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If you've been researching gimbals, you may learn that not every gimbal works well with every camera. Because these gimbals have to be programmed according to the size and weight of your camera you should choose a stabilizer that works best.

XPROHeli XPRO Heli Silk Gimbal 3 Axis Review Demo Sample Video

If you're looking for a Ready-To-Run 3 Axis Gimbal for your new Panasonic GH4, you may want to give the Silk Gimbal from XPROHELI a look. Designed specifically for smaller cameras similar in size of the GH3/GH4/BMPCC/Sony A7s, the new Silk Gimbal seems to offer everything you could want with the ability to expand to more options. Take a look at the video below.

The Silk Gimbal from XProHeli can be mounted to multicopters, stream FPV, and even upgraded to control pan/tilt wirelessly from a remote operator either handheld or in flight.

YouTube member BeTerrific managed to get an interview with the company at NAB2014. The video also shows some very stable footage from the Silk Gimbal.

Keep in mind the Silk Gimbal is specifically targeted to cameras sized around the Pocket Cinema/GH3/GH4/Sony A7s. If all you need is a 2 Axis Gimbal (no pan stabilization) for smaller cameras, and you need something Ready-To-Run check out the CAME 6000.

CAME 6000 Gimbal Stabilizer
find-price-button UPGRADED CAME 6000 2-Axis Active Gimbal Stabilizer

For anyone shooting with a Canon 5D camera or larger your best option for a full 3 Axis Gimbal (and less than half the price of this Silk) is the CAME 7000 (see my video here) [DIY].

DIY 3 Axis Gimbal CAME 7000 Calibrate Alexmos CAME 7000 3 Axis Gimbal Instruction Setup Program Software Cheesycam
find-price-button CAME 7000 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer

Now if you're not the DIY type and looking for a full 3 Axis Ready-to-Run gimbal for cameras like the Panasonic GH4, this Silk Gimbal looks like a great product. Made in the USA from a small company with extensive experience in building gimbals is an added benefit for those who think they'll need the customer support. Priced for less than $2K (found here).

IMG_3021_grandesilk gimbal gh4 video 3 axis stabilizer xproheli review demo sample video
find-price-button XProHeli Silk Gimbal 3 Axis Brushless Motor Stabilizer GH4

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Plugins can both save time and add creativity to your final project. Right now you can save a minimum of 60% off or up to 80% off FCPEffects plugins. Here's just two random ones i've chosen off their website (found here).


With 15 bokeh shapes and 45 presets to choose from, your Final Cut Pro X projects will be looking incredible in no time.


The HDR Plugin for FCP X is extremely versatile and easy to use so you can achieve that sought after HDR look in a matter of seconds.

"With Memorial Day coming, we're offering these awesome discounts to our customers. These codes will work on all of our products, until May 28 at midnight."

60% off any order with code: MEM60
70% off orders over $99: MEM70
75% off orders over $299: MEM75
80% off orders over $599: MEM80

Check out the list of plugins available the FCPEffects website (click here).

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Here's a tip on a small tool that offers huge production value in a variety of ways, but it will require you to have a Mac system with a thunderbolt connection. The Blackmagic Design Intensity Extreme is an HDMI / Analog Capture and Playback Device. In this video (below) i'll run through just a few examples of how I personally find value in this product.

First, the Intensity Extreme offers 10-bit capture from your HDMI. It's definitely not as portable or as convenient as an Atomos Ninja, but if you already have a Macbook this is a great entry level way to start capturing higher quality HD out of your camera - including the Canon 5D Mark III.

BlackMagic Design Intensity Extreme
Blackmagic Design Media Express Capture Software

Second use for me is as an interface for my camera(s) to Live Streaming services. We've actually used this feature to send a wireless HD signal from a mobile camera. The camera is free to move around, and the wireless HD video (connected to Intensity Extreme via Thunderbolt) streams live out to the internet. We've also connected our HDMI 'Program feed' out from a switch to the Internet.

YouTube WireCast Live Stream BlackMagic Design Thunderbolt Intensity Extreme
WireCast Live Streaming for YouTube

My favorite use for the BlackMagic Intensity Extreme is to use my Macbook as a professional HDMI Preview Monitor. While you can see a live video feed through other software, ScopeBox by Divergent Media takes this feed and applies professional overlays and scopes. The interface is extremely flexible so you can add remove scopes, resize windows, or even go solo full screen. The image from my MBR (retina) has colors that I expect to see when it's time to edit. The resolution and pixel density allow you see your images clear and sharp.

cheesycam use macbook laptop as hdmi video monitor camera blackmagic intensity scopebox dslr video
Using Macbook as HDMI Video Preview Monitor with ScopeBox Software

Even if you can find another large 1080p lcd screen (television), you will need a portable power source and a way to transport the screen. Not to mention the problems you'll run into when working with various resolutions and framerates. If you've got a MacBook available, there's no simpler way to have yourself a professional portable battery powered monitor that's easy to transport by purchasing an Intensity Extreme for less than $290 dollars. Keep in mind that you don't need a beastly Macbook. The Intensity Extreme does all the hard work and can be used with even a lightweight Macbook Air which has amazing battery life.

You can find additional information about the tools mentioned in this article through the links below.

