Videography Gadgets

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I've been using the Zoom H1 and Tascam DR-08 as 'body packs' instead of using a Wireless setup. I'm still using the old Audio Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier Microphone setup, and I have to say that i'm quite happy with the workflow. You just can't beat this combination for the price and speed in getting things setup. For more demanding audio, of course I have a different set of tools. In my book, I found a clear winner as far as the type of work this combination is being used for, and it's the Zoom H1. Why? Leaving it at the highest bitrate for basic short audio capture provides you under 1 hour on a 2GB microSD card and they both work great. You can drop down the audio bitrate and grab yourself more time, but what if you really need even more? Well I just shot a few events in which this setup was used, so to be safe we needed to go with the 8GB MicroSD Cards that I showed in this post: http://cheesycam.com/canon-60d-shipping-actually-shipped/. BTW, they've been working flawlessy and such a good price for those microSD Cards.

Unfortunately, possibly a Tascam Firmware issue, the Tascam DR-08 could not see the 8GB microSD card. Only the Zoom H1 was able to see and utilize the full 8GB providing 4 times more recording time. You never know how long it's going to take for an event to get started, or how long until it's over, so I just felt safer with the unit that can house the larger microSD card. Here's another tip that's a bit related. Regular batteries don't stand a fair chance with today's electronics. I hear many people complaining about how fast a battery grip with AA's, LED lights, or an Audio Recorder can run down batteries very quickly. I push the Eneloop batteries not only because they are rechargeable, but because they DO hold 4 times more capacity than a regular battery. If you want to use your Zoom H1 as a body pack, give it a fighting chance and put some quality batteries in.

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Buy Zoom H1 via Amazon
Buy Zoom H1 via BHPHOTOVIDEO
Buy Zoom H1 via eBay

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Buy Sanyo Eneloop Power Pack Kit via BHPHOTOVIDEO
Buy Sanyo Eneloop via Amazon

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Wow, we've got some really creative people out there. I'm shooting an event today (which i'm supposed to be doing right now), but I really had to take time out and share this idea. Evan Burns sent me an email about trying to solve unstable footing for his camera slider. Of course the first thing that comes to mind is to use multiple tripods or lightstands, but he's got a better idea. Taking a tip from my recent SpiderTrax Dolly DIY with a pair of sawhorses, Evan stumbles on to a really great 'cheap single sawhorse' with individual adjustable legs. The entire unit collapses into a single rail. He's using a few clamps to keep things together, but i'm thinking go for it and just permanently bolt that bad body down. The slider works even when the sawhorse is collapsed which I think makes for a great DIY platform for ground use. Good job Evan, thanks for making me late today too! Check out the video above, here's the link to the unit: Heavy Duty Steel Adjustable Saw Horse

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click image for pricing

If you don't already have a slider, this is based on IGUS linear guide rails. IGUS has been so popular with camera sliders, they are now providing several kits in different sizes to make this DIY camera slider much easier to build. Here's the link: IGUS Camera Slider Kits

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find-price-button Igus Camera Slider Kits

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Genus Variable ND Filter

I've collected quite a few lenses (and cameras) in the last year, and it's about time to grab more Variable ND filters instead of swapping them and sharing them during the workflow. Variable ND filters or 'Fader Filters' are Neutral Density filters used to block out light for better exposure. You will find ND filters built in to professional video cameras, but DSLR's lack this and it's an important filter to use when shooting video. Especially if you're trying to achieve a more film like look with your camera, this will help control your shutter speed on bright days. Variable ND filters are great because they are adjustable to perform like several different ND filters wrapped up in one, but if you've got time to add and swap you can use standard ND filters too. There's three big names that come to mind when shopping for these filters which are Singh-Ray most expensive, Genus, and LightCraft Workshop. Here's what you should think about when shopping for your Variable ND Fader Filter.

