Equipment Reviews

Cinevate Duzi Video Slider • 30 Comments

Emm • October 3, 2013

Good times! The brand new lightweight and portable Cinevate Duzi Video Slider just dropped in yesterday. It is an impressive little product, and Cinevate's most affordable slider to date. Obviously i'll have my own reasons about working with such a slider, but while I have her around, are there any questions some of you might have? Let me know in the comments.

Cinevate Duzi Slider Cheesycam 2

[Show as slideshow]

For technical specs, you can check out the Duzi Product Page (found here).

RGB Color Changing LED Flood Light • 3 Comments

Emm • September 30, 2013

A short while back, I showed an example of how to use RGB Color Changing LED lights to add a splash of color to your backdrop (found here). It's a bit of a DIY, but supposedly you can choose 16 million colors as a backsplash controlled wirelessly by your iPhone.

If you're looking for something much easier, YouTube member TaylordFilms shares another option by use of this Waterproof outdoor RGB LED Flood Light. [Thanks Steve]

These durable outdoor flood lights are available in various sizes. The one shown in the video is a smaller 20 watt model found for under $40 dollars, but if you need more light output, you can also find a 50 watt version via Amazon (click here).

LED Outdoor Flood Light Color Change RGB LED RGB LED Color Light Color Changing Outdoor Flood LED
RGB Outdoor Color Changing LED Light

Dynamic Perception Stage One Motorized Slider with AT2 Controller • 9 Comments

Emm • September 24, 2013

Here's a closer look at the Dynamic Perception Stage One Motorized Slider along with the new AT2 Joystick for real time motion control. The standard bundle can be purchased non-motorized ready to use manually for any of your video productions - silent, smooth, and breaks down as small as 20" for travel.

If you feel the standard bundle isn't long enough, expanding to 6,8, or even 10 feet is easy with their seamless rail extension kits available in Aluminum or Carbon Fiber. Each extension kit includes a mid-span support, so you can provide proper support no matter how long your track becomes. If you're too lazy to add multiple sections of 20" rails together, they offer longer sections up to 60" each (obviously not as travel friendly).
Dynamic Perception Joystick Cheesycam Review Stage One Motorized Slider Dynamic Perception Carbon Fiber Rail Kit Extension
Stage One Base Slider Bundle and Carbon Fiber Rail Extensions

When you're ready to take it to the next level, you can always upgrade along the way, or just start out with one of the Motorized Slider Bundles that include a highly programmable controller that can be expanded to control more than one motor for more advanced motion such as a pan/tilt head.
AT2 Controller Dynamic Perception Joystick Cheesycam Review Stage One Motorized Slider Bundle
Stage One Complete Motorized Slider Bundle

Like many motorized slider systems, when using the Stage One motion control during a live video shoot, noise will be apparent. The camera sits directly on a stage with the motor very close to the camera. Depending on the speed and motor you choose, the noise may be picked up even if your microphone is a small distance from the slider. Still you can always switch to manual mode by removing the drive belt and simply operating by hand which is very smooth and very silent.

When you need real time motion control operation, the new AT2 Joystick controller is the optional accessory to get. The AT2 Joystick also offers a cruise mode for hands-free operation. The AT2 easily lets you control direction and speed in real time.

AT2 Joystick Real Time Motion Controller

Burn Test – Kamerar QV-1 LCD ViewFinder • 40 Comments

Emm • September 17, 2013

For about $65 dollars, one would think that the Kamerar QV-1 LCD View Finder would be using a very cheap optical element. Seeing how sharp the screen looked through the loupe, I inquired if it was real glass. They stated that it was indeed glass and not your average cheap resin (plastic) element found on other cheap VFs. Of course, instead of just taking their word, I decided to perform a little burn test.

Plastic or resin view finders should have shown signs of damage under similar conditions, while the Kamerar QV-1 element remained completely unscathed. Well if it's not plastic, it sure is pretty damn good. I think there's a decent amount of people already working with this view finder, so what's your feedback about the product? Leave a comment below.

You can find more information about the Kamerar QV-1 LCD ViewFinder at the product page (click here).

QV-1 LCD View Finder Kit
QV-1 LCD View Finder + QV-1 Kit with QB-15 Quick Base

KOLL Solari LED Spot Flood Fresnel Video Lights • 17 Comments

Emm • September 17, 2013

Have you ever tried adding a snoot to your LED Video Light to obtain a nice spot? This might work to prevent spill, but it doesn't truly refocus the light output or improve throw distance. You can find plenty of halogen style lights, but the best thing about LED Lighting is low power consumption, low heat, and typically has the option to run on batteries for remote location use. Unless you want to lug around a huge light (like these), choices are limited when trying to find a good LED spotlight in a small form factor.

