Equipment Reviews

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spidertrax-on-rails

Jarrod over at Just Basl Productions introduced his version of the DIY Spidertrax dolly not long ago, and already he's following up with another DIY tip. Using the same Strut channels as the Popular Cheesycam DIY DSLR Cage / Fig Rig, he's designed his DIY version SpiderTrax Dolly wheels to roll along the rail. He does a good informative video explaining how he put it all together. Not sure if he mentioned the price, but a single 10' strut channel might run you about $15.00 dollars. Cutting the strut in half would suffice for the length of track you'll need. Check out the DIY Spidertrax dolly on Rails video here. Thanks Jarrod, another fine cost saving DIY on a tool that's versatile, looks professional, and best of all dirt cheap.

Below: Original SpiderTrax Rotating Video Dolly
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The Original SpiderTrax Dolly can be found at PhotographyAndCinema.com

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Varizoom-Sportster-Stabilizer-Vest

You've seen me flying pretty lightweight Video stabilizers recently, including the Glidecam HD1000 shown in this video. Well lightweight is nice and very easy to fly for short periods of time, but if you're going to be focusing on longer video footage with any stabilizer, it's time to start looking into a Vest. A Stabilizer Vest isn't going to help stabilize your video as much as the 'stabilizer' itself, but it does help you stay in control by carrying most of if not all of the weight. This is especially helpful for fast walking to running type shots.

Well i'm pretty set with the Steadicam Merlin Vest modified to work with the Glidecam HD4000, but I admit it is a bit overkill not to mention a bit pricey, for something that might only see 5% of your video work. So in my never ending search for the best bang for the buck, I decided to check out the Varizoom DV Sportster, one of the smallest, lightest, and cheapest Video Stabilizer Vests known to mankind...B&H Photo.

When this dropped in, the box looked fairly large and I was a bit disappointed. I was looking for small and portable. Then it was like a Russian Matryoshka doll unfolding box after box down to it's smallest bag. Wow, this thing is tiny. The bag is like a small padded duffle with extra room for other gear. Description from Varizoom states it can support it's own Flowpod, Steadicam JR. and Glidecam stabilizers. Now it's time to put it to the test this weekend and see if it actually holds up. You can find the Varizoom DV Sportster vest here. Stay tuned....

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matte-box-dslr-cokin
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Checking out different websites for a Matte Box + French flags that can support filters, it's pretty hard to locate anything under $400 dollars. Especially for DIY guys making custom rigs, you might not be looking for something that requires a Rod Rig Mount. This one mounts using the Filter threads on your lenses. I've seen this Cokin Filter based Matte Box for DSLR's many many times, but didn't know if it was something to consider. It's nice that it's Cokin Filter Compatible saving you tons of dollars on those inexpensive filters. Checking out his eBay Feedback looks like he's selling quite a few each week. So i'm looking for some additional input from people who might have purchased this thing, is it good or not good? Or is this possibly one of those items like a Justin Bieber CD that shows it sold millions but nobody wants to admit they own it...... Anyone?

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gearless-follow-focusgearless-follow-focus-ikan

Ikan's really pumping out some accessories for DSLR's and they are now following up with a Gearless Follow Focus a.k.a 'Friction Based'. Traditional 'Geared' FF systems will get you dead on, but there's a drawback on the time it might take to setup the gears on the lenses. (Unless you're a sponsored film maker, you'll probably just go out and grab an unlimited amount of gears for every lens you own.)

Well I guess technically this Ikan is not completely 'gearless', unlike the completely 'Gearless' follow focus from IDCPhotography, the Ikan unit uses an angled geared transmission. The IDCPhotography unit looks pretty good and and doesn't mount like traditional Rod Based FF gear. It does appear that direct drive without gear ratios might be limited and uncomfortable with longer focus pulls. Don't quote me on that, it's just my perception and I haven't used an IDCPhotography Follow Focus.

The Ikan Follow focus system also comes in super cheap, in fact, this IKan is possibly the Cheapest Friction Based Follow Focus on the retail market today. The Ikan seems to have the best of both worlds offering a Friction Based Follow Focus + Ergonomic angled transmission for comfortable long focus pulls, but note you'll still need a rod rig to mount. Note that friction based FF systems may only work well on newer Lenses with smooth focus rings, and might not be a good idea on older FD Manual lenses. Who knows, until we can actually test these things out. Hopefully Ikan is listening and will send one out for review...hint hint..nudge nudge..

