HD video: To get the most out of this must-have DSLR feature, you’ll need a few well-chosen accessories. Here’s our buying guide.
Convergence is a marvelous thing. The ability to combine the elements of high-tech electronics and software in unprecedented new ways his resulted in such marvels as the iPhone, the Blackberry, 8-megapixel cell phones, and yes, digital SLRs that can shoot HD movies of breathtaking quality. When I asked a PhD physicist and software developer why Nikon, Canon and now Panasonic decided to include HD movie capability in their latest DSLRs, he responded laconically, “Because they can.”
Yes, you can shoot HD movies with your HD-enabled DSLR alone without using any accessories whatsoever other than a lens and a high-capacity memory card, but if your aim is to produce professional looking movies and movie clips, the following accessories will certainly help.
Also read: Soup up your digital still camera’s HD video sound—Don’t use the built-in mic!
Tripods for Video
The tripod is probably the single greatest photo accessory ever invented, but is the one you’ve got optimized for shooting movies? At bare minimum, any 3-legger used for video should have separate lockable pan and tilt controls so you can lock the tilt at wherever angle you wish and then pan the camera horizontally with reasonable smoothness to follow the action.
It’s much easier to execute ultra-smooth professional looking pans if your tripod has a damped fluid-effect head, but make sure it also provides a lockable tilt function and an adjustable center post if you also intend to use it for still shooting.
A medium-sized tripod with a 3-way fluid effect is probably the most cost-effective all-round choice for HD movies with DSLRs, but if you plan to do extensive video shooting, consider adding a true video tripod with vibration-damping, crutch-type legs, a genuine fluid head that provides damping as well as friction adjustments, and two-handled panning action.
For serious video work, a dolly—essentially a triangular frame with castor-type wheels that mounts on the bottom of the tripod—makes it convenient to move the camera laterally on smooth surfaces for greater shooting flexibility. As you would expect, these are generally larger, heavier, and more expensive.
Tripods & Stabilization
With video, simply getting a steady shot can often be a lot trickier than it looks. In many cases, you’ll later notice every slight shake, shift, and shudder of the camera when you play back the footage that you shot. To help compensate for this, many vendors have created a wide assortment of stabilization options for the latest crop of DSLRs.
Davis & Sanford ProVista Air 18 Tripod with FM-18 Fluid Head
Adorama price:
Optimized for professional field or studio video applications, this sturdy tripod features double-strut 3-section anodized aluminum legs for added rigidity, a pneumatic cylinder center post for easy floating adjustment, locking center brace bubble level, 2 adjustable pan handles, independe4dnt locking pan and tilt adjustments, and a true fluid head with 18 pound load capacity. Closed length: 32 inches; weight: 13 pounds including fluid head; height extension: 31- 68 inches. This tripod comes with a free D&S Tripod Dolly #W3.
3Pod V3AH Anodized Aluminum Video Tripod with 2-way Fluid Head & Quick-Release Plate
Adorama price:
The 3Pod V3AH video tripod combines strength and stability with an payload of 14.5lbs. The 3-tiered extendable leg system extends to 61″ and features sturdy rubber feet, large, easy to grasp locking knobs, and a torsion resistant aluminum center brace for added strength. The professional 2-Way fluid metal panhead is manipulated by a fully adjustable, textured handle, and provides a 360-degree range of silent, jitter-free motion with state-of-the-art dampening, counterbalance and drag functions, a built-in bubble level, and individual directional locking. An included sliding quick-release plate detaches from the panhead with a safe-spring release pin.
Flashpoint Video Shootskate II Dolly Kit
Adorama price:
For videographers who need to smoothly move their cameras across a flat surface, a dolly is essential for pro-quality results. Equipped with convenient grip handles on either side, the Flashpoint Video Shootskate II Dolly Kit, available exclusively at Adorama for $49.95, gives all users direct, hands-on mobility during any production. The kit includes the a dolly bundled with the Flashpoint PB-70 Pistol Grip Head Metal construction Designed by Doug Gordon FPPB, a ball head pistol grip that allows shooters to position the head through a simple-to-use trigger control.
Adorama Hands-Free Shoulder Support Bracket
Adorama price:
Built-in image stabilization systems take the jitter out of stills and video, but can’t keep your framing smooth and consistent. Adorama’s shoulder support turns you into a human tripod, so that all your hands have to do is operate your DSLR or camcorder. Resting on your shoulder and torso while strapped around your back, it incorporates a large platform that can be unlocked to swing horizontally; a supplied riser/quick release can be screwed into the platform for extra extension and height. What it does: Provides hands-free support of your camcorder or DSLR for more comfortable, steadier shooting.
Glidecam Smooth Shooter Support Arm and Vest
Adorama price:
If you’re looking to invest on pro-grade equipment to achieve steady takes, consider the Glidecam support arm and vest. The Smooth Shooter Support Vest will help evenly distribute the weight of the system across your shoulders, back and hips and the Dyna-Elastic Support Arm allows you to pivot and boom very smoothly, with virtually no noise.
Induro PHQ3 Quintaxial Positioning 5-way Panhead
Adorama price:
Induro has introduced a new series of Panheads providing videographers with new freedom for camera positioning. This latest product development utilizes a patent pending Quintaxial concept. Offering dual tilt, base and top plate rotation and an Arca-Swiss-style quick release system, these Panheads allow users to have full repeatable indexing on five axes for maximum control and flexibility. Another breakthrough is the set of unique folding control handles which simplifies packing and transport. Available in two sizes, each PHQ Panhead includes a matching Arca-Swiss compatible Quick Release Plate.
