Tag Archives: Kickstarter

SportPod Is a Monopod For Smartphones, Tablets, and GoPros

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SportPodWhether it’s for personal use or as part of a large-scale production, getting the right shot is crucial to any video. But if you’re in a situation where set up time is at a minimum, you don’t want to be strapped down with loads of gear that will require a lot of time and energy in the teardown/set up process. What if getting the perfect shot for the next scene was as simple as putting a small pole into the ground, mounting and adjusting your camera, and pressing record? That’s exactly what the SportPod is designed to do.

The inspiration for SportPod is right in the name. SportPod’s inventor wanted to find an easier way to record his own golf swing so he could analyze the footage to make improvements in his game. SportPod could certainly be used for a lot of different sports-related activities. But given its ease of use and adaptability, videographers across the board will likely find plenty of good uses for SportPod.

SportPod is a monopod (as opposed to tripod) that can be adjusted from two to four feet off of the ground. It comes with a ball mount that can be used with smartphones, tablets, GoPros, and most point-and-shoot cameras. This mount offers a 360-degree range of motion, making it easy to get the right shot in the moment. SportPod is easily broken down so it can be moved quickly from one location to the next.

The inventor of SportPod is running a Kickstarter campaign to get the device into production. The campaign is about 30% funded with 22 days left to go. Pledges starting at $35 entitle backers to a SportPod with smartphone attachment. Prices go up from there, depending on what type of SportPod attachments you’d like to use.

Slip Strap by Custom SLR is Versatile

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Custom SLR Slim StrapCustom SLR has created a versatile camera strap with a quick-adjust slider that is made of genuine leather. The Slim Strap is a lightweight strap that makes capturing life’s moments effortless. It is currently on Kickstarter and has 33 days left to go (at the time I am writing this blog). It has been funded.

Slim Strap is made for mirrorless, micro four thirds, and compact cameras. It also works great with DSLRs. Special features of this camera strap include premium leather, low-profile black color, and a unique quick-adjust slider. The genuine top grade leather parts of the strap are on the shoulder pad, strap connectors, and thumb loop. Over time, the leather will conform to the contours of your shoulder.

The Slim Strap keeps your camera cinched securely at your side. When you need to take a photo, just pull the leather loop and slide to quickly bring your camera up for the shot. When the strap is un-cinched, you can glide the camera for that perfect shot any time. The leather shoulder pad never leaves your shoulder. To cinch the camera back at your side, simply pull the leather loop while holding the camera.

ToneDexter Makes Amplified Acoustic Guitars Sound Right

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ToneDexterToneDexter is an acoustic guitar preamp made by Audio Sprockets, LLC. It transforms your guitar pickup into the lifelike acoustic sound you’ve been looking for. ToneDexter is on Kickstarter. At the time I am writing this blog, has 13 days left to go.

ToneDexter is an acoustic guitar preamp system that restores the rich, natural, acoustic tone to your instrument by processing the signal coming from your pickup. It can also be used with other stringed instruments. One goal of the Kickstarter is to get help moving ToneDexter from working beta units to full production.

To use ToneDexter, the first thing you need to do is plug your instrument into it and go through a short training session. ToneDexter listens to the two different signals and generates a WaveMap using advanced signal processing technology. Once the WaveMap is generated and stored, all you need to do is plug your guitar (or other instrument) into ToneDexter and then plug ToneDexter into your amplifier. Up to 16 WaveMaps can be stored for the same or different instruments.

The controls include:
* Built in three band parametric equalizer – You sent the center frequency and the boost or cut for the bass, midrange, and treble.

* Tuner with incredible one cent accuracy

* Boost switch to add adjustable gain for your solos

* Built in digital feedback notch filter which is only one semitone wide, so you can knock down the feedback that typically plagues amplified acoustic instruments

* Unique adjustable Character control for a punchier sound.

* Simple three character display easily viewable from a standing position which allows for easy operation

ToneDexter back panel

ToneDexter’s back panel has:
* XLR Mic in (with phantom 48V power supply)

* Send and Return Effects Look 1/4” phone jacks

* 9V-15V non polarity sensitive power input (power supply included)

* Monitor Out 1/4” phone jack

* Headphone Level adjustment

* Headphone output 1/4” phone jack

* Phase switch (shown as Option A/B in the photo)

* XLR DI output for direct connection to your mixer

* 1/4” instrument input and output jacks are on the side panel (not shown in the photo)

Watershot Updates their Underwater Camera Housing

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Watershot PROWatershot Incorporated, a California company, has created its 7th Camera Housing for Apple iPhone. It is intended as an all-day underwater Camera Housing for use in, around, and under water. It is currently on Kickstarter and needs to gather more funding in the 23 days left of its Kickstarter campaign.

