Stopping by the Varavon booth during the 2015 NABSHOW, we take a look at the expanding line of Armor II series cages, a mini GoPro Cage with Filter adapter and HDMI Lock, cage system for the Atomos Shogun 4K recorder, and a GoPro Gimbal concept with 7" monitor.
For more information about Varavon products, check out their website at https://Varavon.com
Varavon Professional Equipment
|
|
|
|
Canon's got a new 50mm F/1.8 Pancake STM Lens available. On Canon cameras the STM lenses are designed with stepper motors for quieter and faster full time autofocus in video mode, unlike your standard photo lenses.
I own both the 24mm STM Lens and the 40mm STM pancakes because I really like the compact size and super affordable cost. It's perfect for keeping the weight down when balancing a camera on small gimbal stabilizer. The new 50mm lens is an EF mount (not ef-s), so it will cover a full frame camera . If you are using a Sony, Panasonic, or BlackMagic camera body, you can add either a metabones lens adapter or the Aputure DEC to control focus and iris.
The new Canon 50mm F/1.8 STM Pancake style lens sells for just $125 (here).
Product Description:
One of the most versatile focal lengths available, the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens from Canon pairs this classic lens design with enhancements to the AF system and physical design that make it both faster and smaller. Utilizing an STM stepping motor, this lens is ideal for both still and video shooting due to its speedy and smooth operation. Further benefitting video shooters, the STM motor also supports the Movie Servo AF mode on select DSLRs for precise and near-silent focusing. An updated exterior design includes a metal lens mount and a re-located focusing ring in order to accommodate the compact overall form factor. The 50mm f/1.8 is a classic, tested lens design, and thanks to enhanced autofocus and a svelte profile, this lens is ideal for everyday shooting in a wide variety of conditions.
We've shown you before how to use your iPhone as a portable audio recorder, but here's a brand new application that's taking things to another level. The AirLinc App once installed on two iOS devices (iphone or ipod touch) allows you to use them as a wireless microphone body pack of sorts.
One iOS device is setup as the microphone and the other is setup as the receiver. A camera operator can remotely adjust gain (levels), monitor audio, start/stop audio recording, and playback audio files - all wirelessly!. Here's a short demo of how to setup the app.
AirLinc is a neat little app especially if you have access to two iOS devices and an inexpensive Lav Microphone that works with the iPhone. It's still fairly new and the company is open to feedback on any issues while they work on further improvements. There are some limitations to this setup of course. Both devices have to be on the same network, or at least on the same Hot Spot. I've tested it with my Verizon Mobile Hot Spot and it works the same as a local WLAN. You'll also need a Lav Mic that works with iOS devices, and I can recommend the AspenMics.com HQ-SPK Kit.
AspenMics HQ-SPK - iOS + Android Lav Microphone Kit
Here's the official YT video from AirLinc with the product description below.
Product Description:
The AirLinc system allows you to record quality audio locally to your iPhone or iPod touch while also providing live monitoring and remote control of that audio from a paired iPhone. Local recording means no dropouts & Live monitoring means less recording mishaps.
There was a time when many said the DSLR video market was dead. That eventually every ILC HD camera would have built in XLR adapters, ND Filters, adjustable EVFs, and a more camcorder-ish ergonomic form factor. Unfortunately those features are still only reserved for higher priced camcorders and we find ourselves still needing to 'rig' our small camera bodies with external batteries, portable audio recorders, etc. So the need for 'Cages' are still very apparent.
At NAB 2015 FotoDiox shows off a few cage rigs for small camera bodies that still need to mount additional accessories. Aside from a small cage for the GoPro HERO camera, this is a new line of affordable accessories for the FotoDiox company.
The BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera cage is available now, and other cages shown will be available at the FotoDiox website (here).
