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Here's on of my random ideas that just keep expanding. For one of my projects, I needed a large full 1080p monitor for my BlackMagic ATEM Switch in order to view 8 camera feeds at the same time. Since each feed is in it's own little window, I was also looking for something fairly big (at least 20"), not too expensive, and can be powered through batteries.

For this project I ended up putting an AOC 23" 1080p IPS LCD monitor with HDMI input inside a Pelican case which runs off of 12V, and means I can use it through battery power. Originally I just planned to put it up against the hood, but this meant not being able to get to the back of the monitor to hook up my HDMI cables and power plug.

Cheesycam AOC 23 inch HDMI LCD Monitor Display Pelican Case
find-price-button AOC 23" IPS LCD Screen HDMI 12V DC

Now that i've added a monitor arm, I can easily get to the back of the screen and tilt it to different angles.

Monitor Arm
find-price-button Small Articulating Monitor Arm

When this project is complete, it will have straps to secure the monitor into the hood, and will further be supported by extra foam when the case is closed up. I chose a large Pelican 1650 Rolling Hard Case since i'll need the extra room to store extra equipment with this setup including hundreds of feet of SDI cables.

cheesycam pelican 1650 rolling hard case monitor lcd
find-price-button Pelican 1650 Rolling Hard Case with Foam

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On the fence about the new Panasonic GH4? This Zacuto product overview video could change your mind. The intro starts out slow, but later gets deep (really deep) into the Panasonic GH4's ground breaking features - including that of the DMW-YAGH Interface Unit.

No need to sell me on the GH4, I'm already actively shooting with several Panasonic GH3 cameras. I've even tried implementing it into my Live Switch Broadcast project. It's a great all around camera, but nothing compared to what the new GH4 will be offering.

Panasonic GH4 pre-Order

I'll often reserve the cliche term 'game changer', but I really think it suits this camera perfectly. They've added so many more features not just for Photography, or consumer video, but for broadcast, cinema, and not to mention the push for 4K. Once this camera starts shipping, you'd better expect for a very long waiting list, so maybe it's time to rethink about putting your name down on that pre-order list (found here).

DMC-GH4 GH4-7
find-price-button Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 with DMW-YAGH Pro Audio Video Interface Unit

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I was starting to think there may just be more of the same at NAB2014 this year, but here's an interesting new product from SHAPE. Here they are providing us with an early look at one of their latest products - A 2-Axis active stabilized shoulder rig. Video below and details from their Vimeo page.

Introducing the 1st official product from the SHADOW SERIES; the SHAPE GIMBAL ISEE II.

here are some specs:
2 axis gimbal, tilt up and tilt down. you can control the Gimbal ISEE II with the push button of the SHAPE TELESCOPIC DOUBLE QUICK HANDLE ARRI ROSETTE, also from the SHADOW SERIES.

For less than 6000$, you get the ultimate SHAPE SHOULDER MOUNT and the whole new GIMBAL ISEE II system.

Official release date of the product : NAB 2014

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I'm not saying you need this lens, but right now there just happens to be a very good (very very good) deal on the latest generation Canon 24-70mm F/2.8L II. If you've been eyeballing this lens, this may be the lowest it's been since it's announcement.

Here's the breakdown. The MSRP on this lens sits at $2300 dollars (too much for me), but right now if you drop it in your cart the price falls to $1999. Subtract another $200 with the current MIR (mail-in-rebate), and the FINAL PRICE JUST $1799 via B&H (found here)

Canon 24-70 2.8 II Lens
find-price-button Canon (Latest Gen) 24-70 F/2.8L II Lens

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Between a camera backpack or roller bag, my first choice would be a Roller. It's an easy way to carry equipment without stressing out your back and shoulders. The problem is that these rollers are difficult to work with when navigating through very crowded events (like CES), so a backpack ends up being the better choice.

There are many events to attend this year, and so for those reasons we decided to look for Hybrid Camera Bags (see a list of bags considered here) that offer the best of both worlds, and that's how we ended up with the Tamrac 5797 Evolution Speed Roller Backpack.

At just under $380 dollars, it's one of the more expensive bags on our list, but we needing something durable. When traveling for several days, dealing with something as simple as a broken zipper could be all the difference. From reviewing several other products, the Tamrac 5797 Evolution Speed Roller Backpack was the best one we felt was built to last, provided the convenience of a roller, while offering the best comfort as a backpack.

There is plenty of room for a few camera bodies, several lenses, audio equipment, misc accessories, and a full sized Macbook Pro Laptop. The Tamrac 5797 Evolution Speed Roller Backpack is still sized to carry on a plane so you don't have to check your gear when you fly.