These KOLL Solari LED Lights on the other hand use an interesting fresnel lens filter that not only creates various sized spotlights, but actually refocuses the full light output making the spotlight brighter and allowing for further throw.

Three separate filter trays on the KOLL Solari are only a few millimeters apart, but can drastically change the size of the spotlight effect depending which slot you choose. The concentration of power into a single spotlight definitely works on these lights. Now i'm more curious to see what the L15 Spotlight (more than 3x brighter) would look like compared to this L3. Maybe i'll get a chance to test this in the near future.

Full-Koll-LED-Solari Koll-Solari-Fresnel-Spot-1
Koll-Solari-Fresnel-Spot-2 Koll-Solari-Fresnel-Spot-3
Koll Solari L3 LED Video Light Samples

Starting at around $350 dollars, these lights are pretty pricey, but while basic Barn Doors on LED lights won't offer more than a simple light blocking, these Solari lights truly focus light output and improve throw in a portable compact design. The Solari uses high power LED bulbs and are available in an L3 LED Light (seen in video) Illuminance: 720 lx, L5 LED Light Illuminance: 1630 lx, and an L15 LED Light lluminance: 2300 lx.

More info and technical specs about the KOLL Solari On-Camera Spot Flood LED Video Lights can be found at the F&V website (Click Here)

Koll Solari L3 LED Fresnel Light Koll Solari L5 LED Light Koll Solari L15 LED Light
Koll Solari L3 L5 L15 On-Camera LED Video Lights

Review: Laing X-15 Vest Arm kit with Laing P-04 Video Stabilizer • 78 Comments

Emm • September 11, 2013

Here's a little review on another new and affordable Stabilizer Vest System for lightweight camera setups to medium sized cameras. This is the Came / Laing X-15 Vest+Arm matched up with the Laing P-04 Hand Held Stabilizer.

The Laing products have been around for quite some time, and I hear about RED Camera operators using the larger Laing stabilizers as an affordable option for flying heavy camera systems. The kit I have here is pretty heavy duty, each part feels very solid, and the entire bundle comes with a nice padded carrying bag.

Laing-Came-Carry-Bag Laing-Vest-Arm-Kit-X-15-P04

The Laing P-04 Stabilizer handle matches up perfectly with the small post on the X-15 ISO Arm. If you're thinking about trying to match this up with a Glidecam, just be aware that the standard rotating post is pretty short. The bottom weights can shift forward/back on the sled, the bottom post is adjustable, and the Gimbal can be positioned vertically along the post. It's pretty much got every adjustable feature available.

Laing-Stabilizer-Vest Laing-Gimbal-Adjustment-Balance

The top stage has a quick release cheese plate and features all the fine tuning knobs you'll need to balance your camera. Just be aware that the top stage may require a bit of cork to keep your camera from shifting it's position.

Lower-Sled-Laing-P04 Laing-P04-Top-Stage

The Laing Stabilizer Vest can be adjusted to fit taller or smaller frames, and the Arm is mounted to a quick release socket block. Velcro straps adjust the vest very nicely and buckles are used to climb in and out of the vest.

Laing-Socket-Block Adjsting-Laing-X-15-P-04-BlackMagic

The X-15 ISO Arm can easily be dialed to support an even lighter setup than my Canon 5D Mark II + Sigma 20mm lens, but can also be dialed up to support heavier camera setups than the BlackMagic Cinema Camera. Hopefully that gives you a general idea of the weight range it supports to see if it will work with your current equipment.

Laing-Canon-5D-BMCC-BlackMagic-Stabilizer Vest BMCC-Cage-BlackMagic Design Laing X-15 Stabilizer Vest Kit Review Video Sample

I can say for DSLR Video Shooters or even BlackMagic Cinema Camera shooters this vest is good. Actually for the price you could consider it to be very very good. Is it as good as the real Steadicam brand? Well, with my lightweight DSLR camera setup I felt the arm wasn't totally as smooth as my Steadicam Merlin ISO Arm, but results were much better once I mounted a heavier camera system like the BlackMagic Cinema Camera. On it's own, the Laing P-04 Stabilizer works excellent, but it seems adding a bit more weight to the X-15 Arm and Vest will yield better performance from the arm.

For more information about the Laing X-15 Vest Arm and P-04 Hand Held Video Stabilizer System, you can find more details on the following eBay product pages (click here).

