Tagged with gear - Personal View Talks

TVLogic VFM-056W/WP monitors

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:44:12 +0000

Small monitor full of various features.
Top model has waveform and vectorscope.
Average price for top model is about $1490

5.6" 1280x800 Resolution
Supports TVLogic Color Calibration Utility for proper color alignment
Focus Assist
DSLR Scale
1:1 Pixel Mode
Marker
User Aspect
Blue Only/Mono
HDMI&SDI Audio
Zoom
Magnesium Housing

Waveform/Vector Scope (Y/ Cb/Cr, Wide Type, Line Waveform)
Range Error
Luma(Y') Zone Check
HDMI to SDI Through-out
3G Level A/B
Embedded Audio Level Meter 16Ch
Time Code Display

More info : http://www.tvlogic.co.kr/Product/Product_10_01.asp

DslrSolutions Budget portable follow focus system - any good?

jimtreats — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:09:13 +0000

A friend sent me a link to this fairly neat simple follow focus system

http://www.dslrsolutions.net/dslr-follow-focus

I quite like the look of it for a really light system, not sure how well it will work. I'm very tempted though.

I tried messaging them to ask about using the device on metal lenses like the Voigtlander ones, I don't fancy putting something metal on metal, its clearly designed for the more normal rubberised focus wheels. I reckon you could put something in between the metal wheel and this device to protect it though.

Anyone had any experience with them?

Cheap and powerful studio light with softbox

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Fri, 13 May 2011 20:06:18 +0000

Quite interesting and cheap light ($149 only)

Features:
◦ LED quantity: 306
◦ Max output(Watt): 18 w LED (270 w incandescent equivalent)
◦ Beam angle: 60°
◦ Photo Luminance Factor: 220
◦ Color rendering index（Ra): ≥85
◦ Color temperature: 5600K
◦ LED longevity: >10000h
◦ Power input: AA Battery×10 & DC12V/2A
◦ Housing size (mm): 250×145×85
◦ Weight (g): 380

Includes:
(1) Lamphead
(1) Reflector
(1) 24" Softbox

eBay: http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=ProMaster++VL306+

You can find it in many other locations, actually.

For example, 2x kit can be abtained for around $400

Cheap supercardioid mike

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Mon, 09 May 2011 00:34:03 +0000

Supercardioid mikes are not very common.
Powered mikes are even more rare.

Here is interesting Chinese mike ($43 shipped).

http://cgi.ebay.com/HD-DV-Stereo-Microphone-Canon-7D-60D-5D-II-550D-/110668199161?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c456b4f9

Manufacturer page : http://www.cn-shanhe.com/en/product_d.asp?id=1042

Interesting stuff: RigWheels

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:52:50 +0000

Love such small and slick things :-)

RigWheels Portable Dolly / Slider Wheels are a simple and sleek way to add motion to your images utilizing the support equipment that you may already own. Because RigWheels can mount directly to your camera rig or other support platform with one bolt, they are the easiest and most portable way for you to add smooth camera movement to your arsenal. RigWheels along with any nearby piece of pipe, glass, plexiglass, laminate, track or other smooth surface can give you the same seamless smooth motion.

Site: http://www.rigwheels.com/

Price: $140 for 4 with international shiping, not low I must say :-) - http://www.rigwheels.com/order-now/

Lilliput 5" HDMI monitors

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:14:08 +0000

5" high definition monitor

Price: $134

[https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lilliput-A5-5-inch-FHD-1920x1080-4K-HDMI-On-Camera-Field-Monitor-Broadcast-monitor-display-for/32877599128.html

Not good Stabilizer

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:56:51 +0000

Price: -

Platform is good, adjustable.
Same for rod length.
Also weight can be shifted, this is good.

Not recommended. See below.

Ruige Slim 5 and 7 inch monitors

DrDave — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:06:02 +0000

Anyone use these? They have some sort of peaking.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ruige-Slim-5-DSLR-monitor-TL-S500HD-/280711900819?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415bbbae93

Affordable tripod/head

evero — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:05:46 +0000

Many good advices on affordable equip on this forum. Would like to start a topic on affordable tripod/tripod heads :)
As far as I know, it's hard to do any bargains, mostly you get what you pay for. Also your choice is depending on type of use and weight of the rig.

