Procinematools.com throws up a short video review showing the Edelkrone Monitor / EVF Holder. These types of brackets are great when you need to readjust the position of your monitor or EVF through the day and they don't tend to spin loose like traditional friction arms. The Edelkrone Monitor / EVF Holder can be found at https://Edelkrone.com and often cheaper through eBay (found here).
Edelkrone Monitor / EVF Holder
I'm excited to be able to offer another Giveaway with the support of such great companies. This time it's a Kirk Neff edition DSLR Cage from Shape. Shape products are made in Canada, built by CNC machined pieces, and covered by a lifetime warranty. A very high quality piece, and thanks to Shape for offering such a great product to the followers of this blog.
[This giveaway is for USA residents only, but I'm continuing to find new ways to work directly with companies to offer exclusive promotions, discounts, and special deals to the readers of this blog.]
In just a few weeks I will be posting a few more very rewarding opportunities that everyone can engage with. Remember, that your participation is really what makes these promotions a success and allows me to offer more opportunities to you, so help join in and share this Shape DSLR Cage Giveaway (found here).
Register for Shape - Kirk Neff DSLR Video Cage Giveaway
Here's a closer look at these 
inexpensive BlackMagic Design Cinema or Production 4K Camera cages. The unit is entirely made from metal and can be mounted fairly quickly to a BMCC camera.
The cage will allow dozens of new mounting points along the sides of the BMCC, but the top threaded plate may be too shallow to use with accessories. There is another version available that offers more mounting points in the handle.
Typically the cage requires the rail clamp to use a quick release plate, but in the video I share a tip on how to add a longer shaft 1/4 QR plate screw. Remember that this particular screw has a longer shaft, so it will be too long to use directly under a camera. Of course there are shorter versions of these screws if you want to replace all your Manfrotto (or other) screws into tool-less types. You can find these 
Extended Shaft D-ring Quick Release screws via eBay (Click Here).
D-Ring Extended Shaft Tool-Less QR Plate Screw
Here's an interesting new Quick Release Top Handle that uses a slotted mount to fit a variety of cameras including the BlackMagic Design Cinema, or 4K Production cameras, RED Scarlet, and EPIC. The Quick Release handle can be removed by sliding it off the sides by depressing the safety pins.
The QR Top Handle uses a leather design, and can be adjusted left/right along the rail for perfect center of balance on many different rigs. It's not cheap, but it's a very flexible design that can be used across many different cameras and rigs. It basically just requires a flat surface with 1/4 threads regardless of where the threaded holes lineup.
If you're thinking what i'm thinking, this also means it can be mounted to fit a variety of different DSLR Camera Cages. Check it out at (found here).
QR Top Handle for BlackMagic Design Cinema or 4K, RED Scarlet, EPIC, Cages
Monopods are not normally associated with smooth dynamic camera movements like what can be achieved with a Steadicam, wheeled dolly, or crane, but 2013 looks like the year to break that mold. In this article, i''ll list a few Monopods that are trying to take stabilizing video along with creative movements to the next level. Let's hear your thoughts in the comments section.
First up is a the new Steadicam Solo. A familiar Steadicam setup that doubles as a full sized monopod. The folding sled moves the counterweights out of the way when you need to operate the system from a stationary point. The handle can be used with or without an optional Steadicam Vest when you have to fly for long periods of time.
Prior to the Steadicam Solo, a similar Monopod / Steadycam has already been available (seen above) sometimes called the 'Speedly'. This one offers a few interesting additions.
Besides transforming quickly between a Video Stabilizer and a Monopod, the gimbal can be relocated along the post and can be used as a makeshift crane/jib (probably not a very good one). The bottom weights can be swapped for a monitor, and there are quick release adapters at the post to throw on various other stabilizers without compromising the balance of your setup. You can find the Speedly Monopod / Stabilizer via eBay (here).
Speedly Multi-Function Monopod Video Stabilizer
Another new product that attempts to offer the stability of a Monopod with the convenience of a Stabilizer is the latest Wondlan Magic II. It looks like your basic hand held stabilizer, and offers many features similar to the Speedly. One main difference is the adjustable Tilt Head. This is a very simple, yet clever design that many stabilizers seem to miss out on.
Most Steadicams only offer a level horizon, but many shots require a different angle i.e. looking up, looking down, or just managing the headroom. It's advertised to work like a make-shift crane, provides a quick release system at the post to maintain balance position when the camera is remounted, and quick release adapters to be used on other mounts. The post can also be used as a handle. You can find the new Wondlan Magic II Stabilizers online (Click Here).
Wondlan Magic II Stabilizer Monopod
Next up is Cinematics' Scorpion King Monopod / Dolly. Adding wheels to monopods has been done before, but they've come up with a creative way of using one wheel on the back to control steering. I'm sure the other uses such as a shoulder support may help to stabilize footage, but looks fairly awkward in use. You can see more images of the Cinematics Scorpion Monopod (here)
Did you know, the new GH3 battery grip relocates the tripod mount to the right side? We're not talking millimeters here, it's way off to the right. This new position can be highly problematic as it will throw off the optical center of your lens when you want to mount your camera to rigs, and use matte boxes, or even follow focus systems. So one solution is to just not use a battery grip, the other is to use an adjustable 15mm baseplate like Stewart Eastep has shared. [Thanks Stewart].
If you need to get proper alignment back on a set of 15mm rails, check out a few of the adjustable baseplates on the market. Here Stewart is using one of the CAVision adjustable baseplates which offer up/down as well as left/right adjustments found via B&H (click here).
CAVISION Adjustable BasePlate with 15mm Rails
Kamerar.com will be giving away a FREE Video MAX-1 Matte Box this Friday (5/11/13). One person will be selected randomly, contacted via email, and the chosen person will be announced at the Kamerar.com Blog.
To enter you basically like the Cheesycam & Kamerar Facebook pages by first following the directions in the form below. For more information about the Kamerar MAX-1 Matte Box specifically, check out the product page at https://Kamerar.com.
Good luck, and if you want to share this post with others on Twitter simply (Click to Share on Twitter)
Vimeo member geco campos provides an overview of the Opteka FFR-900 Shoulder rig that offers a motorized Follow Focus and Motorized Zoom feature. Each handle up front controls one of the motorized units, and variable speeds can be dialed right from the handles if you wish to zoom/focus slower or faster.
The motors spin the focus/zoom rings through a belt system - no lens gears required. My guess is you should be using a lens that has a smooth and easy to rotate focus or zoom ring. The rear holds a master controller that can be used to operate the motors when the shoulder rig is tripod mounted. The motors are powered by an LP-E6 battery (generic LP-E6 battery + charger included), and can be found via eBay (click here).
Opteka FFR-900 DSLR Remote Motorized Follow Focus Zoom Control System
For USA residents, the FFR-900 is also available via Amazon (found here)
For those who are mounting electronic view finders (EVF) with mini ball heads or perhaps variable friction (magic) arms, you might have run into the issue where the EVF can spin loose as you apply pressure against the eye cup or may be too much for a hot shoe to handle. Ball Heads and Friction Arms work pretty well, but they aren't the best way to mount an LCD EVF monitor.
Here's another EVF Mount that's recently become available. This one mounts to a set of 15mm rails preventing your EVF from spinning loose, and can be quickly adjusted in various angles through the slotted brackets. Starts at $115 + shipping via eBay (found here).
15mm Dual Rail Clamp Adjustable EVF Mount
