September 29 (guess the year!)
Still with the straps! Found another that seems to give the Black Rapid
a run for it's money - Sun
Sniper. Better attachment to the belt, but still a bit pricey. |
 |
| |
December 2
Back to the straps and other ways to hold a camera when you're not shooting.
This one comes from the Cottoncarrier
Camera Systems. This is either a vest type carrier or belt with
an adapter that fits on the bottom of the camera. You have to turn
the camera 90 degrees to release the camera. |
  |
| |
| October 31
If you've never hear of GigaPan then check out their website.
An amazing system of taking lots (100's) of pictures to create a
very high resolution panoramic image. |
 |
| |
September 2
If you're looking to make a small pano (low resolution) then you might want
to look at Pano
Pro. A little pricey, but could be interesting. |
 |
| |
February 5
Back to white balance - the eternal 'Holy Grail' of digital photography.
A few weeks ago I found a product that you carried around with you as a
small card or key chain fob. How about one that stores on your lens cap?
Precision Caps
has done just that. It turns your lens cap into a gray card that you place
in the photo. You then use the gray card when converting the raw file to
set the white balance. Available for almost every brand of lens. Also available
in gray/white and gray/white/black for finer adjustments. |
 |
| |
January 24, 2009
Ever want to dabble with a shift lens? Find the $1k+ cost of the lens
a bit prohibitive? The guys at Araxfoto
make an adapter
to put on the bottom of the lens. Not quite a sharp as the real deal but
not bad! Last price check was $89. They also have tilt adapters for $129. |
 |
| |
December 24
Camdapter
hand strap. It attaches with a plate to the bottom of the camera and then
to the top strap mount on your camera. |
 |
| |
December 16
White balance can be a constant problem, specialy when you're inside with
mixed lighting. Carrying around a grey card or other white balance
tool can be a bit of a challenge until these guys came along. RawWorkflow.com
has a keychain
or credit card sized grey card that's virtually indestructable. |
 |
| |
December 11
It's heeeaaaar! After an announcement in September and pre-ordered before
that, I finally have a Canon
5D Mark II. I've been using a full frame Canon 1Ds
for the last 3 years and really like what it can do. This will now
become my main portrait and fine art camera. I'm still shooting
houses with the Rebel, however! |
 |
| |
October 13
R-Strap
This is the second time I've put a camera strap up here - it seems to be
an obsession just like camera bags and tripods. This one goes cross body
and the camera attaches from the tripod mount. The camera slides along the
strap as you bring it up from your hip to shoot. Very natural and seems
to look like a winner. I've one on order and it might replace my UpStrap!
There's also a version with pockets for accessories and a camo version. |
 |
| |
September 26
Colormunki
I've tried a number of color calibration units for my monitors and
even one for printer (it sucked) but I finally think that I've found one
that works pretty well and for the money is a bargain. X-Rite (who now
owns most of the competition) earlier this year (2008) came up with a
new system called the Colormunki (think animal) that will calibrate your
monitor(s), generate profiles for printers, pick up spot colors (can you
match the color on my shoes?) and - here's the really good part - calibrate
a projector hooked up to your computer. In the past a system like this
would be anywhere from $1,500 - $3,000. The Colormunki is one unit and
goes for about $500. Best part is - it actually works! Go for the Photo
version. |
 |
| |
September 25
I finally got so tired of cleaning my sensors with the 'clean - take picture
- load picture into PS - repeat' method that I went out and purchased a
sensor scope. What a great tool!! Shortens the cleaning cycle from minutes
to seconds and does a nice job. While I have a Delkin, I'd recommend the
loupe from VisibleDust. |
 |
| |
April 22
I recently subscribed to JPG
Magazine and one of the giveaways was an Ultrapod.
Very cool and useful! |
 |
| |
January 6, 2007
I noticed this item a while ago and recently became interested in it again.
Problem: you're taking a macro photo of a flower or something similar and
the breeze keeps moving the flower. Wimberly has a clamp where one end attaches
to your tripod and the other to the plant holding it still - called the
Plamp. |
 |
| |
|
December 12
Think Tank Photo has a lot of innovative stuff but the item that I have
my eye on is the Pixel
Sunscreen. I take my laptop along with me to use the GPS navigation
software and the sun makes it hard to see as well as heats up the notebook.
