Saturday, March 31, 2012

Three abilities for becoming a great Steadycam operator


It really is not pretty challenging to become a very good Steadycam operator. When you are operating with any kinds of Steadycam, it can be essential to mount the vest on the physique properly and walk normally. When employing a hand held Steadycam, it is best to location your hands effectively to be a superb operator.



1. Make sure Correct Hand Positions



If you use a handheld Steadycam, you will be able to hold the Steadycam by 1 or two hands. It is actually suggested that you must hold the Steadycam together with two hands, though it is possible to get almost certainly by far the most correct shots with this hand position. In situations that you just have to hold the Steadycam with one particular hand, be sure that your thumb and index finger are on the guide all of the time.



2. Walk Generally



How you walk influences the general performance in the Steadycam. When you're working using a Steadycam, it really is best to walk commonly. Don't bend your knees in operating the Steadycam. You must use your arms to total all of the work. It's very crucial to preserve correct posture to produce confident that you get a clean shot. Besides, any time you are to move, let your camera move initially, after which walk together with your camera.



three. Adjust the Vest Properly



For those who will put on the Steadycam for hours at a time, it is actually important that the vest be effectively adjusted and you be comfortable with it. If you're unpleasant all the time, your efficiency will probably be affected. The shoulder pads in the vest ought to be pushed upward right against the shoulders and also the chest pads should fit your chest firmly. To keep your Steadycam from moving, the hip pads on the vest ought to not be fastened till the shoulder and chest pads are within the correct location.

How you can follow focus your camcorder


One from the most significant methods of working with a camcorder is follow concentrate. Usually speaking, the follow focus is really a mechanical program connecting onto lens and controlling it. It can be employed for many camcorders like mini DV and consumer level cameras.



An adapter is usually provided for the follow concentrate, which can control the focus of the camera with out touching it, creating it a lot easier to shoot with out knocking the camera.



Step 1: Shopping for a follow concentrate kit



To use follow focus strategies, you also have to get an extra kit, which enables you to adjust the focus devoid of touching the lens itself. When you are utilizing consumer level camcorders, you'll need to utilize a model using a 35mm lens adapter. The follow focus kit can focus the lens accurately for you personally. You've a lot of solutions of kits. Just be certain your selection fits your video camera. Also remember to decide on a kit as smooth as possible, so it is possible to move it freely and devoid of resistance.



It's important that you simply not to touch the camera for the reason that your moving it might cause a blurred video, these kits allow you to concentrate the camera with out touching it.



Step 2: Mount your camera



Then you have to set up your camera. It is important to keep your camera stable to ensure a high quality video, what you will need is actually a tripod very first. You setup your camera on the tripod and start to read directions on approaches of employing the follow focus kit.



Step three: Mount your follow focus



Following you have got mounted your camera on a tripod, you'll want to fit your follow focus kit now. You fit the follow concentrate in diverse methods, based on the sort of camera you use. Normally, you can obtain converter rings which is often screwed onto the camcorder. When performing this, you'll want to spend consideration not to let dust fall onto your lenses. You are able to also use compressed air to blow the dust out, for the dust would influence the high quality of one's videos.



Step 4: Read the manual



As distinct follow focuses could have various directions, you need to meticulously read the manual ahead of applying it.



Step five: Focus your camera



There's a large knob on the side with the camera, use it to focus your camera, in order that you do not really need to touch the camera itself to prevent blurred videos.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Wondlan Camcorder Kits


Booth # C12127

The 2012 National Association of Broadcasters Exhibit (NAB SHOW) - one of the most prestigious exhibitions in global electronic communication and media planet - might be held at Las Vegas International Exhibition Center from April 16 to 19, 2012.



