Directive Studios Blogs

  One of the hottest trends with mobile devices is for designers to push the limits of traditional gadgets with new hybrid products. This is the case with the new Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro; it's a hybrid between a laptop and a tablet running full Windows 8.1 OS. Here's a review on our favorite way to do Yoga. 1 Device, 4 Possible Positions The name Yoga is suggestive of the device's most stand-out feature; its ability to transform into four unique and usable positions. These are, clamshell laptop, tablet, stand, and tent. Each one of these positions allow the device to be used in a completely different way, which makes it feel like you're getting four separate devices for the price of one. Thanks to a double-hinge design, the device is able to quickly and seamlessly transition from each position, and the screen and keyboard settings will automatically adjust to its...

I recently received my ColorChecker Passport. After doing a few shoots with it I can tell you it's amazing. Setting the profile for my camera in different lighting situations to get the perfect color calibration for my camera is awesome. It so simple to use too. I use it primarily with LightRoom. Make sure you download the DNG Profile Manager so you can manage and rename the profiles you created. So you don't have to hunt for it like I did, it's located here: DNG Profile Manager X-Rite Product Description: ColorChecker Passport is a powerful 'capture to edit' color solution for any photographer looking for more accurate, consistent color and creative flexibility. And when you combine ColorChecker Passport with Adobe® Imaging solutions you'll gain even greater benefits. ColorChecker Passport combines three photographic targets into one pocket size protective, self-standing case that adjusts to any scene. Together with the included camera calibration...

The Zacuto Half Cage is one of my favorite pieces of kit from Zacuto. I love having the handle on the side and being able to mount additional pieces via the Z Rail bar on the top to mount things like the Zacuto QR Handle and the Zacuto Axis EVF Mount. I also purchased a Zacuto Z-Rail kit to mount a light or any other accessory. The Half Cage is universal and rail mounts to our DSLR Baseplate so when we want to use a different cameras it's going to work. I purchased this on the path of going to a "recoil" rig. Which moves the camera up on to my shoulder instead of in front of me as with the Zacuto Scorpion Rig. I love the Scorpion Rig but I think the recoil rig is where I'm going to end up. I may be selling the shoulder piece and counter weight on...

UPDATE: Check out the cheaper battery solution to power these lights. NP-F Battery to V-Mount Battery Converter Adapter Whenever we go to an event we bring our cameras but our studio lights were just too big and bulky. We always found ourselves struggling to find a bright spot at the venue we're at. We have missed some great opportunities to have more beautiful shots.  We decided to pick up some portable lights we can use on location. After a bunch of research we decided to go with a 3 light kit of the K4000S Bi-Color LED's from F&V Lighting.   At first I thought they would be perfect for what I wanted, but there are a few drawbacks. I love the milk filter but the way you have to mount it sucks. There are 4 legs with tiny little nuts that I will surely lose. You have to set them up and break them down...

We use this in the studio mostly. It's pretty heavy and I wouldn't take it on a shoot unless we need the Kessler Pocket Jib PRO or maybe for some slider work. It supports 300lbs! The Kessler website describes it best: "The Kessler K-Pod System™ is a revolutionary tripod camera system designed to support camera cranes / jibs. The K-Pod™ has extremely rigid double strut legs with the patent pending incremental Posi-Lock System™, that friction locks the legs, as well as interlocks into incremental lock pockets. The lock pockets allow you to equally position the legs while providing a lock that can not slip down. The K-Pod™ was designed to be the best tripod system for your camera crane / jib, but it is also an excellent tripod to shoot from, when not using your crane." It's also a full blown Dolly system. You can lay track down and run the K-Pod on...

My old tripod was a lot smaller and couldn't hold very much weight and the center column on it could not be removed, which made it impossible to get shots close to the ground. This Really Right Stuff Tripod is one of the best I've ever seen/used. It's very adjustable for some of the weird situations I put it in and it's so easy to adjust the legs. I did buy the center column but I like that I can take it off and then the tripod can get all the way down to the ground when I want to.  I didn't actually weigh it but it feels like this tripod plus my Really Right Stuff BH-55 LR Full-sized ballhead is lighter than the old tripod without the ball head! The construction is amazing. I should be able to mount the Kessler Stealth Slider 40.5" on top of it without a second support. Manufacturers...

This tool travels with me, works with all the Really Right Stuff Gear as well as other gear. Includes Flat Tips, Cross Tips, Star Tips and Hex Tips.    The really cool thing is it mounts underneath my tri-pod center column.  Manufacturers Site: http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=_MTX&type=4&eq= Here's some pics:  

This is the best ball head I have ever seen or used. I'm a really big fan of Really Right Stuff. I have their ballhead, tripod, L-Bracket and a few more pieces.  It's so solid and can handle 50lbs which means I can use my rails with full camera, follow focus, mic etc without worrying about stressing it out. It's not a video head for sure and I rarely use it for video unless it's a still shot for a testimonial or something. Manufactures Site: http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=BH-55-LR&type=3&eq=&desc=BH-55-LR%3a-Full-sized-ballhead-with-LR&key=it  