Came-Laing-X-15 Vest Laing X-15 Arm Vest Vest-Stabilizer-Laing-X15-P-04
Laing X-15 Vest w/ Laing P-04 Hand Held Stabilizer

Laing P-04 Stabilizers available now on eBay

FeedWind

Simple DIY Motorized Video Track Dolly Project • 31 Comments

Emm • September 10, 2013

Here's a really great Simple DIY Motorized Video Track Dolly Project I think everyone will get a kick out of. Of course you're not limited to the design i'll be sharing in the video below. Once you see how simple it is to work with the Actobotics parts from ServoCity.com, i'm sure this will spawn a new breed of DIY Motorized projects, so make sure to share what you've come up with by commenting on this blog article.

Every little part used in the project is extremely high quality and precision made, so in the end everything lines up perfectly. It so simple, i'm confident my 12 year old son can easily put one of these things together. Everything used to assemble this high quality motorized track dolly project can be found over at ServoCity.com down to the roller skate wheels, bearings, and tiny hex screws.

Did you notice how quiet this system is? There is only a bit of noise, but you can see how my LAV mic didn't even pick up any noise as it tracked side to side.

The wheel assemblies position the skate wheels at an angle to use basic pipes as your track. You can choose to use inexpensive PVC pipes, Conduit, possibly Angle Iron, or whatever else you might find convenient for your project.

Only one drive wheel is needed to make the system move, and you can choose various RPM speed motors depending if you want to track quickly or slowly. With a Speed Controller you will still have some variations in speed as well as having a simple forward/reverse switch.

Here is a few reference videos from ServoCity.com showing you how to build the Drive Wheel, the Idler Wheel, and also options for assembling a frame to the wheel assemblies.

Building the Wheel Assemblies

Building the Dolly Idler Wheel Assemblies

Frame Building - Aluminum Channel or Tubing

The Frame I have here is using 12" Aluminum Channel and it was able to support over 100lbs of weight with ease. I seriously placed a chair on this frame and took a ride along a conduit track (this is not recommended, but I wanted to try it). Perfect for even the heaviest cameras out on the market including RED, and for rigged up SONY FS700 Shooters.

I think I want to shrink this down using 6" Aluminum Channels to reduce it down to half it's size. All I need to do is add a flat platform over the frame (i'm thinking thick plastic cutting board material from Ikea) so that I can mount a standard video Fluid Head in the center, and this is will be one seriously light-weight (yet heavy duty) smooth motorized video track dolly.

Unfortunately they don't sell a complete kit so you'll have to be familiar with every little part required to build one of these DIY Motorized Video Track Dollies. You will also need to add a few wire leads to the motor you choose, and pick up a 12V battery pack. Not really a big deal.

So to make things easier for you here's a parts list for the different components of the DIY Motorized Video Track Dolly in my video. Keep in mind you can easily come up with a variety of different shapes and sizes by assembling the parts differently. The one I share is also using 12" Aluminum Channel, but you can go smaller or larger depending on your project.

DOLLY DRIVE ASSEMBLY (click here)
(parts below make 1drive wheel mechanisms)
(1) 535044 ¼” Flanged Ball Bearing
(1) 585536 Dolly Wheel Drive Plate B (Pair)
(2) 545324 90° Quad Hub Mount D
(1) 545424 90° Quad Hub Mount B
(2) 595616 2.975" Low Friction Wheels (Grey)
(2) B8M-22M 8mm ID x 22mm OD Ball Bearing
(1) 632106 .250"L x 6-32 Socket Head Cap Screw (pk of 25)
(1) 632116 .5625"L x 6-32 Socket Head Cap Screw (pk of 25)
(1) 633118 Center Hole Adaptors (4 Pack)
(1) 585488 8mm Flanged Standoff A
(1) 555132 Aluminum Motor Mount D
(1) 625106 .250" to 6mm Bore Shaft Coupler
(1) 634074 2.50"L x .250"D Stainless Steel D-Shafting
(1) 595634 1/4" Bore Drive Wheel Adaptor B
(1) 638222 20rpm, 12VDC Precision Gearmotor

DOLLY IDLER WHEEL ASSEMBLIES (click here)
(parts below make 3 Idler wheel mechanisms)
(3) 585534 Dolly Wheel Idler Plate A (Pair)
(6) 545324 90° Quad Hub Mount D
(3) 545424 90° Quad Hub Mount B
(6) 595616 2.975" Low Friction Wheels (Grey)
(12)B8M-22M 8mm ID x 22mm OD Ball Bearing
(2) 632106 .250"L x 6-32 Socket Head Cap Screw (pk of 25)
(1) 632116 .5625"L x 6-32 Socket HeadCap Screw (pk of 25)
(3) 633118 Center Hole Adaptors (4 Pack)
(6) 585488 8mm Flanged Standoff A

