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The Cal Poly Humboldt Library has equipment for you to check out for free! You can borrow anything for three days and can grab multiple items, including DSLR cameras, camcorders, GoPro cameras, tripods, digital audio recorders, microphones and more. You can ask for any of these items at the Checkout desk on the first floor.
If you have any questions about equipment, or other aspects of a digital project, we are happy to help! Contact us (the Makerspace) at makerspace@humboldt.edu.
This smartphone stabilizer is great for action and sports filming as well as for any purpose where you want the camera to track (follow) a person. This makes it great for shooting smooth action shots like snowboarding or hiking as well as for vlogging and similar videos where you need an extra hand to move the camera. The Flow will track you or the person you’re filming with high accuracy and smooth panning.
This gimbal works with smartphones, so you will need a compatible phone (view the tested list of phones). If your phone can download and install the Insta360 app, it will almost certainly at least work with the Flow's basic features.
Luckily, once you connect the Flow to your phone using the Insta360 app, it provides an in-app tutorial with step-by-step instructions on how to use the gimbal and control your phone's camera with the Flow's controls.
You may also want to view the online instructions from Insta360, including using it for the first time, basic operations, and how to use the app. You can also skip to the video below for a run down of all of features and how to access and control them.
There are a lot of features and you may not need them all, so don't be afraid to start playing around with it once you have learned some of the functions that look interesting. A couple of the more useful features are:
The cell phone recording kit is a simple way to improve the projects you create with your smartphone. The tripod mount will hold phones up to 3.4" wide (including many plus-sized phones like the iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S8+). If the exceptionally flexible Vivitar SP6 spider tripod isn't up to your project, the mount will fit onto any standard tripod.
The simple kit is fairly straightforward, but remember:
Simply thread the camera mount to the tripod to get started. You can adjust the spider legs in many positions, even wrapping it around like a hook to get those really awkward shots.
This professional-quality tripod is great for stabilizing your shots with the Nikon or Canon cameras. The flexibility of the base allows for a wide range of options to cover any terrain. Also compatible with the GoPros and Insta360 One X.
This one is simple! All you need is a camera to attach to it.
The Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod is a compact but professional-quality tripod with a grip head for panning video and stabilizing your shots. It is compatible with the Canon Vixia camcorders as well as our DSLR and GoPro cameras (with threaded tripod mount). The small size is big enough for almost any job (at 5.5 feet), but makes it easy to travel with and pack for a hike (or just lower the weight of the things you're lugging around).
[Pictured with the Canon Vixia R800 camcorder available separately.]
This one is simple! All you need is a camera to attach to it.
How to use the unique quick release 'plate' system to attach your camera or recorder to the tripod. (Best Compact Manfrotto Tripod, Buenos Diaz Imagery)
How to use the ball head and video or photo features for panning and tilting. (Manfrotto Compact Action | BEST TRAVEL TRIPOD?, Mamo Air)
The Camkix 3 in 1 tripod kit includes the tripod base and telescoping pole as well as various GoPro mounts and a gooseneck mount.
This one is simple! All you need is a camera or smartphone to attach to it. The smartphone attachment fits a variety of phone widths, from 2-3.5 inches.
The Polar Pro GoPro strap mount lets you attach any camera with a GoPro adapter (including our Hero6 and 360fly cameras) to your bag, belt, or anything with a strap. This is a very secure way to attach a camera to your body during almost any activity. Be sure that the camera mount is fully threaded on and that the mount's quick release is in the lock position.
This one is simple! All you need is a camera or smartphone to attach to it. Attach the mount to any strap by unscrewing the two plates, insert the strap between them and then screw the plates back together.