• 6 Comments

•

Right now there is a Sigma Lens deal which includes the 19mm F/2.8 and 30mm F/2.8 prime lenses bundled into one discount price. You can choose either a set for Sony E Mount cameras, or the set for Micro Four Thirds cameras. I have the 30mm on my Sony NEX7 and really enjoy this lens. I may have to get a set for the new GH3 at these prices.

[Update] These sold out quick and the listing shows a Back-ordered status, but I have just verified with B&H you can still place an order if you want to take advantage of these prices and it will ship when it is back in stock. Click through the links below for the deal.

Sigma 19mm 30mm M43 mount GH3
find-price-button Micro 4/3 19mm F/2.8 + 30mm F/2.8 Sony E Mount Lens Discount Bundle

Sigma Sony E Mount 19mm 30mm
find-price-button Sigma 19mm F/2.8 + 30mm F/2.8 Sony E Mount Lens Discount Bundle

• 62 Comments

•

Just showing a quick video of me setting up the DJI Phantom Quadcopter designed specifically for the GoPro Hero cameras. The directions are a little weird, but I got through the user manual and was able to get it off the ground in less than an hour. The Phantom is Ready-To-Fly with no setup required except for a few AA batteries in the remote. Once you place the battery into the Phantom you go through a series of system calibrations and then off you go. Though many will not consider this a professional Quadcopter - THIS IS STILL NOT A TOY.

Video sample of GoPro Hero3 with Phantom

I've already modified a special mount for the Sony RX100 Camera because it has better video quality than the GoPro and built in Image Stabilization. I basically took an old GoPro mount and modified it with a little hacksaw. It fits natively to the Phantom, and the right angle mounts under the RX100 (upside down). The camera is short enough so that it doesn't touch the ground as the Phantom lands.

Cheesycam RX100 Phantom Quadcopter

DJI Phantom RX100 Cheesycam

Quadcopter RX100 DJI Phantom

The test flight was a success and the Phantom has no issues carrying the Sony RX100. It's dark right now so I don't have anything worth showing, but tomorrow i'll try to give her a test flight in an open field and share some of that footage. You can find the DJI Phantom Quadcopter following the link via eBay (click here).

GoPro DJI Phantom Quadcopter DJI QuadCopter
find-price-button DJI Phantom GoPro Quadcopter Kit GPS + NAZA-M - eBay

If you're lucky and they are still in stock, the DJI Phantom Quadcopter Ready-to-Fly kits are also available via Amazon (click here)

DJI Phantom QuadCopter GoPro Hero Flight
find-price-button DJI Phantom QuadCopter for GoPro Video Cameras - Amazon

DJI Phantom Quadcopters Currently on eBay



• 4 Comments

•

If you're planning for longer run times on the new GH3 camera, here's the DC Coupler needed to work with an external power source. This dummy battery is required to work with many different external power solutions, or with the Panasonic DMW-AC8 Power Adapter that connects directly to an AC outlet (wall). This is the first DC Coupler adapter i've seen made available for the GH3 and found via eBay (click here).

Panasonic DC battery Coupler Adapter External Battery
find-price-button Panasonic GH3 DC Battery Coupler External Battery

• 42 Comments

•

Here's a quick look at one of the lightest and most portable jibs on the market. This new Carbon Fiber Telescoping Mini Jib/Crane breaks down to fit a 32" travel bag (less than 3ft.). It's extremely lightweight with a high quality build and finish. Very smooth operation for any lightweight camera setup, and all parts with anodized coating (not cheap paint).

YES I have had this crane for over a month, and have even been flying the BlackMagic Cinema Camera at full extension. This crane works great for DSLR Video shooters on the run. I will try to get a short video out this week.

Carbon Fiber Crane-Mini-Jib
find-price-button Carbon Fiber Telescoping Mini Video Crane/Jib

The Carbon Fiber Telescoping Mini Crane/Jib comes fully assembled except for the rear counterweight rod. Telescoping poles slide out very easily and are locked in place with large metal knurled textured collars. The rear counterweight rod can be adjusted in or outwards to fine tune balance. A sliding ring can be used to hang other types of weight if you don't want to travel with the gym style weights.

The benefit to this crane is it's extended counterweight section that allows you to use 'less weights' than other cranes that have a short rear arm requiring a 3:1 counterweight setup. I'm able to fly my Canon 5D Mark III with just a single 5lb + 2.5lb counterweight. The other cranes i've used required up to 20-25lbs of counterweight.

Carbon Fiber M1 Crane Jib iFootage M1 Cheesycam Mini Carbon Crane JibCarbon Fiber Telescoping MIni Crane/Jib

Other small 4ft cranes which do not telescope use 3ft up front, and 1ft towards the rear. Since these cranes actually telescope, it can extend up to 4ft up front, and 2ft to the rear - thus requiring less counterweight. When this crane is mounted to my Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Tripod (without center column extended), I can reach approx 9ft in height. Since the crane is adjustable, it's not always required to use it at full length when working in smaller spaces.

