Jason shares this new 3-Way stabilizer product from GoPro [Thanks Jason]. It's an articulating extension arm with a handle, and folding legs to be used as a tripod. Unlike your basic telescoping pole, the new 3-Way offers a lot more flexibility, articulation, and camera angles. At $69 dollars the new 3-WAY is far from cheap, but available now at the GoPro website found under the Mounts category. Visit GoPro website (here).
GoPro 3-Way Handle Extension Tripod
I received a question earlier today about whether the Panasonic GH4 can continue to output from the HDMI while simultaneously be connected via WiFi using the Image App. The answer is yes, but you will lose the on board LCD screen. You should also connect via WiFi before connecting your external HDMI display. Here's a video showing how that works.
If you've mounted your camera to a balanced stabilizer, you'll know how handy this feature can be. As the camera moves around, a remote operator can click on areas of the screen that the camera should be focusing to. This works fairly well, but of course it will be dependent upon the lens used, lighting, and contrast of the scene. Facial tracking and tracking modes are also helpful when you don't have someone setting focus points remotely.
Panasonic GH4 4K Mirrorless MFT Camera Body
Panasonic GH4 Camera Body - In Stock via Samys
If you like that shallow DOF look, Just a reminder that for the Lumix 20mm F/1.7 lens, right now there's an instant savings of $80 dollars off.
Panasonic Lumix 20mm F/1.7 II Lens
After posting up the awesome deal going on with the BMPCC, I got a question about an external battery solution. BlackMagic Design has never made it easy to keep one of their cameras powered on for very long, and so any owner will be requiring an external power solution. If you're not into DIY, these external battery mounts from IndiPro Tools can help make your life a whole lot easier when trying to keep those cameras powered up.
Power Grid System Dual Battery Plate for Pocket Cinema Camera
The Power Grid System uses either two common Canon LP-E6 batteries, or two common Sony L-Series batteries to power up either your BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera or your larger BlackMagic Design Production 4K or original Cinema Camera. A rotating 15mm clamp conveniently attaches to your rig.
For those who want to attach XLR microphones directly to the BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera's 1/4" TRS Microphone input, another Power Grid System offers Dual L-Series battery power combined with a converter for XLR input to 1/4" TRS out (found here).
Power Grid & XLR Audio Box with Dual L-Series Plates for Blackmagic Cinema/4K Production Cameras
Not to be left out, there is also a Power Grid system for the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera with an XLR audio adapter if you want to feed the signal from an XLR microphone into the BMPCC (found here)
Power Grid & XLR Audio Box for Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Cameras.
Despite all the new camera buzz, I know a few people have decided to stick with the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera. If you decide on grabbing a BMPCC consider this deal for $150 Adorama Gift Certificate with your purchase of a BlackMagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera. Considering you'll need a few extra items like the Sandisk Extreme Pro SDXC Cards (a must have for RAW video) or possibly spare batteries, i'm sure you'll appreciate the extra credit. Find the deal following the link (click here).
BlackMagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera Body with MFT Mount - Includes FREE Adorama $150.00 Gift Certificate
As more people begin taking the challenge of building their own 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer, there have been numerous questions with still little information. One popular question relates to calibrating the IMU sensor. In this video I attempt to show my method of performing the 6 Point Calibration of the IMU sensor and why I choose to do it this way.
Unlike using a cardboard box, this method using a Leveling Cube ensures you can visibly see how level you are before performing calibration. It also allows the sensor to remain completely flat across the cube.
If you look closely, you can see that laying the sensor down over the exposed solder pins may cause inaccurate results. Perform your calibration with the sensor level using only the flat area. Hopefully this bit of information has been helpful and may allow you to get slightly more accurate results from your 6 Point IMU Calibration.
At first I thought these cubes were merely a novelty item, but after working with these gimbals, I have found so many more uses for them. They are great for checking how level your gimbal is when placed on a stand while balancing your camera. They are also great for checking the level of your camera immediately after powering up your gimbal (make sure your horizon is level before shooting). Great little item to have around for just under $2.50 + Free Shipping, I suggest grabbing the cubes with 3 bubble levels built in (click here)
Hot Shoe Cube 3 Axis Bubble Level
One of my favorite lenses to use on the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera or the Panasonic GH3/GH4 cameras is the Lumix 20mm F/1.7 II Lens. A short small lightweight lens with a wide aperture. On an M43 camera it's capable of achieving a nice blurred background with a subject sharp in focus.
A great portrait type lens with a minimum focusing distance of less than 8" allows for some very creative close up shots. To get an idea, you can see some samples shot on my 20mm F/1.7 in this video (click here).
I highly recommend this lens for MFT shooters. Right now there's an instant savings of $80 dollars off.
Panasonic Lumix 20mm F/1.7 II Lens
If you want to stick with name brand cards here's a deal on Lexar 64GB SDXC Professional Class 10 600x UHS-I Memory Cards. Regular price $69.95, save an additional -$27 dollars OFF.
These cards are fast enough to support 4K video from the new GH4 and 1080p at 200Mb/s. For a limited time these 64GB 600x SDXC cards are now just $42.95 (found here).
Lexar 64GB 600x SDXC Media Cards
Here's a deal shared today via B&H. A set of Manfrotto Sympla Adjustable Handles for 15mm Rigs. Typically sold for about $200, today they knocked off -$70 dollars. For just $129 right now it's a set of high quality long adjustable handles with a quick release clamp (so you don't have to yank everything off your rails to get your handles off).
Video Description:
Filmmakers are storytellers, and how they choose to tell a story is conceived as a unique vision. In realizing this vision, creativity and innovation abound.
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Cinevate Hedron Camera Slider Flywheel Counterweight
