Equipment Reviews

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Letus-Hawk-T3i (3 of 10)
Canon T3i / 600D shown with Letus Hawk VF LCD View Finder

Letus created a Hawk VF (View Finder) for the 3:2 aspect DSLR LCD's like the T2i. It so happened to fit on the Canon 60D and fits pretty nicely on the Canon T3i as well. There's a base plate that is mounted to the bottom of the camera (still supports a tripod mount), and the Hawk VF View Finder is attached through a quick release system. It's a great semi-permanent way to attach a View Finder to the T3i without the use of sticky frames. For a closer look at how that all comes together, check out the video below.

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Screen shot 2011-03-07 at 7.07.35 PM

When used properly DSLR's can provide amazing quality video footage. Of course you've probably already heard of all the problems that go with shooting video DSLR cameras too. If you're just starting out with DSLR's or might be wondering about implementing DSLR's into your workflow, you should definitely check out B&H's HDSLR Hub taught by Shane Hurlbut, ASC. So far it's based around the amazing Canon 5D Mark II, but many of the tips, tricks, and advice are general to all DSLR's. Episode II was just released today, and there's a schedule to release more in the coming weeks. All found here: https://www.hdslrhub.bhphoto.com

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What's the purpose of a Matte Box? The big flags help shade the lens from flares or any little bit of light adding better color and contrast, and also allows placement of certain filters such as ND, Gradients, and Polarizers. With filters you would be able to control shutter drag, aperture, color, and other details. Nothing beats the real thing, but if you can't afford it, there's some clever DIY tutorials out there. YouTube member EquippedforMedia puts together a DIY Matte Box starting with a tray for a weighing scale. Filter holder is the popular Cokin P series, which i've used myself in Hawaii.

The Cokin Filter system is a light weight cheap filter kit (mostly plastic), but great for traveling and keeping things light. With a good Gradient ND Filter you can bring down the bright sky while still maintaining proper exposure on the landscape. Keep in mind these filters are not just for video, but enhance your Photography too. One thing to keep in mind that as you stack filters in front of the lens, it's harder to manage with Wide Angle Lenses.

So instead of going the DIY route to control Lens flare, Cokin already has a square hood with filter holder to get you started with a Matte Box type look, and filter holder functionality. They are also stackable so that you can make the hood longer or shorter. What you'll need to make this happen is the Filter Ring (choose correct size), Filter Holder, Square Hood (or several), and P Series Filters. You could probably score all of this for under $30 bucks.

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find-price-button Cokin P Series Filters, Filter Holders, Square Lens Hoods

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varavon-GH2-viewfinder

There's the usual LCD View Finders that might work on the GH2, but a very interesting one from Varavon allows you to flip out the LCD and provide enough support so that you don't break it off. Something that can't be done with the traditional sticky metal frame. The company is the same who provided the unique internal mirror for Low viewing angles I reviewed here: http://cheesycam.com/varavon-lcd-low-angle-view-finder-for-dslr/. Not available yet, but looks like it will be soon. They make some quality products, but pricing was always the weak point stepping into the market. Curious as to what initial pricing will be, or maybe we'll get a peek at this over at Las Vegas NAB. You can see more Varavon news here: https://www.varavon.com/product/newproducts.html

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If you're looking to do Timelapse with the GH2, there's a few options for remotes (none as cheap as the ones available for Canon). Vimeo member Olivia writes in showing the Pixel Intervalometer (a.k.a Timer Remote) in action. Seems to do the job pretty well firing off the camera at whatever chosen interval setting. Not sure what's going on with all those extra menu options such as Delay and Long. The Pixel one she's using is cheapest via Amazon than through eBay, and you can find it below. [Thanks Olivia]

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find-price-button Pixel Timer Remote Control Shutter for Panasonic

Of course i'm always looking for a deal, but unfortunately eBay isn't the place to find a cheap Intervalometer for the GH2 at the moment. There's actually a different model that runs even cheaper than Olivia's, but says only 5 left. Does it work? No reviews on this one just yet, but i'm guessing it works just fine. I might have to grab me one of these.

