dslr video

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If you want to recycle one of your old camera batteries (i.e. Sony / Canon), here's a way to take old cheap generic battery chargers as a good mounting plate. If you were to search for 'LP-E6 Battery Plate', you'd find some options may be bulky and much more expensive over one of these chargers. You can use this method to use Canon LP-E6 batteries to power your Sony A7s, or even Sony NPF L-Series batteries to power your Sony A7s.

diy external battery sony a7s camera

The cleaner way to do this would be to just wire the dummy battery directly to the battery plate, but I still wanted the option to use my AC Wall adapter and so I added a Male plug to my battery plate. Remember although this video shows my Canon LP-E6, you can certainly use a much larger high capacity Sony L-Series NPF-970 Battery instead for super extended run times.

You can find these battery chargers sometimes on auction for just 0.99 Cents via eBay (Found Here).
LP-E6 battery charger plate
find-price-button Canon LP-E6 Battery Chargers

Sony A7s diy external battery

And if you plan to use Sony NPFx Style Batteries, you can find those Sony NPF Battery plates on eBay too (click here).

Sony NPF battery plate
find-price-button Sony L Series NPF Style Battery Chargers

Oh and you'll need the Sony Dummy Battery which comes as part of the Sony AC-PW20 AC/DC Adapter Kit. Here's a few links below:

Sony AC-PW20 Adapter
find-price-button Sony AC-PW20 AC-DC Adapter Charger - via eBay

Sony AC-PW20 Adapter
find-price-button Sony AC-PW20 Adapter - via Amazon

Ok and so if you're a bit weary about figuring out the Negative and Positive wires on a Barrel connector (male plug), these little adapters are PERFECT. Just run your wires directly into the properly labeled areas and tighten down the screw. No soldering required for this 5.5mm OD | 2.1mm ID Barrel Connector (find them here).

5.5 2.5 male adapter dc a7s
find-price-button 5.5mm OD | 2.1mm ID Barrel Connector

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As recommended by the photography experts: https://www.adorama.com/alc/0015049/article/one-light-silhouette-take-and-make-great-photography-with-gavin-hoey

Bundle includes:
Flashpoint StreakLight 360 or 180 with Blast Power Pack
A free Flashpoint Commander Transceiver Set for StreakLight (Reg $69.95)
A free Flashpoint StreakLight Umbrella Refelctor Kit, normally (Reg $39.95)

Adorama StreakLight Flash Portable Bundle

Flashpoint StreakLight 360 Ws Flash with Blast Power Pack
Free Expedited Shipping. Expires 2/28/15.
find-price-button $399.95 (Reg $519.95)

Flashpoint StreakLight 180 Ws Flash with Blast Power Pack
Free Expedited Shipping. Expires 2/28/15.
find-price-button $349.95 (Reg $449.95)

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The physical dimensions of the smaller CAMETV 7800 Gimbals mean you can't fit a Canon C100 or Blackmagic 4K camera, so the CAME-TV 8000 frame was designed from the ground up to support physically larger and heavier cameras.

CAME-TV Heavy Camera Larger Frame 8000 Gimbal

The new CAMETV 8000 also incorporates 100% tool-less adjustments to quickly get your camera balanced perfectly. A QR plate system lets you do quick adjustments as well as quickly mounting and dismounting your camera from the system.

came-tv 8000 quick release balance gimbal

Here's a little video showing the CAME-TV 8000 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer.

The CAMETV 8000 Gimbal comes with a molded carrying case that adds enough protection for casual transportation, but I would not suggest using it for airline check-ins or if you plan to stack equipment onto it.

The balance stand works very well with independent feet that can be adjusted to level the stand. Though you need tools to disassemble the stand if you plan to put it back in the travel case. The battery for the CAMETV 8000 is a standard 3S Lipo 11V (similar to the 7800 gimbal), but because it needs to hide in the top handle, you must make sure you are using one with the same (or smaller) dimensions if you plan to buy spares.

cametv 8000 gimbal battery

In terms of build quality, the motors are powerful, and the Gimbal Controller is the latest 32 Bit Basecam (Alexmos). There is almost no exposed wiring for a clean look and balancing is extremely quick. I think the threaded handles could have been designed differently, but shouldn't be a problem unless you're doing some pretty wild movements.

