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This is part 1 of an idea i'm going to try and work on. Not sure it there will ever be a Part 2 to this! Basically the problem I want to provide a DIY solution for is a remote to start and stop video from the Canon 5D Mark II, 7D, 550D / T2i. Yes, there is the RC-1 for the 5D Mark II, but that works through infrared, line of sight, and only best in front of the camera. I need a remote that can start and stop video if my camera were on a Jib / Crane / Steadicam / Shoulder Rig, etc.

Here's two of the current solutions people are using today:

Video above From Lucasberg


Video above From Abel Cine Tech

While both videos show a method of routing an infrared signal from front to back, it's not going to suffice in many situations that I plan on using my camera for. So check out my video (very top) on Part 1 of what I'm planning on doing. I'm using this $8.00 wireless 1CH remote and also got this used RC-1 from eBay for just $8.00 dollars. Let's see if you hear back from me on a successful DIY Wireless Remote for the Canon 5D Mark II or if it's an epic failure.... Stay tuned.

1. Parts i'm using is this 1 CH Momentary Wireless Remote / Receiver from eBay for about $8.00 dollars
2. I'm going to use a Relay to trigger continuity (bypassing the switch) on the Canon RC-1 infrared for the Canon 5D Mark II (click Here).

I'd love some feedback, and even better, some help on this idea. Drop me a comment below. If i'm wasting my time here, and something already exists, holla back!!!

Update Update Update: Here's Part #2
Where I get a bit further in progress...Looks good so far....

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There's not too much to say about a quality wide angle telephoto lens for the 7D that can keep you at F/2.8, except for the Canon 17-55mm F/2.8 priced at $1030.00 US Dollars. But Tamron's latest release (replacing the older version of their 17-55mm) F/2.8 lens has been tested over at PopPhoto.com and it looks good.

PopPhoto.com's article about the new Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 lens with VC (vibration compensation a.k.a. Image Stabilization as known by Canonholics) starts at a street price of just $649.00. Not bad at all for someone who's looking for a flexible travel lens that can shoot wide. I'm interested in hearing from someone who's tried both, or maybe the price alone would get your wheels spinning? I'm a Canon fan myself, but i'm wondering if the price would make it worth a buy?

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Print your own Lens Hoods DIY Hood

Here's a fun post following up on my recent post on Lens Hoods. It's not going to protect you from that concrete post, but it will sure cut the glare out.

We aren't all professionals and sometimes we need a DIY lens hood. Here's a link to a website that lets you download PDF files with a template to Hood the most popular lenses out there for Canon, Nikon, and more. Some of you might already know about the website, but for the newbies check it out. https://www.lenshoods.co.uk

Leave them comments people. If you have a tip to share, a DIY related video you've created or anything else you think will fit this blog, let me know. I'll run a post for ya!

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cokin color adapter

Cokin Filter on Lens

For Photography you get much more dynamic range to edit the image into different exposures and even tweak some colors. With video, you have only so much dynamic range before the video footage starts to lose important quality. So with video, it's best to get the correct color and exposure right from the start.

Cokin Filter Adapter

Cokin Filters are very flexible for the photographer or videographer on a budget. You get the right filter adapter, and you'll be able to mount the filter holder on all of your lenses. This saves you big bucks from buying a seperate expensive filter for every filter size you might own. Of course these are based on resin (plastic) materials, so they maintaining sharpness won't be like what can be achieved from the $400 dollar glass filters. I'm not a fan of color changing filters, but I do own several Cokin ND Gradual Filters to help balance the bright sun with a darker beach during a sunset. These ND filters are also 'stackable' so that you can multiply how dark you want your exposure.

Click here and grab some Cokin filter adapters, filter holders, and filters from eBay for as cheap as .99 cents / filter. Awesome budget filters.

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Matt S. gives us an awesome breakdown of the Canon 50mm F/1.8 vs. the Canon 50mm F/1.4.

For anyone that's ever purchased their very first Digital SLR and has asked me what lens they should buy, i've always sworn by the Canon 50mm. Depending on how cheap that person is determined whether or not they started out with the 1.8 or the 1.4 version. (I started with the 1.8 version - i'm cheap).

The Canon 50mm F/1.8 lens Found Here for less than $99.00 dollars, is the cheapest prime you can get into that gets you shooting some very professional looking images. It also feels like the cheapest.

The Canon 50mm F/1.4 is about 3 times the price at $349.00 Found Here, and adds some worthy features like a bigger smoother focus ring, more quality build, and an aperture of 1.4. Check out the video above to get more information, and If you're not an owner of either Canon 50mm's, well you're just hurting yourself....Get one!

There is also a F/1.2 L version, but we'll save that review for another day. Check out the Price on the F/1.2 version

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click to find prices on Tamron 18-270mm

A co-worker asked me today what would help him minimize the amount of lenses he needs to carry around during his travels. Although I'm a big fan of Canon products, I think Tamron has this area on lock. Personally on my travels, i’m carrying around the Tamron 18-270mm Di II (this is a newer version not to be mistaken with the older version). It mounts on the Canon 5D Mark II as an EF mount, auto-focus works, but you'll get crazy Vignette on that full frame. This lens will only work properly on cropped cameras. It also can't maintain an aperture throughout, and ends up at F/6.3, but the IS they have will help in slow shutter speeds. Something I don't worry too much about since these cameras are fairly clean with High ISO.

