Gadget Trish takes things to the next level with a Kodak Zi8 Rig (Part 1).

If you were looking for a HD flash format camera at a reasonable price, then I would recommend the Kodak Zi8. This camera retails for about $179, and has the option of having an external microphone for better sound.  In addition to audio control, you have the power to have a SD card to capture your video, so you don’t have to worry about space for video shooting and pictures. If you have an extended trip or long project, just purchase multiple cards and shoot away.

The rig consist of a Sony ECM-DS70P microphone ($49.00), smartlens 2 in 1 ($16.99), Stratos Digital Folding Bracket ($16.99) or a basic Right Angle Bracket ($12.99), the Litepanels LPMICRO Micro LED on Camera Light ($250.00) or the CameraBright X1-W (29.00), Goody Ouchless Hair Bands ($4.29), the StudioTools Compact Mirror ($3.49), a iphone skin of your choice ($15.00), the handle I do not have a price because in came in a Rhode microphone kit from B&H I purchased a few years ago, and of course the Kodak Zi ($179.00).   I purchased the microphone, brackets, handle, and lighting at B&H, the camera, hair band, and mirror, was purchased at Target, the MJ skin is from eBay, and the smartlens was on a site based in Hong Kong.  (This is a link to the blog that I stumbled on that has a write up on the lens with some youTube post about the it. - http://guidewired.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/kodak-zi8-mod-wide-angle-lens-w-macro-attachment/#comment-25)

I personally paid about $600 for this rig, but keep in mind I purchase the light last year for my Canon HV30.  If you remove the Litepanel and purchase the CameraBright  instead, this brings this rig down to about $350.00 (not including memory or tax.)  If you are serious about creating quality video and if it’s in your budget I would make the investment in purchasing all these items for this and future cameras. If money were an issue I would just get the camera and build up slowly (this camera out the box is really good, so there is no need to rush out and put yourself in a financial bind.)   I would start with the microphone, lens, and then the bracket/light. 

Other accessories I would recommend are the large Crumpler THE BUNDLE Photo Bag.  This bag is large enough for the camera, folding bracket with the mirror attached,  the CameraBright light, microphone, handle, and extra memory and battery.  This bag could also work with small camcorder like the Canon HV30.   I like how it’s designed slim and compact.  I would also recommend extra batteries and memory.  I will have a part 2 to using this rig, so please look out for that.  If you have any more questions please feel free to contact me through this comment box, or youTube.

How I Pimped My Canon HV30 (Part 1) By Gadget Trish

I wanted to share with you the Rig that I designed for my Canon HV30 (This could be used for the HV20 and HV40 model as well.) Before making this purchase I went to a few forums and youtube reviews and found a great deal of wonderful feedback. On a side note, when making a gadget purchase, do as much research as possible. Ideally I wanted the Canon XH-A1, but due to financial limitation, I thought this camera be the way to go.

The rig consist of a BeachTek DXA-2S for XLR microphone inputs, a Rode NTG-2 Condenser Shotgun Microphone Kit, a Sennheiser EW100 wireless mic, the Irv manual focus ring, a Pearstone DVP wide angle lens, Canon extended battery, standard cold shoe video bracket to mount the microphone and lights, and a cam caddie. Out the box the Canon HV30 produces fair sound and picture, but the additions provides better focus control, cleaner sound, extended power, and stability while shooting.

If you are on a lower budget and cannot afford every item, I would suggest a wide-angle lens, an extended battery, and the Irv ring. The ring gives you the ability to manual focus quickly. Another must have item is a wide-angle lens. There are different lens for other companies in all sorts of price ranges. I encourage researching and checking out youTube videos.

With the exception of the Irv manual ring, all items can be purchased at the B&H store or website. If you only need to use one microphone at a time and don’t care to use XLR microphones, then the purchase of a BeachTek will not be necessary. When it comes to microphones, they drive up the price quite a bit, from my own personal experience, start with an on camera, or shotgun microphone kit. There are better microphones available then the two I purchased, but based on my budget, I went for these models because of feedback from other friends. Another advantage of the microphones that I purchased is that they could be used for future cameras both with XLR and line-in inputs.


This is my rig for shooting a moving subject for generally documentaries, but I have another rig for interviews and studio projects. I will have that on a future episode of G.T. media, but until then, I’m out.

Leave him alone!

On June 25, 2009, Michael Joseph Jackson died, leaving his fans devastated by the unexpected news. To make matters worse, the media has continued to slander his name in various ways, but his fans throughout the world have chose to ignore it by celebrating his music, humanitarian works, his parenting skills, and most important the sacrifice me made throughout his life to entertain the world. I posted a YouTube addressing GQ’s title “When Michael Was Cool. Please feel free to rate and comment.

Gadget Guide:

Canon HV30 camera, a boom, and a wireless microphone. For lighting I used two basic lighting kit from Victor Smith