BlackMagic Intensity Extreme Thunderbolt Capture Cheesycam
find-price-button BlackMagic Intensity Extreme Thunderbolt HD/SD Capture

scopebox_logoscopebox scopelink rgb paradescopebox macbook display monitor
find-price-button ScopeBox high quality highly flexible preview monitor

laptop macbook scopebox hdmi video monitor sun shade travel bag caseseaport digital i-visor ivisor sunshade hood monitor display
find-price-button Seaport Digital i-Visor Cases

[Note:] As pointed out by a commenter, you can get most of this functionality with a cheaper BlackMagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder Capture Device. The reason I went with the Intensity Extreme is for the additional features it offers including an HDMI output which I use for my various setups. If all you need is to input your feed to your computer, check out the BlackMagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder Capture Device (here)

BlackMagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder Capture
find-price-button BlackMagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder Capture Device

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If you're interested in learning more about the Panasonic GH4, then you should definitely sit in on the next #BHPhotoLive Webcast Discussion. These are excellent free 'Live' web streaming events where they will bring in product specialists for you to ask questions and get a real overview about products.

The last Sony A7 #BHPhotoLive webcast was very informative, and by simply registering for this excellent event you're automatically entered for a chance to win a Panasonic Mirrorless camera GX7 or GM1. You can get more details about the next #BHPhotoLive Panasonic GH4 Webcast at the page (here).

BHPhotoLive GH4 WebCast

"Tweet your GH4 and 4K questions with the tag #BHPhotoLive for a chance to win a Panasonic GH4"

Details for Sweepstakes: Two Ways To Win
1. Register: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/eventDetails.jsp/id/1818
- By registering you are entered to win a Panasonic Mirrorless camera GX7 or GM1
2. Tweet a question about the GH4 with the tag #BHPhotoLive to be entered to win a Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH4 Event

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Just shared a short video over on my Instagram with the GH4 balanced on my modified CAME 6000 2 Axis Gimbal. I've uploaded a copy to my YouTube channel seen below. I chose the Rokinon 7.5mm fisheye as it's lightweight and I can correct some distortion to simulate a UWA (ultra wide angle) lens when shooting in 4K mode.


Instagram Video GH4 2 Axis Video Gimbal

Absolutely no issues getting this camera balanced on the CAME 6000, and this is a ready-to-run gimbal system with no programming or assembly necessary (find it here). Just charge the batteries, balance and go. Mine was modified with side handles, but shortly after my modification they now offer these side handles as a standard.

Of course you won't have the third axis (Pan stabilization) which is extremely helpful as you walk swiftly or run. If you just plan on stabilizing your handheld shots free from rolling shutter and keeping the horizon level, this compact super lightweight carbon gimbal works perfectly.

CAME 6000 Gimbal Stabilizer
find-price-button UPGRADED CAME 6000 2-Axis Active Gimbal Stabilizer

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While Full Frame DSLR cameras have the advantage on the wide shot, these mirrorless cameras have advantages for distant shots due to it's crop factor. As an added bonus, the Ex Tele Conversion mode in these Panasonic cameras switch to using pixels in the center of the sensor creating a further cropped view (I believe an additional 2.6x crop). Since it's still using a 1:1 pixel readout, there is no loss in resolution for full 1080p video.

GH4 tele mode sample review demo video 4K

This is extremely handy as you can easily more than double the focal length of any lens. With this mode, my Lumix 12-35mm F/2.8 (24-70mm equivalent) quickly turns into something like a 31mm-90mm F/2.8 [60-180mm 35mm equivalent], and all without losing a stop.

lumix 12-35mm gh4 vario ois
find-price-button Lumix 12-35mm F/2.8 OIS Lens

Having so many options in a single camera is new to me, so i'm still learning the best ways to use the GH4. Knowing that I can crop in on a 4K video file is a great option, but is it better than using the EX Tele Mode at 1080p? I shot this very short clip to test this out, let me know what you think.

Certainly cropping from 4K still retains plenty of details. To the average viewer, they may not pick up on such subtle differences, but judging from my eyes I think the Ext Tele Mode in 1080p is better. If i'm considering my final output to be 1080p, I can use this mode with the 35-100mm F/2.8 (70-200mm equivalent) essentially giving me something around a 90-260mm F/2.8. Remember that if you compare this to 35mm equiv it's like shooting with a 180-520mm F/2.8 on a Canon 5D (but for a lot less money).

35-100mm lumix lens
find-price-button Lumix 35-100mm F/2.8 OIS Lens

Keeping in mind that you double the focal distance on an M43 lens to get that 35mm equivalent, I decided to grab some samples from my new Lumix 100-300mm OIS which is 35mm equivalent to a 200-600mm. With Ex Tele Mode this lens should be around 260mm-780mm which should be like working with a view similar to a 520mm-780mm - again without reducing the amount of light like a teleconverter extension would on a Canon 5D.

Here's another short clip testing out cropping from 4K as opposed to using EX Tele Mode in 1080p with my Lumix 100-300mm OIS lens.

panasonic lumix vario 100-300 ois
find-price-button Lumix 100-300mm F/4.0-5.6 OIS Lens

Here's a few other GH4 clips from my trip to the Academy of Science in San Francisco yesterday. Nothing special, just me learning.

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If you are considering building a rig and you work mostly with Manfrotto (or Benro) Fluid heads, you may want to start with a base that incorporates compatibility with these quick release plates. In this product overview HDSLRNOW offers a look at a Manfrotto Dovetail compatible dual 15mm baseplate, optional dovetail, and cage system.

For more of these product overviews make sure to follow HDSLRNOW via Twitter, and for more information about these products head on over to the website (click here).

SmallRig-Quick-dovetail-manfrotto-577-standard SmallRig-DSLR-Baseplate-quick-release SmallRig-DSLR-Cage-w-baseplate-1298
find-price-button 15mm Baseplate Manfrotto Dovetail Compatible