DIY Equipment

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YouTube member LeftCoastInternetTV has a helpful tip about using the microphone on your hands free iPhone earbuds as a LAV mic. He goes to the extreme to actually cut off the headphone buds to minimize the footprint of the little microphone. I've seen several people covering small events with their rigged up iPhone, and this is a clever little tip from having to deal with dual audio in post. Since this is all based on hands free audio headsets, there's no reason this little tip won't work amongst all the android users out there too. It's not perfect at all, but perhaps a better audio recording app with manual levels could make things even better. [Thanks LeftCoast_TV]

Of course if you're willing to shell out a bit more cash, there's already plenty of iPhone adapters that will allow you to input standard 1/8" jack microphones like the Owle Bubo iPhone Microphone Adapter, or 1/4" jacks like the Peterson Musical Instrument Adapter Cable

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The Tekkeon battery packs i'm using can vary voltage from 5V-19V DC. You've probably seen me powering up the 600 /900 LED light panels and also the ASUS Wireless HD streaming WiCast. By using a simple coupler, I can attach it to the Canon OEM AC-E6 wall adapter dummy battery and power up the Canon DSLRs. For those who want to use this on a rig, check out the video review I did on the Tekkeon Snap Package which adds on a second battery for extra capacity, and 15mm Rig mount from CPMFilmTools (here). Bits and pieces needed for this mod found below.


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find-price-button Tekkeon MyPower All Battery

DC-Coupler
find-price-button 5.5mm Female to Female DC Coupler

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find-price-button Canon AC-E6 AC/DC Power Wall Adapter

This little battery mod is not exclusive to just Canon DSLRs. I know that even Panasonic GH2 cameras have a wall adapter (found here) that outputs 8.4V DC. The Tekkeon battery just happens to have that exact 8.4V setting too, making it perfect to use something like this for longer run times on the GH2. You just need the adapter that comes with the dummy battery.

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find-price-button DMC-GH2 AC/DC Power Wall Adapter

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A few days ago I posted about using Rubber Hoods as an inexpensive solution to shading your glass (as opposed to Matte Boxes). The LCW - Light Craft Workshop Digi Pro ND Filter starts with a 77mm thread and cones out to an 82mm thread. Since these ND filters can be pretty expensive, you can adapt one ND to several lenses by using cheap step up filter rings. The same idea goes for other filters like a CPL - Circular Polarizer. If you plan to do this, you want to make sure that you get the largest ND filter available to cover all your lenses. The one problem you'll run into is that you can no longer use the stock lens hood, so a cheap fix is to use these folding rubber lens hoods. Here's a look at how it all comes together.

When shopping for Step Up filters, make sure the first number is smaller than the second. There is such a thing as 'Step Down Filters' which you probably won't have much use for. Not sure about the thread size of your lens? Normally you'll find the information on the lens itself, but another tip is to look carefully for tiny numbers on the back of your Lens Cap. Rubber lens hoods can be for under $5 bucks (click here).

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find-price-button Rubber Lens Hoods - via Amazon

Cheaper of course if you check on eBay

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find-price-button Folding Rubber Lens Hoods

I don't suggest stacking a step up on top of another step up. This could work in a pinch, but it will have a slimmer profile if you use just one. I'm using a 77mm LCW Digi Pro Variable ND filter, so to save myself the headache, I ended up purchasing (2) of every filter size up to 77mm. There's only about 7 common sizes to cover most DSLR lenses you'll come across from 49mm-77mm, 52mm-77mm, 55mm-77mm, 58mm-77mm, 62mm-77mm, 67mm-77mm, and 72mm-77mm.. Depending on the size of the ND or CPL you're trying to adapt to, you might want to do the same. For Step up filter rings, they run as low as $1 dollar + Free shipping.

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find-price-button Lens Metal Threaded Step Up Filter Rings

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Mini Ball Head 484RC2 Quick Release

A few online stores are now selling a 3/8" thread mount Mini Ball Head with Quick Release plate styled after the discontinued Manfrotto 484RC2. The 484RC2 is replaced by the 494RC2 which goes for around $60+ dollars.

This 484RC2 inspired Mini Ball Head mounts to a larger 3/8" thread, but you could easily step it down to fit 1/4" threads with these little adapters (click here). So, If you're in need of just a random mini ball head for your projects with a quick release plate, here's another cheaper option.

Mini 484RC2 Style Ball Head Quick Release
find-price-button Mini Ball Head 484RC2 Style Quick Release 3/8" Thread

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To be clear, PNC (PhotographyandCinema.com) is a company I design for and you'll see me blog about those products periodically. Today i'm giving you some inside information that PNC will be releasing a new full size rotating video dolly very soon. The wider platform on the new rotating video dolly will be able to support much larger and heavier cameras like the RED Scarlet, FS100, AF100, mount larger video fluid heads, and hold more accessories. It's a very interesting design, which I think you'll all love, but so far we can't come up with a name. I actually have less than 24 hours to come up with something clever, so i'm crowd sourcing for ideas in a contest sort of fashion.

We need suggestions for a name, and if PNC decides to use it, you'll be one of the first to recieve this new Full Size Rotating Video Dolly - FREE. This includes International countries too! If it helps, the new Dolly will be mostly black with red accents, still have four wheels, and two unusually designed axles to adjust for rotation. Leave those suggestions in the comments, and make sure you're using your real email address to get notified. Don't forget to Tweet about this contest!

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Trex Rig
Trex Video DSLR Rig

Trex Video Crane Stabilizer RigTrex video crane rig

It's a stabilizer, it's a crane, it's umm...I give up. I have absolutely no words to describe this video rig thing.. They say necessity is the mother of invention, but who the heck would find this necessary? It's a beast! You gotta love the last photo (above) where he's taking a call with a cup of coffee - LOL. It's called the ' T-Rex™ Hand Held DSLR Rig, and there's some additional information and images following the link (click here)

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find-price-button T-Rex™ hand held rig crane stabilizer for DSLR


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A follow up video on the DIY Roller Bearing DSLR video camera slider. This is one that was posted about less than a week ago, and might give you some good ideas on crafting your own. It might not be suited for everyone, but you have to appreciate the effort put in to the instructional build info. [Thanks Sunny]

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If you're in a bind to find an inexpensive Microphone Windscreen a.k.a. DeadCat, here's a quick tip shared by YouTube member krotoflik. Try grabbing yourself a padded furry (or wooly) seatbelt cover. There's a short sample with and without the Seatbelt cover on the microphone, and it does a decent job of eliminating that dreaded wind rumbling noise.

Available for about $6 dollars on Amazon is a sheepskin padded seatbelt cover, so does this technically make it a DeadSheep instead of a DeadCat? [Thanks Chad]

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find-price-button Padded Seatbelt Cover - DIY Microphone Windscreen