RigsEnvy is a great place to see what HDSLR cameras people are using in the real world:
While we all know shooting a great film does not require a great rig, most people agree that it helps! Since everyone is interested in these, we thought it would be a good idea to build a web site dedicated to these wonderful pieces of gear.
I even put up my rig, which looks stupid without a decent lens, lol.
Is yours up?
do it, no matter how small or large, how cluttered or simple.
Mine is there 
One can already do this with the Canon software bundled with their DSLRs. Having it available on the iPad, however, is quite novel. Not sure what Nikon has in terms of Software – they probably have something.
OnOne Software has this really cool iPad app called DSLR Camera Remote HD – it looks very useful.
Now all that is needed to make it better is to pair wireless access to the DSLR Camera Remote HD with Okii’s USB Follow Focus then it will be beyond awesome.
Imagine a preview of Live View on the iPad – fullscreen – with overlay controls that you can dial in through the touch interface.
Nice.
For now you can get this OnOne iPad app for just $50 – pretty much a no brainer if you have an iPad – especially with that Auto bracketing feature.
Lenses come in all shapes and sizes; some small, some large, light, heavy, white, black. Great glass, adequate glass. For different uses and different applications.
That is why it is important to know what you are needing the lens for and to perhaps try before you buy.
In this case I was lucky to borrow the lens from my boss
Here are my thoughts, from my hobbyist filmmaker point of view, and if you want to by the lens from Amazon then please click on the picture below – in so doing you be contributing to this block through the Amazon Affiliate program.
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Canon has released the 600D/T3i. Apart from the addition of the articulating LCD, I do not know what the update is all about. Maybe canon should rather have lowered the price of the 60D and more people would have gone that route. On the other hand Canon could be trying to leverage the growing HDSLR interest and have just offered the most popular HDSLR with a nice little kicker.
Personally, unless the price is not much higher, I would skip to the 60D.
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When it comes to monitoring there are a heck load of options; anything from a 2x magnification eye piece with or without diopter to an electronic view finder to a separate LCD screen with unbelievable options. I went to the lower end of the scale – a view finder without a diopter. Personally I like the stability the direct view finder to camera LCD gives, but in terms of features it does not come close to Zacuto’s Z-Finder EVF or this new Marshall 7″ V-LCD70XP-HDMIPT.
There are of course cheaper options like the Lilliput, but like the old cliche goes; you get what you pay for – not that Lilliput is bad, it just does not have all the stuff you may want.
Here is a Field monitor that has a lot of features.
Something for the wish list.
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The Zacuto Z-Finder EVF, gotta be the rolls royce of View Finders for HDSLRs. I bet that there are not many Filmmakers with HDSLRs that are not wondering if they should get one. There are obvious benefits in using a view finder rather than the built in LCD, however the Z-Finder EVF takes a step further by breaking down the constraint of having the View Finder attached to that LCD.
Recently I got myself a view finder, the LCDVF 3/2 for my Canon 550D; it’s the most basic type you can get and fairly cheap – I am already blown way by it’s benefits, how much more will the Z-Finder EVF blow me away. Wow. I’ll have to plan long term for this, not just for the price but also because of the fact that the biggest benefit is only realized when used in conjunction with a decent rig/support.
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Here is a great timelapse. It is not the conventional type, it is HDR.
That is High Dynamic Range. Basically HDR is just a higher dynamic range than what we are used to in images or sequences of images. Digital Video is not able to attain as much range as Film and Film does not have the same range as the human eye.
You could say that this range is how much detail can be obtained between the shadows and highlights; the higher the range the less detail you loose in the shadows and highlights. Usually you have to expose in a way that finds a balance; using lights to make it easier.
In my opinion, looking at an HDR image is more 3D than so-called 3D, it just pops in a way that is more realistic.
There are probably many techniques; mostly by means of filming a stop or 2 lower and a stop or 2 higher than you usually expose for, then to apply a technique combine those images.
The technique used in this very awesome video is here. Check the video out …
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If you own an HDSLR camera chances are that you have considered the purchase of some sort of stabilizer system. Even thought you may save a lot of money going the HDSLR route, it does not mean that you can afford a good rig – I know, most of those rigs are more than the cost of the camera.
Here is a solution that seems to be way more cheaper than the typical setup – given that it is made of wood. And very well made – great workmanship.
I have to say that I really cannot afford these rig and I have entertained the idea of making my own. Actually more than entertained – a proposal has been made and drawings are in progress. Who knows maybe I can help out the local DSLR filmmakers.
These kinds of devices are not easily obtainable in my country and when they are that are quite expensive because of exchange rates, shipping, Customs and mark up.
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If you have an HDSLR, chances are that you know about PluralEyes and either have it or have to deal with syncing sound files manually. Or maybe you are happy with the audio from the cameras – probably not.
I, myself have a Canon 550D and a Zoom H4n. The other day I was trying to match peaks manually and was fairly successful – PluralEyes is just so much better – it more effective and it speeds up the workflow.
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Redrock Micro have some very awesome HDSLR rigs – check on the sidebar, if you wish to buy one then please buy one through the amazon widget; that way you’ll be supporting this blog (through the affiliate links). Below you’ll see a great commercial done for Lexus using the Redrock Micro DSLR Rigs. Always good to see HDSLRs and related equipment making ground in the professional realm. Check the video at the bottom of the post.
Here is an example of a Rig – The Redrock Micro EyeSpy Balance Bundle for Shoulder Mounted DSLR 2.0 Rig With Straight Offset Kit
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