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Steadicam-Merlin-Pilot-Vest-Fix

Preparing for a last minute shoot today, I found my Steadicam Merlin Vest had cracked on the upper chest piece. Crap. The quick fix for me today was to use the top portion of the Konova Vest and mate it with the Steadicam Merlin Arm (which is held on with the waist area). There was a bit of hackery, drilling, and modding, but it managed to all come together in the end. The reason I needed to stick with the Steadicam ISO Arm is because the rig I had already built up was fairly lightweight. The Konova requires a good payload to be effective, but the Steadicam arm can be dialed to fly lighter sleds. So for today's shoot i'm Frankenstein-ed out with a vest that consists of a Konova Chest Piece, Steadicam Arm, and Glidecam sled...

Steadicam Vest Konova Glidecam Stabilizer Fix Repair

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Mini Ball Head 484RC2 Quick Release

A few online stores are now selling a 3/8" thread mount Mini Ball Head with Quick Release plate styled after the discontinued Manfrotto 484RC2. The 484RC2 is replaced by the 494RC2 which goes for around $60+ dollars.

This 484RC2 inspired Mini Ball Head mounts to a larger 3/8" thread, but you could easily step it down to fit 1/4" threads with these little adapters (click here). So, If you're in need of just a random mini ball head for your projects with a quick release plate, here's another cheaper option.

Mini 484RC2 Style Ball Head Quick Release
find-price-button Mini Ball Head 484RC2 Style Quick Release 3/8" Thread

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question-pop-product-newquestion-pop-product-new

To be clear, PNC (PhotographyandCinema.com) is a company I design for and you'll see me blog about those products periodically. Today i'm giving you some inside information that PNC will be releasing a new full size rotating video dolly very soon. The wider platform on the new rotating video dolly will be able to support much larger and heavier cameras like the RED Scarlet, FS100, AF100, mount larger video fluid heads, and hold more accessories. It's a very interesting design, which I think you'll all love, but so far we can't come up with a name. I actually have less than 24 hours to come up with something clever, so i'm crowd sourcing for ideas in a contest sort of fashion.

We need suggestions for a name, and if PNC decides to use it, you'll be one of the first to recieve this new Full Size Rotating Video Dolly - FREE. This includes International countries too! If it helps, the new Dolly will be mostly black with red accents, still have four wheels, and two unusually designed axles to adjust for rotation. Leave those suggestions in the comments, and make sure you're using your real email address to get notified. Don't forget to Tweet about this contest!

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It's a special bracket combined with the latest Varavon EX-Solo Loupe LCD Viewfinder to work with the GH1/GH2 cameras vari-angle LCD screens. This will allow you to still have full tilt use of your LCD screen for low angle shooting, magnify the image on screen, and provide shade if you're working in bright sunlight. Using a loupe also gives you a nice little stabilizing point of contact if you're shooting hand held or on a small rig. There certainly isn't too many LCD Loupes for the GH1/GH2 cameras, mainly because people have been happy with the mini EVF eyepiece resolution. But if you had to choose one for these M43 cameras, I feel Varavon makes the best. Of course it's also one of the priciest. Find more of Varavon products available at B&H (click here).

varavon-gh2-gh1-loupe-lcd-viewfinder
find-price-button Varavon Loupe EX Solo LCD Viewfinders

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varavon-follow-focus-rigvaravon-follow-focus-pro-finder

Varavon has posted more images of their latest follow focus system with two adjustable hard stops and reversible gear. A quick release type clamp to 15mm rods. Along with the FF, they also offer 'Short Rod Plus' and 'Short Rod Slim' 15mm base rod sets. Varavon seems to have good integration with their existing products to make everything nice and compact. Seen (above) is the new Follow Focus, on short base rails, with Varavon Pro Finder. No definitive pricing information, but if the early listing at B&H is correct, then it's going for more than $500 dollars. The listing is pretty empty so who knows if this is a bundle to include rails and viewfinder too. If you want to see that listing (click here).

varavon-dslr-follow-focusvaravon-follow-focus

I just happened upon the new FF while doing a Video Review on their GH2 EX Solo Loupe - with Support Bracket that just came in today. Hang tight, i'll post that video review in a few...

gh2-varavon-solo
Varavon Loupe EX-Supporter for GHx Cameras

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A deal today lists the Lexar 32GB Class 10 SDHC on sale today, making it even cheaper than the Transcend brand 32GB SDHC card. Other sites are still holding on to the almost $60 dollar price tag. The new sale price still comes in slightly cheaper than the promotional (2) pack 32GB Lexar deal, so if the Lexar name brand turns you on, you can find the current sale price of just $35.99 dollars following the link (click here).

Lexar-32GB-SDHC
find-price-button Lexar 32GB Professional 133x SDHC Memory Card

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Trex Rig
Trex Video DSLR Rig

Trex Video Crane Stabilizer RigTrex video crane rig

It's a stabilizer, it's a crane, it's umm...I give up. I have absolutely no words to describe this video rig thing.. They say necessity is the mother of invention, but who the heck would find this necessary? It's a beast! You gotta love the last photo (above) where he's taking a call with a cup of coffee - LOL. It's called the ' T-Rex™ Hand Held DSLR Rig, and there's some additional information and images following the link (click here)

easy-focus-trex-dslr-rig
find-price-button T-Rex™ hand held rig crane stabilizer for DSLR


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HDMI LED Display SamsungSamsung LED Backlit display

Frank S. writes in and shares a find for this 7" HDMI DSLR external monitor claiming to use a backlit Samsung LED (not LCD) display. [Thanks Frank] With the LED (not LCD) display it claims to boost color, have better (blacks) contrast, brighter for outdoor use, and color temp adjustable.

Anyone seen / heard anything about this? There's some additional information following the link (click here).

Samsung-DSLR-LED-HDMI
find-price-button Samsung LED Display HDMI DSLR Monitor