Equipment Reviews

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I'm seeing bits and pieces of video footage coming from Sony's NEX, now that the camera is available. For now, the above video seems like the best thing i've found on Vimeo that someone's put alot of time into. Flickr has a growing Sony NEX-3 & NEX-5 group showcasing the awesome photo quality, but that's a no brainer considering Sony always had great photo quality from it's smaller Camera lines. Come to think of it, this might be one of the cheapest interchangeable lens HD video DSLR (type) + lens kit on the market starting at $549.00. Quality looks mighty good for such a small camera, I'm sold on the Photo capabilities, but i'm still waiting for more video samples before I personally pull the trigger. Hopefully i'll run into someone personally who owns one to do a formal blog review, or try to get a review product from a retailer. If you're the impatient type, the Sony NEX interchangeable lens camera is now available at bhphotovideo.com

sony-nex
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Vouliagmeni blue hole (Greece) from Dean Linaras on Vimeo.

Not even a day later, I just got a message back from GoPro themselves, I love their super fast support responses. The above video was added to the email back to me as an example of the fix they are working on. It does appear to be much much more sharper than orginal curved lens footage:

Hi Emm,
Due to the curved lens of the waterproof housing for the HD HERO camera and standard def Wide HERO cameras, you will notice a slight loss of sharpness/focus to underwater images. In video mode with the standard def camera this is not very noticeable due to the lower resolution. With the HD HERO camera this becomes more evident at the higher resolution. We are developing a flat glass adapter / housing specifically for underwater use, thus allowing for the same image sharpness that you enjoy with your GoPro camera above water. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive an update for new product releases.

So officially GoPro Cameras is aware of the underwater Focus and aware of a Flat Lens fix. The question now i'm sure everyone is wondering about is ETA. The R&D process for mass manufacturers can sometimes be a bit slow, but you should definitely sign up for the GoPro Camera Newsletter to stay informed of their updates.

Don't let this stop your vacations. If you're impatient and want to get better underwater focus with your GoPro HD, the options are DIY it yourself, or let someone experienced like EyeOfMine Multimedia prepare a housing for you.


Buy GoPro HERO Camera at GoPro.com

This article references: http://cheesycam.com/?p=1594

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Unlike the 70-200mm F/4 Coffee Mug at the Winter Olympics, this cup was never released directly by Canon. When this lens replica cup was first available, it was a very cheap looking, terrible design, that had many many flaws. After finding that there is a 'Version 2' of this lens with over 90% accuracy, it was something I had to add to the collection. I have to admit the new design is even more accurate to the referenced lens than even Canon's 70-200mm Coffee Mug. There are no stainless inserts, so it's not designed for hot beverages. It does although work as a great tumblr for summer time coolers. Starting around $24 dollars, You can find the Canon 24-105mm Lens Replica Cups here.

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The GoPro HD Camera is an awesome little camera that can be used in any situation possible. We've seen it on land, in near space, and underwater. The underwater footage though doesn't seem as sharp due to the curved lens on the water proof housing. This design provides many 'Pros', but the underwater focus is a definite 'Con'. EyeofMine Multimedia created a DIY solution (now for sale) to add a flat lens onto a GoPro waterproof housing. The results speak for themselves, and if you're a GoPro HD Camera owner you'll know where i'm coming from.

The Flat Lens fix from EyeofMine Multimedia is a bit DIY with some glue and isn't covered by GoPro warranty. The quality of the build, I can't tell unless I get to review one in person (hopefully they'll respond to my inquiries). On another note, i've also asked GoProCamera.com themselves about the focus issue (they're local in Half Moon Bay), and hopefully i'll get a response soon about whether or not they'll be offering a different housing or some other solution to correct the underwater focus issues.

Look GoPro, I know everyone loves your cameras. I'm sure there is no solution for a Housing that does it all both on Land, Space, and Sea. I can promise you this though. If you can put something out that solves the underwater focus issues, I'll be happy to mount 2 cameras on a single mount with different housings and that should solve the video footage I need in any situation. You can find prices for the awesome GoPro HD - Underwater, Land, and OuterSpace camera here.

GoProHDCamera
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Related Underwater blog talk:
If you're a new iPhone 4 or Sprint HTC EVO owner, maybe you'd like to take some of that HD footage underwater with your new cell phone. If you're brave check out the Aquapac.

aquapac-underwater-iphone-htc-evo-case
Check out the Aquapac Underwater case for the iPhone.

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video from YouTube by rattusvulpes

This Golden Oldie (literally Gold) looks very very familiar. If i'm correct, I remember seeing the transformations of this thing while it was coming out of DIY progress on the Internet. I think it was called Pegasus. It looks like it's a pretty finished project now that's gone into mass manufacturing under Wondlan as the 'Ares'. (Doesn't Ares mean 'A$$' in some languages?)

Because of it's entry level price for a Gimbal style stabilizer, I'm finding more and more people doing reviews on the Ares. Although it looks like a Steadicam Merlin, it doesn't have a full functioning Gimbal as the Merlin. The Merlin has much more travel in it's design. Then again it's not priced like a Steadicam Merlin, and it appears that this Ares stabilizer can handle much much more weight than the Merlin can, so it's not ALL bad.

