B&H is offering a pretty hefty discount on the Comodo Orbit Handheld Stabilization Rig at $900 off their normal price. The unit normally has a whopping price tag of $1,299. The Orbit is designed to carry up to 11 pounds, meaning it works will with just about every DSLR/lens combination and most light to medium weight camcorders.
Venus recently released the KX-800 Twin Flash for macro photography which updates their previous KR-800 model. The new KX-800 model features stronger articulating arms that promise to hold their position better than before. In this review, macro photographer Thomas Shahan examines the Venus Twin Flash and goes over how to get the best results in real-world application.
Z Camera is a new startup that has come out with a camera they call the E1. What makes the E1 so special is that it is the smallest micro four thirds camera at the present moment. It shoots 16MP stills, offers 4K video recording, and has incredible low light performance. All in a package not much bigger than a Go-Pro.
The photo gear bag market is saturated with so many options of style and size that new products within this space really need to come out swinging with never-been-better looks and features in order to catch interest. The California-based company Booq, most known for their line of laptop bags and Apple product cases and covers, recently released the Python Catch shoulder-carry camera bag into this market. In this review I'll share my experience with the Python Catch and uncover what features it offers that separates itself from the competition.
Fujifilm's lineup of fast primes is what sets it apart in the world of mirrorless cameras. Starting with the amazing XF 35mm f/1.4, and following up with the XF 23mm f/1.4 and XF 56mm f/1.2, Fuji have continued to impress with their small, lightweight, fast, sharp primes. The XF 16mm f/1.4 (24mm equivalent field of view on full frame), long talked about, was released in May this year to the excitement of many Fuji shooters. But does it hold up to the other primes in Fuji's lineup?
I'm not one to get caught up in hype. The camera world is constantly inundated with new, interesting products and technologies, many of which scream of excitement before their release, but arrive with nary a whimper. The Sony a7RII is a rare product that has caught my attention before its release.
The world's first full-frame coverage, f/2 zoom lens makes history as Sigma prices the 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art lens at a very fair $999.00. Moreover, Sigma promises it will feature similarly excellent optical performance as the other lenses across their new Art-series, Global Vision lenses.
It has always driven me insane that I had to stock multiple sets of softboxes that are largely identical but designed for use with either studio strobes (of a specific brand) or speedlights (via some sort of proprietary bracket). I even jerry-rigged some disconcertingly terrifying setups over the years involving a few Justin Clamps to mount my speedlights onto speed rings. Unsurprisingly, things didn’t go very well. That is until I discovered Cheetah Stand’s Speed Pro MKII bracket, which is a hefty bracket specifically designed to help you mount a small flash into Bowens-style speed rings.
I’m outdoors a lot and I post images and video of my adventures to social media all the time. But one of the biggest problems I have is if it’s anything more than a snapshot on my iPhone, or a video on my GoPro I can pull over to my phone via WiFi, I have to wait till I get home to edit on my laptop, slowing down the time it takes from getting the shot to sharing it with my followers.
Just last week, GoPro announced a new a camera in their ever-expanding lineup of action-POV cameras. The new camera is called the HERO4 Session, and as Doug Sonders posted last week, it's smaller and lighter than the previous series of HERO cameras. In this video review, WIRED's Brent Rose takes the Session out on several different adventures, comparing it to the HERO4 Silver along the way.
In September of 2014 Patrick and I met Elia Locardi totally by chance in the basement of a German beer house during Photokina. That night we learned that Elia had sold all of his possessions and had been traveling the world nonstop for 3 years taking landscape & travel photographs. Soon thereafter we decided to team up on the biggest project any of us had ever worked on.
Portland-based Lensbaby announced a new mobile photography kit aimed at bringing their unique lens esthetics to the mobile platform. This new creative mobile kit includes two lenses and a magnetic kickstand.
Nikon has just issued a service advisory for owners of the D750 DSLR, specifically those manufactured in October and November of 2014. The shutter in affected bodies has been shown to "not function normally," sometimes resulting in shading of a portion of images. Nikon will repair affected cameras free of charge, even those with expired warranties. There has been no official word yet on whether grey market bodies are eligible for the service as well.
