dslr video

New CAME 6000 Ready to Run (RTR) 2-Axis Active Gimbal Stabilizer • 35 Comments

Emm • February 12, 2014

Here's a look at another Ready to Run (RTR) stabilizer product from CAME-TV. The new CAME 6000 is a 2-Axis (no pan stabilization) Brushless Motor Active Stabilized Gimbal. Pretty straightforward with control board, wiring, and battery tucked away neatly in it's design.

The new CAME 6000 Gimbal does not offer a pan / tilt joystick, or remote operator controls. It's pretty stripped down and only offers stabilization on 2-axis. Some people may not find the lack of pan stabilization as a setback.

From many of the other inexpensive stabilized gimbal videos i've seen (even some i've shot) the pan stabilization often shows up as a little side to side 'twitch'. I personally wanted to disable the top Pan motor on the CAME 5000 gimbal I tested a few weeks back (seen here). All I really care about is keeping the camera's horizon level.

I've reached out to the company to see if it's possible to test out this unit. We'll see how that plays out. Compared to $1980 for the CAME 5000 3-Axis Gimbal, this new CAME 6000 2-AXIS Stabilizer is listed for just under $900 dollars (more photos found here).

2 Axis Stabilizer Gimbal Brushess Motor Battery Gimbal Stabilizer Controller CAME Gimbal Stabilizer
CAME 6000 2-Axis Active Gimbal Stabilizer

Canon EF to Micro Four Thirds Focal Reducer ‘Booster Focal Reducer’ • 16 Comments

Emm • February 12, 2014

Over the years the Micro Four Thirds system has been heavily advanced by both camera manufacturers and lens manufacturers. It's possible to get more out of certain lenses by using new Focal Reducer, Speed Boosters, or Lens Turbo adapters for manual lenses. There is of course an adapter to mount a Canon EF to an M4/3 body, but it will not allow control of the iris.

Speedbooster800-OMD50930

If you have your heart set on trying to adapt a Canon EF lens to an MFT M4/3 camera, Raymond Leung writes in and shares his experience with the Canon EF to M4/3 adapter. He's posted a few sample images using this Canon EF to M4/3 adapter with an Olympus camera. You should be able to gauge how well this will work in video mode. You can see some of those results at his blog (found here)

The Canon EF to M/43 adapter can be found via eBay (click here)

Canon EF MFT M43 Lens Turbo Speed Booster Focal Reducer
Canon EF Lens to M43 MFT Micro Four Thids Adapter

New Cameras From Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic • 5 Comments

Emm • February 11, 2014

Canon EOS Rebel T5 DSLR
The EOS Rebel T5 DSLR with EF-S 18-55mm IS II lens is an update of the Rebel T3 and brings with it an 18MP CMOS sensor and the DIGIC 4 Image processor. As an APS-C format camera, compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses, it is an ideal compact DSLR for those beginning to take their photography seriously or those wanting the imaging power and versatility of a DSLR but in a more compact form. Incredibly, the Rebel T5 body weighs less than one pound and its small but ergonomic design features a large hand grip that makes it easy to carry and shoot. [Read More at B&H...]

Canon EOS Rebel T5 DSLR

Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II
The Mark II decreases the pixel count in its sensor, compared to the G1 X, but still features the relatively large 1.5” High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor with effective 12.8MP. Combine this sensor with the DIGIC 6 processor and you experience effective low-light performance and greatly improved focus speeds. The processor also enables the elimination of buffer time for continuous full-resolution shooting speeds of 5.2 fps up to the capacity of the memory card when using SDHC/SDXC UHS-I cards. The G1 X offered a rate of 4.5 fps up to only 6 frames. [Read More at B&H...]

Canon G1X Powershot
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II

Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera
With the Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera, which is available as a body only or as a kit with a 16-50mm lens, Sony continues to update their mirrorless lineup. This current model will succeed the NEX-6, taking its place just behind the NEX-7, as one of their premiere APS-C format mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. The A6000 features a 24.3MP Exmor APS-HD CMOS sensor and, with the BIONZ X image processor and 179 autofocus points and up to 11 fps burst shooting, it provides particularly fast performance and does so in a compact form factor that can easily be carried with you throughout the day. [Read More at B&H...]