Holding "Shoot films yourself" as its idea, US Wondlan International Ltd. will attend the NAB show. Apart from its featured products like handheld stabilizer, steadycam, DSLR RIG, Camcorder Kits, Wondlan will also show a series of new products, which will undoubtedly bring a brand new trend in the field. Here are a few of the items to be exhibited:



Wondlan Handheld Stabilizer:

Mini Handheld Stabilizer

Exquisite appearance, flexible operation, along with the style of flexibility make all-around shooting substantially stable

Made of high-intensity aluminum, letting you really feel comfortable when deal with it.

Weight: 1.1kg

Minimum length: 43cm

Maximum length: 71cm

Bearing range: 1-3kg



"Magic" Carbon Fiber Stabilizer Wondlan

High-strength and lightweight carbon fiber, producing shooting easy

Length can be fixed rapidly up to a maximum of 1.2m by adjusting balancing pole

Stretching adjustment improves weight ratio, and reduces the clump weights greatly

Professional I-shaped straight pole widens the range of shooting, i.e. photographers can shoot stably from several angles horizontally or vertically having a 360?? totally free rotation.

Weight: 1.2kg

Minimum length: 60cm

Maximum length: 120cm

Bearing range: 1-5kg





Wondlan Steadycam:

Steadicam Leopard Series

Newly upgraded according to the old series

With tool-free installing and adjusting, easy operation and superb stability

Appealing appearance, superior materials, light weight and high intensity

Type Bearing Range

Leopard I (standard edition) 1kg-7.5kg

Leopard II (deluxe edition) 6kg-15kg





Wondlan DSLR RIG:

Sniper two.0

Kits incorporate: 1. Matte box, two. Follow concentrate, Flexible Shaft, 3. Assistance method, four. Monitor, 5. Magic Hand Grip, 6. Viewfinder

Patented design of side flag solves dropping of all of the flags in the world

Unique damp design, soft touch and correct concentrate make the follow focus a great a single in the market

Assistance technique is developed based on ergonomics. Its fantastic design provides good appearance and comfort



Wondlan Camcorder Kits:

Camcorder Kit Series

Perfectly help all sorts of camcorders, like SONY PMW-F3, SONY FS100, PANASONIC AF103, and so on.

Adjustable range amongst surface of baseplate and center of matte box is 30-75mm.

When the physique of camcorder is overtop, just add the high platform to adjust it to get a best shooting position, the adjustable range is 50-125mm.



Welcome all of the specialists and enthusiasts to our Booth # C12127, exactly where we can communicate face to face, let's look forward for the splendid display of Wondlan in NAB2012.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Tips on how to Attain Dynamic Balance on a Steadicam


It is actually essential to obtain dynamic balance for steadicam operator because it keeps the camera level in movement. The steadicam enables camera movement to be completed with no using a crane or dolly, and it prevents the shakiness of handheld footage. With a steadicam, the operator can walk having a camera mechanically isolated from his movements, therefore building a smooth effect. But, the rig desires to become properly balanced for this to take place.



Components of Steadicam



To balance a steadicam rig correctly, firstly it's essential to comprehend its parts. One of the most important element in the steadicam is the post. There is a stage in the top with the post, where the camera is mounted. You will discover also knobs on the stage for adjusting the camera mount for balancing, but there might be much more on that later.



At the bottom of the post would be the monitor clamp along with the battery mount. The gimbal and gimbal manage are located at the center with the post. The gimbal handle attaches the rig to a vest worn by the operator. The operator can eliminate the gimbal manage from his vest to detach the rig when he is not working.



Dynamic Balance



The steadicam needs to become appropriately balanced for use. You should commence the balancing from the installing of camera. You might want to uncover where the camera's center of gravity is. Then you should mount the camera in order that the center of gravity is positioned slightly behind the center of the post. The positioning in the camera may be adjusted using the knobs on the stage.



The steadicam demands to be balanced on 3 axes: leading to bottom, side to side, and forward to aft. In case that one particular in the axes will not be balanced, the operator will have difficultly in operating the rig.



