This time on LensVid Talk we have BlueShape charger, Ulanzi VL-120C RGB video light review, Prograde USB 4 reader & gen 4 CF-A 480GB card review, Astrhori 120mm f/2.8 2X Macro lens, Edelkrone JibPLUS and Tripod X, ZOOM H1 XLR, Deity S-Mic 3 and S-Mic 3S, Godox LITEMONS LP LED panel series, Ulanzi Vlogpod TT38 Tripod, SmallRig wireless follow focus kit Lite (model 4296) and finally Bad Boys: Ride or Die spinning rig BTS with WIll Smith.
This episode of LensVid Talk was recorded about two weeks before IBC 2024 in September.
Blueshape CMDUAL-PD USB-C battery charger
Italian manufacturer BluShape introduced about a year ago a multi-battery charger with user-replaceable plates that can accommodate various camera batteries from Sony, Canon, Nikon, etc.
The CMDUAL-PD uses a USB-C PD connection for fast charging and has a dual base that can accommodate two similar or different plates for two batteries.
We have used the charger for several months and it works well (although the plates don’t seem to have a lock). We eventually decided not to publish a full review for various reasons (mostly due to the lack of LCD preventing the user to view the precise battery status, something that exists on many other chargers.
The CMDUAL-PD on the BlueShape website.
Ulanzi VL-120C RGB video light review
We had a chance to review the new small but relatively VL-120C from Ulanzi, a 120W powerful COB with RGB technology that sells for a very budget-friendly price.
The pricing of the VL-120C is currently only $120 on Amazon.
Check out our full review of the light here.
The Ulanzi VL-120C with a V-mount on the back
Prograde USB 4 Reader & Gen 4 CF-A 480GB Card Review
We recently posted a review of the new Prograde USB 4 reader and the Gen 4 CF-Express 480GB card. This was one of the first CF-express Gen 4 cards on the market promising twice the speed of the existing cards.
You can check out the results on our full review but please keep in mind that there are currently a lot of limitations when it comes to this technology.
When it comes to pricing, the 480GB version of the card sells for $390 while the 960GB sells for $600. The ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A USB 4.0 Single-Slot Card Reader sells for $100.
The Prograde Gen 4 CF-Express 480GB and card reader
Astrhori 120mm f/2.8 2X Macro lens
Astrhori released a 2:1 macro telephoto lens – the 120mm f/2.8 2X Macro. This manual focus full frame lens is fully metal with a 2:1 magnification and comes in E/Z/EF/RF/L mounts with screw holes for adding lighting on the front of the lens which has a 30cm minimum focusing distance.
The Astrhori 120mm f/2.8 sells for $370.
PERGEAR video on the Astrhori 120mm f/2.8
Edelkrone JibPLUS and Tripod X
Turkish manufacturer Edelkrone released several products this year including the JibPlus, a much larger version of its original JibOne motorized jib (which we own) as well as the Tripod X, a unique motorized tripod that can change the length of each leg individually.
Both can be controlled via apps and can work together to create some very unique moves as seen in the video below.
The Edelkrone Jibplus sells for around $2100.
The Edelkrone Tripod X sells for around $1800.
Official Edelkrone JibPlus video
ZOOM H1 XLR handheld recorder
Zoom introduced a handheld affordable field recorder with dual XLR 1/4″ TRS combo inputs in the form of the Zoom H1 XLR. This unit also has mic/line inputs, a 3.5mm stereo jack for aux and lav input, and 32-bit float recording as well as USB-C for computer connection and power.
For under $150, this unit packs a lot of features.
B&H video on the ZOOM H1 XLR
Nanlite Alien 300C and 150C LED Panel Lights
Nanlite came out with a new series of pro-level panels called Alien with 300 and 150 watt variants. Both have RGBWW LED technology support for app control, 2.4 GHz wireless, DMX/RDM, and CRMX LumenRadio, extended CCT range of up to 12,000K, dual v-mount batteries, and IP55 protection.
Nanlite Alien 300C sells for $1500.
Nanlite Alien 150C sells for $1000.
Official Nanlite Alien 300C and 150C LED Panel Lights video
Deity S-Mic 3 and S-Mic 3S
Deity’s new top-of-the-line shotgun XLR mic is the S-Mic 3 and its smaller pencil style sibling the 3Sare designed around Low-noise circuitry and RFI resistance with a wide frequency range of 50 Hz to 20 kHz but most of all a new aluminum alloy construction made to operate in 95% humidity and in temperatures ranging from -4 to 158°F (-20 to 70c) and be about half the weight of the previous S-Mic2 mics (or under 50g).
Pricing for the S-Mic 3 is set at $340.
Pricing for the S-Mic 3s is set at $296.
Official Deity S-Mic 3 video
Godox LITEMONS LP LED Panel Series
Godox continues to release more products in more categories and earlier this year they announced the LITEMONS LP LED Panel Series.
This affordable white-colored series of panels is mainly aimed at creators with three models – Godox Litemons LP1200R (120W), Godox Litemons LP600R (60W) and Godox Litemons LP360R (36W). They all come in single, dual, and three-light kits, with ultra-light design, V-mount battery plates, and detachable barn doors.
You can find the different configurations at $340.
Official Litemons LED panel video by Godox
Ulanzi Vlogpod TT38 Tripod
Ulanzi has a new vlogging handle/mini tripod unit called the TT38 One-Click Open Tripod. The unit’s maximum extended height of 7.8″/20cm, is useful for tabletop work with a handheld mode height of 10″/25cm for vlogging, etc. The unit switches between open and closed positions with just one click using its push button. It has a 1/4″-20 mounting screw with a cold shoe on the side for accessories.
The Ulanzi TT38 sells for around $40.
Official Ulanzi TT38 video
SmallRig Wireless Follow Focus Kit (Lite) 4296
SmallRig recently introduced a more affordable follow-focus kit called the 4296 (or Lite version). This unit shares some aspects with the more advanced motorized MagicFIZ Wireless Follow Focus that we tested back in 2022.
However it is more basic and it lacks any battery for the motor so you will need to supply power to it via USB-C. Pricing is lower however and it is still pretty straightforward to set up and operate using its dedicated controller.
You can buy the new follow focus kit for around $170.
Official operating instruction video from SmallRig
Will Smith Bad Boys rotating rig – BTS
Finally, earlier this year Will Smith released a BTS video (see below) showing a rig he used during the filming of Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024).
https://amzn.to/4fOJwWbThis kit includes a full-size Cinema camera (Red?) with a small light hooked up to a harness worn by Smith that can spin 360 degrees (quickly) and extend forward or backwards to capture both a first person view in front of the actor as well as a selfie style view, both when holding a gun in a simulated gun fight scene.
It’s a pretty cool rig overall and it might be interesting to try and recreate the same thing on a budget for mirrorless cameras using existing commercial components.
Will Smith Bad Boys BTS
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Iddo Genuth 
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