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If you're shooting video with the Panasonic GH3, I highly advise you take a look at the Fhugen GH3 Video Cage. It's compact enough that you can leave your camera in there the entire time, and will give you more mounting points for adding on those necessary accessories. One question that comes up often is 'How do you add rails to the Fhugen Cage?'.

Although there isn't a dedicated 15mm rod adapter for the cage, the design is straight forward much like the tripod mount under your camera. You can mount it to a variety of baseplates that support 15mm rails (and yes it will be optically centered).

In the example above i'm using the PNCGear MP-2 dual rod baseplate (found here). There are height adjustments on the MP-2 if you need to make your rails slightly higher or lower. The baseplate can be used in any direction, but here I have the logo on the side of the LCD screen. Under the baseplate is enough tripod mounts to add your quick release plate of choice for tripod mounting.

fhugen_honu_cage_gh3_hero
Fhugen Honu Video Cage for Panasonic GH3 Cameras		 Dual_Rod_Camera_Mounting_Plate_w_Tripod_Mount_large
MP-2 Dual 15mm Rail Baseplate		 15mm rails
(2) 15mm Rails for Baseplate

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Here's a side by side video test showing samples from a Panasonic GH3 with and without the new Lens Turbo Focal Reducer. We used a newer Rokinon 85mm T/1.5 Cine Lens [Nikon Mount] + and old Nikon 50mm Pancake. With the Lens Turbo adapter we were able to achieve a wider field of view and an increase in exposure.

Obviously YouTube has added compression to the video, but if you want to be a pixel peeper, you can download a better version of this edited video from my Vimeo Channel (here).

I think the image quality achieved from this (Speedbooster alternative) adapter delivered decent results for the price. The Metabones Speedbooster will run about $489 dollars (here), versus this Lens Turbo which can now be found under $139 US (here).

Of course we're just using a consumer grade Rokinon Cine Lens, and an old $50 dollar lens from eBay. There's no doubt this adapter won't match up to the quality of the Metabones products. Anyone using serious glass worth thousands of dollars might as well pony up the extra cash for the Metabones MFT M43 Speedbooster (found here).

Metabones Speed Booster MFT M43 Nikon Adapter
find-price-button Metabones SpeedBooster Nikon to M43 MFT

If you're a casual video shooter looking to get a wider field of view and increased light through your common glass, I think you'll be happy with the Lens Turbo. I'll probably go out and take a bunch of high resolution still images on the next outing, but for now let's hear a few comments about these first video test results. What did you guys think so far? [Comment]

For more info, you can find the Lens Turbo MFT Focal Reducer adapter available now via eBay (click here).

Mitakon_AI_m43_MFT-Nikon_Focal_reducer_speed_booster
find-price-button Lens Turbo Focal Reducer Nikon to MFT Micro Four Thirds Adapter

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I've had this Mitakon Lens Turbo MFT Adapter for a almost a week and I am just getting ready to publish a video showing some examples from this. Recently I noticed an increase of questions and the amount 'buzz' picking up around the Internet, so I wanted to quickly provide some additional important information. THIS ADAPTER WILL NOT WORK ON THE #BMPCC BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera. It simply will not fit or attach to the camera.

If you're not familiar with this adapter, it's similar to the Metabones Speed Booster (found here) (but less than half the price). Always a concern on smaller MFT cameras is the cropped sensor. The Lens Turbo adapter offers a wider field of view on these smaller sensor cameras and also increases your Aperture by 1 F-Stop. Your lenses are now wider and faster!

Metabones Speed Booster MFT M43 Nikon Adapter
find-price-button Metabones SpeedBooster Nikon to M43 MFT

Right now the Lens Turbo MFT / M43 adapter fits Nikon (F, G, Ai, Ai-s, E) manual lenses and should work perfectly on your Panasonic GH3 or BlackMagic Cinema Camera MFT mount (not Pocket Cinema). How well does it actually perform? Give me a few days, and you'll see a video with a variety of examples.

For more info, you can find the Lens Turbo MFT Focal Reducer adapter available now via eBay (click here).

Mitakon_AI_m43_MFT-Nikon_Focal_reducer_speed_booster
find-price-button Lens Turbo Focal Reducer Nikon to MFT Micro Four Thirds Adapter

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Right now there is a Sigma Lens deal which includes the 19mm F/2.8 and 30mm F/2.8 prime lenses bundled into one discount price. You can choose either a set for Sony E Mount cameras, or the set for Micro Four Thirds cameras. I have the 30mm on my Sony NEX7 and really enjoy this lens. I may have to get a set for the new GH3 at these prices.