I have seen, tested, and owned other small portable cranes. This new Carbon Fiber Telescoping Portable Mini Crane / Jib is an amazing portable lightweight tool for DSLR Videographers and can be found under $380 eBay (click here).

Mini Crane M1 Carbon Fiber Jib
find-price-button Carbon Fiber Telescoping MIni Crane/Jib

There is also a (more expensive) aluminum version of this 'Telescoping' Mini Crane/Jib design which can also be found via eBay (Click Here)

Mini Aluminum Video Crane Jib
Aluminim Cheesycam Mini Video Crane Jib Telescoping
Mini Crane Aluminum
find-price-button Aluminum Telescoping Mini Jib / Crane

Live Feed Mini Jibs Available Now - via eBay

• 6 Comments

•

Rokinon-Cine-Lenses

Rokinon Cine Lenses for Sony E mount (NEX cameras) are now available and in stock via Amazon. The lineup of Cine Lenses include the 8mm, 14mm, 24mm, 35mm, and 85mm. All manual focus Rokinon Cine lenses are designed with a de-clicked aperture and lens gears that mesh with your follow focus system.

Here's your links:
>> Rokinon 8mm Cine Lens for Sony E
>> Rokinon 14mm Cine Lens for Sony E
>> Rokinon 24mm Cine Lens for Sony E
>> Rokinon 35mm Cine Lens for Sony E
>> Rokinon 85mm Cine Lens for Sony E

• 5 Comments

•

Cinevate teams up with DitoGear to offer the Cinevate Moco - motion control for Cinevate Sliders. The motorized add-on attaches to many of Cinevate's popular sliders and claims to handle movements that other sliders require separate motors to do. Repeatability with macro precision is maintained in any position - horizontally, angled, vertically, or inverted. The Cinevate Moco can further be expanded to support multi axis control from a tablet, or add on the DitoGear OmniHead for 3 axis 360x360 rotations. You can find additional information about Cinevate's Moco following the link (here).

Cinevate Moco Motion Control for Sliders
Cinevate Moco - Motion Control for Cinevate Sliders

• 3 Comments

•

Here's an unusual Hi Hat Half Bowl Mount Tripod Adapter some may find useful, that can be mounted and locked onto a standard video tripod and allow the use of a 75mm, 60mm, or 50mm half ball Video Fluid Head. Once mounted, the Hi Hat adapter also offers both 1/4-20 and 3/8" tapped threads along each side for accessory mounting.

Tripod Bowl Mount Adapter

The adapter also looks like an easy solution for getting a half ball fluid head mounted to many of the popular Video Sliders that only accept 3/8" mounts. Or use this Hi Hat adapter to mount onto a Crane or Jib to add your favorite half ball fluid head. Another idea is to mount this adapter to a heavy flat board and have a very stable platform for your Fluid Head just 7" off the ground for uber-low video shots. The possibilities are up to your imagination. The Hi Hat Half Ball Mount Tripod Adapter can be found via eBay (click here).

Bowl Mount Tripod Head AdapterHi Hat Bowl Mount Tripod Head Adapter
find-price-button Hi Hat 75mm, 60mm, 50mm Half Ball Fluid Head Tripod Adapter

• 12 Comments

•

Varavon is pumping new products out fairly quickly and another innovative item they have recently released is the new Slidecam Arc Video Camera Slider. As far as I know this is the first and currently the only 'curved' video camera slider on the market.

Varavon Arc Slider Curved Dolly

Curved Video Camera Slider Varavon Arc

Though it looks like a solid made product that will work great to track around a central subject, you have to wonder if maybe it is too niche? I'd love to see video examples of the product in use.[Update] Just embedded the latest video showing the Slidecam Arc. It's already available on the market, but after reading this article i'm curious as to what everyone's feedback is on this new Varavon Slidecam Arc Slider?

Varavon Curved Arc SliderVaravon Arc Slider Dolly
find-price-button Varavon Slidecam Arc Video Camera Slider - via eBay

• 22 Comments

•

Oliver shares an overview of the new Yongnuo YN-300 LED Video light [Thanks Oliver]. This is a new light for Yongnuo I blogged about a few weeks ago which comes with an IR remote for controlling brightness. The light has built in barn doors and comes with a few colored filters for creative effects. More about the YN-300 LED video light is found via eBay (Click Here)

YN-300 LED light YongnuoYongnuo 300 LED VIdeo Light YN-300Yongnuo 300
find-price-button Yongnuo YN-300 LED Video Light Remote Dimmer