This gizmo keeps the glare off and lets you see the screen. Now if they
only made it in a white exterior to keep the interior cool. |
 |
| |
|
November 4, 2006
It has been a really long time since I've found a new tool worth mentioning
and this one is a bit of a stretch, so there will be a bit of story to explain
how we got to this one. This summer I bought my very first official
and very visible PHOTOGRAPHERS VEST. (read that with an echo and lots of
reverb) It was a purchase born out of necessity and I really came
to appreciate what those silly looking things do for your workflow - not
to mention how polite people are now when I ask to step in front of them
to take a picture. "Hon, please step aside for the PHOTOGRAPHER so
that he can work." Kinda nice! Well, recently I needed
a new coat as the leather one I've had for 15+ years has worn out. Off
to the stores to find something with lots of pockets, kind of like a PHOTOGRAPHERS
VEST but an actual winters coat. Nothing to be found that isn't unbelievably
out of my price range. Now a long time ago (read 5 years) I'd heard
of a guy who invented a vest to put all of his electronic gadgets into so
he could get through the airport faster. Called the ScotteVest it's
now on it's 4th version - yes v4.0 - and now has 40 pockets! So...
I have one - with the fleece liner (that adds 12 more pockets for a total
of 52) and makes it suitable for year round. Check out the web site
at www.scottevest.com
and drool over the goodies. I really like mine! And check out
the vestimonials (his word not mine). Some are amazing. |
 |
| |
|
October
8
Visible Dust,
maker of the Sensor Brush (see below) has done it again. This time,
they've developed a way to charge the brush without using compressed air
with the Artic
Butterfly. |
 |
| |
|
August 18
Time for another book and this is a good one. I recently subscribed
to LensWork magazine
and really enjoy it. The editor Brooks Jensen has compiled a
small book of some of his articles and editorials from the past 10 years
and published them as Letting
Go of the Camera. No matter where you are in your
photographic journey these articles will get you in the proper frame of
mind to expand and improve your viewpoint and skills. This is
one of those books that I'll continue to pick up and read again and again. |
 |
| |
|
June 17
UPstrap
Now why would I be talking about just a little shoulder strap for your camera? Everyone
that gets this goes zealous over the fact that it just doesn't slip off
your shoulder - ever. Available for cameras and camera bags. Get
them direct from the web site for about $30 each. I just got
mine and it's true - I can't get it to slip off my shoulder. Incredible. |
 |
| |
|
January 17
Sensor Brush
Continuing with the digital SLR sensor cleaning theme this is another
product to check out. While it's only been out a few months
the reviews are very good and this looks like a winner.
|
 |
| |
|
January 14, 2005
CO-2
Duster from American Recorder
For those of you that clean your own sensors, this little kit will supply
you with absolutely clean compressed CO2 gas. Other
sources of CO2 and canned air can have moisture and lubricants
that you don't want all over your sensor. |
 |
| |
|
December 30
Canon
ST-E2 wireless flash transmitter
In order to use your flash off of the camera, you usually need an off camera
cord (see Toy from 12/23/03). With this transmitter,
you get rid of the cord! It can also control multiple flash units in 2 different
groups allowing you to adjust the light output between the 2 groups. The
550EX and 580EX also have this master control capability. Another feature
is that the unit can be used for low (or no) light focusing assistance.
The ST-E2 will emit a pattern of red lines that the camera will use to focus
before shooting. Available almost anywhere. Bonus for Nikon users, some
DSLR's have the master control feature built into the on camera flash. Score
one for Nikon. |
 |
| |
|
December 20
Wacom
Intuos3 graphics tablet
Back to the post processing equipment. If you've ever tried to do small
delicate editing in Photoshop using a mouse then you should try a graphics
tablet. I've done without one for years and I finally broke down and got
a tablet. I had several hundred pictures to edit and I'd heard how wonderful
a tablet can be. Well, they weren't kidding. The stylus with the tablet
is so natural that I don't even pick up the mouse much any more. It comes
with a 5 button mouse and is powered by the USB port. Both the stylus and
mouse get their power from the tablet so there are no batteries and no external
power supply. Control in Photoshop is amazing - these were made for each
other. Go to the Wacom site and run the little wizard
to figure out which of their models is appropriate for your work. |
 |
| |
|
| December 12
Welcome back. I was talking to some friends last night and learned that
they still check for new stuff here! Sorry I've not been updating this.
Here you go.
Stroboframe
Press-T flash bracket
I'm still shooting homes and now I'm also shooting weddings so flash shadow
is very important. With this little gizmo I can keep the flash above the
camera in either landscape or portrait orientation. More importantly,
when in portrait mode, the camera is rotated counter-clockwise to keep
the vertical grip in the proper place. Most of the other rotating flash
grips rotate the camera clockwise. Also the bottom bracket is thin enough
to still allow me to grip the camera vertically. |
 |
| |
|
June 26
Leveling
Center Column
I use this with the previous Toy to get a quick level on the head when taking
the panoramic shots. I could use the built in level on my tripod, but that
can be a rather tedious process where using this center column is very quick.
