PhotographyBanzai.com

Taking a look at this Llano F17 Pocket 4.0 card reader and storage device. Keep in mind that Llano did send me this to try out and make a video on based on my collaboration terms, which means they have no say in the content of anything I produce. And also, they aren't allowed to preview anything. This device functions as portable storage and a palm-sized high-speed card reader. It is designed to offer dual card simultaneous reading as an added bonus. Taking a first look at the retail packaging for the Llano F17 Pocket 4.0 card reader. It comes with a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box. If you want the maximum speed, you will want to avoid using the adapter and connect to your PC or phone with the USB-C connection, but it's nice that it comes with an adapter for older systems.  Showing the included USB-C to USB-A adapter. The physical design of the reader is quite unique. It operates as a little clamshell case with the memory card ports on the side.  The two memory card ports on ...

I am going to be taking a look at this Llano USB 3 multi-function card reader. Keep in mind that Llano did send me this device at no cost based on my collaboration terms, which means they have no say in the content of the video or anything else I produce. They were also not allowed to preview anything.  The box for the Llano USB 3.0 Multifunction Card Reader. Out of the box, the LCR1003B model comes with a set of instructions and a small lanyard to help keep track of it. The device itself features an aluminum alloy and ABS plastic case, giving it a reasonably solid feel in the hand.  The aluminum and ABS plastic body of the card reader. The main draw of this device is its connectivity. It has a standard USB-A port on one end and a USB-C port on the opposite side. Along the side, you will find slots for both standard SD and micro SD cards. The USB-A side of the card reader. This is a UHS-I type card reader. Because of this, you are not going to get super fast transfer speeds if you are ...

In this article I take a look at this little tripod that LLANO sent me at no cost. Keep in mind that any company that I deal with has to agree to my terms, which means they have no say in the content of anything I produce and they are not allowed to preview anything before posting.  The tripod has a noticeable amount of weight to it considering the size. The exterior feels like it is made from a plastic or a composite material. There is a standard 1/4-20" tripod thread connected to a ball head. The locking nut attached to the connection thread has a grippy rubber material to help secure whatever device you mount to it. The tripod's box reminds me of a toothpaste container in size and shape. A close-up view of the top mounting plate, highlighting the standard 1/4-20 thread and the rubber surface designed to grip the bottom of your camera. The 1/4-20 UNC thread is the global standard for tripod mounts on consumer and professional cameras. The "1/4" refers to the diamet...

In this article I talk about gaffer tape as well as no-residue duct tape. I have used tapes like this for years and it's tough using anything else because of how versatile it is.  The first one we are talking about today is Pro Tapes Gaff. This is a traditional gaffer tape that's meant to not to leave a residue as well as being easy to tear. If you are in some type of video production situation, you typically use this type of tape to put over cables or other obstacles on set.  I do not do professional video production, but I do use this type of tape a lot in just almost any situation related to my online video work.  Is all gaffer tape the same? I had used a roll of Amazon Basics gaffer tap. The nice thing about this tape was that it did not have a white backing, which made it look cleaner on the edges, but it failed at being no residue for extended periods of time. They do mention on the product page it's not intended for long term use, so I guess it shouldn't have be...

In this article I'm going over videography setups I made out of LEGOs...back in 2017. At the time it was a pretty decent option I had on-hand to accomplish what I needed with my video work. The main focus here is a video slide because I have a corresponding video I had made back then. However, at the end of the article I show photos of two different mounts I had made.  The LEGO slider with a camera mounted on the cart and positioned on the track between four clamp lights. A camera slider is a piece of equipment that allows a camera to make a smooth sliding motion, usually horizontally, to create dynamic and professional-looking video shots. By moving the camera smoothly along a track, filmmakers can add a sense of depth and movement to what would otherwise be a static scene.* The Construction: Cart and Track Let's take a closer look at the build. The camera rests on a small cart, which is a simple bowl construction with plastic wheels. The set did come with rubber tires that fi...