dslr video

• 1 Comment

•

I have a closet full of small mounting hardware from variable magic arms, cold shoe adapters, tube clamps, mini ball heads, threaded couplers, gags, etc. I wanted to introduce RAM Mounts Custom Mounting Solutions again since I haven't seen many people touching on this system recently.

RAM Mounts Custom Mounting Solutions are a flexible system that allows you to build different mounts by mixing and matching parts. This approach can be cost saving if you find yourself needing different solutions as your needs vary (i.e. car rigging). The double socket + ball joint design offers great versatility and a huge range of angles. You can combine more than one double socket clamp to add additional length and more joints.

Find a complete range of the RAM Mount Custom Mounting Solutions (here)
ram mount ball suction cupram mount clamp monitor phoneram mount clamp mountram mount claw tube pipe clamp
ram mount custom mount male threadram mount double ball jointram mount female threadram mount double joint socker
check latest pricing RAM Mount Custom Mounting Solutions

• 7 Comments

•

If you're looking for a small (hard) source LED light with bright output, you might want to consider the Aputure COB120T (tungsten 3200K) or COB120D (daylight 6000K). It's an impressive design that offers many sought after features such as the ability to be powered with batteries (v-mount or AB mount), Wireless Control, and a native Bowens mount for light modifying using inexpensive and readily available Bowen mount accessories.

With high output somewhere between a 500w and 750w Arri Fresnel, integrated umbrella holder, and bowens mount, it can be adapted to a number of different use cases. Remove the collector and it can throw enough light to boost ambience in a room, or set it behind a scrim for a large soft source. But as versatile as it is, there may be few things to keep in mind if you're planning to add this to your kit.

The Aputure COB120 LED Lights is smaller and lighter than an Arri 1K fresnel, but all of it's parts, I wouldn't refer to them as super compact. I'm a big fan of lights that can be battery powered, but if you plan to power the Aputure COB120, you'll need to ensure you're buying good (typically meaning a bit more expensive) batteries that can handle the constant draw. High output doesn't necessarily equal far throw. If you're in need of throwing the light output further, they do offer a Fresnel adapter, but I can't say i'm a big fan of the overall bulky design.

Outside of those small things, the COB120 has a quality build, excellent color reproduction, and many desirable features you would want in an LED light. Starting at around $600 US each, I don't think you necessarily have to have a complete lighting kit comprised of COB120s, but having a one or two would certainly be a great addition to any lighting kit.

aputure cob120t cob120daputure led light cob120d cob120t
check latest pricing Aputure COB120D COB120T LED Lighting

• 7 Comments

•

Kamerar Brightcast LED Panel
check latest pricing Kamerar Brightcast Flexible Water Resistant LED Panel

Here's a new update regarding Kamerar's Brightcast Flexible Water Resistant LED Panel. The first version was only available for V-Mount batteries, possibly something not many people had or was willing to purchase. The new model is now available to support Sony's U-Mount battery. The U-Mount battery might be best known for use with the popular Sony EX1 camera, but is also used on today's Sony FS5 and FS7 cameras - so many of you may already have these. These batteries are available in different capacities (smaller to larger) such as the BP-U30, BP-U60, and BP-U90 sizes and offer 14.4V output which allows the Brightcast LED to operate at it's max brightness.

sony bp-u30sony bp-u60sony bp-u90
check latest pricing Sony U-Mount BP-U30 BP-U60 BP-U90 Batteries

• 13 Comments

•

The Manfrotto XPRO Video Monopod is currently a top seller, but when you compare it to the Libec HFMP Video Monopod product, I've found several reasons why I would prefer to switch over.

First big reason is stability. You can't beat the size of Libec's HFMP Video Monopod Feet. Second reason why I would choose the HFMP over the XPRO is because you can quickly Lock / Unlock the base with a simple stepping motion.

Now if you were to purchase the Libec HFMP Combo which includes the TH-X Dual Mount Video Head, you're getting a fully operating head with Pan and Tilt controls, whereas Manfrotto's kit will not have a fully functional head. With the TH-X Head you can then use it on a Slider (as seen here), on a set of Tripod Sticks with a flat 3/8" base, or even on a Tripod with 65mm half bowl.

The feet on the HFMP Monopod is removable along with the Fluid Head, so you can separate it if you have to break it down. The Libec HFMP Monopod KIT not only includes a video head and carrying case, it also includes a bowl clamp for 65mm tripod usage and a hexagon wrench for preferred adjustments.

It's possible to purchase each of the Libec HFMP or Manfrotto XPRO Video Monopods without a head and you can add your own. The benefit to Manfrotto's is that it collapses 5" shorter, extends about 5" taller, and is about 1.2lbs lighter. But if you're looking for optimum stability nothing currently compares to the HFMP. Libec is also bringing better value at cheaper retail pricing than the XPRO system.

