• 148 Comments

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HiFly Camera DSLR Gimbal

Brushless gimbals have been in use for aerial video, but with the shrinking size of quality cinema cameras, many feel this could bring a big change for handheld type shooting. In the last few months there has been an explosion of various brushless gimbal stabilizers, including some affordable DIY options over on eBay. One example is this kit called the HiFly 3 Axis DSLR Brushless Gimbal Camera Stabilizer.

The HiFly is offered in various bundles, but the complete kit comes with everything you need to get flying, but leaves one final step up to the user. The final step required for these type of stabilizers is programming the parameters into the Gimbal controller. There's some additional information on the product listing page on how you can tackle programming the gimbal, but curious if anyone out there is already tackling this type of project? You can see other brushless camera gimbals showing up on eBay (following this link).

HiFly Camera DSLR Gimbal 3 axis brushless controller HiFly program software Brushless Gimbal Project DC Brushless camera Gimbal
find-price-button 3 Axis Brushless Motor Gimbal Camera Stabilizer Kit

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Brushless Camera Stabilizers Currently on eBay



• 17 Comments

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First test with the new Zoom H6 portable audio recorder out of the box plugged into my Rode Procaster microphone Rode Procaster Vocal Microphone. (No EQ applied, so it might sound low or flat.) I was not able to use this mic directly with the Zoom H4n without adding at least a Cloud Lifter Cloud LIfter in between.

The Rode Procaster will sound better when used with the the Tascam DR-60D, but now it appears this Zoom H6 has become my favorite portable audio recorder. I'm sure people will complain about not being to lock the input gain dials on the H6, but compared to the H4n, I prefer the dials over the digital input adjustments on the H4n.

BTW, if you're in the Bay Area and looking for a Tascam DR-60D, i've got a barely used one for sale..


Samson Zoom H6 Portable Audio Modular Mic Shotgun Stereo XY TRS XLR
find-price-button Zoom H6 Modular Mic Digital Audio Recorder

Rode Procaster Microphone
find-price-button Rode Procaster Vocal Broadcast Dynamic Microphone


• 9 Comments

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Here's another product Giveaway sponsored by Aputure and open to everyone. This time it's for Aputure's latest V-Mic directional condenser shotgun microphone complete with hotshoe shock mount, foam windscreen, and Deadcat (furry thing).

Product Description:
Aputure V-Mic D1 is a directional condenser shotgun microphone featuring a super-cardioid polar pattern, line gradient acoustics, superior isolation, and easily filters out unwanted background noise, vibrations and low frequencies in order to give you accurate voice input. It also has a low battery indicator, and is equipped with a universal shoe mount, making it suitable for most DSLRs and camcorders.

More about this Aputure V-Mic product Givewaway can be found at the following link (here).
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Aputure V-Mic Shotgun Microphone Product Giveaway

This is a fairly new product but you can find additional information, specs, and images from product listings over on eBay (click here).

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find-price-button Aputure V-Mic DIrectional Condenser Shotgun Mic - eBay

• 26 Comments

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This recent video from Robert at JuicedLink shares a review from some of the latest Portable Audio tools used for video capture today. The video includes battery tests (runtime), audio comparisons, and what may be pros and cons of each tool. If you can sit through the technical specs, there's quite a bit of information that may help you decide which tool fits your workflow better and help you achieve better audio.

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Zoom H4n 		857043
JuicedLink RM333 		929347
Tascam DR-60D 		967366
Zoom H6

• 19 Comments

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Here's a few images unboxing the new Zoom H6 Portable Digital Audio Recorder. You can see what it comes with, including it's own travel case.

Zoom-H6-Cheesycam-1 Zoom-H6-Cheesycam-2
Nice Packaging..
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A few accessories include X/Y Mic & Mid-Side Mic..
Zoom-H6-Cheesycam-7 Zoom-H6-Cheesycam-8
The back of the box shows optional accessories..
Zoom-H6-Cheesycam-9 Zoom-H6-Cheesycam-10
Zoom-H6-Cheesycam-11 Zoom-H6-Cheesycam-14
Comes with it's own travel case..
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Now it's time to fire her up and see how she performs. With the additional XLR inputs, I will already be satisfied if it sounds exactly the same as the Zoom H4n. Of course if it sounds better, that's just more of a bonus.

[Update] I have my first sample with a Rode Procaster (listen here).


