Videography Gadgets

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Well here's another article that will probably get quickly outdated. Remember those 240 LED Bi-Color (Color Changing) on camera LED lights from here: http://cheesycam.com/color-changing-dimmable-240-led-video-light/? Well, I was lucky to grab a set and then they were gone, never to be seen again. Apparently there might be some type of exclusive distribution that won't allow them to be sold on eBay, but if you really really wanted them, you can find them for almost twice the price at some retail locations.

So for on camera lighting that adjusts to the ambient, you've got a choice on the 312 Bi-Color LED lights which 'totally rock' BTW (I have a set and will do a video tomorrow), but those are still running about $230-$499. Here's an interesting one that just showed up and comes in a bit cheaper with 277 LEDs from maker Socanland with the same color changing features and powered by what looks like Sony style batteries.

daylight-color tungsten-led-color

States only two available at this time, so this could be one of those times it's here today and gone tomorrow. Apparently Socanland was at NAB and are manufacturers of other large LED video lights. The only video I could find about this company is the one below on some larger 1x1 sized light panels.

So for now, only a few of these smaller 277 Bi-Color Changing Dimmable LED Video lights from Socanland are available along with a 310 Bi-Color version. Personally the 310 version looks overkill on the whole digital display and I feel it's overpriced. You would be better off with the 312 Dimmable Bi-Color LEDs if you wanted to go that big.

Not sure how long this company has been around, but it looks like in the near future we could be seeing a line of Socanland products competing in the LED Video light market.

277-LED-bi-color-lightbi-color-led
find-price-button 277 LED Bi-Color Changing LED Video Lights

310-Bi-Color-Changing-LED310-color-changing
find-price-button 310 LED Bi-Color Changing LED Video Lights

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What is Eye-Fi? It's an SDHC card with built in wireless capabilities to send the photos or videos directly to a computer or uploaded to the Internet (originally). Well with Eye-Fi's new Direct Mode on the Mobile X2 SDHC card, your camera will automatically send the image from your camera directly to your Tablet or SmartPhone via an Ad Hoc network (directly). This includes iPads, iPhones, and Android devices. You'll need to configure the card's wireless settings (just one time), and then from there it's all gravy. The new Mobile X2 is available now, and older X2 cards might get this feature via a firmware update. This totally simplifies the workflow for Photographers that often use this wireless tethering technique to view images with their iPads for a full blown view on Exposure and Color Balance. Heck, might be a good way to dial in your video exposure settings too.


Eye-Fi Mobile X2
find-price-button Eye-Fi 8GB Mobile X2 SDHC Class 6 Wireless

Yeah I know what you're thinking. Only cameras with SDHC so what about Compact Flash shooters? From what I remember, the cards even work with Compact Flash to SDHC adapters. Keep in mind that by using this technique you'll be dropping the speed rating down enough that the camera might not be able to shoot HD video. Of course still photos should hold up pretty well. Check out some of the adapters below.

Compact Flash SDHC adapter
find-price-button Compact Flash to SDHC Memory Card Adapter

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Not sure how many of you are following the 'Human Planet' television series, but it's something to look into. It's already pretty amazing what types of environments these film makers have to endure, but then at the end of the segment they always show some type of BTS of how they pulled off some of their camera movements. In one episode they showed how they setup a CableCam system to follow a man crossing over a turbulent river.

So now i'm interested in seeing if I can pull one DIY version off with a GH2 or at least a tiny version for a GoPro (you know just in case I run into a situation where i'm shooting over a turbulent river too). If you've got ideas for the best way to go about this, i'd like to see what you come up with. Here's a few interesting videos below on some motorized remote systems with pan heads.

Here's one below from Vimeo Member Photoship One, same guys who offer Helicopter mounted camera systems. Heck, if their version can support a GH2, I think it would do well in the market. On another note, with a motorized CableCam, has anyone attempted a motion control CableCam for super long TimeLapse?

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Steadicam has a smoothee, Cinevate once showed something for an iPhone about a year ago, Lensse has an iPhone version as well, but can be adapted to the GoPro. Somehow every company is finding a way to market tiny stabilizers for iPhones, Flip Cameras, and all types of point and shoots.

Olivia gets a demo from Tom McKay - President of Varizoom showing a regular FlowPod, as well as their new lightweight version. Now in the end of the video he throws out pricing, but when I was at NAB, I want to say that the smaller version was only around $150 dollars. That means it would be a bit cheaper than Steadicam's Smoothee as well as being a lot more functional.

