Cine Helios 44-2 – Rehoused Cult Classic Swirly Bokeh Lens

The Cine Helios 44-2 VLFV is a new lens from Iron Glass that rehouses the cult classic 58mm Helios swirly-bokeh vintage lens. Helios is a lens brand from the Soviet Union era, affectionately naming all their lenses with a simple model number. The 44-2 has become a very popular lens in the vintage market, known for it’s swirly-bokeh backgrounds. The problem many filmmakers have found with this lens is adapting it successfully for video. It is M42 mount, meaning any adaption to the likes of Canon EF involves a screw adaptor (easy to unscrew). Focus wheel is tight to the mount and, being old, models generally have some play here and there. None of this is ideal for video, and a few companies have looked to tackle this by adding gears, spaced front hoods and improved threaded mounts. Iron Glass has taken it a step further a produced a completely rehoused version, for a very affordable price. The Cine Helios 44-2 is available in permanent PL or EF mount, focus scale can be etched in feet or meters. Aperture remains on the front in f/stop (no T-stopping) but is de-clicked. Despite the slightly confusing name, the Cine Helios 44-2 is a 58mm full frame lens. Focus rotation of the original Helios 44-2 is relatively long, the Cine Helios 44-2 is no exceptional at 270 degrees. It weighs just over half a kilo (550g/1.2 lbs.) and sports a 95mm clap on front with internal 86mm filter thread. The price? $950 – pretty reasonable when considering the cost of usual lens rehousing. Much of this is likely down to the relatively cheap cost of the lens itself, they are fairly common to get hold of and usually fetch for under $100. Iron Glass has plans for a whole set of Helios rehoused lenses, consisting of 20,28,37,58,85 and 135mm. You can place orders now, shipping looking like end of December. Do you like using rehoused lenses? Let us know in the comments below!

-

Ultimate Guide to Sony a9 II Camera Accessories

Sony a9 II Camera Accessories This list will help you navigate your way thru accessories designed for Sony a9 II mirrorless cameras. Let’s start with three new accessories designed specifically for a9 II and future cameras in this series.

New Accessories for Sony a9 II Cameras

Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip

Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip ($398) is designed for Sony a7R IV & a9 II mirrorless cameras. It offers both double battery capacity and a more comfortable grip when shooting in the vertical orientation. The grip accepts either one or two NP-FZ100 batteries to increase the effective battery life for longer shooting sessions, and the batteries can be charged in the grip while attached to the camera via the body’s USB port. The grip’s design maintains the same layout as the camera body itself, and includes a secondary shutter button and Multi Selector for intuitive use. The VG-C4EM grip is built from magnesium alloy and is dust- and moisture-resistant to match the weather sealing of the camera itself. Order Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip from B&H Photo | Amazon

Sony ECM-B1M Digital Shotgun Microphone

Sony ECM-B1M Digital Shotgun Microphone Sony ECM-B1M Digital Shotgun Microphone ($348) is an ultra-compact camera-mount digital shotgun microphone designed for mobile video creators working with Sony cameras equipped with the Multi Interface Shoe. Designed for the current generation cameras including a9 II with built-in Digital Audio Interface, the ECM-B1M is able to produce its best quality by delivering a digital audio stream directly to the camera through the Multi Interface Shoe. Other Sony cameras with the standard Multi Interface Shoe can still make use of the microphone as there is a selectable digital/analog output. Order Sony ECM-B1M Digital Shotgun Microphone from B&H Photo | Amazon

Sony XLR-K3M Digital XLR Adaptor Kit with Microphone

Sony XLR-K3M Digital XLR Adaptor Kit with Microphone Sony XLR-K3M ($598) is a dual-channel digital XLR audio adapter that allows you to connect microphones and other audio sources to cameras equipped with a Multi Interface Shoe. Designed for the current generation cameras including a9 II with built-in Digital Audio Interface built-in digital audio interface, the adapter is able to produce its best quality by delivering a digital audio stream directly to the camera through the Multi Interface Shoe. Other Sony cameras with the standard MI Shoe can still make use of the microphone as there is a selectable digital/analog output. XLR-K3M features two XLR-1/4″ combo mic/line inputs with 48V phantom power, and a 3.5mm stereo input with plug-in power, all with individual level controls. Order Sony XLR-K3M Digital XLR Adaptor Kit with Microphone from B&H Photo | Amazon

Other Top Accessories

Batteries and Chargers

Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery My first suggestion with any camera is to buy an extra battery and external charger. Even though battery life is greatly improved from previous Sony mirrorless camera batteries, you can’t shoot while charging your only battery, picking up a spare Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery ($78). Order Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries from B&H Photo | Amazon

Third-Party Batteries and Chargers

I only use original Sony NP-FZ100 batteries. It seems unwise to risk your $3500 camera to a third-party battery just to save $50. But…if you’re determined to buy third-party replacement batteries, please be aware that many third-party batteries (Wasabi in particular) do not meet Sony compliance stands so PLEASE stick to batteries that comply! Upgraded RAVPower NP-FZ100 Batteries ($59.95 for two battery + charger kit from Amazon) are manufactured in compliance with Sony specs. The only complaint I’ve received is that RAVPower batteries drain more quickly than OEM Sony batteries Order Upgraded RAVPower NP-FZ100 Batteries + Charger Kit from Amazon

Sony PCK-LG1 Screen Protection Glass

sony-pck-lg1-screen-protector PCK-LG1 Screen Protect Glass Sheet protects a camera’s rear LCD from scratches or marks when in use. Constructed from 9H-rated hard, shatterproof glass, it has an anti-stain coating to resist marks or finger prints. Additionally, it maintains full support for cameras’ touchscreen and tilting functions. Order Sony PCK-LG1 Screen Protection Glass ($28) from B&H Photo | Amazon

UHS II SD Memory Cards

Now that both a9 II SD Card Slots are UHS II compatible, PLEASE stop using UHS-I cards! My SD cards of choice are Sony’s world’s fastest Sony SF-G cards featuring blistering fast 299MB/s Write Speed & 300MB/s Read Speed perfect for Sony a9 II’s 10 FPS burst shooting, 4K video, and other buffer-busting uses. If you plan to shoot video, you’ll want to stick to 64GB (or larger) SDXC cards for the best video codex. Sony SF-G ‘Tough’ cards are my cards of choice for their Best-in-Class Write/Read Speed along with ultimate durability. Sony SF-G Series Tough UHS-II SD Memory Cards are available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB Order 32GB Sony SF-G Series Tough UHS-II SDHC Memory Cards from B&H Photo | Amazon Order 64GB Sony SF-G Series Tough UHS-II SDXC Memory Cards from B&H Photo | Amazon Order 128GB Sony SF-G Series Tough UHS-II SDXC Memory Cards from B&H Photo | Amazon sony-sf-g-uhs-ii-sd-memory-cards Sony SF-G UHS-II SD cards available in 32GB, 64GB & 128GB (Stick to 64 or 128 GB SDXC cards for video) Order Sony 32GB SF-G UHS-II SDHC Memory Card from B&H Photo | Amazon Order Sony 64GB SF-G UHS-II SDHC Memory Card from B&H Photo | Amazon Order Sony 128GB SF-G UHS-II SDHC Memory Card from B&H Photo | Amazon If you can’t get your hands on the Sony cards listed above, the next fastest option is SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-II SD Memory Cards with 260 MB/s Max Write Speeds. Once again, stick to 64 or 128 GB SDXC cards for video. sandisk-extreme-pro-uhs-ii-sd-cards Order SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO UHS-II SDHC Memory Cards from B&H Photo | Amazon Order SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO UHS-II SDHC Memory Cards from B&H Photo< | Amazon Order SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO UHS-II SDHC Memory Cards from B&H Photo< | Amazon hoodman-steel-sdxc-cards Hoodman Steel 2000x SDXC UHS-II Memory Card available in 64GB & 128GB fall short of Sony SF-G speed, but their 260 MB/s a Max Write Speed equals the speed of SanDisk cards with better construction and a lower price. Order Hoodman 64GB Steel 2000x SDXC UHS-II Memory Cards from B&H Photo | Amazon Order Hoodman 128GB Steel 2000x SDXC UHS-II Memory Cards from B&H Photo | Amazon

Memory Card Readers

While you can always download by connecting the camera to your computer using the supplied USB-cord, a MUCH better option is to pick up an SD card reader. Here are two good options sony-mrw-s1-uhs-ii-sd-card-reader Sony MRW-S1 UHS-II SD Memory Card Reader ($29) from B&H Photo | Amazon SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card USB Type-C Reader ($25) from B&H Photo | Amazon

SD Memory Card Cases

Nothing’s worse than searching around your camera bag trying to find a tiny SD card. Digital card cases can make quick order out of that chaos. Pelican 0915 SD Memory Card Case will snugly hold the cards in the removable, shock absorbing liner. The water resistant seal ensures that your cards will be safe from moisture, even if the case is submerged in water. To keep track of which cards I’ve shot, I turn the cards face down once I’ve used them. Pelican 0915 Memory Card Case Pelican 0915 SD Memory Card Case ($19.99) holds and protects up to 12 SD memory cards. Order Pelican 0915 SD Memory Card Case from B&H Photo | Amazon

