dslr video

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If you've been following the DSLR scene, you should be hearing about how Tamron has really stepped up with a few newly designed lenses. The quality is far from what they were a few years back. One popular lens grabbing some attention is the new Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8 DI VC mainly due to the fact that it has Vibration Compensation (image stabilization) for just $1299 while Canon offers their 24-70mm F/2.8 (without IS) for $2299 (seen here).

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find-price-button Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8 DI VC (with image stabilization)

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find-price-button Canon 24-70mm F/2.8 (without image stabilization)

Just a few months ago Tamron announced a new 70-200mm DI VC lens and it's finally available. This new lens offers another solid option versus Canon's 70-200mm F/2.8 IS that typically runs for $2499. The new Tamron 70-200mm F/2.8 with VC will be available for Canon EF, Canon EF-S, Nikon F (FX), Nikon F (DX), and Sony Alpha for just $1499 via B&H (click here)

Tamron 70-200mm
find-price-button Tamron 70-200mm F/2.8 SP DI VC

Now if you're really hard set on Canon glass, the 70-200mm F/2.8 IS II (normally $2499) is currently on sale for just $2099. I just recently picked up this lens for $2500 dollars so i'm a bit upset, but you can get this deal up until January 5th (found here).

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find-price-button Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 IS II

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find-price-button R-300 LED Video Ring Light

The moment these new F&V R-300 LED Ring Lights were available to order, I quickly grabbed three of these units to build out a portable travel light kit. Since blogging about my decision to purchase these lights, there has been several questions about how efficient are these lights compared to the larger 600 LED Light Panel. So here's a quick example of the light output and spread from the R-300 in comparison to the popular 600 LED panel. (all tests are with bare LED lights - no diffusers)

Hopefully this video example provides a small idea about how practical these little lights are (for me at least) when used as an off-camera lighting kit. The results from the R-300 LED ring light when compared to the larger (and more expensive) 600 LED Light Panel are similar light output and broad diffusion. Other benefits of the F&V R-300 include smaller size (easier to pack and travel), lighter weight, and the option to battery power with inexpensive common Sony Batteries (as seen here).

These lights have only started to ship about a week ago. I just wanted to note that according to F&V, inventory on these lights are down to a small amount right now and following orders will consume inventory from the shipment next week. The R-300 LED Ring light can be found at the product page (Click Here)

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find-price-button R-300 LED Video Ring Light

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These things go in and out of stock a few times each week or so. When they do come up, it sells out pretty quick. A few more of these Wieldy stabilizers were listed earlier today. If you're not sure what you're looking at, I have an older article about this stabilizer here: http://cheesycam.com/wieldy-hdv-pro-iron-triangle-carbon-fiber-video-camera-stabilizer/

Additional information, photos, and other video examples of the Carbon Wieldy Stabilizer in use can be seen following the link to the product page via eBay (Click Here).

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find-price-button Wieldy DV Pro Iron Triangle Stabilizer

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Canon 50mm F14

Ask anyone "What's a great lens to start with?" and they will probably suggest a solid 50mm Prime. Decent focal length, wide aperture, and affordable. Most Canon shooters start with a 50mm F/1.8, but here's a solid deal on the better quality Canon 50mm F/1.4. Typically listed for around $340-$399 dollars, today you can find it for just $299 via B&H when you add to cart (click here)

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find-price-button Canon 50mm F/1.4 Instant Rebate.

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Long exposure with ND Filters

One common question is 'What's the best pocketable camera to travel with?" Obviously, that will highly vary, but I have my own personal requirements for such a camera. If you're looking for a fun pocketable travel camera, especially one that is capable of quality Time-lapse, this post might be of interest. If it's something you don't need, you can skip this article as it will probably bore you to death.

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Time-Lapse Pier

So I recently took a little trip out of town and purposely left all the heavy DSLR cameras and big lenses behind. Instead I packed up the new Canon S110, Sony RX100, GoPro Hero3, and the Canon Powershot G15. If there was any action involved, of course the GoPro is the perfect camera. Outside of that, I kept coming back to the G15. Good for close up macro photography, a stabilized lens, decent zoom, flash hot shoe, and a shutter input for Time-lapse photos. The Sony RX100 takes amazing photos and videos, but if I had to vacation with only a single camera, I personally have found more features in the Powershot G15.

I brought along a very old cheap Aputure Timer Remote that i've had for years for the Time-Lapse photos. You can achieve much better quality from the G15, but I did not have the proper software to edit the new G15 RAW files, so I was stuck with JPEG. It was also bright enough outdoors to use the HDR mode in combination of the Time-Lapse remote.

