Photography Gadgets

• 4 Comments

•

thorlabs-diy-dslr-rig
thorlabs-ra90-clamp-diy-dslr
click images to view more images at Flickr

Thanks for Mako for sending in images of his DSLR rig using Thorlabs RA90 - 90 degree clamps with locks. These $10 dollar ninety-degree clamps are a great way to start building your different rigs or support structures, but if you take a peek around ThorLabs 'post accessories' you might get some other cool ideas. The accessories they sell work to attach 1/2" rods, and also sell a swiveling clamp that can lock in different positions. Some very cool stuff over at the website. I personally may not have ideas for a DSLR shoulder mount with these RA90 clamps, but four clamps and some 1/2" lightweight pipes at Home Depot would make for a very simple DSLR cage. Since 1/2" rods are the standard for Bike Handlebar grips, it sounds like an easy build with some really cool professional results. Something I just might look into. Here's the link to get you started in Thorlabs products: https://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct.cfm?partNumber=RA90

ra90-thorlabs
Above: Thorlabs RA90 1/2" post clamp

[Thanks Mako]

• 13 Comments

•

 

Yet another video where I try to cram as much gear tests into one quick take. Here i'm using the Zoom H1 recorder with Audio-Technica ATR3350 powered Lav mic talking about the Yongnuo RF-602 Flash Triggers. Hey, I might as well get it out of the way since I haven't said much about them after I received the Yongnuo's a few weeks ago.

The ATR3350 lav mic from Audio-Technica does perform very well for something that's only $20 dollars shipped. The Zoom H1 no doubt is an excellent audio recorder that can be thrown into a pocket and carried around by the speaker. The Zoom H1 levels were set to 60, which may not be the most optimal setting, but hopefully gives you an idea of it working in combination with the ATR3350 Lav. The Audio Technica Lav mic records in Mono, but if you're already a Rode Videomic user, that's nothing new. I duplicated the audio channels to both left and right, but as you can tell, it sounds very flat and quite differently than recording in real stereo like the X/Y mic config of the Zoom H1.

I wasn't too happy with the straight drop of mono audio in this video. There's no ambient sound, and almost sounds like a voice over. Well, that also means the LAV was working well by focusing on the speaker. I possibly could have done this video better with a shotgun microphone alone, but if we were in a very noisy environment where you need to be discreet like a wedding, the LAV mic may work best. It's possible to mix the audio from the Camera along with the LAV mic audio, but the IS motor on my 24-105mm lens comes in like a loud grinding noise. I probably should have used a shotgun microphone as a second microphone + Zoom H1 w/ ATR3350 Lav mic and mixed it all together to make things sound more natural.

Sorry guys, that was a real quick rough test before I had to head out to (currently in) Maui, Hawaii. I'm out here on vacation, but also to test some other gear where the scenery is much nicer.

zoom-h1-recorder
click image

audio-technica-atr3350
click image to purchase Audio-Technica ATR3350

Camera-Wireless-Remote-Yongnuo
YongNuo Combo Wireless Remote Shutter + Wireless Flash Trigger

• 18 Comments

•

photo 1
photo 3

Today's morning mail bag drops in with some nice surprises. I finally received the two Audio-Technica ATR3350 powered Lavalier Microphones for my Zoom H1. This will be an interesting test. I was already impressed with the Zoom H1 built in mics when doing this BiGeye review, but I was in a controlled environment. We'll see what we can get with a microphone closer to the subject outside on some noisy streets. Right off the bat, the cord is loooooonnnnngg. It's a nice setup if you don't have a portable audio recorder, but not for my use. I'll cut and snip a few feet off soon. Hopefully I don't screw it up, but it's just two simple wires. Audio tests coming soon... More information here: http://cheesycam.com/zoom-h1-lavalier-winner/

photo 4photo 5
photo 2

Next, some nice Letus DSLR products drop in. Talk about some damn sexy camera gear (drool). If you have a lust for gear (like myself), Letus is one of those brands that will seduce you like an Empusa. Nah that's too gorey, better yet a Shakira music video. Ok, i'm getting sidetracked, back to the subject at hand. Letus has been a big time name in the film industry and very popular in the DOF adapters before DSLR's changed things. Letus didn't stand around watching times change, they jumped right in with a new line of DSLR accessories now found at LetusDSLR.com.

