Do you think with all the new gear Canon is announcing, they might be trying to offload some of their existing models that have been around for some time? Who knows, but the Canon Rebates are back, and they double if you bundle them with a select camera body. More information on the dedicated Rebates page (click here).
Canon DSLR Cameras, Lenses, and Speedlite Rebates
I don't know if I missed this, or this just showed up. Looks like E-Image is adding more products to their attack on the DSLR market. Here's what looks to be like a very effective camera slider using seperate linear guide rails. The carrier for the camera looks quite familiar to the 'guys in yellow and black'. This setup looks like they want to go long, calling it a video track kit.
The end plates require that you use two tripods to use this 'video track kit', and this design doesn't appear to be a solid setup for plain floor use. It's quite possible to make different ends with feet and legs to further make this a more versatile product, we'll just have to wait and see where they are going with this. For now you can try to keep up with the new products here: https://www.eimagevideo.com/enproductSeries.asp?fl=183
Varavon is a new company that seems to want to make a name for itself in fast growing world of DSLR's. We've linked to this viewfinder before, but it looks like it's recently showing up on eBay auctions and a recent demo video posted at Vimeo.com. Not the most modern design in view finders, but it looks like it's got some beef to it.
In the video (below), I have no idea what this guy is saying, but that viewfinder looks massive!
It seems to mount under the camera, and has some use for low angle shots through some funky mirror design. The price is extremely high for any LCD Viewfinder loupe, especially for a company that hasn't made a name for itself in DSLR country. I personally don't think this thing is going to flying off the shelves anytime soon, but if you care to peek, here's the link to the Varavon Profinder LCD Viewfinder Loupe
Another item Varavon is throwing out is their Camera slider called the 'Slide Cam'. Not a bad looking design with the black and red motif, but again price is going to kill 'em. Nothing special to talk about this camera slider, it basically slides a camera. But again if you care, Here's the link to the Varavon Slide Cam.
Check out this new DIY spin on an old DIY trick from Nate Gallagher. Inspired from the crazy popular Wooden Shoulder rig in which the handle is rotated as a follow focus system, Nate Gallagher takes a simple gear box and some type of U-Joint and transforms it into his own clever Follow Focus whip. The main advantage this design has over the wooden rig is that the FF can be rotated 360 degrees. The whole shoulder rig is a bit raw in aesthetics right now, but mapped out well for functionality, and for me is the most clever 'DIY follow focus' since the Wooden Shoulder rig from Jonathan Clifford Bergqvist. Apparently these parts may have come from a previous salvaged item, and I'm hoping to get a bit more information on the parts used. Just by looking at it though, there's no reason you can't use the famous Traxxas Universal Joint (From RC Cars) made famous by WSCLATER for this type of Follow Focus whip.
click image to buy from BHPHOTOVIDEO.com
Well i'm sold on the Transcend 400x cards I just received last week. I purchased (4) 32GB cards with next day air because I knew I would need the space. I was only supposed to test these out, but this was a lifesaver, as I ran super low on available disk space and fell back onto these for all three days. They all performed without a hiccup, fast and reliable. I shot, dumped, formatted, shot dumped formatted, shot dumped formatted all three different days and they all still performed without a problem.
click to find Z96 Dimmable DSLR Video Light
Another piece of gear that performed pefectly was that Z96 Dimmable DSLR LED Video light. I'm still getting quite a bit of questions about it on each event. It's still so new I guess and not many people are seeing these in use. There was a photographer on site trying to get a decent shot of a beautiful wedding cake, but the flash wasn't really giving the best look with the dark ambient. With two LED light panels positioned high on each side, the photographer was able to shoot with a decent ISO giving a more natural look to the cake. Another good example of using these Z96 LED Video lights over flash, especially since these high end DSLR's do much better with ISO noise. You couple that with the new Noise Reduction filters on Lightroom 3 and you've got a better natural image than that of with flash. One set of Sanyo Eneloop Rechargeable batteries in these Z96's are all it takes for a full day of shooting.
Quick over view of what to expect from the Z96 Dimmable DSLR LED Video light that everyone is raving about. As of now, since it's fairly new, it might run you about $20 dollars more than the 126 LED lights. I personally think that $20 dollar difference is well worth it, considering you'd be buying a $400 dollar unit similar to this from the brand names.
