Here's a few deals happening now via B&H.
Rokinon 8mm Fisheye Lens Discounts (found here)
Canon Instant Rebates on DSLR Bodies and Lenses (found here)
Transcend SDHC Media Deal of the Day
There's some pretty nice Amazon deals going on just for today on Transcend SDHC, Compact Flash, and SDXC media today only
I'm actually using mostly Transcend media in ALL my cameras, and the 32GB SDHC Class 10 can handle video mode in the Canon 5D Mark III with ease, and it's on sale today for just $16.99 right now (click here).
Transcend SDHC Media Discounts
DIY Padded Camera Roller Bag
Mike writes in and shares an update about a product that was currently out of stock for a while. It's a tip I shared a while back about Creating a Padded Camera Roller Bag. Although in the video I state it's under $30 dollars, the item is now back online for a slightly increased price of $39.99. Still it's a great tip for making a padded roller bag, and if you're like me I travel with three. Huge cost savings overall, even if it's just for your accessories and not your main camera bag.
You can find pretty much the exact style insert i'm using via Calumet finally back in stock right now following the link (click here).
Calumet Padded Roller Insert Dividers
New F&V R-300 LED Video Ring Light
If you're shooting with DSLR Video, you've probably heard about the Z96 LED video light. F&V is the company behind the popular light and one exciting product that will be available is the new R-300 LED Video Ring Light. We got a chance to see these up close at the PhotoPlus Expo, and these are excellent quality lights coming in at an excellent price.
Product description states that the R-300 LED Light features 300 daylight-balanced LEDs which produce 1950 Lux @ 1-meter. An onboard dimmer offers seamless power variation from 0-100%. It has two power options: a Sony NP-F Battery Plate and a DCɸ2.5 jack.
As stated in the video the light is brighter than Litepanel's $1800 dollar 1x1. Starting at $199 dollars, this will be a great light to be used both ON or Off camera and all powered by inexpensive Sony Batteries (instead of V-Mount). The new R-300 will be available to mount using a basic L-Bracket, or to a set of 15mm Rails. You can find more information about the new R-300 LED Video Light following the link to the product page (Click Here).
F&V Lighting R-300 LED Video Ring Light
1000w Fresnel LED Product Overview
Mike Peterson writes in and shares his opinion on those new LED video lights that are being sold online as 1000w LED Fresnels. So far there really hasn't been much complaint over the actual build quality, as they are using the same aluminum housings as the 'As Arri' light kits (seen here) with a high power LED inside. Others have already confirmed these are not equivalent to 1000w, nor is it an actual Fresnel light (no proper glass element), but Mike thinks it's still a great solution for a bright low power / low temp light source. [Thanks Mike]
With most artificial light sources there will often be a green color cast, but can be corrected with a minus green (magenta) filter. The benefit to LED lighting is the ability to plug several at any location without blowing out circuit breakers and generating too much heat in the environment. You can also use low temp colored Gels (cheaper stuff) over the LED lights without the worry of it melting. Something you really need to think about if you're trying to use a few hot Tungsten or Halogen type lights. You can find this exact lighting kit, and other LED Fresnels via eBay (click here).
LED Fresnel Video Lighting
Wieldy Stabilizer Available Again
Out of stock previously, that new carbon fiber Wieldy Stabilizer I posted an article about (found here) a few weeks ago has listed a few more in stock. News update, I received my unit in also and this thing was really modeled after the Glidecam HD stabilizers. Check out the photo below showing the counterweights. One is the Wieldy and the other is for the Glidecam - dead on exact same shape and the holes line up perfectly on my Glidecam.
Build quality is good although there were a few loose screws when mine arrived that I needed to tighten up before flying around. The sled is almost exactly the same also, but the Wieldy is using a thinner sled plate which I could easily bend by hand if I really wanted to. The Gimbal adjustment works great and I was able to reposition it so I can fly my camera upside down, something I can't easily do with the Glidecam without the handle hitting the stage.
Balancing was very quick for me since it has the same fine tuning knobs that the more expensive Glidecam offers, so I was very familiar. FThis stabilizer can be compared to either the larger $570 Glidecam HD4000 (seen here) or smaller Glidecam HD2000 (seen here). The HD2000 will already run you about $500 dollars, while this Carbon Wieldy Stabilizer runs for about $300 bucks. Additional information, photos, and video examples of the Carbon Wieldy Stabilizer in use can be seen following the link to the product page via eBay (Click Here).