[Update] These sold out quick and the listing shows a Back-ordered status, but I have just verified with B&H you can still place an order if you want to take advantage of these prices and it will ship when it is back in stock. Click through the links below for the deal.

Sigma 19mm 30mm M43 mount GH3
find-price-button Micro 4/3 19mm F/2.8 + 30mm F/2.8 Sony E Mount Lens Discount Bundle

Sigma Sony E Mount 19mm 30mm
find-price-button Sigma 19mm F/2.8 + 30mm F/2.8 Sony E Mount Lens Discount Bundle

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Vello LCD Hood SunshadeVello Sunshade LCD Hood

If you're trying to prevent glare on the screen, you could use an LCD viewfinder. Of course it makes it harder to see the screen from certain angles without having your eye placed directly into the Loupe. In these situations, maybe a simple sunshade or LCD hood would be a better choice.

I've seen the folding plastic pop up sunshades for mini LCD screens, but I haven't seen anything quite like these Vello Mini LCD Hood Sunshades. Looks like it just folds over the flip out LCD on your camcorder or DSLR (with swivel screen) such as the Canon 60D, T3i, GH2, or even the new T4i. Available in 2.7", 3.0", and 3.5" inch LCD screens via B&H (Click Here).

Vello-Small-LCD-Shade
find-price-button Vello Mini LCD SunShade for Vari Angle LCD Screens

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Here's a (fairly lengthy) look at the Gini Rigs GH2 cage that provides all the cut outs to view controls and still have access to different ports around the camera. It looks like it's cut out to allow the LCD to still swing out also. No doubt it's high quality stuff, but there's been mixed complaints about the threading used on these cages as they may not be 1/4x20 accessible, but looking through the top area of the cage there seems to be different sized holes and threads. Maybe the new cages are supporting 1/4x20?

Still waiting to hear back from YouTube member feha1000 about that question, or if anyone else can chime in about a recent Gini Cage purchase. [Update] Here's the reply:

About 20 1/4" threads are on the top plate only the res M5 threads , and yes they work well with friction arms

Find more information on the Gini GH2 cage and other rigs following the link via eBay (click here).

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find-price-button Gini Panasonic GH2 Video Cage

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Gini DSLR Cage GH1 GH2 cameras

Anyone check out the Gini DSLR Cages for Panasonic GH1 and GH2 cameras? Snug fit, looks nice, but crazy expensive. [Thanks Habez] Gini's DSLR Video cages were recently criticized about the lack of 1/4x20 threaded ports which is most common for adding accessories, and ends up using a different thread pitch. People have had to drill and tap the holes themselves in order to be usable. From the deign, this one doesn't appear to be any different. Maybe i'm wrong about the thread size. Comes with two handles, two monitor arms, and cage. (click here for Gini DSLR cages for GH1 and GH2 cameras).

GH1-CageGH2-Cage
find-price-button Gini DSLR Cage for GH1 GH2 Cameras

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Panasonic 14mm Lenses

Ray writes in and shares an interesting link to some very cheap Panasonic 14mm Lenses. [Thanks Ray] These lenses are found for over $300 dollars on Amazon (seen here) and B&H (seen here), but at the listing it sells for just $164. Seller has excellent ratings and checking the feedback shows the seller has sold several of these lenses in the last month. Everything seems to check out fine and it's a hell of a deal. (click here for listings)

panasonic-14mm
find-price-button Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F/2.5

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The Tekkeon battery packs i'm using can vary voltage from 5V-19V DC. You've probably seen me powering up the 600 /900 LED light panels and also the ASUS Wireless HD streaming WiCast. By using a simple coupler, I can attach it to the Canon OEM AC-E6 wall adapter dummy battery and power up the Canon DSLRs. For those who want to use this on a rig, check out the video review I did on the Tekkeon Snap Package which adds on a second battery for extra capacity, and 15mm Rig mount from CPMFilmTools (here). Bits and pieces needed for this mod found below.


tekkeon-battery-packtekkeon-mp3450i-snap
find-price-button Tekkeon MyPower All Battery

DC-Coupler
find-price-button 5.5mm Female to Female DC Coupler

canon-ac-wall-adapter
find-price-button Canon AC-E6 AC/DC Power Wall Adapter

This little battery mod is not exclusive to just Canon DSLRs. I know that even Panasonic GH2 cameras have a wall adapter (found here) that outputs 8.4V DC. The Tekkeon battery just happens to have that exact 8.4V setting too, making it perfect to use something like this for longer run times on the GH2. You just need the adapter that comes with the dummy battery.

GH2-DC-Wall-Adapter
find-price-button DMC-GH2 AC/DC Power Wall Adapter

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