Videography Gadgets

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The SmallHD DP6 is a serious monitor with some seriously cool features. The price tag may not hit home for the starting shooter, but if you're shopping for a monitor around the 5" mark, the SmallHD puts most others to shame. We're not talking your average 800x480 resolution (yes check those LCD specs carefully), we're talking about a true HD display at 1280x800. The housing is milled aluminum, much like how a MacBook pro is built. It's solid, but at the same time lightweight. Especially if you're shooting with Canon, the DP6 monitor has special features designed to scale video signals for Canon DSLRs which don't usually output in Full HD.

DP-6

Don't be afraid to step into something that could get outdated quickly. SmallHD has put some forward thinking into their products with a USB port and 2GB thumb drive to make sure you can download and install any new firmware updates. Two features you won't find in cheaper monitors include False Color to help you check for clipping blacks or blown highlights, Peaking to help you ensure things are in focus. If you rely heavily on external monitoring from your video camera, you'll need something better than good, and the SmallHD is a great solid product. SmallHD will also be releasing a new DP4 - 4" LCD specifically designed to be used with a ViewFinder Loupe entering the EVF market. More about SmallHD products can be found at https://smallhd.com

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You've probably already seen the video above, who hasn't? It's a great example of the capabilities shot on the GoPro HD Camera. One accessory that was recently released is the LCD BacPac and new firmware that opens up an entirely new world of features. From little things like losing the proper time/date when the battery is removed, to live HD video output. The new BacPac takes the guess work out of proper framing, and flying through the menu is a breeze compared to trying to decipher the old Mayan code on the front LCD. Video with Audio (yes with audio) can easily and instantly be played back to make sure you've got the shot.

If you've never seen the LCD BacPac in action, Olivia's review (below) runs through those 'must have' new features, and check out the SmallHD showing full HD live view from the little GoPro.

The LCD Bacpac comes with 4 different housing 'backs' from waterproof, waterproof for wrist housing, non waterproof housing, and non-waterproof housing for wrist mount. This amazing little camera performs equally well in the Sky, on the Streets, or even under water.

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find-price-button GoPro LCD BacPac

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find-price-button GoPro Hero 1080HD

For extended Run time or just longer TimeLapsing, the Battery BacPac is also available

GoPro Battery
find-price-button GoPro Battery BacPac

If you plan on using an External Monitor for some reason, don't go drilling holes through your Waterproof casing (like we did). GoPro has a special housing available for that also so you can run your video cables out to your External Monitor or maybe Asus Wi-Cast for some wireless HD Video Monitoring.

GoPro Housing
find-price-button GoPro HD Skeleton Housing - Hard case

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Yes it's an amazing camera if you can actually get a hold of one. Retailers are always out stock, and even if you can find a GH2 it's going for a pretty nice markup. Samy's seems to have 1 single Black (Body only) in stock for regular price. Here's your chance to save $200-$300 dollars on this beauty compared to going eBay rates. Lucky takers, follow the link below:

black-gh2
find-price-button Panasonic Lumix GH2 Black - Body Only

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Hangrip teased us with a new Falcon Follow Focus about a month ago, and it's finally available. For those of you across the pond, that might have already received it, give us the good word. The initial price is still a couple of hundred dollars, but it actually makes it one of the more affordable FF systems. The position of the gear is much better placed than 'cheaper FF's', as it can adapt to many different size lenses without having to deal with 'risers'. That's a huge problem with FF's that have the gears sitting too close to the rails.

Features:
Modern aesthetic design
Lightweight composite material
5 ball bearings
Reversible drive gear
Snap in 3D marking disc
Movable marking indicator
Advanced lens gear

Package includes: Follow focus unit and one Loop lens gear.

The new Falcon Follow Focus looks pretty large and in charge from the video above, but we'll soon see how it will hold up to it's competitors within that price range. Though the suggested retail price is set, eBay auctions right now are being offered at a discounted starting price found below:

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find-price-button Hangrip Falcon Follow Focus

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Cameras are getting smaller and lighter. People are attempting to fly GoPro's and iPhones on Steadicams. For lightweight cameras including Sony's A55, Panasonic GH2's, or Canon T2is, here's a simple DIY DSLR Steadicam (merlin style) stabilizer idea from Vimeo member KFLeung. There isn't much tooling required, it's more of an assembly of readily available pieces which combined provides you with a framework, gimbal handle, and counterweight for a camera Stabilizer. Starting with an inexpensive Flip Flash Bracket. These brackets are made for photographers to mount a Flash above the camera. When the camera is rotated in either landscape or portrait position, you can flip the flash so it still remains above the camera (i.e. to bounce light from a ceiling). This video is actually about 3 years old, but there are still several people using this method with good results.

