Lens Talk

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Sorry guys, another Canon G12 post, but I can't help it. The Canon Powershot G12 camera is not only fun, it's very functional. I decided to take a trip down to the local bart station to get some movement for an HDR Timelapse test. What's special about this video you see before you? There is only about 240 images in this timeline, but keep in mind that every single image of this Timelapse is actually 3 different photos, taken with 3 different exposures, that were automatically stitched together by the Canon G12 and saved as 1 single photo. It's not that overly posterized looking HDR we often see, but a more delicate balance of shadows and highlights for a more pleasing balance. The camera did all the work as I just sat nearby surfing the internet from my phone. From my results, it does an excellent job for something this small. Everything on the camera was left on default Auto including the ISO, and I even left the focus on Auto!

You can see the camera does a great job with exposing the highlights and shadows by using this built in HDR technique, but who knew you could Timelapse with this feature? Literally just grabbed all the images and dumped it into Sony Vegas. I've been asked several times to provide timelapse footage for client events, showing setups, breakdowns, and just crowd movement, but I never wanted to deal with the post image correction and especially having to leave one of my DSLR's behind. Now after testing the G12 with the built in HDR processing I can see this camera fitting perfectly into my workflow and offering client timelapse video footage. In fact if you had the funds, grab yourself a few G12's and setup timelapse in multiple angles. It's not the best, but it could definitely be incorporated into any video for additional creative footage that would make your production value stand out. This was my first run and I think it went well. With practice, i'm sure it can be refined and useful. I'm going to try it on some sliders and dollies next.

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Click image for pricing on Canon Powershot G12 with Built in HDR

The remote i'm using for the Canon G12 can be found at this article: http://cheesycam.com/canon-g12-vs-nikon-p7000-real-time-hdr-timelapse/

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Someone responded to my earlier video about the Nikon P7000 and Canon G12 review. I mentioned that the Canon G12 can accept a remote for Timelapse Photography and the Nikon doesn't accept the remote. Turns out Nikon has an Intervalometer feature built in and you don't need to carry an extra gadget. Touche' I say, and well played Nikon...well played indeed. So I stand corrected about Nikon and Timelapse Photography.

Not to sound too biased (again), but the Intervalometer feature built into the Nikon isn't so great. There's also a nice little feature for HDR photography already built into the Canon G12 that makes Timelapse Photography even more fun. I'm loving the G12! Many times we cover events and want to timelapse the whole setup process and footage throughout the day. For you Wedding Videographers, the G12 is a great camera to throw into a corner and get some Timelapse footage to incorporate into your videos. For Real Estate agents or anyone doing interior work, grab a tripod and let the camera process out a more balanced exposure. Check out the video above for more information about HDR timelapse with the Canon G12, and I can't wait to take this out for some Timelapse fun.

canon-G12
Click image for Pricing on Canon G12

canon 550d timelapse timer remote
click

The Timer Remote i'm using is the same for the Canon 550D / T2i and Canon 60D found here: http://cheesycam.com/canon-60d-timer-remote-timelapse/

If you're looking for a remote that fits the Canon 7D & 5D Mark II you can find it here: Canon Intervalometer Timer Remote for EOS 7D and 5DMark II

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buyer-beware
False LCDVF Advertisement on Amazon

Ok, I just wanted to point out something over at Amazon that needs some attention to prevent confusion. I don't want anyone getting confused on what they might think is a great deal. I've posted information about the 'LCDVF clone' and made it clear that it is definitely not the real LCDVF. You can find that article here: http://cheesycam.com/evil-little-lcdvf-twin-vs-lcdvf/

Sure quality is great for the cheap price it was sold out to be, I own one myself, but this ad over at Amazon looks quite suspicious. To me it looks like they purposely hid the box, and name of the product, and is hoping people will purchase the item with the intent that it is indeed the real LCDVF, while in fact it isn't. The MEIKE brand of the clone is labeled clearly on the box and on the pouch, but all images on this Amazon ad appears to be intentionally hiding that information. Whether you buy the real deal or not, that's totally up to you and your business, but I just wanted to point out to those looking to buy the REAL LCDVF, stay clear from this product advertisement: LCDVF LCD Viewfinder for Canon 5D,5D MarkII, 7D, Nikon Digital SLR Cameras by Cowboystudio


False Ad on Amazon

Hey, you might be thinking i'm a bit harsh on calling them out on this and sure they aren't blatantly stating it's the real deal. Now take a second to check out their eBay auction, and you'll see they are listing the same 'LCDVF Clone' and are hiding any reference to the Meike brand. One image is even using the actual LCDVF product with LCDVF logo stamped on the side! Yeah, that's going a bit too far with the trickery to make a sale...