Canon just announced their latest Speedlite, the 430EXIII-RT. The update to the Canon 430EXII will be released in September 2015 at an estimated retail price of $299.99. Also announced are new accessories that will be familiar to Nikon users, the SCF-E2 Color Filter, and the SBA-E2 Bounce Adapter.
Jay P. Morgan of the Slanted Lens has recently created an image for Dynalite that is being used in their advertising. The concept for the image was to showcase a lot of motion, and the Dynalite Baja's motion stopping power. As part of the project Jay has created a behind the scenes instructional video that explains what it takes to properly freeze motion and action when working with studio lighting.
While looking for a new shoulder bag to use for family sessions and travel assignments, I came across Gura Gear's Chobe 19-24L expandable bag. It checked all the boxes I needed; airline carry-on-friendly, reasonably lightweight, laptop sleeve, configurable dividers, plenty of storage pockets, and room for things other than camera equipment. I have now taken it on several sessions here in Korea, and on my recent trips to Myanmar and Malaysia. For carrying a small kit, it has been a great bag. Here are my thoughts so far.
Addicted to Canon gear, but not to Canon prices? Canon has a long history of producing some extremely impressive products. If you find yourself looking for some new gear, but trying to stay within a budget, consider these gems of Canon yesteryear.
The morning of a shoot has arrived and you are running around frantically loading gear trying to make sure that you haven’t forgotten a lens, power cable, or battery that will be the key to making the shoot a success. In the haste of focusing on gear, it can be too easy to forget to load a few simple tools that can come to your rescue and make sure everyone is as happy as possible throughout the shoot.
Those lenses we all dream of owning but that only few truly need (and are able to afford) just got a refreshed introduction with a focus on weight reduction combined with the implementation of the latest lens coat and crystal technologies. With the new additions, however, come brand new price tags in excess of $2,000 more than the predecessors for the AF-S 500mm f/4E FL ED VR and AF-S 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lenses.
Nikon's latest DX-format lens offering is its most interesting and promising yet. Covering a 24-120mm full-frame-equivalent focal length, the lightweight 16-80mm f/2.8-4E features relatively fast apertures, an incredibly useful and dynamic focal length range (already proven with the popular full-frame 24-120mm f/4G ED VR), and professional treatments such as nano coating, an electromagnetic diaphragm, and even a fluorine coating on the front element.
Smell that? It's the once yearly aroma of cut grass, processed meats and the aftermath of a lit firecracker. And as the sun sets on July 4th, you're probably gearing up for an evening of fireworks to celebrate America's independence (unless you a reading this in one of the hundreds of other countries around the globe and then it's just 7/4 and a regular weekend).
As a former IT worker and all-around nerd, I was used to firmware updates having small changes to increase compatibility with new hardware and software; often allowing older BIOSes to support newer hardware, etc. Fujifilm's engineers have turned this concept on its head with their firmware updates, which have routinely introduced new features to existing cameras, and giving users the best that Fujifilm have been able to pull from their existing hardware. These changes have brought huge improvements to already great cameras. Fujifilm's new X-T1 Firmware 4.0 may just be the mother of all updates seen on an X-series camera yet.
After using the new firmware for just under 24 hours, on a job yesterday, and in the streets on the way out, I would like to share my thoughts on the changes so far.
There are hundreds of 35mm film camera options out there. Everything from cheap drug-store point and shoots to beautiful, bespoke-feeling Leicas, to the Canon AE-1 hipsters wear around their necks with a guitar strap. The Nikon F100 is, without a doubt, one of the best 135 cameras out there and is, in my opinion, is the absolute best choice for a digital shooter to experiment with 35mm film.*
The team over at Moment are anything but idle. Earlier this month they have announced their newest product, The Moment Macro Lens. The lens is a 10x magnification and will work with all existing cases and mounting plates.
The other week, I wrote that I was excited about Phase One's newest gear announcements for a multitude of reasons. Well, thanks to my friends at Digital Transitions and Phase One, I was lucky enough to do a photoshoot with the BRAND NEW Phase One XF body, the updated IQ350 50 megapixel CMOS medium format back, and their newest 35mm leaf shutter lens. As an owner of their previous generation 645DF+ body and IQ140 back, I was incredibly impressed by the notable technology advancements in their newest gear. Read below to see why.
