You never know when you might need to whip out a Portable Audio Recorder, so in that situation Vimeo member Alex Campbell introduces some very inexpensive (or free version) iPhone software that allows for some pretty neat audio recording tricks. Of course you'd need an iPhone for this to work. A few cool features are the built in Gain Controls and Hiss Reduction filter. Alex also links over to a company that sells adapters to input other microphones to your iPhone such as the Rode VM. Very cool if you're in a bind and already have an iPhone, just make sure you don't receive a call.... [Thanks Alex]
Videography Gadgets
900 LED Dimmable Video Lights
I setup (3) of my new 900 LED Video light panels against the 500 LED panels. These things really put out some power. Obviously there's more light output than the older 500 LED panel, but the color and throw is a world of difference. The 900 LED panel has an AC power cord that outputs 15V, and terminates to an 'N' size (Radio Shack) pin. This is the same size pin the Z96 and 352 LED Ring light uses. So I quickly threw on a variety of my DIY batteries to test total light output.
With the 900 LED panel powered from a 12V battery, the light turned on but was pretty dim. Using my (2) RC batteries joined together to 14.4V, the light was at full power. The third light I connected to AC power (15V) and was exactly at the same output as the one running on RC batteries 14.4V. I left the LED on full power using the RC batteries (fully charged) and after about an hour the light began to dim.
So it's possible to power these LED lights from a portable battery pack, but you'd need something that was at least 14V and fairly large to get some decent run time out of them. Even though they come with the V-Lock Battery mount, that might not be enough time to be worth the high cost of those batteries. Time to find a solution...
900 LED Dimmable Photography Video Camera DSLR 5400K/3200K Lighting Light Panel Sony V Mount battery Adapter INCLUDED 14V OUTPUT 110V-230V
JuicedLink DS214 Arrives
Doesn't look like it in photos, but this thing is small. The DS214 is really a great little device to professionally (and simply) add headphone monitoring and level adjustments for microphone inputs to DSLR's. The DS214 even includes AGC Defeat so this little black box can literally work magic for all DSLR audio shortcomings. Love the starting price point too. I'll mount it up next to a camera and show what that would look like.
JuicedLink DS214 Low Noise PreAmp with Headphone Monitoring Audio Meters
GoPro UFO Ring Light
Dave writes in and shares his DIY ring light mount for a GoPro HD Camera. Using the inexpensive UFO Camping light and an added handle it looks like it could be pretty effective. Pretty slick Dave, pretty slick. Gives me some ideas on taking something like this into the Las Vegas night clubs..LOL. [Thanks Dave]
LED-5001 DSLR Video Light Kit w/ Lithium Battery + Charger
These 'other style' LED lights are popping up everywhere you look, especially on eBay were most of the LED Video lights start out. At first glance the style is similar to the Comer light, but it's not the same, and it's not even half the price of even the 'generic Comer'. The above video review from Vimeo member Olivia shows some sample use with the LED-5001 (or sometimes called VL5001)
The LED-5001 video light kit has (3) LED's, comes with a folding Diffuser, Tungsten Filter, and two barn doors. Nice to have all those filters and gels in one place rather than thrown in your bag. The LED kit also comes with a battery charger and Sony compatible 7.2V rechargeable Lithium Battery - and yes it's also Dimmable. Run time? Not sure, but looks like you can still mount Sony's double sized 7.2V battery as opposed to the smaller one provided with the kit. [Thanks Olivia]
Dimmable Video LED Light Lithium battery with Charger 4 Leaf Barndoor For on Camera DSLR Video
Canon T3i ‘is available’
Canon EOS Rebel T3i Digital Camera w/ 18-55mm IS II Lens
Just got wind that the Canon EOS T3i is definitely in stock and ready to ship. I know many guys aren't ready to 'convert' but this is a nice camera for first time DSLR shooters. Enough improvements to 'not' consider buying a T2i for your first camera. In stock Found here: Canon EOS T3i Rebel Digital Camera Kit
Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera (Body Only)
Of course Canon is here to confuse us, so for the same price you can grab the Canon 60D. Everything is very close between the two, but the Canon 60D also has Manual Kelvin (White Balance), while the Canon T3i does not. Like the Canon 60D, the Canon T3i does provide you with Manual Audio levels, Vari Angle LCD, Wireless Flash Trigger, and all those silly Custom Filters. Of course this is a Body Only price for the 60D, and you'll be missing out on that new 3x - 10x Zoom Feature.
Old T2i Grip is Compatible with new Canon T3i
They said it would work, but you never know until you try. Just confirmed that the Canon T3i is compatible with the same BG-E8 Battery grip for the Canon T2i / 550D
The camera bodies are very close in design, but still a bit different. It doesn't seem like you can swap the camera's battery doors (when removed for installing battery grip). For those wondering about the GGS glass protectors working on the Canon T3i / 600D, it doesn't look like a fit. The buttons are close to the same position, but everything is just slightly off. Other accessories such as Batteries, Cards, and Chargers are all the same, so the T3i / 600D should be seamless to drop into any existing Canon T2i workflow...
DIY Motor Driven Time Lapse Slider
YouTube member John Waskey writes in and shares his secret to a budget Motion controlled Timelapse slider. As an Astronomy fan, he uses a Telescope Motor mounted to a Kessler Dolly. Probably one of the best variable speed motors i've seen that can run you just under $40 bucks, specs on it state it can last up to 40 hours on a single 9 volt battery. What's the top speed? I'm not sure, but it can move slow enough to produce great time lapse footage, and it's already boxed up ready to mount. You can find these motors available below. [Thanks John]
via Amazon:
Telescope Motor Drive
via eBay:
Variable Speed Telescope Motor for DIY Motion Time Lapse Slider
32GB Transcend SDHC Class 10
With all the new cameras making SDHC media the standard you'd think prices would hold. Or would it be the new SDXC format pushing SDHC prices down? Check out the Transcend 32GB SDHC Class 10 media cards dropping down a few more dollars.
Also available via Amazon Transcend 32 GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card
