DSLR Audio

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adorama-l-brackets-fig-rig

Customer image submitted to Amazon.com shows the use of two Adorama 'L' brackets spaced out to create a 'fig rig' style stabilizer. This simple solution would definitely work much like a common fig rig, while still allowing cold shoe attachments on each side for your LED lighting and Shotgun Microphone (as the above image displays).

Doesn't really show how the camera is mounted in between these two brackets, but a short piece of AL flat bar is all that i'm thinking this setup would need. The Aluminum flat bar can also be cut to widen the space between the handles for more stability, but going too wide might throw off the axis of your LED light and shotgun mic. The brackets used in the image above are the Adorama L Brackets, but there's also other notable L flash brackets available from other manufacturers.

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craigslist-boot-camp

An image of a Z96 LED light on a Glidecam HD4000 + Steadicam Vest + Rode VideoMic + Canon 5D Mark II + Battery Grip + Zoom H4n shows up in the wild. Well it wasn't really that wild. Somehow an image of just a small part of my rig showed up on the BayCitizen.org website, as I was part of the video team covering the Craigslist Foundation Boot Camp event over at UC Berkely. I was the only one roaming with any type of Steadicam, let alone a Steadicam Vest and sure did get lots of attention and questions about the rig. It's smooth to fly, gets good audio from the Rode VideoMic shotgun + Zoom h4n (on the lower sled - not seen), and when cruising indoors I have the ability to switch on some extra LED lighting. It's a versatile setup that works for me, and I use this same setup consistently for many types of event coverage. It's change a little bit, but you can see more of the Steadicam + Glidecam rig I've assembled in this article.

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Zooom-H1-release-date
I'm still waiting for an email response from Zoom about the official release date, since it's just a day short and there's always different emails about when this thing is going to hit the streets. The actual 'Zoom' store on Amazon has a posted release date of Sept 8th, so we'll see what happens. The good news is that the official 'Zoom' store on Amazon is accepting those Pre-Orders, while other website including BHPHOTOVideo.com are not. So if you haven't placed a jump on it yet, here's the link to the Zoom store on Amazon.

Update: A twitter pic shows them out on the streets. Could it be available? https://twitpic.com/2g8nwo

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DSLRevolt WORKSHOP / PHOTODAYS ROVINJ / AUDI from Marko Butrakovic on Vimeo.

Today's the day I may be signing a lease for warehouse space in the Bay Area. I've collected quite a bit of equipment over the last year, and networking with other Photographers / Videographers has required me to have an actual 'creative' space to setup shop. One of the ideas of using this new warehouse space would be to hold DSLR workshops where we invite a DSLR Professional or Professional DSLR team in to manage a small class and tackle a very specific project. This will all be built from scratch where everyone can contribute to ideas in storyboarding, coming up with the shot list, taking hands shooting with the different equipment, and to final editing. Think of that TV show 'Monster Garage' but for DSLR shooters. Throw a team of people into the warehouse, give them a project, and see what comes of it.

I started poking around for ideas on DSLR workshops, and really enjoyed how this video was put together. Seems like a really fun thing to tackle and I might just have to give the local BMW, Porsche, or Mercedes dealerships a ring.

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zoom-h1

I was excited to pre-order the new Samson Zoom H1 portable Audio Recorder and posted this article. I received an email from the Pre-Order seller that the release date was pushed back to the August 20th. I completely trust the seller, but just to make sure everything was on the up and up I contacted Samson for an official comment.

Emm,
August 20th is the new release date. There was a production delay at the
factory, and it had to be held back. We are deeply sorry about this.

Thanks Samson for the fast response, and although i'm sad to say it won't be in my hands soon enough, i'm sure the delay is for good reason. Samson makes awesome products such as the Zoom H4n and unlike other companies claiming a release date Red Cameras or product availablity, they've always been on top of things. I expect these things to move fairly quickly, so if you're still interested in getting the pre-order, check out this article.

Tweet this article, pass the word, spread the news. Zoom H1 has been delayed expected August 20th.

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cheap-flexible-tripod
click image for Large Flexible DSLR tripod

I don't think I need to drop any names, but it's obvious what this product mimics. Thanks to a tip from 'Nick', this is the cheapest version i've seen online. Take note, that this is the 10" version for DSLR's. Original versions of this run approximately $39.95 +, while this Large Flexible Tripod sits in around $11.88 + Free shipping. I've seen flexible tripods like this over at Keeble & Schucat in Palo Alto. It's pretty beefy and hard to bend. This definitely is not a bad deal. I may have to grab a couple for my Canon 580 EX II Speedlights to hang them around doors, ceiling fans, bed posts, etc. Might even come in handy with that new Zoom H1??

cheap-flexible-tripod-buy

Peep the cheap - 10" Flexible Large Tripod for DSLR SLR + Free Shipping

[Thanks Nick]

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dslr-rig-ebay
shoulder-rig-ebay

Wow, adding everything up on this rig, it's pretty much a sweet deal. No hassles in building and configuring your own DSLR setup, this listing has it all and ready to ship. Complete shoulder mount, tripod blocks, 1 follow focus for Focus pulls, 1 follow focus for Zoom pulls, A bunch of Focus Rings, (not shown) Waist belt + rod support, Matte Box, Shotgun Microphone, LCD Monitor + battery pack, JuiceBox to kill that AGC, LED Light panel, and more!

I was hesitant to post this up because for a split second I thought I should just buy it, and sell off some of my old gear to make up for the difference. There was one important calculation that prevented me from clicking the 'Buy It Now' button. After figuring out the time it would take to sell off my old items, effort to hide this from the wifey, time it would take to replace missing bank account funds, and the cost of divorce fees should I be caught randomly purchasing items.....Basically I can't afford it (right now). If your calculations are much different than mine, check out the full details and descriptions of the items bundled with this beast at the eBay listing. Check out this awesome complete DSLR Shoulder Mount rig available at eBay auction.

Note: I don't know this seller, and am not vouching for the validity of this auction.

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windtech-zoom-h1-muff
click image to buy WindTech

The Zoom H1 is the hottest talked about Portable Audio recorder since the Zoom H4n. I posted an article about it here. It's small, simple to use, high quality, and best of all 'Dirt Cheap'. Although it's not available yet, WindTech isn't holding out until last minute. There's already a 'Mic-Muff' available to help tone down some of that wind noise, should you decide to use the onboard microphones. I've heard the term 'Dead Cat' for the larger ones, 'Dead Kitten' for the smaller ones, and i'm personally going to coin this 'Dead Hamster'. Check out the new WindTech Mic-Muff for the Zoom H1 by clicking here.

Using this as a handheld microphone is quite handy, but you know, it does remind me of something. I just can't quite put my finger on it.....
trolls-doll-red-hair-700668

No word on if Zoom H1 is going to include a Wind Screen of their own, but i'm guessing it will be the standard black foam type. The one product that's made the most impact in this Wind Dampening area for the Zoom H4n product is the RedHead Windscreen.

redhead-windscreens
click image to find RedHead WindScreens

I've seen several test videos with the RedHead (by the way they aren't all red in color) and it's a must have for anyone planning on using the on board Zoom Microphones in breezy conditions. You can find video samples in any of his listings and prices by clicking here.