Assisting for a photographer or videographer can be a rewarding experience filled with knowledge and new perspectives. An assistant often receives an insider's view into how a photographer runs a production, and gains networking opportunities that may not have been accessible before. However, being an effective assistant requires more than holding light stands or reflectors. Great attention to detail and a humble can-do attitude can ensure your return to set, and solidify your reputation as a reliable assistant. While every photographer varies, we will review some of my tips for proper etiquette for assistants, from a photographer's perspective.
I have an iPhone 6 Plus. It’s amazing. It has a backside illuminated sensor, an f/2.2 lens, and optical image stabilization. Yes, I have optical image stabilization in my phone. Would I ever use it for work? Not a chance.
Announced today on the LensRentals blog, is their intentions to begin testing lens variance - something never formally done in photography before. Lens variance is simply the difference from one copy of a lens to the other. By testing this, they'll be able to debunk any misinformation found in reviews that test only a single copy of lenses. This will result in higher accuracies, and more information prior to buying.
Shooting with two cameras seems to be a growing trend in the wedding industry. When I first started shooting, I saw people doing this and I just didn’t see the point. I figured I could always change lenses, and then I would be good to go. Once I gave it try I completely fell in love. Here is my “how and why” I shoot with two cameras.
The ever popular Loka and Loka UL were favorites among many outdoor adventure photographers and filmmakers I know, including myself. With F-Stop Gear's recently updated line of Mountain Series packs, the Loka has been reborn and is now known as the Ajna. I've been using it for the last few weeks and discovered some surprising details about it.
In an interesting promotion that began as a rumor earlier this week, Nikon has decided to help you stick it to the man by picking up the tab on your sales tax for your next purchase from B&H.
The new promotion was in effect last Thursday, according to Nikon Rumors, but wasn't made official by Nikon until recently.
The Nikon "We Pay Your Sales Tax" promo is available for most popular items. It seems to include a fairly long list of DSLRs, mirrorless bodies, lenses and accessories. Notably absent among the applicable gear is the flagship D4s and...
When I first heard about the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM, I couldn’t help but think of the famous “Spinal Tap” scene: “these go to 11!” It’s a hefty lens with a hefty price tag, so I had high expectations of it when it came time to review. It has risen to the occasion.
Announced late tonight is the latest in the beloved Sigma Art series with the 24-35mm f/2 designed for full frame sensors. This lens is the fastest zoom lens ever built for full frame sensors, and promises optical sharpness comparable to the Sigma 24mm Art Series and Sigma 35mm Art Series - considered the sharpest in their classes. So will this be a new lens for those who use 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm lenses and are looking for a one lens solution?
If you're like me, photography is not just about weddings and portraits. I love getting outdoors with my camera and exploring the mountains and forests around my hometown of Seattle, Washington. Anything from a day hike to a multi-night backpacking trip is always an opportunity to photograph my adventures and share these beautiful landscapes with others.
DxO, a company best known for its software, has unveiled a pocket-sized DSLR quality camera that is meant to be paired with your iPhone. Using the iPhone as a control panel and proofing screen, the camera itself concentrates on capturing images using it's own lens and settings. This idea could be the best of the DSLR and iPhone worlds. It's small and offers much more versatility and control than the normal iPhone camera all the while, still capitalizing on the immediacy of sharing with an iPhone camera.
We all know someone who has had their gear stolen, lost or damaged but it is rare to hear about a large commercial organization hit by thieves. Those headed to work at LensProToGo Monday morning were surprised to see just that as the company’s Concord, Massachusetts office had been robbed.
Dave Re has a demanding job. He heads the photography team within the media department of one of the fastest growing sports in the history of sports. CrossFit (CF), a topic that I wrote about last month, is a fitness regimen that has gained extreme popularity in just a short time. Although Re never planned going to work every day as head staff photographer for CF Media, he has embraced it with open arms.
The Nikon D750 is one of the most talked about cameras in a long time. It’s a small lightweight body that packs a major feature set and has even lured Nikon D4 shooters to "upgrade." The camera is packed full of customizations, some of which can be pretty hard to understand and even difficult to find. I’m here to explain what I feel to be the best overall setup and why. This article is geared towards the Nikon D750, however the majority of the settings, if not all, are applicable to most cameras.
