dslr video

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In this article, Keiko (of GearAddix) has helped put together a short video review of the new Rokinon 300mm F/6.3 Mirror Lens for micro-four thirds camera systems [Thanks Keiko]. If you're looking for that long zoom on a budget, this new mirror lens from Rokinon is a great option, and yes it will work on a BlackMagic Pocket Cinema camera as well.

Unlike traditional glass element lenses, the incoming light is reflected by a main mirror on the back towards a secondary mirror (located in the front), and back again towards the camera's sensor. By folding the light, these lenses can offer incredible distance while staying very compact and especially very lightweight.

cheesycam-diagram-how-mirror-lenses-work-rokinon-300mm

Unfortunately this design also has a few disadvantages such as aperture control. This Rokinon 300mm mirror lens has a fixed F/6.3. This is the reason why an ND filter was required on an especially bright day. I guess that's not too much of a problem, as many DSLR shooters tend to carry ND filters nowadays.

B+W Static ND Filter Mirror Lens
find-price-button B+W Static ND Filter
Tip: At this distance static ND filters are best to retain sharpness

Also, sharpness and contrast are typically just mediocre with mirror lenses, but i'm very surprised at how much this new Rokinon 300mm mirror lens retains. They've done a great job creating a very compact MFT lens that still retains sharpness, detail, color, and contrast.

Another prominent tell-tale sign of a Mirror Lens is an odd donut-like effect (white rings) that show up on out-of-focus highlights. While lenses with an aperture blade are capable of producing perfectly round highlights, Mirror lenses will create a round donut-like out of focus highlight as seen in the image below.

mirror-lens-donut-bokeh-highlight

For a stylized effect there are groups who find this aesthetically interesting, when used with portraits (see example photos here).

Due to it's fixed aperture of F/6.3 optimal conditions are preferred (lots of light), and keep in mind these lenses do not offer image stabilization. Still, maybe not so much of a problem as many of today's M43 cameras are starting to add Image Stabilization at the sensor level.

Mirror lenses have been around for years, and are available in focal lengths past 1600mm. The most expensive of which still falls under just $300 bucks. That's a pretty amazing price for the distance you get, but obviously you have to consider if those mirror-lens 'differences' work for you. Find a few options below.

cheesycam mirror lens review demo video sample Rokinonrokinon-300mmRokinon Mirror Lens Canon NikonRokinon mirror lens reviewRokinon Mirror Lenses for Canon Nikon M43 mFT
find-price-button Variety of Rokinon Mirror Lenses - via eBay

So now that you've checked out this video review, and some of the other mirror lens image samples (found here), what do you guys think about Rokinon's latest 300mm F/6.3 Mirror Lens for Micro Four Thirds? Leave your comments below.

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Here's a few more chances to win a few products as well as an offer for an Instant Discount from great sponsors with Swivex.com. View each product for additional details and qualifications.

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Macro Extension Tubes from Aputure

Don’t want to shell out all the cash for a dedicated macro lens? Get the Aputure Macro Tube Set and use them with your current Canon EF & EF-S lenses. They will enable you to focus closely, retaining TTL and AF, opening an entire new world of photographic possibilities. Three different extension tubes (13mm, 21mm, 31mm) give you a range of options. You can use them either individually, or in combination with one another, for 7 different possibilities.

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MultiFinder for Nikon D800 - Varavon

The Varavon Multi Finder for D800 is a multi-functional viewfinder designed to better utilize the LCD monitor of the Nikon D800 when shooting HD video. It provides a mounting plate, the LCD viewer and a loupe with eyecup that combine to create an adjustable yet stable viewing system.

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Instant Discount - CAME Vest System

The Laing Stabilizer Vest can be adjusted to fit taller or smaller frames, and the Arm is mounted to a quick release socket block. Velcro straps adjust the vest very nicely and buckles are used to climb in and out of the vest. The X-15 ISO Arm can easily be dialed to support a light setup such as a Canon 5D Mark II + Sigma 20mm lens and can also be dialed up to support heavier camera setups such as the BlackMagic Cinema Camera or heavier.

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When i'm traveling with a stabilizer, my goal is always to travel as light as possible while still being able to pull off long smooth dolly-like shots at my destination. Here's a closer look at the new XCAM Sabre Mini Video Stabilizer that I think addresses those two main points for me.

Off the top of my head, I don't know too many mini stabilizers that offer so many details, while still being able to fit in a travel pouch. The Carbon Fiber Post adds a nice aesthetic and sheds some weight as opposed to the previous version. The larger diameter post is also easier to handle when steering (flying with two hands), but you'll see in the video many times i'm just working with one hand.

The top stage offers a quick release for fast setup and breakdown, and to dial in your center of balance with fine tuning knobs for both left/right and forward/back adjustments. Outside of that, the adjustable Gimbal along the Carbon Fiber post and telescoping lower sled add another dimension to getting perfect balance with different types of cameras.

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Telescoping Sled Supports Heavier Camera Systems

Build quality is very nice and if you're not a fan of the blue anodized finish, the XCAM Sabre is also available in all Black. You can find additional information about the XCAM Sabre at the web listing (found here).

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find-price-button 2013 Version XCAM Sabre Mini Telescoping Stabilizer

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When you set your camera up on a Crane and start adding weights, it's a real pain to move that thing around. Unless it's on wheels. The same goes for heavy lighting equipment.