Still, I'd like to hear what you use, and possibly an affordable tripod/head recommendations for typical GH2 rig with cage, FF, and some accessories.

So far, I've mostly been using Libec tripod, LS38 (around $600) http://www.libecsales.com/products/ls/ls-38-2a.html

Adapting still lenses for video work

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:43:23 +0000

Via http://dslrvideoshooter.com/episode-23-preparing-photography-lenses-for-video/

14W LED Light

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:59:05 +0000

Price: from $96 shipped

Cheapest seller:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-5010-6500K-Light-Lamp-Video-Camera-DV-Camcorder-/270782574370

Larger price, better feedback:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-LED-5010-Video-light-Canon-JVC-Pentax-Olympus-/170666225076

Interesting stuff: Lens support. Handy, high quality and cheap.

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 15:38:50 +0000

That I like about it is good quality, light, easy to adjust.

Must have if you use big old glass mounted via cheap adapters.

Price: about $30 shipped

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wieldy-Lens-support-mount-15mm-rod-rig-5d2-7D-DV-/110711350551

Choosing the Right Lens, short video

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 04:44:43 +0000

In most part it is for Canon owners.
But it also describes (in very simlified form) why you need primes.
And why you need follow focus.

Another Chinese shoulder support

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:07:54 +0000

Price: $71 (including shipping)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Video-Cam-Shoulder-Bracket-Support-Stabilizer-CAMCORDER-/330581066019?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf82ac123

Another variation on specific kind of shoulder supports.
One of advantages is that you can turn it and it includes normal quick release.
Downside is that you really need offset with HDSLRs, so, you'll need to turn it and also fix camera on QR plate under angle.

Mattebox

Aksel — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:58:16 +0000

Hi Everybody
I was looking for a Mattebox for my GH2 and I found this one on ebay, what are your thoughts? and do you recommend something cheeper and better?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mattebox-Sunshade-fr-rod-support-DSLR-lens-hood-t3i-hdv-/270770802129?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories&hash=item3f0b328dd1#ht_3937wt_1165

Thank you

USB 3.0 docks

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:36:43 +0000

I already posted topic about my favourite storage solution - Acer EasyStore.

Now I want to tell you about external HDD dock I use.

It has cryptic name - AGESTAR 3UBTFT.

Uses USB 3.0 as interface.
Very quiet.
Speed is above 100MB/sec on large files.
If you are shooting big amount of video, bunch of 2Tb or 3Tb disks and such dock can be complete solution.

Not bad for < $30 product.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AGESTAR-3UBTFT-USB3-0-SATA-HDD-Docking-Station-New-/250802843206?pt=PCC_Drives_Storage_Internal&hash=item3a6503ae46

Books: Gear is Good, Vision is Better.

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:34:14 +0000

In fact, this free book by Scott Bourne is called Vision.
But title represents its main tagline.

Book about importance of vision and creativity in photography.

Download it here - http://static.animoto.com/files/vision.pdf

'Tactical Rig' old

ed_lee83 — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:21:17 +0000

Why exclusive? Because it comes with a unique shutter release pistol grip that can remotely enable video recording!
I only have limited stock as I am not the manufacturer nor retailer.

Good Deals: Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:14:24 +0000

Many believe that it is sharpest from all macro lenses.
And Sony/Minolta mount version allow to get it cheaper (plus 140mm macro seems more usable on GH bodies).