I'm not a fan of the Gold color scheme, it looks like something Austin Powers might have carried in his last movie, or a prop designed for the next Marvel Comic movie. Hey, you can't knock the awesome smooth results this bad boy is putting out though. You can find the decently priced Stabilizer here if Gold is your thing.

Update: Good news, you can send an email to the seller and specifically ask for 'Black', and that should solve that Gold color issue.

gimbal-stabilizerwonlan-stabilizer-merlin-stylewonlan-ares-camera-stabilizer

click images to find Wondlan Ares

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Update: You can now buy the LCDVF 3/2 from BHPHOTOVIDEO.com.
Grab yourself the LCDVF 3/2 from BHPHOTOVIDEO.com

Here it is folks, just got a message from the man himself. The LCDVF for the Canon EOS 550D / T2i is real and it's almost ready. Check out the video of the installation process and fit. Very very nicely designed. No rumors here, Glidetrack.com will have 100 of them very soon. Make sure to Twitter, Digg, or Facebook this article to spread the word using the links below.

lcdvf-bhphoto
The LCDVF

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lcd-battery-grips-7d
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LCD Timer Battery grips aren't new, but there are some new ones showing up on the market for the Canon 7D, Canon 5D Mark II, and Canon 550D / T2i, and even newer Nikon DSLR's also. The LCD in the battery grip provides settings for (Intervalomter) Time Lapse functions. It's quite handy to have the Timer Remote feature already in the camera, for those spontaneous timelapse moments. There does appear to be some limitations to the internal timer functions, but if you're spontaneous, I doub't you'll want to spend a few hours with your camera in one spot. Here's some additional specs:

  • LCD screen (back ground light) with Date/ time/ stopwatch function.
  • Standard vertical shutter button with on/off switch on the grip and infrared remote sensor.
  • Built-in storage compartment for Canon 5D Mark II battery door and tripod mounting thread.
  • Holds one or two Li-Ion batteries, you don't need to take the grip off.
  • Functions as a timer remote and can be programmed to function as an interval met
  • Design for group, macro, long exposures, continuous, motion shooting, etc.
  • Energy saving design, can be use for long time
  • Shutter Lag (MAX : 99h 59m 59s), Exposure Length (MAX: 99h 59m 59s), Shooting Circulation (MAX: 99 times)

    • These battery grips sure do look a lot 'fancier' than the the standard grip, and contains all the basic features of the regular grips, but there still might some limitations to the internal Timelapse (Intervalometer) features. If you want to dish out a few more dollars though, you can have something that stands out from the regular grips. Check out the line of LCD battery grips with built in Time Lapse Remote Function.

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    Cheesycam reader MJM just dropped a bomb on me. I've listed some information on the aftermarket battery grips and batteries on this blog before, but i've been hearing that the prices have gone up since. MJM sends a comment about a seller who's got the aftermarket grips as low as $65.95 just grip, or $89.95 which comes with 4 batteries too. That's a great deal right now especially with the demand still growing quickly on the 550D / T2i. I've done my usual (gut) inspection about the seller whos received 100% feedback and seems to push 100's of items daily. That's a tough job keeping eBay buyers happy, so this one looks totally legit. Grab 'em now while it's still decently priced for the 4 battery package.


    click image to purchase

    Another Bomb dropped was the Amazon grip with 2 batteries for approx $60 dollars + $4.99 shipping. Supposedly they might be shipping this guy out of New Jersey so the wait might be shorter. Check it out below.

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    gini-rigs-dslr
    click image for G-Cinema Gear

    Just a few months ago, choosing a DSLR rig was limited to a few options. I've been trying to follow the different cheaper solutions available, and it seems like it's growing each week. Check out the complete line of DSLR's available on eBay.. The most popular overseas items would be the ones coming from Hong Kong and Korea. The Hong Kong rigs are still just Lego squared looking with some offensive color schemes. The Korean rigs known around the web as 'Gini Rigs', actually go by the name G-Cinema, have really improved on their black on black designs with attention to detail on every knob and clamp. Taking a look at the new line of G-Cinema rigs over on the auction site, list a whole new line of products, new DSLR rig configurations, cleaner designs, and now with lower prices for more parts. Similar DSLR configurations will run three times the price of a G-Cinema setup, so this is definitely the smart buy for the low budget guys who want that extra professional look. Check out the new lineup from G-Cinema DSLR Rigs.

    [UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE] I received a Gini Rig and reviewed it here: http://cheesycam.com/the-gini-rig-arrives-from-korea
    gini-rig-review
    [Updated] Full Gini Rig Photo Gallery and Review

    Comment from Reader:

    Just picked up the G 1700S Cage model... offered $550 on Ebay, he accepted, and it made it to my door (SJ, California) in only 4 days. It's solid and the workmanship is great. Buying this model, I am able to have a number of different configurations. Why pay $3K for Zacuto??????