Watershot Incorporated has created waterproof camera housing for years, starting with Watershot for iPhone 4. That one is now more than 3 years and multiple generations in the past. Watershot PRO for the iPhone 6 and 6s Plus will be Watershot’s 9th injection molded Smartphone Housing and 7th Camera Housing model offering for the Apple iPhone. Wathershot’s interchangeable Optical Quality Glass Lens Port system will maximize multiple opportunities for visual quality.

The Watershot PRO for iPhone 6 Plus and 6s Plus will feature their largest rear frame opening to accommodate the massive 6 Plus and 6s Plus touch screen surface. This requires exceptional engineering and special material integration to ensure the required “stiffness” to keep the main-body gland seal symmetrically and circumferentially “squeezed”, a hallmark of Watershot’s watertight performance. They have preformed comparative FEA (Finite Element Analysis) on the rear frame and they are on track to achieve a 195ft/60m depth rating.

Jockey Motion 4-Axis Gimbal Stabilizes Video

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Jockey 4Axis GimbalNeed an easy way to stabilize the video for your cinematic production? You might want to check out the Jockey Motion 4-Axis Gimbal. Or, maybe the 4th-Axis Jockey Upgrade for Ronin, Ronin-M, and AllSteady gimbals would be a better choice for you. They are currently on Kickstarter, have reached their pledged amount, and can be backed for 6 more days.

The True 4-Axis Jockey Technology is described as “the Holy Grail of cinematic stabilization”. The 4-Axis technology stabilizes the vertical axis, a critical deficiency of traditional 3-axis gimbals in addressing bouncy videos.

While Turbo Ace engineers were developing the revolutionary Jockey Motion 4-Axis gimbal, they also adapted a seamless 4th-axis Jockey upgrade for Ronin, Ronin-M, Movi M5, Movi M10, All-Steady-6Pro, and AllSteady-6Plus gimbals. It provides easy transition between existing 3-axis and new 4-axis stabilization.

Turbo Ace engineers integrated a proprietary custom suspension system with 4 synchronized Hydraulic Shocks to absorb and slowly dissipate energy in the vertical axis. This puts a stop to the endless up and down oscillation from the main spring. The idea is very similar to the suspension system found in an automobile.

This new, innovative, gimbal set couples the Jockey with the Super Light Weight Support Rig, which is less than 20% of the weight of a normal shoulder rig. It transfers the gimbal and camera weight to your hip instead of your shoulder and at the same time allows for a higher range of movement.

Lumapad V2 LED Lights are on Kickstarter

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Lumapad V2 LED LightsLumapad V2 LED production lights are the newest version of the Lumapad LED lights from Lumapad. The new version is described as the brightest, highest quality, lowest cost production LED lights available. They are currently on Kickstarter and have 22 days to go in order to reach their funding goal.

The Lumapad V2 LED production lights come in two versions: The LP-14 “Little Guy” and the LP-28 “Big Bro”. The frames that go with each one are color coded. The “Little Guy” uses frames that are black and blue, while the “Big Bro” uses frames that are black and orange. This makes identification of color temperature faster and easier.

The “Little Guy Basic” is a good choice for a small budget production company. As a person’s business and experience grows, it is possible to upgrade to the heavy duty dimming power supply that gives you the same features that come with the standard LP-14 and its “Big Bro” the LP-28.

Another option for small production companies with higher budgets is to start out with the “Little Guy Deluxe” light or lighting kits. They come feature packed with the 5000 lumen LED panel (daylight or tungsten), heavy duty dimming power supply, gel holder, and all other necessary cables for either 120VAC or 240VAC. The “Big Bro” is the perfect choice for the very picky and discerning production company.

Features:
* Indestructible polycarbonate drop guards and accents.

* Easy color temperature identification using blue (5600K) and orange (3200K) accents.

* Separate power supply to reduce weight in the lighting head.

* Dimming control is mounted on deluxe power supply so it can be easily reached below the light or even placed on the floor as a separate unit.

* Heavy duty, professional power connectors for convenience and safety.

* Worldwide automatic voltage sensing with choice of EU or USA wall plug cables.

* Highest CRI possible in an LED lighting system.

* Standard 5/8” (0.625”) yoke for mounting to any light stand.

* Available with Tungsten (3200 Kelvin) or Daylight (5600 Kelvin) LED’s

* Remote phosphor version available for even greater color control and higher CRI.

Instamic has a Kickstarter

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Instamic and Instamic ProInstamic is a tiny, portable, microphone that you can stick onto things. It is described as “the smartest, smallest, and most affordable microphone and audio recorder that’s easy to operate.” It has a Kickstarter that has been 235% funded (at the time I am writing this blog). There are 22 days left in the Kickstarter.

