10 TOP GEAR ITEMS FOR UNDER $100

It’s that time of year again where people like to drink a beverage or two, eat a lot of food and give out gifts to those they love. If you’re on the lookout for a relatively inexpensive gift for a filmmaker you know, then one of these shiny gear items might find its way under their Christmas tree this year. Alternatively, hand this link over to the family, just make sure you point out your favourite pieces.

Ikan_ELE_RECOIL_Recoil_Camera_Stabilization

IKAN ELE-RECOIL CAMERA STABILISER

Designed to keep your DSLR or camcorder stable during handheld shooting. It features an adjustable chest brace which ‘hooks’ around your body with an Elements foam handgrip for further stabilisation. The stabiliser’s camera tie-down screw extends between 1/4 and 9/16″ above the camera platform and is height adjustable, allowing users to attach a side variety of cameras to it. It comes with two interchangeable mounting platforms, a large baseplate and riser baseplate, is composed of high-density plastic and can hold cameras weights up to 10 lbs (4.5 kgs).

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

US$89.95 from BH or from Ikan dealers worldwide. For more info, check: www.ikancorp.com

yongnuo_50mm

YONGNUO 50MM F/1.8 II LENS FOR CANON EF MOUNT

A 50mm prime lens is a good investment but it shouldn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to buy one. Yongnuo’s newly released 50mm f/1.8 prime is possibly the most affordable member within the EF mount range of lens. Its fast aperture allows for a shallow depth of field control in low lighting. The lens features both manual and auto focus, with a minimum distance of 1.5-feet (or 45 cms) and is suitable for all EF mounted cameras, including APS-C formatted. It also features a 52mm filter thread.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

US$53 from BH or from Yongnuo dealers worldwide.

Tascam-dr05

TASCAM DR-05 PORTABLE DIGITAL RECORDER

The DR-05 records in WAV nd MP3 at rates up to 24-bit/96kHz to microSD or microSDHC cards and it comes with it’s own 2GB SD card to get you started. It not only features an integrated XY stereo microphone, speaker and headphone jack, but its 3.5 stereo mic/line also boasts phantom power. The device also features Variable Speed Audition, a level align function, loop and repeat playback, self-timer recording, integrated editing, a chromatic tuner, and more. Onboard editing features allow users to divide and delete tracks or sections of tracks, and to assign up to 99 mark points on each file.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

US$84.99 check CMI or Tascam dealers worldwide. For more info, check: www.tascam.com/dr-05.

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LEXAR PROFESSIONAL WORKFLOW HR1 HUB

For the data wrangler or video editor in your life. The HR1 Hub is a modular four-bay reader hub that will facilitate the transferring of files from up to four memory cards simultaneously at USB 3.0 speed. The hub allows users to insert a variety of reader types, with the ability to use any combination of SDHC/SDXC UHS-I and UHS-II, microSDHC/microSDXC UHS-I, CompactFlash UDMA 7, CFast 2.0, or XQD card types. Also available is the HR2 ‘Thunderbolt’ Hub.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

US$59.95 from BH or Lexare dealers worldwide. For more info, check: au.lexar.com

spider-rig

MORROS DR2 SPIDER STEADY DSLR RIG

This rig is easy to install and is constructed out of metal with adjustable rubber hand grips. All of its grips and joints are rotatable allowing it to transform into any number of shooting modes, such as a shoulder rig or fly cam. It’s built with a 1/4-20″ slot on just about every joint and end, so there’s plenty of room for added accessories such as monitor, matte box or follow focus and is compatable with 15mm rods.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

US$79.99 from Amazon or Morros dealers worldwide.

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ABC ACRYLIC CLAPPERBOARD

We know that there are plenty of apps that work well as clappers these days, and yes it won’t sync with your timecode, but there is nothing quite as satisfying as the clap sound that comes from using one of these babies. The acrylic surface means you can easily wipe away marks between takes (so long as you don’t use a sharpie) and at under twenty dollars these are a great stocking stuffer for all budding directors.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

US$19.90 from Amazon.

VideoMicGO_quarter

RØDE VIDEOMIC GO

This directional microphone has a super-cardioid polar pattern pickup area in front reducing surrounding noise. It comes attached to a Rycote Lyre shockmount to reduce operating noise, bumps and shakes and has an ABS construction. It features an integrated cold-shoe mount with 3/8′ thread, a 3.5 jack output and comes with its own windshield.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

AU$99 from Video Guys Australia or Røde dealers worldwide. For more info, check: www.rode.com/videomicgo.

 

 

fancierstudios-dslr-rig

FANCIERSTUDIOS FL02 RIG

This DSLR rig comes with its own matte box, follow focus and shoulder pad with counter weight. The frame is made from metal, with an ABS follow focus and matte box and is compatible with 15mm rods. It features a 1/4″ female adapter at its base, and will support lens lengths up to 77mm. The follow focus gear drive can be mounted from either side and marks are easily wiped clean (so long as you don’t use a sharpie).

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

US$99.99 from Amazon.

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AUDIO-TECHNICA ATR6550 CONDENSER SHOTGUN MICROPHONE

Designed for video cameras this shotgun mic features two modes – Normal for close and medium distance recording, and Tele for long-distance recording. The cardioid condenser is engineered to pick up dialogue and sound effects from a distance while bypassing ambient noise such as traffic and vibration. The mic comes with a permanently attached 3.5mm connector plug/cable and a number of useful accessories.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

US$53 check TAG or Audio-Technica dealers worldwide. For more info, check: www.audio-technica.com

chromakey-kit

 

CHROMAKEY GREEN SCREEN AND LIGHTING KIT

OK this one is slightly north of the $100 mark but for such good value it needed to be included. This kit features an 8ft by 10ft backdrop system, with 10 x 12 green screen, two 105-watt bulbs that equal an 800-watt output, two 7-foot lighting stands and two 33″ shoot-through umbrellas. It also includes a carry case for packing away and transporting your gear. Let’s face it, at this price point you’re not going to be buying quality gear, but it might be just the ticket for filmmakers on a tight budget who feel the need, the need to green screen.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

US$119.99 from Amazon.

 

 

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