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As far as recent portable digital audio recorders go, there has been quite a buzz around the 929347 Tascam DR-60D Portable Recorder + Field Recorder. The Tascam proves to have good quality sound as a preamp, but when compared to something like a Zoom H4n, the Tascam does not offer a single built in microphone. Besides having to carry around a separate microphone, the form factor is a bit on the large side (so does that still qualify as a portable recorder?).

Samson's Zoom line of portable recorders have always included a set of microphones, but the new Zoom H6 Zoom H6 Portable Digital Audio Recorder takes it to the next level by offering a very modular Mic and Input system among other new advanced features. The Zoom H6 basic kit includes includes an XY Microphone, Module, Includes Mid-side Microphone Module, Four XLR/TRS Inputs, Record Up to 6 Simultaneous Channels, Record Up to 24-bit/96kHz Audio, Doubles as USB Audio Interface, Uses SDXC Memory Cards. Add-ons will be available such as a Shotgun Mic, XLR/TRS Inputs Module, and Hot Shoe Mount. The brand new Zoom H6 Zoom H6 Portable Digital Recorder is available for pre-order now via (B&H) Click 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

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sigma-fast-1-8-18-35mmsigma-fastest-les

sigma 18-35mm fast zoom Sigma's latest 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Lens is now available to order. Typically most zoom lenses can only maintain a max aperture of F/2.8, while this new (35mm Equivalent Focal Length of 28.8-56mm) lens can maintain a constant wide aperture of F/1.8 throughout it's zoom range, thus dubbing it The Fastest Zoom Lens in the World.

sigma 18-35

These are some very very impressive specs for a lens. The new Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 lens is offered in Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, and Sigma mounts. Keep in mind that many of these lenses can now be adapted to work with other cameras such as the Sony NEX (including aperture controls and auto focus). The Canon version of this lens is listed as native Canon EF (not EF-S), and although it's designed for APS-C sized sensors tokina 11-16mm (like Tokina's 11-16mm), this lens should mount directly to a BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera with EF mount. This could be a very popular lens for BMCC users.

Sigma Worlds Fastest Zoom lens

I'm personally very excited to get my hands on a singe lens with this type of focal range combined with a very fast constant aperture. The fastest zoom lens I currently have is canon 24-70mm Canon's 24-70mm F/2.8 which runs over $2K so the fact that this new Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 is available for under $800 dollars is an amazing price. This should appeal to many who shoot with APS-C cameras such as a Canon Rebel, 7D, 60D, T5i, or even Sony NEX cameras with a smart adapter. The new Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 is available for pre-order through the links below.

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find-price-button Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Lens - via B&H
find-price-button Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Lens - via Samys
find-price-button Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Lens - via Adorama

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Remember a short while back I mentioned I was working on a personal project to perform some independent LED Video Light Tests? Well here's a small update on where this project is at.

The image below (computer screen shot) are various different LED video lights I have laying around shot with exactly the same settings. This is a visual reference to compare the brightness, spread (diffusion), and also color reference of each LED video light. I've locked the camera down to a white balance of 5600K for these images. Some of the tests were performed between Daylight and Tungsten, but the side by side comparison really shows extreme color casts between the various LED lights.

Cheesycam LED Video Light Tests
Click for Larger View

I also decided to get more serious about using a true LED Spectrometer for these tests that will provide me with more accurate readings and charts. I'll be able to share these images as well as exact numbers from the meter for each light including CRI and LUX readings. The image below are a few settings from the various LED Video lights. This project will be quite interesting indeed..

Cheesycam LED Video Light Meter Tests Spectrometer
Click for Larger View

[Note:] I am performing my own tests with a standardized setup across each LED light as a reference. This is an independent test which may greatly differ from what each Manfacturer displays as their proper listed technical specifications.

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Just a reminder that those Manfrotto Rebates will expire (this week) on Jne 15th. If you were looking to pick up a set of Video Tripod Legs, a Video Fluid Head, Video Monopod, and more, NOW might be the time to check out those deals.

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find-price-button Manfrotto Rebates on Professional Video Equipment

I'm seeing rebates as much as $125 off retail price. Rebates include discounts on Manfrotto's latest Video Fluid Head with Bridging Technology - the MVH500AH Video Fluid Head, and also on their very popular 561BHDV Video Monopod (which BTW includes another $50 dollar gift card).

A few days left for these rebate offers, so make sure to check it out over at B&H (found Here).

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find-price-button Manfrotto Rebates on Professional Video Equipment

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Here's a Motorized-Product-Table-Variable-Speed-300x217 Motorized Rotating Product Table that was shared to me a short while ago. I decided to try this one out mainly because of the option to vary the speed. It's much more expensive, but this is another great option that will appeal to some people. Here's a video with the product in use rotating the Fuji X100s.

Here's another video using the exact same Variable Speed Motorized Turntable from YouTube member Aaron Nanto shot with an FS100

Now if you just want to save money and don't mind using a table that only offers one speed, you should check out my previous article (found here). The cheaper single-speed version can be purchased for under $50 dollars, while this variable speed product table can run up to three times the price (found here via Amazon).

Motorized Product Table Variable Speed
find-price-button Variable Speed Rotating Product Table 1-10RPM

Here's a link to the cheaper version with only one speed.

rotating-turntable-motorized-lazy-susan-display
find-price-button Heavy Duty Single Speed Motorized Rotating Table

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I shared these little extended shaft D-ring screws in an earlier post, but here's the real reason why I have them around the studio. The extended shaft works great to mount accessories to your DSLR Video Cages, and the D-Ring makes tightening or loosening the screws easy without tools. Just yesterday I used these to mount my sennheiser G3 wireless kit Sennheiser G3 Wireless Receivers to the GearBox directly to it's 1/4-20 mount without having to use an additional hot shoe adapter.

I can guarantee that these will work perfectly on the GearBox Cage P&C GearBox Video Cages (found here), and also on the Kamerar Tank Cage Kamera Tank Video Cages (found here). If you happen to have a different cage, the shaft on these screws are about 13mm so you can easily measure if these will work for you too. You can find these Extended Shaft D-ring Quick Release screws via eBay (Click Here).

Extended Long Shaft D-Ring Dring Tripod Screw Quick Release Plate
find-price-button D-Ring Extended Shaft Tool-Less QR Plate Screw

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Here's a short video review from Shuttertastic.com highlighting a few features for Fuji's latest X100s camera. The X100s is a major upgrade from the popular X100. These fixed focal length rangefinder-like cameras cater to a niche audience, but dig a little deeper and the X100s packs some very useful features.

Aside from already being one of the best imaging cameras, the 910403 Fuji X100s built in ND Filter is enough to keep the aperture wide open at F/2.0 during mid day shoots, but another very interesting feature with the X100s is the ability to shoot high speed sync flash direct from the hot shoe. These two features combined may appeal to portrait photographers who want to work with a smaller more simple solution.

FUJI-x100s-3768 FUJI-x100s-3767

Actual sample images from this video along with a more informative article about the Fuji X100s can be seen at Shuttertastic.com.


fuji-x100SFuji-X100S-New
find-price-button Fujifilm X100S Digital Camera - via B&H Photo Video

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If you've purchased a Field HDMI Monitor, on-camera LED light, or even Studio LED Paanel, chances are you've had to buy a set of Sony NP-F series: NP-F550/F570/F770/F960/F970, NP-FM series: FM50/FM51/FM55H/FM500H, NP-QM series: QM50/QM51/QM71D/QM91D or similar type of battery.

Sony NPF battery L SeriesSony NP-F7704177VBY5W9L._AA160_Sony NP-F770 Camcorder Battery

These Sony style batteries are becoming more and more popular, and with plenty of aftermarket versions available at every online retailer, i'd like to hear which ones you've purchased recently and what your feedback is on the batteries you're using. I'm sure many of us could use some good information, so please share your comments and links below, thanks guys!

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I'm still getting questions about mounting the new IMG_3557_1024x1024 Carry Speed VF-4 on a GH3. I can tell you that it's a very tight fit on a GH3, and it hangs down just a hair below the LCD. See video below.

In the next video below, I'm using the VF-4 extension bracket to show how it can mount on a GH3 with a battery grip attached. One problem with the GH3 grip is that it will relocate the tripod mount off center (to the right), but the VF-4 may be one of the only LCD View Finder products that has enough adjustment to work.

Here's an image Dennis shared with me where he mounts the VF-4 Quick Release plate under the P&C GearBox first which works as a small spacer to fit with the GH2 camera body [Thanks Dennis].

GH3-VF-4 GearBox

[Reminder] Expires this Wednesday June 12, 2013, here's a link to grab a $50 OFF coupon code good for the VF-4 or VF-4 bundle. More information about the new Carry Speed VF-4 LCD Video View finder can be found at CarrySpeed.com (here)

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find-price-button Carry Speed VF-4 LCD View Finder & VF-4 Bundle (with Extension Bracket).