Videography Gadgets

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The Alicia Keys Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready) music video was shot on Canon DSLR's. If i'm not mistaken by the screens, it's on Canon 5D Mark II. There's a cool little behind the scenes video posted over here.

After reviewing the BTS, i'm seeing they are using some very big video lights to balance the lighting in the different scenes. What's most important though is that regardless of time of day the Video monitor always displayed the camera set to 1/50th shutter speed and aperture 2.8. Someone mentioned the rules of shooting DSLR video, the shutter speed should be about twice your frame rate. Which means they are opting to using the 24p setting on the Canon DSLR.

It's a great look, I agree and 2.8-5.6 has always been my favorite for video. Coming down to a shutter speed of 1/50th in broad daylight WITH continuous video lights though? That means they are using some heavy ND filters to stop everything down. Take a tip from the pros, and if you're looking to be able to shoot at this range, you'll need something like the Fader ND filter. The Fader ND is a variable neutral density filter that will cut down the amount of light going into the camera allowing you to shoot at 2.8 apertures with slower shutter speeds. Just make sure you grab the right filter size for the lens you're using.

If you want to save yourself some bucks, buy the largest ND filter for your gear and then you can always grab some step down filter rings to fit them on your smaller lenses by clicking here.

Check out the videos and some of the screen grabs.

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This is what my charging area looks like the night before a shoot. Tomorrow i'm just helping out with a Wedding, so I gotta get my charge on. In these images you'll see my aftermarket 5D Mark II (or 7D) batteries, and my Eneloops. It's going to be a light day, so i'm just bringing one camera out 5D Mark II, 24-70mm F/2.8, 100mm Macro IS, 50mm F/1.4, two 580 EX II flashes, and Radio Popper PX's.

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The time zones had me all thrown off. I got up at 3am and couldn't get back to sleep. So I thought i'd throw the old GPHD on the balcony and set the timelapse function. This is 1,943 photos put into a 24fps timeline.

This is the view of my Timeshare, a resort called the Ka'anapali Beach Club in Maui. Not the greatest quality, but this little camera is soooo much fun, and I got some great underwater HD video too, i'll share later.

First I dumped all the photos into Adobe Lightroom, threw is some saturation and contrast, then used the crop tool to export all of the images at 1280x720. Dragged all the images into Sony Vegas at 24fps.

A few things about this video. I really like the way the clouds are going in all different directions, and second who the heck is that guy swimming laps this early in the morning??

Shot on the GoPro HD Camera Timelapse function

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We've been using a set of Senheisser wireless microphones forever. You can hear the quality in my Real Estate Tour video when we added the Lavalier to the agent. It's pretty good. Lately though, they've been acting a bit funny and dropping audio. I think they are about ready to give up the ghost. There's a wedding tomorrow, and I wanted to have at least some cheap backup solution in case the Senheisser's totally died. So the only place open tonight was Fry's. I passed by the wireless microphone section and they only carried one set of Sony WCS-999's.

Oh well, it can't be that bad. I just need it for a backup solution in case i'm dead in the water. I was wrong...soo soo wrong. After testing it out for not even 5 minutes, these things drop audio if it's just 5 feet away. It's garbage, it's crap. I researched some reviews over at bhphotovideo.com and it's true. Everyone has the same problems and they don't get further than a few feet. Even at super close range it's sounds like crap with a whole bunch of hissing. There are no levels to adjust, it's just crap. Ok that's my review, they are going back in the morning.

I still need to order another set of Wireless Lavs. What is everyone else using? Give me a holla in the comments section.

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Tiffen iPhone Stabilizer
iphone-steadicam-stabilizer

Yeah you know Tiffen and Steadicam. The guys who make the Steadicam Vest and Merlin stabilizer I love so much. They got something going that includes a swap meet and special stuff you can't buy from Retailers. I'm hoping one of those items will be the Tiffen iPhone Steadicam Stabilizer called 'Smoothee'. I'm thinking that would be a hot product when the iPhone 4Gs comes out with HD video support.

Later on in the day it sounds like an educational experience. This is definitely something everyone should attend. Knowledge is power and an even like this hosted by the professionals doesn't come around too often. The event sounds like fun, and i'm sure there's going to be tons of DSLR gurus floating around. I just might take a trip down.

This information was copied from https://tiffen.com/swap_meet_2010.html Please refer the to Tiffen website for any possible changes that may occur after this posting.

Tiffen Pre-Cine Gear Extravaganza
The Tiffen Company and its Steadicam Division, invite you to its Pre-Cine Gear Extravaganza that will be held at the Tiffen-Steadicam Showroom and Manufacturing Facility, 6933 San Fernando Road, Glendale, CA on June 3rd, 2010.
Please RSVP by June 1st, for one or all of the following events by contacting Michael ([email protected]) 1-800-593-3331 x7917 or Kathleen ([email protected]) 1-800-645-2522 x3241.

