DIY Equipment

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dual-mount-flash-bracket-macro-photography

After posting a video comparing the Zoom H1 to Tascam DR-08 seen here: http://cheesycam.com/tascam-dr-08-vs-zoom-h1-continued/, I got a few questions about the unusual bracket I had on the video. Even though i'm not done with the items for it, i'll answer those questions now. I received it in the mail working on a twin flash Macro rig for a friend. Considering twin flash Macro kits like the Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Ringlite Flash runs for almost $700 dollars, this is a cheaper way of getting a twin light setup.

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Why not just use a Ring Light Adapter like the 'O Flash'? The O-Flash provides nice even lighting, but still has a somewhat flat look. Using a twin light setup, each light can be modified at different distances from the macro subject, different angles, and even separate power settings for a more dimensional look. The metal lower bracket i'm still trying to figure out, but looks like it's been cut similar to a quick release plate. Which one it will fit, i'm still not sure. The flexible arms are actually pretty beefy. They won't hold up a large Canon 580 EX II speedlite, but has enough strength to carry a low profile flash. In order to remotely fire these flashes, it will be setup with the cheap Yongnuo RF-602 wireless triggers. The ball mount + cold shoes can also be removed and you'll be left with a standard 1/4 x 20 threaded end on the flexible arm. This is how I was able to mount the Zoom H1 at the end of one.

Having the dual flash setup will also be interesting for use as an event rig. Should provide a wider area of flash without giving off the usual flat look. I'll have more information once this it built out a little bit more, but you can find this bracket here: Twin Flexible Arm Macro Flash Bracket

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717ah-fluid-head

When it comes to throwing a spare fluid head onto your DIY slider, Spidertrax Dolly, or other DIY tools, there's nothing with the quality and price as the 717AH Video Fluid Head. When I first found this cheap video fluid head it worked perfectly for my little projects. You can find my little over view video here: http://cheesycam.com/hidden-treasure-awesome-video-fluid-head-717ah/

Within just 4 hours of my post the entire inventory was sold out, and has been for months. Other vendors of this head were charging quite the premium, and at that cost you've got alot of other options for Video Fluid heads. So if you're looking for a decent sub $80 dollar fluid head to throw onto some of your DIY projects, check out the 717AH Video Fluid Head which I anticipate will be again out of stock within hours of this post.

Available via eBay for $79.99 found here: 717AH Video Fluid Head
717ah-fluid-head

Or available via Amazon for $74.99 found here: 717AH Video Fluid Head

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mini-flexible-tripod

I like these flexible tripods, and the $10 dollar DSLR one is great. I also wanted something much smaller to carry around in my backpack. I thought these mini ones would be quite handy to mount onto the many of the light stands I have hanging around. What can I say, it's $3 dollar shipped with a handy mount I can use for several small cameras and devices. Find it here: Mini Flexible Gripping Tripod

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caster-wheels-studio-light-stands
find-price-button Light Stand Caster Wheels

Not sure how many of you are already working with Light Stands, but i've been working on my studio slowly and one of the things i've been trying to build is a rolling platform for the many different light stands I have. Because I use sand bags to prevent the lights from toppling over, it's a bit awkward to move them to a new spot. Calumet has some rolling stands but they are BuKu bucks.

calumet-rolling-light-stand
Calumet Rolling Light Stand $249.00

My first idea was to sand bag the stands over furniture dollies. Most dollies that I found were wide enough were quite expensive though. Recently I just found exactly what I needed! These Caster Wheels for Studio Light Stands are perfect. They simply slide on and bolt on over the feet of light stands. Not too bad for the $10 dollars each price but the convenience for me outweighs the cost and it keeps a small footprint in the studio. The listing shows an image of 1, but they come in a quantity of 3. Just thought i'd share. Find them here: Slip on Caster Wheels for Studio Light Stands

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The above video shows use of a Ring Flash adapter. I'm just using this video as an example, but the 'O Flash' - Ring Flash adapter finally came in for me. The 'O Flash' is the cheaper version of the Ray Ring or Coco Ring Flash. I do notice that the connector piece for the Ray Ring and Coco Flash have a hard mold that appears to be shaped for Manufacturer specific flashes. This 'O Flash' Ring flash adapter that I recieved uses a very hard rubber mold with a velcro tension strap. Therefore this O Flash is more modular and generic, and can be used regardless of flash type. The Ray Ring sells for $199 dollars, the Coco Ring Flash can be found around $50 dollars, and the 'O Flash' sells for a mere $36 bucks + Free Shipping.

Many people associate these for Macro or sometimes used as a very close up Portrait ring flash. It's a handy thing for me to carry as another diffuser option for my Canon 580 EX II. This design carries the light from a single flash into a circular ring light, giving it really nice diffusion towards your subject. Normally flashes are diffused by way of bouncing the light which still can cause uneven lighting and loss of flash power. One of the cool accessories I already own is the Yongnuo RF-602 Wireless triggers. With these triggers, I can even use this flash off camera as a nice soft beauty ring. Now I have this setup on a lightstand, but the Yongnuo RF-602 triggers also have a 1/4x20 thread if you want to mount it directly to a tripod.

