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New Website – OliviaTech

Please join me on my new website at OliviaTech.com, thanks!

Dual Color 312 LED Light

The compact 312 dual color LED light allow you to switch between tungsten and daylight without gels. I’m loving this convenient little light.

Built-in color temperature switch from daylight to tungsten (3200K~5600K)
Built-In intensity dimmer (10~100%)
Soften diffuser included
On-board battery life indicator
2 NP-F550 compatible batteries
Dual battery charger
A/C adapter
Hotshoe adaptor
Soft carrying case

30+ Mesmerising Macro Photos of the Human Eye

Totally digging these macro shots of human eyes from ChethStudios.

Nikon ME-1 Mic for HQ DSLR Audio

Nikon’s DSLR-specific ME-1 stereo microphone packs a pretty hefty punch. Throw this on your DSLR’s hot shoe and you’ve upgraded! The ME-1 uses a standard 3.5mm stereo jack and it draws power from the camera’s battery, so there’s no extra pack to add to your bag.

Alow-cut filter cancels out wind, birds, planes, trains, you name it. This microphone also has internal noise-dampening components help prevent AF sounds from the lens from getting into your final project.

The ME-1 is still in pre-order for around $180.

MIC’s Unofficial CF Reader for iPad 2

Apple announces the iPad 2 and we all frowned upon discovering a missing SD card slot.  Apple’s Camera Connection kits will allow you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera: using your camera’s USB cable or directly from an SD card.  This still gives a big middle finger to CF shooters. But, a company called MIC Gadget will soon be offering a CF-reading dongle for $30.

Engadget claims the iPad won’t actually play back HD video captured from a 5D Mark II. Raw compatibility is also a large gray area in this matter, making purchasing MIC’s CF reader  seem like a coin toss.  Not much feedback has surfaced yet in regards to it’s performance.

Another option would involve purchasing an $80 Eye-Fi X2 with Direct Connection.  This installment of the Eye-Fi is new and not much feedback has been put out on the web in regards to Direct Connection’s ease of use.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G

The 50mm seems to be a mainstay in the average photographer’s camera bag.  With Nikon’s announcement of the fourth installment to their Nikkor 50mm lens, the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G has been in my sights.

Cost:$550
Fastest aperture: f/1.4
Slowest aperture: f/16
Size: 2.9×2.1 inches
Weight: 9.9 oz
Number of elements: 8 in 7 groups
Number of Blades: 9
Made in: China
Released: December 2009
Stand-out Spec:the only lens of the four to feature a 9-blade aperture.
This lens is considered to be more entry-level to mid-level for the prosumer.  This is Nikon’s only lens of the four in their 50mm series to offer a 9-blade aperture—which likely means the most pleasing bokeh.

Awesome Camera Apps for iPhone, iPad or iTouch

ToyCamera

ToyCamera is Takayuki Fukatsu’s series of ToyCamera apps. This application is simplicity at it’s finest. It transforms your iPhone’s camera into an array of creative possibilities.
- Random, Non-Random mode.
- 427 to 1600px resolution.
- Rectangle, Square mode.
- Vintage Green, Vintage Warm, Vintage Yellow, Low Saturation, High Saturation, Toning Sepia, Black & White, HiCon Black&White.
And the app. comes with an uploader to the BigCanvas Photoshare.

Two of Fukatsu’s apps that top my favorites list are:

TiltShift Generator

This is the 5th release from the ToyCamera series and this software will allow you to create retro miniature pictures.

- various resolution (from 320 to original size)

- Radial or Linaer blur
- Contrast and Saturation controll
- Vignetting Controll
- Camera and Library import
- Direct email and twitter, and facebook support

Old Camera

Takayuki Fukatsu’s second camera application.

This app. gives your photos an option of several mono-color old style photo effects.
- Random, Non-Random mode.
- 427 to 1600px resolution.
- Rectangle, Square mode.

- Black and White effect.
- Hi-contrast Black and White effect.
- Silver toning effect.
- Platinum toning effect.
- Kallitype effect.
- Cyanotype (blue print) tonng effect.

TiltShift

Viddy for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

Love Instagram?  Love your idevice?  Love social sharing? Then you’ll LOVE Viddy.

Viddy is a simple way for anyone to capture, beautify, and share amazing videos with your social networks and the world. Capture key moments of your life, instantly produce it into a beautiful video, and share it with anyone. This is a FREE app offered by App Store for your idevices.

 

Olympus PEN E-PL2 Goes Wireless

Point and share is the new black! This past January, CES 2011 revealed the PENPAL (PP-1) for the E-PL2. It’s a bluetooth accessory for your camera that snaps into the accessory port 2 of your camera.

The PENPAL is wireless option that enables you to send pictures to friends, your smart phone, laptop computer – or even another PEN camera. The beauty of PENPAL is that it makes your pictures internet-ready and can resize your pics for you in 1280 x 960, 1920 x 1440 or 640 x 480, and can store up to 2,600 pictures in its own memory.
Just send a picture to your mobile phone, and it’s ready to post on your social network.

Note: Supports most Bluetooth devices with file transfer capability such as Andriod or Windows Smartphones which means it is NOT iPHONE or MAC compatible! This is a shame and could be the deal breaker for PENPAL. Especially in the arrival of the Eye-Fi.


WxHxD 28.6 x 26.6 x 38.3 mm Weight
13g (body only)

Wearable Camera Toys

The Photojojo Store has tons of cool stuff for camera enthusiasts.

