Photography Gadgets

• 5 Comments

•

canon-nikon-sony-eyecup-upgrades
click image

Opening up a new article here, hopefully we'll get some comments in that will provide for anyone seeking information on upgrading to these DSLR Eyecups. This blog has really expanded to include a 'Woot' & 'Yahoo Answers' type model, so i'm trying to include different posts and keep things interesting. I'm seeing more Photographers upgrading their standard Eyecups to these DSLR Eyecup Upgrades. It does look very comfortable for landscape shots, I personally don't use these and wonder how comfortable they would be flipping into Portrait mode. There's also magnified versions available that supposedly give you a better view through the glass viewfinder. Starting at only $2.99 + Free shipping, I guess I can always order and see for myself.

Has anyone been using these items?
How comfortable are they?
Which version of this do you have?

There's also some information circling about these Magnified DSLR Eyepiece / Eyecups that take a note from LCD Viewfinders and magnify the image to give you a better field of view and possibly sharper focus. The most popular brand name coming around is Tenpa.

tenpa-eyecup
tenpa-eyecup-eyepiece
click image

• 6 Comments

•

double-strap-q-strap
rapid-double-strap
handstrap-double-camera-strap

After this weekend, i'm thinking of adding a few items to speed up my dynamic workflow. I go from handheld, to monopod, to tripod, to Steadicam, to slider, to dolly, etc. Things have to be fast and things have to work together. I need a strap to carry two cameras, I need this to disconnect if I move to handheld, and I need this to adapt to the different rigs very quickly. Here's some accessories of what i'm dreaming up now that might work best for my type of shooting.

Similar form to the Black Rapid Double Camera strap, but with alot more function, here's the Q-Strap several people have been telling me about after I posted about a BlackRapid clone. Looks like those BlackRapid clones have dissappeared, but this Q-Strap (not R-Strap) is readily avaiable and seems to have improved on the mounting design. Although i'm a big fan of the solid mounting clip of the BlackRapids, one of the shortcomings is that you can't quickly get your camera back to Tripod, or if you want to dismount and go handheld there's no option for that Camera Hand Strap. Here's where the Q-strap is forward thinking. Using a different mounting plate, it has an attachment area to keep a Camera Hand Strap on at all times. Secondly, it still maintains a standard Tripod mount thread, would be perfect for a Manfrotto 394 Quick Release Plate to stay on for some fast Tripod Mount options. So i'm thinking about going this route and dumping off my OG BlackRapid strap with this new Q-Strap configuration.

First the Q-Strap:
double-strap-q-strap

Second the Camera Hand Strap:
camera-hand-strap

Third the Manfrotto 394 Quick Release Plate:
manfrotto-394-quick-release

In my head this combination is all working out great, giving me great flexibility with my gear moving from harness strap, to handheld strap, to tripod mount, steadicam mount very very quickly without having to screw/unscrew anything - just clip clip clip. As suggested by one of the readers, by using the Manfrotto 394 quick release plate on top of my 717AH should also make things quick for me while saving big bucks on a decent fluid head.

• 10 Comments

•

transcend-iphone-mount (4)transcend-iphone-mount (3)

Referencing my post here: http://cheesycam.com/transcend-32gb-400x-compact-flash-cards-on-order/

Well these cards are in, and i'll be working them this weekend. Hopefully everything goes off without a hitch, but thanks to all the comments i'm pretty confident it will work out for me. I'm hoping they definitely are as fast as they say they are, because it's such a great price I just had to give it a try and grabbed 4 pieces + next day shipping for this busy weekend. One thing a friend mentioned was that he noticed the video starts much faster with these cards once the button is pressed, over the slower cards which sometimes takes a quick second before the Red Light starts going. Not sure, but i'll find out and will probably post up more information on these 400x bad boys after the weekend on my results.

transcend-32GB-400x
find-price-button Transcend 400x 32GB Compact Flash Media

• 3 Comments

•

transcend-iphone-mount (2)

This just came in today from https://iphone-tripodholder.com.

iphone-tripod-holder

Yes, you might think this is silly (unless you're Zacuto), but I have some small (just for fun) projects that will be shot on the iPhone and needed a very lightweight, fast, slim mount to get the iPhone onto a Tripod - Not to mention cheap too. Now before you start commenting on those DIY mods using car mount with flexible necks or cell phone holders, keep in mind you'd still have to modify a 1/4 x 20 threaded insert and you won't get quite the slim profile as this item. I've also been poking around eBay and those car mounts really aren't that cheap. I'm rocking the iPhone 3Gs, but this little mount also works on the new iPhone 4 (for you lucky devils). There's a slot for the camera lens if you decide to use it in reverse for some reason. (Images Below)

Slides in, and slides out, holds very well via rubber inserts in the channel. The provided threaded insert will work nicely with Barska Grip + Mini Giottos Ball head for some landscape action. I'm also planning on making a Gimbal type steadicam for iPhone and this mount will be a big help. I'll be toying with this over the weekend, see what I come up with. The iPhone-Tripod Holder can be found here at https://iphone-tripodholder.com

iPhone-Tripod Holder Shown with iPhone 4
iphone-4-mounted (1)
iphone-4-mounted (2)

• 1 Comment

•

neoprene-soft-lens-baglens-neoprene-caseneoprene-lens-protection
find-price-button Padded Protective Lens Pouches

