No audio in this video, I had nothing to say. Just playing around. Testing a 3.5" LCD to see if it will hold up as a remote viewfinder or Electronic View Finder. It displays 960x480 pixels, and adjustments can be made to contrast and brightness. I tried other small LCD's but none of them had the pixel count required to focus. The lower pixel count LCD's are only good for framing a shot. This one seems to be pretty good at setting focus and had better color and contrast than the other mini LCD's. Input is through basic composite cables, but the GH2 doesn't do live view recording unless it's through HDMI. The Canon cameras will output with Composite cables during recording, but I don't have my Canon cables with me today, so i'll have to test later. It's also just a 4:3 aspect ratio, and may not be able to convert a 16:9 signal correctly. Could be something pretty cool for the GoPro, but we'll see where I end up with this thing.
Photography Gadgets
DIY Continuous Ring Light
Beauty ring flashes are popular for photography headshots because they provide an interesting catch light in the subject's eyes. Not sure how many of you caught this video, but this was a DIY ring light I seen a while back from Flickr photos. Here's an old version of this https://www.flickr.com/photos/rodolfonovak/196220050/
Now that DSLR's are shooting HD, this project seems to have resurfaced for use with video from Vimeo member TLA Productions. It's a simple design that anyone with a bit of electrical knowledge might be able to tackle, but if your clumsy or clueless, then you can probably just build out the basics and ask an electrician to finish the wiring. Shouldn't be more than a few bucks, and a couple of hours and would be great for Photos or even a Photo booth project too. It's going to provide a much different look than smaller LED ring lights. The bigger your light source, the softer the light and it really shows when used in this video. Looks like i'll have to revisit this project again...
DIY Ring Light from TLA Productions
Here's another idea. If you want something closer to Daylight, bulbs that aren't as Fragile, draw less power requirements, and generate almost no heat, check out these LED house bulbs for the DIY Ring Light project. They might be something to look into as an option.
DIY Battery Pack for DSLR Camera
The idea to create an external power pack was to wire up a dummy battery into the camera and connect a 7.4v rechargeable RC battery. That voltage would be the same as the original camera battery (for canon), so ideally this should work. I mentioned the idea after seeing Swintronix and posted an article here: http://cheesycam.com/a-diy-canon-dslr-power-pack/
Well Levi V. takes on the external DSLR power pack project with success. After receiving a generic battery pack that used different batteries than his T2i, he decided to hack it up to accept external power from a common RC battery. I've heard that this voltage can also be used on the Lilliput monitor, and on the Z96 LED video lights. As long as you calculate the amps in your power source, there's no reason you couldn't power them all with splitters. You can find out more information about Levi created his from the video above. If you're not into cracking batteries, you can start with the generic AC adapter for Canon cameras
Canon Camera Money Piggy Bank
Funny it's not often I stare over at my Cameras and think "This thing is going to save me some money". Well that could all change with this novelty product designed after a Canon 350D DSLR with 24-105mm F/4L lens. It's a Piggy bank, less the pig. Very cool, wish I had seen this earlier, this would have been a cool Christmas gift. Then again, it's never too late to add to your Canon Lens Mug Replica collections.
Canon 60D Battery Grip Aftermarket BG-E9
Canon BG-E9 60D Aftermarket Battery Grip
Thanks to Chris S. for his swift notification on a recently released and much anticipated item. It appears that the first BG-E9 Canon 60D Aftermarket Battery Grips are rolling out the door and coming in at about a quarter price of OEM. Looks like the pretty standard design compared to the other aftermarket grips, which I have on all my cameras (except one 60D). I wouldn't be surprised if it was all being made out of the same factory. Some auctions include a few un-decoded batteries, which I suggest you skip out on. You're still better off trying out the ones I received that show the battery meter, can be charged with the OEM charger, and even carry the Canon stamp found here: http://cheesycam.com/canon-lp-e6-oem-for-cheap/
Image of my OEM BG-E9 on Canon 60D
Chris has his on order, and hopefully he'll throw up a nice review on it. I'll probably be doing my own review as well. I have two Canon 60D's and one already has the the expensive OEM BG-E9. With a second grip-less Canon 60D on hand, I guess that would make me the perfect candidate to do a side by side review OEM vs. Aftermarket. Yup - already on order. I'll be doing a side by side comparison with close up detail photos of each, but knowing how overseas shipping goes, it won't be until next year (that sounds so far..).
[Update] A few people have mentioned they received emails from the seller that items can't be shipped due to damage. Might be something going on, and everyone should hold off.
Canon BG-E9 60D Aftermarket Battery Grip
The Next Big Thing? Yongnuo’s LED Video Light
Yongnuo DSLR LED Video Light Dimmable
Ok, so a long time ago I posted something called the CN-126 LED video light which became a huge hit with DSLR videographers on a budget. That's still a very popular LED light in use today, but even though it's a reliable performer, the form factor and build quality is nothing to write home about. Next big thing on the blog was the Z96 LED Video light. Still a top performer with better build quality than the 126, but she's since turned Diva and only caters to high price buyers. Inflation, greed, and demand from a growing audience of needy DSLR shooters has consumed her. So what's next? We've been waiting for quite some time for a new player, and I think we might be seeing it today.
