Here's yet another MoCo (motion control) module from Edelkrone that adds additional functionality to your SliderPlus+ video slider. I was a bit confused at first, but generally the new Action Module combines features from previous modules all wrapped up in one.
And of course for additional information, you can visit the Edelkrone product page (found here).
Edelkrone Action Module for SliderPlus+ Video Sliders
The other day I showed how you can use an Android Tablet to wirelessly connect, control, and display a Live View video feed from a Panasonic GH4. If you didn't catch that video, it's a very cool feature to have when shooting with the GH4 (found here).
Wireless Control and Live View for Panasonic GH4
If you're shopping for a tablet with an excellent display, plenty of horsepower, and most importantly connects to the Play Store to download the proper Panasonic Image App, there's a deal on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7" version (refurbished) for just $119 (found here).
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7" Android
I find the 7" size is manageable without being oversized. If you're looking for a simple way to attach a tablet over your camera, i've been using this universal Square JellyFish clamp. Folds up small, very good build quality, and perfect for tablets 7" or under . It offers a tripod mount, and can be used Horizontally or Vertically (found here).
7" Android iOS Tablet Spring Clamp with Tripod Mount
As more people receive their GH4 cameras, more tests are being performed across every feature imaginable - including a slew of various media cards. I've already shared some great options previously, but here's another set of SDXC cards shared by Jay [Thanks Jay].
These Transcend SDXC Cards have a Read speed of 95MB/s and Write Speeds of 60MB/s. Perhaps not the fastest card available, but definitely one that falls easily in the 'Best Bang for the Buck' category. At just $48 bucks normal price for a 64GB SDXC Card you're looking at around .75 cents/per GB. You can find these new Transcend SDXC Cards following the link (click here).
Transcend 64GB / 128GB UHS-1 SDXC Memory Card
BTW, another change from the GH3 camera is the HDMI out port. They are no longer using the Mini-HDMI connection, instead they are using the microHDMI D-Type. So I ended up having to buy some new cables for my ATEM switch. In case you're still waiting for your GH4 to arrive, you may want to get your microHDMI cables in too. I picked up a set that had over 1,000 reviews, and were affordable. Sounds like they will work just fine: https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Speed-Micro-Ethernet/dp/B004C3AW40/.
D-Type microHDMI Cable 3ft-25ft Length
If you want to make Time Lapse with your GoPro Hero3 or SmartPhones a little more interesting you can add motion. Simple motion can add an entirely new dimension instead of your basic static shot, and this can be done without complicated rigs. With my iPhone i'm using iMotionHD & with my Android phone i'm using an app called DroidLapse. Here's a quick clip (below) I did while out in Monterey, CA using my Samsung Galaxy S4.
The easiest motion is panning, and although there are ways to build DIY contraptions with Egg Timers, today you can find a variety of off-the-shelf versions for under $30 dollars.
Rotating Panning For Time Lapse
This product is essentially a redesigned Egg Timer as you can still hear ticking and even rings a bell at the end of it's travel. It does offer a female 1/4 thread under the base for a small tripod, and a male 1/4"-20 stud to mount your camera. It is designed for small compact cameras and smart phones, and will rotate 360 degrees in 60 minutes.
You can find this product via eBay (click here).
Rotating Panning For Time Lapse
[Example Flow Mow via YouTube]
If you want something that pans slower, the Flow-Mow product states it takes 120 minutes (2 Hours) to rotate a full 360 degrees and even shows that it's capable of supporting a small mirror less camera (found here).
Flow-Mow 360 Degree 2 Hour Panning Timelapse Base
Announced earlier this morning via their newsletter. Here's a handy little tool that can offer flexible mounting solutions on your DSLR Video Cages / Rigs. The Kamerar Pico Plate is a small accessory mount that clamps to any standard 15mm rail. Think of it as a tiny cheese plate with 1/4" threaded holes.
Kamerar Pico Plate Mini Accessory Mount 15mm Clamp
With a single plate mounted above the Honu Cage, i'm able to add a basic set of 15mm handles to my cage. The horizontal 15mm rail also opens up more options for mounting additional accessories.
By using two Kamerar Pico Plates in combination with a 15mm rail, you can attach one to any DSLR Video Cage and create a simple yet solid tilting accessory mount. Available in a single unit or combo (2 pcs + 15mm rail) following the jump (click here).
Kamerar Pico Plate Mini Accessory Mount 15mm Clamp
My first time taking the GH4 out for a 4K test drive. I decided to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium again, and shoot everything under low lighting conditions. The thick glass made it hard to focus and images are not at it's sharpest. Don't take this as a good example of GH4 4K video samples. Now I know what not to do, I think i'll get better footage the next time out.
[Note Vimeo player only supports up to 1080p. There may be some compression artifacts so you can download the original file here: https://vimeo.com/93559386]
The 4K coming out of the GH4 is nice, but it doesn't hold up as well in post compared to shooting 1080p with this camera. Let me rephrase that. The 4K footage saved to the SDXC card is still 8bit 4:2:0 and may not grade very well, but we still have the option of 4K HDMI Out 10bit 4:2:2: which should grade very very well. You can adjust curves in the camera, and I tried to shoot with flat settings. Forcing highlights down and shadows up probably caused issues with banding in this footage.
BTW, no tripods allowed in the Aquarium, but I was able to get steady footage using a Joby Gorillapod over a baby stroller. Whatever works right?
