weight photographer. These new colorful MeFoto Tripods fold down to just over 12" and weigh in at around 2.6 lbs, and extend to over 4' max height supporting 8.8 lbs. The ballhead offers separate head and pan locks, a 360° pan index, and an integral bubble level.
An Arca-Swiss style quick release plate is included. The tripod's legs can be spread independently, with two position leg angle stops. A spring-loaded hook is located in a recess at the bottom of the center column, allowing you to hang weights from it for additional stability. A durable carry case with a shoulder strap is provided for storage and transport. Priced at around $139, they can already be found over at B&H (Click Here).
Benro MeFoto Compact Folding Travel Tripods
I don't know how many of you have been following the Sony RX100. With a sensor that's practically twice the size of it's competitors, it appears to be an amazing camera with amazing reviews everywhere. Not surprising to many fans who were already amazed with the quality from the HX9V. Convinced, I had already sold off my smaller Sony HX20V point and shoot camera, waiting for the release of this RX100 but it has been consistently unavailable since it's announcement.
Sony shows they are serious about this market, and have added Manual Controls to video mode. Flattering many would compare the RX100 to larger interchangeable lens cameras (even better than some), but there's no denying this is probably the best pocketable Stills and Video camera available today. Normally on eBay you could find some shipping from overseas, but those have a different frame rate for video (50p instead of 60p). While they are still out of stock on Amazon, B&H, and other major retailers, the official Sony store on eBay has some in stock just today. Anyone else as excited? I'm glad I sold off all of my other little Sony cameras, and just purchased the R100 this very moment. As the only option for USA buyers, i'm guessing this could sell out fast (Click here for Sony RX100)
Sony DSC-RX100 20.2 MP Exmor CMOS Sensor Digital Camera
For every other Canon DSLR camera like the 7D, 5D Mark II, 60D, and 5D Mark III you'll need a totally different grip. One good thing about the Rebel series cameras is that they continue to share the same LP-E8 battery type along with the same BG-E8 Battery Grip. A cheap BG-E8 grip for the T2i, T3i, and T4i
T2i, T3i, T4i BG-E8 Grip + 2 LP-E8 Batteries
A short while back, Tony Carreti shared a test with a very inexpensive shotgun microphone (found here). Today, HDSLRNOW.com provided some additional data while comparing the sub $20 dollar EM-320E to the $230 dollar Audio Technica AT897 (found here). It's fairly obvious that the more expensive microphone sounds better, but the debate was about whether the sub $20 dollar microphone is worth using for those who may just be getting off the ground shooting video and without a budget. You can find the cheap EM-320E shotgun microphone via eBay (click here).
EM-320E Shotgun Microphone
(Left to Right) Zoom H1, Tascam DR-05, Zoom H4n
Normally priced at about $100 dollars, the Tascam DR-05 hand held recorder is on sale for just $65 dollars. The Tascam DR-05 does not have XLR inputs, so it's similar to the Zoom H1. It's a bit larger than a Zoom H1 (as seen above), but a great deal if you don't have a recorder today.
YouTube member MattsMacintosh throws up a review of the cheap Polaroid target shooter style rig [Thanks Matt]. This little rig popped up a few months ago, but it's still a decent buy for small camera shooters. If you have to travel with a small gear bag, the unit breaks down to just a few pieces. Prices on this unit have been steady at just under $60 bucks via Amazon (click here).
Polaroid Rig / Aputure Magic Rig Target Shooter style Stabilizer