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77mm Fader ND Mark II

Depending on where you shop, the Genus and LightCraft might be very close in price, but the Singh-Ray is the most expensive by an additional $200+ dollars. Some things to keep in mind when choosing a Variable ND are the quality of the glass used, color temperature change, and vignetting when mounted. These three brands have really good reviews, but I haven't tested them side by side to do a full pixel by pixel comparison.

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Singh-Ray Variable ND Filter

Quality of Glass: For video use on wide lenses, you may not immediately notice a difference, but when using some type of magnified lens (macro and some zooms) you could find loss of sharpness. Especially if used in high megapixel photography, there will definitely be a difference. This is because you are adding an additional 2 pieces of polarized glass over your lens, and the quality of those 2 pieces will affect final image.

Color Temperature Change: Without getting too technical, as you turn the filter it changes the amount of light that is allowed through. Some of these filters could have slight color changes which means you will have to correct your color balance each time. It could be very marginal and even done in post without most people noticing.

Vignetting: The newer versions of these Variable ND filters are built over sized to prevent vignetting. LightCraft calls this their 'Mark II' and Singh-Ray calls this their 'Thin Mount'. So a 77mm lens will end up having something like an 82mm Filter at the tip. This means you will lose the ability to place your stock lens cap and also use of any stock lens hoods. These filters are great for controlling exposure, but shading the front of the lens with a hood or matte box is just as important to maintain contrast and color. Keep in mind about those extra items you'll still need to shop for. If you use the older versions, you should be fine with the lens cap, but most likely not the hood unless you're using an aftermarket mount like the ones in this article: http://cheesycam.com/hoods-covers-caps-and-pouches/. I would definitely think about going with the newer filters with the larger glass, but just beware if you think you've found a cheaper deal, it might be the older version.

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List of Variable ND's at eBay:Variable Neutral Density Filters
List of Variable ND's at BHPhotoVideo: Variable Neutral Density Filters
List of Variable ND's at Amazon: Variable Neutral Density Filters

If you're just experimenting with ND variable filters, there's also a DIY article I posted here where you can make your own. Of course you'll probably suffer some softness, color changes, and vignetting, but for less than $10 dollars it's a great project to jump into. Here's the DIY Link: http://cheesycam.com/diy-fader-nd-variable-nd-filter/

If you're not ready for Variable ND filters, at least grab a set of basic ND filters. Having more than one will allow you to stack them to block more light, or unstack them to allow more light. Just be careful of that vignetting. Click here for a list of Standard Neutral Density Filters.

#####New Product Alert####
Quick Note: There is a new brand of these Variable ND filters showing up online for 'HALF' the price. This is the first time i'm seeing them online, but it looks exactly like one of the brands above. If anyone has tried these, send in some demo videos. I'm going to give a try on one of these to see how it works out. Here's the link: New 'Cheaper' Variable ND Filters
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click image for pricing

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Thanks to Thomas for sending in a very interesting DIY DSLR Rig. The entire rig was built by his father to be super light, super modular, and even adds a few wheels for some dolly style tracking. Everything packs up into a small bag, DIY follow focus included. There's a bit more information and a bunch more photos following the link to his blog. https://www.punto14.net/blog/2010/10/03/say-hallo-to-octopussy%C2%AE/

[Thanks Thomas]

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Somehow a swarm of these NeoPrene DSLR covers are suddenly showing up. Nifty little protectors that can help prevent scuff, scratches, and dust to your cameras while packing things up. Usually found for around $6.00 dollars, they are now sporting a variety of popular logos, coming in different sizes, and a few different colors. Link: NeoPrene Camera Case Cover for DSLR's.