FotoDiox Shark Cage for Camera Bodies
|
|
|
|
|
Video sliders
Konova's latest Tripod Stability Arm product tackles this problem. The telescoping arm clamps to one leg of your tripod and with a tie rod end can be positioned to support a slider perfectly horizontally, or even at various angles.
Konova is heavily promoting the fact that the Tripod Stability Arm is not just designed for Konova Sliders. The flat base and 1/4" thread allows this system to be used with just about any tripod and any slider (so long as you have a 1/4 or 3/8 tap). You can opt for one piece or a two piece kit if you're working with very long sliders, and this means you only need to travel with one tripod. Available now on the Konova website or following the links below.
By just adding a little bit of motion, you can change the entire feel of a basic static timelapse video. We've seen the wind up DIY Egg Timer pan heads used for timelapse projects, and have even seen a few robust versions, but here's a completely new battery operated programmable Pan Head product.
Unlike your basic mechanical egg timer that you would rotate by hand and listen to it tick-tock it's way back to zero, this new Electronic Pan Head is battery operated and can be programmed for different lengths of travel and different speeds. Using a 5 minute setting with a full 360 degree pan may even be fast enough for real time video (not just time-lapsing).
From a simple menu of buttons you can choose how much distance your camera will pan along with the speed in which it will reach the end of it's travel. You can select from 15 degrees - 360 degrees or travel, and then select from 5 minutes to a full 60 minutes of run time. You can even change the direction in which the system pans (clockwise/counter-clockwise). The new Sevenoak TV15 Programmable Pan Head can be found via eBay (click here).
Sevenoak TV15 Electronic Time Lapse Pan Head
I'm not much of a sling bag kinda guy, but here's a really great deal on one if you are. There's a nice discount today on the Lowepro Passport Messenger Shoulder Bag for Compact DSLRs or CSC Cameras. Typically floating around $40 dollars, today it's just $19.99. There's a cool little video over on the product page that explains how this bag works (click here).
Lowepro Passport Messenger Shoulder Bag for Compact DSLRs
NAB 2015, Dracast shows us a new line of Wireless HD Transmitters under the brand name Avinair. Some HD Video transmitters are limited to just HDMI, some just SDI. The Spitfire can stream from either HD-SDI (in and out ports) and HDMI, while offering placement for professional V-Mount batteries, and powered through a LEMO connector.
The SPITFIRE by Avinair is a state-of-the-art HD Video Transmitter system combining wireless 1080p HD with zero latency. The Spitfire boasts an incredible range of 2000 feet, giving you maximum versatility for your video applications.
NAB2015 Dracast Booth Introduces new Brand Avinair Long Range Streaming HD Video
Equipped with its default antennas, the Spitfire is capable of transmitting up to 2000 feet. Optional high-gain antennas can provide even longer distances while providing an ultra low latency, real-time monitor capability. The Spitfire receiver is equipped with either a V-Mount or Gold Mount battery plate while the transmitter is equipped with a Sony F970 battery plate.
Both the Transmitter and Receiver feature 4-Pin Lemo power connectors capable of a wide 7-17V unregulated input voltage. The SPITFIRE SDI system features 3G-SDI and HDMI input on the transmitter and 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs on the receiver. Avinair mentions they will also offer a range of consumer friendly streaming products with ranges from 300ft to 2000 ft and wireless monitor products.
|
|
|
|
|
I kid you not, I literally just picked up (2) 64GB Lexar CFAST Cards via Amazon for over $320 Dollars each to take advantage of the URSA 80fps 4K framerate. The sad part is that doesn't really give me very much recording time, especially when shooting Full RAW.
If you're working with a camera or device that required CFAST Cards, there's a huge sale going on at Adorama, and the same cards I purchased are JUST $199. If you opt for the 128GB CFAST they've reduced that price by almost 50% OFF!.
That's a very significant savings if you need to stock up right now on Lexar CFAST cards that are capable of high speeds. Check out the sale.
Huge Discount on LEXAR 3400X CFAST 2.0 Media