Even though it is intended for larger cameras, you can still tune the system to work with smaller and lighter cameras as well. I still have to find the time to take the system out when the weather is better, but should you have any questions about the CAMETV8000, leave your comments below.

If you haven't already seen their company demo videos, there is some additional information, photos, and more videos at the CAME-TV.com website (click here).

came-tv 8000 gimbal stabilizercametv 8000 gimbal
find-price-button CAMETV 8000 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer BlackMagic 4K RED EPIC

For USA customers that are looking for a local retailer, B&H from New York will now be carrying the CAMETV Gimbals (found here).

cametv 8000 gimbalcametv gimbals
find-price-button CAMETV 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer - via B&H

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Currently available B&H's Deal Zone, this Tilta ES-T07 Blackmagic Cinema Camera Rig for the BlackMagic Cinema and BlackMagic Production 4K Cameras is on promotion for just $499 with FREE Expedited Shipping (ends soon).

Tilta BlackMagic Cage Handles Remote

Designed specifically for the BlackMagic Cinema & Production 4K Cameras, the Tilta ES-T07 Kit comes with 15mm Rails, Top Handle, Wooden Side Handles w/ record button, and 5" and 10" Dovetail Baseplates. The Precision-Machined Anodized Aluminum cage has a Vented Base with Quick Release System and offers multiple 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 Accessory Threads with ARRI Rosettes.

The $499 Deal Zone for this Kit ends today (Feb 10th, 2015).

Tilta BMC Cage
Tilta BMP4K Cage
Blackmagic Tilta Cage Deal
find-price-button Tilta ES-T07 Blackmagic Cinema Camera Rig

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Sigma 24mm Wide Angle ART Lens 1.4

The Sigma 24mm F1.4 Art wide angle lens is designed for full-frame DSLRs, and when used on digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, it effectively becomes a 38mm. The lens is ideal for capturing a variety of photography subjects, including cityscapes, mountain ranges, astrophotography and weddings and is great for videography work as well.

The 24mm excels at indoor photography in low illumination thanks to the combination of exceptional focal plane sharpness, and gorgeous bokeh rendered by nine rounded aperture blades. The lens achieves a maximum magnification of 1:5.3 with a minimum focusing distance of 9.8 inches.

The 24mm incorporates both "F" Low Dispersion (FLD) glass and Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass in a design of 15 elements in 11 groups to minimize chromatic aberration of magnification especially in the edge of the image field. The optimized power layout includes aspherical elements that are positioned in the rear of the lens for improved wide open performance. This helps to ensure minimal distortion through the correction of axial chromatic aberration and sagittal coma flare. The new lens element design also delivers excellent peripheral brightness.

Sigma ART 24mm Lens
find-price-button SIGMA 24mm F/1.4 DG HSM for CANON, Nikon, Sigma

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So recently I shared an image of a few 15mm Rails and Clamps and asked people to give it their best guess of why I was sharing the image. I was going wait a day to update everyone, but the game didn't last very long.

15mm Rods 15mm Clamps Aluminum

Well Marc did guess correctly that the pieces were going to be used for a Gimbal Stand. Congrats! I'll be contacting that person via email to send a $25 Dollar Amazon E-Gift Card, thanks everyone for participating.

Sometimes something so simple can be eluding, but the idea works flawlessly. Here's what the stand looks like once it's been assembled.

cheesycam DIY 15mm Gimbal Stand Rails Rod Clamps

Of course here's a little video of how it all comes together.

And here's a list of parts that many of you may already have, but if not these are some of the cheaper parts I could find to get you started building your own 15mm Gimbal Stand.

