HDSLRs: The Ranks Continue to Swell

I have expanded the exhibit of cameras that was included in the inaugural issue of “Outfitting your H(d)SLR” to include the newest members of the class. The models have increased from two in the fall of 2008 to twelve today (including the Panasonic GH1 which is technically not a HDSLR.) That number will continue to grow as the interest in multi-media collateral for personal and business applications continues to grow. I have to admit that I was surprised that Sony released new DSLR models over the last several months without video capability.

But before we get to the chart, let’s look at a few statistics:

• Social networking continued to gain momentum in 2009 with nearly four out of five Internet users visiting a social networking site on a monthly basis

• During December 2009, 86.5 percent of the total U.S. Internet audience (up from 79% in April) viewed online video.

• During December, 134.4 million viewers watched more than 13 billion videos on YouTube.com (97.1 videos per viewer) versus 107 million viewers watching 6.8 million videos (64 videos per viewer) in April 2009.

• 44.9 million viewers watched 423.3 million videos on MySpace sites (9.4 videos per viewer) in December 2009 versus 49 million viewers watching 387 million videos (8 videos per viewer) in April 2009.

• The duration of the average online video was 4.1 minutes in December versus 3.5 minutes in April, 2009.
Source: Comscore Inc.  JN6F8B57VCJJ

What is clear is that the demand for video continues to grow.

In terms of the chart, I have included the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 because although it is not a DSLR, there are aspects of the video implementation which are superior to some of the HDSLR offerings in the market, and its price (which includes a video optimized zoom lens) makes it competitive to some of those offerings as well.

(Click on chart to enlarge.)

As always I invite you to look through the current issue of “Outfitting Your H(d)SLR.” by clicking on the magazine embedded below.



Disclosure: No consideration has been received in connection with this blog entry, nor has any manufacturer and/or retailer offered any consideration. Consumers should check and evaluate the features on any equipment for themselves prior to purchase.

H(d)SLR Stabilizers: A Modular Approach

I recently made a presentation on H(d)SLRs to a group of photographers in New York, and two of the concerns the audience had included the amount of money needed to get your H(d)SLR video ready and the size of the equipment. It got me thinking about a reasonably-priced, handheld stabilizing solution that would allow for growth and expansion as needed. If your curiosity is peaked, read on….

The Modular Stabilizer in Four Acts.

Act 1
The foundation for this handheld stabilizer comes from British Columbia-based Cavision (designated 1 in the images.) It is their Single Handgrip with the RCP4590 plate. The grip folds down and attaches to the camera via a tripod socket. The MSRP of the Handgrip and plate assembly is $75USD. In this configuration, you have a solid platform to handhold your camera which provides two points (handgrip, plus free hand on camera) of stabilization.
Act 2
The next component is a LCD viewfinder accessory. I choose the Cinema kit from Hoodman, which includes the Hoodman Loupe 3.0, Eyecup 3.0 and a cinema strap to attach the Loupe assembly to the camera. While the Hoodman does not magnify, it does enhance the viewfinder experience, by cutting out stray light and providing three points of contact (hand grip, free hand on camera, and face) for stability. The kit retails in the vicinity of $115USD. This is where I find myself a little divided: While I do have the strap, I have had some issues with keeping the loupe firmly anchored to the camera with the strap on.
As an alternative to the Hoodman strap, there is the Redrock Micro Microfinder Loupe Accessory kit (as attached to the Hoodman Loupe and designated 2 in the images.) The loupe attachment fits to the Hoodman loupe and is seated between the camera and the Cavision plate. The MSRP of the Microfinder Loupe Accessory kit is $55.
A word of caution: do not handle the camera by the viewfinder accessory because it is sandwiched between the camera and base plate and its security depends on tightening the mounting screw in the tripod socket.
Act 3
The next component is for those interested in on-camera lighting and/or a microphone. The item of choice is the Cool-Lux MD 3000 Light and Sound Bracket (designated 3 in the images.) The aluminum bracket has two cold shoes at different heights, so it can accommodate a microphone and a light. It can be mounted on-camera in the hot shoe or on an off-camera accessory (as you will see next.) The bracket retails for just under $30USD.
Act 4
The final add-on is intended to provide an additional stabilizing point and to get the mike and light off the camera body. I realized that the Cavision pate had additional holes which would accommodate and extension arm. I happened to have a Sunpak E-flash Grip and Extension Arm from experimenting a few years back with their flat panel E-flash units (designated 4 in the images.) The extension arm is simply screwed into one of the holes in the Cavision plate. It can be placed on either the left or right side of the camera. It provides a second hand grip, and an arm with a ball head attachment that the Cool-Lux Bracket can be placed on to further isolate a microphone and or light from the camera. Some people may prefer the balance that the additional grip offers. The good news is that the Sunpak Grip and Extension Arm kit retails for $34.95. Note: The Sunpak Extension Arm will fit on the Cavision 5D MarkII and 7D Single Hand Grip and Viewfinder package which was previously reviewed.

(The handheld stabilizer rig is shown attached to a light stand for illustration.)
So there you have it, a modular stabilizing solution that takes elements from different product lines and combines them in a unique and functional way. I am particularly fond of this solution because it is not camera brand specific. Although I personally prefer the Microfinder accessory, one of the benefits of the Hoodman Cinema Strap is that the Loupe can be used with different sized camera bodies and/or bodies with or without a battery grip. We recently learned from one of our readers that the Loupe 3.0 does cover the screen of the new Rebel T2i,(thanks to Paul G for that info.) This stabilizing solution is easy to carry, easy to assemble/disassemble, and for people just getting their feet wet with motion capture, can be enhanced as their skills grow.
As always, we invite you to check out the current copy of “Outfitting Your H(d)SLR by clicking on the copy embedded below.



Disclosure: No consideration has been received in connection with this blog entry, nor has any manufacturer and/or retailer offered any consideration.