If you've been planning to pick up the EVENT rig from Express35.com (old video review above), and wanted to add in an extra handle there's a deal going on. Actually the deal even extends to those who've already purchased the EVENT rig. Personally I find this is an important handle to add if you want to set the rig down on the floor and also adds much more stability when in use. Just check in with Express35.com for details.
Express35 EVENT Rig with two handles + MatteBox
The rumors are true. I've heard through the grapevine that a cheaper DSLR cage would be made before the year ended. This appears to be that cage. [Thanks Serge]. This particular cage works mainly on Canon DSLR cameras giving access to the card slot and battery door. Not tall enough to support a battery grip.
It's a fair option to add a bracket around your camera to help mount additional accessories, but i'm a bit sketchy on the way the seperate parts are mated together. Doesn't look like the best method to use when joining two parts that thin - dare I say 'flimsy'? I personally think the starting price is also too high, especially when you could get a better stabilizer out of the Alzo cage found here: http://cheesycam.com/alzo-dslr-accessory-cage/.
We'll have to wait to hear more and see some reviews, but this particular new Canon DSLR cage can already be found via eBay (click here).
Capa DSLR Camera Cage
What do you think about when you hear the name Benro? Maybe photography tripods? Photography monopods? Photography ball bead mounts? Benro is a pretty decent name when it comes to lightweight sturdy tripods, but they're not known to be dabbling into the video market (until now) [Thanks Deepak].
The New Benro AD71FK5 Dual Stage Video Tripod Kit
Benro AD71FK5 Fluid Video Head Tripod Kit
Opteka is now offering a shoulder rig stabilizer. Very basic with a pair of straight rods, shoulder pad, mounting plate, cross bar, and two handles. A decent set up to minimize rotation. Claims to be made of heavy duty aluminum construction and standard 15mm compatible (for most accessories). You can find it available following the link (click here).
Opteka Shoulder Rig Camera Stabilizer 15mm
Also available via Amazon below (click here)
Opteka Shoulder Rig Stabilizer
I've been asked to recommend a good small ball head that would work well with the Pico Flex Dolly or a good one for small sliders. I tested out a few, and the one that seems to fit the best is the Fancier FT6691. It's larger than the Giottos mini ball head, but still smaller than the larger Fancier Ball head I often use with the Konova Slider. For the price, it's a perfect little head for even DSLR cameras giving you extra stability with your sliders or table dollies.
All metal with strong clamp force to keep the camera in position and a quick release plate (with safety latch) so you don't have to spin your camera off. So far I haven't found anything else that offers this type of bang for the buck. If you've got suggestions for a good similar feature ball head, let me know. Floating around $24 dollars, you can find them over at eBay (click here)
Fancier Small Positionable Locking Camera Ball Head - via eBay
Cheaper and available for Prime shipping over at Amazon below (click here)
Fancier Small Camera Ball Head - via Amazon
I posted up about a very effective (and cheap) Velbon fluid head a few weeks back and it literally sold out in a few hours. For around $26-29 dollars, it's a great way to add on a dedicated Fluid head for camera dollies, sliders, etc. You can find the original video, article, and other comments about the fluid here: http://cheesycam.com/cheap-velbon-video-fluid-head-review/.
A few of the units are back in stock at B&H (click here).
Velbon Fluid Video Tripod head - via B&H
or at Amazon (click here) available at both B&H and Amazon (click here)
Velbon Fluid Video Tripod head - via Amazon
I'm sure many of you already know about this particular Velbon fluid head
If you're just starting out with a GH2, Olympus Pen, or Sony NEX-5n camera you'll get some truly fluid movements with this sub $30 dollar fluid head. It's no wonder this fluid head gets rave reviews over at Amazon
Size Comparison (Left) Manfrotto 701HDV (Right) Velbon Fluid Head
Don't get the bundled tripods as i've heard nothing but horror stories. You'd be better off buying another one like the 190XDB from Manfrotto (found here). Don't overload the thing. I used a Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 100mm Macro F/2.8 which worked well, but the head does not have a 'balance' feature so it wanted to tilt forward with the heavy lens. It's too bad the build quality comes in short, because the performance is truly amazing for such a cheap head. Often you'll find the head on sale as low as $26 dollars, and for a spare head on your DSLR video slider, track dolly, or even one for your Monopod it's a deal. You can find them on sale at B&H (click here)
Velbon PH-368 Video Fluid Head
or at Amazon (click here) available at both B&H and Amazon (click here)
Velbon Fluid Video Tripod head - via Amazon
Yeah that's a Gini Follow Focus and of course without the finished anodizing, it looks like a prototype. See something different? Yeah no Huco gearbox. Is Gini making his own metal gears? [Thanks Kenrik]
Also what looks to be in the works is some new metal lens gears. I don't know about the rest of you, but it would be great to have an option of these new metal lens gears in that sexy Gini red. You can see more images and details following the link (click here).
Gini Rigs Follow Focus and New Lens Gears
I was testing this about a week ago, but finally published it to the public. Taking all the same little electronics from the JuicedLink DIY slider project (continuous servo, servo driver, and battery case) the little Pico Flex dolly is moving on it's own. The speed is variable and with the size of the pulley. It can go really slow, but what you see is the fastest setting it will go. A piece of scrap acrylic plastic and double sided tape was all that was used to mount it temporarily while I try to figure out the cheapest and best way to drive this thing.
A rubber band pulley system didn't do so well. The band would stretch and when there was enough tension built up, it would snap back causing a jerking motion. The direct drive was the simplest way to turn the Pico wheels and was much more consistent. Using this technique could apply to all existing Pico Flex Dollies without replacing any existing parts. The servo is extremely strong and since the Pico moves with little effort, it can move quite a bit of weight.
Another Clever Pico Flex Dolly Modification - Motorized + Lasers
YouTube Member dim3m has motorized the Pico Flex, and has also added lasers for an easy way to identify the rotating axis. This is a common practice used in those high end three wheel skater type dollies. By aligning the axles with the lasers, the cross path will be the center of rotation. This is where you need to focus your camera. Right now the lasers are just temporarily being held on with Friction arms as a proof of concept. [Thanks dim3m] You can find pen lasers fairly cheap these days in just about any store, but if you're lazy they can be found online for about $1.49 (click here)
Mini Pen Laser KeyChains
