Videography Gadgets

•

OK, this is pretty cool. Not that we all haven't thought about using our backpacks as the weight needed to support a tripod or lightstand, but ClikElite has actually integrated the two. With an adjustable frame built in to the backpack, now you won't even be without your Tripod or a Lightstand. Not to mention that the frame can also support the weight better and protect your gear. Since it's rocking a simple 1/4x20 adapter, may even be cool for that DIY Slider.

You know, this would be pretty cool for those wedding gigs when you need to setup a tripod fast and want to keep your gear nearby. I may be looking into a DIY version of this in my near future. Check out the photos and it's even available at Amazon for a decent price.

• 7 Comments

•


Joel C. posted a couple of photos @Facebook on his version of the Cheesycam $20.00 dollar DIY shoulder rig I posted a short while back. I have to admit it came out pretty nice. Of course Joel had to up one on me by adding an LED video light to camera right and a Zoom H4n on camera left. Nice job Joel, thanks for reading the blog and supporting the ideas.

Here's some more useful information for you DIY'ers out there looking to add accessories to your rigs. Most items use a standard 1/4" x 20 thread to mount such as the Zoom H4n. Sometimes they use a Hot Shoe type mount like the LED video lights. Well if you want to add some functionality to make your accessories more modular you can pick up Cold Shoe adapters, 1/4" x 20 threaded cold shoes, or swiveling cold shoe mounts for dirt cheap. Add this to your rig or to your accessories for that super fast on /off action, or to add that finished look to your DIY rigs.

Below are some of my favorite items to use on my DIY projects. Click any of the images to buy them on eBay for about 3-4 dollars.
This item below can be mounted to any of DIY rigs to hold accessories that use a Hot Shoe type mount such as your LED video lights, external monitor, or Video microphones.
Click here to purchase the Cold Shoe Adapters.

This next item (below) can be used to turn most accessories into a quick HotShoe mountable item. This is a perfect little add-on for the Zoom H4n since it only uses a threaded insert. Now you can make it HotShoe mountable to mount on top of your 5DM2 or 7D camera (not recommended for 550D or T2i because of the lack of metal body frame). Or use it with the Cold Shoe adapter (above) to mount it anywhere else.
Click here to purchase the Tripod Shoe Adapters.

Although this next adapter (below) is mainly used as a Flash holder with Umbrella Bracket, this item can be used to add height to a Rode Video mic on your shoulder rig, or possibly your LED video light. It's also adjustable with it's ball head, so you can get some better angles with your accessories.
Click here to purchase the Ball Head Swivel Adapters.

If you're on the super super cheap, you can always grab a Flash Shoe Stand for about $2.00 dollars. These have a cold shoe type mount on top, but also have a 1/4" x 20 thread insert underneath to mount to a Tripod, Light Stand, or any your DIY rig with a simple 1/4" x 20 bolt.
Click here to purchase Flash Shoe Stand Adapters.

•

The Flip HD camera changed portable video cameras when it was first released. The convenience, quality, and price point made it very popular for Video bloggers and consumers who wanted a more portable solution to HD quality video. One of the things that I really didn't like was the tiny screen for playback. It sucked, but at least it has a screen. The GoPro HD Hero doesn't even have an LCD, but I still use it quite a bit for it's durability. Well Flip introduces it's newest HD camera called the Flip Side which opens up somewhat like a Nokia cell phone to playback and share your videos with a larger Touchscreen. (Yes, I did say TouchScreen). You can find the new Flip Side HD camera at Amazon or eBay at these prices.

• 2 Comments

•

As many of you know I recently traveled over to Maui for some fun in the sun. I did take quite a bit of Photography and Videography equipment along with me, and I knew I needed to stay organized. Since many of these items had to be checked in with my luggage, I wanted to make sure my equipment was protected and organized. My solution required a trip to the local Walmart into the Fishing section. There I found a variety of Tackle / Lure organizers that worked perfectly for all my Eneloop batteries, Camera Batteries, Battery Chargers, Compact Flash Cards, Black Rapids Camera Straps, Radio Poppers, iPhone / iPad Charger, USB cables, USB drives, LCDVF, Shutter Remotes, Canon ST-E2, Rode Video Mic, Zoom H4n, Dead Cat Wind Screen, laptop power adapter, all my mounting hardware, lens cleaning solution, micro fiber cloths, and even had room for an extra Power Surge strip. You can see in the background I packed 4 Canon Chargers and 4 Sanyo Eneloop chargers into one box. There was a ton of things that packed nicely and neatly with these boxes that ran from $2.00 - $5.00 dollars.