Remote Commanders

Remote commanders allow hands-off triggering of a tripod-mounted camera or long bulb exposure times. Sony RMT-P1BT Wireless Remote Commander ($78) uses Bluetooth connectivity for adjusting certain camera settings and releasing the camera’s shutter within a 16.4′ range. The sleek commander incorporates +/- buttons for adjusting focus, recording, and power/digital zoom functions and has two assignable buttons—AF-ON and C1—that mirror the set functions of the same-named buttons on the camera body. A lock switch prevents accidental settings changes when the remote is not in use. Additionally, an LED indicator light shows the shutter, recording, or AF status. The device is dust and moisture resistant to suit use in trying environments. Order Sony RMT-P1BT Wireless Remote Commander from B&H Photo | Amazon RMT-VPR1-DSLR2 Sony RM-VPR1 remote control (B&H | Amazon) and Sony RMT-DSLR2 Wireless Remote (B&H | Amazon) Sony RM-VPR1 remote control with Multi-Terminal Cable ($50) from B&H | Amazon is a wired remote which allows you to control shutter, optical zoom, digital zoom and bulb functions, as well as control video recording without touching your camera. Sony RMT-DSLR2 Wireless Remote ($28) from B&H Photo | Amazon triggers your shutter by sending an infrared signal to the camera’s remote port, ensuring that you don’t shake the camera as you fire it.

Remote Cables

vello-3-5mm-remote-shutter-release-cable-sony-mi-terminal Vello 3.5mm Remote Shutter Release Cable for Sony Multi-Terminal cameras ($11 from B&H Photo) is a budget-priced remote release coble that allows you to trigger your Sony mirrorless cameras remotely using a PocketWizard Plus III, MultiMAX II or any other remote triggers with a 3.5mm mini-plug port. PocketWizard Remote Trigger Cable for Sony PocketWizard Remote Trigger Cable for Sony ($32) PocketWizard Cables are never the cheapest but they are the most reliable. If you’re mounting your camera in a catwalk or some other hard to reach remote location and you value reliability over price, these cords will allow you to remotely trigger your Sony cameras using PocketWizard Plus III, MultiMAX II as well as control the half-press function. The 3′ cable has a 1/8″ stereo miniphone connection at one end and Sony’s Multi/micro-USB attachment at the other. PocketWizard Remote Camera Cable with Camera Power for Sony PocketWizard Remote Camera Cable with Camera Power for Sony ($40) has a Multi/micro-USB connection and a USB Type-A on one end, and the other end has a 3.5mm stereo miniphone connection. The miniphone jack is compatible with any Pocket Wizard radio and plugs directly into the radio’s synch port. The other end plugs into the camera’s Multi/micro-USB port to establish a connection from the receiving radio to fire off the camera. This type of connection keeps the camera continuously awake and ready to fire at a moment’s notice. With a transmitting radio, the same miniphone connection is used, but the Multi/micro-USB connection is plugged into the compatible RM-VPR1 Remote Commander to send the signal when pressed. Half press function is available when using a Plus III as a transmitting radio and a Plus III or Plus IV radio as a receiving radio with Channels 17-32. Pre-trigger function is available when using a Plus III, MultiMAX, or MultiMAX II as a transmitting radio and a Plus III, MultiMAX, or MultiMAX II as a receiving radio with Channels 17-32. To supplement power to the camera, plug into the micro-USB port and the USB Type-A connection plugs into an external battery power to extend the camera’s working capacity.

Intervalometers

Here are wired & wireless intervalometers that will work with Sony a7 Series cameras: jjc-tm-f2_wire-multi-function-lcd-timer JJC TM-F2 Wire Multi-Function LCD Timer Remote for Sony Multi-Terminal ($26 at Amazon) This is the choice of time-lapse specialist Sony Artisan Drew Geraci for it simplicity, size and easy to read display. hahnel-captur-timer-kit-sony hahnel Captur Timer Kit for Sony ($89 at B&H Photo) This bundle enhances your Captur remote shutter release system by providing a AA battery-powered interval timer module, as well as a receiver for mounting on a camera. Additional receivers are available for firing even more DSLRs. Use this kit with the transmitter you already have, or purchase one separately. As an alternative to wireless operation, the system can function in wired mode, and this kit includes the cables for connecting both the receiver and timer module to the camera. The module features single, continuous, and bulb exposure modes, allowing you to choose from a huge range of exposure times with the continuous and bulb settings.

Hotshoe Flashes

Sony HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash

Sony HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash Sony HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash ($398) from B&H Photo | Amazon 2.4 GHz radio controlled flash features built-in wireless capability of operating up to 15 flashes in 5 groups. When mounted on camera, Sony HVL-F45M can act as a flash commander or it can be triggered off-camera using a Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander using built-in 2.4 GHz wireless wireless connection capability of operating up to 15 flashes in 5 groups. HVL-F45RM reduces size and weight over 10% from the previous model while improving the guide number to 148′ at ISO 100 and 105mm and improving the recycle time to 2.5 seconds. Full bounce capabilities are available as well with tilt from -8 to 150 degrees and a total of 360 degrees of rotation. Also, it has a zoom head of 24-105mm which can be expanded to 15mm with a pull-out diffusion panel alongside an LED light useful for video. The flash offers vastly improved controls via the rear LCD, including customizable buttons and flash distribution and memory settings. HVL-F45RM has a dust- and moisture-resistant construction. Order Sony HVL-F45RM flash from B&H Photo | Amazon

Sony HVL-F60RM Wireless Radio Flash

sony-hvl-f60rm-flash Sony HVL-F60RM Wireless Radio Flash ($598) from B&H Photo | Amazon is equipped with a built-in 2.4 GHz radio transceiver to allow photographers to quickly create portable lighting setups with complete support for P-TTL / ADI metering. This flash can be set as a commander or a remote that fully supports Sony’s existing radio commanders and receivers, including ratio control, the ability to work with up to 15 flashes in five groups, and access to 14 channels. The flash works within Sony’s optical wireless flash system as well, where it is also able to operate as either a commander or remote unit. Compared to its predecessor, and in addition to the added radio transceiver, the HVL-F60RM also has improved overheating protection for more consistent and reliable performance. It has a guide number of 197′ at ISO 100 and 105mm, along with an improved recycle time of 1.7 seconds. Full bounce capabilities are available, too, with tilt from -8 to 150° and a total of 180° of rotation. sony-hvl-f60rm-flash-rotation-tilt Also, it has a zoom head of 20-200mm which can be widened to 14mm with a pull-out diffusion panel. The front-facing LED light has been updated and can now also be used as an AF illuminator with E-mount mirrorless cameras for more reliable, faster focusing in low-light conditions. Additionally, the flash also has a dust- and moisture-resistant construction along with a durable metal foot. sony-hvl-f60rm-metal-flash-shoe Sony HVL-F60RM Flash has a dust- and moisture-resistant construction along with a durable metal foot sony-hvl-f60rm-gel-panels Sony HVL-F60RM Flash includes plastic white soft diffusion, tungsten & florescent conversion panels Order Sony HVL-F60RM Wireless Radio Flash from B&H Photo | Amazon

Profoto A1X AirTTL-S Studio Light for Sony

Profoto A1X AirTTL-S Studio Light for Sony ($1095) from B&H Photo | Amazon has a new more powerful battery that gets 450 full power flashes instead of 350, faster full power recycling time of 1 second instead of 1.2 seconds, 20 wireless channels instead of 8, and an updated interface similar to the one on the B10. The first thing you’ll notice about the A1X is its 2.75″ round, tilting, rotating head, which is the physical feature most responsible for the A1X’s natural-looking light with its soft gradual fall-off. The auto-zoom built into the head handles focal lengths from 32 to 105mm and the included Wide Lens gives you wide-angle coverage from 14 to 24mm. You can override the auto-zoom function at any time and make your adjustments manually. A Profoto Gel Kit ($99) with graduated CTO conversion filters and a fluorescent filter is also separately available to modify the unit’s daylight color temperature. The A1X recycles in 1 second, faster than most flash units in its class and has action-stopping flash durations from 1/800 to 1/20,000 second. The A1X supports HSS (High-Speed Sync) allowing you to shoot at shutter speeds as short a 1/8000 second instead of 1/250 to blur a distracting background using a wide aperture while controlling strong ambient light behind your subject. The 76Ws head has an LED modeling light that can give you a preview of how the light is falling on your subject. It can be turned on or off, set to automatically adjust proportionally to the power level selected, or just switched to manual where it can be modified by hand. All adjustments are indicated on the exceptionally readable white on black LCD display. The A1X is powered by an included lithium-ion battery that has a capacity of 450 full power flashes (instead of the previous model’s 350). Power is topped up on an exhausted battery in about 80 minutes with the included 100-240 VAC charger. The battery doesn’t fade as its power is used, operating at peak performance until it’s depleted. You can purchase additional Profoto Li-Ion Batteries for A1X ($119). It’s the Air Remote TTL that allows you to explore and control the A1X’s full capabilities. It wirelessly allows assignment of channels and groups as well as TTL and power level. In fact, the A1 has a switch that allows you to set your main light to TTL, switch to manual operation to adjust manual units in other groups to ratio their output, then switch back to TTL and return to the original TTL setting which was stored for you. Profoto A1X also has +/-3 stops of exposure compensation that can be modified from the remote for your specific needs. The light also comes with a Bounce Card, 180-degree Dome Diffuser, Flash Stand, and a nylon bag with shoulder strap for storage and transport. Order Profoto A1X AirTTL-S Studio Light for Sony from B&H Photo | Amazon