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It was so cool using this off camera, and honestly I don't know of anyone using them in this manner. I plan on getting a second one specifically for a portable studio lighting setup. With one on each side firing off, i'm sure to get super duper clean images, balanced lighting, with a tiny footprint. Would be an excellent diffuser to use for Wedding or Event type photographers. If you're not fond of the O Flash logo on the front, just place a Logo of your business. Guaranteed brand recognition for you. LOL! I'm betting after this post, we'll see more people using them in combination with the very cheap Yongnuo RF-602 wireless triggers. Here's the link to the $36 dollar O Flash - Ring Flash Adapter.

Curious as well, what if I connected this to the Z96 LED Video Light? Would it provide enough light through the ring to become an LED ring light? I'm in the studio now, i'll check when I get home. That would be interesting....

Camera-Wireless-Remote-Yongnuo
YongNuo Combo Wireless Remote Shutter + Wireless Flash Trigger

o-flash-ring-flash

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New and Improved DIY DSLR Rig!! from Tony Carretti on Vimeo.

Tony Carretti submitted a video clip showcasing his Double L bracket Camera Stabilizer setup with a Flowpod base. Didn't sound like he was very content, so he's drummed up something new flipping the L brackets sidways into a design much more modular for his style of shooting. He does mention that his brackets are of plastic or fiberglass? Weird, mine is all metal and I have the ones show in this article: http://cheesycam.com/new-new-new-stuff-to-review/. I'm curious if there's different ones available? Thanks Tony.

sima-video-bracket
Sima Video Bracket with Handle + 2 Accessory Mounts

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OK, maybe i'm the only one, but this may not be the most flattering looking accessory to add to your DSLR, but you can't argue it's functionality. If you caught my little DSLR video demo with the IndieHardware stabilizer where I walked outside in a breezy parking lot, you can hear the wind going crazy from the internal microphone. That video is found here: http://cheesycam.com/first-attempt-indiehardware-stabilizer/

diy-dslr-windscreenDIY-windscreen
DIY DSLR Microphone Windscreen

Koji Honda shows us how his little DIY DSLR Faux Fur windscreen is put together and goes on and off fairly easy. You can find the step by step image gallery for this DIY DSLR Microphone Windscreen on his Flickr account.

If you're the type that relies on that internal microphone audio to be as clean as can be, possibly to mix in a bit of ambient audio, then you may want to look into something like this. This is also a very helpful tutorial on the materials that can help you build other windscreens, possibly a blimp for a large shotgun. If your plans are small, the only drawback with this DIY is that you may need to purchase Faux Fur and Foam in a larger than needed quantity. Since you may end up buying 20 times more material than you need, Koji also has his little Windscreen for sale found here: DIY DSLR Microphone Windscreen

An excellent tip through the comments, was clean audio from your camera would make things much easier when syncing in post using PluralEyes software. Good example of why you could use good audio from your camera.

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fig-rig-cheesycam

shoulder-rig-support

Brian Williams runs a non profit called think https://ThinkKindness.org which produces a documentary and several videos throughout the year. As a birthday present for Brian, brother Nick was inspired by the Cheesycam blog and finished building out two DIY DSLR rigs. The first is the Cheesycam inspired fig rig, with aluminum mountain bike handle extensions rather than the top handle. The second is the ever popular Plug Wire Clams Rig by Johan. To save a few clips during the transition to the handles, Nick used 90 degree L brackets from Home Depot. Hopefully this will help Brian with additional stabilization when working with his inspirational videos for https://ThinkKindness.org. Happy Birthday Brian, enjoy the rigs.

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indie-hardware-stabilizer-upgradegofit-jump-rope-handle

Thanks to Motegi for sharing a DIY handle upgrade to the IndieHardware Stabilizer. You can catch more of the DIY photos over at the Flickr found here. I did a brief overview of this stabilizer found at this article: http://cheesycam.com/first-attempt-indiehardware-stabilizer/, and like most others, wasn't happy about the stock short handle. The shorter handle actually felt like it had limited range of motion compared to the Hague MMC, but really the range is about the same. Motegi took a simple Jump Rope handle, and added this to the IndieHardware. Since the jump rope handle already has an included bearing, this actually helps improve stabilizing some additional axis movements. This looks like a nice OEM fit that would improve the handling quite a bit. Great job on the upgrade, thanks for sharing Motegi.

Funny how jump rope handles are used in DIY camera gear, as I've used a set in this DIY $20 dollar shoulder mount found here: http://cheesycam.com/20-00-dollar-should-mount-rig-camera-support/ .