• 28 Comments

•

A new notice has been placed on the LCDVF website in response to the 'Clones'.

Notice!
Please be aware that thre are some fake LCD viewfinder products out there utterly similar to our LCDVFs but the optics and construction used in these products is far inferior of the original!
The original LCDVFs use achromatic doublet lenses instead of a simple condenser lens to achieve uncompromized image quality.

Well here's a comment that just dropped in from Tonis. Tonis is the CEO of the original LCDVF, and he's talking about these LCDVF 'replicas' or 'clones' that are showing up on the market.

I'm Tonis from LCDVF, Estonia
This is a replica that resembles the original LCDVF.
These are not made with the same molds/tools or with the same sized magnets and even the materials are a bit different, the rubber eyecup smells for example and is not made of skin friendly silicone. The eyecup itself comes loose quite easily.
The lens is just a 2mm thick plano convex one instead of our double lens 8mm thick achromatic setup.
It also seems to have set at such focal length that it might burn the LCD screen when aligned with sun.

They use all our 3D renderings and photographs on the packaging and even our copy texts so we have a big time intellectual property infrngement here to deal with but as these are being made in China it takes a bit time before we will stop them. Till then we will file reports on all eBay sellers of this replica and fortunately eBay acknowledges our rights.

And yes it does not fit 550D, T2i and not even GF1 as often advertised. The LCDVF 3/2 is the only proper viewfinder for these Canon cameras. As will 16/9 be for the remaining others.

Tonis Liivamagi

CEO
LCDVF
Tartu, Estonia

Well they say good things don't last long, and looks like the official LCDVF is trying to pull the plug on the whole ordeal. Granted it's going to take some time asking Chinese companies to stop selling outside of China, but eBay is very very quick to deal with anything that has to do with infringement. These LCDVF auctions available now on eBay can literally disappear faster than they appeared.

lcdvf-replica-poland
LCDVF Clones on eBay

• 10 Comments

•

[The above images were provided by Sean, thanks Sean]

According to the comments and emails coming in, It looks and feels like the real thing, but it's NOT being sold as the real LCDVF. In fact these replicas or 'clones' are going for less than half the price now. I'm still waiting for mine to show up, to do a side by side comparison, but i'm also the late one of the bunch who placed an order. Some others have sent in comments and emails stating it's not a replica, but looks to be the real deal with a different brand name. There's a few others posted online now, and it just seems to be getting cheaper. Again, this is the replica for the standard 3", but rumors are that in a few weeks a 3/2 Replica version for Canon 550D / T2i users will be available. Check out these super uber cheap Real Deal LCDVF Replicas.

lcdvf-replica-poland
find-price-button LCD View Finder for DSLR Cameras

• 11 Comments

•

Wow, very cool examples of what type of footage you can achieve with the SpiderTrax Dolly design. Here's another simple build video of how parts from a normal skateboard, Cheese Plate, and Quick release adapter were put together for those slider and rotational shots.

Here's a link to the cheese plate that was used.
cheeseplate-glidecam

Two months ago, the video above also used Skateboard trucks and looks like a wooden base. This is definitely becoming a main stream tool for many DIY'ers.

Isn't it weird how I share these videos and information openly, while at the same time it's something that I need to sell? It's all good with me, because my main goal was always to share these ideas and inspire more creative footage. For those who weren't able to DIY and wanted something, I worked with a team to have parts professionally manufactured with solid aluminum, cut with Computer Aided Design, and special Anodized coating (not spray paint). You can find the SpiderTrax Dolly available at PhotographyandCinema.com

Big thanks to Jarrod and Think Gines for taking time to put this video together and sharing ideas for others to make.

• 6 Comments

•

t2i-skydive

Not long after I posted about Skydive.tv, local Bay Area Skydiving Videographer Bill Voelker sends in some footage shot with his custom T2i Helmet mount. Most people might think that a 5DM2 or 7D with it's magnesium frame would be a better fit for this extreme sport, but i'm assuming weight would be an issue, so the T2i does just fine. I wonder how that focus ring or zoom ring is all kept in place while dropping at that speed?