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Time-lapse with MagFilter + Tiffen CPL Polarizer

In HDR mode, the camera will take 3 different exposures and save it to a single JPEG file. With the Carry Speed MagFilter threaded adapter I was able to add ND filters to capture the motion blur of water, or Polarizing filters to correct glare. To keep the gear lightweight, I also traveled with a very small Calumet Tripod and Kamerar Friction arms. Here's a list of the gear:

Canon G15 Camera
find-price-button Canon Powershot G15 Compact Camera

Aputure Timer
find-price-button Aputure Timer Time-Lapse Remote for Canon Rebel

MagFilter Adapter G15
find-price-button Carry Speed MagFilter Threaded Filter Adapters

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find-price-button Calumet Mini Table Tripod

Kamerar Friction Arm
find-price-button Kamerar 11" Stainless Steel Friction Arm

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For those who know Varavon, probably best known for their video sliders and viewfinder products, they are currently running a 20% Holiday Sale until Dec. 31st. More about the offer and Varavon products can be found at the company website: https://Vifocam.com.

Varavon Holiday Sale 20 percent off
Varavon 20% Off Holiday Sale - ends Dec. 31st 2012

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Every now and then the DSLR market goes wild when they can score a $500 dollar Rokinon 35mm F/1.4 lens for $350 dollars on a Daily Deal. I've seen these things sell out in literally minutes for that price. Well, If you didn't know this already, these lenses can be found under different names such as Rokinon, Samyang, and Bower.

So, If you've been specifically only searching for 'Samyang' or 'Rokinon', you'll find this popular 35mm F/1.4 running for around $450-$500 dollars (as seen here), but right now the 'Bower' name brand, available in Canon, Nikon, Sony/Minolta, and Olympus Four Thirds mount, is offering this same lens on sale (sale ends in a week or while supplies last) for just $379 (found here).

Rokinon Lens
find-price-button Bower 35mm F/1.4 Prime Lens

[Note:] Actually Bower even has Cine Style lenses available (like Rokinon) and is offering discounts on a variety of lenses which you can find more of following the link (Click Here)

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find-price-button Bower Prime DSLR Manual Focus Lenses

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A few others have already received their Wieldy stabilizers and have also posted up little video reviews like YouTube member Nitsan Simantov and YouTube member Chrisbottrellphoto. I received my version quite a while ago, but am only getting to posting something now. Here's a closer look at what these new Wieldy Carbon Fiber Video Camera Stabilizers have to offer.

I compare it side by side against the more expensive Glidecam HD4000 which runs for about $569 (seen here), while this new Carbon Fiber Wieldy can be found for just $250 US (found here). In the video (above) I even show how similar the counterweights are, that they can be exchanged with one another. [Update: I noticed prices have gone up since my purchase]

Screen Shot 2012-11-27 at 11.15.41 PMWieldy stabilizer carbon fiber
find-price-button Wieldy DV Pro Iron Triangle Stabilizer

Besides the affordable price, the new Wieldy has several features the Glidecam HD series stabilizer don't provide such as an adjustable Gimbal, non-rotating sled, and carbon fiber post. Other popular features found on the more expensive Glidecam HD like fine-tuning knobs (trim), adjustable sled weights, and quick release stage has been designed into this Wieldy almost exactly. Overall a great product for the price, and it performs well. Additional information, photos, and other video examples of the Carbon Wieldy Stabilizer in use can be seen following the link to the product page via eBay (Click Here).

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find-price-button Wieldy DV Pro Iron Triangle Stabilizer

You can also find the Wieldy bundled with a dual arm stabilizer from another seller. It's being rebranded under the name 'CAME' (terrible name). A few listings from this seller show the dual arm vest bundled with this same Wieldy Carbon Fiber stabilizer (Click Here).

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find-price-button Dual Arm Support Vest with Carbon Stabilizer

For reference you can find various Glidecam HD Series Stabilizers for sale via B&H (Click Here).
Glidecam HD Stabilizer
find-price-button Glidecam HD1000, HD2000, HD4000 Video Stabilizers

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Finally, the F&V R-300 (LED Ring Light), K4000, and K4000S 1x1 LED Light Panels are ready to ship! I personally have placed a pre-order for (3) of the R-300 LED Ring lights mainly for portability and the simple option of using inexpensive Sony batteries, and plan to use them mainly off-camera on light stands. I've been eagerly anticipating these lights since my pre-order, so excited to hear it's finally shipped.

The R-300 LED Ring Light is available in two different options, one with a 15mm Rod support and one with an L-Bracket Mount. According to F&V the 15mm rod support has been delayed in its transit, so customers will initially receive the ring light and then will be shipped the rail mount in about 2-3 weeks following. For all customers that have already pre-ordered the R300 w/ 15mm rod support, F&V plans to gift them the optional Milk Diffusion Filter for being patient and to show appreciation for their business. The R-300 LED Ring light can be found at the product page (Click Here)

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find-price-button R-300 LED Video Ring Light

The K-4000 and K400S 1X1 LED Video Lights are also available on the site. I've seen these lights at the last PhotoPlus NY show and was very impressed by the build quality and light output. You can purchase the lights individually, or check out the current specials for (3) 1x1 LED Lights in a kit starting at just $1050 ($350/each). That's very competitive pricing even against more popular LED lights on the market. You can find the K-4000/K4000S light panels at the product page (Click Here).

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find-price-button K4000 Single Color / K4000S Bi-Color LED Video Light Kits