dslr video

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To clear up any confusion, the dovetail is part of the cage and cannot be removed, but you can still mount any quick release you want. Check out the video for a closer look at the Varavon Armor Cage for the Panasonic GH3 / GH4 cameras.

There is an optional base with 15mm rails available at the website, but you could easily add the entire Varavon Cage to the top of any 15mm baseplate - as you would with a bare camera body. Here are some additional images, but for more information about the Varavon GH3 GH4 Armor Video Cage, check out their website (click here).

Varavon-1  Varavon-2

Varavon-3  Varavon-5

Varavon Armor Cage FH3 GH4
find-price-button Varavon Armor Cage for Panasonic GH3 / GH4 Cameras

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pdmovie wireless remote focuspdmovie receiver focus video

If you're looking for an affordable yet feature packed Wireless Follow Focus system then you may have seen the PDMovie Remote Air. Available in a few different packages, B&H currently has at least one of the PDMovie Wireless Follow Focus kits in stock, and here's an overview video via iKan Corp.

Different bundles are available for Single Channel (1 motor), Dual Channel (2 motors), and packages with Standard Motors and High Torque motors. Find out more details about the PDMovie Remote Air WFF at B&H (click here).

PDMovie Remote Air Wireless Follow Focus iKan FF WFF
find-price-button PD Movie Remote Air Wireless Follow Focus Systems

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If your camera (i.e BlackMagic 4K) or external video recorder (i.e. Atomos Ninja) requires a Solid State Drive for capturing, here's a good deal. Included with your purchase is a 10 Year Warranty on this 480GB Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD deal today (click here).

Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD
find-price-button 480GB Sandisk Extreme Pro Solid State Drive

[Tip:] If you're running out of space on a MacBook Pro, you can also take advantage of the fast SSD speeds to make your own Thunderbolt External Drive to edit video with using an external adapter (article here).

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The R-300 light is one of my quick go-to lights used off camera on a set of stands. Battery power (or AC adapter), lightweight means I can go with lightweight stands, and compact for traveling. The R-300 can surprisingly match (if not better) the larger heavier 1x1 600 Panels (see this article). Recently F&V introduced a new Softbox Kit for the R-300. If you're wondering how much of a difference the softbox has, here's a video showing a few examples.

Notice the multi-shadows when the R-300 is just bare LEDs, and still a bit with the milk diffusion filter. Taking a look at the Softbox examples removes the multi shadows and softens the light. Using the honeycomb grid controls background spills and the image appears to have more contrast while still diffusing evenly across the plane.

FV r300 softbox screengrab

For me, this is quite a significant difference, enough to deem this new Softbox as a 'must-have' modifier for the R-300. I'm looking forward to really testing it out on the next interview piece. You can find the R-300 LED Video lights and Softbox Kits over at the F&V website (Click Here).

hdr-300_set_up_1hdr-300_front_side_1_1_shadow
find-price-button R-300 LED Video Ring Light

r-300 led light softboximg_0394
find-price-button Soft Box and Bracket for R-300 LED Ring Light

For EU customers, check out the F&V EU website (click here)
fv r300 led ring light
fv light softbox led light
find-price-button Shop F&V (EU) Website R-300 LED Video Light

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Konova has recently released a new slider that automatically pans keeping your subject in frame. The name of the new product is still yet to be determined - by YOU. If your suggestion is chosen you could win $1400 worth of Konova stuff. Here's a short clip on how the slider works.

Apparently suggesting a name is only part of the process, you'll still need to gather 'likes' on your comment to win. The new product is designed to work as an add-on with existing Konova Sliders and will set you back approx. $400 dollars (without slider). Pre-orders will save you -$50 OFF right now at the product page (found here).

Konova-auto-panning-head
Konova Auto Panning System on Konova K Slider

So if you're looking to win or just have fun join in on all the crazy / silly name dropping and find out more information over at the Konova Facebook post following the link (click here)

Konova Name Slider Auto Panning
Name the new Konova Auto Panning Slider

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Big news, right now you can save 50% OFF the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera (Body). I never thought to see a price drop this low and this soon for the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera - especially following a recent firmware update. Either the new GH4 camera has affected sales on the BMPCC or could this mean there's something new around the corner..

Here's a recent press release that adds even MORE functionality to this amazing little camera. More file formats allowing for longer recording times on the same cards!

[Update] Blackmagic Design Announces New Apple ProRes™ formats for all Blackmagic Design Cameras
Fremont, CA - July 17, 2014 - Blackmagic Design today announced the immediate availability of Camera 1.8.2 software which adds three new Apple ProRes™ file formats for the Blackmagic Cinema Camera, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera and Blackmagic Production Camera 4K. Camera 1.8.2 update is available now free of charge from the Blackmagic Design website.

Blackmagic Design camera customers have always been able to record in both CinemaDNG RAW or compressed ProRes 422 HQ formats, however now this new software update adds three additional Apple ProRes™ file formats, ProRes 422, ProRes 422 LT and ProRes 422 Proxy. This means customers using Blackmagic Design cameras will be able to get significantly smaller video file sizes allowing much longer recording durations on the same media card, all while preserving full frame 10-bit 4:2:2 quality.

