Travel Video Monopod

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Since I travel quite a bit, I want something lighter, and more compact than the venerable Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 monopod and head.  (Ideally something that will fit in an international carry-on.)  So I came across the Benro Carbon Fiber Video Monopod with Fluid Head over at Aliexpress, which basically is a storefront for most all made-in-China items.

Cheesycam seems to like it for travel.

The other option is to get the Manfrotto Pro 701 Fluid Video Mini Head with just a Benro video monopod.  People seem to think its better than the Benro version, and I see no reason to doubt that.

I'll post an update after I select one.  Please comment below if you have any suggestions.

Los Angeles Air Quality Fail

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People that live in Los Angeles, already know this.  What might surprise you, is that a lot of metropolitan cities have failing grades as well.

Check out stateofair.org to get a rating for your city.

Source - stateoftheair.orgWhile you can't do too much about the outdoors short of wearing some sort of mask, you can try to control air polution indoors with an air filter.

 

Lytro Sunset

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Turned out better than I expected, especially since I had very little control of the exposure.  Note that this is a 'living' picture that offers little bit of additional exploration since its very one dimensional.  I'm learning a bit more how to handle some of the limitations of the camera, but I'm starting to lose interest.  Throw this technology into the next iPhone and I'll be all over it.  One can hope.

Isn't Wireless Tethering an Oxymoron?

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It is but I want to do it.

Eye-Fi Pro Cards allow wireless transfer and upload of images and videos.

I shoot a lot of photos and videos every month so I'm always on the lookout for tools that will help me with my workflow to get out the video reviews shot and posted.  I'm also thinking about a more suitable view for my unboxing and first look videos and decided that a combination of Point of View along with a secondary angle is the best way to go.

I have been using Eye-Fi Wireless SD Cards to get the photos and videos automatically transferred online (as backup).  The main limitation is that I have limited control over what it does, and that the Eye-Fi does not help me during the shoot (other than some sort of estimated geo-tagging).  For me its use is more about sharing, transferring images/video after the shoot.  Eye-Fi does not help me start, stop, press shutter button, focus, etc. but it was never meant to.

So to handle the POV section I plan to have a Canon EOS Rebel T5i on a boompole from up top so I need a remote solution to frame and focus while I'm doing my thing.  Sure, the articulated screen definitely helps, but an iPad or laptop screen with control would be better.  Yes, I can tether, but a portable iPad would be so much easier!  So I think I've found some reasonable ways to do this.

I'm looking at two different solutions:

  1. CamRanger Remote for Nikon & Canon DSLR Cameras
  2. HyperDrive iUSB PortCamera
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