What is the ikan Fly Pack II? I seriously didn't even know there was a Fly Pack 1! In any case, the video looks pretty cool, and it's not too badly priced either. It's a kit with a cage, handle type stabilizer, cheese plates (mounting accessories), rods, tripod mount, and a cool backpack to hold even your DSLR. I like the assembly of items, it makes total sense. My question though is why didn't they space the handles further apart? We all know spacing your hands further apart makes for better stabilization. Well maybe they'll think about that in ikan Fly Pack 3. You can find pricing for the ikan Fly Pack II kit here.
GoPro HD Flat Lens Housing Test
Well the results are in, and i'm super impressed. As you know the GoPro HD camera doesn't focus well underwater due to a curved lens cover on the waterproof housing. Eye Of Mine provides modified 'Flat Lens' housings to correct this. I was able to get my hands on one of his Flat Lens housings, but I couldn't find the time in my busy schedule, so Waylon was kind enough to shoot some samples for me to use on this blog.
Wow, it's a big difference. So much of a difference, you wonder why you would ever go back to the old housing. The quality on YouTube has compressed the original video, but it's way sharper than stock. Waylon says he rates it at 50% better, but I personally feel it's at least 90%. I'm that impressed. Check out this diver video below using the Flat Lens modification (make sure to select the highest resolution on the YouTube player).
Sure it's no secret how it's done, grab a flat lens and hack your housing. But for something like this, and something at this price, you might be better off just having Eye Of Mine do it for you. More information about the GoPro HD Underwater Focus Fix can be found here. Thanks Eye Of Mine!
Sony NEX-5 Shipped and Received
I'm not home just yet to play with this thing, but wifey grabbed a few snapshots via Sprint Evo (cellphone). I received the Black Sony NEX-5 with 16mm Lens, the unit is found here at BHPHOTOVIDEO.com. Can't wait to run home and dig into the user manual. LOL, OK i'm lying..who reads manuals? I'm just going to push a bunch of buttons until I figure it out. Hopefully there's a factory reset somewhere...
For now check out a nice teaser video about the Sony NEX cameras.
Canon Concept Camera ‘ Wonder Camera ‘
Canon Demos the 'Wonder Camera' Concept. There's a full write up over [via GizMag]
$20 dollar Video Camer Slider – Backyard FX
Thanks to a tip, here's a video on creating a $20 dollar Video camera slider. Doesn't look completely professional, a bit oversized, but hey it's $20 dollars. Sliding a camera isn't rocket science, so i'm sure it works great for all you budget film makers.
[Thanks Nathaniel]
Canon Rebates Ending in 4 Days
FYI. Just reminding everyone, If you've been holding off for that new lens, you have 4 more days before the Canon Rebates end. Below are a few of the lens rebates, you can find more following this link. Canon Lens Rebates ending July 10th
Canon Lens Rebates
EF 85mm f/1.2L II USMSave $130
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Save $100
EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM Save $100
EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USMSave $100
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USMSave $90
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USMSave $90
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USMSave $80
TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Save $80
EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMSave $65
EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USMSave $50
EF 17-40mm f/4L USMSave $50
EF 15mm f/2.8 FisheyeSave $45
EF 70-200mm f/4L USMSave $45
EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USMSave $30
EF 50mm f/1.4 USMSave $25
Phillips Power Squid on Sale
I've been shopping for another power strip for my lights and Eneloop chargers. These 'Squids' are a great way of maximizing the available outlets. Since they are split up, large power adapters and chargers won't be covering up other available outlets on a traditional power strip. You can find these as high as $60 dollars, or as low as $15.00 dollars, but shipping and taxes will always squeeze a few more dollars out of you. Right now the daily deal on eBay is $12.99 + Free shipping (via Tiger Direct), but daily deals only last a day (or when inventory is depleted). Check out the Power Squid on Sale with Free Shipping.
eBay DSLR View Finder
click image
Ok, there's only been a few players for DSLR viewfinders namely Hoodman, Zacuto, and LCDVF. Here's almost an exact replica of an LCDVF, but not sure how much effort was put into the optics. The mounting uses a metal frame, much like the original LCDVF. It looks like this fake LCDVF through some forums, say the quality is fairly nice. Now this auction is running just a bit high maybe because of recent demand, but still cheaper than the original LCDVF. This eBay LCDVF item ships from USA (free shipping), not too shabby. Apparently though this is only a copy of the original 3" LCDVF, and not the 3:2 version for the T2i / 550D. On a good day, you can find these for around $69.00 dollars which makes it the cheapest LCDVF with frame mount ever. Hopefully we'll see more of these soon. Check out the eBay LCDVF copy, sometimes less than half the price of a real LCDVF by clicking here.
Update: If you want the LCDVF 3/2 for the Canon 550D / T2i, they are now available at BHPHOTOVIDEO.com
Update: You can now buy the LCDVF 3/2 from BHPHOTOVIDEO.com.
Grab yourself the LCDVF 3/2 from BHPHOTOVIDEO.com
DIY DSLR Rig – Four Thirds Rig?
This is soooo cool!!! I love running a DIY blog for times like these when someone shares their idea. This submission was sent to me from Johan. Unfortunately Johan doesn't have a web address I can link to, but leave your comments here for him to read.
Most of the time, i'm trying to assemble DIY gear from off-the-shelf parts to make things easier. This is an extremely clever idea of using some readily available (and cheap) off-the-shelf parts and assemble it into something awesome! Now it looks a bit under scale for a 5D Mark II or 7D, but would probably look the part on a T2i. It would most definitely look the part for a Four-Thirds system like the Olympus Pen, Panasonic GH*, or even the new Sony NEX. I really have to go out and try this myself.
Parts used look to be Automotive Plug Wire type seperators. These small parts come in a variety of materials and color from plastic to billet aluminum. After measuring out the required rods, Johan grabbed some 10mm tent pole rods. Not to say you can't just locate some normal 10mm round rods. You can find these billet aluminum rod clamps by clicking here..
Click Image - Billet Wire Holders
Hey hook Johan up for sharing this new idea, Digg it, Twitter this, Facebook it!