Equipment Reviews

• 9 Comments

•

You've probably already seen the video above, who hasn't? It's a great example of the capabilities shot on the GoPro HD Camera. One accessory that was recently released is the LCD BacPac and new firmware that opens up an entirely new world of features. From little things like losing the proper time/date when the battery is removed, to live HD video output. The new BacPac takes the guess work out of proper framing, and flying through the menu is a breeze compared to trying to decipher the old Mayan code on the front LCD. Video with Audio (yes with audio) can easily and instantly be played back to make sure you've got the shot.

If you've never seen the LCD BacPac in action, Olivia's review (below) runs through those 'must have' new features, and check out the SmallHD showing full HD live view from the little GoPro.

The LCD Bacpac comes with 4 different housing 'backs' from waterproof, waterproof for wrist housing, non waterproof housing, and non-waterproof housing for wrist mount. This amazing little camera performs equally well in the Sky, on the Streets, or even under water.

Screen shot 2011-05-25 at 6.15.34 AM
find-price-button GoPro LCD BacPac

Screen shot 2011-05-25 at 6.13.19 AM
find-price-button GoPro Hero 1080HD

For extended Run time or just longer TimeLapsing, the Battery BacPac is also available

GoPro Battery
find-price-button GoPro Battery BacPac

If you plan on using an External Monitor for some reason, don't go drilling holes through your Waterproof casing (like we did). GoPro has a special housing available for that also so you can run your video cables out to your External Monitor or maybe Asus Wi-Cast for some wireless HD Video Monitoring.

GoPro Housing
find-price-button GoPro HD Skeleton Housing - Hard case

• 19 Comments

•

Very few samples are online about Samyang's latest 35mm F/1.4 lens, but here's the one I was interested in from Vimeo member Didier Hartong. While a lens may look fine on a Canon 7D, it could look totally different on a Full Frame camera. This is a decent test of the Samyang on a Canon 5D Mark II. The basic consensus is beautiful bokeh, sharp at F/1.4, and little vignetting. Of course these lenses have no Autofocus or Focus confirmation (which some of us are already used to). I believe this lens is available in Canon, Four-thirds, Nikon, Pentax, Samsung NX, and KM/Sony mounts. Absolutely still nothing via Amazon, the only place to find is on the auction site.

samyang35mm
find-price-button Samyang 35mm F/1.4 Manual Focus Lens

• 2 Comments

•

shot-tracker-onetakeonly

Is a three wheel dolly better than a four wheel SpiderTrax dolly? It's definitely more difficult for the average DIY'er to tackle, and unless you have clear markings on the wheels, setting the rotation can be a bit tricky. There's one thing that a three wheel dolly can do that a four wheel can't, and that's rotate in 360 degrees without changing the center axis. Not super helpful as a camera movement since you can already do that with a basic Fluid Head, but if you place a stage and a product, you'll have yourself a nice 'lazy susan' style rotating table. Outside of that party trick movements are pretty much the same. Here's another version of a three wheeled rotating camera dolly (technically 6 wheels) by the same guys who make the iPad Prompter on 15mm Rails, and looks like a pretty solid build.


3-wheel-rotator
find-price-button Rotating Three Wheel Camera Dolly Skater

• 32 Comments

•

dslr-slider

The Konova Roller bearing slider is still one of my favorite Video Camera sliders, but with demand comes rising prices. The IGUS linear guide rails are no secret and are extremely efficient for the price (Much better than the $99 dollar 80/20 aluminum extrusions). For anyone looking to DIY an IGUS rail as a camera slider, there's some options available via Amazon. There's still some fine tuning involved like adding a brake/stop, drilling a hole through the carrier, adding some stands, and threading some mounting options for your tripods. Not a project for everyone.

Here's an interesting recent DSLR Slider item listed. Opteka's released an entry level portable IGUS based camera slider with FREE SHIPPING. Opteka's got all the necessary pieces and features you would normally have to DIY yourself. Included in the cheap slider is threaded taps for your quick release plate, pre-drilled Fluid Head hole in the carrier, a Brake/Stop screw, a few added legs to set it off the ground, and an included Spirit Level. So if you've been thinking about that DIY IGUS setup, but were afraid to tackle the details, you might want to check out Opteka's version available from 23' to 47" length. The Manfrotto 700RC2 Fluid Head would work great on this small slider as well.

opteka-slider
find-price-button Opteka DSLR Video Camera Sliders

• 15 Comments

•

Don't think I ever posted any footage samples of the vintage 85mm F/1.2 on the GH2, so here it is if you're curious. Old lenses are a great alternative to getting DOF on a budget. There's a variety of different adapters to mount just about any lens type to any camera. For a list of old Vintage lenses, check out the eBay auctions. Just make sure you choose the right adapter for the Lens you choose to fit your camera body.

canon-fd-lens-adapter-sony-nex
find-price-button Search for Manual Focus Camera Lenses

Here i'm using an FD adapter without glass to make this 85mm F/1.2 work on the Panasonic GH2. At F/1.2 there's a soft glow, but step it down to F/1.8 and it's plenty sharp. They will never be as sharp as true lenses designed for Digital, but that's the whole allure about them. Sometimes they give off a really vintage feel. Oh and I didn't bring an ND filter out so the shutter speed was quite high on this footage. Might look at bit jittery...

