After tons of photos leaked on the net of the rumored FLIP SlideHD camera it's finally official. It looks a pretty cool gadget. It has a touchscreen and a widescreen. News features include image stabilization and a 1080p sensor with better low-light performance. With a price of $279, it has some mixed reviews. The Slide is basically a really chunky Mino HD when in camera mode -- you get the same buttons and the same interface, just implemented via touchscreen.

After reading some reviews, I was actually expecting a lot more. The Kodak Zi8 on the other hand has the external microphone jack, which I can find very useful. The Nikon S8000 offers 720p recording at up to ISO 3200, a 10x optical zoom lens, and a three-inch, 921,000-dot LCD that will absolutely crush the screen on the Slide.

For right now, I will wait and see what the competition has to offer... Hopefully Kodak will release its next generation of portable video cameras soon.

Check out a more detailed reviews on engadget.

KWIKFILMS has used the Fat Gecko for 2 projects now and we are highly impressed. The suction cup design is simple and lightweight, but strong and rigid -- inspiring confidence in the field.

Although their website shows consumer type video cameras and DSLR's attached, the Fat Gecko is capable of holding much larger cameras weighing as much as 8lbs.We used a Panasonic AG-HMC40 HD video camera that weighed a little over 2 lbs with the battery, and a Canon 7D DSLR, shooting HD video.

Operation was surprisingly simple. We made sure the suction cups were clean and that the area was clear of debris. A fresh layer of wax on the "subject" vehicle also works well for added "stickiness." This rig only relies on 2 suction cups instead of 4, like other mounting systems, adding real flexibility to your shoot. The footprint is relatively small giving you more creative options and angles.Of course this all depends on the type of vehicle you are shooting. You can feel confident telling your client that this suction cup system won't scratch or damage the paint, or cause unsightly dimples on the body.

Our test car was a 1999 Ferrari 360 Modena. We attached the Gecko at several key positions on the body. Our first position was at the rear of the vehicle shooting the prancing horse emblem while the test driver drove through several levels of a parking structure. The shot turned out great. We also positioned the Canon 7D on the front bumper looking back at the front wheel for a more dramatic angle.After reviewing the footage we considered the Fat Gecko a success.

We would recommend using safety straps as an added layer of safety and protection for your gear, especially if you are using a larger prosumer camera like we did. You should also purchase the optional extender bar from delkin so you can really explore dynamic angles. The affordable price and ease of use makes this piece of equipment a must have for any serious videographer.

You can purchase the Fat Gecko here.

KWIKFILMS is always looking for that next stand out product, and when we got our hands on the Sticky Pod Pro Racer Kit we knew our videos wouldn't be the same. The Sticky Pod was developed to be mounted on virtually any vehicle, inside and out, with 4 heavy duty suction cups, attached to an military grade aluminum plate with a countless number of extensions and knuckles that can be added. Our kit included the Sticky Pod and a six inch extension, safety tethers, and a quick release Bogen camera plate.

Using the Sticky Pod was straightforward and easy. Positioning the camera on our test vehicle opened new camera angles and positions. The suction cups held up very well on the Lamborghini Gallardo test car. With over 500 horsepower and all-wheel drive, this monstrous bull ripped from a standstill to over 60 mph in just a few seconds. After seeing all the equipment still in place, I was impressed.

The Bogen camera plate was great, providing more stability for our Panasonic HMC-40. They provide tethers are a must for safety and added stability for your shots. KWIKFILMS recommends buying an extra knuckle, and more extensions to really explore more creative shots.

If you are interested in purchasing the Sticky Pod click on the banner ad below.



Photos of the Sticky Pod on the Lamborghini Gallardo


Lamborghini Gallardo Sticky Pod Video

Last month I purchased a Hoya HD Circular Polarizer camera lens filter for my Canon 17-55 2.8 lens. A circular polarizer lens filter brings back detail in the sky especially in clouds and remove reflections from reflective surfaces. I purchased this mainly for car photography. I wanted to cut back on the reflections from the windshield and body panels.

The Hoya HD camera lens filters are virtually indestructible. Not only do they have a special coatings that repels dirt and fingerprints, the HD (High Density) polarizing filters allow about one full stop more light to come through, effectively giving you an extra stop of either ISO, lens speed or shutter speed, for free! Being that it's a thin filter it prevents vignetting on wide angle lenses.

So far I've been very impressed by the quality. My photos have incredible detail and seem more vibrant especially when I shoot landscapes. The clouds tend to "pop out" more and the sky looks very blue. However, I wouldn't recommend leaving this particular filter on all the time. You lose a stop of light when putting this filter on it wouldn't benefit you in low light conditions.

Below are a few examples of photos that were shot with my the Hoya HD Circular Polarizer Filter.

If you think this review was helpful and would like to purchase this filter. Please click on the Amazon link above.



Hoya's Gleen Nash Shows off the Hoya HD Filter

Tips on Using a Polarizer Filter.