Last Thursday, some friends stopped by the studio to do a simple music video with artist Michelle Martinez. Just dropped a plain white paper backdrop and setup the cheap 800w lights around a stool and a microphone. A slider, and several cameras on tripods were used to get the many many angles. Might be too many, LOL. There may be some further color correction and edits to the video in the coming weeks, but for now here's a quick look at a simple and fun project these guys worked on in the studio. More of Michelle Martinez can be found over at her YouTube Channel.
The Gini Rig Arrives from Korea
If you've been looking for DSLR rigs, i'm sure you've heard about the Korean DSLR Rig manufacturer Gini. The photo gallery (above) has two pages, so click the #2 to see more images. If you haven't heard of the DSLR Rig manufacturer from Korea, you can find all the available products here: Korean DSLR Rig, Rods, Clamps, Handles, Stabilizers
Gini DSLR RigsI'm about to write an article about a piece of DSLR gear that will sound like it belongs in a Playboy magazine. All the information out there on the web say the Korean DSLR rig manufacturer is just as good as the other guys sporting a Red and Black theme. I'm here to tell you that's all true. Sure the prices aren't dirt cheap, but the quality is outstanding, and keep reading to find out why i'm writing this. I'm sitting here with a huge package of clamps, rods, mounts, handles, and other odd shaped pieces of machined aluminum. Every single piece is carefully detailed, with high quality anodized coloring, and an outstanding flat brushed like finish. If you've ever dealt with manufacturing parts, you'd probably see this more as a fine work of art, than just pieces of equipment. The handles are as large as my hands with a smooth contoured finish that makes it easy and comfortable to grasp. There's nothing cheap on this rig, right down to the tiny bolts.
Sure, these rigs are nothing new and the seller has been out there for years. So why am I talking about this, and why am I currently infatuated with this new rig? I got it for a steal, and I mean literally a steal. I do eBay all the time, but this is the first time i've won an auction for something I thought I wouldn't receive. DSLR Rig sales on eBay have slowed down alot. The market is definitely saturated and everyone is finding new ways to build up custom rigs. Fortunately the seller Gini continues to market solely through eBay with a combination of 'Buy it Now', 'Best Offer', and 'Auction' type listings. There's a slew of different rigs being sold at different prices. I started by throwing in extremely cheap 'Best Offers' at a few different rigs. I was obviously denied, and fairly quickly I might add. Next I moved on to the actual Auctions listings where you throw in a bid, and surprisingly there's no reserve. I went straight for the big $1500 dollar package that offered so many different pieces. There's no denying a bid like the 'Best Offer' listings. Once the bid is in, it's in. The only way to get out of the sale is to be outbid. A few hours later, holy crap, I won the auction.
No communication came in about my payment being received, or any shipping information. Since it's an over seas sale, I decided to give him some time. 10 days after I won the auction, here I am talking about it. There's plenty of options for DSLR rigs, but not many of them offer 'Best Offer' and bid type 'Auctions'. If you've already got a budget set aside for a rig you're saving up for, you might want to throw in a few bids or leave some Best Offers with Gini. You never know what you can end up with, and for what price. I'm not going to talk about what I received my package for, but if you're an avid eBayer, it's an easy look up through the 'Completed Listings' advanced search option. You can easily see what rigs have sold, for what prices, and what offers were accepted. There's no doubt that I got lucky on this auction, but i'm glad Gini stood behind the auction and honored the sale. The item shipped fast, and also included a package labeled 'Gift' with a bunch of extra rods. (shown in the photos).
If you're looking to take a chance, and get lucky, click on any of the images in this article, or check out the new listings for these luxurious DSLR rigs: Click here for Pricing on Korean DSLR Rig, Rods, Clamps, Handles, Stabilizers
Unfinished DIY PVC Bearing Gimbal
Many of you have probably already seen this video. It was posted up over a year ago as Part 1 of 2. I know i've had my eyes on it for quite a while waiting for the follow up, but Part #2 of this project doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. This one is based on the Gimbal Handle that is used on the Glidecam series stabilizers. There seems to be a million ways to make a Steadicam Merlin gimbal handle, but little ways to make a decent Glidecam type gimbal handle. In this interesting video, there's some really nice techniques in mounting several bearings into some cheap PVC making it into a full 3 axis gimbal. It's been a year already, and there's some really good ideas in here to just let this sit back without being tackled by someone. Since video #2 hasn't been released to follow up on this, i'm curious if anyone has attempted this DIY project, and how far did you get?
If you're not familiar with what a Glidecam Stabilizer is capable of, check out my HD1000 video demonstration here: http://cheesycam.com/glidecam-hd1000-dslr-video-stabilizer-demonstration/
click image for pricing on Glidecam HD1000 Stabilizer System
DIY Follow Focus – Skate Wheel + Lens Cap + Macro Rail
Above - Ted Ramasola's DIY Follow Focus from DVXUser.com
I've seen many versions of a friction based Follow Focus, most of them designed similar to the IDC FF. Above, is a very early example found at the DVXUser.com forum posted by Ted Ramasola. It's been a good foundation for other ideas, and many people have refined it into their own.
Macro Rail available via Amazon
Using the same idea with Canon Lens rear caps and a skate wheel, it looks like DSLRExperiment.com is busy working on a DIY friction based follow focus with a simple way of mounting camera and adjusting the FF to fit different sized lenses. Using an inexpensive Macro sliding rail for XYZ adjustments and a tweaked metal L bracket, this looks like it could be a simple weekend project. Check out the video below from Vimeo member Mathieu Bujold.