You can find Libec's new HFMP Video Monopod (here).
libec hfmp video monopod th-x headlibec hfmp video monopod
Learn-More-sm Libec HFMP Video Monopod TH-X Head

More info on Manfrotto XPRO Video Monopod (here)
manfrotto xpro headxpro-feet
Learn-More-sm Manfrotto XPRO Video Monopods


Quick Tip:
This Special Tripod Leveling Adapter Can save you hours and speed up your workflow.

• 7 Comments

•

Here we're taking a look at the new Cinevate Duzi V4 Video Slider with On-Board Flywheel System. The new Duzi V4 has an innovative On-Board Flywheel that keeps the car moving smoothly and consistently over the rails. The Duzi V4 is available in Compact 24 & 32 inch sizes and is Crafted from CNC machined Aluminum and Stainless steel.

The rails are made from Lightweight rigid solid carbon, and the car rides on 8 precision roller bearings. You can mount Cinevate Duzi V4 Slider on a Tripod using the Center bottom plate or Side mounts.

To level the Cinevate Duzi V4 Video Slider on uneven surface you can use the Micro adjusting urethane ball feet or pick up the optional All Terrain Leg Kit. The Upgraded brake secures the camera anywhere along the rails (something you couldn't do with Duzi V1). A Cheesed-out top and bottom plate allows for additional mounting options for or for accessories. Cinevate has also added a an integrated bubble level on the car for leveling.

Cinevate Duzi V4 Slider Flywheel
see more product Cinevate Duzi V4 Video Slider with On Board Flywheel System

• 3 Comments

•

I typically don't color any type of LOG footage in FCPX, but I will edit in FCPX. Since there still seems to be a growing number of people who edit LOG footage directly through FCPX's poor color board, I thought I would show a different approach. Instead of adding contrast, saturation, and exposure directly to the LOG footage, try transforming it first. Depending on the footage you're working with you might find that it could be easier to saturate colors, adjust highlights, mids, and shadows all without touching FCPX's poor color board.

You can download the FREE LUT Utility from MotionVFX (CLICK HERE) which has some nice built in options for quickly transforming your LOG to 709, but you can also import your own custom LUTS also.

FCPX doesn't really have a simple White Balance tool, and again i'm not a big fan of the built in Color Board, so I suggest grabbing a decent White Balance Plugin. This White Balance Plugin from FCPEFFECTS (found here) allows for more than just cool to warm. You can offset artificial color casts (green/magenta), set exposure, and also tweak individual RGB values within Highlight, Mid, and Shadows. Again very easy tool without having to deal with FCPXs color board.

Links:
Download FCPX White Balance Plugin (HERE)
Download FREE LUT Loader (HERE)

•

If you're looking to add a Director's monitor feed to your workflow, Camera Motion Research is offering a nice sale on their complete RTR Wireless Director's Monitor Bundle. This CMR Bundle includes a 7" MustHD LCD Monitor, Monitor yoke, RM12 Wireless Video Set with 2 receivers, and the Backbones for the Radian Wireless HD Video Transmitters and Receivers. With this kit, you'll be able to stream the video feed from your camera's HDMI output to a remote LCD Monitor up to 300ft (LOS) away.

Having a director's monitor available on set is one of the best tools to have when working with anyone that needs to view the videos being shot from your camera so that they can offer creative input, or at times this tool is used for someone pulling focus remotely (especially when your camera is mounted to a gimbal). You can also use this when mounting your camera at the end of a long JIB / Crane, or when you have a remote camera that needs to stream video back to a Live Switch. Tons of useful reasons to have a Wireless Video Streaming kit on hand.

For more information about this current sale on the Camera Motion Research Wireless Director's Monitor Bundle (click here).
radian-director
Learn-More-sm CMR Wireless Director's Monitor Bundle

•

The FotoDiox Mirage Trio is a fun novelty item for pure camera enthusiasts. It looks like a Sony A series camera, but is actually a triple USB charging dock for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. The lens has a cut out to hold the Apple Watch chargers as well. Available on Amazon (here)

fotodiox mirage trio USB Charging Station
see more product FotoDiox Mirage Trio USB Dock Charging Station

• 1 Comment

•

Aputure is probably https://amzn.to/2jUxYbtbest known for their LED Lighting, but over the last few years Aputure has also released a few different audio products including on-camera video microphones and Lav mic kits.

Just recently Aputure has released their first professional level Shotgun Microphone with quality and performance that is already being compared to mics over three times it's price. They've also added water resistant coatings that protect the microphone from elements, and even it was accidentally submerged into a puddle of water.

The new Aputure Deity Shotgun Microphone is available now in a variety of kits from your basic set with a hardcase, to complete sets that include a Pistol Grip Shock Mount, Boom Pole, and Dead Cat Wind Cover. Check out the available Aputure Deity Shotgun Microphone kits (here).

Aputure Deity Shotgun MicrophoneAputure Deity Shotgun Microphone Cardioid
Learn-More-sm Aputure Deity Super Carioid Shotgun Microphone