Apple's iPad currently dominating the tablet market, mainly because there is access to millions of apps, games, music, and movies. Well Amazon is now taking orders for it's latest Kindle Fire Color tablet
Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi
If you're not up to speed, I seem to collect random camera related things, especially Lens Replica Mugs. They are fairly cheap and trust me, they make 'EXCELLENT last minute gifts' if you have them laying around. It's just something nobody wants to throw away. For those who share the same hobby, here's a look at the latest Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 IS version. I have the original 70-200mm F/4 IS mug which wasn't exactly like the real lens, but this version looks pretty close and it's offered with stainless steel insert for hot beverages. The one that looks 98% exact would be that Canon 24-105mm.
One tough item to find lately is the Canon 300mm/400mm F/2.8 Lens Replica High Power LED Keyring Flashlight. Originally offered by Canon a few months ago and now sold out everywhere. The only person in the country who's carrying it now is this one eBay seller (click here)
Canon Lens Replica KeyChain LED FlashLight
For Canon Replica Lens Coffee Mugs, the good ones are the 24-70mm F/2.8, Canon 100mm F/2.8 IS USM Macro, 24-105mm F/4 IS, 70-200m F/4, and 70-200mm F/2.8 IS. Check out all the other articles about other lenses in the collection here: http://cheesycam.com/?s=lens+mug+replica
Just hours after posting the article about DIY LED lighting with Flexible LED strips, Ibrahim was already at work designing a CD Jewel Case Panel. The LED strips fit nicely in the CD case offering a simple solution to a housing, and an easy way to hold colored filters. [Thanks Ibrahim] If you're just landing directly to this article, remember to check out the original DIY post link on these uber cheap flexible LED lighting strips (click here).
What can I say? It's simple, it works. As you can see it works on the GH2 perfectly without losing view of the entire LCD. Of course it works on the T3i and 60D. The velcro design and stretchy neoprene means it's adjustable to fit a variety of different cameras or even a variety of different view finders. I'm not sure about applying pressure onto the LCD while it's swiveled outwards, but for anyone that has worked outdoors in bright daylight, it's a good way to keep the function of the swivel LCD while acting as a sunshade / VF. $10 dollar tool that folds flat taking up no extra space in the bag. Heck why not. Found via Amazon (Click here)
CarrySpeed Swi-View LCD ViewFinder Neoprene Adapter
YouTube member DTapeProductions writes in and shares their DIY LED Light panel using LED light strips. Of course you can't exact daylight temperature, and who knows if it can be properly color corrected with filters. Outside of that, it's actually quite ingenious if you think of the price + possibilities. As mentioned in the video, these uber cheap super bright LED lights can be used for accents, instead of the use of colored gels. It would be interesting to see them finish that 1200 LED panel. [Thanks Ross]
Flexible with adhesive backing, these strips are also found in waterproof versions. They are available in a variety of colors from Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, White, and Warm White. Often found as the colorful under lighting of cars since they run at 12V. It will run you about $3-4 dollars / 1M (3ft = 60 LED count) found below.
Flexible LED lighting Strips 12V
If you're looking to make those 12V LED lights dimmable, this 12V PWM designed for LED lighting should work.
PWM Dimming Controller For LED Lights or Ribbon, 12 Volt 8 Amp, 3301
[Update] Chris drops a comment and mentions that if you're not the strong silent soldering type of guy, then there are a variety of connectors available for Flexible LED strips. Check out some of the options available below that will allow you to bend the strips, or join them directly for longer runs. All found on eBay below (click here).
Flexible LED Strip Connectors
I was testing this about a week ago, but finally published it to the public. Taking all the same little electronics from the JuicedLink DIY slider project (continuous servo, servo driver, and battery case) the little Pico Flex dolly is moving on it's own. The speed is variable and with the size of the pulley. It can go really slow, but what you see is the fastest setting it will go. A piece of scrap acrylic plastic and double sided tape was all that was used to mount it temporarily while I try to figure out the cheapest and best way to drive this thing.
A rubber band pulley system didn't do so well. The band would stretch and when there was enough tension built up, it would snap back causing a jerking motion. The direct drive was the simplest way to turn the Pico wheels and was much more consistent. Using this technique could apply to all existing Pico Flex Dollies without replacing any existing parts. The servo is extremely strong and since the Pico moves with little effort, it can move quite a bit of weight.
Another Clever Pico Flex Dolly Modification - Motorized + Lasers
YouTube Member dim3m has motorized the Pico Flex, and has also added lasers for an easy way to identify the rotating axis. This is a common practice used in those high end three wheel skater type dollies. By aligning the axles with the lasers, the cross path will be the center of rotation. This is where you need to focus your camera. Right now the lasers are just temporarily being held on with Friction arms as a proof of concept. [Thanks dim3m] You can find pen lasers fairly cheap these days in just about any store, but if you're lazy they can be found online for about $1.49 (click here)
Mini Pen Laser KeyChains
First unboxing review from YouTube member DioxCorp on the latest Aputure 160 LED video light . These new LED lights are available in 126, 160, and 198 sizes. In this video the 160 looks pretty big, so imagine the size of the 198 version. Sorry I can't translate this video, but i'll save you some time. Skip on down to about 6:50, that's where the test begins. At first it's set to minimum light output, but shortly after the light is set on full power. At full power it seems to cover the entire room with little vignetting on the wide lens. The only thing that skews the test is that the camera seems to be on Auto Exposure. You'll find these LED lights starting at around $40 dollars.
Anyone remember that 240 Bi-Color LED Video light I showed a while back? (old video above) Well, included with the light was this interesting little AA battery case adapter
External AA Battery Box for Sony Battery NPF
The LED Video Light that it originally came with found below.
240CHB 240 LED Dimmable Color Change
First posted in an earlier article, this particular Mini Rig is still a fairly new product. A tough one to find in the USA let alone the UK. Sometimes going under the description 'MagicRig'. There's a video along with some comments from a few people were able to grab these in that first article. For now, a few more Magic Rig mini shooters are available again shipping from the UK (click here)
MagicRig Mini Video Chest Mount Shooter Rig
