• 6 Comments

•

One of the accessories that I still pack in my lighting kits today is the D-Fuse Pop Up Softbox. It's a quick and simple way to add diffusion to just about any LED light panel. And recently they've released a new version called the Trapezoid that offers some nice upgraded features.

One obvious feature with the new D-Fuse is that the softbox is now designed as a round circle, which is important to some that want a round specular reflection when shooting products, or when used as a catch light in a subject's eyes.

The next important upgrade is a locking sleeve that slides over the quick connect magnets. This prevents the rods (frame of the D-Fuse) to accidentally separate.

Another small design difference is how the D-Fuse Trapezoid tapers outward essentially increasing the overall size of your light source with further helps to diffuse and soften your light.

The D-Fuse Pop Up Softboxes have been around for some time, and I still see it in use with many small production teams. There are no loose parts, very little assembly, incredibly lightweight, and tiny to pack up. If you're working with LED light panels, it's certainly something I recommend adding to your kit.

And if you're interested, you can receive 10% off using code "cheesycam" when purchasing through my affiliate link: ( Click Here for D-Fuse Trapezoid ).



D-Fuse Softbox D-Fuse Trapezoid (New Version) Pop Up Softbox

• 1 Comment

•

So of all cameras announced this year, I think i'm most impressed with the new Sony PXW-FX9 XDCAM. They've packed a lot of features in here that makes it such a versatile system, especially for the type of projects I work on. The price is steep at just under $10K, but when compared to the offerings of similar systems, it's got a lot going. Not to mention it's a full frame sensor, fast autofocus, and really performs well in dim lighting. I'll have more to say, but this looks like a camera i'm going to try out when it becomes available to see if I can replace my other cameras.


• 13 Comments

•

So I built an 80TB NAS (network attached storage) to edit videos with. Unlike direct attached storage options, using a NAS means other people in the office can edit from the same storage, can be accessed over the internet, and can easily be expanded (by upgrading to larger HDDs or daisy chain other NAS together). You also get the options for setting up RAID which provides some protection from data being lost to hard drive failures. And there's a whole lot more options to working with a NAS instead of a single attached drive, which i'll probably talk about at another time (or just leave me comments if you'd like to know why a NAS could be more beneficial to your workflow).

But in order to get the speeds needed for editing video, I upgraded the NIC to a 10Gb Ethernet card, and had to get a Thunderbolt 3 to 10Gb Ethernet adapter. This gives enough Read/Write speeds for editing video, and I have placed my NAS about 75 feet away using a CAT7 cable.

If you're thinking about building one for yourself, or have any questions for building out a NAS and the workflow for editing from one, leave some comments below. As for the specific Synology NAS I built, here's the basic parts you need.

Basic parts Available on Amazon:
Synology NAS: https://cheesycam.tv/DS1819
10GB Card: https://cheesycam.tv/10Gb
Hard Drives (I used): https://cheesycam.tv/10TBHD
Thunderbolt 3 to 10Gb: https://cheesycam.tv/OWC10Gb


Learn More Synology 8 Bay DS1819+ NAS via Amazon

•

Sure, there's a million tutorials available online, but sometimes you just need a well written organized book by your side to get the most of out of an application. So if you're looking to learn Fusion in Davinci Resolve for adding additional effects in your basic edit with Fusion, there's a great deal on the official e-book for the Kindle app at just $5.99 right now (found here).


Learn Fusion Visual Effects with Davinci Resolve

While you can do quite a bit of 3D and tracking in other applications such as Adobe After Effects, Adobe does require an indefinite monthly subscription - which adds up over time. Davinci Resolve is a one time price (buy it here). Even if you're editing in something like FCPX, Resolve is still worth owning. The full version includes important plugins such as Noise Reduction, Deflicker, and Motion Blur (which you would have to pay for a seperate plugin anyways). Since Davinci Resolve offers everything from Editing, Color Grading, VFX, Audio Editing, etc there's plenty of reasons it's worth a purchase.


Buy Davinci Resolve Software

This video is part of the official Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve 15 training series and will teach you how to use the Fusion page in DaVinci Resolve to create visual effects. Designed with help from certified trainers and professional visual effects artists, this video teaches you the fundamental concepts of the Fusion interface and its node based toolset. You’ll learn how to composite images, track objects, blend and merge layers, pull keys, work with 2D text, and use the paint tools.

If you're not familiar with the Kindle App, you just download it onto your smartphone or Tablet through the App store. Once you make a purchase on Amazon for an e-book, it automatically syncs with your installed Kindle App. All of the books you've ever purchased remain there in your account. So even if you're not ready to dive head into Fusion, it might still be a good idea to grab it at this sale price.