When I travel light, those thin grey Canon Soft Lens Pouches seem to do fine for just covering up my lenses. Of course any lens case is better than no case to minimize dust, moisture, and scratches. Now when traveling heavy with a wide assortment of lenses I have to carry a bigger bag. More lenses + Bigger bag means equipment is just stacked one on top of the other. I don't like over using dividers in the travel bag because it's just taking up way too much space. Instead I thought I'd just individually wrap up each lens with a beefy Neoprene case. Neoprene is the same material used on Scuba Diving suits so it's quite elastic, soft, but still durable. Much better protection than the standard grey bags that come with most Canon lenses. Obviously, these things are quite cheap coming from overseas starting at only $2.38 + Free shipping. I've placed an order on a variety of sizes, and soon as they come in i'll show which pouches fit which lens. Check out the huge variety of Neoprene Lens Protective Bags.

padded-camera-lens-pouch
find-price-button Padded Lens Bags for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax Panasonic DSLR Lenses

If you're looking for something even more 'beefier' than the Neoprene Lens bags, foam padded ones are a bit larger, taking up precious bag space, but offer better protection against bumps and impact. Many of these are also wearable around the belt look or shoulder sling strap. These suckers start UNDER $10.00 + Free Shipping. Check out the variety of Foam Padded Lens Protection bags.

• 1 Comment

•

iphone-diy-cinema

Rick Q. over at www.rcqcreativeworks.com shared with us his DIY Plug Wire Clamp Shooter earlier in the month, and now showcases his latest work for his new iPhone 4. Great idea for steady video and photos. If you really need a handle to go with your iPhone, I don't think there's anything out there as classy at this DIY budget. These Plug Clamps are sure showing lots of use in the DIY DSLR community thanks to the original designs sent in by Johan. Another popular DIY Plug Wire Clamp DSLR rig was sent in by Derek using Carbon rods. You can find that one here.

Update: Shortly after, Herb shows off his DIY iPhone cinema handle. With tilt action and beefy foam grip. Herb has also dropped hints of a more streamlined version coming soon. Enjoy the madness fun around these iPhone handles.
SmartHand

• 11 Comments

•

z96-dimmable-dslr-video-light
click to find Z96 Dimmable DSLR Video Light

Good news for those who are looking to start making a 2x2 LED light panel (four total lights) with the Z96 Dimmable LED DSLR Video lights. New auctions at the eBay store are showing for this purpose while shaving a few dollars off the complete set. Of course, It makes total sense to sell them in these bundles since one of the biggest marketing features is that they can be stacked together to create a larger softer light source. Where was this before?

After my weekend of use with mine, a 2x2 light panel is something i'm going to build, who knows maybe a 3x3 or even a 4x4 would be nice. I've found ways not only to use them for video but for photography as well. Not only used in a dim lit area, but also in daylight as fill.

Note: By default they have clips molded only on the sides of the LED light which appears they can only be stacked horizontally. Myself as well as another reader here didn't poke through the box enough to find special 'Vertical' clips and losing it. So if you receive these items, don't get too excited and start pulling pieces out without looking for this special Vertical clip to give you a nice portable 4 x 4 completely battery powered LED light panel.

z96-led-video-light
4 pcs. Z96 Dimmable LED DSLR Video Light

• 11 Comments

•

transcend-32GB-400x

If you cruise on down to the article post http://cheesycam.com/sandisk-extreme-rebates/, you'll catch some comments about the Transcend 32GB 400x Compact flash cards. After a wedding this past weekend shooting three cameras, I realized I needed a bit more space. I was originally going to order the Sandisk Extremes since there was an ongoing Mail In Rebate, but the prices on these Transcends were much better (without Mail In Rebate).

placing-transcend-order

It took a bit of convincing through the comments section, but you guys have me convinced to work with these. I also checked out reviews over at BHPHOTOVIDEO.com and it's almost a full 5 star rating. We price matched against NewEgg, Amazon, and it turns out that BHPHOTOVIDEO.com came out with the cheapest price for these Transcend 32GB 400x Compact Flash cards. My order is in with Next Day Air, i'll test it this weekend to see how they perform. Really though, I feel quite confident after all the comments and reviews i've been reading and recieving.

transcend-32GB-400x
click image to buy from BHPHOTOVIDEO.com

• 17 Comments

•

Do these guys ever quit?!! Sheesh, when I think i'm on top of things, again they come out with something better. This is now the latest LED Video light panel that followed up from my last post 'Latest LED Video Lights'. These new panels have all the fine features of the previous 1000 LED Video Light Panel model, but now add the dimmable option to the large 1000 LED Video Light + The Ability to Color Change the temperature. This is a great feature to have that should allow you to better balance along with ambient light. 1000 LED's + Brightness control + Color temp control FULLY DIMMABLE: 0%-100%, COLOR TEMP: 3500K-6000K is a perfect combination for any video lighting you plan to use on set. Might save you time and money by not requiring color gels, who knows. This is an exciting new advancement in an already well priced tool compared to the other big brands. Now..just need to get a hold of this for an official Cheesycam run through...

Product Description:
These are the newest product 1000 LED Color changing from 3500K - 6000K temp. It uses 1000 ultra bright 3mm LED. The changing color temp 1000LED panel will be suitable for any photography and video production for years to com. These daylight balanced LEDs offer a full spectrum, beautifully soft light. LED lights off significantly further "throw" than a comparable fluorescent light. This is because each of the 1000 LED lights has a 60 degree beam angle lens that directs light forward. This beam angle creates a beam pattern that is useful from 1 - 15 feet. The LED Panel lights are ideal for location work because they are virtually shockproof and offer the brightest light in the smallest form factor. In addition, this new version operates on 110v-240v adapter with a 12v DC output. Brand New

* Input Voltage: 100-260V AC. OUTPUT: 12V * FULLY DIMMABLE: 0%-100%, COLOR TEMP: 3500K-6000K * No flickering & FR interference * Easy to install with removable mounting brackets * Dimmension: 14" x 14" x 4"