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click image for large view

If you're looking for the real deal LCDVF viewfinder, that can be found here: The Real LCDVF DSLR View Finder

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canon-60d-body

Just a reminder that those Canon Rebates I posted about are still valid, especially for anyone searching for a new DSLR body and lens combination. To take even more advantage of these rebates the Canon 60D has been discounted an extra $100 bucks off the Body or the Body+Lens kit. The discounts on the Canon 60D are only valid for the next few weeks.
You can find the discounts on the Canon 60D via Amazon here: Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)
Or via B&HPhotoVideo here: Canon 60D DSLR Camera Body

Check out those rebates that would still apply with the Canon 60D and save you even more on selected lenses: http://cheesycam.com/canon-dslr-combination-rebates/

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Just received the Nature brand Neutral Density filter today. It's possibly the cheapest Fader ND on the market right now, so I wanted to see what the quality was like. I picked one up to test on the Canon 85mm F/1.2 which requires a 72mm filter. The Canon 85mm F/1.2L is one of Canon's sharpest lenses in it's lineup. With the lens at 85mm on a Canon cropped camera, you're looking at quite a distance. I was expecting to see extreme softness, which some Variable ND filters can cause, especially over 50mm. This wasn't the case with this Variable ND filter.

nature-fader-ND-filters
Nature Fader-ND Variable Neutral Density Filters

There is some noticeable difference in sharpness, but not very noticeable unless you're really trying to nitpick, so not bad at all. It's definitely not as soft as my other Fader Filter which is very noticeable when zooming into a subject. Again, i'm asking alot since i'm putting it on an 85mm F/1.2L, but for any wide lens under 50mm, definitely a solid product that will yield excellent results. I'll be posting up some samples of the lens with and without the filter soon for you guys to check out, but i'm very happy with it and will be planning to get a few more. For now the Nature brand Fader ND can be found at this link: Nature Brand Fader ND Variable Neutral Density Filter

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find-price-button Nature Fader ND Variable Filter

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ikan-48-hour-blowout

Thanks to Darius for reminding me about these once in a while sales from Ikan. Periodically Ikan will have a 48 hour blowout sale discounting very select items from 30-50% off. Sounds like a great deal, but here's the other catch. Those very minimal select items are also on sale in minimal limited quantities. Today the IKan Friction Follow Focus shows up on the sale page starting with only 15 available at a discounted price of 30% off. If you're looking for a simple, modular, fast to mount follow focus that doesn't require different sized lens gears for each lens you own, today could be your day.

ikan-f3

I've been playing with the one I have for a while and although it can be mounted in many different ways, I find it works best when using the rod adapter mount, and put onto the new Gini Rig that I have. If you don't have a basic rail mount, you can find a cheap base set over at Express35.com.

rail-system

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Chris writes in about a Letus Hawk VF DSLR ViewFinder purchased not long ago, and then recently received the new Letus Hawk VF quick release adapter. The new quick release adapter was a great addition, making the Letus Hawk much more flexible to work with.

If you've made your purchase through LetusDirect.com for a Letus Hawk that did not come with the QR adapter, make sure to check in with Letus. It's supposed to be a free upgrade for LetusDirect.com customers that purchased a Hawk VF, but this offer may only be for a limited time. Here's the link to the LetusDirect.com website: https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-hawk.html

Another bit of news in the rumor mill is that Letus is designing a Hawk VF for the Canon T2i LCD (which is the same for Canon 60D). I'm rocking the Letus Hawk VF on the Canon 60 now with just a bit of crop, which I don't mind.
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find-price-button Letus Hawk VF DSLR ViewFinder

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There was a time when many said DSLR cameras with video capabilities wouldn't make much sense, but look where we are today. Now we're starting to see point and shoot cameras offering more into HD video features, but it's still nothing to get too excited about. Point and shoot cameras with HD Video still aren't quite at a level to make any filmmaker go nuts - but then again there are guys spending big bucks shooting short movies and music videos through an iPhone. Here's three cameras that have already made it as winners in this years popularity contest, but should be even more popular during the holidays. If you're like me, and you've got friends asking you about what new camera they should be getting into, keep an eye out for the Canon S95, Canon G12, and Nikon P7000.


