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Edelkrone has released another video showing off the latest Module addition compatible with the Slider PLUS+ v2 or Slider PLUS+ Pro. The new Craft Module allows you to achieve Time-Lapse, Stop Motion and Macro Slide Shots easily.

Combined with their unique SliderPlus+ design, these all add up to some very handy features packed into such a small form factor. The new Craft Module is listed at $699 (without slider). For more information about Edelkrone products, check out the website at https://Edelkrone.com.

craft_moreinfo04
Edelkrone Craft Module for SliderPLUS+ v2 and PRO

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Canon 5D mark III Adobe Lighrroom 5
find-price-button Canon 5D Mark III (Body) + Adobe Lightroom 5

Without getting into too many details, the Canon 5D Mark III is still a worthy camera for both stills and video. Some of you might already have this camera and looking for that second or third angle to match flawlessly when you cut away. If that's you, then here is a fairly insane deal for a Canon 5D Mark III + Adobe Lightroom 5. While other retailers are still listing the body for $3300-$3400 dollars, today one seller is offloading them at just $2675 (found here).

Canon 5D Mark III Body
find-price-button Canon 5D Mark III (Body) + Adobe Lightroom 5

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As the new Panasonic GH4 (and other 4K cameras) start shipping, your typical SD card may work for 1080p resolutions, but If you've been waiting to shoot 4K Video as soon as your camera hits your doorstep you'll need media that packs in whopping speeds.

The new Sandisk Extreme Pro SDHC and SDXC media are optimized for UHS-II Devices, holds a speed class rating of UHS Class 3. Rated at a Max. Read Speed: 280 MB/s and Max. Write Speed: 250 MB/s, these are going to be cards required to take advantage of that 4K data rate. The speed of these cards will also greatly benefit you when it's time to dump or backup the data from the card, so you can get back to shooting.

If you think you can get away with a cheaper set of SD cards keep me in the loop, but for the Panasonic GH4 (and most likely other 4K camera) 'these are the cards being recommended' by many early reviewers. As with anything related to 4K media and storage, they aren't cheap starting at $75 dollars for the 16GB SDHC (approx 10 minutes of 4K video) to $245 for the 64GB SDXC Card.

Sandisk Extreme Pro 4K SDHC SDXC SDXC 4K Media Recording Sandisk Media Panasonic 4K SDXC SDHC Compatible Media Recording
find-price-button Sandisk Extreme Pro USH-II [Class Speed 3] SDHC / SDXC Media for 4K Video

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A couple of others have already ordered their gimbal, or have already received the gimbal, so I thought I'd just throw up this video. Here's a look at how and where my wires are run through the CAME 7000 3 Axis Gimbal along with a tip on removing those little connectors.

I'm still in the middle of taking the entire thing apart, but if you're already getting started maybe that video can give you an idea of how i've run the wires through the frame. Sorry the end of the video got cut off, but I got lazy. It is what it is.

This next video shows how i've added [in a not-so-elegant way] an electronics Project Box to the rear of the Gimbal. This keeps the control board covered (protected), prevents the battery cable from being yanked off the board, and also hides the excess wiring - keeping things clean. I have drilled a few holes to allow a flush mount, and a hole off the side for the USB port. Here's a closer look.

[ In case you are clueless to this product, check out the gimbal review posted earlier (here) ]

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Cheesycam Gimbal-5

The gimbals that i've personally used in this blog were all preassembled and pre-balanced. When it comes to assembling and programming one from scratch, i'm totally inexperienced. Last week we decided to tackle the CAME 7000 3 Axis Gimbal Kit, and in a few days we were up and running. We probably could have finished sooner, but we wanted to clean up our build by running the wires through the frame and adding a project box (watch the video below).

Cheesycam CAME 7000 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer Assembly Instructions

Looking at the kit in pieces can be intimidating, but it's possible if you have the time and the patience. So here's a short video look at our fully assembled version along with some test footage shot by an inexperienced operator (my wife).