Because this update is available to our camera customers free of charge, they simply need to download it, and install the update from their Mac or Windows machine using a simple USB cable connection to the camera. Once the update is complete, customers will see these new formats available in the camera menus.

Because this update reduces the data rate of recording, it means customers can now choose lower cost SSD or SD cards while still recording high quality video in SD, HD and Ultra HD resolutions. Using ProRes 422 Proxy it is possible to record 230 minutes of 1080HD video on a single 64GB SD drive. Selecting the type of ProRes format for recording can be set via the on screen menus and all ProRes types can be played back instantly.

The Apple ProRes 422 formats are designed specifically for multi-stream non linear editing, minimal generation loss and fast export, making them very popular video file formats for post production and broadcast. All ProRes files recorded with Blackmagic Cinema Cameras and Blackmagic Production Camera 4K can be opened directly in DaVinci Resolve 11 and Apple Final Cut Pro X™ for immediate color correction, editing and finishing.

“We are extremely excited to release this next update for our camera customers ,” said Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design. “With the addition of the 3 new ProRes formats, cinematographers can now record for longer on low cost SSD’s and SD cards without sacrificing image quality, as they are still recording in full 10 bit 4:2:2 quality. Because our cameras feature a software centric design, we are very excited to be able to update our cameras with more and more features over time and make the cameras better and better! And there is more to come!”

In any case, this is a great deal and a camera I still use quite often. Here's the link to a few different places all knocked down 50% OFF.

blackmagic bmpcc camera50 off BlackMagic
find-price-button Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera + FREE Batteries


find-price-button BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera - via Amazon


find-price-button BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera - via B&H

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Now that CAME-TV is offering up several different gimbal options, the popular question right now is whether to go with the 7000 or the 7500 model. The CAME-TV 7500 model is listed as a 'Ready to Run 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer'. Price is just $200 dollars more than the DIY 7000 Kit.

CAME-TV 7500 3 Axis Gimbal Satostudios
@Satostudios BTS with CAME-TV 7500 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer

Though it's delivered mostly assembled, many parts are left loose for you to adjust and balance your camera. Once you have your camera balanced, it's a good idea to run through and make sure that every bolt is tightened up. This is VERY CLOSE to the 7000 32 Bit DIY model with a few exceptions. The big difference with the 7500 (as opposed to 7000) is that you don't need to build it yourself.

The CAME 7500 will also come preloaded with a few different profiles that are loaded by clicking on the center of the joystick. [NOTE: The video I share above was an earlier model, so your profiles may be different]. Aside from paying extra for a preconfigured system, they claim the CAME-TV 7500 model is using more powerful motors and also provide a case mounted to the back to protect the control board with an ON/OFF rocker switch. Considering there are not many '32 bit' complete gimbals coming in at this price this is a great addition for those who don't want to build it themselves.

CAME 7500 3 Axis RTR Gimbalcame 7500 ready to run 3 axis stabilizer
find-price-button CAME-TV 7500 32 Bit Ready to Run Gimbal Stabilizer

Now just because the system comes assembled or 'Ready to Run', it will still benefit you greatly to have an understanding of the different parts, pieces, and software configurations in case you need to troubleshoot or fine tune for your different applications. I would suggest that you continue checking in with my sub-website at https://gimbal.cheesycam.com.

For more information about the CAME-TV 7500 3 Axis Gimbal, check out the website (click here)

ready to run gimbal 3 axis dslr canon gh4CAME 7500 Gimbal Stabilizer
find-price-button CAME-TV 7500 3 Axis Gimbal RTR

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In case you felt there weren't enough options for motorized gimbal stabilizers, the latest DJI Ronin should begin shipping in just a few weeks. Introduced earlier this year at NAB2014, the new Ronin can support anything from a small micro four thirds camera up to a 16lb payload and comes with Auto Tuning software when which they say may not even require you to pre-balance the camera (of course it will always be better to).

If you're working with a small setup, i'm not sure if the price and the size of the Ronin will be appealing, but for cinematographers who need access to a gimbal capable of flying a heavy Camera system there were not many Gimbal systems that could compete at the same level as the expensive MOVI.

Typically the MOVI stabilizer systems are rented, but now for under $4500 $2999 dollars I think many of those professionals would rather own the tool. The new DJI Ronin is available now for Pre-order and begins shipping in August 2014 (found here).

DJI-Ronin Gimbal
find-price-button DJI Ronin 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer

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With either the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema or Micro Four Thirds cameras, you can always benefit from faster aperture lenses and wider field of views. Here's the latest lens adapter release from FotoDiox. The new Fotodiox Excell +1 adapter is similar to other Focal Reducer (Boosted) adapters that will give you a wider field of view and a faster aperture with Nikon or Canon FD Lenses. Right now it's only available for Micro Four Thirds mount which include the new GH4 or BlackMagic Pocket Cinema camera.

According to the Fotodiox deal, if you order between now and July 22nd to get your own Excell + 1 Lens Adapter and FREE Light Cannon Creative Adapter (available only while supplies last). Find out more information following the link (click here).

Fotodiox Nikon to MFT M43 GH4 BMPCC Lens AdapterFotodiox Turbo Lens booster Speed Focal reducer Excell 1
find-price-button FotoDiox Excell +1 Micro Four Thirds Lens Adapter Nikon / Canon FD