Thanks to a tweet from m0fe, he points out this alternative Sony Battery tray for powering up your DSLR rig with Sony NPF style batteries [Thanks m0fe]. They have a V-Mount power supply similar to this, but even cheap V-mount batteries are just out of most budgets. This tray accepts two Sony NPF970 Batteries (seen here) (but you can also use little NPF-550s) to power up fairly standard DSLR rig accessories.

The pack offers an output of 5V (for Zoom H4n), a 7V output (for powering Canon cameras), and a 12V output (for powering LCD monitors), and then clamps to a standard set of 15mm rails. The kit comes with all the necessary cables and even comes with a Canon LP-E6 dummy battery to start shooting. If you're an event shooter that needs to be fed constant power, this is one of the most affordable off the shelf solutions to power up your rig. Check it out via eBay (Click Here).

Sony NPF970 Battery Tray 15mm DSLR Rig 15mm Sony Power Battery Tray
Sony NPF-970 Battery Power Supply 5V, 7V, 12V

Apple’s new MacBook Pro with Retina Display • 20 Comments

Emm • June 11, 2012

I opted in for the Apple MacBook Air because I wanted something with super long battery life and super lightweight. Now the Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display has these features along with a powerhouse of specs under the chassis. The new retina display, performance, and long battery life in this little form factor just kills every other portable laptop system on the market. I'm sold.

I just called in to a local store, they don't have it in stock yet. They are available to purchase on the Apple.com website, but if you're like most people who ummm want to 'defer' a hundred dollars of sales tax (and file it at the end of the year), you can also find a few options for pre-order on websites like B&H.

Here's some additional links to the pre-orders.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871869-REG/Apple_MD223LL_A_MACBK_AIR_Ci5_1_7g_4GB_64GB_SSD_11_6_.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871870-REG/Apple_MD224LL_A_MACBK_AIR_Ci5_1_7g_4GB_128GB_SSD_11_6_.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871872-REG/Apple_MD231LL_A_MACBK_AIR_Ci5_1_8g_4GB_128GB_SSD_13_3_.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871873-REG/Apple_MD232LL_A_MACBK_AIR_Ci5_1_8g_4GB_256GB_SSD_13_3_.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871865-REG/Apple_MD101LL_A_MACBK_PRO_Ci5_2_5g_4GB_500GB_13_3_.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871866-REG/Apple_MD102LL_A_MACBK_PRO_Ci7_2_9g_8GB_750GB_13_3_.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871860-REG/Apple_MC975LL_A_15_4_MacBook_Pro_Notebook.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871861-REG/Apple_MC976LL_A_MBP_Ci7_2_6g_8GB_512SSD_15_4_RETINA.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871863-REG/Apple_MD103LL_A_MACBK_PRO_Ci7_2_3g_4GB_500GB_15_4_.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871864-REG/Apple_MD104LL_A_MACBK_PRO_Ci7_2_6g_8GB_750GB_15_4_.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871876-REG/Apple_MD770LL_A_MACPRO_QC_XEONPROCESS_3_2g_6GB_1TB.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871879-REG/Apple_MD771LL_A_MACPRO_2x6C_XEON_PROCESS_2_4g_12GB_1TB.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871883-REG/Apple_MD772LL_A_MACPR_SERV_QC_XEON.html

Simple 3″ LCD Sunshade Hood • 6 Comments

Emm • June 11, 2012

Just a few days ago I pointed out the Vello LCD Sunshade for articulating LCDs. A few comments pointed out that they were looking for a simple hood that attaches to a Zacuto frame. I'm guessing because they don't have a swing out LCD that the Vello can attach to. Today I run into this other simple LCD hood / shade on eBay that can attach to both 3" swing out LCDs or to standard rear LCD monitors.

As simple as these things are, if you've even had to cover your LCD with your hand, you'll know how helpful it can be to help set color and exposure in the bright sun. It attaches over the DSLR body through bungee straps which doesn't look overly complicated for you to DIY. Some firm cardboard, a bit of cloth (heck even duct tape), and a stretchy garter should be enough to make your own version for any size LCD. You can see more images of how they have it put together at the product page (Click here).

Simple DSLR Video LCD Sunshade Simple LCD Sunshade Hood
3" DSLR Video Camera LCD Video Sunshade Hood

DIY Portable Telescoping Camera Crane • 4 Comments

Emm • June 11, 2012

Patricio sends in his DIY Telescoping Camera Crane video. There's not much information on exact specs, but the parts being assembled are shown towards the end. If you're the DIY type, you could probably figure this out. [Thanks Patricio]

New Cheaper Quick Release 15mm Reversible Follow Focus • 22 Comments

Emm • June 11, 2012

DSLR Video Cheap Follow Focus

Another reason why you're not seeing too many DIY Follow Focus projects anymore, here's another new and cheaper follow focus system listed on the market. Doesn't look pretty but the listing claims it's made of aluminum (mostly anodized black), ABS, and rubber. Comes with a quick release 15mm clamp style mount and universal lens gear.