Sony A6000
Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Nikon COOLPIX P340
Pairing high image quality and full HD 1080p video recording capabilities in a pocket-sized package, the P340 is an advanced compact featuring notable low-light sensitivity and rich rendering abilities, due to its large 12.2MP 1/1.7" CMOS sensor and fast 24-120mm f/1.8-5.6 (35mm equivalent) zoom lens. Beyond the sensor itself and the bright maximum aperture, the low-light abilities are further enhanced by the incorporation of VR image stabilization that helps to reduce the appearance of camera shake. [Read More at B&H...]

Nikon COOLPIX P340

Panasonic GH4 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Panasonic has announced a new addition to the company’s Lumix GH series, the Lumix DMC-GH4, a hybrid DSLM camera that adds substantial features to an already competent platform. Although still photography has not taken a back seat to the video functionality, it is in the latter area that the majority of the advancements have been made, primarily in the ability to capture footage in 4K resolution. Available to anyone, but positioned for the advanced amateur, indie, and professional photographer and filmmaker, the camera’s 17.02 megapixel (16.05 effective) Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor is supported by the Venus Engine image processor running on a quad-core CPU. This combination delivers approximately 50% higher speed signal readout, which aids in suppressing rolling shutter artifacts when using the electronic shutter or recording video. And for professional photo performance, moiré suppression has been improved, along with superior noise reduction that allows for exposures of up to sixty minutes. [Read More at B&H...]

Panasonic GH4 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Shape Canon EOS C100 C300 C500 Baseplate + EVF Mount • 1 Comment

Emm • February 11, 2014

A solid rig starts with a solid foundation. If you're shooting with the Canon EOS C100, C300, or C500 Shape has introduced a new baseplate system. Here's a video overview of their new product along with a new EVF mount.

Product Overview
Made specifically for the Canon EOS C100, C300, C500 cameras, the new Shape baseplate provides a smaller, lighter setup solution expandable to a more elaborate setup.

Features a pair of 15mm rods that are 12” long through the length of the baseplate Attaches underneath the camera with 4 x M4 screws (included) OR with 3/8” 16 and 1/4” 20 screws (included). SHAPE ratchet keys located on the both sides of the BASE PLATE can be tighten of loosen quickly to reposition the 12" 15mm rods.

Can be transformed into a full shoulder rig or can be used as a studio baseplate. Shape recommends the PAPARAZZI I HANDLE ROD BLOC for fixations such as EVF, external monitors, microphone, etc. For more information visit https://www.ShapeWLB.com

Shape C100 C300 C500 Rig 1

Steadicam Arm Vest + Merlin 2 (Damn Good) Deal • 17 Comments

Emm • February 11, 2014

Here's something odd that reader Dwight has just shared with us {thanks Dwight}. The Steadicam Merlin Vest is one of the best vests to fly both lightweight and medium weight cameras. Price of course was a bit steep around $1500 dollars, but if you follow this blog you would know it's recently been reduced down to $995. Yeah that's a pretty good deal for the brand, warranty, and quality.

But if that price still sounds a bit steep, maybe there's a way to offset the cost. For some unusual reason one bundle includes a Steadicam Merlin 2 stabilizer for just $4.95 more. Yes, for less than 5 bucks, you get a brand new Steadicam Merlin 2 stabilizer thrown in. So if you wanted to take the time, i'm sure you can find a way to offload a brand new Merlin 2 for a few hundred dollars, bringing your total purchase down to say maybe $600 bucks for an awesome Steadicam Vest. Check out the link below to see these products.

Steadicam Merlin Vest Merlin 2 Price
Steadicam Merlin Vest Arm Merlin 2 Stabilizer Bundle

[FYI - This bundle used to run about $2200 when I purchased it]

Kamerar MagView Magnetic LCD ViewFinder – Three Sizes • 12 Comments

Emm • February 11, 2014

If you didn't catch the newsletter announcement, the Kamerar MagView LCD ViewFinder has been released in three different sizes. The new Magview attaches to a metal frame that adheres to the back of your camera's LCD. You can separate the body to be used as a sunhood, and the MagView also offers a 2.5x diopter.

