Here's a new kit put together by ServoCity.com, that allows you to make a gear driven pan system.
This little DIY Kit could be a solid foundation for making your own variable speed rotating product table, or for 360 degree time lapse with your camera. Unlike the small egg-timers, this of course can support much much more weight for those larger DSLR sized cameras.
For more info on the Gear Driven Pan System, visit ServoCity.com.
I recently posted on my Instagram about using the Cinerails Dolly System for an interview, just so we could add a bit of movement for a B-Roll camera angle. It's a very simple way to add smooth camera movement to what would normally be a static shot. The kit was sent to me by the Cinerails company, and after using it a few times, I strongly believe it's going to be a steady part of the equipment we use in our future projects.
If you're not familiar with the Cinerails Dolly System, it's a Tripod Dolly System that can be used as a straight or curved track and is completed by adding common 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC pipes found at just about any hardware store.
The benefit to working with this system is that you can always travel (example: flying out of state) with the Cinerails System and pick up PVC pipes at your destination. By my house I purchased 10ft PVC pipes for about $3 dollars each. I cut them down to 9 ft, so I can fit them in my tiny Honda Fit. Check out the overview video below about the kit.
What you get is 7 Cinerails (to connect to PVC), a Cinerails Tripod Track Dolly (with casters), and a Draw Cord (used to create an arc). Using a curved track will maintain your subject in frame without having to pan the camera, and creates that highly desired parallax effect. The system is dead quiet so you don't have to worry about any sounds interfering with your audio during interviews. While I think our shot came out great, we could have improved it using a few tips from this recent Filmmaking Tip video - via Cinerails.
The entire system weighs practically nothing, is easy to setup, and will add high production value to your projects. Now if you already have a Tripod Track Dolly, the set of (7) Cinerails will only run you less than $60 dollars.
For more information about Cinerails, visit their website (Click Here).
A few months ago CAME-TV designed the CAME-MINI 3-Axis gimbal, which was a great compact Alexmos based stabilizer but was a bit tedious if you had to rebalance for different setups.
Recently they've released an upgraded version of this Mini Gimbal that now includes a quick release system (to dismount your camera), an easily removable top handle, and tool-less adjustments on the Pitch, Roll, and Yaw. Here's a thorough overview video of the new CAME-TV CAME-MINI2 Gimbal.
The new CAME-MINI2 is still offered with a support frame that runs across the front of the camera, but I personally don't know if this is totally necessary. By removing the frame, I think you'll find the system easier to balance if you are using small lenses. If you are using a GH4 + 12-35mm, the front frame can remain on the system without interfering.
Many will try to compare this new MINI2 to the DJI Ronin-M Gimbal
(LEFT) DJI RONIN-M Gimbal (RIGHT) CAME-TV CAME-MINI2 Gimbal
For reference the original DJI Ronin
Keep in mind that the CAME-MINI2 is still using the same BasecamElectronics control board, and SBGC Software for tuning. The same equipment many other gimbals on the market are using. What is provided to you is most likely a generic profile that should accommodate most small camera setups (and it seems to work very well). Of course if you really want the best results, or if you want to be proficient at troubleshooting these systems, you should really take the time to learn and understand the tuning process.
CAME-TV CAME-MINI2 (v2 Tool-Less) 3-Axis Mini Gimbal Stabilizer
Looking to pick up a DJI Phantom 3 4K Quadcopter? There's a few things you'll want with your kit. Obviously a spare battery for longer flight times, and a way to transport the whole system. Well DJI just added this kit as an option on their website, so one purchase you get everything you need for a perfect starter kit.
DJI Phantom 3 Kit - Includes Extra Battery and HardShell BackPack
This is definitely the kit i'll be picking up in the next few weeks, as i'm looking for a smaller quad to travel with over my Inspire1. I can totally wear this backpack as I ride around the city on my electric skateboard.
Varavon has opted to list a few select items on sale right now (examples below), that you can save up to 40% OFF. The deals end this month, but keep checking back in case more items are added.
