Videography Gadgets

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Ok, I have to keep adding 'Roller bearing' to the description of this DSLR slider. Everyone keeps throwing in names like Igus and GlideTrack, but it's not the same. Those guys don't use actual 'Roller bearings'. I know all about the Igus based sliders, and you can find my version on this blog. My current fixation is about this particular 'Rolling Bearing' slider. If you've ever tried an actual roller bearing slider, you might not go back. The problem is that even the cheapest Roller bearing slider will run you close to $500 bucks. This is why I was excited to see something a lot cheaper show up online.

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So here it is, and what do you need to know? For starters, it's a great deal. Even after posting this slider up, I haven't seen anything else that can come close to this as far as features, build quality, and price. I'm sure i'm going to start getting some 'I made mine for this price...' comments, but unless you're selling it, i'm not considering it as a readily available option.

This slider has a solid rail, no flex. It has 1/4x20 & 3/8" threaded tripod mounts in the center, and on each end. It also has 1/4 x 20 & 3/8" threaded mounts on the sides for 'vertical' mounting. It comes with adjustable legs/feet that can be removed. There's also padded platforms that allow it to be used directly on any surface without worry of scratching or marking the area. There's a brake to lock down the carrier when it's not in use. It also comes with a very slick looking quality travel bag. The Slider moves very fluid with zero lash and can be adjusted if need be. It's also very lightweight, but feels like it can slide even heavier cameras than a DSLR.

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There is one thing to note. The platform is designed only for a 3/8" mount. This means you need a fluid head or some type of camera mount. You can't mount the camera directly to the platform. Not a deal breaker since most sliders require this anyway. The unit slides so easily, it would work perfectly for motion timelapse rigs. Any small motor can easily pull a heavy camera through it's entire rail. Overall it's more than I expected for the price. The first actual 'roller bearing' slider to break this price point, and here it is.

So another great cost saving product first introduced here on Cheesycam.com. If you want to show some support for what I do, hook a brotha up and link back to this article!

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find-price-button Konova DSLR Video Camera Slider

Konova Slider - via Amazon
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find-price-button KONOVA K Slider 3080 NA-8

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Joey T. writes in and says this ART USB Dual Preamp works well for adding XLR Phantom power to your DSLR. Although it's designed with some old school USB 1.1 and interfaces with a computer, it's also a portable PreAmp with XLR and 1/4" inputs. It can run completely portable with a simple 9 Volt battery or power it with a variety of external power sources. There's also headphone monitoring available too, which makes it even more functional with DSLR audio. He's currently running it directly into a Canon T2i with Magic Lantern to disable the AGC, but for 60D owners you should be all set with Manual levels. Preamp boxes not only power your microphones, but can boost gain with very little noise. This one claims to boost signals up to 48dB, but up to what point is super clean only real tests will tell. If you've been looking for a very inexpensive preamp box to power fancy microphones and clean up audio hiss, this little thing runs under $70 bucks. It would be interesting to see a real video test, but here's more specs.

From BHPHOTOVIDEO.com
Combination portable preamplifier and computer interface, housed in a compact rugged case. The unit is suitable for a wide variety of applications including remote field work to desktop/studio recording. The 2 input channels can accept either a microphone or line input and provide up to 48dB of gain.

Phantom power is available for use with condenser microphones even when running from the USB bus or any of the other powering options. Those include using an optional external power supply, or an optional internal 9V battery. When running off the battery, operational hours are in excess of 50 hours with phantom power off.

A stereo mini headphone jack is provided for monitoring and the rear level and monitor mix controls allow for latency-free recording. The monitor mix is also routed to the main outputs. The USB interface is fully compliant with the USB 1.1 specification and uses USB adaptive mode for playback and USB asynchronous mode for record.

• Portable USB interface with dual microphone preamps
• Low-noise, fully balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS combi inputs
• Preamps provide up to 48dB of gain and feature independent gain controls
• Built-in, low-noise phantom power supply
• Signal present and clip LED indicators
• Latency free monitoring with mix and level controls
• Includes Audacity recording and production software
• 3-way powering options - via the USB bus, an optional external power supply, or with an optional 9V battery

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find-price-button ART USB Dual Pre - USB 1.1 Audio Interface with Dual Mic Preamps

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[Update] Sold.

Sorry this one doesn't qualify in the .99 cent auctions. As you know I picked up the Sony A55 as well as the GH2. Well one of them has to go, and i'm finding it easier to adapt my Canon lenses to the GH2. So the Sony A55 is on auction. Many of the stickers still on the body and camera strap hasn't even been used. Didn't get a chance to enjoy this little toy as much as I wanted, and don't think I ever will. I've also added a Buy It Now price way under retail value for anyone that doesn't want to wait. Here's the prices on B&HPhotovideo.com Sony DSLR SLT-A55VL w/ 18-55mm

She's on auction right now following the link.
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find-price-button Sony SLT-A55VL with 18-55mm Lens Kit

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find-price-button DSLR Video Camera Rig Metal Shoulder Support with Foam Pad

I'm going to be listing a few items that I don't think i'll get around to using. Maybe these things will go to a good home, so there will be quite a bit of auctions that i'll be starting out at just .99 Cents. Here's the first one i'm posting today, the Proaim metal Shoulder Support with Foam Padding and Chest support. This is designed around industry standards, so it will fit your Gini, Express35, Cinevate, Redrock Micro, Genus, Zacuto, or other Rail type rigs. It's a pricey item if you check the stores, but bidding starts at just .99 cents. Good luck for anyone who needs something like this. What's next on the .99 cent auction? You'll just have to keep checking back..

