DIY slider video from Vimeo member Lolo Two. Here's a clever way to take some very inexpensive conduit tubing, a coupler, and with a basic set of tools, come up with a very sturdy camera slider. The coupler works out great since it's designed to fit perfectly around the EMT conduit tubing and also has some easy mounting points for the carriage. The video is pretty thorough on what it takes to get things together, but there's also a parts list following the video link. It's a simple DIY, and I believe that you all 'Con Du It' too... [Thanks Lolo Two]
Videography Gadgets
Canon Refurbished Discounts
A brand new Canon 5D Mark II will still run you about $2500 dollars retail on any website. A used Canon 5D Mark II Body over on eBay will still run you over $2100 dollars and that's not knowing it's true condition. Canon right now is running some specials on their Refurbished Equipment website with a 10% off Promotional Code bringing down the Canon 5D Mark II (refurbished) bodies to $1799. Yeah that's a pretty sweet deal for a full frame body with excellent low light capabilities. Sure it's a refurb, but it's coming from Canon with a 90 Day warranty.
If you're looking to pick up used equipment, I think these official Canon refurb units are still a safer bet than going for a used version off the auction site. Aside from the 5D Mark II, there's 7D's, T2i's, 60D's, and a bunch of lenses including L series refurbished. Promotional Code is fam211 and the link is here.
DIY SpiderTrax Rotating Dolly
Vimeo member Switch Flick uses pieces from a Flycam Nano to make a DIY Spidertrax Rotating Dolly. Axles are a bit long on this first version, but it looks pretty legit with attention to details down to the bolts (much like I used in my setup). Of course, this is all assuming you've already dished out a bit of change for the Nano.
If you're not familiar with the Flycam Nano, another video was recently shot using a Canon 5D Mark II + 17-40mm F/4L + Rode Video Mic. That's quite a bit of weight, but Vimeo member Spencer Turley managed to pull off some great footage while doing some charitable work out in Tuvalu. Found here: https://www.vimeo.com/20742652
Flycam Nano Video Camera Stabilizer
If you're not familiar with Rotating Dollies, you can see how the Konova Dolly (cloned after my own design) was used in this video: http://cheesycam.com/test-drive-spidertrax-clone-korean-dolly/
Budget Crane – Basic Movements
A crane is not a video tool you drag with you everywhere, especially if you're a one man band. But the times when you DO bring out a crane, you'll always come back excited about reviewing the camera movements that are hard to replicate in any other way. I thought about DIY'ing my own crane, but after finding this one for just over $100 dollars, it made sense to start with that and modify it as I go. Unfortunately, they aren't available any longer.
When working with a Crane, make sure you have the correct amount of balance (right down to the ounce). Having perfect balance will allow the camera to move effortlessly. I also mounted this setup on a (discontinued) Manfrotto 503 fluid head with a beefy Manfrotto tripod. I used a Manfrotto tripod dolly to make repositioning easy just by rolling the crane around. This portion of the build is a bit more expensive, but there's other options for Crane stands.
We had so much fun getting extremely low shots, to very smooth vertical camera movements, i'm looking to either build or buy a smaller 4ft. Crane. It might seem short, but it's also based on Tripod height. If the tripod is set higher, then the POV will be higher. There is one Bargain brand that seems to have a small faithful following with excellent feedback that I might consider - called ProAm. The ProAm crane can be used in either 8ft. or 12ft. lengths and broken down into (3) 4ft. sections for traveling. Lots of other Crane options, Crane accessories, Crane stands, and LCD monitoring are also available from Bargain Camera's lineup. All found below.
DSLR Video Stabilizer – BlackBird
There's plenty of stabilizers on the market in all different shapes and sizes, but finding one to support up to 8lbs. of weight narrows the playing field. Now when you're talking about finding a portable lightweight stabilizer + carry 8lbs. the list gets even smaller. The Steadicam Merlin is one of the best performing portable stabilizers i've used, but has specs to support only up to 5lbs for about $800 dollars, the Glidecam 2000 up to 6lbs, and The Glidecam 4000 can support up to 10lbs for about $550.