KFLeung's first test video posted after the build

The Gimbal (handle) is based on a mini tripod with ball head so that it swivels freely. Getting a good fluid mini tripod is key to having smooth movements.

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A really simple method to creating a 3 axis Gimbal Handle most people don't think about is to literally take a mini ball head and throw it on top of a Barska Handgrip. This setup adds some size, but is extremely comfortable and acts as a decently effective Gimbal Handle system. (I can see many of your minds already at work with that idea...)

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find-price-button
Mini Ball Head 		Screen shot 2011-05-20 at 5.40.25 AM
find-price-button
BARSKA Grip

The arch design of the bracket gives space for your hand to work, while providing an area to mount a counterweight below. At this area, you can use simple Fender Washers like most Hague or Indiehardware stabilizers. When you're done, the stabilizer folds into a small form factor.

Flip Folding Flash Bracket
find-price-button Folding Flip Flash Bracket

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Vimeo member Ragnar tackles the DIY suction cup camera mount for his GH2. There are much cheaper suction cup mounts, first posted here: http://cheesycam.com/diy-double-and-quad-suction-camera-car-mounts/, but Ragnar decided to go with a slightly more expensive Suction mount with articulation so that it can mount on not-so-completely flat surfaces such as hoods, windows, and other car panels. I'm sure we all don't believe in specs, but the one he's chosen states that it's rated for 132 lbs, so even if it's half true, that's more than suffice for a small GH2. So far it looks like he's fairly comfortable with the setup, trusting it to about 50mph (with a backup safety strap attached of course). For GoPro owners, this inexpensive setup should have no issues with the mini lightweight camera.

Exact Tools used:
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find-price-button Double Swivel Vacuum Cup

Screen shot 2011-05-19 at 8.49.29 AM
find-price-button Manfrotto 494 Ball Head

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I think i've received at least 2 questions/day since this new 'Flycam Nano DSLR' had been advertised online. It's quite confusing since there already is a Flycam Nano that supports DSLRs. This one claims to be better and can handle more weight. Of course it does! It's bigger and looks almost exactly like the Flycam 3000 (far right). Did they just swap the handle and slap on the Nano name because the hottest search term is 'Flycam Nano'? The Flycam DSLR is just about the same price as the Flycam 3000 too. To me it just doesn't make sense.. what do you make of it all?

flycam-nano-stabilizer
Flycam Nano

flycam-nano
Flycam Nano DSLR

flycam-3000
Flycam 3000

My personal opinion is that you should use the max capacity for any stabilizer. If you get something bigger than the original Nano, then you may have to end up adding more weights to the top of the camera in order to make it fly better. So do you need a larger one? Unless you're pushing more weight that the common 7D + Tokina 11-16mm (BTW you can balance a bit more than that), then you don't need to go to the next level. I have several stabilizers and the one I take with me the most is the smallest one I can pack to do the job. The Glidecam HD4000 and Steadicam vest are only called upon when I really need to carry some weight...

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If you've got a Panasonic GH2, or other Micro Four Thirds camera, you'll know what this lens is. It's been tough to track down lately when they went out of stock because it's just that awesome for a MFT camera. Luckily I grabbed mine months ago, and it's been on the GH2 as the primary lens. My GF2 also came with the 14mm Pancake, which is another popular and highly recommended lens for these MFT cameras. More than likely this new shipment of the 20mm won't last very long, so if you've been waiting patiently here's a chance.

Lumix 20mm F/1.7
find-price-button Panasonic Lumix 20mm F/1.7

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It wasn't long before the nice discount on the 5D Mark II body expired from BestBuy.com, but maybe there's new hope. There's a special announcement for a Midnight Sale - Online Only.Starting midnight tonight until 8am tomorrow they'll be launching some additional special deals. Besides the slew of other electronics and gadgets, there's DSLR's on the list. Hmm..Canon T3i, Canon 7D, Canon 60D? Who knows what's in store, but you have to be up past midnight or online before 8 a.m. to see what's in store. Follow the banner for more details.

bestbuy-midnight-sale
visit-button Midnight Sale, Online Only, Starts Midnight Through 8 a.m. EST on Thursday (5/19)