Tamrac camera Roller BackpackTamrac 5797 SpeedRoller ReviewSpeedroller Backpack Case Travel Camera Bag
find-price-button Tamrac 5797 Evolution Speed Roller Backpack - via B&H

Tamrac camera Roller BackpackTamrac 5797 SpeedRoller ReviewSpeedroller Backpack Case Travel Camera Bag
find-price-button Tamrac 5797 Evolution Speed Roller Backpack - via Amazon

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Youtube member Sitha Puth shares his DIY built to power a GoPro Hero3 from a Canon LP-E6 battery. Instead of powering the unit from the USB port, he's decided to craft up a power source from a Canon LP-E6 battery plate, step down converter, and GoPro dummy battery AC DC Adapter.

The build comes just in time with the new Protune 2.0 FIrmware Update packed with features that makes the GoPro Hero3+ (black edition) feel like an entirely new camera. Here's the build video.

Eventually Sitha will mount this to an inexpensive GoPro Hero Cage (he currently has on order). His build leaves access to all ports along the side of the Hero3 / Hero3+ camera so that you have full access to the Microphone input for better audio capture, or HDMI port for video output.

[Update Videos with Instructions on Build]

Here are the products in use.

AC DC Battery Adapter Kit GoPro Hero Hero3 Plus Dummy Battery
find-price-button GoPro AC DC Battery Adapter

DC Step Down Converter Voltage Step Down GoProStep Down 3.7 5V 7.4V DC Adapter Converter
find-price-button Gopro DC Step Converter

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When the GoPro Hero3+ was first released, many current Hero3 users did not find enough to go for the upgrade. Now if you are a serious GoPro camera user, this new firmware upgrade (only available for the Hero3+) adds more manual control over your final image and should change your mind. Here's a video showing some of the new features.

Picking out a few stand out features we now have more control over White balance including CAMRAW under Protune. The GoPro is still auto exposing, but you have options to 'limit' the ISO so that the Hero3+ does not boost gain (increase noise). While the GoPro Hero3+ attempts to auto expose the image, you have EV compensation to purposely under / over expose. Finally you have control over in camera sharpening. To make changing settings easier, make sure to download the official GoPro App.

Hero_top_image
The new GoPro Hero3+ Cameras Are Shipping Now.

If you think the original Hero3 will be getting the same firmware upgrade, don't hold your breathe - it might not happen. So for serious cinematographers who use the GoPro, there's no doubt all of these new features for maximum image control distance the Hero3+ from the original Hero3 enough to easily justify an upgrade. If you haven't already upgraded the firmware, check out the support page from the GoPro website (click here).

gopro_3plus_main
find-price-button GoPro Hero3+ Camera

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A few DSLR Video cameras output a 1080i signal from the HDMI port for previewing, but the moment you hit record, the HDMI out drops down to 480 SD. Maybe the camera doesn't have enough processing power, or maybe there's some type of conspiracy going on. Either way, most LCD monitors will blank out for a second as it needs to detect the new video feed. A few monitors over the years have added certain features to prevent this, and you just need to find the right mode. In this video i'll show you how it's done on the MustHD M-501 HDMI LCD Monitor.

So if you are shopping for a monitor, and you happen to have a camera (mostly Canon) that drops the HDMI resolution when you hit record, make sure the monitor has a feature like this to prevent those types of drop outs. Hopefully this has been helpful.

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For mirrorless shooters the built in EVF works wonders for photography. Still many will prefer to work with the rear LCD display and an LCD View Finder Loupe for video work. The problems is trying to find one that fits since typical mirrorless bodies are so compact. The new Kamerar QV-1 'M' is a spin off the current QV-1 View Finder but with a new baseplate designed to take up the extra distance. Here's a closer look in this video below.

This new baseplate is not just compatible with small cameras like the GH3, but should be seamless for the upcoming Pansonic GH4. Heck, it might even work with that new Nikon 1 V3 just announced. Here's a few images below on how the Kamerar QV-1 M LCD View Finder also mounts perfectly to another very popular camera - the Sony A7 / A7r.

Kamerar QV-1 M on Sony A7
Kamerar QV1M LCD View Finder Sony A7 Mirrorless Gh4Sony A7r A7 LCD View Finder Loupe Kamerar QV-1 M

With the extra space compensated for, other small compact cameras will have an easier time getting this LCD View Finder to mount up. [Sorry still won't work for the BMPCC Camera] The QV-1 Quick Release Base (QB-15) allows a simple way to add 15mm rails to a compact camera system. More info following the jump (click here).

QV1M-6_largeQV1M-1_large
find-price-button Kamerar QV-1 M LCD ViewFinder for Compact Cameras

QV1 15mm rail kitQV1 Quick release base plate
find-price-button Optional 15mm Rail Kit for QV-1 M