Ok, I received this earlier in the mailbox but got caught up in a long shoot today. I'll get back in the studio tomorrow to shoot some photos comparing it with other viewfinders, but I wanted to at least point you guys to this new line of viewfinders. These photos are from the store. Quality is great for the price. If you were happy with the LCDVF 'clones', you'll be even more happy with this version, especially since even the clones are over priced now.
A great looking design with different versions available to support the T2i LCD's (which means 60D aspect), and a version for the Canon 5D Mark II & 7D. I'm not a Nikon shooter, but I believe if it's a standard 3 inch LCD, the proper 3" version (5DM2 version) should work fine. It comes with a very large soft comfortable eyecup (that you don't need to buy seperately), and i'll test later if it works with my Blue Star eye cushion too. The magnets are different than the cheap stuff and feels very solid. There's some notches on the metal frame I believe helps keep the item from shifting and coming loose. I'll have to test the fit on a GH2 to see what that looks like.
New LCD View Finder for Canon T2i, 5D Mark II, 7D and other 3" LCD's
Wow, this is totally something i'm not used to. Canon's 5D Mark II has been out for quite a long time, but with it's constant demand, here's another firmware upgrade for additional improvements and fixes. One of the most demanding fixes was the problem initially found after installing the firmware 2.0.4 where the iris of the 100mm Macro lens 'exhibits abnormal movement'. Yeah I ran into that same problem doing video mode until I upgraded to the 100mm Macro IS USM lens. Glad to see they got that worked out.
Firmware changes
This firmware update (Version 2.0.7) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.
1.Fixes a phenomenon in which the aperture exhibits abnormal movement when shooting movies in manual exposure mode and Aperture Priority AE (Av mode) using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses).
2.Fixes a phenomenon in which the exposure level shown in the LCD panel differs from what is shown in the viewfinder when shooting still images in manual exposure mode.
3.Fixes a phenomenon in which the Wireless File Transmitter (WFT-E4 or WFT-E4 II) may not automatically power off when used for FTP transfers.
These phenomenon only occur with the Version 2.0.4 and Version 2.0.3 firmware.
The Version 2.0.7 firmware being released this time is for cameras with firmware up to Version 2.0.4. If the camera's firmware is already Version 2.0.7, it is not necessary to update the firmware. You can download the new Canon 5D Mark II firmware 2.0.7 by clicking here: https://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html
Not long after posting about Multiple Mounting brackets you can use to add accessories to your DSLR, I was submitted this neat little mount by olahf. This Beachtek Multimount looks like it adds quite a bit of shoe type mounts which should hold up on Framed cameras such as the 5D Mark II and Canon 7D. Although it's a little too crowded for me personally, I can see this being a cool little bracket add-on for a DSLR cage, Tripod, or even Shoulder Rig. The brackets can be purchased from bhphotovideo, by clicking this link.
Thanks olahf! Anyone else have anything to share, drop a comment, or use the contact form.
The Canon EOS 5D mark II changed everything about HD Video as we know it. It's a legend in it's own right, and there will be a time when Canon calls for it's End Of Life. That will be a sad sad day.. This might not be something new for many of you, but these little nostalgic USB drives won't be around forever. Who knows if they will one day be a collectors item worth ten times the price it's going to rape you for today. Can someone say 'Antique Road Show' in possibly 20 years? You can find the Canon EOS 5D Mark II - 4GB USB Drives by clicking here.
Ok, it's not an upgrade for the Canon 5D Mark II, but it sure is a head turner if you 'upgrade' that Canon EOS 550D / T2i. These Canon 5D Mark II straps will make your friends do a double take on your gear. Who knows, it might even be cool to turn them into a friendship bracelet, a headband at the gym, or a fashion belt for the lady...hahah. The auction says only 4 available. Now's the time to enhance that 550D T2i. Click Here for Auction Details.
Canon released a firmware update for the 5D Mark II and then pulled it off from the website because of some problems. Yeah scary stuff if it bricks your camera.
Canon fixed the problem and released a new firmware 2.0.4. I've been hesitating for a long time, because if I needed 24p I would shoot with the 7D or the 550D / T2i. If my 5D ain't broke why fix it??
Lately though, for some reason, people love to shoot with the 5DM2 and even pay to rent them. It seems that the gigs i'm being hired to do require me to update the camera for at least correcting the 30fps to a true 29.97. Since people are still considering buying the Canon 5D Mark II, maybe even some buying it used, I thought I would share the update experience. So here's my Canon EOS 5D Mark II firmware update 2.0.4 adventure. Firmware can be downloaded from Canon's website here.