The Letus Hawk VF is a DSLR view finder wrapped in Carbon Fiber. Is it super lightweight? Surprisingly no. It's a solid piece of gear that when holding it will make you go OOOh. It's built for the finest gentlemen like a Bently, but also comes at a different price. Most view finders we see have somewhat of a squarish box design. Since it's comparable in price as the Zacuto Z-Finder Pro, if I had to make a choice there's no doubt this would be the clear winner. The design of the Letus Hawk VF makes the Z-Finder look like technology from a Buck Rogers episode - biddy biddy beep. The Hawk VF is silky smooth, many many curves - nothing squarish about it, finished with a carbon fiber wrapped design, and a high gloss clear coat of resin. I'll get some more information up with a video soon...

The Hawk VF mounts directly under the camera, no magnetic frames. For cameras with a battery pack, you can get the optional riser plate here: https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/hawk-riser.html
letus-hawk-vf-riser-dslr-battery-pack

Also in the box, there's the standard Letus DSLR cage which is the basic foundation that can be used with their growing line of DSLR accesories. It's Rod compatible so you can find ways to adapt many rod type accessories. The entire cage is cheese plate designed for mounting a bazillion different things to it. This cage is thick and solid. I wish I had this thing for the 'egg drop' science project in middle school, anything will survive a drop in this cage. It's a precision crafted beast possibly made from Adamantium. More close up photos and video overview coming soon...

Letus-dslr-viewfinder-Hawk-VFLetus-Hawk-VF
Letus-talon-dslr-cageletus-dslr-cage
The Letus Hawk VF & Letus Talon DSLR Cage

• 11 Comments

•

shoe-mount-zoom-h1
click image to find shoe mounts

Ok, someone asked about mounting the Zoom H1 on your camera's hot shoe. This is cool, it's a compact setup, but I highly suggest that you first grab a $12.00 dollar L Bracket or two which will not only move the Zoom's Mic a few inches away from the camera noise, but give you an extra handle for stabilization, and an additional 2 shoe accessory mounts. Here's the T2i with a handle next to the Zoom H1.

IMG_8270 - Copy

Below: Here's an image shared by Chuckarama using two L brackets and a Flash Bracket

Now that you're all setup, I peeked around some of the camera websites and boy these adapters aren't cheap. They go for as little as $20.00 dollars to as much as $200 dollars for articulating arm types. Me being the frugal shopper, I jump on over to my normal wheel and deal spot - eBay. Low and behold! There's a hundred different types starting from as low as $1.00 dollar. Even heavy metal crafted gear. Hate to say it, but most of the designs look like the ones sold from the big boys, and possibly could be.

hot-shoe-mount-1-4-20
Above: Pro-Type Shoe Mount - This is the one I like most

This is a good article to share, make sure to link back to this. It's going to save a few bucks for a whole bunch of people and that adds up to a lot of dollars. So here's the link, jump on over and find yourself a good Shoe mount for your Zoom H1 or H4n.

shoe-adapters-20
find-price-button variety of shoe mounts

• 11 Comments

•

Trying to kill several birds with one stone, here's a review of the LCW BiGeye Profinder. I'm using my 3 piece 800w lighting kit, and audio was recorded using the new Zoom H1 audio recorder from the built in microphones. Sound is awesome. So hopefully you get an idea of the Zoom H1 audio sample, the lighting kit, and a great overview of LightCraft Workshop's latest product - the BiGeye Profinder DSLR View finder.

Here's a quick look at what's in the box and what the BiGeye Profinder from LightCraft Workshop looks like. I'll have some additional images of it mounted to a camera, once I get my old sticky frames off. Although it's an LCD loupe, the manufacturing is different than any other LCD viewfinder on the market. It's a completely silicone body, metal diopter ring, and glass Optics. No plastic at all (except for mounting frame). I'm not sure if that's good or bad, but it definitely is different and new. Like I said, I haven't had the chance to shoot with it yet, but it feels comfortable in hand and comfortable when placed over the eye.

The BiGeye Profinder attaches almost in the same method as popular view finders. A square frame is attached to your LCD glass using double sided tape. The frame is not metal, it's plastic with a larger lip. The silicone body of the viewfinder stretches snugly over the frame holding it in place. This choice of silicone body to plastic frame mount is just as fast to remove as the magnetic mount type, but not so quick to attach. It's not difficult to attach, it's just not as fast. The LCW BiGeye Profinder comes with two different eye-cups so you have a choice, unlike most other finders where you'd be stuck with one. The optics are super clear, magnification is super sharp, no distortion, and true glass all the way through. That's no surprise, I mean this is LCW's product.