I'll have to contact Varizoom to find out if the pricing he mentions was for the larger version that supports the GH2, because anything over $150 bucks seems a bit pricey. BTW, if you've followed Olivia's Vimeo profile she finally has her cast (broken wrist) taken off. Hilarious stuff... This was also a highlight from Episode 4 from her Myx-Rated Television show which is shot almost completely on Canon DSLR's.

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If you caught the video showing some of our ideas for setting up a cage during NAB, you might have caught a small double bracket holding the wireless receivers on top. This bracket is slightly expensive on it's own, but proved to be really functional. Here's another option for anyone looking to mount several accessories to the top of your camera, or to some sort of light stand. From CamCaddie, this 'Flashner' is available from 4", 8" and 16" lengths giving you plenty of rail for as many accessories as you can think of.

With up to 16" of hot shoe mountable rail, it would be pretty sweet to use these for an entire top and bottom section of a DIY DSLR cage. If you want to know what other options are available, click here. Otherwise the version below is a bit cheaper for getting several accessories mounted in one place.

Screen shot 2011-04-16 at 5.44.17 AM
find-price-button Flashner Accessory Mounting Rail Bracket 4" - 16"

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Nothing compares to a 'lightweight traveling camera stabilizer' like a portable Monopod. Whether it be for Photography or for Video, a Monopod can truly add stabilization on the fly. I wanted to travel light over to NAB, but still have some type of stabilization if needed. I ordered this Velbon Ultra Stick monopod, probably more out of curiosity about it's 'patented twist & release leg locking system'. After my first tests, I'm pretty surprised about how well it works, how sturdy it feels under the camera, and more impressed about how small this thing collapses.

If you caught me over at NAB2011, this was what I used under my 5D Mark II + 24-70mm F/2.8L + Rode VideoMic Pro. Often used just as a solid handle under the camera body, but for longer takes, I was able to extend it to carry all the camera weight. Collapsed, this thing is very very very small. Sets up super fast, breaks down even faster. The small size not only fits in my backpack, but it fits in the smallest outer pocket of my backpack. Collapses down to about 12.5" inches and weighs next to nothing.


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find-price-button Velbon Ultra Stick Monopod

Also Available at B&H
find-price-button for Velbon Ultra Stick at BHPhotoVideo.com

Or Adorama
Velbon Ultra Stick M50 5-Section Twist Lock Monopod with Neoprene Grip and Strap, Height: 12.8 to 51.5 inch
find-price-button Velbon Ultra Stick Monopod via Adorama

This thing lives in my bag now, and it will be the first thing I grab for quick stabilization or when I want to travel extra light. I think i'll grab one of those Monopod belt pouches which should add more functionality..


monopod-belt-pouch
find-price-buttonMonopod Belt Pouch

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If you've registered for Amazon Prime shipping, you know you can get something fast (two day FREE). I needed a set of batteries, and instead of going to my usual over seas and 4 weeks waiting store, I took a chance on the Vivitar branded version. Yeah I know they probably don't make them and who knows what they are really called. It charges on OEM, shows battery, the camera registers battery information, and seems to be doing fine (so far). We'll see how it holds up, but at least the price was about the same as elsewhere, and claims a 5 year warranty.

vivitar-lp-e6find-price-button LP-E6 Replacement 'Intelligent' High Capacity Battery (2000Mah)-5 Year Warranty

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Just answered a question about those power friction arms I was using on the JuicedLink Bracket (DSLR Cage) during NAB. Happened to find this today. Looks like some sort of limited time 'Super Deal Blast' where they are selling 100pcs only at a discount price and sale starts ...... wait for it..... ok now! Cheapest i've ever seen them, and everyone is definitely in love with these things, so won't last long (not after this post). Oh and umm...better make that 96 pcs, cause I just had to grab me a few extra ones at this price.

[Update] Sorry guys, seems like you wiped them out. No longer available on sale, just regular price ones found here: Variable Position Power Friction Arms

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find-price-button 11" Variable Position Power Friction Arm

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iPad Prompter

Crazy little iPad Teleprompter (iPad not included) shows up online. From the specs, it sounds good and price is not bad when compared with other prompters. Prompters are normally very expensive alone, and to see that this one comes with industry standard 15mm rods and clamps included in the price makes it even more interesting. This should help with the positioning of the prompter to just about any camera or lens combination, and still provide a very strong support.

iPad Teleprompter with 15mm Rods Rails

States that it's less than 4 lbs, the 70/30 beam splitter is real glass (not acrylic), and appears to pack all the parts into itself down to about an inch thick. Sweet design and would be very interested if someone gets a video review on this soon.

[Update] Video below, thanks Chris.

Screen shot 2011-04-14 at 11.58.29 PM
find-price-button iPad Teleprompter Glass BeamSplitter with 15mm Rods Clamps