Flash Commanders

For Sony HVL-F45RM & HVL-F60RM Wireless Radio Flashes:

Sony-FA-WRC1M-Wireless-Radio-Commander Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander ($348) from B&H Photo | Amazon this Multi Interface Shoe compatible remote flash commander can control up to 15 separately available FA-WRR1 Wireless Radio Receivers or radio-equipped RM-series flashes from up to 98.4′ away thanks to a 2.4 GHz radio system. This configuration also permits operation without requiring line of sight with all the units involved. Additionally, it has access to 14 channels for avoiding interference with other radio triggering systems in the vicinity as well as up to 5 groups for precise control over your lights. The major benefit of the Wireless Radio Commander is remote control over your flash’s settings. This includes exposure compensation, flash power from 1/1 to 1/256, zoom, and more. Along with this, the radio system has full compatibility with Sony’s TTL method and supports High-Speed Sync at up to 1/8000 second. Other flashes can be triggered in a manual mode and a PC sync terminal is available for connecting to various strobes and other lights. In addition to all of this, the Commander is equipped with a Multi Terminal for connection and controlling other cameras.

For Profoto Wireless Radio Flashes:

These two Profoto Remotes offer TTL and HSS with Profoto A1X, B1, B1X, B2, B10, B10 Plus & D2 flashes Profoto Air Remote TTL-S for Sony ($429) from B&H Photo | Amazon is a small, wireless radio transmitter for Sony Multi Interface shoe cameras. This powerful remote provides you with an outstanding set of features, including support for wireless power control and TTL, including high-speed sync, with Sony cameras. Operating on a 2.4 GHz frequency, the Air Remote can sync with flashes up to 1000′ away with normal triggering and 330′ with TTL. TTL is useful because it offers automated shooting and exposure and brings the advantage of high-speed sync, enabling the use of shutter speeds up to 1/8000 second. Also, the controller has 8 channels and 3 groups, ensuring minimal interference with other nearby systems and equipment. Each group can be controlled independently from one another, permitting ±2 EV adjustment of power ratios for TTL systems and nine stops of manual control. You have access to remotely turn on/off the modeling lights or heads, making it easier to adjust lights in your studio. Additionally, there is a mini-USB port for installing firmware updates and it runs on two AAA batteries. Order Profoto Air Remote TTL-S for Sony from B&H Photo | Amazon Profoto Connect Wireless Transmitter for Sony ($299) from B&H Photo | Amazon offers simple wireless connection with AirTTL lights that controls flash sync, remote control, Auto TTL, and HSS. The transmitter also controls flash sync and remote control in Air lights. There are three settings on the Connect transmitter itself. Auto being the first, takes all the guess work of setting up your flashes. The manual setting is there if you want to set the flashes yourself and be more creative. The final setting, of course, is to turn it off when the transmitter is not in use. By downloading the Profoto app and with Bluetooth connection, you can control your lights wirelessly as well and upgrade your firmware later through the app. The Connect works on a frequency of 2.4 GHz and up to eight channels with an operating range of a 1000′ when using it with normal sync flash and remote control, and 330′ with Auto TTL and HSS. The built-in lithium-ion polymer battery has a battery life of 30 hours and is rechargeable via the included USB cable. Additionally, the transmitter powers off after 60 minutes of inactivity. Order Profoto Connect Wireless Transmitter for Sony from B&H Photo | Amazon

Off-Camera TTL Flash Cords

Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Multi Interface Shoe Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Multi Interface Shoe (Available in 1.5′, 3′, 6.5′ & 33′ lengths) allow you to remotely fire Sony flashes with ADI / P-TTL capabilities and the Multi Interface Shoe – removing the flash from the camera’s hot shoe reducing the harsh shadows commonly encountered with direct on-camera flashes and gives your photographs a more natural look. Available in four lengths: 1.5′ Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Cameras with Multi Interface Shoe ($27.95 at B&H Photo) 3′ Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Cameras with Multi Interface Shoe ($29.95 at B&H Photo) 6.5′ Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Cameras with Multi Interface Shoe ($39.95 at B&H Photo) 33′ Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Cameras with Multi Interface Shoe ($54.95 at B&H Photo) The shorter 1.5′, 3′ & 6.5′ coiled options are ideal for hand-held off-camera lighting or with flash mounted on a compact flash bracket. The longer the 33′ straight length is ideal when mounting flash on a light stand. Vello Off-Camera Flash Cord Sony MI Shoe One side of the TTL cable fits directly into the camera’s hot shoe to ensure that all of the camera’s exposure data is maintained. The other side can be attached to any stand, tripod, or device with a standard 1/4″-20 threaded stud or flash shoe mount and the shoe has a locking knob to ensure your equipment is secure.

Tripods

manfrotto-befree-advanced-tripod-sony Manfrotto Befree Advanced Alpha Travel Tripod ($190 Aluminum) | ($390 Carbon Fiber) This special version of the Befree Advanced Lever is designed for Sony alpha camera owners who want maximum performance and stability in all shooting positions. Manfrotto Befree Advanced Alpha Travel Aluminum Tripod from B&H Photo | Adorama Manfrotto Befree Advanced Alpha Travel Aluminum Tripod from Amazon Manfrotto Befree Advanced Alpha edition includes a quick-release plate is designed to match Sony a7 and Sony a9 camera bodies, to ensure perfect grip, even in the most angled camera shots. The front jut of the plate physically blocks the camera, preventing any play both on tilt and rotational movements, always keeping the camera stuck to the head plate. manfrotto-befree-advanced-sony-tripod-plate The plate is also fully compatible with the world’s most widespread standard head attachments: Manfrotto RC2 and Arca-swiss style. With this aluminium plate fixed to the camera, all Manfrotto heads and almost all tripod heads on the market featuring Arca-style attachments can be set up rapidly and effortlessly, without disassembling components. Gitzo Traveler Alpha tripod ($999 at B&H Photo) is a premium quality black and silver travel tripod with carbon legs weighs only 1.43 kg. With a packed size of 43 cm, offers a maximum working height of 165 cm and is designed for 10 kg camera/lens combinations. At maximum leg spread and the use of the short center column is designed to allow low shooting angles. Legs lock using “Traveler G-Lock” locks, a particularly compact variant of Gitzo’s G-Lock rotary closure system, specially developed for travel tripods. The Traveler Alpha is equipped with Gitzo’s most compact ball head. The pan and tilt axes can be locked independently of each other. For the transport, a carrying strap made of Italian leather in carbon look is included in the delivery. Gitzo L-Bracket for Sony a7R III and a9 Cameras ($199 at B&H Photo). allows comfortable alignment of Sony a7 III, a7R III and a9 cameras and facilitates quick change between landscape and portrait. Milled from a solid block of aluminum, the new rail is the lightest of its kind, according to the manufacturer, it offers four mounting points for the camera designed for shooting video or tethered shooting in the studio. The supplied Allen key can be fixed in a separate holder.

