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No sense in owning great audio equipment if you don't at least have a decent set of headphones to monitor with. These Sony MDR-V6 Monitor Series Headphones have been around for a long time and are still a very popular affordable set of cans for video shooters.

Today the Sony MDR-V6 is on sale for about 15% off typical retail price [thanks for the Tweet Dave]. Over 1100 reviews at 4.5 stars, you can find the sale following the link (click here)

Sony MDR-V6 Monitor Series HeadphonesSony MDR-V6
find-price-button Sony MDR-V6 Monitor Series Headphones with CCAW Voice Coil

On that note, this may sound quite silly, but yesterday I was working with a set of Tascam's latest TH02 Closed-Back Stylish Headphones, and was pretty blown away. We purchased a set over at NAB and didn't really think too much about them because the retail price was only around $20 dollars (found here). Crazy right? I had three other people from the crew monitor with the headphones and we were all pretty amazed at the quality and price of these new headsets from Tascam.

Tascam TH02 Headphone Video Monitoring Cheesycam
(above) Monitoring Sennheiser G3 Wireless + Tascam DR-60D with Tascam TH02 Headphones

Checking back on the Amazon reviews, seems like everyone else shares the same opinion. I feel pretty silly for suggesting a set of $20 dollar headphones, but damn these things sound good. If they carry them at your local retailer, you should really give these a try. There's also an excellent video review over at Amazon I suggest you take a look at if you're interested (found here).

TH-02_Collapsed Studio Monitor HeadphoneTascam TH02 Headphone
find-price-button Tascam TH02 Closed-Back Stylish Headphones

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Someone over at YouTube was asking me about a travel bag for a Steadicam Vest, and I had mentioned at times I use a rolling duffle bag. A duffle is an inexpensive way to lug around a bunch of gear including light stands, tripods, monopods, etc. but doesn't always provide the best protection when everything is thrown in one area. This question reminded me about a cool looking Hybrid Rolling Duffle/Hard Case I ran into the other day which might be a better way to haul large odd sized equipment while keeping them separated.

Hybrid Roller DuffleRolling Duffle Hard Case HybridHard Case Rolling Duffle Bag Gear

This unique bag has a hard case at the bottom, might be good for storing items you'd like to have protected such as the Steadicam Arm, Light Stands, Monopods, or maybe even create a padded divider for lighting. The top is a flexible Duffle area for storing larger items like a padded stabilizer vest, cloth backdrops, extension cords, or other grip gear.

The brand name is 'FUL' and so far Amazon reviewers give it a full 5 star rating (see here). Might be worth looking at if you need a good travel duffle that has a separate protected hard case area. I found these same name brand bags listed on eBay starting as low as $62 dollars + FREE SHIPPING (here).

Steadicam Vest Bag FUL Rolling Hard Case Duffle
find-price-button Ful Hybrid Rolling Duffel Bag Hard Case

Available in 7 different colors via Amazon (click here).

Hard Duffle Case rolling bag gearDuffle Bag Hard CaseSteadicam Travel Bag Roller Vest arm
find-price-button Ful Hybrid Rolling Duffel Bag Hard Case

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I purchased a Skyler MiniCam about a year ago. At the time I was looking for a very small stabilizer that was easy to travel with, offered a quick release system, fine tuning knobs, and can fly at least the Canon 5D Mark III camera. I personally felt the price was very good for the build quality, convenience, and features it had to offer, but at approx $500 dollars it wasn't something everyone wanted to dive into. Now we are seeing more affordable versions available, and here is one overview of the XCAM 2013 FL vs the original Skyler MiniCam Mini hand held stabilizer.

The XCAM no doubt shares the same design as the original Skyler MiniCam, and the 2013 XCAM version now offers a folding leg design. For the XCAM, this means you don't have to remove the legs when it's time to pack up. The XCAM is also half the price of the Skyler MiniCam for those who were looking to get into a similar stabilizer.