•

Not too long ago, sending wireless video to a remote monitor was expensive and mainly a need for professional camera systems. In the industry today, 'professional' camera systems has been redefined. You'll find professionals working with a variety of smaller mirrorless systems, but most of which offer an HDMI output video feed only. And that's where companies like Hollyland are providing more affordable products for wireless video.

The new Mars 300 is a great option for an affordable Wireless Video Kit targeted to those working with cameras that only require HDMI inputs. If you work with various cameras, Hollyland does offer more expensive systems that offer SDI, Pass through, Cross Conversion, longer range, lower latency, etc.

With the Mars 300 you'll get a system that works up to 300ft Line-of-Sight Range, up to 1080p 60 Uncompressed signal, a loop-out on the transmitter (in case you want to attach a second monitor), and powered by standard Sony L-Series batteries. If you want to power the system externally you can use 6-16V DC Power Input which means you can even power through p-tap (d-tap) from your v-mount or most any battery with a DC out.

It's probably as straight forward as you get, and one of the most affordable systems on the market (if you only require HDMI inputs). You can find the Hollyland Mars 300 Wireless Video Kit following the link (CLICK HERE).

•

ND Filters & CPL filters are pretty important for what I do. So when I can't get a filter on a lens, it's something that really bugs me. If you happen to cross thread and damage the filter ring on your camera lens, or like me happen to put a small dent on it, luckily there's a simple way to fix it with this tool.

This tool is extremely well made. All metal and pretty heavy. Two different sides should be able to fit just about any common lens diameter. You can use it to straighten out a bent filter thread or clean up cross threads. You can find this Lens Filter Thread Repair Tool tool on Amazon (click here).


• 3 Comments

•

Nearly one year ago, the Supreme Court ruled that out-of-state retailers must collect sales tax on internet sales. This, of course, included B&H. So now B&H has implemented a way to eliminate the impact this ruling would have on their customers.

If you're dabbling in the camera world, sales tax on equipment that costs several thousands of dollars is hefty add-on. That's why many people chose to buy over the Internet instead of from local retail. With the new Internet Sales Tax rulings, it would be worth taking a look at the new B&H Payboo Card..

Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Payboo Card benefit really work?
When you pay for B&H purchases with the Payboo Credit Card, B&H will charge the total of merchandise plus applicable fees and taxes; but we instantly issue and apply a reward on orders made in our SuperStore or shipped to eligible states right in checkout as a form of customer payment. Then, the amount charged to the Payboo Card is net of the benefit applied.

Am I paying sales tax on my purchase? Do I need to submit anything in my tax filings?
B&H will collect and remit state sales tax in accordance with state sales tax laws and regulations. So, customers do pay required sales tax and do not need to keep track or file anything separately.

Is there any limit or cap on the total amount of Payboo Card savings?
No. B&H will issue Payboo Card Savings rewards without any upper limit.

There's a lot more FAQ's available, and if you're interested in learning more about the new Payboo Card from B&H, you can read more about it by visiting the Payboo Card page (click here).

• 2 Comments

•


There are many use cases for needing video to be sent to a remote monitor, and many reasons why this has to be done wirelessly. But most of the products designed for transmitting video wirelessly from your camera to a remote monitor have been too expensive, and cheaper DIY solutions have been too clunky (mounting, powering, latency, etc).

But now there's hope for the masses. The Accsoon CineEye is an exciting new Pocket-Sized 5G Wifi Video Transmitter first introduced at the 2019 NABShow. The design is simple. Small, internal rechargeable battery, and a single HDMI input. Instead of requiring a separate receiver, the video feed from your camera is sent through the CineEye and viewed on a smartphone or Tablet via a Wifi connection and an App.

Since we're talking about using a smartphone as a monitor, the Accsoon CineEye App includes many 'monitoring features' you might find in more professional monitors such as zebras, focus peaking, histograms, and even LUT support.

If you're looking to share your video feed to multiple screens, the CineEye is capable of streaming up to 4 devices simultaneously without degrading performance. Speaking of performance, the latency of the video stream is incredibly low and seems fast enough to pull focus with during a live shoot. Retail price should be just around $210 US dollars, which in my opinion is a steal. The CineEye will be available on Amazon later this month (check here).


Learn More CineEye Pocket-Sized Wireless Video Transmitter

•

Who likes old vintage lenses? I do! Just picked up another. Here’s my first test of the #helios 44-2/58 on my #Canon #C200. Threw a random grade in #DavinciResolve. I love the smooth long throw of old manual lenses, and the imperfections old lenses have is all part of the ‘character’.

Here's a few frame grabs from another shoot using the C200 and Helios Lens.


Many vintage lenses can be adapted to fit just about any camera, and the Helios 44-2 can often be found for just around $50 dollars (found here). A really fun lens when you're in the mood for some artsy shots.


Learn More Helios Lenses