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I've had decent luck with aftermarket batteries with my Canon DSLRs and even with my smaller point and shoot cameras. Now with two Panasonic GH3 cameras, i've been looking to add a few extra batteries to the kit. I've been hesitating because the OEM batteries run about $80 dollars each (found here). So now i'm happy to see a few aftermarket batteries becoming available for the GH3. They claim to be decoded for the camera to read proper battery levels, currently run for about $20 each or sold cheaper in bundles with optional battery chargers. You can find these Aftermarket GH3 Batteries via eBay (click here).

Aftermarket GH3 Batteries with Charger Battery DMC-GH3
find-price-button Aftermarket Panasonic GH3 Batteries with Charger

• 20 Comments

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Has anyone been following SmallHD's latest AC7 monitor? Anyone planning on purchasing one? It has been announced for quite some time, but inventory is finally available and has begun shipping. Any comments about the new product or anything you want to know more about the AC7?

This new line of AC7 monitors will replace the old DP6 (a true workhorse), and it's packed with some great features including an optional OLED display. It's worth taking a look at the new product, and they've got a great webpage about 'Why OLED is Better' over at the SmallHD website (click here)

Screen Shot 2013-02-26 at 7.59.00 AM
Screen Shot 2013-02-26 at 7.52.42 AM
SmallHD New AC7 OLED Monitors

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HDSLRNow.com wanted to share this review on this Sirui portable Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod + G10 Ball Head that can fold down to just 15" inches, but can extend to over 51" inches. 15" can just about fit in a decent backpack and would be great for keeping a still camera steady for photos. This setup is not something you would use for fluid video movements, but it's possible to lock off a shot with this if you're just doing a static video angle.

I've heard of the brand Sirui before, but i'm personally not familiar with this exact model Tripod + G10 Ball Head. It seems like a pretty decent unit and popular system that one seller has already sold 79 units of even at a price of $270+. Here's the link to the exact product via eBay (Click Here)

Sirui Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod G10 Ball Head
find-price-button Sirui Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with G10 Ball Head

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I often get questions about whether the Kamerar Tank Cage will work on the new BlackMagic Design Cinema camera. It was originally designed to fit Canon DSLR cameras, but by accident, it can also fit the BMCC. By changing the stock rods on the Kamerar Tank Cage with standard 15mm rails, i'm able to fit the BlackMagic Design Cinema camera in pretty well. The top plate lines up to allow a 1/4-20 bolt to attach to the BMCC trapping the camera between the plates. It's a very solid mount. Just another affordable option for those looking to mount accessories and or a 15mm rail system with the BMCC. More information about the Kamerar Tank Cage can be found at the product website (click here).

tank cage bmcc dslr KamerarKamerar Tank Cage BMCCKamerar Tank Cage Matte Box
find-price-button Kamerar Tank Cage with 15mm Rails

Carbon 15mm Rails Rod Rig
find-price-button Carbon Fiber 15mm Rails for Video Rig

Lens Support 15mm RigLens Support Clamp 15mm
find-price-button 15mm Rail Lens Support Clamp

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BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera BlackMagic Cinema Camera
find-price-button BlackMagic Design Cinema Cameras via eBay (click here)

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External Battery LPE8 LP-E8T3i T4i External Battery

Recently I featured the Panasonic GH3 DC Coupler (seen here) used for running external battery power. Running external power is one way to swap batteries easily when the camera is mounted inside of a cage, or if you're looking to just have super long run times. If you're looking do the same for your Canon cameras, you can pick up the AC/DC adapter (as seen here) and slightly modify it, but you will still need to find the proper battery to run an optimal 7.4V DC.

Lanparte Portable Battery Canon CameraLP-E6 Battery Power Lanparte
find-price-button Lanparte Li-On Portable External Battery

Well here's a recent Portable Power Solution Product that offers a 6600mAh Portable Li-Ion Battery along with a dummy battery to provide long lasting run times for Canon DSLR cameras that run on LP-E6 or LP-E8 batteries. That should cover pretty much every Canon DSLR made in the last 3 years. Lanparte is a name that has been putting out quality stuff in recent years, and i'm hoping this is just as good. I have one on order now. Not too shabby on the price considering they state a full charge will be the equivalent to the run time of 4 batteries. Check out the portable power solution following the link (Click here).

LP-E8 external batteryLP-E8 battery adapter
find-price-button Lanparte Li-On Portable External Battery

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While it is still out of stock at B&H, and overly priced markups on eBay, you may want to hurry on this article. There are a few GH3 camera bodies (normal price) IN STOCK and ready to ship from Amazon (click here)

Panasonic GH3 Camera
find-price-button Panasonic GH3 Camera Body In Stock.

Also you may want to check Samy's as they seem to be getting these regularly found at https://www.samys.com

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Exciting news as Varavon will be offering a new motorized add-on / upgrade kit for their slider products. Assembly of the new 'Motorroid' kit can be seen in the video (below).

As a variable speed slider the kit looks great to provide very consistent and smooth video tracking shots. If you follow the assembly video you can see how the dial is used to ramp up speed rather than just a simple on/off switch that will cause harsh start/stops. The new Motorroid Motorized Slider Kit will also have limit switches preventing the slider from continuously running as it reaches the end of travel.

Varavon Motorroid Motorized Slider Kit
find-price-button Varavon Slider Motorroid Motorized Upgrade Kit

The best part about the kit is how simple it is to modify for various lengths and the fact that it attaches with basic 1/4-20 connections at each end. If you get what i'm saying, the kit basically looks simple enough to modify to add motorized functionality to any existing slider on the market. More information about the new Varavon Motorroid and Timeroid products will be found at the Varavon website https://Vifocam.com

varavon motorroid motorized slider
find-price-button Varavon Slider Motorroid Motorized Upgrade Kit

The most common question with motorized sliders is 'Can it do Time-Lapse?'. Sure the motorroid lacks any advanced features for slow movements, but that's where the 'Timeroid' product fits in with Varavon's new obsession with motion control products. The system uses a wire to pull itself along either on a rail, wheeled dolly, or even through a cable-cam setup as seen video below.

More Varavon products can be found at https://Vifocam.com

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I got a quick glimpse of this unique Dougmon Small Camera Stabilizer over in New York during PhotoPlus Expo, but didn't really get to try it out. It's an interesting little arm brace that gives you freedom to shoot with a steady hand, but it's no replacement for a rig where you need to mount all of your other accessories.

dougmon stabilizer camera brace support
find-price-button Dougmon Small Camera Support Stabilizer - via B&H

It's also not going to give you a locked off tripod-shot, but from the design I can see how it would alleviate those dreaded micro-vibrations, especially when shooting with lenses that don't have Image Stabilization. As much as i'd like to try something like this out, it comes with a $500+ US dollar price tag. I'll keep my opinions to myself, but who out there has thoughts on such product?

Dougmon Arm Brace Camera Stabilizerdougmon camera stabilizer support brace
find-price-button Dougmon Small Camera Support Stabilizer - via Amazon