HHH Product Spotlight: The OWLE Bubo

[DeSarnoOH]

BIG QUESTION!

Does anybody know if this device is compatible with the Smoothee stabilizer?? Any help is appreciated!

[chrisdavis8]

When using the forward facing mic, my audio cuts out when shooting video. Is there a reason and a work around? - Thanks

[boink313]

But i only have an itouch 4g, can i use it then? and, when i saw the footage, it wasnt that clear. Or is it cause you uploaded in low format..

[HandHeldHollywood]

Time.com just posted a story on Park Chan-Wook, the legendary director of Old Boy who used the Owle Bubo and his iPhone 4 to shoot his award willing short, Night Fishing. Visit the Hand Held Hollywood website for details.

[ogtsui]

lol what a piece of shit

[cjoaccount]

does it increase video quality?

[HandHeldHollywood]

@cjoaccount It improves image stability, gives you a wider angle, and picks-up more directional sound (with the included microphone). But, the internal optics of the iPhone remain the same (good, but not awesome).

[Kalavere]

$170 for a cheap piece of aluminum? I don't think so, I'd rather save the cash and put it toward a new lense for my D7000...

[GanEdenVideo]

Why is it in 4:3?

[HandHeldHollywood]

@GanEdenVideo This was shot with an iPhone 3Gs (which can only shoot VGA). 16x9 didn't come along until the iPhone 4. Hooray, progress! Hopefully tomorrow's iPhone 5 (or 4s) announcement will bring us an even better camera!

[n8ivemafia1]

will this fit an ipod 4?

[HandHeldHollywood]

@n8ivemafia1 Yup. They have a model for the iPod Touch. Use the link in the video description to get to their main store page. Poke around, and you'll find it. :)

[timwarneka]

Great video. Wonderful presentation. Thanks so much. What did you use to capture audio? (Very nice.)

[HandHeldHollywood]

@timwarneka Thanks for the kind words! I'm pretty sure I used a Sennheiser G3 wireless lav mic. I've been quite happy with it. I now use it to feed audio to my Owle mounted iPhone 4, with the help of a KV Connection mac adapter ("KM-IPHONE-MIC").

[jrnz0r]

But if you do it, its very cool :P

[REDBULLHEADiphone]

Hello pal. I spent the entire 2010 filming my life on an iPhone 3Gs. I could have done with this product back then. Also, I'd like to say that you are a great presenter and ... Well one of the best I have seen on Youtube. Subbed.

[HandHeldHollywood]

@REDBULLHEADiphone Thanks for the kind words! Seriously. Means a lot to me. :)

[HandHeldHollywood]

@BenjaminNguyenjamin According to the product description in the iTunes App Store -- "The free version is the same as the 1.2.2 version of almost DSLR except (1). it has a banner. (2). it asks to buy the full version at the beginning."

[2kwing]

Hi! anyone knows where can i buy this in Singapore? cus it says some products cannot be shipped to international destinations, but i really want one....

[Bandci1]

Very interesting concept.. I am nearly sold on it..

[Bacon22122]

Don't do it.

[ngvgnDOTcom]

I saw some test footage with the Nokia N8 it blows even the iPhone 4 out of the water.

iPhone 4 has a white balance problem. The weird thing the iPhone 3GS is really good with white balance.

There is a short film make with the Nokia N8 on video called

The Commuter 2010

[ridesharemovie]

I used the OWLE Bubo extensively in shooting RIDESHARE, the first full-length feature film shot entirely using the HD iPhone4. It was quite useful as 80% of the film is shot handheld. Still pretty bumpy at times but the OWLE helped.

[magnetmus]

do you use an app for shooting videos? to have manual control over exposure, focus etc. thanks!

[HandHeldHollywood]

@magnetmus I just added a link to "Almost DSLR" in the first line of the video description above. Check it out. It's a terrific video app that lets you lock exposure and focus. Awesome!

[magnetmus]

@HandHeldHollywood great! thanks. sorry i missed that before asking....

[TheMattGosselin]

it's a shame about the wide-angle lens' distortion

[510musicmaker]

did you make a review for the extension of the bubo yet? i believe its called encinema adapter and it fits the bubo and you can use a nikon lense with it.

[HandHeldHollywood]

@510musicmaker I haven't tried the encinema adaptor yet, but I just left word for the developer. Hopefully, I'll get my hands on one soon. :)

[seanashby65]

great review - thanks

[fortestudios]

I really like the idea of this, coupled with an iPhone devoted solely to capturing, probably jailbroken (shhh, don't tell anyone).

