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I'm still getting questions about mounting the new IMG_3557_1024x1024 Carry Speed VF-4 on a GH3. I can tell you that it's a very tight fit on a GH3, and it hangs down just a hair below the LCD. See video below.

In the next video below, I'm using the VF-4 extension bracket to show how it can mount on a GH3 with a battery grip attached. One problem with the GH3 grip is that it will relocate the tripod mount off center (to the right), but the VF-4 may be one of the only LCD View Finder products that has enough adjustment to work.

Here's an image Dennis shared with me where he mounts the VF-4 Quick Release plate under the P&C GearBox first which works as a small spacer to fit with the GH2 camera body [Thanks Dennis].

GH3-VF-4 GearBox

[Reminder] Expires this Wednesday June 12, 2013, here's a link to grab a $50 OFF coupon code good for the VF-4 or VF-4 bundle. More information about the new Carry Speed VF-4 LCD Video View finder can be found at CarrySpeed.com (here)

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find-price-button Carry Speed VF-4 LCD View Finder & VF-4 Bundle (with Extension Bracket).

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This looks like a fun project. David Sawyer has modified an electric trike to perform long tracking shots with a few DSLR or GoPro cameras hard mounted [Thanks David]. The agility of the electric three wheeler allows for some very tight maneuvering and interesting camera footage.

Here's a look at some images David has shared with his modified Three Wheel Electric Trike.

The Electric Trike David uses is of course a more expensive high end version with a front electric hub, but if you're looking for a cheaper Electric Trike Scooter solution about $350 bucks, there is a stand-up TRX electric scooter that should have no problems mounting a few small cameras to it. That's about the price of a Canon 50mm F/1.4 lens, check out the item below.

Electric Trike Video Track DollyElectric Trike
find-price-button TRX Electric Stand Up Trike Scooter - via eBay

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$149 for the FULL BOXED VERSION (just $79 upgrade) for Adobe's latest Photoshop Lightroom 5 is not a bad deal. For those who are still stuck on LR3 the price might finally be worth the upgrade. The new Adobe LR5 is available for pre-order following the link (click here)

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find-price-button Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Software MAC or Windows.

[Update] If you want the immediate download, here's a link to purchase for immediate download: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/983326-REG/Adobe_65215298_PHOTOSHOP_LIGHTROOM_5_.html

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Looks like ProCinemaTools.com already has a short video review of that Portable Telescoping Aluminum Mini Jib / Crane posted on this blog a few days ago.

Results in the video look pretty good, and besides not including enough weights to support a Canon 5D Mark III at full extension, it's seems like a decent jib for the price.

You can find the jib on Amazon (link here)

Portable DSLR Video Jib Mini Crane
find-price-button Amazon - Portable Telescoping Mini Aluminum Video Crane Jib

You can also find this same version on eBay (found here).

Portable DSLR Video Jib Mini Crane
find-price-button eBay - Portable Telescoping Mini Aluminum Video Crane Jib

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A simple tip to making a boring background interesting is to add a bit of color. Instead of using colored gels, i'm actually using color changing LED lights. You can see an example of how I've added a blue wash on the background with my FREE Manfrotto Monopod Give Away video (below). The best part is that with a simple swipe on my iPhone, I can literally change my background to a million different colors. So how is this all done?

Well, i'm going to show you a fun and easy way to create a DIY Wireless LED Light that can achieve millions of colors, and can all be controlled wirelessly through your iPod Touch, Tablet, or Smart Phone. The color wheel in the App allows you to blend the RGB LED lights to a variety of creative colors, control brightness, and even control the speed of sweeping (color changing) effects.

The LED Lights i'm using (found here Amazon) for this DIY Light Panel are originally designed for Car under lighting. The lighting tubes (not the brain) should be pretty durable and even weatherproof. The lights come with clips which make them easy to mount, and can be powered by a simple 12V battery to make the entire unit extremely portable. Hmm...could be interesting to use under my bed frame...

The only downfall to this kit is the long cables, but there are smaller units available for interior lighting. These kits can be purchased in small 2, 4, or even up to 10 LED bars. Lots of fun, easy to setup, and with your imagination i'm sure you can figure out some very creative ways to use these. I would love to hear what type of ideas you guys come up with (comment below).

Check them out via Amazon and eBay (below).

