We sell a number of different quality shoulder mount rigs for HDSLR cameras, but often we have customers that just want to keep their cameras small and lightweight. One of the major advantages of shooting with an HDSLR is the ability to blend in with a crowd without anyone knowing you are shooting video. Here are a couple solutions that will allow you to add function and stability to your HDSLR camera, but still keep it small and relatively invisible.

iDC Run & Gun Kits

iDC has made a Run & Gun Kit for the Canon 5D Mark II, 7D, and Rebel T2i that is both small and very functional. The Run & Gun kit combines a modified Hoodman LCD viewfinder with a simple follow focus. The follow focus butts up against the lens and rotates focus or zoom using friction only, so there is no need for gears. The system does not utilize rods, which keeps it small and light. Additionally, the viewfinder is designed to quickly attach and detach from the camera for easy viewing. When held up to your eye with one hand on the camera body and the other on the follow focus, the Run & Gun kit is very stable and easy to use.

Zacuto Target Shooter

If you are looking for a small way to stabilize your HDSLR, then you might like the Zacuto Target Shooter. This small support is designed to add an additional point of contact with your body for increased stability. It may not seem like much, but with both hands on the camera, the extra support is sometimes all you need. The Zacuto Z-Finder Pro can also be added for better viewing and yet another point of contact with your body.

Manfrotto Monopod & Fluid Head

A unique solution that one of our sales agents, Matt Livingston, came up with is combining a Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod and the Manfrotto 701HDV fluid head. While using a monopod is not popular in the video world, it can be used as a useful stabilization tool for HDSLR cameras. Matt combined the monopod with the 701HDV head to allow for quick position changes as well as fluid pan & tilt control. Check out this music video Matt shot using his monopod creation, and four Canon 7Ds (with Zeiss ZE 21mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 100mm macro lenses) and a Canon 5D Mark II with a Zeiss ZE 85mm.

We’ve been selling the BlackMagic Design HDMI to SDI mini converter box, and it has quickly become popular with our clients. It is the only HDMI to SDI converter that will accept both HD HDMI signals, as well as the SD HDMI signal from the 5D Mark II camera. For those of you that don’t know this unusual fact, the 5D Mark II outputs HD HDMI until you hit record. When recording, the signal changes to SD and most converter boxes just stop working. BlackMagic’s box will work with both signals, at least up until recently. BlackMagic released a new firmware for their box – version 1.5 – which has some nice fixes but it also happens to break the SD conversion option. If you upgraded your BlackMagic, or just purchased one recently, then it might not work 100% with the 5D Mark II. BlackMagic knows about the problem and will address it in the next firmware, but until then we recommend sticking with firmware version 1.4. You can easily downgrade the box also if you are having this problem. Download the firmware version 1.4 for Mac here, or for Windows here and just attach the converter via a USB cable – it should only take a couple of seconds to install.

Recording audio on an HDSLR has always been a bit tricky. With limited audio level control and a single mini-plug microphone input, these cameras aren’t built for professional audio recording. There’s good news though – two products have hit the market that will make your sound guy really happy. The BeachTek DSA-SLR and the JuicedLink DT454 are XLR audio adapters specifically built for HDSLR cameras. They both include functions designed to make your still camera perform more like a video camera.

…continue reading New Tools Extend HDSLR Audio Capablities

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

12►

Earlier this week we posted “The Bicycle” – the short film shot by DP John Inwood to test Zeiss’s Compact Primes. Check out the gallery above for some behind the scenes shots of the crew working with the RED One, the Lumix GH1, and of course, the Zeiss lenses. Additionally, you can click here for more info on Zeiss’s new CP.2 lenses.

Today Zeiss announced pricing for their new Compact Prime Series 2 lenses. With mount interchangeability between PL, EF and F, these lenses are not only more versatile, but also the price has been significantly reduced, making them even more affordable. See the new pricing information for the CP.2 lenses here. You can also place a deposit on two of the lens sets on our CineStore. Of course, to truly appreciate the lenses, you have to see them in action…

A few months ago, Zeiss approached us to do some testing of the Compact Prime lenses, and we jumped at the chance to put them through their paces. After considering all the scenarios to test them under, we decided the best way to evaluate them was in the hands of a real cinematographer. So we approached DP John Inwood and asked him if he would  shoot a short film with the Compact Primes. John and I worked together and created the following short, The Bicycle. Watch and enjoy the film, and then check out the two-part Behind the Scenes interview with John.

…continue reading Testing Zeiss Compact Primes on “The Bicycle”

The NAB trade show floor opens tomorrow and manufacturers are just jumping to get new product out there. Press releases have started flooding in, and we are all doing our best to stay on top of them. I could write blog posts about all of these products, but for now we will keep it brief. We will be posting throughout the show, so stay tuned for blogs and video blogs.

Keep reading after the break to see some of the latest products we have been following:

…continue reading Some Early NAB Announcements

Abel is now taking pre-orders for the new Hot Rod 7D-PL Mod for the Canon 7D. In this video, I sat down with Illya Friedman, president of Hot Rod Cameras, and discussed his latest design.

The Hot Rod 7D-PL Mod is a custom modification that allows the use of any 35mm PL-mount cinema lenses on the 7D, an important addition now that HDSLRs are being utilized in more and more professional environments. The 7D-PL Mod can be purchased for your existing 7D, as well as part of a Deluxe Kit, which includes a modified Canon 7D, a PL adapter, support system and handles. Check out the video to learn more about this exciting mod!

NOTE: Abel is now accepting pre-orders for this item. The first units will be ready to ship around the second week of April. Abel Cine Tech is the exclusive re-seller of this item. You may also be interested in our Canon 7D-PL FAQ.