What do you get when you mix an old Bike Wheel, Bike Crank, and Bike Wheel Hub? You get a functioning Video Camera Stabilizer a.k.a DIY Steadicam. It will all make more sense after checking out the video above from YouTube member thomasumJohnson. Improvements? I would stay start with a smaller wheel maybe from a childs bike. This should cut down on about half the size, but still give you that nice arch. The smooth wheel hub is a nice touch, and it appears he's using a U-Joint similar to the WSClater builds for making a Gimbal Handle. But if you're not the type to tackle a 'Gimbal', Lensse can provide you with something http://cheesycam.com/lensse-gimbals-for-diy-steadicam-stabilizers/.
Letus Hawk ViewFinder on Canon T3i w/ Battery Grip
(Above) Was my first image of my Canon T3i fitted with a Letus Hawk View Finder. Yes it fits quite nicely, and they make it in the proper aspect ratio for the 3:2 LCD screen. What I didn't have was the riser for a battery grip. Here's a gallery (below) from reader HD-Tography showing you the fit and the fashion of the Letus Hawk Aluminum ViewFinder, on the new Canon T3i, with Small Oval BlueStar EyePiece, on Gini Rails offset with a bit of Easom, with the cheap Shoulder Support. Sweet example of many of the items covered in this blog and looks pretty solid.
[Ok guys, this is more of an example of the Letus Hawk ViewFinder with Battery grip riser adapter on T3i, so please don't start submitting your rigs. We'll save that for another time...]
Here's the direct links to the products if you have a Canon T3i with Battery grip and looking to rock the Letus Hawk VF too. If you have questions, you can always contact the support team @ LetusDirect.com
Letus Hawk DSLR Viewfinder - Aluminum 3:2 (with Canon T2i/550D Riser)
CODE: LTHKVF-AL-3:2
https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-hawk-aluminum-3-2.html
Shown beside the Universal Pro Mount (IMPORTANT: Low Profile Version for T3i Battery Grip)
Code: LTHKVF-UNI-RISE
https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/universal-pro-mount.html
Also shown is the Hawk Eye Cushion (Red micro fiber)
Code: LD-EYE-CUSHION
https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/hawk-eye-cushion.html
and the Letus Direct Lanyard
Code: LDLANYARD
https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-direct-lanyard.html
Silicone Friction Follow Focus Gear
Panasonic lenses are fast, quiet, and sharp, but I'm a big complainer about manually focusing with Panasonic Lenses. Looks like i'm not the only one. The lenses need full rotation to get objects in focus, and many Follow Focus lens gears require some type of clamp preventing the full 360 rotation. The solution for Alex M is to add a child's silicone bracelet to the lens, essentially turning it into a friction based follow focus with a seamless lens gear all the way around. [Thanks Alex]
Proaim’s New BasePlate for ViewFinder
The Proaim DSLR View Finder is nothing new, and personally I would prefer the VF Prime or Seagull VF, but Proaim looks to have a 'one-up' on the competition. This morning I was turned onto a recent BasePlate addition to Proaim's View Finder [Thanks Greg]. Looks like they're the next in line to follow in the recent trend of converting all LCD View Finders over to baseplate mounts.
The BasePlate looks to be an all metal construction that still allows you to mount a Quick Release Plate underneath. The ViewFinder claims Anti-Fog coating on the lens, and a minimal Diopter for less than perfect vision. To get further correction, you can stack the extension frames between the LCD and View Finder. Can you see that small hole on the BasePlate? The Proaim viewfinder also comes with a short Aluminum Rod that you can use has a handle (probably not very functional).
If you're wondering, it looks like a 3" LCD View Finder, but for Canon T2i, T3i, and 60D owners who really want this setup expect to lose just a 1mm crop on each side (IF it can line up properly).
Proaim View Finder with BasePlateCalumet BP1500 on Sale
If you were interested in that review Rod did on Calumet's BP1500 large backpack found here: http://cheesycam.com/rods-calumets-bp1500-backpack-review/, the price had gone up at the time. Checking back today it seems it's dropped back down on sale. Follow the link below and search for the BP1500.
5D Mark II Discount – Body Only
Some interesting sales going on, one that might be of interest to some of you is the Canon 5D Mark II. Shaving a few hundred dollars off normal retail price, the Canon 5D Mark II (body only) goes on sale over at BestBuy.com for a limited time.
Canon 60D / T3i LCD View Finders
Swing out LCD's are great for odd shooting positions, but posed some problems for DSLR LCD View Finders. The Canon 60D and T3i fall into this category. The solution is to use a frame that mounts under the camera body, but the pricing has been out of reach. Or has it?
Has anyone caught these new LCD Viewfinders for both 3" and 3:2 DSLR LCD Screens? Claims to be compatible with the 60D and T3i cameras, as well as the older 5D/7D cameras.
I'm not seeing very much adjustments on the frame, so i'm wondering how they could get it to line up against so many different camera bodies? Sure the LCDs are a basic size, but the position on the body isn't always the same. There's definitely two different versions from the photos i've seen. One is a square 3" and the other a more rectangular 3.2". These VF's have the obvious large eyecup but no diopter. No luck for you battery grip users, straight body mount only. Uses magnets to hold onto the frame - which the frame is mounted under the camera body with a Tripod mount still available. Fetches for mid $30's US.
Canon FD 85mm F/1.2L
Someone asked about the 85mm F/1.2L FD lens on 5D Mark II? Here's a snapshot with the aperture set to F/2.0. I'm using an FD adapter that has glass in it. I'm able to get a much wider aperture when using it on the GH2.
(Above 85mm F/1.2L FD Lens @ F/2.0)
It's crazy soft at F/1.2. Dreamy and creamy, which is still a pretty cool photo. You can click on any of the images for a larger view.
(Above 85mm F/1.2L FD Lens @ F/1.2)
You can check out the GH2 samples with this lens here: http://cheesycam.com/canon-fd-lens-85mm-f1-2-on-gh2/
Easier than DIY IGUS – Video Camera Slider
The Konova Roller bearing slider is still one of my favorite Video Camera sliders, but with demand comes rising prices. The IGUS linear guide rails are no secret and are extremely efficient for the price (Much better than the $99 dollar 80/20 aluminum extrusions). For anyone looking to DIY an IGUS rail as a camera slider, there's some options available via Amazon
Here's an interesting recent DSLR Slider item listed. Opteka's released an entry level portable IGUS based camera slider with FREE SHIPPING. Opteka's got all the necessary pieces and features you would normally have to DIY yourself. Included in the cheap slider is threaded taps for your quick release plate, pre-drilled Fluid Head hole in the carrier, a Brake/Stop screw, a few added legs to set it off the ground, and an included Spirit Level. So if you've been thinking about that DIY IGUS setup, but were afraid to tackle the details, you might want to check out Opteka's version available from 23' to 47" length. The Manfrotto 700RC2 Fluid Head would work great on this small slider as well.