As soon as the camera has been mounted, you can add the monitor and batteries for the bottom in the post to balance out the weight between the top and also the bottom. When adding these, you might want to keep them centered and balanced so that the weight distribution is equal from side to side and forward to aft.



Adjust the gimbal to balance the load if the rig is heavy in the bottom or best. If that's not enough, then you could add weights on the mounts in the steadicam.



Once dynamic balance is achieved, you can have no predicament in keeping your shooting level for the duration of movement.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Steadicam Leopard Series



Steadicam (stabilization program of video camera) came out in America in 1970s. With continuous development of years, Steadicam has been widely utilised in film, Television, sports, stage performance and wedding markets. Middle-end and qualified users' demand to Steadicam also grows rapidly, which is essential corollary gear in film, video and also other qualified fields.



With tool-free installing and adjusting, effortless operation and excellent stability, Wondlan "Leopard" series Steadicam will make a storm at professional Steadicam industry with its appealing appearance, superior supplies, light weight and high intensity.



Depending on the older editions, Wondlan has created new Leopard I and Steadicam, which function wider bearing ranges and scalable carbon fiber posts; additional, the Leopard is equipped with cables for power, HDMI and AV, to meet different shooting demands.



Type Bearing Range

Leopard I (normal edition) 1kg-7.5kg

Leopard II (deluxe edition) 6kg-15kg



Steadicam Leopard I Carbon Fiber (Typical Edition)



Arm:

1. CNC, a kind of high-intensity and light-weight aerial aluminum alloy is employed to produce the primary component in the arm;

2. 26 high-quality precision bearing are installed at joints in the arm, to reach easy adjusting and quick operating;

3. Double-section and double-spring structure is adopted to support huge scope of weight. Elasticity adjusting button can control the length of springs, to adjust the bearing;

4. Thanks to its ultra-wide range of bearing, each and every section in the arm can be utilised to very easily adjust the load of spring, which can bear a maximum of 7.5kg of gear;

five. Bore size from the plug of spring arm is 16mm, matching particular stabilizer of Wondlan to accomplish multiple-angle shooting.



Weight: 3kg.



Load Vest

1. Comfortable and air-permeable high-end composite supplies and ergonomic design are adopted to bear the weight of Steadicam evenly from all positions;

two. Heights of front chest plate and height adjusting plate from the vest can each be adjusted, and every fastening position may be adjusted freely, to bring wide scope of application;

three. The vest may be place on and adjusted without having any tool, producing it easy and straightforward to utilize, to ensure that workforce and time are saved and shooting efficiency is increased;

4. Hasps in the vest are all produced of unique supplies, which function powerful bearing capacity, and a tool kit is allocated on the back to create shooting less complicated.



Weight: 6.5kg



Specialist stabilizer

1. Light-weight carbon fiber is made use of to produce the main component of stabilizer, producing hand-holding straightforward and comfy;

two. The carbon fiber main post is scalable inside the scope of 550-950mm, growing the power weight ratio;

3. Proprietary "double-direction precision fine tuning head" of Wondlan is easy to install, and flexible to adjust all around;

four. Special universal joint of Steadicam capabilities high-precision and low-friction, permitting smoother shooting and much more flexible operating;

5. I-type straight bar may be rotated freely in all directions, each horizontally and vertically, to attain all-round smooth shooting;

six. Monitor bracket which can be adjusted in all directions is applicable in all kinds of environment, bringing clear and uncomplicated vision.



Weight: 1.5kg



Leopard II Carbon Fiber (Deluxe Edition)

Arm:

1. CNC, a type of high-intensity and light-weight aerial aluminum alloy is utilized to create the arm;

two. 26 high-quality precision bearing are installed at joints in the arm, to reach very simple adjusting and quick operating;

3. Double-section light spring alloy arm is adopted to help big scope of weight, and elasticity adjusting button can adjust the bearing;

four. It capabilities ultra-wide range of bearing, the maximum vertical stroke and rising range.