Quick Release Base Plates & L-Plates

One of my favorite accessories for any camera is an L bracket which allows you to easily move your camera from vertical or horizontal when shooting on a tripod that accepts Arca Swiss standard. No more hanging your camera off one side of the tripod to shoot verticals. Sony a9 II has a new body design, so previous L-Plates will not fit. The following L-plate brackets are compatible with both a7R IV and a9 II. PCTC Skidproof L Plate Camera Bracket for Sony A9 II a9 II PCTC Skidproof L Plate Camera Bracket for Sony a9 II ($65.99 from Amazon) This L-shape Arca QR plate specially designed for Sony a7R IV & a9 II cameras features baseplate & side Arca standard grooves design with adjustable grip width that’s extendable up to 27mm. In-stock at Amazon and available with Amazon Prime Shipping Stabil LSIV – L Plate Bracket (Orange) for Sony a9 II ($99.92 from Amazon) Its bright Alpha Orange color makes this the most striking L-Plate on the list. Precision machined from solid blocks of 6061-T6 aluminum. Stabil LSIV L plates feature precisely contoured anti-twist flanges for a perfect fit that prevents twisting between the camera and L plate with soft material. With its Arca-type compatible dovetail, it enables the camera to mount in a vertical or horizontal position. The Stabil L plate LSIV does not block the LCD monitor from tilting, it easy access to the battery door as original design. In-stock at Amazon and available with Amazon Prime Shipping SmallRig L-Bracket for Sony A9 II LCS2417 SmallRig LCS2417 L-Bracket for Sony A9 II ($46.90 Pre-order from SmallRig) Both the side plate and base plate are Arca compatible, with sensor centering marks on each axis, allowing quick switch of your camera from vertical to horizontal. It comes with multiple 1/4” threaded holes allowing mount of accessories. For example, mount the SmallRig Cold Shoe Mount 1593 to attach a microphone and mount SmallRig Cable Clamp 2259 to protect the HDMI cable and port. The side plate can be extended to left by 26mm if you need more room for tethering or cable release. It is compatible with the Peak Design Clutch and other hand straps. Estimated shipping date November 18, 2019 SmallRig Cold Shoe Mount 1593 & SmallRig Cable Clamp 2259 SmallRig Cold Shoe Mount 1593 ($6.87) & SmallRig Cable Clamp 2259 ($19.90) Quick Release L Plate Bracket with Scalable Extension for Sony a9 II Quick Release L Plate Bracket with Scalable Extension for Sony a9 II ($35.95 on eBay) Compatible with Arca-Swiss stardard, both the LB-A7R IV base plate and vertical plate are 100% compatible with RRS lever-release clamp. It features a detachable design, the base plate and vertical plate can be easily disassembled and assembled to fit different shooting experience. LB-A7R IV grip will not affect battery compartment lid opening and the data cables hatch opening. The base plate has reserved extra 1/4”-20 threaded mounting holes and strap hole for additional functions. FREE Standard SpeedPAK from China/Hong Kong/Taiwan Red Quick Release L Plate Bracket with Scalable Extension for Sony a9 II Red Quick Release L Plate Bracket with Scalable Extension for Sony a9 II ($35.88 on eBay) Red version of the Quick Release Plate L-bracket for Sony a7RM4 listed above, compatible with Arca-Swiss stardard, both the LB-A7RIV base plate and vertical plate are 100% compatible with RRS lever-release clamp. Features a detachable design, the base plate and vertical plate can be easily disassembled and assembled. LB-A7RIV grip will not affect a9 II battery compartment lid opening and the data cables hatch opening, will not affect the screen folding and opening, will not affect the installation battery. Base plate has reserved extra 1/4”-20 threaded mounting holes and strap hole for additional functions. FREE Standard SpeedPAK from China/Hong Kong/Taiwan Kirk BL-A7R4 L-Bracket for Sony a9 II Kirk BL-A7R4 L-Bracket for Sony a9 II ($150 from B&H Photo) Solid one-piece design, with anti-twist flanges that keep your camera from moving within the bracket. With its Arca-type dovetails, it enables you to mount the camera in a vertical or horizontal position onto a compatible head, and the black anodized 6061-T6 aluminum L-bracket has a slotted design for side port access. The bracket will not block the LCD monitor from tilting, it provides access to the battery door, and it has a hand strap loop machined on the right-hand side. The included hex wrench is used to tighten the L-bracket to the camera body, and it stores under the horizontal plate. A quick disconnect mounting socket is located on the bottom and sensor centering lines are on the back, so the camera can be aligned on a tripod head. Expected availability: 7-10 days Really Right Stuff Sony a9 II Ultralight L-Bracket Really Right Stuff Sony a9 II Ultralight L-Bracket ($140 Pre-order from B&H Photo) Solid one-piece design that is Arca-type compatible and facilitates easier, more stable switching between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations when working on top of a tripod. The CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum plate maintains complete access to the camera’s battery door and side ports. It also has an anodized Type II black finish that is resistant to scuffs and scratches and laser-engraved center marks on the back for alignment on a tripod head. Expected availability: Dec 4, 2019 Really Right Stuff L-Plate Set for Sony a9 II Really Right Stuff L-Plate Set for Sony a9 II ($190 Pre-order from B&H Photo) Modular design composed of an Arca-type compatible base plate and L-component that facilitate easier, more stable switching between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations when working on top of a tripod. The CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum L-plate set maintains complete access to the battery door without obstructing the tilting LCD monitor of the camera. Plus, the L-plate set has been type II black anodized, which makes it resistant to scuffs and scratches. Furthermore, the base plate has laser-engraved center marks on the back to align it on a tripod head. Expected availability: Dec 4, 2019 Really Right Stuff Sony a9 II L-Plate with Grip Really Right Stuff Sony a9 II L-Plate with Grip ($205 Pre-order from B&H Photo) If you need a L-Bracket to use with vertical grip VG-C4EM, this is it. Modular design that is handled comfortably by its ergonomic extended grip. The L-plate is composed of an Arca-type compatible base plate and L-component that facilitate easier, more stable switching between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations when working on top of a tripod. The CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum plate maintains complete access to the camera’s battery door and side ports. It also has an anodized Type II black finish that is resistant to scuffs and scratches and has laser-engraved center marks on the back for alignment on a tripod head. A 1/4″-20 threaded socket is located on the bottom of the plate to add accessories to the L-plate. Expected availability: Dec 5, 2019

Tethering Cables

tether-tools-usb-c-cables Tether Tools is my choice for best tethering cables on the market. Their new USB-C tethering cables are the perfect match for Sony a9 II. For computers with a USB-C port: Tether Tools TetherPro USB-C to USB-C (15′ Orange) For computers with a USB 2.0/3.0/3.1 port: Tether Tools TetherPro USB 3.0 to USB-C (15′ Orange)

Wireless Tethering

Tether Tools Air Direct Wireless Tethering (Pre-order Now $329) offers advanced tethering technology allowing you to tether Sony cameras wirelessly to Capture One, Imaging Edge Remote & Smart Shooter 4. It connects through the camera’s USB tethering port and provides all the same control and tethering options possible with wired tethering. Designed to reach the maximum transfer potential 5Ghz 802.11AC has to offer, Air Direct has two antennas with no interference from metal camera housings.

External Battery Packs

Need to run your camera all-day without A/C power? Here are three external battery pack options that will work while tethering through the USB-C port. They are also ideal for time-lapse photographers or video crews shooting extended day-long shoots. (1) ANDYCINE Sony NP FZ100 Dummy Battery Converter ($36 from Amazon) (1) USB Power Bank of your choice (Available from Amazon) (1) Tether Tools Relay Coupler NPFZ100 ($35 from B&H Photo) (1) Tether Tools Case Relay* ($100 from Amazon | B&H Photo) (1) USB Power Bank of your choice (Available from Amazon) *Case Relay has a built-in 7.4V, 1,200mAh lithium battery which adds the ability to hot swap USB Power Banks without shutting down. sony-npa-mqz1k-multi-battery-adapter-kit Sony NPA-MQZ1K Multi Battery Adapter Kit ($398 at B&H Photo – includes Two NP-FZ100 Batteries) Sony’s NP-FZ100 batteries pack a lot of power yet if you find yourself needing more, Sony NPA-MQZ1K Multi Battery Adapter Kit might be just what you need for time lapse photography or extended video shoots since it is able to supply power from up to four NP-FZ100 series battery packs for dramatically extended shooting times. At four bills – it’s not cheap, but it includes two NP-FZ100 batteries that would run you $160. sony-npa-mqz1k-charging Sony NPA-MQZ1K Multi Battery Adapter Kit can also serve as a rapid charge, with a charging rate of 480 minutes for four batteries. Users can convert the adapter into a more compact two-battery adapter for a more travel-ready kit. [Please Note: Due to a clever dual dummy battery set-up, Sony NPA-MQZ1K Multi Battery Adapter is also compatible with cameras using W-style Sony batteries including a7-Series, a6000-series and NEX]

A/C Continuous Power Adapters

NP-FZ100 AC Power Adapter for Sony a9, a9 II, a7 III & IV Series cameras Fit-Power NP-FZ100 AC Power Adapter ($38.99 from Amazon) offers continuous A/C power for Sony a9, a9 II, a7 III & a7 IV Series cameras. NP-FZ100 dummy battery kit replaces the Sony NP-FZ100 Z-series battery and allows continuous studio photography without the need to replace and recharge multiple batteries. Made by flame-retardant plastic and electronic components that offer over-voltage protection and over-current protection.

Rain Covers

Think Tank Introduces Hydrophobia V3.0 Advanced Camera Rain Covers including new sizes for Sony Full-Frame Mirrorless and Wide Angle Lenses. Hydrophobia V3.0 covers feature DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating and is made from three layers of material for durability. It is also seam-sealed for added protection against rain, sleet, snow, sand, and dust. Fold it down to fit into the included compact carrying pouch and slip it into your camera bag so you’re prepared in a downpour or sand storm. Hydrophobia V3.0 Advanced Camera Rain Covers feature a non-slip, adjustable strap that cinches to the lens hood so it stays put once in place. It can be used while shooting atop a tripod or monopod and has an oversized window for viewing your LCD and controls. Additionally, two cinchable sleeves provide easy access to your camera functions. Think Tank Hydrophobia M 24-70 V3.0 ($115) from B&H Photo | Amazon Fits Sony full-frame mirrorless camera bodies with a 24-70mm f/2.8, 24-105mm f/4, 16-35mm f/2.8, 14-24mm f/2.8, or similarly-sized wide-angle and standard zoom lens. Think Tank Hydrophobia M 70-200 V3.0 ($125) from B&H Photo | Amazon Fits Sony full-frame mirrorless camera bodies with a 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8, 80-400mm f/5-6.3, 100-400mm f/5-6.3, or similarly-sized lens standard zoom lens. Think Tank Hydrophobia DM 300-600 V3.0 ($150) from B&H Photo | Amazon Fits Sony full-frame mirrorless camera bodies with large telephoto zooms and prime lenses from 150-600mm f/5.6-6.3 up to 600 f/4 lens.

