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Wow, it's amazing how a simple product from the aisles of a home improvement store can be transformed into so many different things by so many different people. In Video world, this is actually becoming a quite popular little DIY stabilizer and feedback has been great about the stability of the tool. Here's a couple more rigs that are popping up.

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Kelly Bailey's DIY Rig

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Jonathan Olshefski's DIY Rig

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Franklin Anciano's DIY Rig

And here's a couple of Photos submitted by Sean Brown. The rig was used somewhere in their 'Lightface' film project.
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Check out the Video trailer below shot in what I believe is the Canon 550D / T2i. I get lots of emails, so if I've missed anyone else, or if you have one to share, let me know, thanks.

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iPhone teleprompter

Everyone is hyped about the new iPhone release and is ready to dive into pre-orders. There's already been a ton of previous accessories out there like the Teleprompter (above). I can't wait to see what new line of gear comes out to fit the new features of the iPhone 4.

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Being camera geeks, my friends are most interested in the new HD video feature. Of course we talked about stabilizing the iPhone video and the Zacuto Z-Grip or Zacuto Jr. came into conversation. C'mon are you kidding me? over $250 dollars for a handle Zacuto? Even the Jr. runs around $65-70 bucks, but it's just a handle!

So here's the solution one of my buddies came up with. Just get some epoxy / JB Weld putty and permanently glue a screwdriver to the back of a cheap 0.99 cent eBay hard case. Done, you got your handle and the iPhone can mount in and out!

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Now the Z-grip runs about $269.00. I can make these screwdriver/hardcase designs and sell them to you for $269.00 if you think spending more money for a handle will make it work better..just let me know. I'll even include FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the WORLD! LOL

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HongKong-Rig (4)
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If you thought those 'Gini Rigs' coming out of Korea were cheap, check out the new rigs showing up on eBay coming out of Hong Kong. Gini Rigs started inflating prices, I'm thinking to meet demands once they became popular. Made from CNC'd machined aluminum, black matte finish, 90 degree rod clamps, adjustable handles, and all standard 15mm so you can mix and match them to even RedRock and Zacuto. These puppies are going for cheap right now, but we'll see how long those prices stick around before it becomes popular. Check out the Hong Kong Should Mount Rigs following this link.

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

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I'm always asked what equipment I choose to bring when I travel on vacation. I might have placed some of these items in random articles on this blog, but here i'll list out my favorite Vacation travel gear that I can't seem to go without. Often i'll title this collection as my 'Personal Travel Setup' or at times 'Here honey, you can use this to bring to your friends party' equipment list. Keep in mind it's a balance of getting quality footage without risking expensive equipment getting lost or damaged.

First up a super light weight camera that does both awesome photos + awesome video the Canon EOS 550D or T2i. It's the cheapest SLR I own which makes it perfect for traveling (in case I get jacked!). The hybrid photo camera + HD video means I'm only carrying one piece of gear for all those captured memories.

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Second piece of travel gear, (you've heard my praises on this lens), the Tamron 18-270mm with VC. Yes it's wide for this cropped camera, it zooms out to a crazy 270mm, and it has Image Stabilization too. When they are on sale, you can grab them just about $520 dollars (it's on sale now). Being able to shoot wide and super zoom with image stabilization all in one lens, it's the perfect travel buddy. And for the price, I can afford to get jacked with it too. (don't jack me if you see me, it's hypothetical)

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Media card choice (thanks readers) would be the Transcend 32GB SDHC Class 6 card. I posted about this asking what everyone's opinions were, and they all had very good reviews. So for vacation wise, this is an item you can get several of. The Class 6 is fast enough for RAW photos and Videos. I can stock up soooo many of these cheap cards and not have to carry a laptop out to the jungle for dumping data. Just bring several of these since they run fairly cheap.

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Next up is a Variable ND filter. There's hype about the LCW Fader ND's and i'm not sure if they are the best, but i'm using the Genus brand from BHPHOTOVIDEO. With the 1/4000ths shutter speed on the T2i sometimes it's very very very bright out on a beach. This bad boy helps me stop down light to keep my shutter in check, and also to do Flash sync in photography. As you know Flash only syncs at approx 1/200ths, so if you need that fill light for better exposure, you gotta have an ND. Cutting out the light is also perfect to get my Video shutter speed to where the pros shoot at - 1/50th-1/60th. If your'e doing any type of landscape photography, this will help you capture motion in the ocean or streaming waterfalls by allowing your shutter to remain open longer on bright sunny days. Since it's a Variable ND filter, you can adjust different exposures without carrying multiple ND's. Something every Photographer and Videographer should carry and a very important tool.

