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[Update] Kit doesn't come with Autopoles. Thanks guys.

Your typical background support comes with two tall stands and a horizontal support bar. Most of us have a set, but there are a few things that can be annoying. For one, the legs on the stand seem to take up extra space. Secondly, when you need to roll the paper up or down, you might have to drop the stands on each side.

Telescoping-ceiling-background-support-rollerBackground Stand

This clamping background support kit might save you from some of those hassles if you're working in a room with a ceiling. By using telescoping auto poles to push up between the ceiling and floor you can practically push your backdrop flush against the wall. There are no legs on auto poles so they'll give you more room to setup your lights on each side, especially when you're trying to move in that boom or hair light.

Chain Roller Background support
Chain rollder support background

When it's time to roll up/down your background, the clamping background support uses a chain roller normally found on wall mounted background support kits. Cons are that you need to have a ceiling to work with this (does not come with Autopoles), so it might be better suited for those who want to setup a quick change backdrop area in a small studio or in your home without drilling into your walls. Available in both single and triple background support clamps (click here).

Three Roller Support Background StandTelescoping-ceiling-background-support-roller
find-price-button Single and Triple Roll Clamping Background Chain Roller Support

Real Auto Poles for a background stand run a pretty penny (click here to find AutoPoles).

They do look pretty similar to telescoping poles found in indoor Bike Racks, and would be interesting to see if the clamps could work.
Swagman Bike Rack
find-price-button Swagman Hang It Bike Hanger

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If you didn't catch it already, Olivia has some sample footage from the Sony NEX-7 on Varavon's latest mini Slidecam Lite video slider. I have yet to put my own montage together as soon as I can find something interesting to shoot with it.


Varavon SliderVaravon Bearings
find-price-button Varavon Slidecam Lite Video Camera Sliders

Sony had some major problems manufacturing the Sony NEX-7 camera, and it has been extremely delayed with very limited inventory. The good news is that Sony has ironed out some of their production issues and this awesome new camera is starting to ship and orders are being filled. You can order one from B&H (click here for Sony NEX-7 order), and if you're the impatient type there's a bunch already showing up on auction (click here for Sony NEX-7 auctions)

Sony-NEX-7-NEX7
find-price-button Order Sony Alpha NEX-7 24MP Digital Camera

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An unboxing video from YouTube member Michael19801234 of the latest Opteka SteadyVid Pro Video Stabilizer. The adjustable arch is a design used in some stabilizers to change the weight ratio - more or less bottom heavy. The lower the weight from the Gimbal, the more weight it should be able to support. Judging by the weights and distance, it should have no problems flying the 5lbs. it claims. Currently the Amazon product page has a special promotion for the free cleaning kit.

Opteka SteadyVid Pro
Special Promotions
find-price-button Opteka SteadyVid PRO Video Stabilizer

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Fiio Headphone Preamp DSLR Amp Pre-amp

For those that don't want to sync audio in post you may attempt to plug a microphone (like a Rode VideoMic, LAV mic, or Wireless Mic Receiver) directly to the camera's 3.5mm mic input, and then adjust levels from within the camera (unless you're stuck with AGC). One problem is that the camera's internal preamp is known to be fairly noisy if you have to boost the signal. The solution for better audio is to use an external preamp before feeding the signal back in to the camera and turn the camera's internal levels down to almost zero. The new Canon 5D Mark III now has a headphone monitoring port, but does it still suffer from internal preamp noise?

So here's an interesting question that comes in that might get your wheels spinning. Can you use something like the Fiio E11 portable Headphone Amp to boost and adjust your microphone levels? Unlike the other Fiio headphone amp options, the E11 has a 10 hour rechargeable battery and volume (gain) control. It's not going to offer phantom power to a microphone, but if you're already using a self powered mic, then there's no need for phantom power. The E11 has standard 3.5mm input and output connections.

