B&H published a few articles in their Learning Library around popular gear in 2011. Check out a few of their articles that get in-depth with Fast Glass, Voice-Over equipment, Shotgun Microphones, On camera monitors, and Portable Audio Recorders. These articles are great reading materials for a more in depth look at at tips, tricks, and technical information.
At first glance, I thought 'wow, that's a pretty good price for a Redrock Running Man Nano Rig'. Turns out it's not an RR Rig, but another micro shooter style stabilizer. It's not exactly the same design, but you can see some resemblance to the RR Nano rig (found here)
While the RR i'm sure is heavily built around metal, metal, and more metal, this micro rig will probably yield much more plastic. Definitely not as cheap as the Magic DSLR Shooter Rig
DSLR Micro Rig with Pelican Padded Case
I am not expecting anything else from Jag35 except the latest wireless follow focus V2.. Anyone else excited?
Here's a better look at Varavon's latest Loupe Viewfinder. This one has a 180 degree flip up loupe that will provide you shade from the sun, even when you don't need a magnifier. The lens is glass and has a diopter to adjust for vision imperfections. Solid build with metal mounting brackets that can be positioned to fit a variety of cameras. The bottom thumb knob is all metal with a large base so that you can position a quick release plate underneath without wobbling.
If you choose to use the Loupe EX with a Swivel LCD camera extended (i.e. GH2 / 60D), they also sell a bracket for this to safely support the LCD from over extending.
The view finder is a solid choice amongst some of the other high end brand names, and is available for Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic GH1/GH2 cameras. Varavon also makes DSLR sliders, Cages, Video rigs, and other viewfinders. I'm extremely fond of their cage. Simple, ergonomical, functional, and lightweight. You can find more of those Varavon products available at B&H (click here).
Varavon Products - View Finders, Cages, Sliders, Rigs
And I didn't know it was available, but apparently they have almost all of their products on Amazon too (click here)
Varavon Products
Just posted a few days ago, YouTube member djteebz appears to be the first with his review on the little 5.6" external LCD. The video below is an unboxing, run through of the feature menu, along with some pros and cons with the Canon 5D Mark II.
Where's my Swivi Review? Well the Swivi has a built in miniHDMI male ended cable. This connects directly to any camera with a miniHDMI port, but because of this you can't use it remotely with a long HDMI cable. So before I posted my own review I ordered a small miniHDMI female to female coupler.
(click image for product)
This little coupler (ideally) would allow me to use the Swivi as a remote monitor if I wanted to use it on a Jib / Crane. Well unfortunately shipping from overseas takes several weeks, and i'm still waiting. Swivi units are available on eBay (click here)
And also available on Amazon (click below)
Swivi External Swivel LCD Monitor 5.6" Peaking Focus FREE sunhood included - via Amazon
Sorry guys, i'm in a bit of a rush today but thought i'd share some quick pics of Varavon's sexy new Loupe EX. You can see how there are a variety of adjustments that can be made under the loupe to fit different cameras. When i'm free i'll touch on it more.
Is it me or is this something new from Flycam? I don't remember seeing something exactly like this before in their product line. It's a new body vest support for those Flycam DSLR Stabilizers. It doesn't look like your typical spring loaded isoelastic stabilizer arm, so it may not be used for walking or running shots. It looks like it's just a system to help carry the weight, like the Body Pod system available from Glidecam (found here)
(Above) Typical 'Body Pod' type stabilizer support
The new Flycam Body Vest / Stabilizer Arm can be adjusted up/down, left/right, and angled in just about any fashion you can think of. The different joints in the arm can be locked in place, but I wonder if it can still be used and redirect some of that weight if it's left fairly loose.
So far it's only available as a combo with a Flycam, but it doesn't look extremely complicated if it's a DIY build you're looking to tackle. Found below (click here)
Flycam DSLR Nano Body Vest Stabilizer
Frank writes in and shares a new find [Thanks Frank]. Probably best known for their budget follow focus a.k.a. 'RJ Follow Focus', here's a new Matte Box in their product lineup. Not long ago they offered a cheaper plastic version, which I didn't think too highly of. Seems like they were listening and is now offering a more professional version with dual rotating 4x4 filter trays in a swing away design.
That's quite a bit of features for something in this price range, which is about $100 dollars cheaper than the TrusMT (reviewed here). Of course, no reviews on this item just yet about build quality, and what's up with the blue accents again? You can find the RJ Pro MatteBox available now (click here).
RJ Pro Matte Box Dual Rotating Filter Swing Away
Here's an interesting product that was linked to from Venga. The idea was to use it on the Pico Flex Dolly. What you see above is an inexpensive motorized Pan / Tilt head with wireless remote. Previous popular inexpensive motorized pan heads were from Bescor, but this is a new version from Polaroid which says it's designed to support a full SLR camera up to 7lbs. That's quite a bit. It looks like it's using infrared for it's wireless remote, but says it comes with a 20ft sensor cord + another 20ft extension cord, so no worries about line of sight. Can be powered with (5) AA batteries or DC in. Could be a fun addition to some DIY projects out there. Anyone try this out yet? I'm thinking GoPro HD camera, or maybe my Sony HX9V mounted outside a car with controlled pan / tilt...
Specifications
While the Bescor Motorized heads ran over $130-200 dollars
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Over on Amazon, the same Polaroid motorized Pan / Tilt head for SLR cameras runs just over $64 dollars and ships free for Prime members.
Polaroid Automatic Motorized Pan Head With Wireless Remote Control For SLR Cameras & Camcorders
[Update] Thanks to Steven for writing in. There may be an even cheaper price, but only a few in stock (Click Here)
for Polaroid Wireless Motorized Pan Tilt Head