I posted about this Hague Mini Motion Camera Stabilizer earlier in my blogs, but I just thought I'd share with everyone what a Canon T2i looks like when balanced on the Hague. Now that high quality HD Video cameras are smaller, the Hague MMC is one good option. This stabilizer will only fly the weight of a Canon T2i with 18-55mm kit lens and nothing more. You can find the Hague MMC on eBay (click here)
Other Small Video DSLR Camera Stabilizers
If you're planning on Flying something a bit heavier, the next best option would be the Flycam Nano. You can see how well this stabilizer flies in this video (click here). This is what I feel the best bang for the buck. It can easily fly a Canon 5D Mark II or Canon 7D with a Tokina 11-16mm lens. You can find the Flycam Nano online (click here).
The Flycam Nano
One feature that the Flycam Nano lacks is what are called 'fine tuning knobs'. These knobs are available in some stabilizers for you to quickly and easily get your camera in balance. You simply turn the small knobs and the camera will shift slightly left / right, or shift slightly forward and back. If you need to be quick about getting a camera ready to fly, the Glidecam HD series are the best bet. For small cameras similar to what the Flycam Nano can fly, you'll want to look into the Glidecam HD1000 stabilizer. You can find one of my demo videos (click here). The Glidecam HD1000 is the smallest of Glidecam stabilizers under the HD2000 and HD4000 which can all be found online (click here).
Glidecam Stabilizers
If you're looking to beef up your Camera by adding a battery grip, LED light, or Microphones and need something to carry more weight, the next step up (price wise) would be the Glidecam HD2000-HD4000 stabilizers. You can find the different Glidecam HD models available here. They are all basically the same design, just different sizes to support different weight cameras. You can probably get away with the smallest one, but if you plan on adding something like an LED video light (like this one) , you might want to get the larger Glidecam HD2000 or HD4000. I personally own several different stabilizers, but here's a BTS video with the HD4000 (click here).
In your search for Glidecam stabilizers, you might run into the Pro versions. These will also work great and the difference in the Pro series of Glidecam stabilizers is mainly the lack of 'Fine Tuning Knobs'. They will balance fairly heavy loads and if you don't require the fine tune knobs you can find many of these used for cheap prices (click here). Getting back to the Glidecam HD series of stabilizers, you can find more information about how much weight each stabilizer can carry, along with prices following the links below.
If you're looking to get Razor Sharp focus on a DSLR, this post is for you! I've posted about Loupes before, but this Hoodman is just jumping off as the best price + features.
If you're not familiar with a LCD Loupe, it covers the LCD on your camera so you can not only see better color and contrast, but it will magnify the LCD so you can see pixel for pixel what's in focus and what's not. Nothing like poor focus to ruin good video footage. Plus it adds 'more looks per hour' to your mojo.
I've been reviewing quite a bit of different LCD loupes and personally own the LCDVF. The LCDVF is a great looking product that ties in nicely with the color scheme of Canon L lenses, but it lacks some features found on the Zacuto Z-Finder. The Hoodman has been around for quite some time, but it seems they've been putting alot of emphasis on video DSLR's. The Hoodman HLPP3 Hoodloupe Pro bundle with Eye cup is a perfect bargain because it comes in cheaper than other Loupes, and has more options than the LCDVF. This Hoodman comes with a diopter for those who have 'less than perfect vision', and actually straps to the camera. The Z-finder and LCDVF use a magnetic frame which you can easily knock the loupe off the camera (i've done it many times). I wished I held out a bit longer now, but maybe I'll just pick up a second. Check out the link below and get your's while they're in stock. With the new T2i out, i'm sure it will sell out very quickly.
The Canon T2i ( a.k.a 550D ) is hands down an awesome buy for any Videographer looking to get into DSLR video cameras. Taking virtually exact Video features from the Canon 7D for less than half the price, it's pretty much a no brainer for first time vDSLR buyers. It's a weird time right now for most people who purchased the 5D Mark II or Canon 7D. We used to feel good about having the most expensive cameras on the market, but now feel sort of silly for having overpayed on the features now available on the Canon T2i. Well I'll just try to convince myself that I'm a Pioneer or Veteran of DSLR video. There in the beginning, before this revolution of sorts. So what if I paid thousands more for video features that consumers can now pick up at the local Walmart? Well so that i'm not too left out, I think it's time I place an order for my Canon T2i.....
New LCD View Finder for Canon T2i, 5D Mark II, 7D and other 3″ LCD’s