Samson Zoom H6 Portable Audio Modular Mic Shotgun Stereo XY TRS XLR
find-price-button Samson Zoom H6 Modular Mic Input Portable Digital Audio Recorder

• 13 Comments

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Cinevate has recently released their most compact and most affordable Duzi Video Camera Slider, and one of you lucky readers out will get your hands on it FREE!

For information about registering for the Cinevate Duzi Video Camera Slider Giveaway check out all all the details following THIS LINK >>

For information about this new product, check out the details below.
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Product Description
It’s the lightest, most compact and affordable Cinevate slider ever. It's a Duzi!

Weighing in at just 4 lbs, measuring only 24 inches long, and with a price tag of just $375, the Duzi Camera Slider makes it easier and more affordable than ever, to run and gun with a lightweight and ultra-smooth camera slider.

Solid 19mm carbon rails, CNC machined aluminum and 8 precision bearings, means Duzi can take a beating and still deliver flawless slides.

Boasting a 50 lb weight capacity, Duzi is a workhorse. Whether you're shooting on a DSLR or a big ass camera, Duzi can handle it.

Drop it on the ground. Set it on a table. Center mount it on a tripod. Set up is that easy.

Duzi's end blocks allow for more creative rigging - 1/4-20 threaded holes and 5/8 inch thru holes can support dual stands. Duzi's top and bottom cheese plates offer even more mounting options.

Whether you're a beginner or seasoned veteran, Duzi is an essential part of your filmmaking kit, and at just $375, Duzi can be added to your arsenal affordably.

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Cinevate Duzi Video Camera Slider

Features:

  • Crafted from CNC machined aluminum and stainless steel
  • Compact 24 inch length
  • 8 precision roller bearings
  • Center and side mounting tripod options
  • Micro adjusting Urethane ball feet
  • Integrated mechanical lock
  • Cheesed-out top and bottom plate

    • It's a Duzi! - See more at: https://www.cinevate.com/store2/duzi-camera-slider.html#sthash.CnxlptUP.dpuf

    cinevate_duzi_camera-_slider_1
    find-price-button Cinevate Duzi Slider
    Want this Cinevate Duzi for FREE? Register for the Cinevate Duzi Video Camera Slider Giveaway
    following THIS LINK >>

    • 40 Comments

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    honu_gh3_specs_large

    Newsletter went out today. The first Fhugen GH3 Video Cages are officially on sale along with teaser images of an upcoming Top Handle & HDMI Lock accessory. I've had my GH3 stuffed inside the Fhugen cage ever since I first mounted it.

    The Fhguen cage is super lightweight and compact. I'm not sure how to explain it, but maybe because it was designed specifically for the GH3, it doesn't really feel like an awkward bulky piece of equipment screwed on to your camera. It actually feels quite natural as if it were already part of the camera.

    A GH2 camera will mount inside of this cage, but battery door access will be blocked. Everything else lines up perfectly on the GH2. I'm still interested to hear how well it works with Sony NEX cameras, the Canon EOS-M, or possibly this new Panasonic GX7 everyone is talking about.

    Definitely, If you're a Panasonic GH3 shooter, I suggest you take a peek at the product. Find out more about this at the product page over at https://www.photographyandcinema.com/.

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    find-price-button Fhugen Honu GH3 Video Cage

    • 23 Comments

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    The BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera drops down to just $1995, that's $1000 dollars off it's initial release price. This is really an amazing deal on a camera capable of shooting RAW video and available in both Canon EF and MFT (micro four thirds) mount.

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    find-price-button BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera 2.5K RAW EF / MFT Mount

    If you're looking for a perfect lens to match, the new Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 (world's fastest zoom lens) would be one to look in to. I've been dying to get this lens on my BMCC for a test, but Aron Nanto beat me to it. Here he's showcasing the BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera + Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 Lens

    The new Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 will give you a fast wide aperture through it's focal range. You can move from wide to zoom without changing exposures and maintaining a very shallow depth of field. The Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 lens is available in a variety of mounts from Canon, Sony, Sigma, Pentax, Nikon, etc. (found here).

    sigma18-35mm
    find-price-button Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8

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    There was a question about how to update the Tascam DR-60D Firmware, so here's a short video showing how it's done to update the DR-60D system to Firmware v1.20.

    The Tascam DR-60D Portable Digital Audio Recorder is available from B&H Photo Video (here).

    dr-60d_p_leftdr-60d_p_user
    find-price-button High Quality Audio Recorder + Mixer Integrated Linear PCM Recorder