LiveStrong dominated the yellow rubber bracelet market and ever since others have joined in with their own personal stamp of creativity.

Buy the The Lens Bracelet™ at the Photojojo Store!

Nothing like a lens coffee mug to let your coworkers know you’re serious about photography.

Buy the The Camera Lens Mug at the Photojojo Store!

And quite possibly the coolest yet, the F Stop watch.

Buy the The F-Stop Watch at the Photojojo Store!

Camera and Tripod Fluid Based Leveler

I just like this one:
Camera and Tripod Fluid Based Leveler
$7.99 at Camera Gadget World or $15/ 2 for $25 at PhotoJoJo.com
Dimensions: 1.3 in x 0.75 in x 0.71 in
Weight: 0.42 oz

Buy the The Level Camera Cube at the Photojojo Store!

Blue Microphone’s Mikey G2 for iPhone

As if the iPhone isn’t already bad ass enough. Apps for everything under the sun, video, camera, editing now with FCP! The Mikey is a pretty incredible tool for mobile recording. Besides music, anything that can be picked up in audio can be recorded.. the possibilities are endless. This is available on Film Tools for $79.00.

Features:
CD-quality audio recording direct to iPod
Includes free Blue FiRe recording app
Unique compact design for superior audio recording
7 angle adjustments for any environment
3 gain settings to capture the clearest stereo sound
3.5mm input jack
Innovative design allows for superior audio recording
Perfect for lecture recording, concerts, voice memos, dictation, field recording, interviews, and travel journals
Works with iPod touch 1G, 2G, 3G; iPod nano 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G; iPod classic; iPod 5G;
Can be used with iPhone versions 3GS and earlier
Compatible with most protective cases

Technical Specs
Transducer Type: Condenser, Pressure Gradient
Polar Patterns: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 35Hz – 20kHz
Sample/Word: 44.1 kHz/16 bit
Weight: .18 lb
Dimensions: 2.5″(L) x 2.5″(W) x .5″(H)

Tricked out GH2 on a Blackbird Stabilizer with WiCast

This is Rich from Camera Motion Research. He shows me this GH2 on a Blackbird stabilizer. Hooked up to it is a wireless HD transmitter for WiCast and a small HD monitor. The WiCast is streaming live feed to a remote LCD monitor.

Cinevate ATLAS 10 FLT

Dennis from Cinevate shows me their new ATLAS 10 FLT at NAB 2011.

Features:
Centered, vertical and side mounting tripod options
Crafted from CNC machined aluminum and stainless steel
Built-in brake
Full ball bearing linear tracking system

Includes:
Tripod adapter plate
26″ or 35″ length rail
3/8″ mounting stud
Brake
Urethane ball feet

Available:
26″ / 35″ vertical kit
Counter balance
Height adjustable all terrain legs

Varavon ProFinder & Slidecam Slim Rail and Lens Guard

International Supplies rep. Eric takes me for a quick go around some of their cool gear offered at BHphotovideocom.

*The Varavon Pro Finder is a waist level finder which make low angle shots easier and more comfortable + 3X loupe + LCD screen hood. $389

*The Lens Guard protective santoprene outer cover absorbs impact and prevent scratches + fits a large selection of lenses. $17.99

*Varavon Slidecam Slim rail can support 41 lbs. + one meter + comes with: fluid head, two legs and a bag. $660

Camera Motion Research Blackbird Stabilizer Kit

Rich from Camera Motion Research shows us his Blackbird camera stabilizer. The full kit come with the stabilizer, a resting stand, a vertical balance, a quick change tripod adaptor, universal docking bracket and a case.
It can support 1 to 8 lbs.

Price list:
Blackbird Full Kit: $675
Blackbird Basic: $485
Custom Case: $69
Universal Docking Bracket: $58
Resting Stand: $68
Tripod Adaptor: $25

DFocus System’s Basic Accessories on the Cheap

DFocus System is known to supply camera enthusiasts with incredible gear at really attractive prices. These optional accessories are no exception.

The D|Crank is a standard speed crank for your D|Focus. Used for quick pulls from close focus to infinity or to help the operator with rack focus moves.

Their new V2 DIY rail mount features a smaller profile and more refined look. Also, thinner walls means they are much more effective at clamping down onto your rails.
These are a perfect solution for your DIY project. You can easily drill, tap, machine and sand the material to suit your project’s needs.
Use a 1/4-20 screw and nut to secure to your rails.

D|Gears
Features
A true universal design, one gear with interchangeable Legs to fit almost any lens!
Industry standard 32 pitch (0.8 mod,) will work with any other standard follow focus
Large pitch diameter for more accurate focusing
Your choice of three methods for quick, secure lens mounting (Screw & nut, rubber band, zip tie)
No need to measure your lens, all necessary length Legs are included!
*Each D|Gear Includes
4 different length Legs to fit almost any lens
One screw with nut
Rubber band
Zip tie

Brand new DFocus System products: VIDEO here: DFocus and DMatte

NEW Cinevate Proteus Simplis DSLR Rig

Dennis from Cinevate shows off their new Proteus Simplis DSLR Rig. Simplis is a basic camera support system that is designed to give the user the ability to customize and scale their rig as desired.

Simplis Dual DSLR Rig includes:
Simplis Quick Release Plate
2 Articulating ¼-20 Hand Grips
Articulating Shoulder Stock
3 lengths of Shoulder Stock Rods