Cheesycam GH2GH2 (1 of 2)

FD-adapter
find-price-button Canon FD Lens adapter for Micro 4/3 Cameras

• 3 Comments

•

Panasonic GH1 / GH2 have a strong following and when it comes down to DSLR video it's almost 'cult-like'. Ok guys - you win. Panasonic does have some awesome qualities in DSLR video, but I still can't get through the ergonomics as quickly as I can the Canon DSLR's. That's a personal preference. Of course I did buy into the GH2 and recently Lumix GF2 (which i'm loving so far).

Now Panasonic has updates it's 'G2' model with the new G3. The new G3 digital upgrades the common 12MP chip found in most Panasonic's to a new 16MP chip, and adds many of the new touch screen controls like the GH2 and GF2. So far the Panasonic's 'GH2 is just completely sold out, and has been since it's announcement. The new G3 looks pretty good, but I don't think it will have the same effect being sold out, but it's available on pre-order now.

Screen shot 2011-05-12 at 9.17.46 AM
find-price-button Panasonic Lumix G3 Pre-Order

• 40 Comments

•

What can I say, it's a kick ass light that's not too big, and not too small. It's color changing to make blending in with other lighting an easier task. It's dimmable down to 0%. Even with the Sony batteries on low, we didn't notice any flickering. The double Sony battery tray keeps it portable, but could be powered through it's built in AC input. When mixing it in with daylight colored lights, this one is our Hair Light on a long boom stand turned to tungsten to add a bit of warmth. These are one of Olivia's favorite lights so far, so we thought we'd give it a proper introduction on build and features. I'll be doing a side by side test against some other common lights soon too.

dimmable-312-LED
Uni Color 312 LED with only Dimmer

There's actually two versions of this light if you don't care for the Color Changing option. Not many people actually carry the second type. The other 312 uses ONLY Daylight colored LED bulbs, and 'Yes' it's actually much brighter than the color changing version which has to cut the LED count down to half in order to be at one color. You can see in the video that in order to change colors, the Bi-Color version has one set of Daylight and one set of Tungsten colored LEDs. Outside of that, the Bi-Color and Uni Color lights are exactly the same. You can find both versions through the link below.

312 LED Video Light
find-price-button 312 Bi-Color Changing Dimmable LED Video Light

• 11 Comments

•

I think the concept is pretty self explanatory. You're looking for a solid Video head with smooth movements for video, but you're also shooting stills and need the Vertical (portrait) position. Hybrid cameras require a Hybrid stabilizer. This new Manfrotto MH055M8-Q5 a.k.a 'Q5' Photo-Movie tripod head gives you the best of both worlds. It's a more professional video head designed to support a bit of weight, so it's not something for the average light weight point and shoot photo/video camera. But if you want to save on the amount of gear you travel with and still have professional results for both Photography and Cinema, it's something to consider (if you can get over the odd look).

Manfrotto Q5 Photo-Movie Head
find-price-button Manfrotto Q5 Hybrid Photo-Movie Head

For you Amazon junkies it will be available via Prime Shipping below

Manfrotto Q5 Photo-Movie Head
find-price-button Manfrotto Q5 Photo-Movie Head

• 3 Comments

•

Fuji X100

Hopefully I won't regret my recent purchase as I opted for the Panasonic GF2 recently as my small camera since it was cheaper and still allows for interchangeable lenses. Though i'm expected to receive that GF2 today, I've been following the Fuji X100 for some time, and periodically check out Flickr galleries for the latest snaps. If you haven't seen the stuff this camera has been putting out, you can check out some of the images being upload here: https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=fuji+x100&s=rec. Yeah, amazing stuff in a retro style camera...

Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 8.07.54 AM

The Fuji X100 has been hitting the US shores lately, but very spotty on inventory. If you really want one, you can find them on the auction sites, but for a nice markup of over $1500 dollars. Oddly, the retail price was set to $1199, but B&H is one retailer that has now raised that number by a few hundred dollars. This makes you wonder if other retailers will follow with this significant price increase, but if you still have your heart set on one, Amazon's been shipping them out as they become available and is still taking orders at just $1199 (for now).

Fuji X100 hood
find-price-button Fujifilm X100 Camera 23mm Fujinon Lens