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I enjoy watching Behind the Scenes type videos, I feel like i'm learning something new each time from different people. SatoStudio has this BTS video of a recent Mexico Destination wedding, and you get an idea of the type of equipment they would require for these highly mobile shoots. In this video I see lots of Monopods, Glidecam 2000 Stabilizers, and Canon 580 EX II Speedlites for mobile portrait shoots. Radio Poppers are used for stable transmission of signal from camera to speedlites. I'm really impressed with how smooth that Cinevate Pegasus slider is. The reason you'd go with the Pegasus over the Cinevate Atlas is by design. Sand can easily cause problems with the Atlas slider bearings, but the Pegasus is a much more forgiving roller design for those conditions. I think what really ties this all together for a great shoot is the willingness of the bridal party. Great work SatoStudio, looks like a fun crew, I gotta run with you guys sometime...

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I always admit how poorly some of my DIY videos are. Many times I just show beginning, skip middle, straight to the end results. I don't explain clearly how it's all put together. Well if you plan on building that Cheesycam DSLR Cage Fig Rig Stabilizer, you may want to take a look at the video above regarding a few important steps I forgot to provide.

Before you begin your DIY, you'll have to work completely shirtless because that's how Real Men DIY. You need to play some heavy metal rock music in a foreign language, cut steel in a boiler room environment, and grind metal while allowing hot sparks to hit bare skin. That's right 'bare skin'. Yeah that's exactly how I was working on my cage too but I didn't have time to edit that in to my video. Thanks Videonik Pictures, that's the coolest DIY Cage video ever!

Next up, Carlo Zappella caught the article I posted about the DIY Variable ND Filter for about $10 bucks, and whipped up his own. Using a Canon T2i and sticking to 'double the framerate' rule with his Shutter speed around 1/50th, he was still able to maintain excellet DOF without overexposing on this uber cheap DIY Variable ND Fader Filter. They say it's possible to lose some sharpness depending on the filters you buy, but I didn't notice anything. It looks much better than without a variable ND that's for sure. They also say it could change color tone depending on the filters you use, but Carlo threw in the Magic Bullet Looks and it came out great. He's also using a DIY Slider for the slow sliding shots, similar to mine here.

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Brendan Cusker over at ENDmedia caught a few posts on Cheesycam about the new Express35 rigs showing up in DSLR world. In the description of Brendan's video he states he needed a run and gun type stabilizer that will allow him to shoot in clubs along with support for a Follow Focus system. Working with owner Chris over at Express35, here's the configuration they came up with to suit his shooting style. It looks like handles off to the sides provide principles of a Fig Rig stabilizer while keeping things quite compact. Bottom rails on the rig are there to support the 'future' Follow Focus system. This looks to resemble the popular Redrock Micro Captain Stubling DSLR bundle, except that even after a Follow Focus system this custom ENDmedia / Express35 rig will only be about 1/3 the price.

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above: Redrock Micro 'Captain Stubling' with follow focus

Nice config guys, and excellent demo of the unit, looks pretty stable. Feel free to contact Express35 and make sure to put in a good word about Cheesycam and ENDmedia.

[Update] This rig is now offered with a shoulder pad, upgraded HD Handles, upgraded knobs, and optional counterweight.

Run-n-gun trio
find-price-button Express35 Run-N-Gun Trio with Shoulder Pad (optional counterweight)

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black-rapid-RS-DR1
Above: Black Rapid RS DR-1 dual camera strap

Dual camera straps are a must for any event photographer. Two cameras, one lens for wide and one lens for Zoom, fast shots with no lens changing. I know many many photographers who will kick themselves after this post. Ok, so I have a friend who loves to borrow my Black Rapid RS DR-1 dual camera strap. I love the thing too, it's functional and it's quite macho. I did pay over $130 dollars for it, but like I said it does the job.

So i'm poking around the web trying to find a deal on it so that my friend can start rockin' his own Dual Camera Straps, but Amazon has some pretty cheap looking knock offs. Finally turning to the old trustworthy eBay sellers, I just happened upon what looks to be an 'exact' replica of the Black Rapid RS DR-1! Even the cool clip adapter looks exactly the same. Where was this thing before? Sheesh, talk about savings too, I could have purchased three of these clones... I'm going to try and get a hold of one to compare, but to be honest, i'm already sold. Maybe i'll sell mine to 'my friend' and then just pick up this item? Nah..too late, he reads my blogs..crap. Check out the Black Rapid RS Dual Camera strap Clone.

Below: Black Rapids RS DR-1 Dual Camera Strap Clone
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wondlan-viewfinder

wondland-vf

Hong Kong trying to introduce a new ViewFinder, but is a bit late in the Viewfinder game. It's a decent color scheme when matched up with it's Wondlan Shoulder Rig counterparts, but outside of that it's not my style. It's also a bit pricey for something coming from over seas, considering the hot topic is the LCDVF clones. Now with the LCDVF replicas selling from under $70 bucks, the only thing anyone would want from this Viewfinder would be the solid mount under the camera.

I'm already skeptical about this even moving off the shelves. The only thing that's going to save this idea is if it gets in our hands for a good ol' fashion showdown viewfinder vs. viewfinder style. Here's where you can find this Wondlan Viewfinder.