For a first time user without even a monitor to frame with, I think my wife did quite well. The flooring was very rough and so you may notice a bit of 'jumping'. Unlike a Steadicam Vest with ISO (isolation) Arm there's no stabilizing complete vertical up/down movements. My guess is that an EasyRig could solve that. Outside of that I felt Pan, Tilt, and Roll was stabilized almost perfectly to keep the horizon level. When you're just casually walking the unit works very smooth, even for a first time operator to manage. We were all very impressed with the performance for a 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer under $1K.

Cheesycam Gimbal-1Cheesycam Gimbal-2
Cheesycam Build for CAME 7000 3 Axis Gimbal Wires Run + Project Box Mounted in Rear

While you don't need to be very skilled to operate a 3 Axis Active Stabilized Gimbal, you SHOULD BE skilled at balancing one. Not just balancing a camera physically, but also understanding the software, and troubleshooting. The software settings should be configured to work with different weight cameras. If you plan to balance a Canon 5D Mark III you can create a profile. If you want to balance a lighter camera, you should make a profile for that one.

When it comes to troubleshooting, you can easily run into situations where the camera does not want to sit straight. This could be a combination of software calibration, or physical hardware. I'm not an expert but i'll be sharing my 'what not to do' experiences in another video.

As far as putting together instructions for assembly, i'm currently working on that. There's no way I could have documented my progress as there were several instances where we did things incorrectly and needed to take things apart over and over again. Other times we found a better way to assemble the pieces and also needed to take things apart again. Now that I feel a bit more comfortable about the process, i'm going to work on a dis-assembly video which should make more sense seeing the end product and working backwards.

Cheesycam Gimbal-3
Cheesycam Gimbal-4
Cheesycam Build for CAME 7000 3 Axis Gimbal Wires Run + Project Box Mounted in Rear

If you don't want to wait around for my assembly videos, there are currently several videos on the product page to get you started. Once you have your product assembled, follow my instructions on balancing your camera on a Gimbal (seen here), and then install my profile i've configured for the Canon 5D Mark II (download here). You may just need to tweak your RC sub trim or Follow Pitch Offset Trim. Regardless, this profile should get you very close to flying most DSLR camera bodies.

The software you install on your camera will only work if it matches the firmware on the controller. You would need to download the 2.3b4, 2.3b5 GUI software for it to work with the board. (DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE HERE).

Don't forget to calibrate your IMU (sensor). Here's a video on how I chose to perform the 6 point calibration.

I suggest grabbing these leveling cubes with 3 bubble levels built in (click here)

3D 3 Axis Bubble Level Cube Hot Shoe3D Bubble Level cube Axis
find-price-button Hot Shoe Cube 3 Axis Bubble Level

Also for your computer to see the board you will need to install the Driver found here: (DOWNLOAD DRIVER HERE).

You can check out the other instructional videos for the CAME 7000 3 Axis Gimbal Kit at the product page at https://Came-TV.com

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

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Canon DSLR shooters should be familiar with the L Series Canon 24-105mm F/4L with Image Stabilization. It's one of the best all around general lenses to take when you have to move fast, zoom in/out, maintain a solid aperture, and have image stabilization. Typically the lens sells for more than $1K, but this eBay seller is selling at just $682 US.

Typically when you see these prices it's still a brand new lens, USA version, but came from a Bundle (minus camera body), and they've used up some type of rebate. So what you'll end up with is a nice new lens, but not in the original retail package. Still a great deal if you want to go this route. Check it out on the product page (here)

Canon 24-105mm Deal
find-price-buttonCanon 24-105mm F/4L IS Lens

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Although we may have a few different types of portable jib / cranes at our disposal (some more portable than others), there's no doubt that the most robust of the bunch is one from Kessler. Here's a product overview video and demo footage shot with the Kessler Pocket Jib Traveler.

