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.) 

http://www.filmtools.com/filmedweigca.html

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

Digital Heaven make a handy little Dashboard Widget (MacOS) called VideoSpace that calculates video storage space based on codec, frame rate and time. You can download the widget for free from their website. Final Cut Pro users may especially find the visit worthwhile. Digital Heaven offers a number of useful FCP plugins for very reasonable prices. http://www.digital-heaven.co.uk/

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

With Tiffen’s DFX Digital Filter Suite, you may actually be able to do just that. DFX is a series of digital filters that, in post production, can simulate the effects of many of Tiffen’s optical filters.Both Mac and Windows users can benefit from this product. DFX works as a plug-in for Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, After Effects, Avid, Combustion, and Premiere. It’s also available as a stand alone program. http://www.tiffen.com/products.html?tablename=dfx

Danish comapny UGRIP makes a wide variety of grips, handle, and clamps that work with a wide variety of cameras from DV/HDV to 35mm rigs. These products offer you a number of choice for how you hold you camera and attach all manner of wireless devices, disk recorders, zoom and focus controls. http://www.ugrip.dk/

The Woody light is a unique idea from gaffer Keith Morgan. This fixture, made from high quality oak, offers a great deal of flexibility. The unit consist of 4 medium base sockets (250w @) and a EGT lamp base that are controlled by individual switches and a single dimmer, all attached to the oak base.I’m not sure I get the advantage of the wood base but it seems like at versatile tool. http://www.woodylight.com/