Posted on January 24, 2015 by David Berkowitz, Editor in Chief.

Manfrotto Fluid video aluminum monopod

We recently had the opportunity to review Manfrotto’s Fluid video aluminum monopod. To put it mildy, we were very impressed.

Fluid video aluminum monopod with plate It was really easy to use and quite portable as well.

If I could afford one, I would buy one now and use it all of the time.

According to Manfrotto:

DESCRIPTION

The 562B-1 is a compact and high 4-section aluminium fluid monopod equipped with a 357PLV sliding camera plate adapter to adjust the camera’s center of balance. This fluid monopod is ideal for camcorders up to 17.6lb (8kg).

I really like the little feet on the bottom. I have used other monopod’s in the past, but this is the king or monopods, larger, more stable and it is easy to use. I am tall, over 6 feet, so I appreciate a monopod that extends long enough for me to use.

I tested the monopod with a Nikon J1, and it worked perfectly for all of the photo’s I had the chance to take with it. I also used it at CES 2015, and received all kinds of positive comments about the “cool monopod” according to other news folks and bloggers that I ran into at the event.

I also took it hiking and due to its durability it was effective as a walking stick as well on the trail too. I feel that anyone who is into outdoor adventuring, hunting, motorcycling or out door activities would love the Manfrotto Fluid video aluminum monopod. I was really impressed with its design, durability and utility.

It combined a high level of utility with superb aesthetics and function.

That said, the panning action is smooth, and because it happens at the base, with practice, you have better control over the stability of the monopod while panning since both hands can create that movement, and you’re not having to use one hand to simply keep the monopod still while you pan with the other. You can, and should, use your whole body to make the pan. Tilt control is very nice as well and just as good as say a 701

The ‘bridging’ head is a great hybrid system, allowing quick release that us videographers are used to, plus the ability to click it back in place with quick fore and aft positioning.

The ball at the bottom is nice and stiff enough to let the monopod stand in place without holding on to it (but don’t walk too far away from it with your camera on it 🙂

For more information go to http://www.manfrotto.us/fluid-video-aluminum-monopod-with-plate

I wholeheartedly recommend Manfrotto for your tripod and lighting needs and am a huge fan.

Posted on January 1, 2015 by David Berkowitz, Editor in Chief.

Our view of the Manfrotto LED Light – Mini-24 Continuous

We recently had the opportunity to test and review Manfrotto’s LED Light – Mini-24 light. I am very impressed by the quality of their products.

According to Manfrotto http://www.manfrotto.com/led-light-mini-24-continuous-220lxat1m-ml240

They say:
DESCRIPTION

The ML240 Mini LED light is small enough to fit in a camera case or small bag, but fully-featured enough for versatile use with compact cameras and smartphones. It can be hand held, mounted on a flash hotshoe or fitted to any number of Manfrotto supports via its standard ¼” thread.

The ML240’s 24 LEDs emit continuous light at a constant temperature of 5600°K (daylight), with an illuminance of 220 LUX at a distance of 1m. Its infinitely variable dimmer allows precise control over light output and exposure. The ML240 is a useful compact light, often less harsh than an on-camera flash for photos of subjects close to the camera and good for very low-light close-up video shots, or for specific, quick off-camera applications like macro photography. When fitted onto a DSLR shoe, a handy 3200K LED lights your camera controls to assist you in low light conditions.

I tried it out in a couple of different environments and as well as subject matter. I used it at an Ice Rink outside to shoot video of people on the ice and for photos as well.

It was quite effective in removing shadows and improving contrast, and making the images look better.

I could see how if one was shooting video they might want 3 of the wee lights one for each side and one on the camera or one directly behind the camera.

I also used one of the Mini 24’s for close up photography of items around the office to see how they worked. I was impressed by the overall quality.

The Manfrotto ML240 Mini-24 LED Panel is a LED light that attaches to your DSLR, Micro Four Thirds, or other compact camera, for shooting video under 5600K daylight. The Mini light features a shoe mount at the bottom for attachment to the hot shoe of your camera, and the shoe mount features a 1/4″ thread underneath it for attachment to various 1/4″ gear, such as articulating arms.
There is also an accessory that one can get to mount the light as well for cameras without a hot shoe to hold the light.See (http://www.manfrotto.us/product/24329.1108711.58969.1108724.0/MTPIXI-B/_/PIXI_Mini_Tripod_Black). The Pixi is a small solution for mounting it.

Overall I was impressed by the Mini-24’s size, design, light weight and its’ utility for improving the quality of videos and photographs.
It made the objects being photographed look more natural and reduced shadowing as well.

I was impressed as well by an accessory that I found on the internet that will allow you to use the Manfrotto Mini-24 with a smart phone as well called the Klyp. I did not get to test it, but it seems to allow you to video and take photos from your smart phone with the video light. It would be great to have one of the devices to use with my smart phone for photos. It would be really nice for trade shows to shoot a quick product video as well like at CES 2015.

My opinion of the Manfrotto Mini-24 Led is quite high. I would definitely recommend it for anyone that needs to shoot video or take photos from a compact system camera or SLR camera or a smart phone and needs a simple but easy to use solution for improving the lighting in the scenes that are being photographed or video’d.

Posted on May 31, 2013 by David Berkowitz, Editor in Chief.

Tech Review of the Fuji X10 Camera

I recently had the opportunity to review the Fuji x10 Camera.

I was impressed by it’s specifications:

The X10 has a 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, f/2-2.8, 28-112mm manual zoom lens, up to 12,800 ISO sensitivity, 1080p video, an optical viewfinder, and pop-up flash as well as a hotshoe for an external flash unit as well.

It felt good in the hands and was solidly manufactured. I especially liked that it had a view finder and a hot shoe too.

I found that it took excellent photo’s and videos in a variety of Situations.

Please see my brief hands on summary video as well–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

Building on the tremendous success of the sophisticated FUJIFILM X100 digital camera, the new premium compact FUJIFILM X10 is the latest addition to the growing FUJIFILM X-series of advanced digital cameras.

The FUJIFILM X10 features a new larger 2/3″ 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor and a bright high-definition FUJINON1 F2.0 wide-angle to F2.8 telephoto 4x manual zoom lens (28-112mm)2 that produces superb image quality from edge to edge. The FUJIFILM X10 has a beautiful blackout and retro design that includes a traditional optical viewfinder with a wide 20° field of view for exceptional image composition.

Personally I really liked the camera, it’s design. and was impressed with it overall.

Note this is the follow up to our previous review of the Fuji X10–> https://technewszone.com/fuji-x-series-x10-our-preliminary-review-phase-1/

Your Editor,

David Berkowitz

Posted on March 31, 2012 by David Berkowitz, Editor in Chief.

Opinions and Advice as to photos that I took, let me know your honest advice.

I took these pictures at Lake Mead in the Las Vegas area, thought that they were good but they were either declined by fotolia or put in the free section, what are your thoughts and advice?