Starting with a basic Ladder Hanging Bracket found at Home Depot, Vimeo member StudioAmarelo was able to create this DIY Steadicam. The Gimbal is based on WSClater's Traxxas U-joint design. From there it's a matter of placing weights in the right spot. You can find some additional information at the video link (here). [Thanks Garrick]
Audio 2000s Wireless Microphone Battery Powered
I'm not too familiar with the Audio2000 wireless microphone system, but Vimeo member Kenrik March seems to have used it quite a bit. Seems to be using it often enough to attempt using the universal 12V battery pack I blogged about to make it a truly wireless and portable system. A bit large and not something you'll be mounting to the top of your camera, but a line out from the receiver in to a Zoom H1 should work well. There seems to be some varying packages that come with hand held microphone, LAV microphone, or Headset wireless microphones. I couldn't tell you if all the receivers require 12V DC in. Now if we can get a range test to see what distance this could be usable at. [Thanks Kenrik]
Audio2000 Wireless Microphone Systems
As tipped by Kenrik, these UHF Wireless Microphone packages can also be found for cheaper via eBay (click here)
Audio2000 UHF Wireless Microphone System
Sony NEX-5n Availability
Sony's latest NEX-5n has been getting quite a bit of press lately. It never seems to have hit the shelves over at B&H yet, but it's been in and out of stock over at Amazon. Today both versions with and without lens is available in limited quantities (click here)
A nice camera indeed with full 1080/60fps and excellent low light capabilities, but I feel some people are saving up a few hundred extra dollars for the NEX7 or A77.
Cotton Carrier Steady Shot Video Adapter
Cotton Carrier handles your DSLR like a BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier
The problem is that this little 'Steady Shot' adapter bracket requires an existing Cotton Carrier vest system (found here)
Hollywood UltraLight Video Camera Stabilizer
Another Hollywood Ultralight turns up on auction. This ultralight stabilizer is a discontinued product, but works like a mini Glidecam (as seen in the video demonstration above). It can support cameras of up to 4lbs, but with all the new GF3 like cameras with HD video, it's too bad they don't start making these things again. eBay auction found (click here)
Hollywood Lite VS1 mini Video Camera Stabilizer
Unusual Camera Shoulder Stabilizer w/ Compass?
This new adjustable shoulder camera stabilizer, is a simple design. A pad that wraps over the shoulder combined with a long chest plate supports the weight of your camera. An adjustable / rotatable stage with support handle positions the camera. Simple but effective, especially for super small video cameras.
Now the unusual feature is what looks like a compass (if i'm correct). If you require a compass to navigate to what you need to shoot, I don't think you should be allowed to handle a camera. Now if it were an electronic touch screen GPS navigator, that might be a different story. I wonder what would happen if you hacked two of these together (one on each shoulder). Fairly new, but you can find the shoulder support stabilizer on eBay (click here)
Video Camera Shoulder Support Stabilizer w/ Compass?
Pico Flex Dolly Shipping – Update
Here's the latest update. Thanks to those who have placed a pre- order with the Pico Flex Table dolly. Assembly and packaging is still underway. We estimated that shipping would begin by September 12th. While many items have already shipped (earlier than expected), shipping will continue according to the date the order was placed, but some items could ship just a few days after our estimated September 12th.
Power Plug Barrel Terminal Connector
Radio shack has a few adapters, but nothing as nice as these cheap little end terminals. This one is the correct size to fit most of your camera accessories with a 5.5mm OD and 2.5mm ID barrel. You can use this to make a cable to power up your Z96 LED lights, 312 LEDs, 600/900 LED Light Panels, and the list goes on and on. If you want to see an example of this cool little battery pack in action (click here).
Not long ago Luca did a test, and this battery should run the 352 LED ring light for at approx. 1.5 hours in full power. These batteries are cheap and you can get multiple ones if you need to swap. For these little end plugs, there's clear markings to show positive and negative (posi-in) and does not require any soldering. Grab two wires, strip the ends, and tighten up the screws. Make your cables as long or as short as you need.
Fancier New Small Camera Shoulder Rig Counterweight
Fancier is back with a portable stabilizer rig. The first time they tried to do this, I reviewed one of their rigs and it didn't go over so well. You could find that old article (click here). I guess they were listening to feedback and made some really good changes. First, they got rid of all the plastic knobs - those were just meant to crack and fall off. They've also priced this new mini rig around what's currently on the market, but it also has much better quality than the one provided with the RJ focus.
The counterweight is a clever flat folding design which adds stability, and it makes for easy travel. There's nothing I could say about the shoulder pad, except that it completely lacks one. It's just a very thin foam lining. The only other thing you could easily point out as 'not-so-good-quality' is the handles. It's a nice contour design and easy on the hands, but it's a faux rubber plastic mold. Don't get me wrong, the handles don't feel frail like it could break. I'm sure they'll take quite a beating. I guess they could be easy enough to rewrap or cover if needed.
The FTV-50 rig is based on 15mm rod and clamp rigs, so it's possible to expand, but as it is now, it will not support something like a follow focus. My guess is it's targeting all the new hot little video cameras coming out from Pentax, Sony, Olympus, and Panasonic. Very little parts, but completely adjustable in all manners.
It has one hotshoe in the rear and two 1/4-20" threaded holes which you can add accessory arms to. Since the whole rig is based on common 15mm rails you could find optional clamps if you want to mount more. Why they still choose blue is beyond anyone's guess, but it doesn't look too flashy and at the same time doesn't look at all cheap. The price is floating around $130 dollars which is fair, but hopefully we'll see more cheaper rigs from Fancier in the near future. You can find the FTV-50 from Fancier on Amazon (click here).
Fancier Folding FTV-50 DSLR Rig Counterweight
Also available here:
DSLR RIG FTV-50 DSLR Movie Kit Shoulder RIg
