One of the things that most of DSLR on the market that does videos are having a very large limitation of amount time can be recorded, regardless memory size, most of them only can do 15 minutes, or 30 minutes of recording. Some said it’s due to category for camera vs camcorder, for tax or import reasons, but some other people said it’s because it’s cache issue. No matter what, if people would prefer to record using a DSLR to record a video because a DSLR will have better dynamic color or more detail, or manual control are better, but unable to continues record for more then 15 or 30 minutes, then they would need to get a external recorder.
Professional in the industry been using a external reorder for a while now, not only for recording, but more for monitering the record itself, and playback on the larger screen than default 2-3 inch screen on the back of DSLR or small camcorders. There are several manufacture come out for such devices, but Atomos are getting the acknowledgement for doing great job on their recorder / monitor units. Just happen to pick a lowest priced one for Ninja 2 with 4.3 inch screen, and removable hard drive with HDMI & Audio In/Out. Which works perfect with Canon 5D Mark 3. Here is the stats from the manufacture website
Find this to be very useful, so got one from B&H Photo Video, and here is unboxing. Highly recommended by the users, and there are many professional reviews on youtube regarding to this unit.
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Box come
Just one thin layer of bubbles
Top of the box, Just want to mention the box is very strong, thick, solid, which other manufacture doesn’t do that
Back Side have specification
Action screen options
Other Side have different models
Side of the box
Open the box, there is the manual
Under the manual is just a thin layer of foam protecting the goods
under the foam is the Sony battery and Monitor itself
below the top layer is the accessory panels
Left side is the transfer Tray. Right side is the power adaptors
Group shot
The biggest box is battery charger for the Sony Battery
Battery charger is small, not large, felt cheap, but should be functional
Below the battery charger itself is the accessory for battery charger. Adaptor for different power country, and plug itself
Here is the Inline Adaptor
only one item inside the Inline Adaptor
There is the Battery plate, for both Nikon and Canon
just simple plate inside each box, and plug directly into the monitor itself
This is what will look like with canon battery on back of the monitor ridding on the plate
From the side looks bulky on the monitor, better have strong connection, because going to be very heavy on the back side then front based on the screw locations
from the other side
HDD tray, fit a 2.5″ HDD, 9 MM
put on the bottom
Screw in the side.
Here is connection on the side, there are HDMI in, HDMI out, Audio in, Audio out
Sold my old Canon 6D camera because it’s been 2 years. It was a wonderful camera for general use, but now I am getting into Video, not just taking photo of houses, I will need something that take better video. B & H has the Canon 5 D Mark 3 Bundle for sale (include Canon Pro-100 Printer, photo paper, additional Generic Battery, Memory, and a Bag) for low price, so I decide to take up the offer and brought it.
I don’t need all the additional items, so I sold them on eBay.com. The item I sold are Canon EOS 6D, Canon PIXMA Pro-100 printer, photo paper, Bag, which most of them are new, but I just don’t need them, so some other lucky people can get them.
I had Canon 6D for a while, but I didn’t use for too long, even though it comes out same time as 5D mark 3, but auto focus, speed, functionality, and difference of $1800 dollars just too much of difference to get 5 D mark 3 that time. Now the 5D mark 4 is almost come out soon, so mark 3 is in excellent price level.
I also had the Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer before, which first few prints are superb, but after not using the printer for a month, the nozzle jam up, so either need new cartridge or need full clean, or other things need to done to it to make it work, which I decide I am not going to do that or spend $100 just on cartridge, so i just let the printer go (drop off at BestBuy for recycle). The printer I got for this bundle, I just sold it on Ebay.com with the photo paper.
The bag is new, but I have the amazon backpack, so I don’t need a small bag. Its a rugged commando 36, seems in good shape, so I didn’t even open it and sold it on Ebay.com also.
Very happy with the purchase, I am not a pro photographer, so I don’t do review of the Canon 5D mark 3, which you can read thousands of review online, youtube.com and a bunch other places, so I just going to take some photo of open box. But the camera is great.
Need a lens that’s wide, but quiet for Video Recording. Canon has a summer sale for refurbish version of 40mm STM F/2.8 pancake lens. It’s fairly fast for STM since it’s fairly quiet due to it’s design for Video recording, which classic lens is mechanical version, so will have loud sound when turning, and this won’t that issue. 40mm is not to wide, but just okay, it’s in middle of 35mm for wide and 50mm human view. It may not be as wide as my 16-35mm F4, but with prime, it’s nice size, and compact. Simply put, to put on a small camera, it doesn’t even look like there is a lens on it. There are several website that do professional camera & lens review, which will have a lot of information on the lens reviews.
Here is what I got from Canon Website:
A unique and indispensable addition to Canon’s series of EF lenses, the new EF 40mm f/2.8 STM offers an ultra-slim and lightweight design. Incredibly compact in size, the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM delivers high image quality from the center to the periphery thanks to its advanced lens configuration including an aspherical element, a bright 2.8 aperture, and optimized coatings that minimize ghosting and flare while providing exceptional color balance. The EF 40mm f/2.8 STM’s unobtrusive design helps the photographer avoid overwhelming their subjects with a large lens and to remain discreet in sensitive shooting situations with no compromise in performance. Its diminutive design is complemented by features such as a newly developed stepping motor for smooth and quiet continuous AF while capturing video with the Canon EOS Rebel T4i DSLR, a circular aperture (7 blades) for beautiful soft-focus backgrounds, and a short minimum focusing distance of only 0.98 ft./0.30 m.