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I'm not a fan of the OEM straps, they just aren't that comfortable. I was sold on the Black Rapids R-Straps when I saw how smooth they worked, and how professional they look. The Strap also doubles as a bag to carry your phone, extra batteries, media cards, and more. It's like having a backpack on a strap and the camera just glides along instead of 'binding' everywhere. Those pockets built into the strap are perfect when you're rocking the beach in speedos. Just kidding, I don't wear speedos. It's much better to go naked to prevent tan lines.

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Gotta have flash! Most people think flash is strictly used indoors, low light, or at night. In fact many professionals use Flash outdoors on bright sunny days to balance lighting. If you take the time to understand flash, you'll get much better lighting in with your subjects. My choice obviously is the OEM Canon 580 EX II. It's fast, powerful, pretty weather sealed, and can be used off camera with an ST-E2 transmitter. Firing the flash off to the side normally gives a better look instead of flat on your subject. This is completely an optional piece of equipment when used in the 'Here honey, you can use this to bring to your friends party' equipment list. You might want to just let 'em use the built in flash.

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Tripods on Vacation. Depending where you go, you might want those beautiful night scenes with long exposure shots, timelapse photography, steady Video clips, or maybe just set the camera on timer to get a shot of yourself (in speedos). My personal favorite is an old Velbon travel tripod. Sorry I don't think they sell it anymore, but you can check out a line of Travel tripods following this link. Travel tripods have to be super light and fold up super short so you don't mind bringing it around. If you try and get the biggest and the baddest, i've found you'll tend to use it alot less. Grab yourself a light weight one, and you'll find yourself using it more often.

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Now if I must have a bag with me, the Lowepro Fastpack is my choice. I actually have 2 of these bags. It can fit a full DSLR + Battery Pack + Big Lens in the bottom area, is quickly accessible, and has several other pockets for my Flash, ST-E2 transmitter, cards, strap, ND Filter, yadda yadda yadda. Now this model doesn't have a Tripod strap, but I use the Mesh pocket off to the side to hold my tripod and a bit of Velcro tie down at the top to keep it all in place. When i'm traveling (without a tripod) it doesn't have that umm..how do we say... 'Hey I got me some camera gear inside of this Backpack!' kinda look. I like it pretty sleek, portable, and discreet.

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Here's a cool little video some of you might have already seen. I've been researching the Olympus Pen as you know, but was on the fence after Sony announced their tiny Interchangeable Lens camera. I think I really need to get a hands on with both of them before I can decide what might work best for me. I know the Sony isn't available just yet so I guess it's a waiting game for now. Does anyone have opinions on which is the better buy and why? I'd like to hear about Photography and Videography pros and cons from what you think would be a better buy.

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Olympus Pen
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Sony Nex
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As you can tell, some of my DIY rigs are all out in the wild. Many have taken some of my very Cheesy basic ideas and have added their own improvements to it, making some very cool rigs. I get totally inspired seeing DIY's out there and sometimes come up with new ideas, so hopefully we'll see more submissions to this blog. Here's and Interesting rig setup submitted by Frankie N. Films. The rig which has a quick release mount, stabilizer handles, under-slung camera handle, and shoulder support was all done from an old Fan in the garage.

Here's a quote from Frankie N. Films:

after seeing your cage lol i decided to make something myself with bunch of aluminum parts that i had from this old fan, sitting in garage

Thanks for sharing, i'd love to see more rigs out there. If you have 'em, share 'em!

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Jeff Ello sent this photo in to share his build of the Cheesy DSLR Cage I posted about. It's a Behind the Scenes snapshot of a short flick titled 'Disorient'. Seen in this photo is the recent DIY DSLR Cage / Fig Rig / Stabilizer that was also featured on Cinema5d.com. Jeff made some additional modifications with free swinging handles on the side. I've asked Jeff to send in more photos and information about his project and his rig. The strut channel works perfectly for mounting accessories such as the LCD monitor Jeff has in his image. Very cool! If you haven't checked out the DIY Cage, read my article here: http://cheesycam.com/?p=966

Now i'm not always very clear about my DIY builds, so Marcus V Warner & Brian created their version of the CheesyCam DIY DSLR Cage with alot more detail on the parts list. I'm calling this the LP version because they really get thorough on the build and it's about 20 minutes or so. So if you can't get through understanding my video, check out Vimeo user Vitaphone's below.

They even have a detailed parts list on their Video page at: https://vimeo.com/12362135

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Summer is no doubt just around the corner, and you'll probably find yourself in some type of water situation whether it be pool side or ocean beach. It's a bit expensive trying to dive down with your DSLR's, so it might be smart to just grab a cheaper Point and Shoot. The guys over at DigitalREV.com do a review on a couple of waterproof camera options you might already be thinking about. Too bad they didn't actually take 'under water' photos or videos, but i'll let them slide considering they had an actual Bikini model to keep the review interesting.

Here's some of the Cameras they review: