Eric writes in with a modified screwdriver mounted to a flexible Umbrella bracket combined to create a DIY DSLR top handle. There's more photos and a better idea on how it's all put together found over at his Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/100thousandquestions/5088164615/in/set-72157625055308483/
Lately, Ikan has been putting more effort into expanding DSLR accessories, especially Camera Support Stabilizers. Here's a recent Demo video talking about more additions to their 'Elements' line of DSLR targeted stabilizers and their F3 friction follow focus system, which mounts 'every which way but loose' (old Clint Eastwood reference). You can find some of their configurations and accessories over at B&H: Ikan Elements DSLR Support Stabilizers
You can find more information about their Friction Follow Focus here: F3 Friction Follow Focus
Or you can follow Ikan at their WordPress blog where they'll be talking about some of their new products here: https://ikancorp.wordpress.com/
Here's a couple of DIY Custom Form Molded Cases from Vimeo member Roberto Caverra and Bernie Hipos. A couple of peeps with some DIY inspiration on camera bags and rolling cases.
Email from Roberto Below -
Hey, simple idea using expanding foam in a can. $20 case bought at a flee market, $10 foam can.
1. I covered all my equip very well with something like Cine foil and spaced them out to my liking.
2. Sprayed the expanding foam around cam body and lenses.
3. Once it was dry (about 24hrs) I removed equip and sprayed foam black.Lenses and Cam body fit very snug and there is no movement once lid is closed. The cool thing is that you can cut it easily once dry.
In hindsight, I could have used more foam. I wasn't sure how much it was going to expand.
It's definitely a custom form mold to tightly hold the gear. I'm thinking another thin layer of black foam over the top and nobody would ever know what lies beneath.
[Thanks Roberto]
For a Roller bag, Bernie Hipos writes in with a tip on using Foam Fabric from your local Fabric store (below). You can find the full WordPress post at his blog here: https://berniehipos.com/2010/10/17/diy-thinktank-bag/img_4402/. Cut out the forms for your gear and double layer it up to sandwich. Keeps things from shifting around during travel, as well as a bit of cushion to absorb shock impacts.
[Thanks Bernie]
Vimeo member J.G. Pasterjak shows how you can take a few pieces of angled iron, 8 skate wheels, and some miscellaneous nuts and bolts to whip up a 'Ladder Dolly' inspired slider design. He doesn't really mention the words Ladder Dolly, but this design has basically been around for quite a while. Cheap ladder dollies although will still run you upwards of $700 dollars, and that's still missing the $100+ dollar Ladder. His design if being selective of where you choose your parts, in my own head, i'm estimating still falls under the $45 dollar mark and you can get away with just about anything for rails. You can find his DIY video here: DIY Inexpensive Camera Slider.
Below i've embedded a video from Hague showcasing the layout of wheels used for a Ladder Dolly Design. You can find more information about the Hague here: Video Camera Ladder Dolly System
If you're not the DIY type and want a cheap rail slider, the best deal so far and most popular is the IGUS kit from Amazon. You can see my IGUS DIY build here: http://cheesycam.com/diy-camera-slider/. Some IGUS systems cost around $80 dollars, but I suggest going for the wider rail that's already pre-drilled and just about ready to go. Found here: IGUS Linear Motion System for Camera Sliders - pre-drilled version
Now that the Canon 60D has had time to hit the streets, emails are coming with questions about the Canon BGE9 Battery Grip
BG-E9 Battery Grip For Canon 60D
For those who were wondering about how much extra height this grip adds to the DSLR body, I have two Canon 60D's side by side. Buttons and switches are similar to other Battery Grip models, but the most different feature is that it uses the LP-E6 batteries (same as 5DMarkII & &D), but loads the battery tray in from the sides like a Canon T2i. When they said they would make a camera in between the T2i and 7D, they weren't kidding.
I've updated the video from the earlier post to include a Canon 7D HDMI output test (at the end of the video). Instead of just updating the old article on the Canon 60D HDMI output, I thought this Canon 7D test would be interesting enough to just re-post the results all over again. Here i'm using my Vizio LCD TV as the external display. The Canon 60D has the same results as a 5DMark II and Canon 550D/T2i. The 7D does not drop to the 480 resolution. Although the monitor is 'detecting' the 1080i output, I have heard that it's highly compressed with artifacts to be something worth capturing from. I have no interest in capturing from the HDMI port, so I haven't spent time confirming that quality. I will say though that it is a nice feature built into the Canon 7D if you're planning on using External monitors.
Vimeo member Tim Perkins looks to be a clever DIY guy. You can see him working a DIY LCD Viewfinder on his 550D. This time Tim takes a hint from a previously shared video found here: http://cheesycam.com/tripod-to-shoulder-support/ about using a tripod as a simple 'shoulder support' and finds gold in an old Bogen 3D tripod head. Using a monopod for the shoulder support, the configuration of this Bogen 3025 3D head helps position the camera to a better viewing height as well as being offset. Looks pretty stable as is, but curious if a handle, shoulder pad, and some counterweight could add some enhancements.
Not sure if it's the same, but this is the only version that shows up:
Some of you might have already caught this video, since i'm late to post it on this blog. There's still questions about 1080 monitoring on an external LCD monitor and 480SD monitoring while in record mode. This is the same for the other Canon DSLR's. They show 1080 if just monitoring and when playing back a video clip, but will drop to 480SD while in record mode. Some people don't notice this on tiny LCD's, because the camera will maintain the same aspect ratio. Here's a look on my HDTV that i'm using as an external monitor in the studio.
I love the larger screen when shooting stuff, and it's only $169 at Costco. I have DIY monitor mount that i've made to a simple flash light stand. The only problem is you won't be traveling with this type of monitor, and you'll need a good power source handy too. For stationary shots in the studio where I don't need to travel, it gets the job done and I can focus well with it. This LCD I have is not 1080, but who needs it for monitoring since it can't maintain it anyways during recording. If you're happy with those Lilliput monitors, those LCD's don't display 1080 - I think the Lilliput is 800x400 resolution. This is a 720p LCD which I think makes the image better since it doesn't need to scale from 1080 to 480.
DIY DSLR follow focus systems are just one of those fun projects we try and tackle, and at the same time keep it simple and under a few bucks. One of the hardest parts to tackle is the ergonomics of controlling the lens with a 90 degree transmission of some sort. Thanks to a tip from dslrdiy.co.uk for pointing out this interesting DSLR follow focus setup with a basic fishing reel from Vimeo member Kemal Güven Erakbaş. Come to think of it, fishing reels are probably one of the most refined 90 degree transmissions. Smooth bearings can crank pounds of tension with ease, can be fairly quite, and speed crank included! Long focus pulls can be done with ease. Some big manufacturer out there needs to reverse engineer this crank into an entirely new Follow Focus transmission.
You hear the operator throwing out some queues on what item is quickly being focused on and it seems to work smooth and fast. Since you're listening to the audio from his camera, you'll notice there isn't much noise from the fishing reel. I guess he didn't set the drag, LOL. Yes it does look quite odd, but with some effort, there's probably more ways to break the molds of these fishing reels down further, or possibly just adding wheels and gears if you're going for a different look. It's definitely a clear path a cheap DIY follow focus system which already lives in the corner of your garage.
Obviously something you're not going to be shopping for at the Camera stores, so cheapest bet probably lies over at eBay. I'm not an expert fisherman, but i'm assuming any decent reel with the switch off will have a reversible option. There's some closeout prices over at eBay for a bunch of Quantum Reels found here: Quantum Fishing Reels at Closeout Prices