Lens Mount Adapters

One of the best features of mirrorless cameras is that, due to their thin body design, it’s possible to mount a huge array of lenses on them using lens mount adapters. Sony a7R III cameras allow you to use virtually every make of 35mm lenses with the full angle of view for which those lenses were designed. Sony-la-ea3-ea4-adapters Sony LA-EA3 (Amazon | B&H Photo) and Sony LA-EA4 lens mount adapters (Amazon | B&H Photo) There are far too many option to mention here, so they’ve discussed in detail in this Guide to the best lens mount adapters for Sony E-Mount cameras:

Ultimate Guide to Sony Lens Adapters

Extension Tubes

Vello EXT-SFED Deluxe Auto Focus Extension Tube Set for Sony E-Mount Lenses are compatible with Sony full-frame and APS-C cameras and Sony FE and E mount lenses. Extension tubes extend the close focus range of any lens making them well suited for close-up portraiture and macro photography. This set contains two extension tubes, one 10mm, and one 16mm. They can be used individually or together to create the desired magnification effect. Extension tubes have no optical elements so they do not degrade the quality of your lenses and these fully automatic extension tubes communicate all electronic functions from lens to camera including autofocus and auto exposure. They are built with metal lens mounts for durability and longevity and enable you to convert your E-mount lens into a macro lens while maintaining the lens’ original optical quality. Vello-EXT-SFED-AF-Extension-Tube-Sony-E Vello EXT-SFED Deluxe Auto Focus Extension Tube Set for Sony E-Mount Lenses

External Recording Monitors

Atomos Ninja V 5-Inch 4K HDMI Recording Monitor ($695) packs top-of-the-line features into a small sleek 1″ (2.5cm) aluminum body crafted for maximum durability yet weighing in at just 11oz (320g). Bright 5.2-inch 10-bit HDR full HD 1920×1080 display has an astounding 1,000 nits of output which makes it usable even in bright sunlight. It supports recording up to 4K60p and offers a full hour run time from a single Sony L-Series Battery. Atomos Ninja V records to Mini SSDs available up to 2TB with 500MB/s Read/Write speed. Ninja V supports a Log Formats and is HDR-compatible (PQ and HLG) supports 10-Bit 4:2:2 ProRes and DNxHR making it the ideal recording monitor for the new Sony FS5 II XDCAM E-Mount camcorder. Designed with a new user interface, the Ninja V’s HDR functions are accessed through the MON buttons and its ProRes options are chosen via the arrows on the unit’s upper left corner. The Ninja V can record to both AtomX SSDmini or standard 2.5″ SSD drives, fitting up to 150 minutes of 4K video on an 1TB drive. Order Atomos Ninja V 5″ Monitor/Recorder from B&H Photo | Amazon

-

DJI Mavic Mini Review – Good Enough for Pro Filmmaking?

DJI just announced the Mavic Mini, the smallest and lightest foldable drone they have ever made – it’s only 249 grams with the battery, which qualifies it as a toy in many countries. We have already tested it – is it good enough for pro filmmakers?

Mavic Mini – Image credit: cinema5D

Mavic Mini weighs only 249 grams – Why does that matter?

DJI’s newest entry into their Mavic line of drones is the Mavic Mini, the lightest and smallest foldable drone they ever made. At 249 grams including the battery, it’s below the minimum of 250 grams which in many countries means that it’s in fact defined as a toy, not a drone – which means you don’t need a drone license or permission to fly. However, drone regulations are complex and different all around the world, so please be sure to always abide by your local regulations!

Mavic Mini Fly More Case – Image credit: cinema5D

What’s inside the box?

In the Fly More Package, the drone comes in a nice carrying case, with three batteries which give you around 30 minutes of flying time each, and of course the remote controller and more accessory cables and replacement rotors. The battery holder is also a very compact charger, which is nice, plus you can use it to charge your phone using the USB-connector. 

The supplied 3 batteries charger (Fly More Option) – Image credit cinema5D

How easy is it to fly the Mavic Mini?

I took the Mavic Mini for a spin to see how easy it is to fly and how the footage looks. And as someone who has flown every single iteration of the Mavic line over the years, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised about how easy and stable this thing is to fly, even on a bit of a windy day. It really does seem like a perfect beginner’s drone from how it feels when you operate it. It’s very hard to describe but it feels very “secure” in the air, even more so than other Mavic drones, which is certainly because of less inertia due to the very low weight.

Flying Modes

There is a Position (P) mode that will help beginners with basic operation of the drone, the typical Sports (S) mode for more advanced operation, and a new CineSmooth (C) mode that lengthens the braking time of the drone for smoother shots and more cinematic footage. I recorded most of what you see in the video above in that mode. 

Mavic Mini – Image credit: cinema5D

Simplified Operator’s Interface and Functions

If you have flown any Mavic before, you will be very familiar with the interface. The only difference is that it’s much simpler than for example the interface of my higher-end Mavic 2 Pro. For fun, there are the QuickShots that were first introduced with the Mavic Air, which can create some interesting professional-looking pre-programmed movements around your subjects.  Other than that, you have the most important information laid out in front of you, but little chance to actually influence your image.

Video Image Compression & Resolutions

You can only shoot video in 1080p or 2.7K 25p or 30p with the Mavic Mini, and photos with 12 megapixels. Video is also highly compressed with a maximum bitrate of 40 Mbps – and it’s only H.264, not H.265 like in the Mavic 2 Pro. 

Mavic Mini – Lovely Vivid Images. Image credit: cinema5D

No Picture Profiles, Only Auto Shutter – For Now

There are also no ways to tweak your video image in the gimbal camera. There is no D-Log or any other kind of picture profile or way to change or optimize your image – no sharpness settings, not even white balance control – which, unfortunately, of course, results in some weird color shifts when the light is changing in your shot.  Now, all of these things would be acceptable even for a professional if you consider that this drone will retail for $399 in its basic package. However, one thing that is really annoying for me is the fact that in the version I tested, you can’t manually set the shutter speed in video mode. It will always adjust your exposure. This means that of course there will be overexposed parts of your image in high-contrast scenarios. Yet on average scenes, the auto shutter does a pretty good job at adjusting dynamically so that you don’t see it too badly in your shot, but it’s still unnecessary to force this auto adjustment onto users. Especially considering the fact that only in photo mode, you can switch to manual shutter speed for some reason. This is something that DJI could fix with simple firmware update immediately and I certainly hope they will!

Mavic Mini – The new Controller. Image credit: cinema5D

Conclusion – Impressively Vivid Image Considering the Compression

Other than that, the image is pretty impressive considering its high compression. Yes, it does have the over-sharpened look that we have gotten used to from footage from the first-generation Mavic Pro, and fine details still fall apart if there is too much going on in a shot – but as a one-off establishing shot even in a professional documentary, footage from the Mavic Mini is certainly more than tolerable, and actually quite amazing, for a drone that costs merely 400 Euros.

Is the Mavic Mini a “toy”? Controversy Ensured …

And considering that this thing can probably legally fly where all your other drones can’t without permission, it’s going to be a no-brainer for many camera operators to have one of those super light drone wonders always in their bag with them. I expect to see a lot of controversy about the weight limit popping up soon as the Mavic Mini will most certainly show up a lot even within cities around the world, for better or worse. I expect this to become DJI’s most popular drone to date, even more than the amateur-level Spark drone.  If you want to support cinema5D in our unbiased reviews, please consider buying the DJI Mavic Mini through our links below! It costs you nothing more and will help us A LOT to sustain! Music courtesy of MusicVine.com – Get 25% off any Pay-Per-Use license with code C5D25 (valid for one use per customer). What do you think about the DJI Mavic Mini? Can you see this in your camera bag as an extra tool for easy drone shots, or as an inexpensive “emergency drone” if the other one crashes? Let us know in the comments below.

-

77 Online Shopping Statistics for 2020

online shopping statistics header

Staying up to date with eCommerce and online shopping trends is essential for any online business in 2020. With so many shoppers scouring the internet for the best deals to save them time and money, you need to make sure your website offers the best user experience possible.

So, what trends are the most crucial for your business? Mobile continues to be an increasingly important factor, and omnichannel shopping is becoming more prevalent as well. Other areas of note are video and image search, voice search and influencer marketing, which is said to be one of the fastest-growing customer acquisition methods on the internet.

It might sound a bit overwhelming, but that’s because baby boomers, millennials and Gen Zers alike all engage with online shopping differently. To be sure you’re not missing out on any lucrative opportunities, staying up to date with the latest eCommerce dialogue is a must.

