Videography Gadgets

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The above video shows use of a Ring Flash adapter. I'm just using this video as an example, but the 'O Flash' - Ring Flash adapter finally came in for me. The 'O Flash' is the cheaper version of the Ray Ring or Coco Ring Flash. I do notice that the connector piece for the Ray Ring and Coco Flash have a hard mold that appears to be shaped for Manufacturer specific flashes. This 'O Flash' Ring flash adapter that I recieved uses a very hard rubber mold with a velcro tension strap. Therefore this O Flash is more modular and generic, and can be used regardless of flash type. The Ray Ring sells for $199 dollars, the Coco Ring Flash can be found around $50 dollars, and the 'O Flash' sells for a mere $36 bucks + Free Shipping.

Many people associate these for Macro or sometimes used as a very close up Portrait ring flash. It's a handy thing for me to carry as another diffuser option for my Canon 580 EX II. This design carries the light from a single flash into a circular ring light, giving it really nice diffusion towards your subject. Normally flashes are diffused by way of bouncing the light which still can cause uneven lighting and loss of flash power. One of the cool accessories I already own is the Yongnuo RF-602 Wireless triggers. With these triggers, I can even use this flash off camera as a nice soft beauty ring. Now I have this setup on a lightstand, but the Yongnuo RF-602 triggers also have a 1/4x20 thread if you want to mount it directly to a tripod.

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It was so cool using this off camera, and honestly I don't know of anyone using them in this manner. I plan on getting a second one specifically for a portable studio lighting setup. With one on each side firing off, i'm sure to get super duper clean images, balanced lighting, with a tiny footprint. Would be an excellent diffuser to use for Wedding or Event type photographers. If you're not fond of the O Flash logo on the front, just place a Logo of your business. Guaranteed brand recognition for you. LOL! I'm betting after this post, we'll see more people using them in combination with the very cheap Yongnuo RF-602 wireless triggers. Here's the link to the $36 dollar O Flash - Ring Flash Adapter.

Curious as well, what if I connected this to the Z96 LED Video Light? Would it provide enough light through the ring to become an LED ring light? I'm in the studio now, i'll check when I get home. That would be interesting....

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YongNuo Combo Wireless Remote Shutter + Wireless Flash Trigger

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This is really getting out of hand. I haven't even touched Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or part of Thursday's mail bag and now it's Friday. I might be close to admitting that I have a serious problem of some type. I said 'close to admitting', i'm not ready to admit YET! LOL - Ok moving on, it's Friday and today's mail bag has a few nice items. One that i've been waiting on is the Redhead windscreens for the Zoom H1. After the Tascam DR-08 vs. Zoom H1 review i'll get to doing some Windscreen tests.

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Thanks to Steve for coming out and strumming a few chords as an audio test of these two Ultra Portable Audio recorders. Unfortunately I screwed up big time. It was late, I was in a rush and just pulled everything out of the box and started recording. I sorta rushed with the lighting too, but that cheap 3 Piece lighting kit definitely came in handy - found here: http://cheesycam.com/new-800w-barndoor-softboxes-3pcs-lighting/

The Zoom H1 recorder right out of the box is set to it's highest recording level, while the Tascam DR-08 audio recorder was set to a much lower compressed version. I didn't find out until I got home which doesn't make this a fair fight. Still the Tascam DR-08 sounds pretty amazing with the audio compressed much lower than the Zoom H1. I'll be doing this test again but next time getting the settings better matched. Didn't want this simple test to go to waste, so I'll just post it up as an example of why using a portable audio recorder over the 'in camera Microphone' is always the better choice.

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There's some new firmware floating around updating the GoPro HD Hero. The new firmware update will add a ton of new options making a good thing even better. The most exciting feature is the 'Live View' feed. Plugging the GoPro HD Hero into a monitor with it's composite out is said to even provide 'HD' feeds for live viewing. I've gotta try this when I get home. You can find more information about the new GoPro firmware at their product website here: https://www.goprocamera.com/support/hdheroupdate.php

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With this new Live Feed out, there's also a new housing to support the cable connections. I'm still waiting on the external battery pack and mini LCD.

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Like I had mentioned, the Tascam DR-08 was due in today's mail bag. Here it is in all it's plastic glory. Not that plastic is totally bad, even the Zoom H1 has it's share of plastic for the build. I haven't placed them side by side yet, but the Tascam appears to be in similar size and function. Will do a nice little test later tonight for audio quality and then run through the pros and cons of each item that I can think of.