Oh, and sorry guys. Only US residents in the lower 48 can buy. Paypal only w/ confirmed Paypal address. Thanks.

[Update] Here's another .99 Cent auction. I ended up with two of these, so i'm cleaning house. This one is unused and brand spankin' new. I'm also throwing in a Free 48 LED Video light with it too.

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find-price-button Opteka Shoulder Support + Free 48 LED Video Light

[Update][Update] Ok, I think i'm getting lazy and just starting to bundle stuff. My loss, your gain. Next up is a Gini DSLR Rig Silicone Shoulder Pad + Free Dog Bone Rod Clamp. I'm also throwing in a small shooter for smaller cameras. Yup, all starting at just .99 cents.


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find-price-button Gini DSLR Rig Silicone Shoulder Pad + Free Bone Clamp + Free Small Cam shooter

[Update][Update][Update] Brand new LCW LCD View Finder for 3" DSLR LCD's. The LCW is a silicone magnified view finder loupe with real glass optics and metal diopter. You can research more about LCW's BigEye viewfinder on the internet. Starting bid .99 cents.

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find-price-button New LCW LightCraftWorkshop LCD View Finder

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For those who've been looking into the TommyJib line of jibs, Salvador P. sends us his Unboxing video with a few of his first video samples. This one shown seems to me one of the smaller units, but you can find a complete line of TommyJib products available via eBay. Got questions or comments you can leave them on this article.

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find-price-button TommyJib Products Cranes Dollys Sliders

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Someone emailed me about a way to use a Camera strap without the Tripod mounting hole, but something that can be taken off easily. Here's something I used to do back when I was flying the Steadicam Merlin stabilizer. I used the strap to carry the camera, but then needed a way to quickly take it off when flying. The shifting weight of a Camera strap can totally throw a stabilizer off balance.

Here's a simple DIY way to add a very comfortable strap to your camera. Just add a few small keyrings (don't look at my example, it's all I had right now) to the OEM strap holders. After that you'll be able to add laptop bag straps or luggage straps with swiveling ends. On quick, and off quick. One cool looking comfortable strap I found would be the Air Cell one via Amazon.
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find-price-button Quad Air Cell Padded Briefcase Bag Shoulder Strap

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find-price-button Portable Jumper Battery

Not sure if anyone's familiar with this battery, but i've been using it for a bunch of different things. With it's built in 110V inverter, i've used it to charge my batteries while driving to a shoot. I've used it to power my cameras through the Canon ACK-E6 outlet adapter. I've used it to power up my laptop when i'm working remotely. I've used them to power up my 500 LED Video light panels out on location. Oddly, I've only used it to jump a car once.

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I tested it out with my 183 LED Video light that's powered via 12V DC. I'll be making connectors for the two cigarette lighter sockets that comes standard with this battery. These cigarette lighter sockets provide a direct 12V DC with a 40 amp fuse which should be plenty of throughput to power the LED panels. If some of you are building out stacks of Z96 LED Light panels, this also should work fine. Well it was $99 bucks when I grabbed it, but it's on sale right now for $79. Shipping to my zip code added in another $11 bucks, but still not a bad deal for anyone looking for a great 12V DC power source.

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Since 'some' of the 500 LED Video light panels are also powered via 12V DC, i'll be looking into modifying the power cables to go directly instead of using the built in Inverter. This would be a more efficient way of powering up my large 500 LED Video panels and would bypass that Inverter fan that kicks on. Remember, only 'some' of the LED Video panels are setup to accept 12V DC. Especially the ones that offer the V-Mount battery option. If you're looking for the right ones, you gotta get the ones with the Dimmer knob and XLR power cable.


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find-price-button Dimmable 500 LED 12V Professional Studio Video Light Panel Video Light Lighting LED Light Panel with Stand Combo Runs on 110v - 240v Power supply 12V Output

Can also be found here via Amazon:

For those looking for something a little more portable, I've been watching these so called 'super batteries'. I'm curious if anyone has had any experience with these? Rechargeable (claimed) Li-Ion batteries with different power ratings, all 12V DC + Charger. Very inexpensive batteries which should power up those little LCD's, portable HDMI LCD monitors, On camera LED lights, and then some...
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find-price-button Portable Super Li-ion 12V Battery + Charger

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You post a few DIY sliders on here and it opens up a whole can of worms. I've received lots of DIY slider ideas, but if it's too similar to what we've seen before, then i'm not going to get too redundant showing it again. Here of course is another DIY slider version with great results and all based on a platform of furniture sliders. Yeah same little low friction smooth plastic stuff you place under your chairs and table legs. The key to this design is the very wide rail that is used to support the width of the fluid head and wide platform. Lots of area for stabilizing movement. [Thanks SkaliTV]

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find-price-button 2-1/2-Inch Self-Stick Square Super Sliders

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Good News. Bad News. Good News. First Good news, the budget camera slider is back online found here: Konova video Camera DSLR Slider

Bad News (well not really bad), this is a Pre-Order listing for the next batch. According to the details, it won't ship until the end of the month. How many will be counted for in this next batch? Who knows, but the first listing was taken down in the same day of my last post. Other good news is that it's come back online for the most recent price we saw it at. Now I know several people missed out on the auction listing and are getting eager about this camera slider and going to buy direct from manufacturer. You could throw some money down, but those are still pre-orders with nothing in stock to ship out. If you want to make sure you're playing it safe on a purchase, eBay is the way to go - Paypal has got you covered. Hopefully a few of them will start coming in from previous shipments so we can get a review online, but here's the new listing if you're already convinced.

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find-price-button Konova video Camera DSLR Slider