Equipment Reviews

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express35-run-gun-duo
Above: Express35 Duo setup

The Express35 Duo Rig Configuration became wildly popular when ENDmedia shared their video review found here: http://cheesycam.com/express35-fig-rig-config-endmedia/. The video really showed that this setup proved to be really a lightweight, functional, tiny footprint stabilizer. The Duo setup was great, but if you're looking for that solid third point in stabilization, Express35 has now released a killer DSLR stabilizer 'Trio' setup.

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Above: New Express35.com DSLR Rig : Trio

The new 'foot' or 'pad' accessory added to the Duo setup can act as a shoulder rest or moved slightly for a chest pad. This adds a bit more to cost, but a whole lot more in functionality by adding that all important third point of contact. Most DSLR rig setups are built around a single design and don't easily function when broken apart. The nice feature about this configuration is that for the smallest footprint, the third point can be removed and the rig still functions as an excellent DSLR Stabilizer. Very nice modular thinking here. You might not find this new configuration on the website, so here's the direct link https://express35.com/run-n-gun-trio.

As usual you may want to drop Express35.com a comment that you found the information here. It never hurts..

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kaydawgy snatched up a Flycam Nano DSLR stabilizer for approx. $120 dollars and threw up an awesome video demo for us to see the results. Using a Canon 550D / T2i and Tokina 11-16mm lens, the Flycam Nano performed pretty well. Of course, for more people we wanted to see more more more about the gear itself, so kaydawgy was kind enough to shoot this excellent gear review.

Here you'll see what the Flycam Nano looks like and it's relative size to the camera. A quick release adapter was added, and if i'm not mistaken it looks like a Bogen RC-2 quick release adapter. With this setup, the Flycam Nano looks like it's just about at it's limit, in fact kaydawgy purchased two additional washers to get things fine tuned. This is a good video showing the size of the Nano sized handle. I'm wondering if at least a foam bike grip can slip over somehow to add a bit more comfort. I guess if it were any longer, it would just be banging against the lower sled. Thanks kaydawgy for taking time out for the review. Check out the video for more about the $120.00 Cheap Flycam Nano DSLR camera stabilizer.

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find-price-button Flycam Nano DSLR Video Camera Stabilizer

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Tokina 11-16MM F/2.8 ATX 116 Lens for Canon EOS AF Digital – Tokina ATX116PRODXC

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Manfrotto RC-2 Quick Release adapter system

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sanyo-xacti-pocket-recordersanyo-xacti-audio-recorder
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It appears we're a bit blessed state side, as Marthin Nayoan is unable to get a decent deal on the Zoom H1 Portable Digital Audio Recorder. Instead Marthin is opting for Sanyo's new sexy Portable Audio recorder labeled the PCM ICR-XPS01MF (who's going to remember that name?). There's been plenty of pocket recorders in the past, but none with the audio quality of the Zoom H1's X/Y stereo mic and especially not for the $99 dollar price.

The new Sanyo PCM ICR-XPS01MF is not going to compete with the Zoom H1's price, in fact it's about three times the price. Hopefully the really sleek compact design might help break this into market. A few specs are 3 hrs recording with a 2GB microSD, and yes it has a line in. I believe it's highest quality audio recording beats the Zoom H1's marginally. My intentions were to use the Zoom H1 as a body pack with the ATR3350 Lav microphone to replace a wireless setup. The Zoom H1 does work nicely for this, but definitely not as sleek in the pocket as this new Sanyo. Unfortunately as we are blessed with the Zoom H1, we might be cursed with the Sanyo Xacti PCM ICR-XPS01MF. The Sanyo Xacti is not as easily found in our major website retailers in the US, but as with everything, available via eBay coming over seas. I'm hoping Marthin will give us a good review once it's in his hands. Here's the link with more techincal specs on the new Sanyo Xacti Portable Digital Audio Recorder PCM ICR-XPS01MF.

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New and Improved DIY DSLR Rig!! from Tony Carretti on Vimeo.

Tony Carretti submitted a video clip showcasing his Double L bracket Camera Stabilizer setup with a Flowpod base. Didn't sound like he was very content, so he's drummed up something new flipping the L brackets sidways into a design much more modular for his style of shooting. He does mention that his brackets are of plastic or fiberglass? Weird, mine is all metal and I have the ones show in this article: http://cheesycam.com/new-new-new-stuff-to-review/. I'm curious if there's different ones available? Thanks Tony.

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Sima Video Bracket with Handle + 2 Accessory Mounts

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Freeway microphone test: Rode VideoMic vs Audio Technica ATR-3350 (with a bonus Z96 test) from Cody Kitaura on Vimeo.

Ok, in all fairness this may not have all been perfect tests, but the final result in using a LAV microphone in this type of situation shows how effective it can be, so i'm going mainly off that result. So before other people start commenting on this video, i'll blog a little bit.

First test. The HG10 may have had some type of AGC turned on as I can hear the audio fluctuate up and down. If it were on, of course that may not have been a proper test, but a busy highway in the background is no place to use in camera microphone. So let's not look too closely at that first part of the review.

Second test. The Rode VideoMic was placed over the camera, and it's possible it could have performed 'a little' better if the AGC was turned on. Since the highway was behind the subject, placing the Shotgun over the camera towards the noise also would not be a proper test. It would easily pick up the noise in the background. Shotgun microphones like this would be best used on a Boom Pole off axis and possibly just pointing down onto the subject from overhead. Obviously we don't always have a second hand with us, or a boom pole handy, so let's not look too closely at test #2.