The Blackbird stabilizer from Camera Motion Research is said to support up to 8lbs, is cheaper in price, and less than half the weight and size (making great for traveling) compared to the Glidecam HD4000. The Gimbal handle design with universal joint is found on other stabilizers, but this is the largest one i've seen. How well does it perform? Well, there's videos of this stabilizer flying a Sony EX1 so any DSLR should be a breeze. Just by looking at the build quality, there's quite a bit of thought placed into every detail about how this thing works. The stage has a quick release system, can be adjusted forward / back, and left / right with fine tuning knobs. The weights on the bottom are mounted to an adjustable post with clear markings for easy repositioning if you have to take the unit apart. (I often use nail polish on my Glidecam posts to make sure I can line things back up) One interesting feature addresses problems with what most people have issues with (stabilizer roll). By adjusting friction into the Gimbal it keeps the stabilizer horizon more consistent.
Here's a great little review from Vimeo member Firewerkz Films
If you understand stabilizers, how they work, this one is clearly made to address all concerns for getting the camera quickly balanced, easy to fly, and travel light. I'll be putting it together and testing it out later this week, but so far it looks like a great little product. I'll have part #2 of this review up soon.
BorrowLenses Expanding Video Gear
When Borrowlenses.com first started out, there wasn't much available for Videographers (mainly photographers). It seems the line of rental equipment that can be had is expanding and includes some very cool stuff. A small 7 piece set of Zeiss Compact Prime lenses can go for upwards of $24K, or around $5K each. Not something most people want to invest in, but at least now it can be rented. Remember that you don't need to be in the area to pick the rental up, they'll box it up and ship it right out to you. You should check prices of Rental gear to see if you can squeeze add it into the client's budget. That could save you some cash for items you don't use very often.
Also adding in to the lineup of things is a DSLR slider. One rental piece available is the consistently sold out Signature Philip Bloom Pocket Dolly - by Kessler. Boy would I love to see some Cinevate Linear tracking systems on that list too. There's also Glidecam Stabilizers, and LED Video Lights, but extremely short on the DSLR Shoulder rig lineup (sucks). Much more available at the site and the list seems to be growing every week. All found following the link.
BorrowLenses Website Camera Equipment RentalLetus Hawk VF on Canon T3i / 600D
Canon T3i / 600D shown with Letus Hawk VF LCD View Finder
Letus created a Hawk VF (View Finder) for the 3:2 aspect DSLR LCD's like the T2i. It so happened to fit on the Canon 60D and fits pretty nicely on the Canon T3i as well. There's a base plate that is mounted to the bottom of the camera (still supports a tripod mount), and the Hawk VF View Finder is attached through a quick release system. It's a great semi-permanent way to attach a View Finder to the T3i without the use of sticky frames. For a closer look at how that all comes together, check out the video below.
Episode II – HDSLR Hub with Shane Hurlbut, ASC
When used properly DSLR's can provide amazing quality video footage. Of course you've probably already heard of all the problems that go with shooting video DSLR cameras too. If you're just starting out with DSLR's or might be wondering about implementing DSLR's into your workflow, you should definitely check out B&H's HDSLR Hub taught by Shane Hurlbut, ASC. So far it's based around the amazing Canon 5D Mark II, but many of the tips, tricks, and advice are general to all DSLR's. Episode II was just released today, and there's a schedule to release more in the coming weeks. All found here: https://www.hdslrhub.bhphoto.com
DIY Transforming Compact DSLR Rig
YouTube member mowaska has a new take on a DIY DSLR rig that transforms from a compact travel item into a full Shoulder Rig complete with Counterweight and handles. Completely tool-less, it uses a series of clamp knows to unfold, and even has a way to mount a Manfrotto quick release plate (without adapter). Pretty cool, and some company out there needs to run with this idea..