These Macro rails are available via Amazon, but if you're looking for something at half that price, you can locate them via eBay. Here's the style Macro Rail that is used in the video: Macro Focus Rail Slider for Canon Nikon Sony Panasonic
click image for pricing on Macro Rail
GH1 Focus Pull on TimeLapse Dolly
Here's another excellent example of a focus pull technique with the Stage Zero Motion Controlled Timelapse dolly from Dynamic Perceptions. Each week there seems to be lots of new and exciting additions to the Stage Zero dolly and MX2 controllers. More support for additional camera makes to be remotely triggered for a completely programmable no touch timelapse solution from Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and Panasonic. According to the Dynamic Perceptions blog, these new motion controlled Timelapse dollies are currently open for pre-orders with an expected delivery date of December 10th. You can keep up or catch up with all the news, instructional videos, and my favorites - more sample motion controlled Timelapse videos over at the website: https://dynamicperception.com/?main_page=wordpress&cat=5
Dynamic Perceptions Stage Zero Motion Controlled Timelapse Dolly
Capable – Panasonic GH2 Video Camera Stabilizer
Now that Panasonic has announced the GH2, i'm sure this is going to open up a market of new Panasonic shooters. If the GH2 shares the same form factor and weight as the GH1, this might be a Panasonic GH2 video camera stabilizer worth looking at. I posted an earlier article on this website with Vimeo member Choon Ean showing off some Hague MMC skills with a GH1, but here's another one that should sell it as a capable GH1 / GH2 steadicam. Lots of panning and full on jogging shots while maintaining great results in this video. Remember, this isn't on flat smooth ground, but more on an uphill run in some uneven terrain. Good job showcasing the product on this one.
[Thanks - Choon Ean]
The Hague MMC can be found here: Hague Mini Motion Cam Video Camera Stabilizer
click image for pricing on Hague MMC
Canon DSLR Combination Rebates
Canon DSLR and Lens Combination Rebates
Just a reminder that if you or anyone you know is planning on grabbing a new Canon DSLR, there's some rebate incentives going on. This rebate isn't something to go out of your way, but if you're looking to dive in to a DSLR purchase for the first time, it might save you a few bucks. From the Canon Rebate information, the deal comes in if you grab a flash or lens combination with a new DSLR body purchase. Both items must appear on the same receipt, purchased in the same day to qualify. Canon has listed all their top DSLR bodies for this rebate, incuding the new Canon 60D. Most of the lenses to qualify for this rebate are quite expensive, but if someone asked me which combo deal might be worth it, i'd probably suggest grabbing a Canon T2i or 60D + the Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS USM. There's a list of items that state Instant Rebates, so this doesn't look like a 'Mail in Rebate' deal. More information can be found on some special links displayed over at the B&H website: List of items that qualify for Canon Rebate deal
RC Helicopter Camera Mount Stand
Here's an interesting camera mount for the RC Helicopter hobbyist. This is being sold for the 'Camera Stand' only, but was designed to adapt to different small 450-500 sized helicopters. Images show cameras as small as the GoPro HD Hero up to small HD Camcorders. There's also a tilt mechanism shown in the listing, but i'm not sure how that ties in to the controls. Here's the link to the Camera Mount Stand: Camera Mount Stand for 450-500 Sized Helicopters
Click image for Pricing
I'm not at all experienced in RC Helicopters, but there are some over seas 450 sized helicopters ready to fly running for around $200 bucks that might be able to complete a fun GoPro flying rig. I've never flown an RC Heli, but I can imagine the damage it can cause to ones camera. For myself, I might be willing to practice on something as robust like a GoPro (those things have fallen from space and survived), but not sure if i'd ever have the huevos to fly a full Canon DSLR on a RC Helicopter. Fly at your own risk... Here's the link to the cheap 450 Sized Helicopters: RC Helicopter 450 Kit ready to Fly - Just needs Batteries
Click image for Pricing
New Apple MacBook Air – for Photographers and Video?
I'm a Microsoft guy and work on a PC probably 99% of the time. As i'm typing this i'm working on a Lenovo X300, a PC system that was the rival against Apple's first Macbook Air. This PC laptop is super thin, super light, and runs everything I need for mobile computing. For processor intensive and graphics work, that's all done on a home desktop system. Sure I own an Apple iPad and an iPhone, but neither one gave me the needs required for backing up photos from a shoot, editing a quick video clip, or posting up a new blog post when i'm travelling. This PC laptop running Windows 7 and an SSD hard drive is my go to system when i'm on the go.
Now comes Apple's new Macbook Air at a cheaper price than it's earlier version, and also smaller and lighter. Specs looks like it's got a lot more performance features added too. Running all solid state flash storage, and a ton of batteries all built into the unit, this thing can be on stand by for 30 days without a charge. I would say more than half the system board area was reserved for the batteries alone. Unlike the iPad that fit some needs, and failed in others, this new Macbook Air runs a full Mac OS and has a full QWERTY keyboard. With it's flash based storage system, it's instant on just as fast as the Apple iPad.
There's a discussion about an article over at the B&H Photo website that this new Macbook Air netbook is something Photographers and Videographers could find handy. Many of the new cameras are using SDHC media, only the 13" Macbook Air has a built in SD card reader for backing up photos without a card reader. They also claim that it should run Final Cut Pro - maybe not fast, but well enough. It's available now in both 11" and 13" models, with options from a 64GB to 256GB internal flash storage. Looks like only 2x USB ports are available for external devices, and nothing about Firewire being mentioned. What do you guys think? Anything interesting here at this price? The laptops aren't designed to replace true work systems, but does this suit the Mobile Media market?
The cheapest new Macbook AIR 11" here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/740325-REG/Apple_MC505LL_A_11_6_MacBook_Air_Notebook.html
Most expensive new Macbook AIR 13" here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/740327-REG/Apple_MC503LL_A_13_3_MacBook_Air_Notebook.html