Product Review:
By: Derek J. Allen
This weekend I received a Spider Brace to use with my HVX200. It’s a simple shoulder mount, constructed of PVC plastic, that quickly attaches to you camera with a twist of a screw. The 1.5lbs of the brace is so minor it’s virtually a non issue. It only takes a couple of minutes to assemble the device. Just screw on the shoulder extension, position the handles, and lock everything in place with little locking pins and you ready to go. (more…)
Filmtools offers a simple and very versatile camera/car mounting kit. By using 6 inch vacuum suction cups, steel rods, gobo heads, and a camera mounting platform, you can produce some very impressive driving shots. I’ve used this system and I was quite impressed with much flexibility it offers. Depending on your mechanical engineering sensibilities, you can devise a camera platform in any position for a camera of just about any weight. (approx. 50 lbs.)
The Rosco LitePad is a new twist on the LED light source. This 0.3 inch thick daylight balanced pad of could prove to be a helpful addition to your kit. Available in a variety of square and rectangle sizes from 3×3 to 12×12 inches, these thin, light weight sources can easily be tucked away into places the would be impractical for most other fixtures. I bet the tabletop photographers would love to have set of these on hand.http://rosco.com/us/video/litepad.asp
ALZO Video offers a variety of very low cost daylight light sources. The fixtures are built around the HMI HID bulb.Depending on the model you choose, the fixture is illuminated by 1-3 of these individually controled $75 HMI bulbs. The lights are not lensed, so control might be an issue. They seem to be best suited for use in a soft box, but you may find them useful for a bounce or even thru a window. With units ranging from $275 - $900, Alzo is worth a look. http://www.alzovideo.com
Cinebags has the answer for anyone using one of the small form camera and regularly brings a laptop out in the field. The CB-22 HD Backpack is a well thought out bags that offers plenty of room for a camera the size of HVX200, many of the necessary accessories as well as a 15″ laptop. http://www.cinebags.com/backpachcb22le.html