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Just received an email from Cinevate that they have officially announced the availability for pre-order of their unusually different take on DSLR viewfinders - the Cyclops. I don't think in my history i've ever used a Dual Eye viewfinder on a video camera, but it's not like Cinevate to be working on something they didn't think was needed. Who knows, it may change all DSLR view finder design considerations from here on out.

You can get a deeper insight on the complete design and versatility to adapt to full size rigs by checking out the video here: https://www.vimeo.com/14670278. The Cinevate website product page shows that the early birds who might be interested can catch a break for $399, with pricing set to go up soon after. That product page can be found here: Cinevate Cyclops DSLR Viewfinder Product Page

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Eelke D. over on Vimeo gives us a bit of insight on the Hague DSLR Motion Cam - Camera Stabilizer. I can't remember who exactly asked me about this stabilizer, but sounds like they needed a bit more information. The handle uses the same limited range ball tie rod end (maybe a bit larger) as the smaller Hague Mini Motion Cam Stabilizer which is designed similar to the Tiffen Steadicam Merlin. The Hague DSLR Motion Cam Stabilizer retail price also sells for more than a Flycam Nano as demonstrated by kaydawgy in this article: http://cheesycam.com/flycam-nano-excellent-demo-video/.

Especially because of what it's priced at and the available competition, I've got my own personal opinions about this particular Hague stabilizer. This is why it's never been featured on this blog. Since someone else has taken their time out to share a review, and some people have been looking for information about it, here it is. Thanks Eelke D.! I'm going to sit back and leave you with the video, but i'll be interested in seeing some comments at the video jump here: https://vimeo.com/14803818

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A couple of new DSLR rigs and accessories just appeared almost instantaneously. There's plenty of new videos just recently uploaded to Vimeo and auction listings on eBay are also new. I remember watching this company for quite some time now, but this new lineup of DSLR stabilizer and accessories just popped out of nowhere. Instead of looking quite bare with simple rods and clamps, this is based around some weird hybrid design of flat plates, brackets, pads, and still have areas to adapt standard rods to mount other accessories from other brands. No doubt, it definitely looks cool. All is not totally clear right now, but i'm hoping i'll get a chance to see these rigs in person to get a better 'look over'.

Since things are quite new with these rigs, there's plenty of listings with the option for 'Best Offer'. Word of mouth, getting the products into the hands of DSLR shooters, and just plain visibility is key to grow any new product, so who knows if you can drop a 'Best Offer' and grab one for a steal. I'm sure they'll be excited to get these things out on the street. Here's the product links to the Shape DSLR Camera Stabilizers and Accessories.

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Shape DSLR Camera Supports

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K2Cinema Dual Linear Guide Rod Camera Slider

Look familiar? It's another camera slider in the DSLR marketplace offered by K2 Cinema. If you're not feeling the dual rod look, the company K2 Cinema does offer an Igus based slider for a cheaper price, if that's what turns you on.

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K2 Cinema DSLR Camera Slider

Now there's plenty of camera sliders right now and some only around $100 dollars, but this is only the second one that I know of using two Linear guide rods instead of a single flat track. This Linear guide rail looks similar to the Cinevate Atlas LTS Camera Slider, and while it may come in at about half the price, there's quite a few differences. The Cinevate Atlas is using 5/8" rods, which if i'm correct is close to approx. 16mm while the K2 Cinema slider is using 20mm rods. That's going to add quite a bit of unnecessary beef and weight to the overall unit if used simply for a DSLR.

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Cinevate Atlas LTS Camera Slider

K2 Cinema doesn't have quite the professional polished finish as the Cinevate Atlas LTS. It's a pretty straight forward design with a carriage that sits above the linear guide rods. The Cinevate Atlas has a more flush carrier that sits just about in between their rods. They both come with positionable legs to use if you're without a stand, but the K2 Cinema Camera Slider lacks the nice comfy feet that could end up scratching surfaces like soft wood tables. Cinevate obviously thought about the usefulness of it's legs and has added some nice molded feet with some type of polymer plastic material i'm guessing. The Cinevate Atlas LTS appears to offer standard rail lengths from 35", 47", and 58" lengths while the available K2 Cinema sliders have options from 22" and 36". Since K2 Cinema seems to be a new starter in DSLR accessories, there's a good chance they can custom make rail lengths. Then again, Cinevate has always showed great customer service so it's possible custom rail lengths may be a possibility as well.

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Click images for K2Cinema Camera Slider prices

Now keep in mind that Cinevate is set to release a new Atlas 10 Linear Tracking System Camera slider that is estimated around $500 dollars. The new Atlas 10 will not be rockin' the wide open dual Linear rod look, which I hear works really well, but you might want to wait until you get the full review on the Cinevate Atlas 10 before diving in to a camera slider.