Price - $295 BIN normal price is around $500.
Mount - Sony/Monolta

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-70mm-f-2-8-EX-DG-Macro-lens-Sony-Minolta-mnt-/200616813281?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2eb5b1a2e1

Good Deals: NIKON 80-200mm 2.8 ED AF-D

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:47:43 +0000

Good, sharp lens. No major flaws.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200.htm

Price - $399

http://cgi.ebay.com/NIKON-80-200MM-2-8-ED-AFD-LENS-/160599200817?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2564755431

Good Deals: Sigma 70-210mm 2.8 APO

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:57:31 +0000

Nikon Version. AF not working.
Price is $175.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-Sigma-70-210mm-2-8-APO-Zoom-Lens-why-use-80-200mm-/260796726020?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3cb8b23b04

Good Deals: Tokina AT-X SD 80-200MM

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 08:41:00 +0000

Tokina 80-200mm in first manual focus version.
Quite famous MF push-pull zoom.
Not very sharp wide open, but much better closed down.
Price is $100, for Nikon version. Very rare on ebay (normally you could see it at $250-$400).
Reason - this is some kind of sale of everything (look at other seller lots).

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tokina-AT-X-SD-80-200MM-1-28-P-N8306432-W-Case-Used-/290572967550?pt

Things: Rail Block hotshoe adapter for 15mm rods

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:33:12 +0000

I am starting new category of topics about interesting things done by people or companies and that are really useful.

Really useful for mounting things sometimes, on cages, etc.

http://shop.ebay.com/greg_tay67/m.html?_ds=1&_fcid=168&_localstpos=&_ssn=greg_tay67&_stpos=&gbr=1

Juicedlink DS214 Review

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Wed, 18 May 2011 00:48:32 +0000

Made by DSLR FILM NOOB.

Some words and photos also at:
http://www.dslrfilmnoob.com/2011/05/16/juicedlink-ds214-full-review/

Quite strange FF

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Wed, 18 May 2011 01:26:54 +0000

Interesting design. :-)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Falcon-Follow-Focus-/180666353427?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a108dc713

Lokks like Finland produced.

Two lenses and electrical FF for 3D, less than $400

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Wed, 18 May 2011 01:34:48 +0000

I know that many guys who are interested in 3D are visiting our site, so may be it'll be of some interest for them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-Canon-50mm-f-1-8-Lens-el-Follow-Focus-Carbon-/280676697503?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4159a2859f

Advice on big camera bag

stoney — Sun, 15 May 2011 23:23:02 +0000

I've been looking for a big "camera" bag to hold all my gears since those video bags are too big.

Usual camera gears, rig, preamp, mic, xlr cables, LED light, etc.

Urban Disguise 50 V2.0 looks just right. But I haven't decided yet.

What bag do you use?

Using only two lenses

stoney — Sat, 14 May 2011 21:31:40 +0000

Originally lpowell's tip. Carrying two matching lenses seems working most of the time.

Lumix 20.7 and Hexanon 40.8
Vivitar 28/2.0 and Hexanon 57.4
Any 50.4 and either Lumix 25.4 or Nokton 25.95
Lumix 7-14 and Lumix 14-140
etc

I don't own half of them. Nokton.. ah... sad. A year ago I thought owning 3 lenses would do it... but I wanna own more lenses. Not to carry them all the time. To have more selections in dual lenses.

Nikon lenses sharpness comparison

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:36:56 +0000

Made by one of NikonRumors.com authors.

Only lenses with full frame sensor coverage are included.

Good Deals: Tokina AT-X 24-200mm lens

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:10:34 +0000

One may ask - why bother with usual ultrazoom, especially not widely known?

Other question is - why AT-X (reserved for top Tokina lenses) mark on ultrazoom? Are they nuts?

I'll provide you some answers :-)

First. It is best ultrazoom, considering build quality. Solid aluminium barrel. A bit large, but feels perfect on camera.
Second. This is parfocal ultrazoom, only one that I know of. It means that it maintains focus during zooming.
Do you want to focus pricisely in 24mm? Zoom all the way in, focus and zoom back :-)
This is main reason why it holds AT-X mark.

One of the downsides is very short focus throw and small focus ring.
One of pluses - normal and handy aperture ring.

Get at quite cheap price (for this lens) in Nikon mount:
http://cgi.ebay.com/EXCELLENT-Tokina-24-200-3-5-5-6-AF-AT-X-len-Nikon-/320694495378?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item4aaae1a892