XCAM Tripod Legs Skyler MiniCam Leg

The tripod style legs from these two stabilizers are not just for design aesthetics, it also allows you to confidently set your stabilizer down without fear of tipping over. Not something you can do with a Merlin, and you may not be as confident doing this with a Glidecam. The spread legs also give clearance for a center mount, used to thread a monopod underneath when you want to be stationary and not have to carry the weight.

Both are excellent stabilizers, with only minor differences shape of counterweights) between the two. (i.e. folding legs, colored qr plate). The new XCam 2013 Mini video Stabilizer is offered at just $238 via eBay (click here)

XCam Mini StabilizerXcam stabilizer
find-price-button XCam 2013 FL Mini Hand Held Video Stabilizer

The original Skyler Minicam stabilizer is available for $450 dollars (found here on eBay)

Skyler Minicam
find-price-button Skyler MiniCam Video Camera Stabilizer

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I was curious to test out the new Aputure LED Video light panels, and so I reached out to Aputure to send over this package of 3 different portable LED Video lights. Within these three boxes sit the 528w, 528c, and 528s LED Light Panels waiting to be unboxed.

Aputure AL-528W LED Video Light Panel.png 1
find-price-button Aputure AL-528W LED Video Light Panels

The three different lights share mostly the same features which include a Digital brightness display, Double power supply system (battery or AC), the ability to charge batteries from the unit while being powered by AC, a Battery power indicator, and all come with a nice Carrying case. I'll try to get to them later this week, but for now here's what the different models represent.

The AL-528W is an all daylight color temp rated at 5500K and throws a 75 degree beam angle.
The AL-528S is an all daylight color temp rated at 5500K but throws only at a 25 degree beam angle (spotlight type effect).
The AL-528C throws at the 75 degree beam angle, but can adjust color between 3200K-5500K using two sets of different color LED bulbs.

I'm just waiting for a color temp meter (should be here later this week) to measure LUX for a better comparison of these new panels.


Aputure AL-528W LED Video Light Panel 5Aputure AL-528W LED Video Light Panel 4Aputure AL-528W LED Video Light Panel
find-price-button Aputure AL-528W LED Video Light Panels

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The video community is running wild with all types of samples from the new Magic Lantern hack that enables RAW output from the Canon 5D Mark III (and soon other cams). The guys over there are doing some amazing work, so make sure you stop by and donate to get this project moving faster. The 11 stops of dynamic range pulled from a full frame sensor camera is an amazing combination to have.

I'm guessing once the ML menus have been refined and the workflow to process the RAW images becomes easier, this will create a second wave demand on the 5D Mark III. If you're looking for one, the Canon 5D Mark III currently retails for $3400+ (no current rebates), so as a reminder there are still deals available for Brand New, USA Warranty, Canon 5D Mark III cameras at below $2890 (check here).

Canon 5D Mark III
find-price-button Canon 5D Mark III (Body) Deals

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Monopods are not normally associated with smooth dynamic camera movements like what can be achieved with a Steadicam, wheeled dolly, or crane, but 2013 looks like the year to break that mold. In this article, i''ll list a few Monopods that are trying to take stabilizing video along with creative movements to the next level. Let's hear your thoughts in the comments section.

STEADICAM SOLO

First up is a the new Steadicam Solo. A familiar Steadicam setup that doubles as a full sized monopod. The folding sled moves the counterweights out of the way when you need to operate the system from a stationary point. The handle can be used with or without an optional Steadicam Vest when you have to fly for long periods of time.

Steadicam Solo Stabilizer Monopod,jpg copy
Steadicam Solo Stabilizer Monopod Adobe PDF

Speedly Stabilizer Monopod

Prior to the Steadicam Solo, a similar Monopod / Steadycam has already been available (seen above) sometimes called the 'Speedly'. This one offers a few interesting additions.

speedly camera monopod jibspeedly monitor
speedly adaptersSpeedly Adapter

Besides transforming quickly between a Video Stabilizer and a Monopod, the gimbal can be relocated along the post and can be used as a makeshift crane/jib (probably not a very good one). The bottom weights can be swapped for a monitor, and there are quick release adapters at the post to throw on various other stabilizers without compromising the balance of your setup. You can find the Speedly Monopod / Stabilizer via eBay (here).