There's a couple of top heavy light stands in the studio loaded up with a set of lights, and to prevent them from falling over i've got a couple of sandbags over the bottom. Once the sandbags are in place, it becomes annoying having to move them around, so I opted to upgrade the stands with these Wheeled Caster Adapters. These little casters simply fit on the ends on any light stand and tighten in place.

Lightstand Casters (3 of 3)

These casters aren't cheap at about $12/each wheel, but they sure do make moving heavy stands around much easier regardless of how many sandbags you're using. It's also much safer moving this type of equipment around (for the crew and for the gear). If you're in the same pickle, I highly recommend looking into these things.

Lightstand Casters (1 of 3)

Lightstand Casters (2 of 3)

I opted for an inexpensive set since I don't move the stands very often, but there are dozens of different options via Amazon (found here).

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find-price-button Light Stand Wheeled Casters

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Here's a couple of handy products to help make shooting easier with the new BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera. First up is a new external power solution from Switronix called the PocketBase.

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The PocketBase allows you to power the camera up to 5hrs with two LP-E6 type batteries, while simultaneously charging the removable internal battery. By keeping the internal battery inside the Pocket Camera during operation, you can then hotswap the attached LP-E6 batteries within the PocketBase for continuous camera operation. The Switronix PocketBase is available now (found here).

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find-price-button Switronix PocketBase for BlackMagic Pocket Camera

Next product is a must have when working outdoors or when attempting to pull focus from the little LCD Screen of the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera. The new Kamerar MagView is an affordable LCD ViewFinder solution that attaches to the back of many different cameras. One model will fit the BMPC specifically and shares many of the same high quality features found in the Kamerar QV-1 LCD View Finder. Should be available this month, estimated price under $50 US.

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Kamerar MagView LCD View Finder

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Edelkrone has finally released more information about their PocketShot folding stabilizer. A prototype of this product was on display earlier at NAB2013. The PocketShot can be transformed to work in any number of ways from a mini tripod to a shoulder stock and can mount small accessories such as a light, microphone, or audio recorder.

The new PocketShot retails for $199. The idea is very innovative, and I can certainly see many BlackMagic Pocket Cinema cameras using something like this, but let's hear some other comments. What do you guys think about the new PocketShot?

For more information about the new PocketShot check out Edelkrone.com
PocketShot_05

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Good times! The brand new lightweight and portable Cinevate Duzi Video Slider just dropped in yesterday. It is an impressive little product, and Cinevate's most affordable slider to date. Obviously i'll have my own reasons about working with such a slider, but while I have her around, are there any questions some of you might have? Let me know in the comments.

Cinevate Duzi Slider Cheesycam 2

For technical specs, you can check out the Duzi Product Page (found here).

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Peter writes in and shares this recently listed Telescoping Mini Jib on sale for just $159 [Thanks Peter].

Just for reference here's a video example (below) of a different Telescoping Video Jib. Keep in mind, this is not the exact same jib in the video, but hopefully you get an idea of how these systems telescope into full length Video Cranes.


Thanks to talent Joey Guila & Keiko Alingas of GearAddix

This new Telescoping Mini Jib includes a fluid panning base, which means you don't need to invest in a a strong fluid video head. The base can mount directly to the 3/8" stud of your favorite tripod, or can sit inside a 75mm bowl mount tripod (for easier leveling). For those who hate traveling with standard weights, just fill up the included sand bag once you get to your destination.

travel jib bowl panning base telescopingTelescoping lightweight jibTelescoping Mini Jib Lightweight DSLR

The stage area offers a quick release plate to get your camera on and off easily, and comes with a travel bag. Not a bad deal. Find out more info on this Portable Mini Video Jib following the link (click here).

Portable Telescoping Mini Jib
find-price-button Portable Telescoping Video Mini Jib Crane

If you're looking to really save on weight and willing to shell out a few extra bucks, the Carbon Fiber version of this same Portable Mini Jib is also available (found here).

Carbon Fiber Portable Mini Video Jib Crane Telescoping Kit
find-price-button Carbon Fiber Portable Telescoping Video Mini Jib Crane

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About a week ago, I was in LA and decided to stop by the 2013 DVExpo show. I only hung out for a few hours and had just enough time to chat with a handful of vendors, and here's a couple of videos from the show.

Dracast LED Lighting
First up is Rodney from Dracast showcasing a few products from the Pro Series and Studio Series line of LED Video lights.

Product info: https://Dracast.com

Dracast - 95 CRI Rated LED Lighting

Alzo Digital
Alzo Digital displayed quite a few products, but we only had enough time for Drew to show us the Alzo Bod-A-Boom (found here), an adjustable wearable camera support system.

Product info: https://AlzoDigital.com
Alzo
ALZO Video: Innovative & Affordable DSLR Gear

BeachTek Audio
Harry over at the BeachTek booth shared a a few interesting multi-functional audio products including the new DXA-SLR Ultra which is a preamp that attached directly under a camera and can attach 15mm Rails.

Product info: https://www.beachtek.com

Redrock Micro
Brian with RedRock Micro showed off a few products that can expand the use of their Cobalt Cage for the GoPro Hero cameras. A small adapter can be added to support threaded filters, and an external battery case supports (4) AA batteries to allow for longer run times.

Product info: https://redrockmicro.com