15Apr Focus Buddy
A Quick FX viewer (and fellow ‘maker of things’) Dana Ray, mailed me a prototype of his latest Kickstarter project called the Focus Buddy.
The Focus Buddy is a “friction drive focus device” that simply attaches to the camera’s 1/4-20 mount and quickly adjusts into position.
The focus ‘wheel’ is an inline skate, and though these types of designs have been created before in the DIY community, I haven’t seen this specific simple – yet (super) effective design!
This is Dana’s first Kickstarter project and he did his best to show all of the different camera and lens setups that will work with this system.
I was surprised how fast the setup is and how well the focus system worked!
The focus is smooth and easy to dial in with the ergonomic position of the focus wheel. Though, this is a ‘friction drive’ setup so there is some “slippage” with the wheel on the lens band and the setup won’t currently work with a battery grip, so it does have it’s limitations.
But this setup is a great, low cost way to help with your DSLR focusing.
As I was testing out the focus drive with different setups and rigs I decided to attach it to my new ‘camera house’ pvc stabilizer rig and the Focus Buddy fit on it perfectly! So well in fact, that I might incorporate the Focus Buddy into my final design.
So, if you’re planning to build my new rig, you may want to look into this Kickstarter project!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1215923999/focus-buddy-a-dslr-focusing-aid?ref=live
This episode:
Music by Dan-O at DanoSongs.com – “Now is Now”
Some of the equipment used in this episode:
iPhone 5 (main camera)
Ego – Action Cam
External Audio: Zoom H1 Mic w/ Azden Lav Mic
Focus Buddy setup on:
Canon T2i (w/ Magic Lantern Firmware)
Lens: Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP Aspherical (IF)
12Mar The Novo – (Re-Housed GoPro Hero3)
This is pretty cool! View Factor Studios, in collaboration with Radiant Images, has developed and engineered a camera called The Novo!
The Novo is a re-housed GoPro Hero3 that is even smaller in size and offer much more flexibility and customization for cinematic filmmaking uses.
The video below breaks down all the details of this camera, highlighting a feature that I wish was already on the GoPro Hero3, which is an iris locking option.
The Novo camera setup is a bit of an overkill for those folks looking to helmet cam and traditional action cam video. But for filmmakers who are looking for more controllable options with a micro sized camera like the GoPro Hero3, The Novo looks to answer that need.
Along with the option to mount full size lens, I love the iris lock option that they developed into this camera! Hopefully, in the near future, GoPro can develop some firmware upgrades that could allow for options like The Nova provides.
Until we can see these custom options on the GoPro Hero3, it seems the camera is available for rental?!
Check out the Radiant Images website for more details and rental information for this camera!
27Jan DSLR Face
There’s a few faces many of you may be familiar with in the DSLR filmmaking world. Two of the most common are “The Viewfinder Angry Face” and the “Preview Face”. Well, for my “The Viewfinder Angry Face” is common while shooting video at work.
Other than looking like the angry filmmaker, squinting during the long shoot days would typically give me a headache as well. Awhile back I decided to experiment with using an eye patch to see if it’d help with my LCD viewfinder shooting.
Though it looks a little ridiculous, the eye patch actually worked great in the bright sunlight! I was able to keep both eyes open while shooting and I was able to hit my focus easier without the strain of my other eye squinting.
The eye patch was a bit rigid and the elastic strap was hard to manage when adjusting it with one free hand. The concept did work though! I feel like a more comfortable option like a simple bandana folded over one eye would be just a effect and serve a dual purpose to absorb sweat on a hot shooting day.
Another (more practical) is to wear a hoody and pull the hood down over your face as you shoot. This method worked the best and since the weather is so cold this time of year you’ll probably be wearing a jacket or hoody anyway.
The camera setup shown in this video:
Canon 5D MarkII
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L
Tiffen 77MM Variable ND Fliter
LCDVF Viewfinder w/ Blue Star Oval Small Eye Cushion
Rode VideoMic
Mounted on a Redrock Micro Shoulder rig
For my personal video and film work, I’m still using the same equipment I’ve been using for the past few years.
Some of the equipment shown here:
Canon T2i (w/ Magic Lantern Firmware)
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC
Modified DIY Viewfinder
P&C DSLR Pistol Grip Handgrip
DIY Camera Mic Windmuff
External Audio Zoom H1 Mic
More Details of this episode:
This episode was shot entirely on the iPhone 5
FilMic Pro App used for studio footage, synced with audio from the Zoom H1 Mic.
B-Roll was shot using the iPhone’s standard video camera
Edited in Premiere Pro CS6
02Dec Reflex Camera Rig – Shoulder Stabilizer
I came across this Kickstarter project last week. The Reflex Shoulder Rig is a camera stabilizer shoulder rig that features some unique features. Specifically, the twist-tightening quick grips and the single quick-release adjustment controls.
After contacting the creators of this rig, they invited me over to take a look at their DSLR camera rig. While there, I also had a chance to try it out myself. (video below)
Check out the Kickstarter Campaign for more info:
Kickstarter Campaign
Here’s some more test footage using the Reflex camera rig.
Check out the Kickstarter Campaign for more info:
Kickstarter Campaign
More about Reflex Fabrication:
www.reflexfab.com
Gear used in this episode:
Camera: Canon T2i
Lens: Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II
Rig mounted Camera: GoPro Hero 2
Mic: Zoom H1
07Nov DIY Shoulder Rig Counter-Weights
I receive a lot of feedback on my original PVC Shoulder Stabilizer rig tutorial asking about the counter weight.
The counter-weight setup that I use on these homemade dslr rigs is simply to attach a velcro strap ankle weight!
Watch the shoulder Rig Build Tutorial here:
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Equipment used/mentioned in this episode:
31Oct Zoom H1 Pack – Alternative to a Wireless Mic – QUICK TIP
Here’s a quick tip on how to setup your Zoom H1 as a dual purpose portable recorder that clips to your talents belt. This setup includes, a zoom h1, sm58 windscreen, phone pouch* (dollar store), stereo adapter and a lav mic.
*Thanks to TheFrugalFilmmaker.com for the idea to use the phone pouch!
This setup is a low cost alternative to a wireless mic system, as your talent can move around freely and the audio can be synced up in post.
While the mic windscreen helps hide the mic, it also allows for the mic to easily be transformed into a handheld mic by simply unplugging the lav mic.
Here’s links to some of the gear mentioned:
