Lens Talk

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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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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.

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Wow, I haven't even had the chance of doing a full review on the Letus Hawk VF - Carbon Fiber version and already Letus has released a new Aluminum Hawk VF. Rather than plain old injected molded plastic, Letus chose to go with CNC milled anodized aluminum for this new Shroud. This aluminum is a nice touch keeping things lightweight, strong, weather tolerant, and also this bad boy looks like it will blend more closely with OEM camera designs. If i'm correct Letus will also be designing the casing to be used with existing Optics should you already own a Carbon Fiber version. This modular piece design will allow you to move your optics from a Carbon Fiber Hawk shroud to the Aluminum Hawk shroud. Letus will be designing different sized shrouds custom made for cameras, so if you decide to change to a different camera with a different LCD size such as a T2i 3/2, you'll just need to purchase the proper sized shroud (not the optics). This is some very cool modular thinking to keep this Letus product up to date with ever changing LCD screen sizes and different camera manufacturers, while saving you big bucks from purchasing something entirely new.

Right now the Letus Hawk VF uses a solid mount to the base of the camera, and it is compatible with Battery Gripped DSLR bodies with the optional riser plate. There may be a new solution in line with a special quick release adapter designed specifically for the Letus Hawk VF's. We'll have to wait to hear more. I can tell you though that these designs take time to whip up, so if this hit you by surprise, we should be expecting a lot more from the Letus DSLR line very soon. You can find more information about the new CNC milled anodized aluminum Hawk VF shroud and additional Product photos here: https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-hawk-aluminum.html

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original view Sigma 50-500mm on Canon 7D

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cropped from original view

It's pretty late, the moon was out so I decided to test out the Sigma 50-500mm. To get a bit further out, I threw it onto the Canon 7D and took advantage of the crop factor. These JPEG images have been resized and sharpened a bit in Lightroom. I'm still waiting to bring this out to catch some surf shots.

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Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Autofocus Lens

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Canon 7D + Canon 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6

I was able to bring out the Canon 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 on the Canon 7D and grabbed some really nice closeup shots of a turtle swimming in the bay - while I was on a cliff above. Yeah that's quite a bit of zoom, the lens is very sharp and very fast. Click any of these images to get a little bigger view of the image.

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Turtle swimming

Also (below) here's more zoomed in and zoomed out comparisons shot from the Canon 7D + canon 100-400mm. The bottom image is not a crop. Taking advantage of the crop on the Canon 7D, that's how close you can get. All images were hand held and stayed pretty sharp with IS turned on.

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Above: Pulled in to 100mm on Canon 7D

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Above: Pushed out to 400mm on Canon 7D

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Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Autofocus Lens

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Flycam Nano test run from kaydawgy on Vimeo.

There's quite a few things I find that can be useful with the DSLR community, but haven't had the chance to test it out myself. Vimeo member kayDawgy checked out the FlyCam Nano stabilizer article I posted and decided to test it out. The design looks pretty familiar copying the Glidecam setup, and with the right experience looks like it can pull off some really nice stabilizer footage. Unfortunately, there was little information and even less 'good' video samples of the unit's ability. I think things worked out quite well, and personally this is the best video so far done with the Flycam Nano. It might not be perfect, but from my own experience, it's quite difficult to shoot with a stabilizer chasing a running subject around 2-3 ft. tall. LOL

From the tags of the video, looks like kaydawgy used a Canon 550D / T2i and Tokina 11-16mm lens, which is a killer combination on any stabilizer. I especially love how wide this lens is on the Canon 550D / T2i without having much barrel distortion around the edges. Sometimes that barrel distortion is not so flattering with people. If you have any further questions, you may want to give kaydawgy a comment at the video link here. https://vimeo.com/14534884

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find-price-button The Flycam Nano

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

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Today's morning mail bag drops in with some nice surprises. I finally received the two Audio-Technica ATR3350 powered Lavalier Microphones for my Zoom H1. This will be an interesting test. I was already impressed with the Zoom H1 built in mics when doing this BiGeye review, but I was in a controlled environment. We'll see what we can get with a microphone closer to the subject outside on some noisy streets. Right off the bat, the cord is loooooonnnnngg. It's a nice setup if you don't have a portable audio recorder, but not for my use. I'll cut and snip a few feet off soon. Hopefully I don't screw it up, but it's just two simple wires. Audio tests coming soon... More information here: http://cheesycam.com/zoom-h1-lavalier-winner/

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Next, some nice Letus DSLR products drop in. Talk about some damn sexy camera gear (drool). If you have a lust for gear (like myself), Letus is one of those brands that will seduce you like an Empusa. Nah that's too gorey, better yet a Shakira music video. Ok, i'm getting sidetracked, back to the subject at hand. Letus has been a big time name in the film industry and very popular in the DOF adapters before DSLR's changed things. Letus didn't stand around watching times change, they jumped right in with a new line of DSLR accessories now found at LetusDSLR.com.

