Here's a great little roller bag kit that normally runs well over $200 dollars. The kit can be separated into two separate bags or just used as one padded roller. The small roller can be emptied to hold clothes, and a padded insert can hold a camera body + lens with two additional lenses and room to spare for a laptop computer. On Amazon they are still listing the X50 for $213 (seen here)
LowePro X50 Attache Padded Camera Roller Bag
Here's a few deals happening now via B&H.
Rokinon 8mm Fisheye Lens Discounts (found here)
Canon Instant Rebates on DSLR Bodies and Lenses (found here)
There's some pretty nice Amazon deals going on just for today on Transcend SDHC, Compact Flash, and SDXC media today only
I'm actually using mostly Transcend media in ALL my cameras, and the 32GB SDHC Class 10 can handle video mode in the Canon 5D Mark III with ease, and it's on sale today for just $16.99 right now (click here).
Transcend SDHC Media Discounts
Mike writes in and shares an update about a product that was currently out of stock for a while. It's a tip I shared a while back about Creating a Padded Camera Roller Bag. Although in the video I state it's under $30 dollars, the item is now back online for a slightly increased price of $39.99. Still it's a great tip for making a padded roller bag, and if you're like me I travel with three. Huge cost savings overall, even if it's just for your accessories and not your main camera bag.
You can find pretty much the exact style insert i'm using via Calumet finally back in stock right now following the link (click here).
Calumet Padded Roller Insert Dividers
If you're shooting with DSLR Video, you've probably heard about the Z96 LED video light. F&V is the company behind the popular light and one exciting product that will be available is the new R-300 LED Video Ring Light. We got a chance to see these up close at the PhotoPlus Expo, and these are excellent quality lights coming in at an excellent price.
Product description states that the R-300 LED Light features 300 daylight-balanced LEDs which produce 1950 Lux @ 1-meter. An onboard dimmer offers seamless power variation from 0-100%. It has two power options: a Sony NP-F Battery Plate and a DCɸ2.5 jack.
As stated in the video the light is brighter than Litepanel's $1800 dollar 1x1. Starting at $199 dollars, this will be a great light to be used both ON or Off camera and all powered by inexpensive Sony Batteries (instead of V-Mount). The new R-300 will be available to mount using a basic L-Bracket, or to a set of 15mm Rails. You can find more information about the new R-300 LED Video Light following the link to the product page (Click Here).
F&V Lighting R-300 LED Video Ring Light
Mike Peterson writes in and shares his opinion on those new LED video lights that are being sold online as 1000w LED Fresnels. So far there really hasn't been much complaint over the actual build quality, as they are using the same aluminum housings as the 'As Arri' light kits (seen here) with a high power LED inside. Others have already confirmed these are not equivalent to 1000w, nor is it an actual Fresnel light (no proper glass element), but Mike thinks it's still a great solution for a bright low power / low temp light source. [Thanks Mike]
With most artificial light sources there will often be a green color cast, but can be corrected with a minus green (magenta) filter. The benefit to LED lighting is the ability to plug several at any location without blowing out circuit breakers and generating too much heat in the environment. You can also use low temp colored Gels (cheaper stuff) over the LED lights without the worry of it melting. Something you really need to think about if you're trying to use a few hot Tungsten or Halogen type lights. You can find this exact lighting kit, and other LED Fresnels via eBay (click here).
LED Fresnel Video Lighting
Out of stock previously, that new carbon fiber Wieldy Stabilizer I posted an article about (found here) a few weeks ago has listed a few more in stock. News update, I received my unit in also and this thing was really modeled after the Glidecam HD stabilizers. Check out the photo below showing the counterweights. One is the Wieldy and the other is for the Glidecam - dead on exact same shape and the holes line up perfectly on my Glidecam.
Build quality is good although there were a few loose screws when mine arrived that I needed to tighten up before flying around. The sled is almost exactly the same also, but the Wieldy is using a thinner sled plate which I could easily bend by hand if I really wanted to. The Gimbal adjustment works great and I was able to reposition it so I can fly my camera upside down, something I can't easily do with the Glidecam without the handle hitting the stage.
Balancing was very quick for me since it has the same fine tuning knobs that the more expensive Glidecam offers, so I was very familiar. FThis stabilizer can be compared to either the larger $570 Glidecam HD4000 (seen here) or smaller Glidecam HD2000 (seen here). The HD2000 will already run you about $500 dollars, while this Carbon Wieldy Stabilizer runs for about $300 bucks. Additional information, photos, and video examples of the Carbon Wieldy Stabilizer in use can be seen following the link to the product page via eBay (Click Here).
Wieldy DV Pro Iron Triangle Stabilizer
[Update] You can also find the Wieldy bundled with a dual arm stabilizer from another seller. The vest offered is different than the one I posted about earlier, and it's available with different stabilizers. A few listings from this seller show the dual arm vest bundled with this same Wieldy Carbon Fiber stabilizer.
Dual Arm Support Vest with Carbon Stabilizer
Someone had a question about whether a Canon 5D with 24-105mm F/4L lens would work with the Kamerar 23" Slider Dolly SD-1. So I decided to put up a video example of that Camera+Lens combo on the slider. Quality of the slider is well made and well priced for what it can provide to the budget filmmaker. When used as a dolly, the axles can be relocated for a tighter turning radius.
When used as a standard slider, the axles can be removed completely to get the full run of the slider length. A quick release plate can be added in the center of the slider for tripod mounting and still not obstruct the carrier from sliding side to side. If you're looking for a longer slider, Kamerar offers a 47" version of this slider + FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. You can find more information about the new Kamerar slider products via the website (Click Here).
Kamerar Video Camera Slider SD-1
A short while ago, I discovered a new Canon EF/EF-S Lens Adapter to Sony NEX Camera systems. It's basic function is similar to the more expensive Metabones adapter in which you can control the electronic iris of the lens natively through the Sony NEX camera body. I have confirmed that it works great on my Sony NEX-7, and here Landon has his own review and confirmation of it working great on the Sony FS700. [Thanks Landon]. As mentioned in the video review below, it's half the price and also easier to obtain than the metabones product also.
Exciting stuff, but now for a bit of even better news. Recently there's a new version of this adapter which comes with the much needed Tripod Ring adapter + AUTO FOCUS support. The auto focus is said to utilize the NEX's inherent Contrast Difference AF, and focusing speed is between Sony's LA-EA1 and LA-EA2 adapter. But would be a bit slower than original Canon AF. This latest version Auto Focus EF/EF-S lens to Sony NEX adapter can be found via eBay (Click Here).
Canon EF/EF-S lens to Sony NEX Electronic Adapter with Auto Focus Support
