Gear Reviews
Hands-on camera, lens, iPhone accessory, lighting, and editing software reviews by Ely Roberts. Browse the latest reviews below, or use the Reviews menu to explore a category.
My Canon R5 II Run-and-Gun Video Kit
This is the compact video kit I developed through shows, interviews, and travel.
This is the compact video kit I developed through shows, interviews, and travel. The Canon R5 II is the center of it, but reliable audio, quick handling, and keeping the camera cool matter just as much as the body.
Originally published on YouTube Jul 29, 2026.
Camera, lens, and quick handling
I use the RF 16-28mm lens, a compact baseplate setup, and a quick-release tripod mount. A Peak Design strap lets me go hands-free when I need to handle a product or talk to someone. Outdoors, I add a variable ND filter with a grippy step-up ring; indoors, I keep the setup simpler.
Audio redundancy
DJI wireless microphones cover me and the person I am interviewing, with separate onboard recordings as backups. I also use a Canon shoe-mounted microphone for additional sound and ambience. The separate recordings must still be organized and synced in the edit. Checking the correct input jack and confirming that recording is running remain essential.
Cooling lessons from actual use
By this video, I was using a newer SmallRig cooling unit for mobile work. My earlier Ulanzi setup still worked well on external power, but its detachable battery had become a frustration. The newer SmallRig unit ran for about five hours on auto during one event in my experience. That is an observation from that outing, not a guaranteed runtime in every condition.
What matters most
My goal is a kit I can carry, operate quickly, and trust to capture usable sound. The video also covers spare batteries, editing, and the accessories that make this setup practical for me.
Original samples or settings: Download here.
Watch on YouTube and view the original product links. Some shopping links in the original description may be affiliate links.
Alvin’s Cables HDMI 2.1 Cable: A Compact Video Rig Upgrade
An HDMI cable is a small part of a video kit, but this coiled Alvin’s Cables model made a useful impression.
An HDMI cable is a small part of a video kit, but this coiled Alvin’s Cables model made a useful impression. I liked its compact shape, bright red color, and ability to stretch when the rig needed extra room.
Originally published on YouTube Jun 20, 2026.
Why the coiled design works for me
The cable stretches to roughly 18 inches in my demonstration and returned to its compact shape after I extended it. The red jacket makes it easier to distinguish from the USB-C and other cables in my bag.
How I use it
My main uses are connecting an on-camera monitor and an Accsoon setup for monitoring through an iPad. The cable is marketed as HDMI 2.1 with support up to 8K, but this short review is about handling and my setup rather than an exhaustive bandwidth or compatibility test.
A simple, useful accessory
At the roughly twenty-dollar price discussed in the video, I felt it was a worthwhile addition. Check the connector types and required length for your own rig before ordering.
Watch on YouTube and view the original product links. Some shopping links in the original description may be affiliate links.
Canon DM-E1D Microphone Test: Hear the Differences
This video compares the Canon DM-E1D with a Sennheiser MKE 600, a DJI wireless microphone, and the camera’s internal microphones.
This video compares the Canon DM-E1D with a Sennheiser MKE 600, a DJI wireless microphone, and the camera’s internal microphones. The point is to let you hear the recordings rather than choose a winner from a specification sheet.
Originally published on YouTube Feb 23, 2026.
Why I bought the Canon microphone
I wanted a microphone that mounts on the camera without its own battery and provides another source of audio alongside the camera’s input jack. A second source can be useful when a wireless microphone is not connected or another recording has a problem.
How I set up the comparison
I played background mall noise and spoke at a distance from the camera. The repeated passages let you compare the microphones with the same spoken material. I included wireless-microphone audio with and without its noise reduction, then compared the Canon microphone with the camera’s built-in audio.
Listen for the differences that matter to you
Pay attention to voice clarity, room sound, and how much background noise each setup captures. Placement differs between an on-camera mic and one worn close to the speaker, so this is a practical setup comparison rather than an identical-distance laboratory test. The video contains the actual audio samples.
Watch on YouTube and view the original product links. Some shopping links in the original description may be affiliate links.
Neewer 99Wh V-Mount Battery Review: Powering Cameras and Lights
The Neewer 99Wh V-mount battery has become a useful power source for my Canon cameras, LED lights, and accessories.
The Neewer 99Wh V-mount battery has become a useful power source for my Canon cameras, LED lights, and accessories.
Originally published on YouTube Sep 28, 2025.
One battery for several jobs
I demonstrate the USB-C, USB-A, D-Tap, 12V, and 8V connections, plus the adapter plate and cables I use. My main examples are powering a Canon R5 or R5 II over USB-C and running compatible Godox lights.
What I have learned in use
A battery remains inside the camera when I use external USB-C power. My experience has been reliable, but runtime depends on the equipment and output level. The video shows the actual connections rather than treating one runtime figure as universal.
Long-term experience
Neewer sent a battery for review after I had already owned and used one for roughly fourteen months. That made this a review based on existing use, including full shooting days and lighting setups.
Watch on YouTube and view the original product links. Some shopping links in the original description may be affiliate links.