What is a Sound Blimp?

One piece of specialist equipment sets apart a stills photographer working in the film and television industry from most photographers.... The Sound Blimp.

If I had a penny for every time I have been asked about that strange box that my camera is housed in... I would be a very rich man!  

The Jacobson Sound Blimp is a housing for professional 35mm Canon and Nikon cameras which effectively eliminates the noise created by their operation. Silencing is essential in areas where extraneous noise cannot be tolerated or would prove distracting; i.e., motion picture and television sound stages, theatrical plays, surveillance, wildlife, and sporting events such as golf. Furthermore, the Sound Blimp provides protection for cameras where environmental conditions can affect delicate camera mechanisms. It helps protect cameras and lenses from the adverse effects of sand, dust, and sudden changes in temperature and humidity.  

If you regularly work in the film and television industry... you will need a sound blimp!  Other types of blimps have been tried in the past but nothing comes close to, or  is as effective as the Sound Blimp by Jacobson Photographic Instruments.  I have been using them for over 20 years and can safely say that they are the industry standard.

They are very simple to use:

Start with a Nikon or Canon camera and a Sound Blimp. Release the two snap latches on top of Sound Blimp. Connect the internal electrical cable to the receptacle on the camera for remote operation.
Slide the camera into the case until it sits firmly (If necessary, adjust camera so the viewfinder and lens are centered when Sound Blimp is closed).
Close the cover and snap the latches shut. Install the lens tube completely over the lens. Rotate the lens tube clamps over the ring on the tube.  To take pictures, press the top switch on the case.  The bottom switch controls the AF and viewfinder information.

FAQ's 1 Q: Does the Sound Blimp protect the camera from water and dust? A: Yes. 2 Q: Is the Sound Blimp made of plastic? A: No. The case is made of a strong aluminum alloy. 3 Q: When the camera operates in the Sound Blimp, can any sound be heard? A: Yes, but very little. Usually only the photographer is aware that a picture has been taken. 4 Q: What does it weigh? A: Approximately 3 pounds (1.4 kg) including the lens tube. 5 Q: Can the Sound Blimp be mounted on a tripod? A: Yes. There is a tripod mounting plate on the bottom. 6 Q: Can I use my auto-focus lenses in auto-focus operation mode in the Sound Blimp? A: Yes. 7 Q: Can I use my zoom lenses? A: Maybe.  Usually lens tubes for most Canon EF f2.8 type lenses and most Nikon AF f2.8 type lenses are available. 8 Q: Do I need a different lens tube for each lens I wish to use? A: That depends on your lenses. The physical dimensions of the lenses are the determining factors. Often JPI are able to provide a lens tube that can accommodate several different focal lengths. Let Mark know the exact lenses you have, then he can tell you all the possibilities.

Sound blimps are available from : Jacobson Photographic Instruments, Inc. 11491 Chandler Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601 Phone (818) 752-7910 E-mail address : info@soundblimp.com