Yongnuo is a company well known amongst Photographers, and runs a fairly tight ship of products. Not much going on for the Video accessories. Yongnuo is not one of those over seas companies that just rebrands products. They are best known for their own unique innovation, with less than 10 products showcased on their website. Quality of products are always raved about (especially for their prices), in fact Yongnuo flashes are often considered the next best option compared to Canon OEM Speedlites. You'll find a few articles around Yongnuo on this blog, and I own plenty of Yonguo products.
AA Battery Compatible
Well i'm excited to see that Yongnuo has released an LED Video Light with all the features I crave. 135 LEDs, Dimmable, AA Battery Compatible, claiming 5500K color temp, stackable to create larger light panels, and get this - support or NB3-L Lithium Rechargeable Batteries. Say what? If i'm not mistaken, that's Canon's battery. With a special adapter placed in the AA compartment (included), you can throw in two NB3-L batteries and charge the light via it's own USB interface. Aftermarket NB3-L Canon Batteries
can be had for about $3 dollars each these days. The Yongnuo light does not appear to come with a Tungsten colored filter, but I wouldn't call it a deal breaker. The other LED light filters really weren't spot on to begin with. Every kit does come with a hotshot mount, flat flash bracket, and little baggy.
NB3-L Li-ion Rechargeable Battery Compatible with Built in USB Charging
So is this new LED Video light going to be a big deal? Well I just rolled my Magic Eight ball and the message returned with 'All signs point to Yes'. I think it will be a hit for a few reasons. First, it's Yongnuo. I'm thinking the quality is going to be pretty good if they build it like their other products. Second, it's got 135 LED's which is more than the Z96 or the CN126 and still has all the dimmable, stackable, with AA battery compatible features that make the other lights popular. Third, it's cheaper than the Z96 (right now that is). The popularity of the Z96 and the inflated prices have people turning to other light sources with few options. This may be that new one to think about, and hopefully i'll have my hands on one soon to see what the quality is really like.
Budget Manual Focus 85mm F/1.4 Lens
Samyang, Rokinon, Bower, or Vivitar. It's believed they are all the same lens, with a slightly modified exterior and sold under various brands. Who knows what these lenses are being sold as, but then again you might not even care. Rumor mill has it that these lenses are being made out of Korea providing images that can be sharp as Nikon. Of course there's no auto focus features, so with zero electronics on this Manual Focus prime lens it's sold cheaper and can be made to be tack sharp.
Vivitar 85mm F/1.4 Manual Focus Lens
The 85mm F/1.4 is an excellent lens for low light situations, and at the focal length to provide you with that crazy DOF portrait look. The lens may only have been introduced a few years ago, but the Internet is littered with tests/reviews/samples. From Flickr, Vimeo, YouTube, web blogs, and camera forums it's been tried and tested to be a solid performer. With manual only features it might also be an easier lens to pull focus with for full time Video shooters.
Vivitar 85mm F/1.4 Manual Focus Lens
For Nikon shooters considering the Budget 85mm, the Samyang and Bower name is designed with an exterior of the traditional Black w/ Gold Highlights. For Canon shooters, the Vivitar branded lenses are designed in all black with a knock-off Canon-like Red Ring accent. For those who aren't quite into the exterior aesthetics, over at Amazon the 'Rokinon' name will drop the price down another $100 dollars. Not bad for the money considering several reviews tested it to be as sharp as Nikon, and another great option for shooters looking for a lens that works well in low light situations. Anyone out there rockin' one? Leave some comments....
Tokina’s new Full Frame Lens – 16-28mm F/2.8
Tokina AT-X 16-28mm F2.8 Pro FX Lens for Canon and Nikon
I've been extremely happy with my new Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 lens for both video and photography use, but it doesn't work across all my cameras. Sure it mounts to the Canon 5D Mark II, but it's pretty much unusable on a full frame camera until you zoom all the way out. If you're looking for a lens that would give you a wider option on a full frame you might already be thinking about Canon's 16-35mm F/2.8. This would work on both Full Frame and cropped cameras, but you'll also be looking at an "L" lens price tag.
Tokina's giving us a new option with their recently released 16-28mm F/2.8 lens. This new 16-28mm F/2.8 lens from Tokina was specifically designed to be compatible with all cameras (including Full Frame). This new lens also features the company's newly developed AF system that features a quieter Silent Drive-Module (SD-M) autofocus motor and promises more precise focusing. The company also designed it to be a weather-sealed lens with a fixed lens hood. Still an expensive lens, but at about $700 cheaper than Canon's 16-35mm it adds in another option for budget shooters looking for an extra wide fast lens for both video and photography. BTW, they've also made it available for both Canon and Nikon, no news for Sony (yet).
Last Chance – RadioPopper Contest
Just so that it's clear, you don't need a set of RadioPoppers to enter the RadioPopper Contest. You don't even need to shoot a video outside of your bedroom. All it takes is a simple 30 second video of you talking about your favorite photography lighting tip. Here's a bit from the contest website:
Contest Instructions
Submit a maximum 30 second video showcasing or explaining your best photography tip. The tip does NOT have to involve a RadioPopper system, it just needs to be photography related in general (lighting, post-production, promotion, composition, etc.) The video production quality is not as important as the originality of your tip and presentation.
Today is the last day and you've got until midnight to enter the RadioPopper contest. You can also check out some of the other entry videos already posted found here: http://cheesycam.com/radio-popper-photography-contest/