Just a quick twist at the bottom to release it, adjust using the built in
level on the column, then tighten down and shoot. The bottom knob comes
off for easy removal and replacement with my other center column that has
my ball head attached. A big time saver. |
 |
| |
|
May
23
Panoramic
tripod head
The topic this week is panoramic photography. We've discussed it at past
club meetings and I've even taken a few shots and stitched them together
with Photoshop and the Panorama Factory. For panos in close places, however,
parallax error can be a problem unless the camera and lens rotate about
the nodal point of the lens. To center the camera over this point you'll
need a special head for your tripod like the one on the right. There are
many other models and even a few companies that specialize in panoramic
product. I'm using this one to shoot home interiors for virtual tours. |
 |
May 10
Radio
remote controls
OK... this is a bit out there but I've recently added wireless (radio)
triggers to my studio flash units. I'm using the system from Pocket Wizard
as it's not too expensive, seems to be sold everywhere, and my light meter
has an integrated transmitter for the Pocket Wizard system. These are
used instead of a sync cord to trigger the flash units. The advantage
is that I no longer have to worry about where the cord is and keeping
it out of the way. The transmitter mounts in the hot shoe of the camera
and can use either the hot shoe or a cord to trigger from the camera.
The receivers connect to the flash heads with another cord. Another advantage
of this system is now I have a way to remotely trigger - my camera!
Yup, with a cord (that I built) I can mount the receiver on the camera
and plug into the remote cable release socket (see the March 8th toy)
of my camera. Since the range of these are 1,600 feet I can be a long
way away from the camera when I trigger. Think of the possibilities! |
 |
May 3
Monopod
I can't believe it's taken me this long to talk about a monopod. If you
just can't take a tripod with you then carry a monopod (or one legged "tri"pod).
They cost much less than a tripod and start at about $35 for a decent one.
The Bogen 679 is a nice starter. If you want to get fancy I've tried an
auto adjusting one from Adorama. |
 |
April 26
Chest
Strap
Occasionally someone will ask me how to keep the camera from swinging while
they are hiking or just walking around. There are several chest straps available
including this one from Lowepro. A friend just picked up the Tamrac N-75
from Roberts and likes it very much. Less than $30. |
 |
April 19
Portable
reflector
When you're on a location and need a little extra reflected light or want
to diffuse the direct light then one of these is very nice. This particular
model has silver and gold reflecting surfaces as well as a white or black
cover that fit over a translucent circular disk. I've a 32" model that
folds down into a 12" pouch that fits in my camera bag. You can also
use the black or white surfaces for backgrounds. I recently use mine at
the butterflies (I keep going back!) to give a nice warm color to some butterfly
chrysalis' and orchids. About $45. |
 |
April 12
External
Flash Battery
I've a shoot coming up where I'll need to take hundreds of flash photos
and I need a lot of battery power for my 550EX flash unit. I did a bit of
research and there are 3 options, Canon, Quantum and Digital Camera Battery.
The Canon attaches to a special connector at the bottom of the flash to
power the flash tube only and uses either 6 AA batteries (not much improvement
over the 4 in the flash) or 6 C cells - large and then I have to dispose
of batteries. Quantum has a unit but you have to replace the batteries in
the flash and strap the battery door closed. I really hate something that
has to be 'adapted' and doesn't really work with the design of the flash
to begin with. The Digital Camera Battery unit is rechargeable, connects
to the special connector like the Canon battery, has 2 regulated outputs
and works on the principal of getting an adapter cord to fit whatever you
are powering. I got the proper cord for my camera and the recycle times
are amazingly fast. You can also get adapter cords for cameras and even
your PC. There is also a case with a belt clip and shoulder strap. I've
talked to several others that have this gizmo and they have yet to run the
battery down during a shoot. |
 |
April 6
Hand
Strap
OK... I'm stretching a bit here, but I recently got a hand strap for my
10D and it's really helping when I doing a lot of rapid shooting - like
chasing butterflies. The E-1 hand strap attaches to the bottom of a power
grip or booster and the right side strap mount and allows you to hold the
camera with only one hand without gripping the camera very tightly. One
nice feature is a little metal clip that allows you to still attach the
neck strap as well. Granted that not all cameras are able to use one of
these, but for those that can it's very nice. |
 |
March 29
Bean
Bag
When you need a little more stability to take the shot and a tripod isn't
practical (or you left it in the car) a bean bag in the kit does a nice
job. I could have used one yesterday when I was on my belly shooting butterflies.
