Photography Gadgets

Letus Hawk VF CF and Aluminum

Emm • September 13, 2010

Available at BHPHOTOVIDEO.com:
Letus35 Talon K2
Letus35 Letus Hawk DSLR Viewfinder

Here's an older video about the Letus35 Letus Hawk DSLR Viewfinder and Letus Talon K2 rig. The video is really only 21 days old, but I heard a bit in the pipeline that there will be some additional gear available for the Hawk VF's to make them more modular with a quick release. So what you see in the video above will just get better.

Just a reminder for those who were really impressed about the Letus Hawk View Finder, but weren't keen on the Hawk VF Carbon Fiber design, the brand new Letus Hawk VF Aluminum version is estimated to be available in 3 days. All the gear they have available now will be compatible with the new gear you should be hearing about soon. Here's the link to the new Aluminum Version soon to be released: https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-hawk-aluminum.html

2011 Electronic View Finders • 7 Comments

Emm • September 12, 2010

Really bad Mockup (fake image below)
Remote-LCD-LCDVF-viewfinder

I posted this article back in June: http://cheesycam.com/route-of-the-new-lcd-viewfinders/

Check out the new comment from Steve Weiss of Zacuto: https://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=19404&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=10

There's at least one remote electronic view finder w/ Loupe prototype in use, and other manufacturers have hinted about making the same. Looks like we'll have some new DSLR products early next year. Unless other people can release something before Zacuto. This new type of remote view finder makes lots of sense. It will be more compatible with the different types of articulating screens, different screen sizes, and different camera manufacturers. Let's just hope there will be at least one version that is 'affordable' to the masses.

Just another thought, i'm guessing to keep the Z-Finder compatible with the new view finder, the new EVF will be about the same aspect ratio as the 5D Mark II LCD. Isn't the new Cinevate Cyclops compatible with the 5D Mark II LCD and also with the Canon 60D articulating LCD? Meaning a Cyclops + this new Zacuto EVF could be an interesting mix.....

Oh Oh Oh ‘O Flash’ – Ring Flash Adapter • 14 Comments

Emm • September 11, 2010

The above video shows use of a Ring Flash adapter. I'm just using this video as an example, but the 'O Flash' - Ring Flash adapter finally came in for me. The 'O Flash' is the cheaper version of the Ray Ring or Coco Ring Flash. I do notice that the connector piece for the Ray Ring and Coco Flash have a hard mold that appears to be shaped for Manufacturer specific flashes. This 'O Flash' Ring flash adapter that I recieved uses a very hard rubber mold with a velcro tension strap. Therefore this O Flash is more modular and generic, and can be used regardless of flash type. The Ray Ring sells for $199 dollars, the Coco Ring Flash can be found around $50 dollars, and the 'O Flash' sells for a mere $36 bucks + Free Shipping.

Many people associate these for Macro or sometimes used as a very close up Portrait ring flash. It's a handy thing for me to carry as another diffuser option for my Canon 580 EX II. This design carries the light from a single flash into a circular ring light, giving it really nice diffusion towards your subject. Normally flashes are diffused by way of bouncing the light which still can cause uneven lighting and loss of flash power. One of the cool accessories I already own is the Yongnuo RF-602 Wireless triggers. With these triggers, I can even use this flash off camera as a nice soft beauty ring. Now I have this setup on a lightstand, but the Yongnuo RF-602 triggers also have a 1/4x20 thread if you want to mount it directly to a tripod.

It was so cool using this off camera, and honestly I don't know of anyone using them in this manner. I plan on getting a second one specifically for a portable studio lighting setup. With one on each side firing off, i'm sure to get super duper clean images, balanced lighting, with a tiny footprint. Would be an excellent diffuser to use for Wedding or Event type photographers. If you're not fond of the O Flash logo on the front, just place a Logo of your business. Guaranteed brand recognition for you. LOL! I'm betting after this post, we'll see more people using them in combination with the very cheap Yongnuo RF-602 wireless triggers. Here's the link to the $36 dollar O Flash - Ring Flash Adapter.

Curious as well, what if I connected this to the Z96 LED Video Light? Would it provide enough light through the ring to become an LED ring light? I'm in the studio now, i'll check when I get home. That would be interesting....