Relatively new to the professional flash world, German strobe manufacture Priolite is wasting no time in making a name for itself in the big leagues. Their latest product, the RC-HS/P, is a transmitter/controller for their lights that enables high-speed sync (HSS) with the Pentax line of cameras, and most excitingly, Pentax’s digital medium format 645Z.
Leica has just released their new full-frame 24-megapixel camera, the Leica Q (Typ 116), which fashions a Summilux 28mm f/1.7 fixed lens. While following Leica tradition in many aspects of its beautiful design, the Leica Q doesn’t shy away from incorporating fresh advancements into the camera such as a 3.68-megapixel viewfinder, a 3-inch 1.04-million dot touchscreen LCD, quick autofocus, and the ability to shoot 10 frames per second.
Just announced this afternoon is the much anticipated Sony a7RII. Boasting 42 megapixels in a full-frame sensor, the Sony a7RII promises to be the newest king in the mirrorless camera world. However, the camera has some more features up its sleeve, like internal 4K video and an incredible 399 Phase-Detect AF points at 5 fps.
If you thought getting dust inside of your lens was annoying, imagine how terrible a fly would be. That may sound like a joke, but it’s exactly what LensRentals founder Roger Cicala found inside a weather sealed Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS recently when returned to their shipping center.
Vancouver-based company Tric is attempting to be the maker of the first wireless flash trigger exclusively for the iPhone. They are taking their new invention to Kickstarter in hopes that popular demand will help their aspiring iPhone wireless flash trigger dreams come true. As they say in their Kickstarter ad, "Taking professional photos on your iPhone is a challenge. Without a way to properly light your scene, photos turn out looking too dark or unevenly lit." Taking professional photos with your iPhone is indeed quite the challenge, but if you're one of those professional photographers who uses their iPhone for their shoots, this may be for you.
Rings can be considered one of the most important details of a wedding day. The groom may have spent months trying to find the right ring, and even longer saving up to purchase it. When the bride first announces their engagement, all of her friends can't wait to see the ring. It’s the only item from the wedding day that most couples will have their entire lives (besides the images of course). When I take pictures of the rings, I want to capture more than just the ring sitting on a table. I want something visually interesting and unique. Here is how I do it.
The era of 360-degree filmmaking is upon us. Google, in collaboration with The Mill and production company Bullitt, has released the 360-degree short film "HELP" for free on Google's mobile storytelling platform Spotlight Stories. The film is full of explosions, aliens, and action all within a beautiful 360-degree world.
This week, Phase One announced a brand-new camera platform, the Phase One XF, and three new IQ3 digital backs. Every photo media outlet in the world has the press release and various levels of speculation and information, all focused on those two main announcements. Here’s the thing: it was only one of a half dozen announcements Phase One made, and some of the best announcements are getting obscured by the announcement of their body and backs. Read on to see some of the other exciting stuff they have coming out this week.
With less expensive gear being introduced all the time, we have seen a boom in time-lapse films in recent years, making it easier for just about anyone to make their own time-lapse clips. But with the deluge of videos comes innovation and the need to differentiate yourself. Filmmakers have used time-lapse in some creative ways with production techniques like multi-axis motion and post-production software like After Effects to achieve wild results. A relatively new approach is compositing live-action footage over time-lapse video, and it is pretty easy to do.
The Shot on iPhone 6 World Gallery launched at the beginning of March and features some of Apple's favorite customer photos in a global outdoor and print campaign that spans 70 cities in 24 countries. It is a truly transformative year for videography and filmmaking, and we are now more than ever seeing more filmmakers achieve their vision by using the iPhone 6 as their weapon of choice to produce films. For example, "Modern Family" producer Steve Levitan shot an entire episode on iPhone and iPad earlier this year, opening the doors to more possibilities shooting with our mobile devices in a creative way.
RAID is often times one of the most misunderstood topics that photographers don’t take advantage of. So often I hear horror stories of photographers losing images or irreplaceable data from crashed hard drives. I’ve made a video explaining a few popular RAID options and a strategy to ensure your files never get lost.
Anyone who likes to bring a light or two on-location knows the frustration of wanting soft, controllable light that won't weigh you down or break the bank. The Westcott Apollo Orb is, without a doubt, one of my favorite lighting modifiers. As you'll see below, the Apollo Orb has just about every feature you could ask for in its unique, somewhat-brolly-box-style design, all at a modest price point.