Wireless Bluetooth DIY LED LightBluetooth Wireless LED Light Cheesycam iPhone iOS Android
find-price-button Wireless Bluetooth LED Light Kit - via eBay

LED Video Light Bluetooth Wireless Cheesycam
find-price-button Wireless Bluetooth LED Lighting Kit - via Amazon

If you're not afraid to dabble in DIY another really great option are these RGB Color Changing LED Light Strips can be purchased for dirt cheap in a variety of lengths (or rolls). Wondering what to do with LED Strip lights? Here's a DIY LED light video using a common reflector from YouTube member Taylordfilms that will give you guys an idea on how to use LED strip lights.

Some of these LED Strips will come bundled with the remote controller to switch to dozens of colors (found here).

DIY RGB Million Color LED Light Strip ControllerRGB Color Changing LED Light Strip
find-price-button DIY RGB LED Light Strip with Color Changing Remote

If you don't believe how cheap these things are, here's a link to an Amazon product where you can get a 16ft strip of 300 RGB Color Changing LEDs + power adapter + remote for under $27 bucks
16ft Color RGB LED Strip Light Controller
find-price-button 300 RGB Color Changing LED + Power Adapter + Remote Controller

If you really want the Wifi feature there are options for special RGB LED Wifi Controllers. Some appear to use a full Wifi SSID (not bluetooth) for extended range. Check out some of the other Wifi LED Remote options to DIY your own million color backdrop (found here).

RGB Color Changing Wifi LED ControllerWiFi RGB LED Strip Controller Wirless Color ChangingWifi RGB Color Change Lighting
find-price-button RGB Color Changing LED WiFi Controller

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Here's another Giveaway i'm sponsoring. This time i'm giving away a brand new Manfrotto 561BHDV Video Monopod. This has been one of the most popular video monopods among DSLR Video shooters, with great reviews across the internet. If you want to find out more about the 561BHDV, check out this previous article (found here).

561BHDV Video Monopod Manfrotto DSLR VideoManfrotto 561BHDV Monopod Video
Manfrotto 561BHDV Video Monopod with Fluid Foot Base

To register for your chance to grab one (or maybe your second one), simply register the form at the following Swivex page (click here)

561BHDV Give Away Cheesycam
Register for Manfrotto 561BHDV Video Monopod - Give Away.

[note: promotion available for USA participants only]

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Here's a closer look at these BlackMagic-Cinema-Camera-Cage-production-4K1 inexpensive BlackMagic Design Cinema or Production 4K Camera cages. The unit is entirely made from metal and can be mounted fairly quickly to a BMCC camera.

The cage will allow dozens of new mounting points along the sides of the BMCC, but the top threaded plate may be too shallow to use with accessories. There is another version available that offers more mounting points in the handle.

Typically the cage requires the rail clamp to use a quick release plate, but in the video I share a tip on how to add a longer shaft 1/4 QR plate screw. Remember that this particular screw has a longer shaft, so it will be too long to use directly under a camera. Of course there are shorter versions of these screws if you want to replace all your Manfrotto (or other) screws into tool-less types. You can find these Extended-Long-Shaft-D-Ring-Dring-Tripod-Screw-Quick-Release-Plate Extended Shaft D-ring Quick Release screws via eBay (Click Here).

Extended Long Shaft D-Ring Dring Tripod Screw Quick Release Plate
find-price-button D-Ring Extended Shaft Tool-Less QR Plate Screw

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Here's an interesting new Quick Release Top Handle that uses a slotted mount to fit a variety of cameras including the BlackMagic Design Cinema, or 4K Production cameras, RED Scarlet, and EPIC. The Quick Release handle can be removed by sliding it off the sides by depressing the safety pins.

The QR Top Handle uses a leather design, and can be adjusted left/right along the rail for perfect center of balance on many different rigs. It's not cheap, but it's a very flexible design that can be used across many different cameras and rigs. It basically just requires a flat surface with 1/4 threads regardless of where the threaded holes lineup.

If you're thinking what i'm thinking, this also means it can be mounted to fit a variety of different DSLR Camera Cages. Check it out at (found here).

Scarlet BlackMagic Epic RED Top Handle QR-Handle-V3-multi-purpose-top-handle-blackTop handle BlackMagic Cinema Scarlet EpicQR-Handle-V3-multi-purpose-top-handle-black_01
find-price-button QR Top Handle for BlackMagic Design Cinema or 4K, RED Scarlet, EPIC, Cages

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There's currently discounts going (today only) for various types of Sandisk Media. Sucks because I just paid for a 32GB MicroSD Card for my new Samsung Galaxy IV cellphone and GoPro Hero3. I could have used these deals a few days ago. Check it out via B&H and remember it's for today only (found here)

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find-price-button Sandisk Media One Day Sale