Two questions:

1) Would this work with one of the new iPod touches that have cameras?

2)With the absence of a zoom function and support for external microphones (boom, lav, etc.) do you feel it's a worthwhile alternative for small-budged independent films?

[HandHeldHollywood]

@fortestudios If the Owle works with the Touch, I'm guessing it would be with the assistance of some major padding. Frankly, I'm guessing the Owle guys are already considering a version for the Touch. I'll sniff around, and see what I can find out. I use my OWLE with an external wireless mic, and a litepanel. Works great!  I posted this video a year ago, and I STILL think the Owle kicks ass, but I don't think I'd use it on a feature. Then again, I wouldn't use an iPhone to shoot a feature.

[GoHiper]

@fortestudios i heard that this works with ipod4, new one. i have it so i hope its true.

[yeggegrrl]

would it (the silicone mold) fit an iPod Touch 4G?

[yeggegrrl]

would it (the silicone mold) fit an iPod Touch 4G?

[iPhoneFF]

submit your film to iphone film festival this looks great.

Ruben

iPhoneFF.com

[geogodley]

no widescreen? & less inimidating would be better.. the phone was more people friendly, point this at them & they're uncomfortable

[CDaleDave]

Do you use iMovie (on the iPhone or your computer) to edit your movies or some other software?

[HandHeldHollywood]

@CDaleDave Over at HHH, we've been using Final Cut Pro to cut our iPhone videos, but iMovie is looking pretty terrific for fast-turnaround in-field reports. I expect we'll be using it at the next trade show we visit. I'd also recommend taking a look at 1st Video by Vericorder (if you've got a 3G or 3Gs). It's got a more professional interface (but fewer graphic bells and whistles).

[kockgunner]

That's pretty expensive though.

[ShynePoe33]

with iphone 4 it even makes sense

[yupupe]

What if somebody calls while...

[duskj79]

@yupupe Just put your phone in Airplane mode and you'll never have to worry while shooting your film!

[Aftershok]

@yupupe @yupupe @duskj79 is spot on. It's always best to use the Owle in Airplane mode. Not only does it prevent calls from disrupting the shoot, but it also kills the radio interference noise that can screw up your audio. I've forgotten to put it in Airplane mode a few times, and lived to regret it. Airplane mode is your friend, even when shooting without the Owle.

[toasternutmeg]

i ordered one for my website. i can't wait until it arrives. iphone blading dot com

[jakegambino]

OMG TOWELIE!!

[ogtsui]

shit

[croncknino]

just great!

[snokite]

Wow. Thanks. I had to work way too hard to find any actual information on this thing was on their slick website, and then I didn't get a quarter of what you provided here. I appreciate the review.

[bnzelener]

Excellent review. You mentioned everything I wanted to know. Thanks!

[ajmssc]

Most expensive piece of plastic ever

[wert4580]

...but why not just buy a used camera?

[HandHeldHollywood]

There's a few reasons. But the first that comes to mind is the iPhone's ability to share video instantly. You can upload to Youtube, post to blogs, and even stream live to a web-based audience. It all depends on your needs, I suppose.

[prooc]

@HandHeldHollywood The only problem is that the iphone's weak camera only shoots in 640 by 480. Heck you can find some pinhole cameras that shoot better than that. Plus what happens if apple updates the iphone and it doesn't fit anymore.

[jorn89]

That is a really good point and probably the only reason to buy one.

[GourmetZocker]

Very nice thing. But I would wait till the next iPhone is out since I have a feeling that it will feature different messures and HD recording abilities.

[FlimgeekTimmy]

Nice work! Your review and demo was amazing and could sell OWLE's by it's self. I like your style, very professional.

[HandHeldHollywood]

@FlimgeekTimmy Thanks, T! Much appreciated. Feel free to swing by the website for more iPhone goodness.  :)

[lasersandtheirbeams]

Great review! Can I attach a neck strap to it somehow?

[HandHeldHollywood]

@lasersandtheirbeams Hi! It doesn't come with any sort of strap, and there really isn't any small hole for a clasp... but... I bet you could use those two 1/4" screw holes on the top corners of the Bubo to rig up some sort of neck strap!

[wantOWLE]

Absolutely blown away. <3