Three sizes available Magview LCD
Kamerar MagView LCD View Finder 3:2, 4:3, 16:9

Unfortunately not one will fit the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera perfectly. I'm pretty bummed about that, but maybe if we leave enough comments, they'll pick back up on the project. Right now if you need an LCD View Finder for your BMPCC, your best choices will be either the Zacuto or Kinotehnik LCDVF.

Zacuto BMPCC Z-Finder

Kinotehnik BMPCC LCDVF

Just in case you were curious, the closest MagView for the BMPCC will be the 16:9 version. It's tall enough, but not wide enough so it will crop the image. Here's an animated image below that shows you how the frame would mount, and where the cropping would occur.
BMPCC-MagView-16-9

Although it can fit many of the DSLR cameras on the market, an affordable $45 dollar viewfinder like this is probably suited for many of the high end point and shoot cameras.

lcd_info_08 IMG_0046_large

The 4:3 version works perfectly on my Sony RX100 without having to add a hefty baseplate, and also to leave quick access to my battery door / sdhc card. You can find more information about the Kamerar MagView at the product page.

Kamerar MagView LCD View Finder 3:2, 4:3, 16:9

Rode VideoMic GO On-Camera Shotgun Microphone • 17 Comments

Emm • February 10, 2014

Rode VideoMic Go Cheesycam Shotgun DSLR Video Microphone

I just recently received the new Rode VideoMic GO. A very straightforward, no fuss, directional microphone under $100 dollars (found here) for your video camera. No batteries required, and will improve audio capture over using the internal microphone from the camera, and of course with an extension cable you can use this off-camera positioning this closer to your subject.

Rode VideoMic GO Overview
The VideoMic GO On-Camera Shotgun Microphone from Rode is a lightweight microphone which adds high-quality audio recording to your small camcorder and HDSLR camera. At only 2.6 ounces, the microphone keeps your camera setup lightweight, making it ideal for handheld shooting. It features an integrated Rycote Lyre shock mount for isolation from bumps and vibration, and offers battery-free operation, using instead the plug-in power from your camera's 3.5mm microphone input. Please note that the microphone will not work with cameras that don't supply plug-in power to their 3.5mm audio input jack.

The VideoMic GO is a directional microphone. It utilizes a super-cardioid polar pattern to attenuate sounds from the sides, resulting in a signal that sounds closer to the camera, even when shooting in noisy environments or at moderate distances. The integrated shoe mount provides a 3/8" thread for additional mounting options. A foam windshield and 7.9" dual mono 3.5mm coiled output cable.

Now i'm a big fan of the sound quality from a Rode VideoMic Pro (seen here). If you can hold off and save up, the Rode VideoMic Pro is a solid microphone to have in the kit.

Realizing that we all have to start somewhere, the new VideoMic GO will offer you better sound capture options than working from your in-camera microphone, and this mic comes pre-built on the Rycote Lyre Suspension System (no rubber bands to wear out). Check it out at B&H (click here).

Rode VideoMic GO on-camera microphone VideoMic GO ShockMount
Rode VideoMic GO On-Camera Shotgun Microphone

DIY BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera Battery Cable • 19 Comments

Emm • February 10, 2014

I just wanted to make this video to clear a few things up for those who don't know how to power up the (BMPCC). Any 12V battery will work, in fact they say any 12V-20V battery will fine to power and charge up the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera.

Just two little pieces you can pick up, requires no soldering, and you're pretty much ready to go to connect your BMPCC to most common 12V batteries. Just to make sure you have the correct polarity (positive in / negative out), here's the cable i'm using below.

cheesycam blackmagic pocket cinema battery cable
BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera DC Cable

And to simplify things even more, here's a barrel tip adapter used for most common DC battery outputs with clear icons representing Negative / Positive, and requires no soldering.
5.5 2.5 DC Male Plug Tip
5.5x2.5 DC Barrel Tip