YongNuo Combo Wireless Remote Shutter + Wireless Flash Trigger

Mail Bag – Friday • 6 Comments

Emm • September 10, 2010

photo(2)

This is really getting out of hand. I haven't even touched Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or part of Thursday's mail bag and now it's Friday. I might be close to admitting that I have a serious problem of some type. I said 'close to admitting', i'm not ready to admit YET! LOL - Ok moving on, it's Friday and today's mail bag has a few nice items. One that i've been waiting on is the Redhead windscreens for the Zoom H1. After the Tascam DR-08 vs. Zoom H1 review i'll get to doing some Windscreen tests.

Cinevate Cyclops DSLR Viewfinder – Available • 6 Comments

Emm • September 9, 2010

Just received an email from Cinevate that they have officially announced the availability for pre-order of their unusually different take on DSLR viewfinders - the Cyclops. I don't think in my history i've ever used a Dual Eye viewfinder on a video camera, but it's not like Cinevate to be working on something they didn't think was needed. Who knows, it may change all DSLR view finder design considerations from here on out.

You can get a deeper insight on the complete design and versatility to adapt to full size rigs by checking out the video here: https://www.vimeo.com/14670278. The Cinevate website product page shows that the early birds who might be interested can catch a break for $399, with pricing set to go up soon after. That product page can be found here: Cinevate Cyclops DSLR Viewfinder Product Page

Hands on with Canon 60D • 9 Comments

Emm • September 8, 2010

Den Lennie's got a hands on review of the highly anticipated Canon 60D. Shows us on video what relative size looks like and some information about Canon's first DSLR articulating LCD screen. There's also a sneek showing Canon's latest Zoom / Fisheye combination lens and Manual Audio levels with some type of new filtering. Pretty cool stuff, which may change some disappointment on the lack of ground breaking technology everyone was hoping for. There's some very small features that definitely addresses some of the short comings of the Canon T2i and even the Canon 7D, so is the extra few hundred dollars worth an upgrade for T2i users? As usual will be hard to locate once it's officially released, i'm just hoping my early jump from this article will pay off: http://cheesycam.com/another-hot-item-to-pre-order-canon-60d/

click to pre-order Canon EOS 60D from Canon Store – Amazon

Tuesday Mail Bag • 2 Comments

Emm • September 7, 2010

mail-bag-cheesycam

Yesterday was the holiday so mail wasn't running. This morning the first few items come in and they are both photography accessories to aid in Macro Photography. Actually i'm interested in testing one of these out as a video option. I'll keep you guessing for now, and open them up when I have time later today. Can't wait to test them out though!

Nikon D300s and D700 Rebates

Emm • September 7, 2010

Nikon is hitting the market pretty hard with some new rebates. Many of these rebates are available in combination kits of DSLR body and fancy Lenses saving you up to $1100 dollars total on some deals. Here's the links to some of Nikons most popular DSLR's, the D300s and D700 in combination with some of Nikon's most popular lenses - via BHPHOTOVIDEO.com.

nikon-d300s-rebates

nikon-d700-kits
Rebates for Nikon D700 DSLR and Lenses
Nikon D700 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR Lens
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera Kit w/AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR Wide Angle Zoom Lens
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera Kit w/Nikkor 24-120mm VR & 70-300mm VR Lenses
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera w/ Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Lens Kit
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera w/ Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S ED VR II Lens Kit
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera Kit w/70-200mm f/2.8G VR II & 16-35mm f/4G VR Lenses
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera w/ Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G & 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II Lens Kit
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera with 3-Lenses Kit

Cinevate DSLR Grip and NEW Cyclops Viewfinder • 1 Comment

Emm • September 6, 2010

Cinevate Cyclops DSLR Rig / Viewfinder

Cinevate is really on the ball with DSLR innovation. It seems like they are always one step ahead of everyone else when it comes to different rigs, support systems, and accessories. Just caught this video that first talks about their inexpensive Cinevate DSLR Camera Grip, and then towards the middle provides a sneak peek into their new Cinevate 'Cyclops' viewfinder system.

Cinevate DSLR Camera Grip

The Cyclops two-eyed viewfinder is the most different thing i've seen in a while as far as DSLR products go. I'm not really sure what to say about it just yet as there's not much information posted on their website. There is a bit more information via Cinema5D Jared Abrams' quick take video on YouTube.

Cinevate seems pretty active over at Vimeo, so you can leave your questions and comments at the video link: https://vimeo.com/14220163

CheesyCam

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