We’ve identified 77 of the most important eCommerce and online shopping statistics you need to know to be successful. They are listed under the ten major categories below:

  1. Conversion Rate Optimization Stats
  2. Mobile Commerce Stats
  3. Shopping Cart Abandonment Stats
  4. Email and Retargeting Campaign Stats
  5. Video Content Stats
  6. Social Media Stats
  7. Voice Search Stats
  8. Local Search and Omnichannel Stats
  9. Customer Relationship Management Stats
  10. Influencer Marketing Stats

1. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Stats

Searchers are savvier than ever and can spot a site that isn’t up to date with its design and user experience. To give the user the best experience possible, webmasters and digital teams are constantly testing and tweaking their sites to ensure all pages are optimized.

  • 60% of digital marketers plan on implementing customer journey analysis to improve conversion rates this year (source)
  • Videos and landing pages can improve CRO by as much as 86% (source)
  • Page-load speed delayed by even 1 second can reduce conversions by 7% (source)
  • Companies with 40+ landing pages generate 12x more leads than those with only one to five landing pages (source)
  • Building and testing landing pages is one of the top five problems for digital marketers (source)
  • 48% of marketers build new landing pages for each campaign (source)
    Only 52% of companies that use landing pages test them to improve conversions (source)

conversion rate optimization stats

Key Takeaways

A fundamental understanding of how your customers navigate your funnel is essential to increasing conversions. To implement such analysis effectively, you need to learn how your customers interact with your website and determine what you can do to make their experience more seamless and enjoyable.

Try running heatmap testing to see where users are spending most of their time on your pages. You can also run A/B tests to see if certain copy or design changes drive more conversions than others.

2. Mobile Commerce Stats

Mobile users are on the rise. As Google continues to unfurl and improve Mobile-First indexing, online companies should always keep in mind their mobile experience when creating new web pages. Pages should look identical and flow seamlessly on mobile devices.

  • Mobile eCommerce sales are projected to make up to 63.5% of total eCommerce sales this year (source)
  • Global mobile eCommerce revenue is expected to reach up to $669 billion this year (source)
  • Mobile sales on Cyber Monday in 2017 broke $2 billion, making it the largest online shopping day in history (source)
  • Eight in 10 Americans shop online; 51% of them have purchased something with their smartphone (source)
  • By 2020, more than 3.3 billion users will have virtual assistants on their devices (source)
  • Mobile wallets are expected to surpass both credit and debit purchases by 2020 (source)
  • In-store mobile payments are expected to reach $503 billion by 2020 (source)
  • 40% of mobile users leave pages that take longer than three seconds to load (source)

mobile commerce statistics

Key Takeaways

All of your web pages should be optimized for mobile. A poor mobile experience will hurt your ranking ability and could cost you sales. Users are prone to bouncing off of sites with slow loading times and poorly designed mobile pages. There are several guidelines outlined by Google about how you should design a site for mobile users. In the end, your goal should be to make things easier for the user.

To improve your mobile experience, convert key product and sales pages to Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) and make sure CTAs are prominently placed so that they are easy to see and press while scrolling.

3. Shopping Cart Abandonment Stats

Shopping cart abandonment has always been an issue. As users continue to shift to online shopping, companies have tried various techniques for keeping users from leaving a full cart without purchasing.

  • 60% of cart abandonments are due to extra costs, like taxes, shipping, and fees (source)
  • 28% of US shoppers abandon their orders due to a complicated or drawn-out checkout process (source)
  • The average eCommerce site can increase conversion rates by 35.26% by improving their checkout design (source)
  • 58.6% of shoppers abandon carts while browsing or because they are unready to buy (source)
  • 35% of transactions are lost when websites require users to create accounts before purchasing (source)
  • $260 billion is recoverable through improved checkout processes (source)

shopping cart abandonment statistics

Key Takeaways

Shopping cart abandonment is bound to happen. Many users add items to the cart with no intention to buy, while others may be comparing your prices to other vendors. What you should be worried about is how many of those abandonment cases are due to a poor checkout experience.

Users generally don’t like creating accounts before purchasing, and many will abandon their cart once shipping costs and taxes are factored in. To avoid losing sales, offer several types of payment options and make sure there as few steps as possible. Another tactic is an email reminder when users leave things in their cart to remind them to buy.

4. Email and Retargeting Campaign Stats

By 2020, total display and ad spending are expected to surpass search by 28 percent. Why the sudden surge? Marketers are just now realizing the potential in remarketing: Conversions increase the more a user has seen an ad.

  • Online shoppers are 70% more likely to convert when retargeted with display ads (source)
  • 54% of shoppers say they would purchase abandoned items if those items were offered at a lower price later (source)
  • 72% of customers abandon their shopping cart; only 8% of those return to complete checkout (source)
  • But 26% of online shoppers will complete the checkout process after seeing a retargeted ad (source)
  • Three out of four users notice retargeting ads (source)
  • 24% of companies with over 1,000 employees spend 50% or more of their marketing budget on retargeting (source)
  • 72% of millennial shoppers say they don’t mind retargeting (source)
  • 55% of shoppers claim that testimonials and reviews influence their buying decision (source)

retargeting campaigns statistics

Key Takeaways

Retargeted display ads and email campaigns are some of the best methods to rekindling relationships with former customers. One proven tactic is to offer discounts in your retargeting emails, making sure to include the promotion in your subject line.

It’s also a best practice to retarget current customers. This keeps them in the loop about promotions and prevents them from switching to a competitor in the future.

5. Video Content Stats

Video content is eye-catching and can showcase your products in real-time. Users prefer this experience, as it allows them to visualize owning the product before purchasing it. Users also like to compare products online, so having multiple angles of a product, or a demo video of how it functions, is preferred.

  • 4x as many consumers prefer to view a video about a product than reading about it (source)
  • Product videos can increase conversion rates by as much as 144% (source)
  • Videos can increase organic traffic by up to 157% (source)
  • 43% of internet users want to see more video content (source)
  • Four out of 5 consumers find demo videos helpful when making a purchase (source)
  • 43% of viewers will interact with a brand on social media over video content (source)
  • Roughly 50% of online shoppers search for videos related to a product before buying it in-store (source)
  • 92% of shoppers say visuals influence their buying decision the most (source)

video content statistics

Key Takeaways

Video is a must for increasing brand awareness and conversions. Visual content tends to perform the best in terms of shares, and it also has the potential to increase referral traffic to your site when shared on social media platforms.

For the best results, invest in producing high-quality video content, post it regularly both on your website and social channels and track how your audience reacts to your content.

6. Social Media Stats

Social media is a great way to increase referral traffic and conversions for brands that have learned to use it properly. The key is to determine which social platforms work best for your industry. Brands that thrive off of visual content do well on Pinterest or Instagram, for example.

  • Visual content is 40x more likely to get shared on social media than other forms of content (source)
  • Facebook influenced 52% of consumers’ online and offline purchases in 2015 (source)
  • 85% of all eCommerce purchases from social media come from Facebook (source)
  • Facebook has a conversion rate of 1.85%, the highest out of all social media platforms (source)
  • Stores with a social media presence have on average 32% more sales than stores without one (source)
  • 48% of Americans have engaged with a company or brand on social media (source)
  • 84% of US online shoppers review at least one social media site before making a purchase (source)
  • The average order value of customers referred from Instagram is $65 (source)
  • The average order value of customers referred from Facebook is $55 (source)

social media statistics

Key Takeaways

Social media is a great way to build brand awareness. For the best results, analyze what competitors are doing to see which channels garner the most responses from your target audience. Once you’ve figured out your areas of focus, develop a content calendar so you’re regularly updating your social media accounts.

7. Voice Search Stats

Voice search is projected to become the preferred search method in the coming years. Though far from perfect, users are growing more accustomed to voice search because of the prevalence of smart speaker devices in homes, voice search options on smartphones and machine learning, which allows smart devices to better anticipate searcher intent over time.

  • Voice and image search are projected to make up 50% of all searches by 2020 (source)
  • 40% of millennials have used voice search before making an online purchase (source)
  • 76% of smart speaker users perform local searches on a weekly basis (source)
  • Of those users, 53% search every day (source)
  • 58% of consumers have performed voice searches to find local businesses information over the last year (source)
  • 46% of voice searchers search for local businesses daily (source)
  • 46% of consumers would like to hear businesses prices over voice search (source)
  • 27% of searchers visit a business’ website after finding it via voice search (source)

voice search statistics

Key Takeaways

Voice search is becoming more popular as voice-first devices and voice search for smartphones become more sophisticated. Siri alone handles 1 billion voice search queries a week, and a large portion (22 percent) of those searches are local.

To optimize for voice search, you need to think of “conversational” long-tail keywords that pertain to your business and have a section of your FAQ page dedicated to answering those queries.

8. Local Search and Omnichannel Stats

Local search and omnichannel shopping go hand in hand. Many shoppers are beginning their purchasing journey online to research a product before buying it in-person at a brick-and-mortar location.

