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rolling-golf-bagScreen shot 2011-12-06 at 2.57.55 AM

You've probably heard this tip a few times, but it's another great post for those who might be looking into an inexpensive travel bag for lightstands, tripods, jibs / cranes, or anything else that has some length to it [Thanks svem]. I'm currently using Heavy Duty Speaker Stand Bags (found here) for my equipment, but they don't come with rollers.

If you're looking for an inexpensive long bag with rollers to make things easier on your back, check out the Golf Travel Roller bags that are about 50" in length and have enough room for several tripods, monopods, lightstands, or a folding jib, and an extra pair of shoes (for golf).

Rolling Travel Golf Bag
find-price-button Golf Travel Bag Roller

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Panasonic GH2 Camera
find-price-button Panasonic GH2 w/ 14-42mm Lens (Black Body)

The Panasonic GH2 camera might be about a year old, but it's still surprising everyone how far they can push the performance with third party firmware hacks. Of all the micro four thirds cameras that had been released afterwards, this is still the best choice. Even without third party support, this little camera does quite a few things better than most large sensor DSLR cameras that require line skipping in video mode.

Right now you can find the popular GH2 camera + 14-42mm Kit Lens with a $200 dollar instant discount (no mail-in) over at B&H. If you opt in for the GH2 with 14-140mm kit, you'll be receiving and instant $300 dollar discount. Just about the lowest price it's been all year [Thanks Ed]. Price checking finds that B&H is listing it about $100 dollars cheaper than both eBay (here) and Amazon (here), but of course, sale ends next week (or if inventory runs out).

Screen shot 2011-12-06 at 2.24.21 AM
find-price-button Panasonic GH2 w/ 14-42mm Lens or 14-140mm Kit (Black Body)

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If you're stepping up your audio game and getting into 'Blimps', here's a clever DIY tutorial from Vimeo member HDSLR GEAR to create a nice PVC travel case. Blimps are special housings that will add an additional layer of wind protection to your microphones compared to just the dead cat windscreens. Here Joel is showing the Rode Blimp. [Thanks Joel].
Rode-Blimp
find-price-button Rode Microphone Blimp windshield Suspension System

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Vimeo member Karen Abad put together this amazing little stop motion story using the Pico Flex Table dolly to move the camera. It's possible to attempt this project with something as small as the new iPhone 4s with the Shark Clip attached too. Awesome work on this project, and another very creative use for the little Pico Flex dolly. [Thanks Karen]

Another fine example (above) is the little dolly being used for Industry Tape, the makers of excellent quality Zero residue tape. Great stuff to use with your camera gear. Vimeo member Gustavo Oliva shares some of the BTS footage. [Thanks Gustavo]

Pico-Flex-Table-Dolly
find-price-button Pico Flex Table Dolly

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If you've already found your pocket sized travel camera, maybe you're looking to match it up with that ultralight travel tripod. The Manfrotto 732CY Carbon Fiber tripod, nearly a 5 star review over at B&H is currently discounted another $50 dollars off, bringing it down to under $120 total.

Rated to hold over 7 lbs, with a max height of about 53", it can fold down to just 16" and weighs and ultralight 2 lbs. Don't expect a rock solid platform for your heavy DSLRs, but perfect for the travel micro camera shooters. Too bad it doesn't have the set screws for a video fluid head, as it might be a good travel system when paired up with the cheap Velbon Fluid Head (here). Deal ends next week and can be found at B&H (click here)

manfrotto-carbonmanfrotto-carbon-tripod
find-price-button Manfrotto 732CY M-Y Carbon Fiber Tripod

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Out with the old and in with the new. New rental items include the Red Epic, Sony's VG-20, Cinevate Products (sliders), and more. It's ALSO that time of year when Borrowlenses.com (photo video gear rental) opens up to sell some used gear. Check it out following the link below (click here).

BorrowLenses.com Used Gear Sale
visit-button Borrow Lenses Used Gear Sale Rental Products

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Lilliput 5D-II 5D-II/O LCD Monitor HDMI

Aries writes in with a new product being advertised as the latest 2012 7" LCD monitor from Lilliput. This new LCD from Lilliput claims to have better support for the Canon 5D Mark II resolution. In fact, the model for the LCD is actually called the '5D-II' (without HDMI out) or '5D-II/O' (with HDMI pass through). The LCD with sunshade folded down is a slim 31mm. [Thanks Aries]

LCD screen 31mmHDMI LCD 5D-II

Resolution is 1024x600 for 16:9 widescreen support. With the special 5D-II feature turned on, the display should go to full screen utilizing the entire 7" screen minus grey bars, and no video black out or delay when starting and stopping Video Recording. Seems like it's designed to handle the resolution drop to 480 output which sounds like it could work well with every other Canon camera that does the same (minus 7D). Hopefully it's a better screen than previous models, but no peaking, focus assist, or false color exposure stuff, pretty standard outside of the 5D-II feature. The rest of the information following the link (click here).

Lilliput 5D-II HDMI LCD Monitor
find-price-button Lilliput 5D-II 5D-II/O 7" HDMI LCD Monitor

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YouTube member TheEthanThompson has a very simple idea on how to use an articulating friction arm to add a bit of extra support when shooting hand held. The arm can be positioned much like a gun stock / target shooter to add an extra point of contact. My guess is you'll need at least the 11" version to give you more room for adjustments, and some sort of brace on the end to work comfortably. A handy little tip to know if you already have an articulating arm. [Thanks Ethan]

Articulating Friction Arm
find-price-button Articulating Friction Arm

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Just a reminder about the 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II USM lens. Possibly the lowest price it's ever been since it's release - an exclusive deal only at B&H Photo which ends today. Cheaper than most used versions on eBay. The direct search results won't give you the full discount, but people are sharing the link below that gives you an extra $100 dollars off the current discount.

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find-price-button Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 IS II Lens Instant Discount