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture
40mm, 1:2.8
Lens Construction
6 elements in 4 groups
Diagonal Angle of View
57°30′
Focus Adjustment
STM with Full Lens Extension System
Closest Focusing Distance
0.98 ft./0.3m
Filter Size
52mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight
2.7 x 0.9 inch, 4.6 oz. / 68.2 x 22.8mm, 130g
Since I got a refurbish version, it’s slightly cheaper then standard price, but still carry 1 yr warranty, plus this is STM (STepping Motor) is nice and fairly quieter then previous standard mechanical Motor.
Since this is Refurbish item, it comes directly come from canon itself
after take out bubble bag, it’s just a plastic bag
it’s fairly small, not large, consider as a pancake lens
Few years ago, I want to get a camcorder for recording some off-road and night time desert driving. I was hopping for some setup that allows me to do it, but before that I got to get a camcorder. So I look at few manufactures to see any that would be good for my usage, also should last for a long time. I search some info here and there and find there are some good some bad about every camcorder.
Options are very important to me, this is my first digital camcorder, and I would need to use it for long time. Since I would like to check out some stuff at night time and once a while I took cool picture at night, so a good night vision or some kind will be good. Of course some kind of anti-shack will be needed since there will be off-road recording.
The main criterias are functionality, media, recording time, and battery life. first of all, there are different manufacture that will do the same as the others on function, so that’s pretty easy to find. Then the media options are Mini DV, HHD, DVD, or 8MM. recording time and battery life are also hard to decide. After hours of search I finally found it Sony HDR-CX7. Here it is Sony’s HDR-CX7 specifics. Following are from Sony Website back in the day, it’s old, but I just want to bring it back up for review.
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For the first time ever, record high definition directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo® media. The compact size of this camcorder combined with its miniscule recording media make the HDR-CX7 high definition Handycam® camcorder a joy to use. Ultra-lightweight and easy to carry, it features a professional-quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* lens and Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization for stunningly sharp high definition video. Plus, its large, 2.7″ wide Clear Photo LCD Plus® display featuring touch panel SwivelScreen® technology makes it simple to view what you’re recording at almost any angle.
With the PLAYSTATION®3 system software update scheduled in summer 2007, playback of contents recorded with the AVCHD Memory Stick Camcorder will be available on PLAYSTATION®3.
3.2 Megapixel (Gross) ClearVid™ CMOS Sensor
1/2.9″ ClearVid CMOS Sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution – HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution – SD Mode) and still image performance (6.1 Megapixel). Unlike traditional CCD Imagers, CMOS Sensors require less power, providing better battery performance.
Switchable HD/SD Format Recording
The HDR-CX7 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately)
x.v.Color™ Technology
x.v.Color technology can capture or display nearly twice as many (1.8x) viewable colors than currently possible. This provides a more accurate and vivid color range, for a more natural, lifelike overall experience.
10X Optical / 20X Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.
Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T Lens
Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.
The 2.7″ Wide (16:9) LCD screen provides exceptional viewing clarity with improved resoltuion. The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.
Smooth Slow Record
By increasing the record rate from 60 fields per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, record an audio track to narrate what is being seen in the video.
Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media Slot
Capture still images up to 2848×2136 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (sold separately) for easy trasfer to PCs for emailing, printing or shairing with other compatible Memory Stick PRO Duo™ devices (sold separately).
Dual Record
While recording video in High Definition you have the ability to capture a 4.6 Megapixel still image directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media.
Super SteadyShot® Optical Image Stabilization System
An advanced form of Sony’s Super NightShot Infrared system from Sony that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies. This optical stabilization system achieves an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of vide like some digital stabilization systems.
Tele Macro Function
Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocussed so that the subject stands out.
Active Interface Shoe
Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories.
Built-in Intelligent Flash
For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.
Super NightShot® Infrared System
With Sony’s NightShot® infrared system, capture video in total darkeness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away. Super NightShot mode automatically adjusts the shutter speed to increase picture brightness and clarity. Color Slow Shutter mode allows you to record in low light situations with full color detail by slowing down the shutter speed.
Scene Selection Modes
Scene Selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, and Sunrise & Sunset.
Picture Effects
Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony’s Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia. Effects available in Playback mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia.
Fader Effects-2
Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black and White.
InfoLITHIUM® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System1
Charge the battery at anytime because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony’s rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening “Memory Effect”. Sony’s exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
Stamina® Battery Power Management System
Using the optional NP-FH100 InfoLITHIUM® Battery, the HDR-CX7 can continuously record up to 5 hours (LCD) on a single full charge, providing extra long battery life.
On Screen Zoom and Record Buttons
For additional control of the camcorder, the HDR-UX7 features Zoom and Record buttons on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows the user more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots.
Easy Handycamui button
Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people, so with a press of the Easy Handycam Button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are “locked out” leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational.
One Touch Wide Angle Shooting
Easily switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios for shooting, with just the touch of a button.
Manual Focus
Allows the user to manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder’s auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.
Multi-Language Menu
Change the menu display from English to English (Simplified), Canadian French, Latin American Spanish or Brazilian Portuguese.
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Well, the most important functions for me are night shot, super steady shoot, and flash media function. Anyway, here are the pictures