Redrock RunningMan DSLR Nano Rig
Adorama price:
The RunningMan DSLR Nano Rig is a compact rig that offers solid, support shooting with minimal rigging. With its compact design you can now have both stability and size on your side. The microBrace body pad, microHandGrip, and optional microFinder loupe accessory deliver 3 points of contact for ultra stable shots in a compact package. It’s an ideal choice for the run n’ gun DSLR shooter.
Belts, Bags and Harnesses
Lowepro S&F Deluxe Technical Belt
Adorama price:
Lowepro’s S&F Deluxe Technical Belt offers a host of ways to organize and carry gear; it’s compatible with both the harness and vest. The ergonomic and flexible design holds multiple SlipLock tabs for attaching any S&F or SlipLock compatible case or pouch (up to 11 total) and wraps around the body with a snug and comfortable fit.
Lowepro S&F Light Utility Belt
Adorama price:
The S&F Light Utility Belt is constructed of removable segments to size up or size down and includes a detachable shoulder strap and cable ports. The cable-friendly design allows cables or wires to be threaded through the belt, then between belt and pad, for secure cable/wire management. A removable and adjustable shoulder strap may be used to help stabilize a heavy load or to create a single shoulder bag solution with other attached S&F carrying components.
Lowepro S&F Technical Harness
Adorama price:
Lowepro’s S&F Technical Harness can relive a heavy load when worn with either compatible belt; it converts to a backpack when paired with a shoulder bag. Other features include: a lapel strap keeper that secures a camera strap via sturdy straps and SlipLock attachment loops for expanding carrying capacity.
Lowepro S&F Technical Vest
Adorama price:
The S&F Technical Vest is said to provide a comfortable, tailored fit while supporting a heavy load at the waist when paired with either compatible belt. Two shoulder adjustments allow a custom fit of the vest whether you’re wearing it with a short-sleeved shirt or windbreaker or jacket. And cinch-down side straps let you adjust the fit across back and shoulders. A lapel strap keeper secures your camera strap while you’re in motion via sturdy straps.
Eye-level viewing device for handheld HD movies
An LCD hood is a helpful accessory when shooting HD movies in Live View using the monitor to compose your shots. These are available from Hoodman, Delkin, and many other makers. Hoodman also offers the following devices that help you get your DSLR up to your eye and keep it there when using the LCD—they’re a bit of a kludge, but nevertheless quite effective.
Hoodman Cinema Strap
Adorama price:
If you want to shoot handheld with the HoodLoupe 3.0 in place rather then just using it intermittently for viewing, by all means get this clever strap which is designed to keep this unit in place on your DSLR for extended shooting.
Zacuto Z-Find-Jr. Optical Viewfinder
Adorama price:
The Z-Finder Jr. viewfinder offers a 2.5x focusable magnification, a 40mm diameter Zacuto optical design lens, a large form fitting eyecup preventing extraneous light leakage, and a field of view ideally matched to 3-inch LCD screens. The Jr. quickly mounts to the camera using the Jr. stainless steel mounting bracket.
Sound Solutions
Since most DSLRs feature a very small onboard microphone (which will pick up the unwanted sounds of you handling the camera, as well as the camera’s internal noises) and small microphone input you are going to need external audio recorder as well as mics and headphones to get better sound quality.
AmpliVox S1601 VHF Wireless Lapel & Headset Mic Kit
Adorama price:
Take your videos to a new level with a wireless two-channel mic kit, like the S1600. You can choose from Lapel and Headset with beltpack transmitter or Hand Held with Built-In transmitter.
Shine a Little Light
One of the most significant video advancements of today’s DLRS is their ability to capture images in much lower light than most of the video camcorders out there. But when a little extra light is needed here are a couple of bright options:
Lowel L-light with Stand-link, 100 watt 120 volt Flood Lamp & Clear Protective Glass with Holder
Adorama price:
The Lowel-light L-light is compact accent light that can be used as a quick kicker, a discreet backlight or, with diffusion, a subtle fill. With a variety of mounting and accessory options, it’s a great answer for those situations where a small versatile light is needed. It uses any standard Edison (ed. E-26) screen in base lamp, including the special screw-threaded MR-16. Stores compactly with a lamp and barn doors attached.
Lowel Pro-Light
Adorama price:
This ingenious focusing, multi-voltage (12v, 30v 120v, 50-250w) multi use halogen light mounts on any standard light stand and is claimed to be more efficient than a Fresnel of equal wattage thanks to its interchangeable #2 Reflector and Prismatic Glass that delivers a Fresnal-like shadow quality. It has adjustable barn doors, and can be used as a low-level key or accent light, as a fill light (with diffusion) or as a backlight. To extend its versatility to the outdoors, you can add a DC adaptor cable or mount it directly on camera. Features include 5:1 continuously variable focus control, 160-degree tilt with adjustable, constant-tension, one-handed, no-yoke tilting, wattages of 250 and 125 with 120-volt power. Weight: 2 pounds with 12-foot extension cable.
Additional research by Bill Schiffner.