You can make your own, go to the hobby store and see what they have or go
to Grippa
in England and get one. |
 |
March 22
Better
Beamer
Have you ever wanted to have more reach on your flash and thought that the
only way was to get a bigger flash? There is a better way - the Better Beamer.
This is a very simple attachment to your flash - brand doesn't matter -
that focuses the light much farther away from the camera. This image
by Larry Grider from the Photo Venture Camera Club's competition for March
used this device. It folds down to a very small size and it relatively inexpensive
at $36. Just be careful where you point it. I've read of people accidentally
pointing the flash at the sun while fiddling with their camera and looking
up to see their flash melting from the sun being focused back onto the flash
head! There is a nice write up with example images up on Luminous
Landscape. |
 |
March 15th
Filter
Pouch
If you've been playing around with different filters then you've probably
managed to collect a few filters. How do you keep them organized and clean
when they're not on the camera? I use a filter pouch from Lowepro. It has
6 pockets and will take my 77mm filters quite nicely. I can usually get
up to 2 filters in each pocket in the pouch so there's plenty of room. The
pouch will 'roll' up, is water-resistant and made of ripstop fabric. |
 |
March 8
Remote
Cable Release
I can't believe that I've gone this long without mentioning this little
jewel. If you are using your tripod to steady your shot, then you really
should also be using one of these. They are traditionally a mechanical device
for the pre-electronic cameras and are a wire and switch for most of the
electronic, computerized newfangled film eaters. They can be as simple a
just a switch or as complicated as a little computer to set number of exposures
and time between exposures and how long to hold down the button. On the
right is one from Canon, but everyone has them. This is definitely something
that you should buy at the same time that you get your tripod if you haven't
already done so! |
 |
March 1
Extension
Tubes
Well it's almost time for the butterflies again at the Hilbert Conservatory
and I'm looking for a better way to get close ups of those elusive little
critters. While the macro works well sometimes it's better to get a little
more working distance with a telephoto. By using extension tubes, you are
enlarging the image in the camera without adding any more glass (or distortions)
and keeping the image sharp. You will, however, lose a stop or two of light.
I don't have any yet, but the Kenko line is known to be a very good bargain
- much less than the name brand extensions. These are not to be confused
with a teleconvertor which does contain optics and will degrade the sharpness
of the image. Using a longer extension will give a larger image but also
less light. Here
they are at B&H. |
|
February 23
Tripod
carrying strap
Another tripod goodie that was very useful on the trip. This strap clips
onto a ring near the top of my tripod that can be used to hang a counterweight
and the other end is a loop that straps around the end of the legs. You
then sling it over you shoulder and your hands are free. I got mine locally
for about $30. |
|
February 16
Tripod
Leg Protectors
Yes, that's what it says - leg protectors for your tripod. The catch is
that the protectors are really for your hands - not the finish on the legs.
When working out in the cold the tripod legs can get very very
cold. Have you ever picked up your 'pod after shooting on a winters day?
Makes you think of the kid with his tongue stuck to the flagpole. These
cover the legs and make the tripod much easier to handle on cold days. Speaking
from experience on my last trip these things really do work. I have a hunch
that I'm going to like these this summer as well. They also deaden the clanking
noise from my 'pod when it flops around in the trunk of my car. In the $32
price range from B&H.
I picked my up at Cord. |
|
January 26
Catch-all bag
My camera bag seems to gather a lot of little things like batteries,
memory cards, bubble levels and such. I went looking for something hard
to put just the batteries in and came across these little bags at Galyans.
They are mesh on one side so you can see what's inside (canvas on the other),
have a zipper closer and a clip hook if you want to hang it on something.
Originally made for camping and hiking they are perfect for the odds and
ends in the camera bag. Mine holds my extra batteries and memory cards.
Only a few dollars at a sporting goods store near you. |
|
January 12
Seconic
L358 light meter
Yes - even with a digital camera you'll still find a need for a good light
meter. It's most useful in the studio for triggering the lights and setting
the power outputs and ratios. I also use it for checking the exposure for
my slides as well. This one is a good compromise of features and price and
while it doesn't have a spot meter, you can add one later if you like. And
for those of you with a Pocket
Wizard wireless system, you can add a module to the meter to trigger
the PWs. |
|
December 25
ExpoDisc
Merry Christmas! Still making up for missing weeks, this 'weeks' toy is
a gadget that I've come to rely on in the studio as well as tough lighting
situations. It's a little pricey in my opinion, but after having it for
a while it's really saved me time color balancing my shots. Available only
from their web site.
