dslr stabilizer

Budget Follow Focus – Reviewed Again • 33 Comments

Emm • June 25, 2011

Another review based around the recent Budget Follow Focus which has been coined as the RJ Follow Focus. (More news on that soon). This review from Just Basl Productions is a bit ~~longer~~ more thorough and should answer any questions you have, and also compares it against another Follow Focus system. A few people have mentioned about the QC (quality control) of these FF's coming out of the factory. Assembly might be a bit inconsistent, so if you receive yours with a little bit of play there are a few screws inside the gear box that can be tightened up.

General Consensus from buyers of the RJ FF? It's good, and for the price - it's great. Oh and don't forget you'll need a set of Rails to mount something like this, and sometimes you can get killer deals with the Gini Rigs.

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Gini DSLR Rig Stabilizer Kits

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DSLR Follow Focus with Lens Gears

Duopod Stabilizer Concept • 5 Comments

Emm • June 25, 2011

Looks like it's still in the prototype phase (hence the poor shaky video samples), but the Duopod from Vimeo member Mountkestrel is a double shoulder support stabilizer, that then transforms to a 'Steadicam-like' handheld stabilizer. Interesting concept, I wish them all the best. But like similar products that are designed to be multi-function, i'm sure it can do good in either mode, but maybe not the best. Example: Manfrotto's ModoSteady 3-in-1 Stabilizer and Support System - (Don't buy the ModoSteady). We'll have to wait to see more of how this concept is finalized and pricing if it ever becomes available on the market. For something that isn't specialized to one purpose, my opinion is that if they can't put it on the shelves for around $250 bucks, it might be a tough sell. [Thanks Alex]
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Davis & Sanford FM18 ATPG18 • 43 Comments

Emm • June 21, 2011

When you need to support a bit of weight for a new 4ft Jib / Crane or Camera Slider, you'll need a solid base. As an inexpensive solution i've been suggesting the FT9901SLV. I have no issues with this tripod under my short 3 foot Konova slider or the latest 4ft. Glideshot crane, but under heavier loads (like my 8ft. crane), the 75mm bowl mount can slip.

Davis Sanford FM18 Head
(Above) Davis & Sanford FM18 Fluid Head

To carry the most amount of weight, you'll need to grab a set of sticks and a fluid head that isn't based on the bowl mount like this Davis & Sanford (Owned by Tiffen Company) ATPG18 w/ FM18 Fluid Head. Normally sold on Amazon and other spots for about $240, B&H has a decent price drop (Limited Quantity) on this beefy set of ATPG18 All Terrain legs with Geared Center Column, and heavy duty FM18 fluid head. Not a bead deal while they last...

Davis Sanford FM18 Fluid Head Tripod
Davis & Sanford ATPG18 w/ FM18 Fluid Head

Camtree Micro Dolly IGUS Slider with Pulley System • 16 Comments

Emm • June 21, 2011

Roller bearing sliders have a love/hate relationship. Some people love the smooth no friction action, and some people hate the inconsistencies they might get without friction. Thanks for Martin for tipping me off on this review. YouTube member AYFilms gives us a review of the Camtree Micro Dolly. We've all seen IGUS Drylin based sliders, but with this Camtree Micro Dolly version they provide an optional pulley system. They are also using one of the widest rails available from IGUS which handles much better than the smaller and narrower versions.

The IGUS rails work on dry (plastic-like) bearings that actually slide (not roll) across the rail. One thing to keep in mind with these friction sliders is you want to center the weight as best as possible. Too much over the side and you'll have unequal tension. The pulley system not only offers additional tension to make sliding more consistent, but pulls the carrier from the lowest point to provide less binding. As mentioned in the video, with the pulley crank removed, you're pretty much 80% the way to making a motorized slider or motion controlled timelapse rig. The Camtree Micro Dolly comes with Pulley system, Quick Release Adapter, and Foam padded Travel Case.

Camtree IGUS Pulley Slider
Camtree Micro Dolly IGUS Slider w/ Pulley

GAUI Quad Copter for GoPro • 15 Comments

Emm • June 17, 2011

Summer is here, and the weather is looking good. Time to take to the air with a Quad copter. These little GAUI quad copters are creating quite a 'buzz' (pun intended). GAUI makes inexpensive quad rotor helicopters that can carry quite a bit of weight, which seems to be trending towards small cameras like the GoPro HD or Contour HD. Keep in mind that these Copters are not toys and are serious flying machines that you'll need to take great care and responsibility with (unless you're a seasoned RC flyer already).

3 AXIS Gimble Camera Mount Stabilizer

Tons of other companies are making some very cool aftermarket accessories. Looks like tons of fun. There's also several accessories for landing gears, camera mounts, pan / tilt setups, and 3 axis gimbals to help keep the camera's horizon level even though the copter might sway a bit. There's a whole slew of GAUI Copter related videos over at YouTube.com, and plenty of GAUI quad copters kits and accessories can be found for great prices via eBay.

GAUI-copters Gaui-stabilizer GAUI-Remotes
GAUI Quad Copter and Accessories

Free Standing Monopod – Audio / Light Stand • 36 Comments

Emm • June 12, 2011

Here's a clever free standing Monopod that might be useful for more than just camera support. In the image they show a free standing DSLR with a long telephoto lens which is quite a bit of weight. Packs down to about 20 inches, much smaller and lighter than your basic light stand and with a mini ball head attached, it could also serve to hold a microphone, a portable audio recorder, or LED video light in place. Maximum height is approximately 4' 6".

Should be able to hold a portable Photo Flash when working on portraits or Macro photography, or maybe just throw a small camera off to the side for Time Lapsing an event while you run around shooting. I guess something like this would also work as an extra stabilizer towards the end of your Camera Slider. The Monopod works as a usual monopod, but if you need it in free standing mode, it has three legs that extend to a fairly stable tripod stand (unlike the small feet on the Manfrotto's). If you're in the market for a Monopod, this might be pretty a cool dual, triple, or quadruple purpose stand.

Monopod Stand
Free Standing Monopod With Tripod Feet

Opteka 23″ Slider Video Sample • 19 Comments

Emm • June 12, 2011

Opteka's new 23" Slider video sample from Vimeo member skooKILLfilms. Camera used was the Canon 60D + 18-135mm kit lens and Samyang 8mm. The Opteka 23" slider is based on the IGUS rails, and offers a decent start for those who aren't looking to modify or DIY their own. It's an inexpensive slider that can provide excellent results, especially if you're shooting on a smaller format camera like the Sony NEX or Micro Four Thirds system, these linear rails should work fine.

opteka-slider
Opteka DSLR Video Camera Sliders

Budget DSLR Follow Focus • 50 Comments

Emm • June 5, 2011

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Thanks to a tip from Jarrod, here's a look at a very inexpensive DSLR Follow focus with universal lens gear. The R.J. Follow Focus states that it's made mostly out of Aluminum with a reversible gear to be used both left and right handed. There's a large marking disc area and standard knob to accept an external 'whip' if you decide to get one in the future. The gear sits low, so if you're using a small lens and a battery grip, you may have some trouble getting the FF to mate to the lens gear. The last question would be how much 'play' the follow focus has in the gear box, but at this price it can't be all bad.

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DSLR Follow Focus with Lens Gear

Like most follow focus systems, this one will require a set of 15mm rods to mount. If you don't have a set you're best bet is to take advantage of those Gini auctions. What you're looking for is a rig that has at least the DSLR base mount and two rails.