Videography Gadgets

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Wondlan's sporting a new Carbon Fiber Video camera Stabilizer and Vimeo member LJ Lee has a nice little review. I like the fact that it can be extended long enough to be used as a short monopod, something the Glidecam stabilizers won't do. It also has a ready quick release system to get the camera off. The top stage has all the adjustments for front / back / left / right to find the center of balance, but the lower sled doesn't look wide enough to prevent the common twisting motion.

Most Steadicam type stabilizer have a long bottom sled which increases the area for the turning axis (something like that). If you have all of the weight too close to the center of the post, it can easily drift, twitch, or jerk while walking. The handle looks a little small also, something that might be a comfort concern for those with large hands. There isn't a whole lot of sample footage in the video, but for the small movements it seems to work pretty well. Of course there's a lot of practice and skill involved to pull off good footage too. [Thanks LJ] The Wondlan Carbon Stabilizer is already available following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Wondlan Carbon DSLR Video Camera Steadicam Stabilizer

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Great job from Vimeo member Oliver for this DIY motorized Pico Flex Table Dolly. It's a direct friction based drive wheel, which doesn't require much torque. The dolly rolls very easily with little effort from a motor. I was testing out something similar several weeks ago using a pulley wheel to a continuous rotating servo found (here). I used the same basic battery box, continuos rotating servo, and speed controllers as in the DIY motorized JuicedLink slider project. You can find a list of those parts (here). I can see that Oliver is using a servo tester, which is a much cheaper solution than the servo controller I was using. [Thanks Oliver]

If i'm correct, that servo tester is just the basic ones found over at eBay (click here).

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find-price-button Servo Tester

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(BTW: The video (below) was shot on the Fuji X10. Notice all the aliasing? I think the Sony HX9V shoots better video, but the X10 does way better Photos)

Even though small cameras don't share the same video quality as the DSLRs, I still love to shoot with them. Especially for little reviews like this on the blog, i'm not overly concerned with quality. Heck most of my videos are uploaded in 480 SD. When shooting videos with small cameras, I like using grips. I wasn't too happy with the current small handle grips on the market, so it was about time to make something new.

PNC Grip (4 of 4)
(left to right - Barska, Opteka, PNC Grip)

The Barska is a great handle, but you'll need to grind down the threads a bit. The narrow platform overflows a small and wide camera base, but is suffice for light gear. The Opteka is mostly plastic and has a mini-quick release. This is not suitable at all for anything more than say a FlipHD. I wanted a handle that would fit my needs when it came to the cameras I was working with. I felt that most people who shoot with small cameras like me could benefit with an updated handle design.

PNC Grip (2 of 4)PNC Grip (3 of 4)

These new handle grips from PhotographyandCinema.com have a wide base compared to the narrow ones available today. The new PNC Grip is much larger than the Barska, and has the rubberized coating which has a professional feel to it. The wide platform carries the weight better and ensures less twisting with a heavier load. Great for all the new small cameras like Canon S100, Panasonic GX1, Fuji X10, Sony NEX-5n, etc. A simple idea that makes a lot sense with the current trend in pocket video cameras (at least for me). It's on the last leg of completion and should be available soon. Target retail price?? Trying to get it around $20 bucks. Follow me on Twitter to stay up to date on new products like this https://twitter.com/Cheesycam.

PNC Grip (1 of 4)

[Note: PhotographyandCinema.com is a website I design products for.]

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Varavon shows it's latest Loupe EX Solo View Finder on a Canon 60D. The Loupe EX Supporter (metal bracket) was designed to work on swivel LCD cameras such as the GH2, 60D, T3i. Without the Supporter bracket, the new Loupe EX can be mounted on cameras using a metal frame at the tripod mount. The Supporter bracket is not yet available through B&H, but the Loupe EX Solo are already available (click here).

varavon ex-solovaravon view finderScreen shot 2011-09-15 at 8.50.48 AM
find-price-button Varavon New EX-Solo View Finder

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What do you think about when you hear the name Benro? Maybe photography tripods? Photography monopods? Photography ball bead mounts? Benro is a pretty decent name when it comes to lightweight sturdy tripods, but they're not known to be dabbling into the video market (until now) [Thanks Deepak].

