The Walmart or Target of video production products is closed for the week for Passover. B and H Photo Video, one of the largest retailers of video gear has shut down its website and NYC store front until April 6, 2010. I’m sure the staff appreciates the time off with their families, but you’re probably asking yourself, “what if I need some gear“?
We’re stocking the shelves with more goodies every day. We now carry theXtender articulating arm, tripods from Miller Camera Support, and will soon have innovative adapters from our latest sponsor 5PinProAudio. All this and more and very competitive prices.
Stay tuned for new additions – and as always – tell us what you’d like to see on the shelves.
We are excited to announce that Fujinon Broadcast – makers of fine motion picture lenses – and long-time sponsors of b-roll.net – have signed on to be a GOLD sponsor of the b-roll.net AWARDS. Their assistance will help us reward the impressive work being entered, as we speak, in the b-roll.net AWARDS.
Fujinon joins the b-roll.net AWARDS mast head along with Portabrace and Xtender - who are offering up great prizes for our winners.
So, thanks again to the sponsors – and get entering! You have until Saturday (1/16) to get your stories into the contest!
Congratulations to KMSP photographer, Spencer Driskill!
He was randomly selected from the over 200 entries to win an Xtender lighting accessory system.
Shawn Dennison, the inventor of Xtender, graciously donated the prize – and will be shipping it out to Driskill in time to shoot some beautiful nightside shots for sweeps.
The folks at D-PRO want a random b-roller to receive a free Xtender lighting accessory. The Xtender is a cool invention that we first looked at during last year’s NAB. It is a must-have in the run-and-gun world of TV news.
All you have to do for a chance to win is answer a few questions in our survey below. Please enter a legitimate email address or we won’t be able to tell you that you’ve won.
We’ll accept entries until the end of the month. Keep in mind that it’s February, so that’s not very far away. We’ll announce the winner on March 1, 2009. You’ll have your new Xtender just in time for sweeps!
Back in May, I field tested the D-PRO XTENDER®. It’s an innovative product that stays out of the way when you don’t need it, but is quick and easy to spring into action. The opportunity to set my top light a little off axis when doing an off-the-shoulder interview is huge.
The folks at D-PRO were not satisfied with a great product, they wanted to make it even better. They put the XTENDER back on the engineering bench and trimmed it down. It’s now sleeker and only a little over 6 oz. in weight, but still strong enough to handle just about any top light or small monitor attachment (up to 2.5lbs).
And after doing all of this engineering, they found the price had dropped as well. The XTENDER® X-110 kit is now only $199.
The XTENDER® is an indispensable tool for anyone who regularly shoots run-and-gun interviews with a camera top light. That’s sounds like most news shooters to me.
Even though I may appear to be a huge gadget-hound, I’m very much a minimalist when it comes to the typical shoot. Remembering my days of shooting with a 3/4 deck on one shoulder, a camera on the other, and a 15 pound “bat utility belt” around my waist – my compact and self-contained camera with no extraneous equipment is the only way to go. I like to be light and nimble – while still having the proper arsenal to shoot good images.
It is with this stubbornness that I am cautious about adding new peripherals to my camera.
Shawn Dennison of D-Pro has convinced me to try something new. The Xtenderis a hinged bracket that mounts on your camera and gives your standard camera light a lift.
I hate using my top light, but there are times when it is the only choice. The night interview with the police P.I.O. at at crime scene, or the quick interview with a politician running down a dark hallway. Just a little light off to the side to prevent the terrible “deer in headlights” look, and a bad image is made better.
Now you’re probably saying to yourself, “Hey, there are plenty of light bracket solutions out there, what’s so great about this one?” Let me have Mr. Dennison show you…
D-Pro has thought of everything, include solid joints, and innovative mounting screws that don’t torque lose from use.
But the best part about the Xtender is – I’ve had it on my camera for a week now and I’ve forgotten it’s there. It doesn’t add any bulk to my camera; it doesn’t get in the way. It hides on my camera until I need it.
That is the definition of good peripheral gear. Stay out of my way – but be there when I need you.
Sounds kinda like the description of a good reporter.
I’m excited to have the folks at D-Projoin b-roll.net as a sponsor. Granted we love all our sponsors – they help keep b-roll.net alive – but D-Pro has a new toy that I want to play with.
The D-Pro Xtender is one of those products you dream about creating after tons of run and gun interviews. I’ve thought to myself many times, “If only I could put my top light a little off to the side, this boring interview might actually look acceptable.”
The photos look promising. This could be the perfect tool for roaming the halls of the Capitol picking off soundbites. I look forward to testing the product in the near future.
Thanks for the support, D-Pro, and good luck with your new venture.
The Walmart or Target of video production products is closed for the week for Passover. B and H Photo Video, one of the largest retailers of video gear has shut down its website and NYC store front until April 6, 2010. I’m sure the staff appreciates the time off with their families, but you’re probably asking yourself, “what if I need some gear“?
