Another video with a few different additions to the DIY DSLR Cage project. This time, YouTube member browncowvideo uses a Miter Track channel for the top rail. This allows the mounted accessories to be adjusted left and right. Another added addition is the swing out feet that allows you to rest the Cage on a flat surface, a very simple yet functional idea. [Thanks Brian]
277 Bi-Color Dimmable LED Light Review
I posted an article about some new 277 LED Video lights not long ago, but there was only two available for sale online with no real information on performance and quality. These new Socanland LED lights come in a few different flavors in a few different sizes, most popular right now are the 277 and 310.
Cam Cornelius was actually at NAB2011 when he picked up his Socanland 277 Bi-Color DImmable LED light, which he seems to be really impressed with. Cam's put together what appears to be the first video review about the Socanland 277 LED light. With a wide angle lens you can see it doesn't seem very spotty and covers a large area of the screen. A solid build, good form and fuction seems like Socanland is getting off on the right foot with DSLR Video. If this is a light you'd be interested in, they aren't available at this time. But check back here in a few, i'm on the ball to let you know as soon as they become available. [Thanks Cam]
Tilta DSLR Follow Focus, Matte Box, Full Rig
Tilta DSLR Shoulder Rig, Matte Box, Half Cage, Follow Focus
What's up with Tilta? I've seen a few of their small DSLR rig parts before, but it looks like they are slowly expanding on gear. Bruce pointed out today about their Follow Focus kit which includes two different gears, a set of base rails to mount, a dslr stage with battery door access, and a unique 'quick dock' solution to remove the entire system from a tripod or rig. I don't see a way to reverse the gears or adjustments for lash and tension, but it does have it's simple appeal. Anyone got more insight on these Tilta DSLR Rigs? They've even got a full Shoulder rig with half cage and Matte Box as well, but a bit too pricey for my taste...
900 LED Light Panel Sample
Here's a simple frame grab using only 900 LED Video Light panels. 1/50th, F/4, ISO 100 on Canon 7D.
900 LED Dimmable Photography Video Light Panel
No worries about heat or power draw that will blow out house breakers. The 600 and 900 LED versions come with Sony V Mounts, so you can also invest in batteries to take them off the grid and portable. You can see placement of lights in the first frame grab. Not the best test here, but hopefully you get an idea about power output, throw, and diffusion. [Thanks Olivia for sitting in.]
You can find more LED Video Light Panels in different Sizes below
500, 520, 600, 900, 1000, 1200 LED Lights and More
128GB Lexar SDXC in Canon 60D
If you're wondering about what the 128GB Lexar SDXC card is good for, there's a number of things. Besides throwing it into bitrate hungry high end cameras, another good purpose is doubling the disk space on my MacBook Air. The new Macbook Air can't be upgraded internally, so by using a very generic SDHC card reader, i'm able to double my storage with a solid state drive that can transfer 100MB files in less than 7 seconds. There's no limit to individual 4GB file sizes with exFAT format and the card works both on Mac and PC. It's the smallest and lightest storage media I can carry in my backpack. If you're looking at 128GB USB thumb drives with equivalent speeds and you'll find yourself coughing up about twice the price of this single Lexar.
SDHC Card Reader Used as Thumb Drive
So, since the Lexar 128GB card is based on exFAT file system with no 4GB limit, what happens if you place it into a Canon 60D? Will the video stop automatically? The answer is yes it will stop at just around a 4GB file size - so DSLRs won't be taking advantage of SDXC and larger file sizes (for now). The Canon 60D and Panasonic GH2 can see the entire 128GB and can record video without any buffering issues, but for now the card is a bit overkill. For other things like being able to dump files to the editor, run backups in Time Machine, or use it for additional storage it's pretty quick and has a feather weight footprint in the bag...
NAB2011 BTS Highlights
Our NAB2011 videos aren't all on the website just yet, but just wanted to thank Prodigy Studios for coming out and covering all the highlights and BTS footage of our trip. We covered lots of ground and got to meet all the good people behind some of the popular DSLR products including Cinevate, Konova, Jag35, WideOpenCamera, JuicedLink, Letus, Camera Motion Research, Varizoom, and more. [Thanks Waylon]
DIY camSlider Project Part I & II
Looks like a fun little DIY Arduino based motion controlled slider project is unfolding. Starting the platform out with IGUS Drylin W rails and carrier (wider version), and adding in a custom fitted pulley system. My guess is that the programmable controller will eventually be used for Timelapse movements and intervalometer trigger. Part 1 & Part 2 videos show some of the DIY process, but more information can be found from Vimeo member Stefan Kohler. Oh and if you're hoping something like this will hit the market, apparently it's not planned for it.
DIY Camera slider - Making of - Part 1 - Mechanics
DIY Camera slider - Making of part II
Of course, if you're looking to get into Motion Controlled sliders, you can't go wrong with Dynamic Perception.
Dynamic Perception Motion Controlled Sliders
Also designed with Arduino in mind, these time lapse sliders are the best on a budget. Highly recommended for anyone who wants the 'now' and not mess with the DIY process. Check out one of the latest videos shot with DynamicPerception.com sliders.
Description:
This was filmed between 4th and 11th April 2011. I had the pleasure of visiting El Teide. Spain´s highest mountain @(3718m) is one of the best places in the world to photograph the stars and is also the location of Teide Observatories, considered to be one of the world´s best observatories. More......
JuicedLink – Down with DIY
JuicedLink is definitely down with DIY and looking out for the budget minded. We were actually setup on one of the JuicedLink DIY brackets for NAB2011 on the main camera, but it's great to hear pricing is even lower with volume pricing now that they've become popular. First starting out with DSLR Cage like brackets to easily mount accessories, now Robert is looking into making cost effective roller bearing sliders.
Interesting how you could be surrounded by millions of dollars worth of professional equipment, yet one of the coolest things on the floor is an unpolished DIY slider. The prototype slider looked a little rough on the edges, but I was pretty impressed with how well the fit was on the rails. Using standard cheap roller bearings and angled mounts to lock in between the rails, the movement was very effective with just about zero lash. [Thanks Olivia]
The idea behind the new DIY Slider is to sell only what needs precision manufacturing which can be shipped in a fairly small package. You can pick up your own rails in any type or length desired (so long as it fits the minimum OD - outside diameter) which not only brings down cost of overall unit, but also shipping. This modular design will allow you to have a 4ft. slider today, and a 6ft. one tomorrow. Great idea so far. I'm interested in seeing what the final version would look like. More information always at the JL blog here: JuicedLink sliders (click here).
Small Camera Monopod Tilt Head
With the new Sunpak Carbon Monopod and Velbon Ultra stick in the house, it's time to add a little tilt swag. I opted to try this small tilt head (no pan) to still keep things short and tight. It's pretty much the same design you'll find on certain Manfrotto monopods, but a third the price for the off-brand. I'm also going to try to use this on the Korean version SpiderTrax dolly to see if it keeps low and stable. You can find it in the link below and by searching for 'Tilt Head'.
Calumet Small Swivel Tilt Monopod Heads
If you don't find yourself in a rush to move the camera off the monopod, you might not require the quick release function. For this you'll find cheaper heads that use an underside clamp knob such as the Manfrotto 234 (below).
