Thanks to Omar for pointing out this new GH3 Promo Video. There's finally an OEM battery grip showing on the GH3, and some of the text descriptions include up to 60fps frame rate, higher video bitrate ALL-I: 72MBPS, dust and splash proof magnesium body. Sounds like panasonic has a solid camera here with no hacks needed.
The Panasonic GH3 is already available to Pre-Order (Click Here)
Thew new Panasonic GH3 Available for Pre-Order
First inventory of this item sold out in 24 hours, and there's been a bit of a wait, but today the second shipment of new inventory has arrived. Introductory pricing still available (at this time). For more information about this product, check out my old article here: http://cheesycam.com/new-gear-swivi-lcd-view-finder/
Some good news is that Rob shared these photos of the VF-3 on a 60D with and without battery grip. [Thanks Rob]
I have also confirmed it to work with a Nikon D7000 (with and without battery grip), Canon T4i (with and without Grip), Canon 5D Mark III, Nikon D800, etc. The adjustments make this possible to work with many different camera types.
You can find the Carry Speed VF-3 product page at the website CarrySpeed.com (Click Here).
Carry Speed LCD View Finder
[Update] The website got slammed, so if you can't order, here's an alternate listing via Amazon:
Carry Speed Swivi Universal LCD View Finder via Amazon
Well, that was quick. Sony had a few days to shine with the new SLT-A99 as being the lightest and cheapest Full Frame sensor DSLR on the market, but now Nikon has officially announced the much leaked D600. The A99 weighs in just under 1.8 lbs, while the new Nikon D600 weighs in just under 1.7 lbs. Canon where you at?
So far some might say it's a mini D800 that will even offer DSLR Video shooters Uncompressed HDMI Video Output, and expected to be $700-800 dollars cheaper than the new Sony SLT-A99. Check out more about the new Nikon D600 via B&H (Click Here)
Nikon D600 Full Frame Camera Compact Size
Sony's gone Full Frame crazy with several new cameras announced recently. I won't go into details too much as i'm sure you've been hearing about this on other blogs, but I just thought i'd share some highlights. The new SLT-A99 is a Full Frame DSLR t offers a full 1080p @ 60fps and Uncompressed HDMI Output to facilitate external recording, and starts under $3K. No other brand has been able to offer this so far.
Sony Full Frame SLT-A99 DSLR Camera
The new Sony NEX-VG900 is the first Full Frame interchangeable lens Camcorder. There's just so many things going on with this camera for an estimated $3300 dollars, there's plenty of reasons current DSLR video shooters will jump to this with a full frame sensor, uncompressed HDMI out, XLR audio (optional adapter), etc. I've never been a strong fan of earlier NEX-VG cameras, but I seriously want to give this one a go.
Sony NEX-VG900 Full Frame Camcorder
Finally the new Sony RX1 is a Full Frame compact camera with a fixed Zeiss 35mm F/2 lens. It's a very niche camera priced around $2800 dollars - targeted to a very specific audience. Key phrase here is 'Full Frame' that other cameras in this compact market aren't offering, especially at this price. Too rich for my blood, but still a great camera.
Sony RX1 Full Frame Compact Camera
I remember years ago when I first started shooting and testing out different Digital SLR Cameras. After trying out different cameras from Nikon, Fuji, and Canon, I finally decided that Canon was the true innovator (at that time) releasing the best DSLR Cameras at the best prices one after another. Even at the start of HDSLR Video, the Canon 5D Mark II and 7D were just outdoing it's current competitors. For the last few years, Canon has failed to offer such features that Nikon, Panasonic, and Sony are bringing to the consumer market, and I feel like i'm just watching their market share slip away. What do you guys think?