  • 50% of consumers who search for a local business on a smartphone visit the store within 24 hours (source)
  • 18% of local searches lead to sales (source)
  • Four out of 5 people use search engines to perform local searches (source)
  • 73% of smartphone user participants in a Google survey said that directions were important in local PPC ads (source)
  • 70% of computer and tablet users in the same Google survey said it was important that ads be customized to their immediate surroundings (source)
  • 98% of Americans switch between devices multiple times a day (source)
  • 77% of companies with a strong omnichannel experience store customer data across multiple channels (source)
  • Companies with strong omnichannel engagement retain 89% of their customers (source)

local search statistics

Key Takeaways

As a local business, it’s more important than ever to have an online presence. Users often compare products online before heading in-store to purchase them. Still, other users might prefer to shop local and purchase online, while others solely prefer the in-store experience.

Whatever the case, the advantage of having both an in-store and online clientele is that your business can cater to baby boomers, millennials and Gen Zers alike.

9. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Stats

The CRM industry is worth $36 billion. CRM software makes it easier for companies to stay up to date on customer relationships in every area of the purchasing funnel. With such a comprehensive resource at hand, it’s difficult for customers to fall between the cracks.

  • 79% of leads fail to convert without CRM software (source)
  • Social CRM systems can improve retention by 26% (source)
  • Conversion rates can increase by 300% with a CRM in place (source)
  • 74% of businesses using a CRM report better customer relationships (source)
  • The average ROI on CRMs is $5 to every $1 invested (source)
  • CRM software can improve sales by as much as 29% (source)
  • 22% of salespeople have no idea what a CRM is (source)

CRM Statistics

Key Takeaways

CRM software provides the best means to centralize all of your interactions with previous, current and potential customers in one place. By allowing you to monitor each step and phase of the customer journey on an individual basis, you significantly increase your chances of capturing and converting leads while improving retention.

10. Influencer Marketing Stats

With the emergence and maturation of real-time platforms like Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter over the last few years, influencer marketing has become a truly effective way to sell a product. Users have begun to place more stock in Instagram and Youtube influencers in particular, compared to celebrities, since these internet stars are more relatable.

  • 39% of marketers plan on increasing their influencer marketing budget in 2018 (source)
  • A Twitter study reports that 40% of its user base say they’ve purchased something as a direct result of a Tweet from an influencer (source)
  • 80% of influencers use Instagram to post original content (source)
  • 28% of marketing managers ranked influencer marketing as the fastest-growing customer acquisition method on the web (source)
  • The average earned media value for influencer marketing is $7.65 to every $1 spent (source)
  • 37% of marketers in a 2017 Influencer Hub Study are allocating budgets for influencer marketing (source)
  • Out of that survey, 67% of marketers plan on increasing their influencer marketing budget (source)

influencer marketing statistics

Key Takeaways

The main benefit of influencer marketing is that ROI is easy to trace. As seen in the stats above, many users purchase products as a direct result of a favorable review from an acclaimed influencer. These have sometimes backfired for brands, so always be careful to choose an influencer that can follow direction from your brand.

Summary

The future of shopping is online. Shoppers of all ages have higher expectations than they used to, and the only way to cater to different age groups and preferences is to ensure your site is convenient and trustworthy. Give your users the best experience possible and you’ll then reap the benefits later.

online shopping statistics button

 

The post 77 Online Shopping Statistics for 2020 appeared first on hostingfacts.com.

-

How to Host a Website (Step-by-Step)

How to create a server

To host a website on a server, you’ll need to get your hands dirty and set up the whole environment by yourself. Below, you’ll find a generalized example of how to get things done using a virtual private server running Ubuntu 18.04

In short, you’ll need to:

  • Perform the initial server setup
  • Set up a DNS zone and point your domain
  • Install a software stack
  • Create a virtual host
  • Get your website up and running

P.S. If you don’t want to go through this complicated steps, consider getting a web hosting.

1. The First Server Setup Steps

If you decide to rent a dedicated server or a VPS, you’ll first need to lay a solid foundation. This involves accessing your server through a terminal or an SSH client and making security tweaks and updates.

Connect to Your Server

Start by connecting to your server. The following command will do the trick:

ssh root@your_server_IP -port

When connecting for the first time, you may be prompted to add your server IP to the list of known hosts. Type in yes to proceed and you’ll then be prompted to enter the root password.

adding server IP to known hosts

Here’s an example of what you should see on your screen if everything went right.

initial Ubuntu SSH login screen

Get the Latest Updates

Run the following commands to get the latest updates for your Ubuntu 18.04 server:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

When running the second command, you’ll see a confirmation screen. Type in Y to proceed.

confirming server updates Ubuntu

Create a New User

Next, you’ll need to add a new user, as using the root one for everyday tasks is not recommended. Let’s call it webmaster. To begin the user creation, execute:

adduser webmaster

creating a new user Ubuntu

Once you create a password, you’ll be prompted to enter the general details (which you can leave blank). Then, type in Y to confirm the new user creation.

By default, the new user won’t have enough privileges to do everything you need, hence you’ll need to add them manually. Here’s how you do it:

usermod -aG sudo webmaster

That’s it! Your new administrative user is ready. To start using it instead of root, execute:

su – webmaster

changing system user

Set Up Public Key Authentication (Optional)

Using a password to authenticate leaves you vulnerable to brute-force attempts and puts your server in a moderate risk (especially if you’re lazy to set up a unique and strong password).

A great way to improve server integrity is to use SSH keys instead of a regular password. The steps should be identical regardless of which Linux distribution you’re running. To begin log out of your server and execute the following command on your local computer to create a new public key:

ssh-keygen

You’ll be asked to enter an additional passphrase and the location of where to save the public key. By default, it saves everything to /Users/Your_User/.ssh directory (which you can keep unless you have other plans in mind).

running SSH keygen

As soon as it’s finished, copy over the SSH key to your server by using:

ssh-copy-id webmaster@your_server_IP

You may also do the same for your root user just in case:

ssh-copy-id root@your_server_IP

moving SSH key to remote server

Finally, you’ll need to login to your server again. Only this time, you’ll be using the SSH key and its passphrase to authenticate. If your password is guessed by someone, they will be unable to log in, as the public key is required to make a successful connection.

logging into server with SSH key

Disable Password Authentication (Optional)

Since you’re now able to access your server with the newly generated SSH key, it’s advisable to disable the regular password authentication. To do so, we can use the nano text editor:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Look for a line that says #PasswordAuthentication yes, delete the # and change the yes to a no. The final result should look like:

disabling password authentication in sshd config

To save these changes and exit the nano editor, press CTRL+X, type in Y and press Enter. And finally, apply everything by reloading the sshd service:

sudo systemctl reload sshd

And that’s it! You’ll now use a public key to authenticate instead of a password, which is considered a more secure way to access and manage a server.

Set Up a Firewall

Last, but not least, it’s advisable to use a firewall to protect yourself from the dangers lurking on the web. Uncomplicated Firewall is one of the best tools for the job. To set it up, execute:

sudo apt-get install ufw

When installed, the firewall will not work unless turned on manually. You can enable it by using:

sudo ufw enable

enabling ufw Ubuntu

To check if it’s up and running, execute:

sudo ufw status verbose

 

2. Set Up a DNS Zone

The next challenge will be creating a DNS zone, which acts as the binding material between a domain name and a server. We can break it down into two smaller steps:

  1. Setting up a DNS zone within your server
  2. Creating custom nameservers at your domain registrar

Create a New DNS Zone

To make a new DNS zone, we’ll be using a tool called bind9. In the end, this is the service that allows us to load a website through a domain name instead of an IP address.

To install Bind9 on your Ubuntu 18.04 server, execute:

sudo apt-get install bind9

Once installed, all the files will be available in the /etc/bind directory. Let’s navigate to it first:

cd /etc/bind

To keep everything neat and organized, we’ll create a separate directory for our DNS zones:

sudo mkdir -p zones

Let’s create a new DNS zone file for our domain. We’ll be using domain-example.com for demonstration purposes (you should replace it with your actual domain name).

sudo nano zones/domain-example.com

DNS zone snippet example:

;
; BIND data file for domain-example.com
;
$TTL    3h
@       IN      SOA     ns1.domain-example.com. admin.domain-example.com. (
                          1        ; Serial
                          3h       ; Refresh after 3 hours
                          1h       ; Retry after 1 hour
                          1w       ; Expire after 1 week
                          1h )     ; Negative caching TTL of 1 day
;
@       IN      NS      ns1.domain-example.com.
@       IN      NS      ns2.domain-example.com.


domain-example.com.     IN      A       YOUR_SERVER_IP
ns1                     IN      A       YOUR_SERVER_IP
ns2                     IN      A       YOUR_SERVER_IP
www                     IN      CNAME   domain-example.com.
mail                    IN      A       YOUR_SERVER_IP
ftp                     IN      CNAME   domain-example.com.
domain-example.com.     IN      MX      10      domain-example.com.

Make sure to replace all instances of your Your_Server_IP and domain-example.com with the actual values. Save the zone file by pressing CTRL+X and then typing Y to confirm the changes.