With the quick release style clamp, It can be mounted on both left and right side of the camera, but the gear on the box is also reversible. It also has both vertical and horizontal height adjustments, overall a decent feature set retailing for only $88 dollars. Obviously it all boils down to how effective the gearbox is in the FF, but you can find more images and information via eBay (Click Here).

Cheap Follow Focus kit Follow Focus Gear
Cheap 15mm Quick Release Follow Focus

Keep in mind you'll still need a basic set of 15mm Rails to mount. Your basic set should include two 15mm Rods, a Camera Baseplate (to mount your camera), and a Tripod Mount (to attach the rails to your fluid head) - like this basic set (found here).

15mm-Rails-Support-Basplate
15mm Rails Camera Baseplate and Tripod Mount

Canon 5D Mark III Aftermarket BG-E11 Battery Grip

Emm • June 10, 2012

Some listings are already showing more than 100 units sold since the auctions became available. Today the aftermarket BG-E11 Battery Grip went from 'PreOrder Status' to 'In Stock' status. So expect items to start shipping if you were one of the preorders. Check out more of the images and information following the link (click here).

Canon 5D Mark III (alternate) Aftermarket Battery Grip BG-E11

Rokinon 14mm Lens Deal • 15 Comments

Emm • June 8, 2012

I got up a bit late today and missed out on the Rokinon 85mm Lighting Deal, but not all is lost. Coming up in a few hours is another Lighting Deal for the Rokinon 14mm available in a variety of mounts including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, and Pentax.

People have been pretty hip to these deals as of late, and the last Rokinon 35mm F/1.4 lens deal sold out in one minute. If you're interested in a wide angle fast aperture lens, be swift and check out the deal that will hit later today via Amazon (Click Here).

Rokinon 14mm F/2.8 Manual Lens Amazon Lightning Deal

Vello mini LCD Hood Sunshade • 3 Comments

Emm • June 8, 2012

Vello LCD Hood Sunshade Vello Sunshade LCD Hood

If you're trying to prevent glare on the screen, you could use an LCD viewfinder. Of course it makes it harder to see the screen from certain angles without having your eye placed directly into the Loupe. In these situations, maybe a simple sunshade or LCD hood would be a better choice.

I've seen the folding plastic pop up sunshades for mini LCD screens, but I haven't seen anything quite like these Vello Mini LCD Hood Sunshades. Looks like it just folds over the flip out LCD on your camcorder or DSLR (with swivel screen) such as the Canon 60D, T3i, GH2, or even the new T4i. Available in 2.7", 3.0", and 3.5" inch LCD screens via B&H (Click Here).

Vello-Small-LCD-Shade
Vello Mini LCD SunShade for Vari Angle LCD Screens

New Canon DSLR – EOS Rebel T4i • 23 Comments

Emm • June 8, 2012

And there you have it. Another Canon DSLR Camera release. The new Canon EOS Rebel T4i comes with everything we've already come to expect from a typical Canon Rebel camera including swivel LCD screen (it's now Touch Screen LCD with Swipe, Pinch, and Zoom support), but the stand out feature is the continuous Auto Focus in Video mode. That's a first for any Canon DSLR.

Canon-T4i-DSLR
Canon EOS Rebel T4i DSLR Camera

Although it can provide continuous Auto Focus to standard EF and EF-S lenses, the best performance happens when used with an STM Lens. With the Touch Screen you can actually drag your focus point around and the T4i will follow. Canon has available the 18-135mm STM Lens with the kit, or the Canon 40mm F/2.8 STM Lens is also available (found here).

Canon 40mm STM Pancake
Canon 40mm F/2.8 STM Pancake Lens

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Video and Photography

Clever DSLR Rig 15mm Power Supply with Sony NPF Batteries • 21 Comments

Apple’s new MacBook Pro with Retina Display • 20 Comments

Simple 3″ LCD Sunshade Hood • 6 Comments

DIY Portable Telescoping Camera Crane • 4 Comments

New Cheaper Quick Release 15mm Reversible Follow Focus • 22 Comments

Canon 5D Mark III Aftermarket BG-E11 Battery Grip

Rokinon 14mm Lens Deal • 15 Comments

Vello mini LCD Hood Sunshade • 3 Comments

New Canon DSLR – EOS Rebel T4i • 23 Comments