The Letus Hawk VF is a DSLR view finder wrapped in Carbon Fiber. Is it super lightweight? Surprisingly no. It's a solid piece of gear that when holding it will make you go OOOh. It's built for the finest gentlemen like a Bently, but also comes at a different price. Most view finders we see have somewhat of a squarish box design. Since it's comparable in price as the Zacuto Z-Finder Pro, if I had to make a choice there's no doubt this would be the clear winner. The design of the Letus Hawk VF makes the Z-Finder look like technology from a Buck Rogers episode - biddy biddy beep. The Hawk VF is silky smooth, many many curves - nothing squarish about it, finished with a carbon fiber wrapped design, and a high gloss clear coat of resin. I'll get some more information up with a video soon...

The Hawk VF mounts directly under the camera, no magnetic frames. For cameras with a battery pack, you can get the optional riser plate here: https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/hawk-riser.html
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Also in the box, there's the standard Letus DSLR cage which is the basic foundation that can be used with their growing line of DSLR accesories. It's Rod compatible so you can find ways to adapt many rod type accessories. The entire cage is cheese plate designed for mounting a bazillion different things to it. This cage is thick and solid. I wish I had this thing for the 'egg drop' science project in middle school, anything will survive a drop in this cage. It's a precision crafted beast possibly made from Adamantium. More close up photos and video overview coming soon...

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The Letus Hawk VF & Letus Talon DSLR Cage

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Trying to kill several birds with one stone, here's a review of the LCW BiGeye Profinder. I'm using my 3 piece 800w lighting kit, and audio was recorded using the new Zoom H1 audio recorder from the built in microphones. Sound is awesome. So hopefully you get an idea of the Zoom H1 audio sample, the lighting kit, and a great overview of LightCraft Workshop's latest product - the BiGeye Profinder DSLR View finder.

Here's a quick look at what's in the box and what the BiGeye Profinder from LightCraft Workshop looks like. I'll have some additional images of it mounted to a camera, once I get my old sticky frames off. Although it's an LCD loupe, the manufacturing is different than any other LCD viewfinder on the market. It's a completely silicone body, metal diopter ring, and glass Optics. No plastic at all (except for mounting frame). I'm not sure if that's good or bad, but it definitely is different and new. Like I said, I haven't had the chance to shoot with it yet, but it feels comfortable in hand and comfortable when placed over the eye.

The BiGeye Profinder attaches almost in the same method as popular view finders. A square frame is attached to your LCD glass using double sided tape. The frame is not metal, it's plastic with a larger lip. The silicone body of the viewfinder stretches snugly over the frame holding it in place. This choice of silicone body to plastic frame mount is just as fast to remove as the magnetic mount type, but not so quick to attach. It's not difficult to attach, it's just not as fast. The LCW BiGeye Profinder comes with two different eye-cups so you have a choice, unlike most other finders where you'd be stuck with one. The optics are super clear, magnification is super sharp, no distortion, and true glass all the way through. That's no surprise, I mean this is LCW's product.

The diopter is a brilliant design and well made. It's an all metal construction with a knurled finish around the adjustment knob. The glass eyepiece is threaded so you can adjust it inwards or outwards to fine tune the magnification. It does come with a lanyard strap, but does not come with a case. Since it's primarily silicone it should take a beating quite well without worry of fracturing or cracking. Overall it does come in pricier than the cheaper loupes we've been seeing, but there's a large audience of shooters that are in need of an excellent working viewfinder with Diopter. For the build quality and design details, I think this is priced nicely. There are $180 dollar viewfinders that don't have Diopters or replaceable eye-cups, while the LCW BiGeye provides both of these features and still comes in under $140.

You can find more information about the LightCraft Workshop LCW BiGeye Profinder DSLR LCD view finder here: https://www.lightcraftworkshop-shop.com/

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click to pre-order Canon EOS 60D from Canon Store - Amazon

Well the Zoom H1 did meet it's release date, but didn't meet the demands of the retailers. Few shipments went out and there's still a ton of people waiting in line for new products to arrive, including me! I got a hold of one, but still waiting on two more Zoom H1's.

Well here's another item guaranteed to sell out quick. Of course we're talking about the new Canon 60D DSLR. You don't think you need it, you think you want it, not sure you want it, doesn't matter it's going to be gone the first week and hard to get a hold of after. When the T2i was released that too was a hard product to find. Well fear not, the official Canon store on Amazon.com is accepting pre-orders. This is not a third party retailer, this is the Canon store on Amazon which I assume they have as a warehouse drop ship partner. Here's the link: Pre-Order Now - Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)

I'm game..got my order in already.
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Failsafe. If you're unsure, this is what Amazon lists after you purchase it:

Not Yet Shipped: Delivery estimate: We need a little more time to provide you with a good estimate. We'll notify you via e-mail as soon as we have an estimated delivery date. You can cancel at any time.

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It's still a bit early, there may be some new things that arrive later, but here's what just came in for today's mail bag. Here's a hint. It could be the next BIG thing to keep your EYE on.... Ok that was probably a corny one liner. Would you like some butter on that corny joke? Yeah that was pretty bad too, i'll quit now. Anyone as excited as me to open the box and see what this bad boy looks like?

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Update 12:18pm: I like it...I really really like it. This isn't saying much since I never bothered to spend over $180 on a viewfinder, but this is the best viewfinder "with a diopter" for under $140. This made my day.. I'll have more information later, but it's a much different design than the other loupes. Weird, but there's no plastic on it. Totally silicone, metal, and glass.