You'll need (4) 15mm 90 Degree Clamps at the corners of the stand.
90 degree 15mm clamp
find-price-button 15mm 90 Degree Clamps

You'll need (1) 15mm Dogbone (side-by-side) Rail Clamp to hold the two pieces together.
15mm dogbone clamp
find-price-button 15mm Dogbone (side-by-side) Clamp

You'll need (4) 12" 15mm Rods for the top and the bottom bars. These are some of the cheaper Aluminum ones I can find.
12 inch 15mm rails rods gimbal stand DIY
find-price-button 12 Inch 15mm Rods

You'll need (2) 18" 15mm Rods for the Vertical (upright) Rods to give enough height for small gimbals. Go longer if you have a CAMETV sized Gimbal.
18 inch 15mm rods rails aluminum
find-price-button 18 Inch 15mm Rods

If you want super lightweight with a nice finish, then I suggest choosing matte black Carbon Fiber Rods. Not quite as cheap as Aluminum, but if that's your thing, make sure to check out some very affordable 15mm Rails over at PVGear.com.

pvgear 15mm rods carbon fiber

OTHER IDEAS? Possibly for a non-slip surface is to add some Heat Shrink tubing over the rods and possibly rubber O-Rings at the tips of the base rods to prevent sliding around.

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Over the last few weeks a few people I know were thinking about finally picking up a set of Sennheiser G3 wireless kits. While certainly not the best deal i've seen for the G3 Wireless systems, these new offers from Adorama are certainly deals to consider if you're about ready to make a purchase.

Adorama has a list of G3 systems bundled with various Audio Recorders like the new Tascam DR44WL Wireless Audio Recorder or the popular Zoom H4n along with Media Cards, and other accessories. Basically it's like free gear with your purchase which can add up to over $300 Dollars in free gear. Don't need the recorder? Sell it! That makes your G3 kit even cheaper.

These are exclusive and for a limited time only, there are about 12 different bundles which you can find (here).

SEEW100EG3ABZOH4NC
find-price-button Sennheiser G3 Wireless Lav Microphone Kits with FREE Audio Recorders, etc.

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The GoPro HERO4 Black and HERO4 Silver now supports a number of high framerate options including a whopping 240fps at 720p with the latest firmware update.

HERO4 Black and HERO4 Silver
Time lapse video mode - Capture Time Lapse videos automatically—no post-production needed. Showcase a sunrise, road trip or family gathering as a short, sharable video.

30/6 burst photo - Introducing a new way to never miss a moment. Capture 30 photos in 6 seconds—perfect for longer duration fast-action activities like surfing and snowboarding.

Auto rotate - Automatically adjusts capture orientation to right-side up when the camera is mounted upside down.

Add HiLight Tags during playback - Now you can mark key moments both while recording video and playing back content on the built-in touch display to quickly find highlights for easy editing and sharing. [HERO4 Black requires LCD Touch BacPac to utilize this feature]
HERO4 Black

720p240 fps video - Record ultra high frame rate video at a staggering 240 frames per second for liquid smooth slow-motion playback
2.7K60 fps video - Capture cinematic, high-resolution 2.7K footage at an impressive 60 frames per second

Update your HERO4 today via the GoPro App on your mobile device or go to https://www.gopro.com/update/HERO4

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A short while ago I shared a DIY concept of mounting fiberglass rods into a backpack for supporting heavy stabilizers or gimbals like the DJI Ronin. Although mine was just a working concept, Vimeo member Coriolis-Visuals went all in on his build putting together a very clean and functional support system for about $90 bucks (or less) in parts [minus backpack].

In order to pull something like this off, you'll need a backpack with a waist support and preferably a chest strap (as seen in the video). This prevents the backpack from pulling away as you flex the fiberglass rods. It's unlikely you'll ever be able to break the fiberglass rods, but in this build a Braided Hose sits over the rods adding a layer or safety. The use of quick adjustable lashing straps was a great idea to position the gimbal up high or low. Great job on this build and thanks for sharing Jim!

Obviously you can modify any of the build suggestions, but if you want to take a look at my original video showing how I made my prototype version visit the original article http://cheesycam.com/diy-gimbal-stabilizer-support-backpack/