Weight: 3kg



Load Vest

1. High-end composite supplies and one of a kind metal hasps are adopted to attain solid wearing, and handy adjusting;

two. Ergonomic design enables it to bear the weight of Steadicam evenly;

three. Heights of front chest plate and height adjusting plate with the vest can both be adjusted, and every fastening position is usually adjusted freely, to bring wide scope of application;

4. A tool kit is allocated on the back to create shooting a lot easier.



Weight: 6.5kg



Qualified Stabilizer

1. Brand-new upgraded stabilizer with the camera could be operated devoid of any tools, it owns stronger functions and can bear a maximum of 15kg of equipments;

two. Its two sections of scalable carbon fiber posts are scalable in the scope of 620-980mm, rising the power weight ratio;

3. Proprietary "double-direction precision fine tuning head" of Wondlan is flexible to adjust all about and has interfaces for power, HDMI and AV;

four. Special universal joint of Steadicam functions high-precision and low-friction, allowing smoother shooting and more flexible operating;

five. I-type straight bar is usually rotated freely in all directions, each horizontally and vertically, to accomplish all-round smooth shooting;

6. Power wire, HDMI wire and AV wire are allocated inside the base to meeting shooting.



Weight: three.4kg



Any questions, please speak to us

E-mail: contact@wondlan.com

TEL: 86-25-58851945 58851947

 58353306 58353307

Prefect DSLR rigs for 5D Mark III


DSLRs like EOS 5D Mark series can also shoot videos with exceptional high quality; having said that, as DSLRs are usually considerably smaller than camcorders, a DSLR rig is quite necessary to keep your DSLR stable in long-time shoots, especially any time you zoom in and out, the camera shake may perhaps be extremely noticeable in videos; besides, the DSLR rig may also aid shade unnecessary lights to avoid overexposure. DSLR rigs are the fundamental for each and every film-maker, no matter whether it can be in the expert film industry or in the backyard of an amateur photographer, specifically for those who use DSLRs like EOS 5D Mark III, a highly anticipated product of Canon released on March 2nd.



According to EOS 5D Mark II, the EOS 5D Mark III presents improved speed, greater resolution, enhanced processing power and extended creative choices for both stills and full HD movies providing unparalleled artistic freedom for the most demanding photographers.



Exceptional DSLR calls for superb rigs. Sniper 2.0 of Wondlan, with 4 standards of choices, would be the very one particular for EOS 5D Mark III. Immediately after years of development and improvements, Sniper 2.0 has got scientific design, high-end supplies, special shape and comfy touch, perfectly supporting Canon 5D Mark III. It can also be used for Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 500D, EOS7D, Nikon D90 and D300S, Panasonic Lumix GH1, and all types of camcorders.



For particulars of Sniper two.0, please check out DSLR RIGS

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

My selection of Steadicam for 5D Mark III camera


When I 1st got my Canon 5D MARK III camera, I soon realized that I require something to stabilize my camera. I can't just shoot all my videos by hand holding, for the camera was quick to shake as well as the light needed to become optimized.



Should you do not require considerably for the good quality of the videos, you'll be able to use a lens with image stabilization built into the lens itself, as well as the most effective lens we've identified for each Canon and Nikon could be the tamron 17-50 two.eight VC because it's one of the few crop lenses that characteristics both a two.eight aperture and stabilization



The subsequent step of stabilization requires balancing your whole camera on a weighted system. This not simply allows you to stabilize your non VR or IS lenses better but it also lets you run about and capture moving shots with very small camera shake. The outcomes usually are not great given that most DSLR cameras still possess a rolling shutter (and restricted bit rates) but with some coaching you'll be able to truly up the production value on your personal DSLR videos.