Canon Powershot S95 Images

I'll dive into some fun novelty features that these cameras have built in on a different post, but for now a quick highlight of the external hardware and basic features. The Canon S95 is an improvement over the already popular S90. Many settings can be controlled manually like shutter, aperture, ISO, and white balance. For photos, the S95 can also shoot in RAW which will give you more dynamic range to edit images in post. A friend of mine recently took the Canon Powershot S95 on vacation and found the camera's ability to take such nice pictures in it's auto settings, there was no need to shoot in RAW and edit later. For serious photographers, the manual settings and RAW photo options are great features in a pocketable Point and Shoot camera. All three cameras use SDHC media cards for storage and are HD video capable @720 24fps with HDMI out as well as a port for USB AV out.


Canon Powershot G12 Images

Unlike the other two larger cameras, the Canon S95 does not have a hotshoe option and very little analog dials / buttons to manually change camera settings. If you're willing to carry a slightly larger camera, the Canon G12 and Nikon P7000 will get you closer to that DSLR feeling. These camera have several dials and buttons dedicated to quickly change camera settings. On the Canon G12 there's a single dial dedicated to ISO, and a single dial dedicated for Exposure compensation. Another dial controls the main menu for AV, TV, Video, and one more jog dial on the back controls the shutter speed. It's not in familiar places, but with short time you'll master these controls.

Comparing the Canon G12 and Nikon P7000, the Canon can accept a remote shutter. The Nikon P7000 does not have a port for this. For travelers who want to fire the camera remotely, or control it via Intervalometer (timer remote) for some nice Timelapse photography or to trigger for HDR bracketing, the Canon G12 would be the better camera. FYI - The remote does not start video mode. Also take note, the Canon G12 uses the same connection as the T2i or Canon 60D. The intervalometer shown is one I use for the larger DSLR's found here: http://cheesycam.com/canon-60d-timer-remote-timelapse/


Nikon Coolpix P7000 Images

For video mode, the Nikon P7000 does have an external Mic input. That's a very nice surprise for someone that is planning to do more video work than photos on this smaller camera. I can see myself mounting an LED video light and a good external microphone to enhance the whole video experience. Perhaps a tiny camera cage stabilizer would make it even more fun to take around events. One super huge advantage Canon has is that this type of camera has existed for many many years. Many adapters, lenses, and accessories have been designed for earlier G10 & G11 bodies, which is still compatible to the G12. You can find some additional Telephoto adapters, Macro Filters, and Wide angle lenses for the Canon G12 here: Canon G10, G11, and G12 Adapter, Lenses, and Filters
Even the Canon OEM waterproof housing for the G11 is compatible with the G12. This already makes for a perfect underwater HD video camera on the cheap. Special wide angle lenses, fisheyes, and step up Macro filters are widely available through Canon and aftermarket companies. Since this is something new for Nikon, I can't even locate the lens adapter for the P7000 yet. Hopefully we'll start seeing some new accessories for the P7000 by end of year to further expand it's usability.

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Nikon P7000 with Ikan Fly Kit, Rode VM, and Z96 LED Light

Since the Nikon P7000 has a 3.5mm input for an external Microphone, I quickly threw on my Rode VideoMic. Next I mounted it to the Ikan FlyKit DSLR Stabilizer (I'll get to that later). With a Flexible Power Arm, I also mounted the Z96 LED video light. I have nothing interesting to record right now, but testing it out, everything works great and the image stabilization in the Nikon performed well. I'm not sure if there's a way to set the video to 'manual' mode but I did notice some exposure changes in the video while running around. I'll have more stuff to show on the Ikan FlyKit DSLR Stabilizer soon.

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IKan Elements Fly Pack DSLR Kit

I know people will be looking for information about these popular cameras during the coming holidays, so i'll have more information to come. There's a ton of things I haven't covered like built in ND filters, Hybrid Image Stabilization, registering Custom Settings, built in Effects like Fisheye and Miniature Filters, built in HDR Processing, and much much more. I'll try to get it to it soon, but there's more technical specs at the product pages below. Showing right to left Canon S95, Canon G12, and Nikon P7000.

canon-powershot-s95 canon-powershot-g12 Nikon_Coolpix_P7000

Click for Product Information & Pricing

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Here's two videos showing some innovation around DIY Follow Focus projects. This first one (above), sent to me by Phuong H., is a DIY follow focus designed for the Sony NEX-VG10 Interchangeable Lens Handycam Camcorder. This is probably the first DIY project ever on one of them fancy shiny new camcorders. There's not much information on how you can DIY yourself, but this video might turn on a few light bulbs in your head.

The second video (below), shared by Robert J. takes the simple hose clamp DIY follow focus idea and drums up a new way of adding dry erase focus marks, so that you can wipe them down and start all over.