How To Shoot Yourself in the Face (& other tips).
Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 4:08PM 
I've put together this quick 'behind the scenes' video to answer the questions I've been receiving regarding the equipment I use to create my videos.
I work with a very limited budget and have acumulated my videography equipment over a few years. So what I am showing you here is not a list of recommended equipment...it's just an insight into what you can achieve using some pretty basic kit. I will inevitably upgrade most of the things you see here...starting as soon as possible with a new Macbook, as my current one is on the verge of becoming a collectors item and adds a couple of hours of rendering time to the production of each video.
Below are links to the things shown in the video. These Amazon links are affiliated, and you may be able to find some of these items cheaper elsewhere.
Apologies to the readers/viewers from other countries, these are all Amazon UK links - you'll need to do a bit of googling to find these products in your country.
Here are a couple more links.....
Ultraclamp at Dogcam - I think this works out cheaper than the Amazon prices, but be sure to have a look around for this, it's for sale in many places, often sold under the name of the Pedco Ultra-Clamp. When you are comparing prices, make sure you are paying for both parts of the clamp and also not one of the older models either.
If you don't mind getting a refurbished camera you should check out the link below to access...
Refurbished & Clearance Sony HX Cameras at the Sony Outlet Shop
(Note the Sony Outlet Store link above won't work if there are no HX cameras for sale)
If that happens, you should still be able to access the front page of the Sony Outlet Store HERE. Also be aware that this site seems to go up and down a lot and it's worth checking it often to see if the stock has changed.
Finally, remember to pop over to BinaryCafe.com if you want to learn more about the Sony HX100V & newer HX200V superzoom cameras.
Reader Comments (8)
Very intersting, thanks for sharing your secrets :)
Now we need to know about your (bamboo) flooring and kitchen cabinets and countertop. (no, really)
Why not asking for some donations for your Macbook?
At least you provide us with some great videos here.
Frank, thanks for the suggestion...but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this. I can't explain why, it's just how I am.
I'll stick with the trusty old Macbook for a while yet...it does do everything I need, it just takes a bit longer to do it than a newer model would (a bit like myself)
Thanks for the video.
I found the ultraclamp pretty interesting. I think you already showed it on o e of your videos, but this "in-depth" detail has given a bunch of ideas about it and my bike.
Keep up the good job ;)
Awesome title. :)
In the US, you'd see more YouTube videos with the title, "How NOT to shoot yourself in the face".
I'm all set to follow your path with the Sony HX200V, but am also torn between the new Canon SX50 (50x zoom) and the Nikon P510 (42x zoom).
The more "research" I do the more I get confused as they all seem to have their advantages and their negatives.
I know you have experience with the HX100V but any with the others?
As for image quality I would go with the Canon. It has Raw which means you can do your own sharpening etc.
(The Sony has massive compression which cannot be turned down)
Look at the comparison on dpreview:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/b3av55c
All three cameras have the same tiny sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) where Sony cramps the most pixels on it and the Canon the less.
Also the Canon has a fully articulated LCD (though resolution is 1/2 of the Sony, nikon).
It has an Ext flash hot shoe, and the H.264 video format.
But how can you expect a recommendation if you lack to provide your needs and requirements for your kind of shooting?
Does Zoom has any importance to you?