Alaska Photography

For me video is becoming easier, a few tools help. The first was Canon updating the firmware for manual aperture settings. What a big help that was! As I used the video feature more, it become apparent that I was not getting the critical focus I needed. If you shoot wide open the results are outstanding, however, getting the critical focus is very hard looking at the lcd screen. More tools were needed!

After scouring the 5D forums, I came across this idea. Using a cheap Chinese part used to shade the screen on a 5D mark ii and a HoodLoupe 3.0, you can build a viewer that snaps on and off your eyepiece. This helps getting that focus dead on.

These are the 2 parts. I ordered the lcd screen from ebay. Word of caution, it took 3 weeks to get the part. Could be it was because I live in Alaska, but I doubt it. Allow plenty of lead time. Here is the part:

LCD screen protector from ebay.

The HoodLoupe 3.0 can be ordered from Amazon. Order it without the expensive rubber band, you do not need it.

http://www.amazon.com/Hoodman-H-LPP3-HoodLoupe-Professional-3-Inch/dp/B001N0KEWU

I tore the lcd viewer apart, not to worry it was only $13.

Using your favorite bonding agent, glue the 2 pieces together. I used superglue.

Finished product. I will be out testing it this weekend, I can assure you.

Mike

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As I get more into video, I realize it is a whole different set of tools needed. Not only on the software side(Premiere Pro has been a steep learning curve), but on the hardware side too. One of the things I really needed was some kind of steady cam. Some of the steady cams out there are terribly expensive. I found Johnny Chung Lee’s site http://steadycam.org/. Here he goes through detailed instructions on how to build your own. I built mine today…grand total of $22 here in Alaska. Here is a shot of it holding my 40D.

I am looking forward to trying it out tomorrow. I will let you know by posting the resulting videos.

Mike
www.akphotograph.com

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