One of the great things about the Panasonic GH4 cameras is the ability to switch to different codecs, framerates, and quality. For times when i'm just recording my kids sporting events, I choose lower bitrates (still 1080p) so that I can record hours of footage without using up much disk space.
Another handy feature when recording these types of sporting events is the ability to have smooth zooms in and out while keeping your subject in focus. Interestingly Panasonic offers two inexpensive 'Power Zoom' lenses specifically for this. The 14-42mm X and 45-175mm X lens.
Also note that I didn't show how the app works in Photo Mode. You can touch to focus and capture simultaneously anywhere on the screen. With the now faster auto focus of the GH4 this feature is a great tool as your subject moves around in frame.
The camera also responds differently when any Panasonic Auto Focus lens is set to continuous auto focus mode. The camera has the ability to track a subject while staying in focus. Try this if you're working with a hand held stabilizer.
Panasonic Power Zoom 14-42mm Lens
Panasonic Power Zoom 45-175mm Lens
Wireless Remote with Panasonic Image App
Another handy feature built into the camera is WiFi. Download the free Panasonic Image App and you have the ability to control many features remotely including start/stop video, change color profiles, set white balance, ISO, framerates, and resolution.
If you want to set focus by touching areas of the screen you will need a Panasonic Auto Focus Lens (any autofocus panasonic lens). If you want the ability to zoom in and out, you'll only get this option with the two Servo Power Zoom lenses I showed in the video.
Having the ability to remotely monitor what the camera is shooting is especially handy when the camera is placed on a jib/crane, or if you wanted to share the feed. If you're working with multiple cameras, you can setup a wireless viewing area with a couple of iphones or super cheap android tablets.
If you're not familiar with the history behind the website name, it's derived from many of the 'cheesy' ideas and 'cheesy' DIY projects that I've built and shared through this website. So here's another 'cheesy' project i've been tinkering with, and I thought i'd share where i'm at with it.
I was looking for a super portable platform dolly in which we can push around a camera operator. Traditional video doorway dollies were too large and expensive for my needs. I wanted something more compact, lightweight, and fast to get setup.
The dolly needed to be able to repeat a set path whether it be forward / back / side to side or even a curved path. For curved paths I wanted to be able to change the size of my arc. A repeatable Arc allows me to perform fixed point shooting. I wanted to be perform all of these functions without carrying a set of dolly tracks. It also had to be compact enough to fit in the trunk of my Honda Fit (small car).
I tested a few different ideas and came up with a very minimal design that only required two adjustable axles. I had no idea if this would even work, so I mocked up a table top version with balsa wood (seen below).
Once I knew the system would fold and track the way I needed it to, I started out with a 2x2 plywood base and bolted up steel square tubes. I literally went through a few sets of wheels including pneumatic ones, but to keep costs down I finally settled on these inexpensive smooth scooter wheels (found here).
Scooter Wheels
The swiveling push handle costs under $8 dollars found on Harbor Freight (here). The push handle can be collapsed or telescoped when you need the longer length. It comes with a clip to hold it in place during travel.
Swivel Folding Compact Push Handle
My design keeps the entire system as compact as the platform itself, but as the axles expand it uses a wider stance. Once the axles are expanded, I have holes drilled into the platform so I can drop a bolt down and lock the axles in place. I have several holes depending on if I need it straight or curved. With these holes in place, I don't need to figure out if my axles are aligned. It literally only takes seconds to setup, break down, and change tracking positions.
You can place a tripod directly over the platform, but you will most likely pick up vibrations if the surface you roll on is not smooth. Our method is to place a camera operator onto the platform with either a hand held stabilizer, a gimbal, fig rig, or at least a shoulder rig. Since many cameras offer image stabilization, we're getting great results with a tool that is fast to setup and easy to move around.
So now that I was able to prove the basic design concept is functional, i'll probably recreate this with better materials, add some additional missing features (i.e. tripod lock), and give it a more professional finish with a rubber mat over the platform.
Well hopefully you found this project interesting and maybe even inspiring enough to build one yourself. If you liked this you'll probably enjoy some of the other ideas I will be sharing in the near future, so please subscribe to my YouTube Channel, Follow me on Twitter, or Like my Facebook Page.
I've managed to collect a few cold shoe adapters over time, but one of the less popular ones are the type that can run a bolt over the top, allowing for a male threaded mount. These are especially handy with the Blackmagic Cinema Cameras which are built for mounting accessories directly to the camera body.
If you're looking for a simple cold shoe to mount a Microphone or LED Light to the top of a BMPCC/BMCC, here's a couple of solid metal adapters that i've run into. The first is the more affordable version via eBay (found here).
1/4" Cold Shoe Adapter Male to Female mount
The next version offers the same mounting (over the top), but has added a nice firm pad under the adapter for a more secure non-rotating base. It's also shown mounted to a BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera.
Alzo Cold Shoe Adapter for BlackMagic Cinema Cameras
[NOTE] I shot this video in 4K on the GH4 and dropped it into a 1080p time line. You'll notice i'm 'punching in' to certain areas of the frame. I wanted to test the extra resolution to simulate a second camera of sorts. It still maintains full 1080p resolution even though i'm zoomed in on sections of the video. Just another benefit to having the 4K resolution even if you're not actually publishing 4K content.
