Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
I’ve been using the Zoom H4n for a couple of years or so now when shooting with HDSLRs like the 5D Mark II and 7D. Tons of other users around the world have been using it as well.
The Zoom H4n has a lot of stuff going for it – it’s compact, it’s relatively inexpensive and it provides much better sound quality than you get out of your DSLR’s internal mic. However, the Zoom H4n isn’t the only game in town. [Read more…]
Matthews Studio Equipment is launching the Floatcam HD-DC Slider at NAB 2012. As the model name implies, this is a heavy duty version of the popular DC Slider, and can handle larger cameras like the ARRI Alexa.
The new FloatCam HD-DC Slider features a rail length of 73” (185cm), tracking length of 63” (160cm), vertical height of 79” (200cm) and maximum load of 70 pounds (32Kg) with rail and fulcrum weight of 50 pounds (23Kg). The counterweights top at 70 pounds (32Kg). And the mini jib specs are a working diameter horizontal at 63” (160cm).
More info in the press release below. [Read more…]
We’ve been waiting a long time for this one folks – an actual, shipping Thunderbolt external hard drive for mere mortals.
Western Digital has announced pricing and that it is now shipping 4TB and 6TB versions of its My Book Thunderbolt Duo external hard drives. I first looked at these at CES 2012, while they were still getting them ready for final production.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyt6jwohQ_M&w=640&h=360]The dual-drive system is configurable as a RAID 0, RAID 1 or JBOD. As a RAID 0 drive, the Thunderbolt connection puts a single unit in the 280MB/s transfer range. Additionally, a daisy-chained series of 6 drives configured in RAID 0 will deliver transfer speeds up to 780MB/s.
The 4TB model is priced at $600, while the 6TB model is priced at $700. WD says it is now shipping the drives. Check B&H Photo, Amazon and WD’s online store for availability. I should have my hands on one soon and will report back as soon as I get a first look at its performance.
More info in the full press release below. [Read more…]
For the past six months or so, I’ve been using G-Tech’s portable G-Drive Minis for all of my on-the-go storage needs. Based on the price and performance, I can’t recommend these things enough. [Read more…]
Recent stock updates on major retailers suggest that the Canon 5D Mark III, Nikon D4 and Nikon D800 will all ship in March. Those who are on some of the pre-order lists will be seeing their new cameras in the next couple of weeks.
Check ship dates and pre-order options for these cameras below.
As a videographer I have multiple tripods. However, sometimes I just need set of sticks with a ball head for still photography. My primary use would simply be taking family photos, and the occasional time-lapse for some of my video projects.
I recently had the opportunity to check out several Oben tripods from B&H Photo. These tripods are very affordable, yet well thought out, and well crafted. [Read more…]
DeluxGear is launching new LensGuards for larger lenses.
From the press release:
The new XL, 2X-L, and Jumbo Lens Guards protect any of your larger lenses and many of your basic lenses with hoods. These include:
- The popular Nikon 14-24mm and other fisheye and wide angle lenses
- All brands of 70-200mm lenses
- Other popular zooms – the Nikon 80-400mm and 200-400mm, the Sigma 80-400mm, 100-300mm, 300-800mm and 50-500mm (the “Bigma”), the Tamron 200-500mm, and others
- Large prime lenses — 200mm through 800mm primes from Canon, Nikon,Sigma and others
DeluxGear is making 500 of these as limited editions and at a discounted offering. They’re taking pre-orders on the new Lens Guards through March 5 and all of them should ship in April.
More info from DeluxGear’s website.
PocketWizard Plus III transceivers are out now. The Plus III offers 32 channels, a more durable antenna, a crazy Long Range Mode and a Repeater Mode. Long Range Mode sacrifices a little sync speed for a the sake of extended range. Repeater Mode allows you to use additional Plus III’s as a repeated to extend the full range for each additional unit.
Retail is $139. Check them out at B&H Photo here.
Lots more from David Hobby and PocketWizard.com.
Check out my review of the Newer Tech Power2U USB/AC wall outlet over at Tech Tilt.
In addition to the new GH-200 pistol-grip ball head, Vanguard also had its new BBH Series of pro ball heads on display at CES 2012.
I’ve been a big fan of Vanguard ball heads since I picked up the SBH-250 a couple of years ago. The new BBH Series builds on the good stuff from the SBH Series and then adds some more oomph for the professional touch and feel. [Read more…]