The Z96 carries many of the same features that make the 126 very popular. Dimmable lighting, multiple battery sources, LED technology, and cheap cheap cheap. Originally LED video lights were hitting the streets for over $400 dollars, so even thought this is NOT as cheap as the 126, it's still a bargain you can't complain about.
It's smaller, but feels more solid than the 126 LED video light. Smaller is nicer since it doesn't take up bag space. Too much spotlight is offending to your subject, so it's very nice that the LED's on the Z96 (even without the diffusion panel) work better than the 126 LED. The adjustable shoe mount neck is a much better design as well. Not as tall, but definitely solid enough to keep from adjusting off position. I like everything about the Z96 and the additional price I feel is well worth it. The 126 has been a solid performer for me and I currently own 3 of them still in use today. I haven't thrown the Z96 around as much so we'll have to hear about the long term durability. For now when i'm ready to work, this Z96 is the one LED video light i'll always grab first.
Note:If there are clones of real products, it's not uncommon to see a 'Clone' of a 'Clone'. We see this already with Battery grips. Mine is solid quality, fast shipping, great price. Here's the seller you should be buying from if you're considering purchasing the Z96 Dimmable LED DSLR Video Light.
Z96 Dimmable DSLR Video Light
[Update] Other links if the top one doesn't work Click here for Z96 Video LED Light
Ok, another product that's not out on YouTube or Vimeo. Nobody's got reviews on these items, why not? They just make sooo much sense. Lighting has always been an issue whenever we traveled. Halogen bulbs can break by the time your plane lands, and you're pretty much stuck. Hot bulbs are always uncomfortable to work with. Breaking down hot bulbs is a pain in the a$$. So of course the only real option is LED lighting. You've seen these panels before i'm sure, but here's the only video I know that shows what they look like.
You gotta love how fast products are duplicated and how fast pricing comes down with technology. These video light panels normally run from $800 dollars on up from other manufacturers. The LitePanels 1x1 is a great light, but that runs well over $1,800 dollars +. Totally not in my budget. Now this company on Amazon sells these video lights starting as low as $200.00 dollars. That I can afford. The closest thing on the market to these types of lights are those made by FloLight, which run a little more than twice the price.
FloLight 1000 LED Panel (Twice the Price)
After researching different models of this type of LED light panel, I settled for the lights from the Amazon links below since the seller is using Amazon fullfillment services for two of the items. This means these items are sitting in the Amazon warehouse for super fast shipping. The latest model with the Dimmer is coming directly from the retailer, possibly because it's a new product that just hit the Internet recently. Ok let's show some lights::
| 500 LED Video Light (no Dimmer) | 500 LED Video Light (with Dimmer) - I like this one. | 1000 LED Video Light Panel (no dimmer option) |
I was able to locate this listing. This might be a mistake, but it looks to be the exact same 500 LED light (no dimmer), but this listing comes with a LightStand. Saving you at least an extra $20 bucks.
Wait, they just snuck in another combo deal - more savings. This one shaves a few bucks for buying two + they added light stands.
This is another LED Video light panel (below) that uses a different type of LED. The design on this LED I believe allows for a further 'throw' if your subject is further away.
56x 1watt LED
Wow, it's amazing how a simple product from the aisles of a home improvement store can be transformed into so many different things by so many different people. In Video world, this is actually becoming a quite popular little DIY stabilizer and feedback has been great about the stability of the tool. Here's a couple more rigs that are popping up.
And here's a couple of Photos submitted by Sean Brown. The rig was used somewhere in their 'Lightface' film project.
Check out the Video trailer below shot in what I believe is the Canon 550D / T2i. I get lots of emails, so if I've missed anyone else, or if you have one to share, let me know, thanks.
This probably isn't the real music in the above video. It appears someone may have pulled down the video, remixed the music, and then published via Vimeo. So if you're not seeing a Video above, it's probably been taken down.
The point of this post is to point out that this music video was shot with DSLR's, I'm guessing most likely Canon since Nikon isn't up to par with 1080. All that work and no 1080 just doesn't make much sense to me. Anyways, don't listen to the music so much as to view the actual Video footage caught on DSLR's. Kylie Minogue - All the Lovers
More information can be found at EventFilmMaker.com