I even found use with a Dry Eraser Marker by marking the inside of the cases, I could easily mark if my Compact flash cards are used or unused, or if my Batteries were charged or uncharged. Much cheaper than buying anything off the shelf from a camera store and keeps my small pieces well organized. I might start using a small Labeling machine to make sure things end up back where they started. If you found this helpful, holla back in the Comments section.

•

The Canon EOS 5D mark II changed everything about HD Video as we know it. It's a legend in it's own right, and there will be a time when Canon calls for it's End Of Life. That will be a sad sad day.. This might not be something new for many of you, but these little nostalgic USB drives won't be around forever. Who knows if they will one day be a collectors item worth ten times the price it's going to rape you for today. Can someone say 'Antique Road Show' in possibly 20 years? You can find the Canon EOS 5D Mark II - 4GB USB Drives by clicking here.

• 4 Comments

•

This video is great for several reasons. First, it's coming from someone who's fairly new to shooting video on DSLR's. Secondly, it's coming from a 550D / T2i and the footage is amazing. Third, it's using all Nikon lenses with a Canon adapter, which goes to show, even with other lenses you can capture great footage. Great job on shooting this video Larry!

Little League Team: Canyon Creek Royals
Location: Alamo, CA
Music Credit: " A New Game"
Featuring: Julian Reyes

Shot with a Canon T2i w/ Nikon 85mm, 180mm & 16mm Fisheye.

If you're looking to adapt some Nikon lenses over to some Canon Bodies, you can find an adapter here.
canon-nikon-adapter-ring
find-price-button Cinevate Canon EOS to Nikon Adapter Ring

• 1 Comment

•

The 85mm F/1.2 is a beast and rated as one of the best Portrait lenses that Canon has to offer. It's also a very expensive lens that's not super versatile. You can't shoot macro, in fact the minimum focal distance is a few miles away (i'm joking). So unless Portraits are all you ever do in life, most people won't invest into that type of gear.

I've been following a company called Borrow Lenses for quite some time but never had the nerve to test out the service. Basically you place an order on line and they ship you the gear. Don't let the name fool you. It's not all Lenses. They've got RedRock Micro shoulder rigs, follow focus systems, full camera bodies, light meters, tripods, filters, Memory Cards, Lighting. Brands include Canon, Sony, Nikon, and more. The above video was shot by someone in New York! These guys get around in renting professional equipment for both Photography and Video.

I've had the chance to work with many professionals in the field lately and they all seem to be doing business with Borrow Lenses with absolutely no problems. Located in San Mateo you can even drop by their office for pickup and drop off. They even have a YELP review page. So the next time i'm thinking of dropping 2K on a lens, maybe i'll think about just renting it for about $34 dollars for a weekend. Click here to check out Borrow Lenses.

Click image to visit Borrow Lenses
borrowlenses.com rent lens mail order internet

• 9 Comments

•

Ebay reports this is one of the top sellers for the Camera category as of today. This eBay seller with over 48,000 feedbacks and 100% user feedback on sales. This 32 GB SDHC card 'Class 6' (yes Class 6), perfect for the T2i or 550D seems to be too good to be true for just $85 bucks. But as an eBay seller with that track record, it might be worth a buy for those long gigs that go on for hours and hours and hours.....

Check out this 32GB SDHC card for the 550D or T2i. Too Good to be True?

• 5 Comments

•

Seems to be a never ending cycle trying to find the best deals on these LED lights. They are just selling like crazy. Prices have gone up for USA sellers, but you can still grab them for around $50 Dollars + Free Shipping out of China.
More 126 LED's for around $50 dollars, can be shipped from China. Check out the Auctions Here.