ALUMINUM FRAME COMPONENTS (click here)
(1) 632110 .375"L x 6-32 Socket Head Cap Screw (pk of 25)
(4) 585454 12.00" Aluminum Channel
(8) 545360 Quad Hub Mount C

OTHER (click here)
(1) DMSC6-16-10 Digital Manual Speed Controller (6-16VDC)

For projects like this, I highly recommend picking up these CCTV 12V Rechargeable Battery Packs. They are very cheap (some around just $10 bucks), small, lightweight and should be enough to power your Motorized Track Dolly.
CCTV-5V-9V-12V-DC-Battery-Rechargeable-USB-300x287 CCTV 12V Battery Pack
12V CCTV Rechargeable Battery Pack

Whether you are working on this DIY Project or others, these 5.5mm OD + 2.5mm ID Terminal Connectors are pretty standard across many DSLR Video accessories. This will plug directly into many LED Video lights, and will plug directly into your CCTV battery. It's a very simple way to add a terminal plug to the end of wires without soldering. The Male and Female combo connect to each other so you can make a quick disconnect type setup between two wires.

2.5 5.5 Terminal Plug Adapter DIY Cheesycam
2.5mm 5.5mm Male and Female Terminal Connectors

Motion9 Compact Folding Shoulder Rig for DSLR Video • 2 Comments

Emm • September 3, 2013

Here's a look at the new Motion9 folding DSLR Rig. The https://www.ihmedia.co.kr company sent this review unit over for me to take a closer look at, and so we put together a short video of how this Motion9 Folding Shoulder Rig unfolds from a form factor about the size of a large battery grip.

At first glance the Motion9 Folding Rig looks like an interesting concept, but since several additional parts outside of the main body are needed to complete the assembly, it's technically it's not as compact as you think. I'll admit that it's well made, and it doesn't feel cheap. The entire system is based on machined metal with a nice anodized black coating.

folding rig motion 9 motion9-v-rig-folding
Motion9 Folding VDSLR Rig

I can see that the main focus of the product was to design something ultra-portable for travel, but there were just too many issues that would make it cumbersome for fast paced shooting. First off, even with practice, transforming the rig can take several minutes and breaking down after a shoot can take just as long. There are too many small screws and thumb knobs that I can already tell will easily get lost during a small production.

The Motion9 VDSLR Compact Folding Rig will add mass and stabilize your shots, but because of it's limited adjustments it didn't feel quite balanced for me personally. The system is not based on industry standards, so forget about expanding with aftermarket accessories such as a replacement shoulder pad or perhaps a different top handle. The only areas that are standard are the short 15mm rails.

I'll give them credit for not simply copying another idea and working towards a totally unique design, but I personally don't think it's a very practical system. Especially with a price tag of over $400 dollars, there are just too many other options for a compact rig, or options to simply build your own from standard 15mm clamps and rails. What do you guys think about this? What's your feedback on this product?

More photos and info about the Motion9 Folding DSLR Rig can be found on ebay (here).
Motion9-folding-rig
Motion9 DSLR Folding Rig - Compact Portable Rig Stabilizer

Field of View 5D Mark II vs. GH3 vs. BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera • 14 Comments

Emm • August 21, 2013

If you caught my recent video shot entirely on the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema, you'll probably find quite a few wide angle shots. That's because I tried very hard to include only native MFT lenses especially the Panasonic 7-14mm & Rokinon 8mm Fisheye.

For anyone looking to adapt non-MFT Lenses (without a speed booster) to the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera, here's what it will look like through a full frame Canon 5D Mark II, Panasonic GH3, and BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera.

[Note] In the field of view test, some of the images may appear soft, this is not the fault of the camera. The Rokinon 85mm on a BMPC will be at an approximate 240mm focal distance, and with a Variable ND filter on the lens, things go soft. It's best to use good quality static ND Filters.

In other parts of the video a Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 was used throwing it somewhere close to the 600mm focal range. Since an ND Filter was not used, results were much sharper from the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera.

Judging from the distance of the 5D Mark II, the tripod was quite a distance away. Using the Rokinon 35mm and 85mm lenses, you can tell there is quite a crop factor to the smaller BMPC - more than you would get from a GH3. The BMPC has even more crop than from the original BlackMagic Cinema Camera. That's something to keep in mind if you plan to work in tight spaces. Invest in the right glass, or look for a Speed Booster / Focal Reducer (found here on eBay).