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Looking to start or stop video on your camera remotely? For Canon cameras, this can only be done via compatible infrared remote. It's a nice addition to stick on the handle of your rig so that you don't get those few seconds of unusable video. There's plenty of DIY solutions to route the infrared signal to the camera if the remote needs to be positioned elsewhere. One of those popular methods is by using an Optical Audio cable (like home stereo stuff). These optical cables run the light from the remote to the front of the Canon camera. I just ordered a remote and verified that it does indeed work on both the Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 7D. On the T2i it can fire off photos (no video mode). To initiate video, you'll need to use the S2 button. Total cost was $2.66 + 0.50 cents shipping. Found below (click here).

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find-price-button Wireless Shutter Release Remote for Canon EOS

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I've been asked to recommend a good small ball head that would work well with the Pico Flex Dolly or a good one for small sliders. I tested out a few, and the one that seems to fit the best is the Fancier FT6691. It's larger than the Giottos mini ball head, but still smaller than the larger Fancier Ball head I often use with the Konova Slider. For the price, it's a perfect little head for even DSLR cameras giving you extra stability with your sliders or table dollies.

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All metal with strong clamp force to keep the camera in position and a quick release plate (with safety latch) so you don't have to spin your camera off. So far I haven't found anything else that offers this type of bang for the buck. If you've got suggestions for a good similar feature ball head, let me know. Floating around $24 dollars, you can find them over at eBay (click here)

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find-price-button Fancier Small Positionable Locking Camera Ball Head - via eBay

Cheaper and available for Prime shipping over at Amazon below (click here)

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find-price-button Fancier Small Camera Ball Head - via Amazon

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I happened across a small forum over at https://videocopilot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&p=257799 where they were wondering how this rotating shot was done above. They seem to be going more towards large circular dolly tracks huge sets, with rotating backgrounds. All too complicated.

I'm not a registered forum guy, but hopefully someone will see this and answer their questions about how it was done. I worked on a very similar shot before using a green screen background, and that's the reason I came up with this little doo-hickey here: http://cheesycam.com/motorized-lazy-susan-heavy-duty/.

The fan was placed in front of the model and also on the rotating lazy susan to keep the hair blowing away from her face as she rotates. Look closely at the catch light in her eyes (reflection) and you can see the lights don't rotate with her. She's definitely on a rotating lazy susan platform. Hope this helps guys...

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Speaking of DSLR follow focus systems, here's another new one. Looks like the same RJ follow focus with a few upgrades adding in some hard stops. [Thanks Jacob]. This version is also reversible, but the mostly plastic quality will not stand a chance against the new Gini iFocus FF on the market. The hard stops is a nice added feature, but the asking price of this new version RJ follow focus will have it collecting dust on the store shelves. It's about $160 more than the original RJ Follow Focus. Until they do something about pricing, I would definitely skip the 'A/B hard stop' pony trick and check to see if you can get a better deal with the latest Gini version first.

You can check to see what the prices are on these new FFs (click here).

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find-price-button Latest Follow Focus with A/B Hard Stops

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Here's a closer look at Gini's latest Follow Focus a.k.a. 'iFocus'. Having been a huge fan of the Cinevate Durus design and quality, it was very obvious where Gini was getting inspiration from. I took the chance of ordering this latest FF knowing that it would be good. Especially since it's a custom designed gearbox and not the ol' Huco plastic Box. The craftmanship on this entire FF is like any other Gini part. Flawless machining, quality anodizing, and smooth finish. Absolutely no plastic on this follow focus system (except for marking ring).

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find-price-button Gini iFocus DSLR Follow Focus

The marking disc holds strong with 4 powerful magnets. The hand knob (obviously influenced) is large and comfortable with a standard mount in the center for a whip or crank. The Gini FF gear is 'reversible' and can be used on both left and right side of your rig by removing the rod clamp and swapping the position. The design is tall enough to hit lens gears on a variety of different sized lenses - No riser required (a problem some FFs have because they aren't designed tall enough). To put weight in to perspective, the Durus is 19.4 ounces and the Gini iFocus is 19 ounces, both very solid units.

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find-price-button Gini iFocus DSLR Follow Focus

The one thing that Gini falls short on is the marking disc pointer. It can only be used at the top position and makes it hard for you to see if you're standing from behind the camera. It would be nice to see that changed in future versions, and a couple of hard stops would make this one hell of an FF. Of course, I jumped on the deal early, but who knows where prices will be as this FF becomes more popular. You can find the Gini Rig parts following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Gini iFocus DSLR Follow Focus

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GoProHD was already surprising film makers with it's quality to size ratio, but they seemed to have found a way to make it even better. Not just 2x sharper images (bigger sensor), but more FOV (field of view) options, 120fps (yes!), more TimeLapse options, faster 10 photos in 1 second, but also mini-HDMI and external Mic input? Holy cow.

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You think that's crazy, what about the other features that include Wi-Fi Remote Control, Wi-Fi video preview + playback, Wi-Fi streaming to web,Camera control via smartphone, tablet and computer app?? Yeah it's really something to see, and you can only find it available right now at the GoPro site. This will sell out for sure. You can also check out a video tutorial about all the new features and innards at the product page (click here)

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GoPro Hero 2 Wi-Fi Bac-Pac & Remote

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find-price-button GoPro Camera HD HERO2 Motorsports Edition CHDMH-002

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I posted up about a very effective (and cheap) Velbon fluid head a few weeks back and it literally sold out in a few hours. For around $26-29 dollars, it's a great way to add on a dedicated Fluid head for camera dollies, sliders, etc. You can find the original video, article, and other comments about the fluid here: http://cheesycam.com/cheap-velbon-video-fluid-head-review/.

A few of the units are back in stock at B&H (click here).
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find-price-button Velbon Fluid Video Tripod head - via B&H

or at Amazon (click here) available at both B&H and Amazon (click here)

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find-price-button Velbon Fluid Video Tripod head - via Amazon