Previews of New Gear from NFS Sponsors DitoGear, Cinevate, Zacuto, and Ikan

The fact that HDSLRs are so unergonomic has given rise to shooters attaching all manner of accessories to their camera in an attempt to make the device behave like a "real" movie camera. But here's the thing about DSLR accessorizing: it's here to stay. Anyone who upgrades from a DSLR to a compact camcorder form factor (like the Panasonic AG-AF100, Sony PMW-F3, or any of the new RED cameras) is going to find that we still need a lot of accesories to put these cameras where they're supposed to be: on our shoulder. Those who have shot for several hours with a handheld camcorder sans proper support (as did I on The West Side) knows that even a sub-10 lb camera can make you prohibitively sore. So for those of us who can't afford full-size cameras, support systems are here to stay. Here's a look at a number of new camera accessories from No Film School's February sponsors:

First, a note about sponsorship. No Film School has been open for advertising for a while now, and I'm happy to report that visitors will be seeing less of the "find your classmates!!!" kind of ads that can show up when ads are automatically generated. Thank you to our sponsors! Other than this post, which is explicitly about the sponsors, the editorial and advertising departments (of my brain, I mean, as there are no such actual departments) are separate. Here's some of the latest camera gear on the block:

DitoGear

Many people know how to do timelapse photography, but in order to do moving timelapse shots, you'll need a slider. The OmniSlider is a linear motion control solution for DSLR and video cameras, which retails for $1,800. DitoGear has also announced DryEye, a $175 system that prevents lens condensation and freezing in difficult timelapse conditions:

Cinevate

Cinevate's new Simplis is a lightweight, run-and-gun DSLR rig. It's a modular system with a shoulder stock and is priced at $400 for the basic version (you can configure cheaper or more expensive customized solutions):

Zacuto

Zacuto's latest product, the Zacuto EVF, is an electronic viewfinder for DSLRs and compact video cameras; it's compatible with all cameras with an HDMI output, including the Panasonic AF-100 and Sony F3. Pricing starts at $675. They're also currently running a special wherein you can buy a Striker support system and get a Z-finder Pro free. Here's the support system:

ikan

ikan has added to their camera accessory arsenal the ELE-FGK Follow Focus, a low-priced ($450) FF that is precision-machined aluminum (instead of plastic, as could be expected in this price range), and includes a whip to allow a camera assistant to pull focus:

Check out these accessories if you're interested, and thank you to the above sponsors for keeping the site afloat!