We've seen a workflow where some people feed the headphone output of a Zoom recorder (for dual audio and because the preamp is better in the Zoom) back into the camera with a Sescom cable. Considering that option it sounds like a Fiio E11 could work out as an inexpensive external preamp for DSLR video (assuming the output signal is better than the DSLR). Anyone attempt something like this before? The E11 has some interesting specs, and you can take a look at the Product Description (click here).

Fiio Headphone AmpFiio Headphone Amp Boost Gain Levels
find-price-button Fiio E11 Portable HeadPhone Preamp - via Amazon

You can also find these Fiio E11 Headphone Amps via eBay (click here)

Fiio E11 Battery Amp
find-price-button Fiio E11 Portable Rechargeable HeadPhone Amp - via eBay

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Canon-5D-Mark-III-in-stock-Pre-Order
find-price-button Pre Order Canon 5D Mark III

This might not be such a big deal for some people, but it's always been a huge inconvenience with all current Canon DSLR cameras. The latest 1Dx camera from Canon showed that Video mode could be started from the same shutter button used to take photos. What does this mean? Well, this means that your most basic and most inexpensive wireless (not just infrared) shutter trigger systems will be able to start video mode.

5D-Mark-III-Shutter-Remote

The question I had was will the 5D Mark III have the same, and Mitch from Planet5D.com was able to get the information from Canon stating 'Yes, the basic shutter will start video mode'. There's also a constantly updated Blog article about all the main questions coming in about the 5D Mark III found here: https://blog.planet5d.com/2012/03/questions-answered-for-the-canon-eos-5d-mark-iii-hdmi-video/. [Thanks Mitch]

I'm not saying that's a reason to upgrade from a Canon 5D Mark II, but that was one very annoying feature Canon seems to have finally fixed. Guess what? That also means if you purchased a set of Yongnuo RF-602 or RF-603 triggers for your Speedlite flashes, those also can be used to start and stop video with your new Canon camera.


yongnuo-rf-603
find-price-button Yongnuo RF-603 Wireless Flash Triggers

Some of you might already own a set, but ideally these very cheap Wireless trigger systems should now be able to start and stop video mode on all your 1Dx, Canon 5D Mark III, and hopefully all future Canon DSLRs.

wireless-shutter-remote-trigger
find-price-button Wireless Shutter Remote Trigger For Canon Cameras

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meking-LED_battery-Powermeking-led-power-box

Meking has some new inexpensive LED video light panels, and from the listing it states it can be switched to power through 110V or 220V. It's dimmable with barn doors, and if you've got the juice, you can go portable with the available port for 24V DC. Starting at around $230 dollars, these seem to be fairly new stuff on the cheaper side, and does not resemble the typical 600, 900, or 1200 LED panels i'm using. Typically on Amazon the 600 LED light panel i'm using can run about $350 dollars (see it here on Amazon). As pointed out by Adam, if you're looking for the same 600s i'm using, there's a few good deals on eBay where you can get (2) 600 LED Video Light Panels + Light Stands for about $518
2-600-led-lights(click here).

Not quite sure what's mounted to the back of the Meking LED units, but I don't think it's a battery. They say they have a 15% sale for another three days, but could all be marketing. Find more info on these LED video lights at the Meking store (click here).

meking-500-led600-meking-led-video-light900-led-video-light-meking1000-meking-led-video-light1200-meking-led-video-light
find-price-button Meking Pro 500 600 900 1000 1200 LED Video Light Panels

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Constantly poking around for a good set of lenses for the Sony NEX-7, this eBay seller takes old vintage lenses and modifies them to fit (without adapter) to most Micro Four Thirds, Sony NEX (e-mount), and Leica cameras. That's right, no adapters needed. He seems to always have some interesting modifications for these small sensor cameras including modifying a Canon 50mm F/0.95 and a 55mm F/1.0 lens for the Sony NEX. If you're looking for a good set of cheap portrait lenses for your small sensor cameras, check out his constantly updated auctions (click here).

sony-nex-55mmnex-50mm-f095
find-price-button Jieying Modded Lens Sony GH2 Leica