Speedly Streadicam Monopod Stabilizer Solo
find-price-button Speedly Multi-Function Monopod Video Stabilizer

Wondlan Magic II
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Another new product that attempts to offer the stability of a Monopod with the convenience of a Stabilizer is the latest Wondlan Magic II. It looks like your basic hand held stabilizer, and offers many features similar to the Speedly. One main difference is the adjustable Tilt Head. This is a very simple, yet clever design that many stabilizers seem to miss out on.

Wondlan Magic IIWondlan Magic II quick release

Most Steadicams only offer a level horizon, but many shots require a different angle i.e. looking up, looking down, or just managing the headroom. It's advertised to work like a make-shift crane, provides a quick release system at the post to maintain balance position when the camera is remounted, and quick release adapters to be used on other mounts. The post can also be used as a handle. You can find the new Wondlan Magic II Stabilizers online (Click Here).

Magic II Wondlan Stabilizer monopodMagic II Wondlan Stabilizer monopod video
find-price-button Wondlan Magic II Stabilizer Monopod

Cinematics Scorpion King

Next up is Cinematics' Scorpion King Monopod / Dolly. Adding wheels to monopods has been done before, but they've come up with a creative way of using one wheel on the back to control steering. I'm sure the other uses such as a shoulder support may help to stabilize footage, but looks fairly awkward in use. You can see more images of the Cinematics Scorpion Monopod (here)

Cinematics Scorpionscorpion king cinematicsScreen Shot 2013-05-13 at 2.47.02 PM
find-price-button Cinematics Scorpion King Monopod Dolly

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Did you know, the new GH3 battery grip relocates the tripod mount to the right side? We're not talking millimeters here, it's way off to the right. This new position can be highly problematic as it will throw off the optical center of your lens when you want to mount your camera to rigs, and use matte boxes, or even follow focus systems. So one solution is to just not use a battery grip, the other is to use an adjustable 15mm baseplate like Stewart Eastep has shared. [Thanks Stewart].

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If you need to get proper alignment back on a set of 15mm rails, check out a few of the adjustable baseplates on the market. Here Stewart is using one of the CAVision adjustable baseplates which offer up/down as well as left/right adjustments found via B&H (click here).

cavision-adjustable-baseplate
find-price-button CAVISION Adjustable BasePlate with 15mm Rails

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Anyone who has had to operate a slider during an interview will realize the value this new slider can add to your projects. Best of all, this tool can replace additional overhead on crew to operate that B-cam while adding high production value dynamic camera movements.

Fully motorized, the new Redrock Micro One Man Crew Motorized Slider offers variable speeds, steady consistent movements, and silent operation. The curved track design allows your subject to remain in frame as the camera tracks back and forth automatically. The new RedRock Micro One Man Crew is available now for pre-order (click here).

Redrock One Man Crew
find-price-button Redrock Micro One Man Crew Motorized Slider

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YouTube member blkphoto sends in this video test using the Rode SmartLAV while shooting with a Panasonic GH3 [Thanks Larry]. If you jump over to 1:43 in the video you can hear the immediate difference between the recording and the sound from the GH3 internal microphone.

The Rode SmartLav is a microphone that connects directly to an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad. You can download a free version of the Rode Rec app to adjust sound levels and with the paid version of the app you can immediately share your recordings to the cloud.


Rode SmartLAV via GearAddix.com

It may not replace your other high end mics and digital recorders, but as you will often hear stories about Lav mics breaking in the middle of a project, it might be handy to keep a Rode SmartLAV around in the kit. Available at the DVEStore.com (found here)

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find-price-button Rode smartLav iOS Lavalier Microphone.

The Rode SmartLAV can also be found via eBay

find-price-button Rode iPhone iPod iPad SmartLAV - via eBay