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find-price-button LCD Timer Remote Controller for PANASONIC

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The 352 LED Ring light has a certain effect on how it throws light around a subject, so my buddy Dave decided to test it with a Photo Shoot. I removed the ugly bracket and just used a Friction Power Arm. With the Power arm, it can be mounted onto a light stand or to a camera hot shoe and also allows it to be positioned in many ways.

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find-price-button Adjustable Accessory Power Friction Arm

The Ring light really needed to be dimmed, it's just too bright at full power, so there's still plenty of power not shown in the video. The 14.4V DIY battery pack I made lasted for hours, and I could have used the Ryobi batteries too. The rim light to separate the subject was the cheap 500 LED (dimmable knob type) Light panel hung from a beam. To add the halo, there's a Nikon speedlite snooted off to the side. To do this, you can also use these HoneyComb Grids.
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find-price-button Harbor Honeycomb Spot Grid with Colored Gels

All images of the model were shot with Continuous light, even the Canon 7D video used only the light from the 352 Ring light (and 500 LED from the back). The 352 LED Ring light is definitely a great tool and with the battery pack makes it much more usable, pretty cool stuff.


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find-price-button 500 LED Video Light Panel Dimmable

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find-price-button 352 12V Capable Dimmable LED Ring Light

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2011-03-02 15.09.57

One of the new features in the Canon T3i lets you select full Manual Audio, dial down the in-camera pre-amps, and go all JuicedLink DS214 with headphone monitoring. Damn this is so much easier than all the other random ways to control, monitor, and route incoming audio into DSLR's. If you still liked running a Dual Audio system, you can run a Zoom H1 or H4n on the output between the camera and DS214.

You can see the relative size of JL's DS214 next to the Canon T3i and Rode VideoMic Pro, all mounted on a (gratuitous product shot) of the Juicedlink Accessory bracket. It's such a simple looking setup, but you've got control over the Rode VideoMic with -10db, 0db, and +20db, and then you have a Low / High Gain features in the JuicedLink DS214, along with incoming Right and Left Levels adjustment, and finally piping that into the T3i Manual Audio controls...

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Canon-T3i_LetusCage-900LED (2)

Canon-T3i_LetusCage-900LED (1)

Because the 900 LED panels can be battery powered, it's fairly easy to use this as a portable On-Camera video light. Here it's shown mounted on the Letus DSLR Cage with Canon T3i + 18-55mm IS II lens. I'm just kidding..it's a joke people. Don't get too serious about this post. You all know I would never be seriously caught going out with this type of setup. I mean, who can take the 18-55mm stock lens seriously? LOL. Now to mount this to a shoulder rig...yeah..now we're talking.. (kidding guys..kidding)

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900-500-LED (2)

900-500-LED (1)

A common question right now is, why the 900's? Well the 900's is a happy medium sitting right in between the 600 & 1200 LED lights. I can't complain since the 900's already push out twice the light as the older 500 LED panels. An upgrade is an upgrade. Also as seen in the images (above) I can fit (2) 900 LED light panels into standard sized Carry On luggage and room to spare for my power cords. The 500 LED panels were a bit beefier and would be impossible to fit two. You can check out more images and specs about these new LED light panels over at Amazon available for Prime - Click Here.

600 LED 900 1200 Video Light Panel
find-price-button Dimmable LED Video Light Panels

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You never know when you might need to whip out a Portable Audio Recorder, so in that situation Vimeo member Alex Campbell introduces some very inexpensive (or free version) iPhone software that allows for some pretty neat audio recording tricks. Of course you'd need an iPhone for this to work. A few cool features are the built in Gain Controls and Hiss Reduction filter. Alex also links over to a company that sells adapters to input other microphones to your iPhone such as the Rode VM. Very cool if you're in a bind and already have an iPhone, just make sure you don't receive a call.... [Thanks Alex]