If you're planning on using a Follow Focus with your non-cine lenses, you'll have to add lens gears around your focus rings. There's a number of different ways to do this, but most of them don't provide a 'seamless' ring entirely around the lens. You can find completely 'seamless' Lens Gears for popular lenses, but just in case you can't locate one, here's another lens gear that should work universally with just about any lens and you can size it yourself.
There are a number of holes and lines scored into the gear so that you can find the exact place to cut. If you cut clean, you'll have an entirely seamless lens gear around your entire lens. The low profile allows you to keep it on the lens and is still easy to pack into a lens pouch or bag without being in the way. It should be a very snug fit, and once pressed on shouldn't slip during use.
Cinegears Seamless Rubber Universal Follow Focus Lens Ring
Other Lens Gears seen in this video.
Wide Open Camera Universal Lens Gear
Cinematics Lens Gear Rings for Follow Focus Systems
There's nothing more satisfying than having all the tools you need at your disposal, but bringing everything to a location means having to break a sweat and hauling all that gear. That's when you might consider a Gear Cart, especially ones that are lightweight and manageable.
Here's a great set of options from a company called Krane AMG Carts, and if you think they look familiar, it's because they are similar to the 'Gruv Gear Carts' originally marketed for musicians.
The Krane AMG250 is a Light Weight Platform/Dolly Cart with a 250-Pound Capacity, the Krane AMG500 Convertible Platform/Dolly/Tilt Cart has a 500-Pound Capacity, and the Krane AMG750 Multi-Mode Folding Longbed Cart can carry a massive 750-Pound Capacity. The Krane Carts carry features such as never-flat wheels and heavy-duty smooth-swivel casters.
You can find Krane Advanced Moving Gear Carts via their online Amazon Store Front (Click Here).
April, 2015 at the NAB Show in Las Vegas Konova showcased a new K-Cine Video Camera Slider designed to take the heavy payload of high end professional camera systems. This new K-Cine Video Slider has officially opened up for sale today.
Konova K-Cine Heavy Duty Video Camera Slider
Imagine taking two heavy duty sliders and turning them on their sides. Now double up the carriers on each rail (total 4), so that you're moving on a total of 12 steel roller bearings. That should give you a basic idea on it's design, but here's an NAB Show interview with more details (video below).
Konova K-Cine Heavy Duty Cinema Slider
The K-Cine Video Camera Slider is offered up in two lengths from 47" (120cm) to 60" (150cm). Variable drag can be set to allow friction during your slide, and two independent brakes can lock the car from movement.
The Max Payload the K-Cine can support is up to 154lbs, and each Kit will also include a rolling hard case for travel. The K-Cine Camera Video Sliders are available now via eBay (click here).
Konova K-Cine Heavy Duty Video Camera Slider
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I'm sure the buzz is everywhere, but if you haven't heard Sony has dropped a refresh on two of their popular camera models. The new A7RII sports a full-frame 42.4-megapixel Exmor R back-illuminated structure CMOS sensor, which they claim will take Mirrorless cameras to the next level. The A7RII is capable of 4K 30p or 24p recording in XAVC S at 100MBs, and can shoot up to 120fps in HD. There's just too much to list about this new camera, so it's probably best if you read more of the specs yourself at the Sony A7RII product page (here).
Sony Alpha a7RII Mirrorless Digital Camera
The next new camera from Sony is a refresh of the RX100. This is the 4th version that now adds 4K internal recording on it's 20.1 MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor. This sensor's design utilizes a stacked backside-illuminated design to improve clarity and image quality when working in dimly-lit conditions as well as to increase its sensitivity to a native ISO 12,800. The RX100 IV also offers S-Log2 Gamma making this an excellent pocketable video camera. The lens is a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 24-70mm (35mm Equivalent) T* f/1.8-2.8 Lens. Once again, too much to list here so check out the full specs on the product page (here).