The New Benro AD71FK5 Dual Stage Video Tripod Kit is a 60mm bowl mount Fluid head, that is designed to support cameras weighing up to 11 lb (5 kg). Perfect for today's DSLR shooter. Not bad for specs, since Manfrotto's 701HDV is only rated at 8.8lbs. Reversible pan bar, a nice 4" sliding quick release plate, mid level spreader complete with travel bag. The sturdy and light-weight tripod extends from a minimum height of 28.1” (71.3 cm) to a maximum height of 60” (152.4 cm). I'm very interested to see how Benro is going to do with their only video tripod, but so far the price looks pretty good. These new Video tripods from Benro are already available via B&H (click here) and via Amazon (click here).

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find-price-button Benro AD71FK5 Fluid Video Head Tripod Kit

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Looking to license music tracks for your next project? Then check out Vimeo's new Music Store. For those of you who produce music, there could be a possibility your music tracks could get added to the Music store if you're registered with FreeMusicArchive or AudioSocket. More information following the link below. Check out Vimeo.com/MusicStore

Vimeo Music Store
visit-button Vimeo Music Store

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Swivi (Swi-vee), the external 5.6" swivel LCD monitor has been showing at PDN New York for the past few days (still showing) and a few blogs have already published about it. I have not seen the final version of this product, but I hear the build quality was beefed up and other software features were added. The few that were brought to the show for early birds were sold out in a few hours at a $300 dollar price tag (don't quote me on that price). Hopefully we'll have more information when it's officially released for sale online. No news if i'll get to see the final version anytime soon. Product page at https://www.swiviusa.com.

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Here's a very simple mod you can do with a Fotopro Transformer tripod or sometimes called the Polaroid All Terrain tripod. Available in ugly chrome and Gunmetal Grey. When choosing, be aware that some packages don't come with all the pieces. It's probably found under several different names too, but basically it's a flexible tripod with swappable feet and uses the standard 1/4x20 thread.

Parts needed:
1) Flexible tripod with removable feet
2) (3pcs) 1.5" 1/4-20 bolts & (3pcs) 1/4-20 jam nut,
3) (3pcs) basic skate wheels and bearings. Could be Rollerblade or skateboard wheels.
4) About 30 seconds of time out of your day...

When unscrewing the feet from these tripods, they are on pretty firm. Don't worry, just wrench them off, they are indeed removable. The 1/4-20 bolt is not a perfect fit (a bit smaller), but it really doesn't matter once it's rolling. Just don't crank down the bearings too tight or the wheel won't move as freely. This particular tripod isn't built for huge cameras, but should do fine for cameras around 3lbs. For anything heavier, I still recommend at least the Pico Flex table Dolly.

Something like this is perfect for camera sizes like the Sony HX9V or GH2. Find these tripods on both eBay (click here)

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find-price-button FotoPro Flexible Transformer Tripod – via eBay

and also via Amazon (click here).

Transforming-Tripod
find-price-button FotoPro Flexible Tripod Rubber Suction Spiked Feet - via Amazon

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I've been asked to recommend a good small ball head that would work well with the Pico Flex Dolly or a good one for small sliders. I tested out a few, and the one that seems to fit the best is the Fancier FT6691. It's larger than the Giottos mini ball head, but still smaller than the larger Fancier Ball head I often use with the Konova Slider. For the price, it's a perfect little head for even DSLR cameras giving you extra stability with your sliders or table dollies.

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All metal with strong clamp force to keep the camera in position and a quick release plate (with safety latch) so you don't have to spin your camera off. So far I haven't found anything else that offers this type of bang for the buck. If you've got suggestions for a good similar feature ball head, let me know. Floating around $24 dollars, you can find them over at eBay (click here)

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find-price-button Fancier Small Positionable Locking Camera Ball Head - via eBay

Cheaper and available for Prime shipping over at Amazon below (click here)

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find-price-button Fancier Small Camera Ball Head - via Amazon