If you want to see a sample Video, the Video below was shot mainly with my Tamron 18-270mm. That's correct, the actual lens that's in my bag was on loan to my buddy Roland as he wandered around China.

Not the sharpest lens in the bag, but hey the Image Stabilization works wonders for both Photo and Video, and runs you only over $620.00 bucks. You can't complain about that type of range for that type of price. This is the Tamron 18-270 Di II lens that i'm using on my Canon 7D.

Below are examples I took while at the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate park. First shot is wide (there's a butterfly somewhere in the middle) and the second shot is zoomed in at 270mm handheld with their IS on. Click the images for the large version.


Above: Image shot on Canon 7D at 18mm


Above: Image shot on Canon 7D at 270mm


Click here to find Tamron 18-270 Di II lens that i'm using on my Canon 7D.

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Well the iPad came in on Saturday, but I was too busy to play around with it. You do have to go through an iTunes session with your computer before you can even get it going.

So what's the iPad mean for me? Well I haven't figured out what else to do with it, but the main reason for jumping in so soon was the ability to display photos and videos. Mainly as a Photographer or Videographer on the hustle, in my opinion this is a definite alternative to showcase your portfolio. Younger clients are used to viewing photos and videos on the internet, so this little gadget is a sure fire way to get yourself some extra sit in time.

I tried carrying it with me today while I grabbed a sandwich over at ToGos, and it was the most akward thing. I didn't receive the leather case yet (Apple ships that seperately), so it wasn't something you want to just throw onto the counter. It's very slippery so sweaty hands is going to be apparent on the screen. It was difficult for me to accept my sandwich and sign a credit card receipt while holding the iPad. So fellas, if you plan on using something like this, it's not something you can throw in your back pocket. Sure a case will help you to lay it down on some down and dirty surfaces, but expect to start carrying a Murse (Man Purse). I'm not too fond of it as something I would carry around with me, at best it would sit in the car until needed. The iPhone still rocks (AT&T service sucks though).

Don't believe the hype on how many iPads were sold just over the weekend. Similar to Tickle Me Elmo or Cabbage Patch dolls, they got picked up by iPad Scalpers with inflated prices. One of the ways they can capitalize on this, is to ship overseas or internationally where the iPad hasn't been released yet. So for the company that's responsible for tallying up reports on sales, who's tallying up the amount of iPads that just ended back up for sale on eBay and Craigslist for inflated prices? Technically they aren't really being sold to be used right now. We'll see how that playing field levels out. As for now it looks like you can still order them and inventory is still good at regular prices.

If you're wondering how I go places with the iPad, i'm rocking the Verizon MiFi device. It's basically a mobile broadband router that you can share with other Wireless devices.

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I sometimes rock my Black Rapids Dual Camera straps wearing two cameras at a time with one Wide Lens and one Zoom Lens. This way I won't need to swap lenses when i'm in the zone. It also looks quite macho too. You can purchase these Double Camera Straps by clicking here.

Anyways, i'm a fan of Lens Hoods. They serve more purpose than blocking out glare on the glass, they can also protect the glass or filters from bumping into things. When running around with those Black Rapid straps, it's easy to swing your camera into a table, chair, or concrete post! (Done that before). I found a bunch of them on eBay for fairly cheap. Click Here. You should make sure you get the correct filter size when buying these hoods.

So I placed an order this weekend for my new Canon 100mm IS Macro. (Going to replace my old 100mm Macro - up for sale BTW). I believe it was the last weekend of the available Canon Rebates. So now the price of the 100mm IS Macro jumped back up at least 80 dollars. So i'll need to rock some new Lens Hoods and I thought i'd give these Rubber Lens Hoods a try as suggested by DSLRVideoShooter.com (peep the video below).

Click here to check out some Cheaper Rubber Lens Hoods from eBay for as low as .99 Cents!

or Amazon.

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click for larger version of Seattle Panoramic

The above image was something I quickly shot off the Pier across from Seattle. (Click the image above for a larger version) The original image stitched from 5 RAW 22 Megapixel images was HUGE!! I had to scale it down quite a bit for the web. For those who aren't rockin' big DSLR's, you can get very nice 100 Megapixel Panoramics from a decent point and shoot too. Just take several photos and stitch them together.

So now that many DSLR videographers are branching into Photography, I thought I'd share one of my favorite Panoramic tips. Photoshop has ways of stitching several photos together to make a Panoramic image, but in the past that feature didn't work so well. Using it Photoshop CS3 or newer works quite well, even in balancing exposure. The feature can be found in Photoshop by clicking File > Automate > Photomerge.

What you'll need to do is just take a series of photos from side to side (leaving a bit of overlay in between for cleaner stitching), and make sure you shoot the images in proper series so Photoshop can line them up from 1,2,3,4,5, and so on.

If you want even more professional looking panoramics, you need to find the 'No Parallax' point. The video below will explain this better, but you'll basically need a special tool to keep the center of the lens lined up. These special Panoramic heads also work pretty cool with Video too. You can find some common Panoramic Photogrphy Brackets by clicking here.