The diopter is a brilliant design and well made. It's an all metal construction with a knurled finish around the adjustment knob. The glass eyepiece is threaded so you can adjust it inwards or outwards to fine tune the magnification. It does come with a lanyard strap, but does not come with a case. Since it's primarily silicone it should take a beating quite well without worry of fracturing or cracking. Overall it does come in pricier than the cheaper loupes we've been seeing, but there's a large audience of shooters that are in need of an excellent working viewfinder with Diopter. For the build quality and design details, I think this is priced nicely. There are $180 dollar viewfinders that don't have Diopters or replaceable eye-cups, while the LCW BiGeye provides both of these features and still comes in under $140.

You can find more information about the LightCraft Workshop LCW BiGeye Profinder DSLR LCD view finder here: https://www.lightcraftworkshop-shop.com/

lcw-lightcraftworkshop-lcd-viewfinder-bigeye

• 19 Comments

•

canon-60d-lcd-screen
click to pre-order Canon EOS 60D from Canon Store - Amazon

Well the Zoom H1 did meet it's release date, but didn't meet the demands of the retailers. Few shipments went out and there's still a ton of people waiting in line for new products to arrive, including me! I got a hold of one, but still waiting on two more Zoom H1's.

Well here's another item guaranteed to sell out quick. Of course we're talking about the new Canon 60D DSLR. You don't think you need it, you think you want it, not sure you want it, doesn't matter it's going to be gone the first week and hard to get a hold of after. When the T2i was released that too was a hard product to find. Well fear not, the official Canon store on Amazon.com is accepting pre-orders. This is not a third party retailer, this is the Canon store on Amazon which I assume they have as a warehouse drop ship partner. Here's the link: Pre-Order Now - Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)

I'm game..got my order in already.
amazon-canon-60d-pre-ordercanon-60d-cheesycam-pre-order

Failsafe. If you're unsure, this is what Amazon lists after you purchase it:

Not Yet Shipped: Delivery estimate: We need a little more time to provide you with a good estimate. We'll notify you via e-mail as soon as we have an estimated delivery date. You can cancel at any time.

canon-60d-pre-order-dslr

• 4 Comments

•

Thursday mail bag continues....
It's called the Q-Strap. Some people are touchy about using the word 'clone' or 'replica', so i'll just say this resembles very very closely, almost exactly similar to the Black Rapid RS-4 Camera Strap. Since this is 'comparable' to the R-Strap the Q-Strap (quick strap) runs less than half the price. The Q-Strap is also one up on the R-Strap since it has a different quick release clip that supports a handstrap and tripod mount. Similar features include a pocket to store extra media cards or batteries. Yes, it's very nice for under $23.00 + Free Shipping.

black-quick-rapid-strap

quick-strap
click image to find pricing

• 4 Comments

•

photo(2)

It's still a bit early, there may be some new things that arrive later, but here's what just came in for today's mail bag. Here's a hint. It could be the next BIG thing to keep your EYE on.... Ok that was probably a corny one liner. Would you like some butter on that corny joke? Yeah that was pretty bad too, i'll quit now. Anyone as excited as me to open the box and see what this bad boy looks like?

lcw-lightcraftworkshop-lcd-viewfinder-bigeye

Update 12:18pm: I like it...I really really like it. This isn't saying much since I never bothered to spend over $180 on a viewfinder, but this is the best viewfinder "with a diopter" for under $140. This made my day.. I'll have more information later, but it's a much different design than the other loupes. Weird, but there's no plastic on it. Totally silicone, metal, and glass.

• 5 Comments

•

Well, more and more information is beginning to come out of the wood work about the new Canon 60D. It's funny if you try to think about reasons to upgrade from a T2i, it might not be enough, but i'm looking at this thinking I can sell off the 7D and downgrade to actually save some money. Sitting here watching this commercial, since I still have the 5DM2 for nice photos and video, I would definitely sell off my Canon 7D and T2i for (2) Canon 60D's. We'll see how that idea works out when the new Canon EOS 60D DSLR camera becomes available.

canon-60d
Canon EOS 60D DSLR Digital Camera BHPHOTOVIDEO.com for $1099.00