I purchased this clamp to use with my BlackRapid RS-4 Classic Camera Strap so I could very quickly connect it to my Really Right Stuff BGE11-L: L-Plate for BG-E11 Grip (5DMk3).  Manufacturers Link: http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=B2-FAB-F&type=0&eq=&desc=B2-FAB-F-38mm-clamp-with-flat-back&key=it Here's a few pics of it:  

This L-Plate/Bracket from Really Right stuff let's me very quickly mount the camera on my Really Right Stuff BH-55 LR Full-sized ballhead. The nice thing is that you can quickly flip the camera for vertical shots and the center of the lens stays is the exact same spot. I leave this on my camera most of the time. I use a battery grip so, if you don't you will want the other version. One thing to know, the after market battery grips do not fit this plate properly, I had to purchase a real Canon battery grip for it to work. If you have any questions just let me know in the comments below. Manufactures Site: Really Right Stuff Here's some pics:

By greatly extending exposure times the Big Stopper has the effect of allowing anything that is moving in your image to become blurred or ghost like, for example clouds, waterfalls, rivers, and the sea. The filter can also be used on cityscapes to blur people or on roads and motorways to blur traffic. This filter requires the Lee Filter System/ Manufactures Site: http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/bigstopper B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/686370-REG/LEE_Filters_10_STOP_GLASS_4X4_4_x_4_Big.html Here's a few samples images from Lee:

This strap is great, I DO NOT leave the house without it, I use it a lot. Manufacturers Site: http://www.blackrapid.com/products/classic B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/808811-REG/Black_Rapid_RS_4_BALLISTIC_RS_4_Camera_Strap_with.html

I wanted a bag I could use for whenever it doesn't make sense to use my ThinkTank Airport Security 2.0 bag. So basically, if I can't wheel the bag to wherever I'm going, I wanted a comfortable backpack to use instead. The Airport Security bag does have straps so you can use it as a backpack, but it's not comfortable and the bag (at least mine with stuff in it) is really heavy. Sometimes I'll grab the Airport bag, throw it in the van and bring the Bumblebee also and I'll transfer what I need into the backpack for the hike through the woods or whatever. At least I'll have most of my stuff back at the van in the big bag if I need it. I like the construction of the Bumblebee backpack and it's very comfortable. I took the waste strap off, but I would put it back on for...

I'm planning on getting some fall foliage shots on an upcoming trip to California (and in Upstate NY), we'll be hitting up pacific highway 1, yosemite national park, san fran and the mojave desert and a polarizer is a great filter when used properly. I'll be also using it to cut down glare on water and get more saturation with certain shots. If you're looking for one, just remember for a digital DSLR you want a Circular Polarizer. I'm so pleased with my Variable ND Heliopan filter I chose them again.  I haven't even got to shoot with it yet so I will update this if something noteworthy happens. Heliopan website: http://www.heliopan.de/produkte/polarisationsfilter/ B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/232513-REG/Heliopan_708246_82mm_Circular_Polarizer_Multi_Coated.html  

The Lee Filter System is required to use the 100mm Lee Filters and Graduated Filters. The high quality construction of this product is well known. I love the way it works and the control it gives me when using graduated filters is awesome. I can easily adjust the gradual filter effect to get it right on the horizon of a landscape shot for example. I know you can do it in After Effects but I really like getting it as close as I can in camera. B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87108-REG/LEE_Filters_FK_Foundation_Kit_Standard_4x4.html Lee Filters: http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/system#system-what Below are two photos I took using the graduated filters.      

This variable ND filter from Heliopan is great for photography and shooting video. I primarily got it to shoot with a greater depth of field in bright sunlight when shooting video.  The markings are very helpful and the quality is amazing. I've only played with a couple other filters, but this one wins hands down so far. I also got a step up ring for my 77mm lenses and it works great. I haven't got to use it a lot yet because somehow I bent the step up ring. Just ordered another today.  B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/829300-REG/Heliopan_708290_82mm_Variable_Gray_ND.html Heliopan Website: http://www.heliopan.de/produkte/graufilter/ I read about it the first time from Philip Bloom (He's an awesome Director, DP and Fimmaker in the UK): http://philipbloom.net/2011/06/04/the-best-variable-nd-filter-i-have-used/

I consider these studio only lights. I really wish I just invested in led lights early on. They do work great though, but to me they are not portable at all.  EDIT: I have since purchased more portable LED Lights and I take it back, I am happy I invested in these first and they are great for the studio.  These have 9 Bulbs and create some great light. We have 4 of them, mainly so we can light the background well and two for the subject and we use a smaller 5 bulb version for hair light etc. You can read more about them at Impacts Website:http://www.impactstudiolighting.com/detail?sku=699030

I really love this lens for portraits and I love the image stabilization for video.  Man it's heavy though. It's very sharp and exactly what you would expect from Canon L-Series Glass.  Available at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680103-USA/Canon_2751B002_EF_70_200mm_f_2_8L_IS.html

This was recommended as a hair light, but it's very heavy, we had to buy a massive stand for it and it's still scary. Sand Bags are a must. Good light though.

The ORACLE Control System is the core of our elektraDRIVE line of products. Almost two years in development, we set out to make the ultimate multi-function controller for our line of electronic products. The ORACLE Control System is interchangeable between multiple products, like our REVOLUTION Pan / Tilt System, elektraDRIVE motor pods for the CineSlider & Pocket Dolly, and other products to be released in the future.