Wieldy DV Pro Iron Triangle Stabilizer
[Update] You can also find the Wieldy bundled with a dual arm stabilizer from another seller. The vest offered is different than the one I posted about earlier, and it's available with different stabilizers. A few listings from this seller show the dual arm vest bundled with this same Wieldy Carbon Fiber stabilizer.
Dual Arm Support Vest with Carbon Stabilizer
Kamerar 23″ Slider Dolly SD-1 Overview
Someone had a question about whether a Canon 5D with 24-105mm F/4L lens would work with the Kamerar 23" Slider Dolly SD-1. So I decided to put up a video example of that Camera+Lens combo on the slider. Quality of the slider is well made and well priced for what it can provide to the budget filmmaker. When used as a dolly, the axles can be relocated for a tighter turning radius.
When used as a standard slider, the axles can be removed completely to get the full run of the slider length. A quick release plate can be added in the center of the slider for tripod mounting and still not obstruct the carrier from sliding side to side. If you're looking for a longer slider, Kamerar offers a 47" version of this slider + FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. You can find more information about the new Kamerar slider products via the website (Click Here).
Kamerar Video Camera Slider SD-1
Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony NEX Adapter on FS700
A short while ago, I discovered a new Canon EF/EF-S Lens Adapter to Sony NEX Camera systems. It's basic function is similar to the more expensive Metabones adapter in which you can control the electronic iris of the lens natively through the Sony NEX camera body. I have confirmed that it works great on my Sony NEX-7, and here Landon has his own review and confirmation of it working great on the Sony FS700. [Thanks Landon]. As mentioned in the video review below, it's half the price and also easier to obtain than the metabones product also.
Exciting stuff, but now for a bit of even better news. Recently there's a new version of this adapter which comes with the much needed Tripod Ring adapter + AUTO FOCUS support. The auto focus is said to utilize the NEX's inherent Contrast Difference AF, and focusing speed is between Sony's LA-EA1 and LA-EA2 adapter. But would be a bit slower than original Canon AF. This latest version Auto Focus EF/EF-S lens to Sony NEX adapter can be found via eBay (Click Here).
Canon EF/EF-S lens to Sony NEX Electronic Adapter with Auto Focus Support
Cheap Video Stabilizer Load Vest
Guess what came in the mail recently? It's that cheap video stabilizer load vest I posted about a few weeks ago. I've had a bit of time with the gear, and as with any product there's Pros and Cons.
Pros:
The cheap vest is a combination of snap buckles and velcro, while the Steadicam Merlin vest is based on just velcro. Constantly readjusting the velcro on the Steadicam Merlin vest causes the vest to wear out, not to mention it's a bitch for hangnails. I've already had to replace the velcro on my Steadicam Vest, but there is also a 'buckle upgrade kit' (seen here) I will probably do the next time I need repairs. I've been using the Steadicam Vest for a long time, and I find that the Cheap Vest is more comfortable than the Steadicam Merlin vest.
Cons:
The cheap vest I received came with a few scratches on the paint. Only slight blemishes, and nothing compared to how my Steadicam Vest looks like today. The Steadicam Merlin vest can be dialed down to fly light camera stabilizers. The ISO arm on the cheap vest requires a heavier load than the Steadicam. When flying just my 5D + Glidecam HD4000, the setup was not heavy enough to bounce the arm. I ended up adding some addition weight on the stabilizer setup for the cheap arm to work better.
It's no Steadicam Killer, but the Cheap Vest has really good build quality for the price. I find it more comfortable than the Steadicam Vest and it works to carry your Flycam or Glidecam Stabilizers. If you're planning on flying a very light setup, this vest will not operate as smooth as the Steadicam Merlin Vest. The ISO arm of the cheap vest requires a bit more weight to put the proper tension on the spring. Below is a video showing pretty much the exact same vest setup from YouTube member Kirk Saber, along with his example footage from the vest system.
If you look carefully, you can see the bounce in his step due to the spring tension requiring more weight. The Steadicam Merlin Vest is a dual arm setup, while the cheap vest is only a single ISO arm. The Steadicam Merlin vest runs almost $1600 and the Cheap Vest runs for just under $400 dollars. There's a new listing in which they are also offering a Carbon stabilizer as part of a bundled package via eBay (Click Here).
Budget Single ISO Arm Camera Stabilizer Load Vest