Event #1: Steadicam Factory Sale & Swap Meet (3:30– 6:30PM)

* Purchase Steadicam products as well as Tiffen items that are not normally sold through retailers.
* New, used, demo equipment, overstocks, discontinued items, samples, one-of-a-kind items.
* Great opportunity for students and professionals.
* Ideal for trade-ups, accessories, parts.
* Limited supply of “damaged in handling” Steadicam Operator’s Handbooks at ½ off cover price.
* Open Customer to Customer Swap Meet - This is a customer to customer exchange.
* Trade or swap your unwanted items for cash or product with other customers.
* Please note Tiffen claims no responsibility for customers' items bought or sold.
* Limited supply of Steadicam logo Caps, T-Shirts, Tool Kits, Sand Bags and more -No phone or mail orders will be accepted for these items.
* Items for sale are not available through Tiffen dealer business partners.
* If you’ve been putting off your purchase, this is your opportunity to “fly” your preferred Steadicam rig. Have an older Steadicam parts requirement? Send a detailed request list to Michael Craigs, [email protected] for first selection.
* Space available on first-come, first-serve basis.

Event #2: Tiffen Filter Experience (6:30pm-7:30pm)

* Presented by world renowned filter authority, Mr. Carey Duffy
* Educational seminar on what shooters want and need to know about filtration
* Light control solutions for the Canon 5/7D market
* Actual footage and stills
* Round and Square filters and the Matte Box
* Problem solution filters/The NEW Red Sensor
* "The Baked in Look" - Diffusion, Contrast & Color - WHY?
* Workflow of shooters in the field
* Dfx for Pre-visualization and Post Production
* Questions and Answers

Event # 3: Pre-Cine Gear Open House (7:30PM – 9:30PM)

* Featuring Tiffen products introduced at NAB 2010.
* Other products on display include our new Lowel equipment.
* Special guests include Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown and co-developer, Jerry Holway.
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Fun, Food and Light Refreshments will be served.

Be sure to visit Tiffen Booth 119 at the Cine Gear Expo on June 4th and 5th, 2010.

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You've heard the song on the Radio somewhere. Check out the video.

Here's the Behind the Scenes showing the DSLR's in use.

Go Canon! I believe there's a T1i or possibly a 550D / T2i on set too. Now before you start going out thinking you can shoot a Music Video with your gear, i've had the chance to be on set for a very 'small' music video. There's much more than a fancy camera that comes in play. Lenses of course help get a good sharp clean look, but lighting and storyboarding is at a whole other level. Then there is some very creative post production editing and color grading. Last but not least, it never hurts to have a fat mansion and countless beautiful women on set to ensure you've nailed down a solid Rap Video. BTW, I can send anyone my rates if they need assistance in shooting a music video, and I can negotiate my rates or possibly work for free if there are countless beautiful women on set. You can contact me on through the contact form.....

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t2i-battery-updated

Yeah everything that guy Midas touched turned to gold. Sounds great, but didn't work out too well. Lately everything the Cheesycam blog talks about inflates like prices of Gold. I just got a comment regarding the aftermarket 550D / T2i batteries from an eBay seller. I won't mention any names, but i'll embed a JPEG!

hi-etech-ebay<<<Here's the updated link to a Seller who has the same batteries as I use, and for cheap.

What can you do? Comment, Feedback, Share! I do my best to review the items I buy, and post information from other readers, to share those savings with others in the DSLR community. I can't always keep track of these items, so if you have any news, feedback, or comments on anything Holla Back! It helps everyone. Thanks.

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dual-bracket (1 of 1)

Earlier I posted about how you can use a rotating flash bracket to add an extra hotshoe to your camera. The rotating flash bracket is nice, because it acts like somewhat of a half DSLR cage, but here's another option. This dual bracket mounts to the top of your Canon EOS 5D Mark II or Canon 7D. Not sure if I would put this type of weight onto a 550D / T2i, but that's your decision. Available through the links below.

Click image to purchase from BHPHOTOVIDEO.com

find-price-button Photo Video Dual V Bracket for Video Lights & Microphone at B&H

Other version is half price via Amazon
dual-light-bracket
find-price-button Photo Video Dual V Bracket for Video Lights & Microphone

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I thought this was old news and everyone was already using these. I purchased these batteries just weeks after the Canon 5D Mark II was announced! Yeah they are pretty old, but still rocking and rollin'. Apparently after posting my aftermarket battery video for the 550D & T2i, I received many questions on the 5DM2 / 7D aftermarket batteries.

So these batteries work differently. They don't charge on OEM canon chargers, and they don't display battery life. Other than that they are dirt cheap and work just as long (i think so). I'm also using aftermarket China 'battery grips' on both my 5D Mark II & 7D. Prices have gone up a bit. I purchased mine for about $10.00 dollars. The Canon 5D Mark II and 7D use the same type of batteries. I purchased mine from this seller. It's going for about $14.00 dollars. Click this link to purchase.


find-price-button Canon non-chipped batteries

Battery Grips for Canon Cameras can be found here:
Canon Grip
find-price-button Canon Aftermarket Battery Grips