You will find a ton of alternatives but immediately after severe survey, I decided to opt for the latest version of Wondlan Steadicam Leopard I, which features bearing capacity as heavy as 7.5kg (Leopard II can bear 15kg), and extended scalable carbon fiber rods, not to mention its attractive look, high-quality supplies, light weight and high intensity, and would be to present the very best stability and cinematic high quality of pictures. So I've no doubt that a fantastic operator can get astounding outcomes out of Wondlan Steadicam Leopard I. Another surprise to me is Wondlan DSLR Rigs Sniper 2.0 of Wondlan, that is just great for the 5D Mark III.

Comparison of high-end steadycams


As a film maker, I am definitely desperate to get a steadycam fitting my large camera, and meanwhile, with an affordable selling price. I checked ebay.com along with other web-sites, and located some fascinating data as beneath:



Steadicam Tiffen Zephyr Camera Stabilizer with Vest

US $8,995.95



Payload - 24 lb (11kg)

Adjustable Iso-elastic Arm/Standard Vest

Dual-axis Vernier Adjustable Stage

Sled with Telescoping Centerpost

Common 7" LCD Keep track of

Knurled Gimbal Manage

Standard Vest / AB Battery Mount

Docking Bracket / Dovetail Plate

BNC - RCA / RCA - BNC Adaptor



Steadicam Tiffen Scout Camera Stabilizer with Vest

US $6,995.95





Payload - 5 to 18 lb (two.3 to eight kg)

Adjustable Iso-elastic Arm

Dual-axis Vernier Adjustable Stage

Camera Mounting Chassis/Removable Sled

Telescoping Centerpost (18.5-32")

Active Matrix 16:9/4:three Colour LCD Keep track of

Delrin Knurled Gimbal Handle

Typical Vest / V-Lock Battery Mount

Docking Bracket / Dovetail Plate

BNC - RCA / RCA - BNC Adaptor



Flycam Pro 7000

$3116.57

Excess weight: 27.95kg





HIGHLIGHTS OF FLYCAM-7000 STABILIZER:-

Carbon Fiber Sled

Telescopic post - Sled maximum extends upto 115cm

Major & Bottom Junction Box for DC & AV in/out

Top-Bottom Junction Box joined with coiled cable inside Carbon Fiber Sled

DC & AV cable with Connectors for camera, keep track of & battery.

V-Mount Battery Mount Plate

Universal Head enables Fine balancing.

Gimbal



Wondlan Leopard II Deluxe

$3485.26



Load capacity: 13-33 lbs

Construction: Carbon fiber & aluminum

Adjustable Carbon fiber sled with Telescoping Centerpost (980mm Max)

Typical Vest with metal clasp; Adjustable and Dual Iso-elastic Arm

Knurled Gimbal Take care of; Quick release & Docking bracket

Regular Battery Mount / V-Mount Battery Mount Plate

BNC - RCA / RCA - BNC Adaptor

3 Interfaces: Power, HDMI & AV with coiled cable inside Carbon Fiber Sled

7" LCD Keep track of











Glidecam x22

$7,900.00



Glidecam X-22 Support Arm

Glidecam Support Vest

Glidecam X-22 Support Sled

Docking Bracket

Arm Publish, Hardware and Operations Manual.

(C-Stand not included.)



Glidecam Gold Series

$26,390.00- $27,385.00



The Glidecam Gold System is a professional body-mounted camera stabilization system designed for cameras weighing from 13 to 38 pounds.

The first two that caught my attention was NEW Steadicam Tiffen Zephyr Camera Stabilizer with Vest and NEW Steadicam Tiffen Zephyr Camera Stabilizer with Vest, bearing 24lbs and 5-18lbs, worth $8,995.95 and $6,995.95, they seem to be high-quality products, but the prices are a bit too high for me. The next is Flycam Pro 7000, bearing cameras up to 33lbs, cost $3116.57, but it's too heavy, weighting 27.95kg, the other two Flycam products - Flycam Professional 6000 and Flycam Magic 6000 have the same shortcoming, and someone said on the internet that "To be completely honest, the Flycam is a piece of Bantha Poo Doo... It's poorly made, made in india by the looks of it, the same company that makes the fake 35mm adapter that look stunningly like the REdrock adapters... cause they just copied the parts and resold it." Then I found Wondlan Leopard II, but it can only carry 16.five lbs of cameras, but later I got to know that its latest Leopard II Deluxe can carry 13 to 33 lbs, and cost only $3485.26. My friend also told me that Glidecam Gold System has a load capacity of 13 to 38 lbs, but the value is too steep, from $26,390.00 to $27,385.00; besides, it's weird that on their site its "gold arm" has been marked discontinued, and another Steadycam I located was Varizoom, which has less load capacity but large cost - $5499. So I think the new Leopard II Deluxe will be my best choice. Here is a comparison chart of the above products:





Steadicam (Steadycam/Camera Stabilizer) Quick Comparison Chart

Max Load capacity

(Camera Excess weight) Weight Price

Tiffen Zephyr 24 lbs (11kg) (unknown) $8,995.95

Tiffen Scout 18 lbs (8kg) (unknown) $6,995.95

Flycam Professional 7000 33lbs (15kg) 27.95kg $3,116.57

Glidecam x22 25 lbs (11kg) 12kg $7,900.00

Glidecam Gold Series 38 lbs (17kg) (unknown) $26,390 ~ $27,385

Wondlan Leopard II (Typical) 16.5lbs (7.4kg) 11kg $2,438

Wondlan Leopard II (Deluxe) 33lbs ( 15kg) 12.9kg $3,485

Varizoom Vzblackha wkab 25 lbs (11.2kg) 11.4kg $5,499

Comparison of numerous mid-market steadicams (steadycams)


Recently I purchased my new camera, and as I plan to shoot my own films, I have to have an expert gear named Steadicam. With little expertise of it, I read a lot of different Steadicam goods on the internet. I would like to get 1 with comprehensive overall performance and also a moderate price.

I mainly researched Glidecam X-10, Steadicam Pilot, Flycam Pro 6000, Steadicam Phantom and Wondlan Leopard II Series.



I located most of them are produced of aluminum alloy, and some are also produced of carbon fiber, which can be lighter and stronger, most vests are light weight, and much more arms are iso-elastic arms, most sleds are adjustable, and so on. But you can find some key differences, the most apparent and significant one appears to be the load capacity, which varies lots amongst diverse products, from two lbs to as high as 33 lbs. As my camera is about eight lbs, I can't pick factors like Wondlan Leopard II Deluxe (about 13 to 33lbs), and Flycam 6000 is as heavy as 27kg and its balance is stated to be challenging to adjust, finally my scope is limited to Steadicam Pilot (2-10lbs), Wondlan Leopard II Common (about 2- 17lbs) and Glidecam X-10, with related costs and load capacities. Here will be the comparison table with the 3 goods, with a number of the information missed:



Glidecam X-10 with Glidecam 4000 Pro Steadicam Pilot Wondlan Leopard II (normal)

Construction Aluminum alloy high-carbon alloy Aluminum alloy high-carbon alloy Aluminum alloy high-carbon alloy

Load capacity 4 to ten lbs 2 to 10 lbs 2 to 17 lbs

Weight 8.5kg 10kg 11kg

Vest Lightweight Lightweight Lightweight

Arm Dyna-Elastic? Assistance Arm Iso-elastic Arm Dual Iso-elastic Arm

Sled Adjustable Adjustable Adjustable

Speedy Release Yes No Yes

Dovetail Plate Yes No Yes

Docking Bracket Yes Yes Yes

Gimbal low friction low friction low friction

Dynamic Spin Yes Yes Yes

Post Telescoping Telescoping Telescoping

Other Included accessories None Battery Base, five.8'' LCD Docking stand, battery base

Price $2,898.00 $3,995.00 $2344





From the table we can see Steadicam Pilot has the highest cost, Wondlan Leopard II (common) has the largest load capacity. I have not decided which to buy, but I hope this table can give some reference for those to purchase Steadicam.