Third test. This is a good example. It's highly possible the AGC might still have been enabled on the camera, and may have been able to fine tune sound without AGC, but you really see the difference in using a LAV microphone in a very loud and noisy situation. I wish I had these in my pocket when I shot in a nightclub trying to do an interview with two people. The background music was soo loud it was really hard to isolate the subjects from the background noise. For even better sound you can give your subject a quality hand held microphone. For those times you may want the microphone to be discreet, for $20 dollars, the ATR3350 can get you closer to the audio you want to use in your final project. So big thanks to Cody for just taking time out on the side of a busy highway and running some basic audio tests late night for everyone to consider. Thanks Cody!

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click image to purchase Audio-Technica ATR3350

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Kevin Clarkson shows what's in the box and what to expect if you happen upon a Lilliput 669GL HDMI LCD monitor. This version requires an external battery pack, and not like the version shown here with an internal battery pack: http://cheesycam.com/7-hdmi-lcd-w-internal-battery/. Luckily there are combo deals that include everything you need to get the LCD setup with your DSLR found here: http://cheesycam.com/new-7-lilliput-2010-battery-shoe-mount/

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Lilliput 7″ + Battery + Shoe Combo Deal

Kevin also shows his recent purchase for a small portable lightweight HorusBennu 988X Travel Tripod. It's not a video type tripod, but can definitely hold your accessories or be used for a lightweight photography setup. I've been using my travel tripod with a Canon 5D Mark II + battery grip + Sigma 50-500mm right now, so these little guys can definitely carry weight. I'm out here in Maui, Hawaii and I can tell you there's nothing like having a good travel tripod with you at all times. Especially with the hook available on this 988X, you can hang your camera bag to load it up for more stability. Mine is a smaller Velbon purchased years ago, but I can't imagine I paid under $100 dollars at the time. The 988X Travel tripod runs less than $50 dollars, with an LX-2T mini ball head goes up to $89 bucks.

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[Thanks Kevin]

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Lensse Camera Stabilizers

Not long ago I posted the Gizmo Camera stabilizer that was shipping from Turkey found in this article http://cheesycam.com/diy-steadicam-gizmo-merlin-design/. Just browsing for something else, I happened to run into the Lensse Camera Stabilizer, also coming from Turkey. Not to say it's anything super different in design compared to the Hague or IndieHardware Stabilizer, but normally i'm documenting different options on this website. How did I miss this? Appears sales have been going on for at least four months, the handle appears to be the same design that don't have the same range as a Tiffen Steadicam Merlin. There's two models available from Lensse, a MidX and a MidPro. The difference in the MidPro is a small clamp knob that allows the handle to be moved forward or back.

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Above: The MidPro has a handle that slides forward or back to fine tune weight distribution.

Looks well built, price depends on the model but comes in between the Hague MMC and Indiehardware Stabilizer. This one comes in black unlike the Indiehardware, but who knows how much weight it's 'really' going to balance. The handle looks much more comfortable though. Nothing more to say, i'm sure it works the same as the other similar designs. Scratch another camera stabilizer off the list. Here's the link to the Lensse Camera Stabilizers.

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Indiehardware Stabilizer

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Hague MMC

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canon-lp-e6-batteries
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I'm pretty happy Canon continued to support the LP-E6 battery with many of their camera models. It helps to be able to keep things uniform. I've had about 6 aftermarket LP-E6 batteries that i've been using for my Canon 5D Mark II & 7D shown in this video here: http://cheesycam.com/canon-5d-mark-ii-7d-cheap-china-batteries/. I'm a big fan of these batteries and have used them for quite a while without a hiccup. The problem was that when these were first released, they didn't have the option to show battery life on the camera due to a special information chip. It's about time I grabbed some additional batteries and if i'm not mistaken the new Canon 60D on order will also be using the LP-E6 battery type. Now that i'm in the market for some extra batteries, these newer LP-E6 aftermarket batteries are already chipped properly to show battery life with the Canon DSLR's. Here's the link to the proper LP-E6 aftermarket batteries that should read proper battery life with your Canon DSLR's. Canon 5D Mark II & 7D batteries chipped to show Battery Life.

Opteka has been a fairly reliable name in the DSLR community providing cheap alternatives, so if you're an Amazon shopper here's a chipped Opteka LP-E6 2400mAh Ultra High Capacity Li-ion Battery Pack for the Canon EOS 7D & 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera (Fully Compatible)

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remote-lcd-viewer

A few months ago I posted an article about where I thought the new design in LCD Viewfinders would head towards http://cheesycam.com/route-of-the-new-lcd-viewfinders/. I believed companies would start making smaller high quality LCD's that would mount with an articulating arm properly positioning the eyepiece without repositioning the entire camera. Just caught this rig break down from Vincent Laforet, and he's rockin' a prototype one now. Now, the next prediction will be an entirely new line of accessories that will mount remote viewfinders directly to a camera or rig providing some articulation. I have a feeling we'll start seeing some new shoulder shooter configurations that no longer need to offset the camera, and instead include an arm that can mount a Remote LCD. We'll just have to wait and see which DSLR company can comes up with that first.