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Wow, when it rains it pours. All i've been talking about is new DSLR rigs for most of the day, but it's good to know our options. Thanks to a tip from 'John', here's another company trying to get their lineup into the DSLR market. I have to say that these model closer to the 'blue guys' than the other company. There's a ton of different accessories already listed from basic rods, clamps, handle bars, follow focus, and shoulder pad. I haven't dug deep enough to find out pricing, but after all the previous posts, i'm not going to get overly excited. Even if they aren't rock bottom, dirt cheap prices, like we've been accustomed to with overseas products, the benefit of having more DSLR accessories in the market is compatibility. All of the accessories from different companies should play nicely together. Your follow focus from blue guys, will mount on a base rig from the orange guys, as well as handlebars from the purple guys. (I sure hope no cinema company is using purple.....) I'm a bit lazy to grab more images, so if you want to take a peek here's the link: https://www.eimagevideo.com/enproduct_largerimage.asp?id=972&cpfl=187

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Just got wind of a new company looking to play in the ever popular DSLR game. Above are a few photos, showing some new gear currently being 'prototyped'. That's about all I can say right now, as I don't have much more information (yet). Whether we'll see this on the market soon would be interesting as well, but looks like when they are ready to go they'll be offering quite a bit. Check out the gear that's in the works...

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canon-G12
Canon G12 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8 inch Vari-Angle LCD

Just a few days ago these were only available for pre-order. Looks like Amazon has them in stock and available for Prime shipping. Means it's actually shipping from an Amazon warehouse, and not from a third party seller. This camera is a nice upgrade from the already popular G11, with new features like HD Video recording and in camera HDR photo processing. 5x Optical Zoom with Image Stabilization, flash hot shoe, swivel out LCD (like 60D), can be triggered remotely, lots of manual controls, and RAW photo capture. It's about as DSLR as you can get without going full DSLR. One question that's been on my mind is 'will there be some manual controls in video mode'? Also mentioned is that it could already be compatible with the Canon WP-DC34 Underwater Housing. I'm not bold enough to take a full DSLR under, but this G12 + housing looks like an affordable combination for Underwater HD video or RAW photos. Something my GoPro isn't quite capable of. Available now via Amazon below.

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After posting up information that the overseas photography equipment company Fancier is getting into the DSLR rig and DSLR support game, everyone was searching for news on pricing. These rigs by the way were shown at Photokina, so they aren't trying to come in as some sneaky blatant knock-off. I'm sure they had a bit of 'inspiration' from other DSLR rig makers, but this lineup is all theirs.

A few reliable comments have come in with some pricing that were received from Fancier themselves. Although it looks good for what you get, the fact that you can get it cheaper in the USA is really going to slow their pace. Here's the prices that are leaking now, and i'm not too optimistic about it hitting the US market. Hopefully these expected prices will change after this post.

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First up is the basic DSLR cage labeled as the FTV-100D. This unit is estimated to com in at $505.94 dollars. Outside of the Follow Focus, you can find pretty much the exact same DSLR cage over at IndiSystems for $129 - top handle and all. Hey, you can even find a popular decent DIY for under $30 bucks.

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Next up is your basic DSLR shoulder support with gearless follow focus, labeled the FTV-110A and coming in at expected $491.65. Just in the last few months there have been several US companies offering a base shoulder rig for under $300 dollars.

ftv-110B-china-dslr-shoulder-support
Third on the list is the FTV-110B, which pretty much looks like a bigger version of their FTV-110A (minus follow focus). This rig is expected to come in at $571.02. Wow, that's a pretty penny considering you can already get several nice basic support rigs for half the price. There's definitely room for more companies, but if you're late in the game, you'll have to bring something more original (or cheaper) to grab some attention.

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Fourth configuration is labeled as the FTV-200D coming in at a price of $1,553.15. This adds a matte box, their micro follow focus, and top handle to the base rig. Coming in at a price similar to a Redrock EyeSpy Deluxe bundle which I really love shooting with, at this price, it's going to be hard to penetrate the US market. Sorry Fancier, I really like your (other) products, but if this is really the prices you're heading for in DSLR stabilizers, you have a tough road ahead. Any comments on these 'possible' prices?

You can find more information about their rigs here: https://www.chinafancier.com/enShoulder-Bracket.html