Surprisingly all the footage is being shot with the standard kit 18-55mm and is getting some really great results. Who says you need to pay big bucks for great footage? He mentions he's also been using a Steadicam Merlin stabilizer for additional footage on the ground shown in this second Skydiving T2i video here. If you're in the Bay Area and would like to test Skydiving out you might want to give Bill a holla! Very cool stuff Bill, thanks for sharing.

• 7 Comments

•

DSLRevolt WORKSHOP / PHOTODAYS ROVINJ / AUDI from Marko Butrakovic on Vimeo.

Today's the day I may be signing a lease for warehouse space in the Bay Area. I've collected quite a bit of equipment over the last year, and networking with other Photographers / Videographers has required me to have an actual 'creative' space to setup shop. One of the ideas of using this new warehouse space would be to hold DSLR workshops where we invite a DSLR Professional or Professional DSLR team in to manage a small class and tackle a very specific project. This will all be built from scratch where everyone can contribute to ideas in storyboarding, coming up with the shot list, taking hands shooting with the different equipment, and to final editing. Think of that TV show 'Monster Garage' but for DSLR shooters. Throw a team of people into the warehouse, give them a project, and see what comes of it.

I started poking around for ideas on DSLR workshops, and really enjoyed how this video was put together. Seems like a really fun thing to tackle and I might just have to give the local BMW, Porsche, or Mercedes dealerships a ring.

• 2 Comments

•

Skydive-tv

Just wanted to thank Joe Jennings over at Skydive.tv for supporting this blog! I was just hanging out at his website, and he's got quite the resume.

Cinematographer, Aerial Stunt Coordinator / Consultant - SAG
Skydiving Cinematography in 35mm, IMAX, HD
US Parachute Association Master License and Professional Exhibition Rating.

The domain name says it all showing off some awesome high flying skydiving skill. Check out all the work Joe has done on his website Skydive.tv, very cool stuff. Thanks Joe!

• 13 Comments

•

zoom-h1

I was excited to pre-order the new Samson Zoom H1 portable Audio Recorder and posted this article. I received an email from the Pre-Order seller that the release date was pushed back to the August 20th. I completely trust the seller, but just to make sure everything was on the up and up I contacted Samson for an official comment.

Emm,
August 20th is the new release date. There was a production delay at the
factory, and it had to be held back. We are deeply sorry about this.

Thanks Samson for the fast response, and although i'm sad to say it won't be in my hands soon enough, i'm sure the delay is for good reason. Samson makes awesome products such as the Zoom H4n and unlike other companies claiming a release date Red Cameras or product availablity, they've always been on top of things. I expect these things to move fairly quickly, so if you're still interested in getting the pre-order, check out this article.

Tweet this article, pass the word, spread the news. Zoom H1 has been delayed expected August 20th.

• 6 Comments

•

Wow, I was just talking about the SpiderTrax Dolly in my last post, but then received an email from SpiderTrax Dolly user 'Luke' with a link to his awesome BTS video. These guys are crazy! Looks like they ran a custom long track for some super long slider shots. Something you're not going to be able to do with a standard camera Slider. They also showcased some very cool rotational shots on the gym floor, again something you can't do with a standard slider. Other BTS footage includes the use in a wedding, tutorial videos, and more. This is a great video really showcasing the versatility of this product, and c'mon you can't beat the price! I have a feeling this video is going to sell out the first run of these SpiderTrax dollies, so if you don't have one, now is your chance. Visit: PhotographyandCinema.com

Thanks Luke, great job! More information about Luke and the rest of the team that put together some creative video footage can be found on the YouTube description over here.

•

Modeled after the SpiderTrax Rotating Video dolly from PhotographyandCinema.com, YouTube member ZelenPol pulled off some really fun footage. This is a fine example of the types of video footage you can capture with the SpiderTrax Rotating video dolly, that you can't achieve from a camera slider. I just recently shot a video / photo shoot last saturday in which i'll show some of my BTS SpiderTrax Dolly footage, but if you're not the DIY type and need something professionally made, the final first run of the SpiderTrax Dollies are running low. Check out more information at PhotographyandCinema.com.