As I was making my way though my email inbox the other day, I came across a wonderful article in Calumet Photo’s eNewsletter. In particular I became fascinated with an awesome infographic.  Before I recap this article, a bit about Calumet Photo:

 

"Calumet Photographic is the top drawer in the photographer’s toolbox. Whether you enjoy the slosh and spill of chemicals in the traditional darkroom or prefer the immediacy of the digital darkroom, Calumet has what you need from cameras and cables to studio lighting and computers. Photographers around the world have been depending on Calumet Photographic for nearly 70 years because they know where to go for the equipment they need and expert advice they can’t get anywhere else. Our sales associates know the photo industry inside and out; we’re here to answer questions and offer advice so you can make informed buying decisions. Whether you shoot traditional or digital, it’s our commitment to help you get exactly what you need when you need it."

 

 

Calumet has retail locations in the US, UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium.  This is absolutely ideal if you are traveling to major cities in the US or European countries, because you can bet that there is a Calumet location that you could get to for repairs, supplies, advice, or services.

 

On to the HDSLR post. As I was saying, I was reading an article titled "Anatomy of an HDSLR Rig", and this wonderful infographic (created by 5W Infographics) caught my attention.  Let’s take a look, shall we?

 

You can read the full article HERE.

 

At first glance all these accessories seem a little overwhelming, especially to a photographer who has never worked with video before. This article breaks down the accessories into three main categories:

 

Video

This section describes and gives examples of current DSLRs with HD video capability and suggested lenses that work well with video.  My personal taste is for fixed length, fast glass.  LOVE shooting video wide open at f/1.4, f/2.0, or f/2.8. 720P or 1080P…I couldn’t care less as long as I have full manual control over the video settings.

 

Audio

Definitely one of the challenges with these new cameras. High quality audio is critical to producing quality video, and unfortunately the current audio capabilities on the HDSLRs don’t quite cut it.  Luckily there are tons of other options.

 

Support

The smaller the camera the harder it is to keep steady, especially if you can’t shoulder mount it.  Luckily, a ton of manufacturers have popped up that offer camera support systems that are tailored specifically to this new breed of camera.

 

Overall this article does a great job of summarizing and gathering a great list of products and accessories that enhance the HDSLR experience and dramatically improve video quality. Definitely take the time to go through each category to understand what everything does and how much it costs.