Next up, we’ll need to edit the local configuration and specify the location of our newly created DNS zone. This ensures that the server knows which zone file belongs to which domain name.

sudo nano named.conf.local

Paste down the following lines at the bottom of the file while replacing domain-example.com with your actual website address.

zone "domain-example.com" {
       type master;
       file "/etc/bind/zones/domain-example.com";
};

Press CTRL+X and input Y to save your changes and exit the nano editor.

You can also test out whether everything was added and configured correctly by executing the following command:

sudo named-checkzone domain-example.com /etc/bind/zones/domain-example.com

verifying dns zone

Lastly, run these two commands to restart your server’s DNS service and to make sure it’s running:

sudo /etc/init.d/bind9 restart
sudo /etc/init.d/bind9 start

At this point, the DNS zone is ready from your server side. To finalize it, you’ll need to create custom nameservers entries within your domain registrar.

Create Custom Nameservers For Your Domain

Since we specified two nameservers (ns1.domain-example.com and ns2.domain-example.com) in our DNS zone example, we’ll need to create these entries at the domain registrar and use them.

Here’s how the entries should look like:

Custom Nameserver Points to
ns1.domain-example.com Your_Server_IP
ns2.domain-example.com Your_Server_IP

child nameserver creation

Once created, you’ll need to point your domain to these new nameservers.

3. Install LAMP Stack

LAMP is one of the most used software stacks of the web. It stands short for Linux, Apache HTTP Server, MySQL/MariaDB, and PHP. Before hosting a site, you’ll need to make sure all these ingredients are available at your server. Here’s how the process of setting them up would look using Ubuntu 18.04:

Apache

Apache HTTP Server may already be included in the default packages that come with your server. If not, then execute:

sudo apt-get install apache2

install Apache

Since there’s a firewall, we need to make sure these ports are open as Apache won’t work properly otherwise. Here’s what you should allow through the firewall:

sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp

Then, restart it to make sure the changes are applied:

sudo ufw reload

At this point, here’s what you should see by visiting the IP address of your server through a browser:

default Apache2 page

PHP

To get the latest PHP version with a few extra modules that WordPress needs, execute:

sudo apt-get install php php-common php-mysql php-gd php-cli

confirm PHP installation

You can check which PHP version was installed on your server by typing:

php -v

check PHP version

MySQL/MariaDB

MariaDB and MySQL are two of the top choices for your database server in Linux. For this example, we’ll use MariaDB. To install it on your server, execute:

sudo apt-get install mariadb-server mariadb-client

install Mariadb

Once done, you’ll need to use an additional script that comes with the package. It will establish the basic security measures for your database server. Start it by typing:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

At the very first step, you’ll be asked to provide the root MySQL password. Press the Enter button to continue as it’s not created yet. Then follow the rest of the instructions that pop up in the command line interface.

Mariadb secure installation

Finally, you can check if my database server is operational by running:

sudo systemctl status mysql

4 Create a Virtual Host

The next task will be creating a dedicated directory for your website files. Start by changing your working directory:

cd /var/www/html

Use this command to create a folder for your domain and an additional one within in:

sudo mkdir -p domain-example.com/public_html

Then, make the webmaster user we created previously the owner by using:

sudo chown -R webmaster:webmaster domain-example.com/public_html

You’ll also need to make sure that read permissions are applied to the Apache root directory. In this case:

sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/

At this point, Apache gets all the settings from the 000-default.conf file. We’ll need to copy the contents of this file and create a separate one for our domain name. The easiest way to copy a template of the virtual host configuration is by using the following command:

sudo cp /etc/apache2/sites-available/000-default.conf /etc/apache2/sites-available/domain-example.com.conf

Essentially, this makes a copy of the file under a different name in the same directory. This is the file that tells your Apache web server the location of a domain’s root directory, error log, and other important paths. To change its content, we’ll use nano:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/domain-example.com.conf

 

Apache config example:

<VirtualHost *:80>
        # The ServerName directive sets the request scheme, hostname and port that
        # the server uses to identify itself. This is used when creating
        # redirection URLs. In the context of virtual hosts, the ServerName
        # specifies what hostname must appear in the request's Host: header to
        # match this virtual host. For the default virtual host (this file) this
        # value is not decisive as it is used as a last resort host regardless.
        # However, you must set it for any further virtual host explicitly.

        ServerAdmin admin@domain-example.com
        DocumentRoot /var/www/html/domain-example.com/public_html
        ServerName domain-example.com
        ServerAlias www.domain-example.com
        
        # Available loglevels: trace8, ..., trace1, debug, info, notice, warn,
        # error, crit, alert, emerg.
        # It is also possible to configure the loglevel for particular
        # modules, e.g.
        #LogLevel info ssl:warn

        ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
        CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
        
        # For most configuration files from conf-available/, which are
        # enabled or disabled at a global level, it is possible to
        # include a line for only one particular virtual host. For example the
        # following line enables the CGI configuration for this host only
        # after it has been globally disabled with "a2disconf".
        #Include conf-available/serve-cgi-bin.conf
</VirtualHost>

Make sure to replace all instances of domain-example.com with your actual domain name. To save the file, press CTRL+X and confirm by typing Y. The final result should look like:

adding domain config to Apache

At this point, you’ll need to turn off the default virtual host configuration file and use the newly created one. This command will disable it:

sudo a2dissite 000-default.conf

Then, add the recently created configuration file as shown below:

sudo a2ensite domain-example.com.conf

Lastly, you’ll need to restart Apache for the changes to apply. You can do that by running:

sudo systemctl reload apache2

You successfully installed LAMP on your server. Since your domain is already pointed to the server, you may need to wait a few hours for the DNS to fully propagate. Then you should see a similar screen when visiting your domain through the browser.

domain root directory content

5. Set Up WordPress (or Upload a Website)

Since the initial server setup is finally complete, it’s time to host a website on it. In this section, we’ll show you a generalized example of how to get a WordPress site up and running.

Create a New MySQL Database and User

Start by accessing the MySQL interface through the terminal:

sudo mysql

>Use the following syntax to make a new database:

CREATE DATABASE wpdatabase;

Then, create a new user and specify the password:

CREATE USER 'wpuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'SuperSecurePassword123';

Next, assign administrative privileges to your newly created user with:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wpdatabase.* TO 'wpuser'@'localhost';

That’s it! Your MySQL user and database are ready for action. To turn off the interface, type in:

exit

Move WordPress Files to Your Server

Last, but not least, we have to get the actual website files uploaded to the root directory of your domain. There are two approaches that we’ll describe step-by-step:

  • Using the wget command to get the latest WordPress version
  • Configuring an FTP client (such as FileZilla)

Method 1: Using the Command Line Tools

The first way is to use a command called wget. To use it on your server, you’ll have to install it:

sudo apt-get install wget

Then, change your working directory to the root folder of your domain name:

cd /var/www/html/domain-example.com/public_html

Use the wget command to download the latest version of WordPress from the web:

wget https://www.wordpress.org/latest.zip

Then, extract all the contents of the archive by using:

unzip latest.zip

By default, all the files will appear in a new directory called wordpress (which may result in your website working via domain-example.com/wordpress). For everything to work correctly, we’ll need to move all the files out of that directory to the one above. Here’s how to do it:

cd wordpress

The following command will move all files from the current directory to your specified location:

sudo mv * /var/www/html/domain-example.com/public_html/

Before starting the installation, you’ll need to prepare your wp-config.php file. Since only a sample one is provided. Start by renaming it:

sudo mv wp-config-sample.php wp-config.php

Then, edit the file using nano and add the MySQL database configuration details.

sudo nano wp-config.php

Make sure to update the MySQL User, Database, and Host sections with the values that you created previously.

editing WP config

Lastly, visit your domain name in the browser and you’ll see the initial WordPress setup screen.

initial WordPress setup

Once you finish it, you can install a migration plugin such as All-in-One WP Migration to import an existing WordPress website.

Method 2: Using an FTP Client

Alternatively, you can use an FTP client such as FileZilla. In case you configured an SSH key and disabled password authentication, you’ll need to use it to log in instead of the regular username and password combination. To configure the SFTP connection:

  1. Go to FileZilla Site Manager and add a New Site.
  2. Set the protocol to SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol.
  3. Enter your server IP in the Host field and set the port to 22.
  4. Set the login type to Key file.
  5. Specify the path to your SSH key (e.g. /Users/Name/.ssh/id_rsa).
  6. FileZilla will convert it into a .ppk file, which you can then use to make a connection.

converting SSH key

The final configuration should look something like this:

FileZilla sftp configuration

Now, you’ll be able to access your server via FTP and upload any files directly from your computer.

FileZilla sftp connection

Congratulations! You’ve learned how to host a website on a virtual private server running Ubuntu 18.04. Everything from the initial server setup to preparing the software stack has been covered. All that’s left is to grab a server and get your hands dirty!

This article was published with the help of Hostinger.com.

The post How to Host a Website (Step-by-Step) appeared first on HostingFacts.com.

-