The Pocket Jib Traveler is 27 inches in length when collapsed and is completely self contained. No tools required for assembly, and does not need to be taken apart for travel. A panning base means it will work directly onto a tripod without requiring an additional fluid head. The Pocket Jib Traveler is rated to handle rigs up to 10lbs.

Kessler Pocket Traveler Jib

A long sliding rear bar is used for fine tuning counterweight, and the length (ratio) means you'll require less counterweight to balance your camera. We only required a 5 pound weight to balance out this 5D Mark III with 24-105mm Lens. In our video we're using a Carbon Fiber Tripod, so our total travel package is easy to travel with. Window cuts along the frame of the jib keep the overall system light-weight without sacrificing the structural integrity. To mount up larger / longer camera bodies that, you can use the (optional) Camera Platform Extender.

Kessler Travel Jib Pocket Crane

More info about Kessler's Pocket Jib Traveler can be found at the KesslerCrane.com website (here).

find-price-button Kessler Crane Pocket Traveler Jib

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Although we still don't have any scientific tests on the sharpness coming from the new Fotodiox Vizelex Throttle Variable ND Filter 'Lens Adapter', this follow up video answers a few great questions.

Here's another thing they didn't cover which has been a main reason I would consider using the adapter. A fisheye lens on a BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera is not so 'fish-eye', and it's one of my go to lenses for wide angle shots. Unfortunately, some ultra wide angle or fisheye lenses (in which the front optic protrudes past the housing) are unable to accept front filters. With the variable ND sitting behind the lens, you can control your image in bright outdoor conditions. I know Rokinon has announced a few great wide angle lenses for Mirrorless cameras, but this situation may be a reason why adapting the larger EF or Nikon mounts would be better.

Canon 8-15mm Fisheye Nikon 14-28mm Rokinon Canon 8mm
Example Wide / Fisheye lenses without Front Filter Threads

Hopefully the Micro Four Thirds version comes out soon for the GH4 as I hear it will have a different crop factor than a typical GH3, so i'll really be digging into these ultra wide angle lenses. You can find the (click here)
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find-price-button Fotodiox Vizelex Throttle Variable ND Filter Lens Adapter

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Rokinon today has announced a few new manual focus wide-angle and fish-eye lenses. These new uber wide lenses are perfect for many of the mirror-less cameras that we struggle to find affordable wide angle lenses (i.e BlackMagic Pocket Cinema, and the new GH4 will have a slightly different crop factor as well).

The 8mm Fish-eye II lens is the second generation of this popular lens for mirror less cameras. The lens's mirrorless mounts include Canon EF-M mount, Fujifilm X mount, Samsung NX mount, and Sony E mount

Rokinon 8mm Fisheye II Lens
find-price-button Rokinon / Samyang 8mm Fish-eye II lens

The 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS wide-angle lens is presented for mirrorless and DSLR (APS-C) mounts. The lens is available in Canon EF, Pentax K, Sony A, Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Samsung NX, Sony E, and Micro Four Thirds mounts.

Rokinon Samyang 10mm 2.8
find-price-button Rokinon / Samyang 10mm F/2.8

Next up for mirror-less cameras we have the new 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS lens. Unlike the above two lenses, the 12mm accepts front filters and provides a 67mm diameter thread. The new Rokinon lens is available in Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Samsung NX, Sony E and Micro Four Thirds mounts.

Rokinon 12mm New LensRokinon 12mm F2
find-price-button Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS lens

Finally the new 8mm T3.1 Cine UMC Fish-Eye II lens for Video use has a clickless aperture ring for smooth transitions between stops and geared aperture / focus rings to enable the use of a follow focus. This new Cine Lens is available for mirrorless Canon EF-M, Fujfilm X, Samsung NX, and Sony E mounts.

Rokinon 8mm Cine Lens
find-price-button Rokinon / Samyang 8mm T3.1 Cine UMC Fish-Eye II