The Instamic is being compared to the GoPro because both are extremely simple to use. The Kickstarter says “What the GoPro did for cameras, Instamic is doing for microphones”. You can charge the Instamic on any USB port via a USB 2.0 connector. It turns on with a single touch. There is a free app that you can download and sync with your Instamic via Blue tooth 4.0. Just like that, you are ready to record. Instamic is compatible with both iPhone and Android. It is possible to trigger recording to start via the smartphone app.

The Instamic is a good choice for situations when you cannot use booms, lav/lapel mics, or other gear. It’s small, and can blend right into whatever you decide to attach it to. The Kickstarter shows it on a person’s shirt, attached to an amp, and a person sticking the Instamic onto the back of his car. It also has a lanyard clip that enables a person to wear the Instamic on their neck or wrist. It allows for hands-free recording.

The Instamic Go is splash-proof (but it cannot be submerged in water). It has mono and dual mono recording modes. You can use it to record for 4 hours in mono or 2 hours in dual mono. The Instamic Pro is waterproof up to 5 feet underwater. It has mono, dual mono, and stereo recording modes. You can record with it for 4 hours in mono or 2 hours in either dual mono or stereo.

Both versions of the Instamic have a battery that lasts for 4 hours, or 3.5 hours with Bluetooth. The batter is an internal Li-ion rechargeable battery, which can be charged via USB Cable. It uses Bluetooth 4.0. Both versions of Instamic have 2GB internal memory.

Camlet is the World’s First Multi-Device Camera Mount

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CamletSometimes it seems like we really are living in a brave new world when it comes to the many options we have available for mobile media gathering. What used to require a huge rig with tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment can now be achieved (in many cases) with a mobile phone, tablet and/or a prosumer-grade camera. But there are still challenges when it comes to using these devices efficiently while also making them come together to ultimately create a single entity that’s better than the individual parts.

Many devices have tried to solve this problem in recent years. And the latest entrant to the field is Camlet, an accessory touted as the world’s first multi-device camera mount. Camlet works by pairing a dSLR or mirrorless camera with a mobile device such as a tablet or phone using the Camlet cable and mount system. This “merges” the two devices, allowing for complete control of the camera from the mobile device using either Camlet’s specially designed control app or other apps created by third parties.

Camlet is flexible so it can be used in a variety of different ways. If your camera is on a tripod, Camlet can raise your mobile device up over the top of the camera to make it easier to see. Or if you’re mobile, you can fold Camlet back so the mobile device acts more like a large-screen viewfinder. Camlet can even turn the mobile device around so it’s facing forward, which would be a great solution for vlogging or other times when you need to monitor the video but can’t actually be behind the camera.

Camlet is being launched thru a Kickstarter campaign that’s currently at $41,000 of it’s $45,000 goal. The campaign has just less than three days before it’s over. If you’d like Camlet to be a part of your next camera rig, head over to the link at the top of this article and make a pledge!

Beastgrip Turns any Mobile Phone into a Pro Video Rig

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BeastgripThanks to their built-in high quality video cameras, modern mobile phones have been a real game changer for video producers. And while “phoneography” puts a lot of power directly into the hands of creators, there are still lots of limitations. After all, these cameras are designed to be accessories to cell phones. Not the other way around. But products like the new Beastgrip adapter can turn any mobile phone into a professional video rig.

Beastgrip is a modular and flexible adapter system that works with any iPhone, Android or Windows Mobile mobile phone. Beastgrip also works with phones regardless of whether or not they’re inside of a protective case. This system allows many external lenses and accessories to be used with a mobile phone camera, greatly extending the camera’s functionality.

beastgrip is designed to be one truly universal phoneography system. For example, if you just need to connect your mobile phone to a tripod, Beastgrip does that. If you need to expand your rig to include special lenses or external microphones, Beastgrip does that, too. The possibilities are nearly endless for how you can use Beastgrip. Here’s some specifications:

  • Removable lens mount assembly with standard 37mm lens/filer mount, additional grip and two 1/4″-20 threaded mounts
  • Compatible with wide variety of standard conversion lenses/filters and DOF adapters
  • Extra grip and two mounting points to attach additional accessories
  • Base with adjustable spring loaded clamps will keep your phone securely in place
  • Standard 1/4″-20 threaded mount allows to mount it on any tripod or other support gear
  • Cold shoe mount allows to attach LED light or microphone
  • Ergonomic handle provides with comfortable grip for stable handheld shots
  • Two 1/4″-20 threaded mounts for attaching additional accessories
  • Handle can be removed from the base for more compact setup

Beastgrip is being officially launched thru Kickstarter. The campaign has already exceeded its desired goal amount by more than double. There are pledge rewards at many levels. The $40 level will get you two special Beastgrip lens adapters that will work with many popular lens adapter kits (not just the Beastgrip system). The highest pledge level of $210 will get you the full Beastgrip Pro rig with all lenses and accessories.