Just posted up an article about using three LED Video lights on a single shoe adapter, and Herb shares a link to an LED-5080 video light [Thanks Herb]. This dimmable light uses a few high power LED bulbs, comes with barndoors, built in diffuser and tungsten filter, powered on Sony Batteries (comes with battery and charger), and has optional DC input for external power source. This light has been around for a few months, and i'm curious if anyone has experience with this light? If so, comment below. You can find the LED-5080 all over on eBay (click here)
LED-5080 Dimmable Video Light with Sony Battery and Charger
Looking to travel light, but still have a large battery powered LED light source? In this episode of GearBox from TheC47.com, Jem is planning to use the Triple Shoe Adapter I posted about (seen here) to create a large light source with a few high power Switronix BOLT LED lights (review found here). Those BOLT LED lights are great, but they are pretty expensive. Keep in mind, you could use this same idea with other lights.
Switronix TorchLED Bolt On-Camera Video Light
To create more or less contrast, he could switch out to different sized umbrellas or use a shoot through, or even adjust the angle of each light. When not in use, this lighting kit idea should break down to several small parts. There are two different Triple Adapters I talked about, and both types can be found for just under $14 bucks via eBay (Click Here).
Triple Flash or LED Video Light Shoe Mounting Bracket
The Metal Bracket Can be Found on Amazon for under $10 bucks + shipping (Click Here).
Triple Flash or LED Video Light Shoe Mounting Bracket - Cast Metal
Tom writes in and shares this new Matte Box find. Product description shows dual 4x4 filter trays (only one rotatable). [Thanks Tom] Comes with height adjustable 15mm rod clamp, Top and Side flags, and a couple of black-out neoprene donuts. No swing away design here, but It does look much lighter than the ePhoto MatteBox (seen here).
This titled 'Compact Pro Matte Box' also lists fairly cheap with more images found at $150 bucks + Free Shipping on eBay (Click Here).
Compact Pro Matte Box
[Disclaimer: CarrySpeed.com is now a distribution partner with Photography and Cinema. The Swivi LCD View Finder below is sold through CarrySpeed.com.]
If you've used one before, you'll know how important a simple LCD View Finder is when shooting DSLR Video outdoors on a bright sunny day. Or how an LCD View Finder can add additional stability as another point of contact during hand held shooting. For cameras like the Canon 5D Mark III, there aren't many options. For under $30 dollars you'll find the the cheaper magnetic stick on types and for over $230 dollars you'll find one or two other great options. Here's a new LCD View Finder available at Carry Speed at an introductory price of just $120 dollars
Fits on most DSLR cameras with a 3" LCD, but from corner to corner it's actually 3.11" inches, so it's almost perfect on cameras like the Canon 5D Mark III. The brackets are designed to adjust for a variety of different cameras, something shooters will appreciate if you own more than one model (Nikon, Canon, Sony).
(Above) Perfect fit on a Nikon D7000 with or without OEM Battery Grip!
(Above video) Fits perfectly on Canon T4i / 650D with or without Battery Grip.
Without the battery grip, you can still access the Battery Door on a Canon T4i.
The new Carry Speed View Finder can flip up to be used as a quick sunshade, and locks in place when closed. There's a built in diopter, build in lens cap, and attaches to the camera through a quick release base plate system.
Very solid mount to the camera, yet easy to unlock and remove entirely. The base plate is Arca Swiss designed to attach to most Arca Swiss tripods, and has a few 1/4-20 threads for mounting other QR plates. Find out more about the LCD View Finder at the product page (here).
Carry Speed LCD View Finder
In bright daylight, it's difficult to focus and set exposure on a bare LCD. Sometimes a quick LCD View Finder attached to the back of the camera is all you need (no batteries required). I still find an LCD View Finder a valuable tool to have, but haven't seen many options available for the Canon 5D Mark III. Just curious as to what LCD View Finders people are using on the back of their Canon 5D Mark III? Comments below...
[Update] All great options suggested in the comments, thanks everyone. I've just added a new Article about another LCD View Finder product found here: http://cheesycam.com/new-gear-swivi-lcd-view-finder/