It also can double as a lens cap. |
|
December 23
Off-Camera
flash cords
Looking for a last minute gift? These are handy little devices that don't
take much room in the camera bag and can really help your flash pictures.
Connect in between your flash and the camera hot shoe to hold the flash
up higher. You can get much more dramatic lighting effects and eliminate
any chance of red eye with this cord. Available from most everyone here
are the ones from Nikon
and Canon. |
|
December 22
Loupes
It's been a couple of busy weeks so it's time for another gadget. While
this one isn't in the camera bag, it's in the lab and gets a lot of use,
especially when I'm evaluating slides. I started out with an inexpensive
magnifier and then soon upgraded to a lens grade one from Promaster.
While the inexpensive one worked, there were obvious optical irregularities
and distortions that made evaluating images difficult. Try a cheap one first
for about $10 then go and look through a good one at the store, if you dare.
|
|
December 1
Angle Finder for Canon
or Nikon
Last year I was taking a shot very low to the ground looking straight up
and I had a very difficult time seeing in the view finder so I went out
and got this little gadget. It attaches to the viewfinder and provides a
right angle view into the viewfinder for easier viewing. The Canon version
also allows for a 2.5x magnification for easier focusing with macro work. |
|
November 27
Real
World Photoshop 7
For most of us this is a short work week and you might have some time to
sit around and relax. Now would be a good time to read a little of this
amazingly detailed and very well written book by David Blatner and Bruce
Fraser. The topics are dead on and the examples very easy to understand
and put into practice. I've learned more about color management (a favorite
topic lately if you haven't noticed by the toy selection) that I probably
should ever need to know but I'm finding it fascinating. $50 and a bit pricey
but it is 800+ pages!
|
|
November 18
Colorvision
Spyder Monitor Calibrator
It seems that almost every week someone asks me why what's on their screen
doesn't match what comes out of the printer. The problem is usually that
the color on their monitor isn't calibrated properly. Until I got this device
I was very frustrated by the same problem. Now, things are much better -
still not perfect - but then the system to fix that problem would be much
more than the $169 that this costs. Probably one of the best toys I have
and some of the best money that I've spent in my digital photography 'darkroom'.
Monaco Systems
also have very good products as well. If you want to spend the big bucks
check out GretagMacbeth.
|
|
November 10
Hot
shoe two axis bubble level
A double axis spirit level that mounts effortlessly to the hot shoe of any
standard 35mm SLR camera to help achieve a finer degree of accuracy in capturing
image content. Ideal for QTVR shooting sessions. Paul showed us this one
at last weeks meeting. Thanks for the idea Paul!
|
|
November 3
Macbeth
mini color checker
Mostly for the digital shooters, but also valuable for the film crowd. Ever
have trouble getting the color balance just right? Have your model hold
this or put it somewhere in the picture for the first take and you have
a known, calibrated reference shot that you or your lab can use to adjust
your white and tone balance. Two sizes are available - 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"
and 8 1/2" x 11". Of course the smaller size costs a few dollars
more! (And yes, the link and image are from B&H.)
|
|
October 27
Manfrotto
micro positioning plate
Time to get small - macro small. Ever been taking really close up macro
shots with your camera at the minimum focusing distance and you just can't
seem to get the tripod / camera at just the right distance? This plate attaches
between the camera and the tripod and allow you to make extremely small
adjustments in camera distance. It also has a quick release lever for quick
adjustments before fine tuning. |
|
October 23
National
Geographic's Photography Field Guide
About a year ago I purchased a number of books to learn more about photography.
One that I enjoyed the most was this one. While it covers the basics of
equipment and technique as do a lot of other books what it adds are personal
experiences and narratives from some of the NGC staff photographers. This
is one of those books that I keep going back to for a re-read. Small enough
to fit into your camera bag to take with you there's a bonus: the inside
covers are gray cards. The second edition was released in June of 2003.
There are also portrait and landscape editions. |
|
October 16
Lumiquest
ProMax
Photography is all about the light and flash photography is doubly so. My
gadget this week is a flash reflector that also has a mini ‘softbox’
modifier that attaches to the external flash on your camera. Lumiquest,
among other, make a number of gizmos that attach to your flash to soften
the light. I use their Promax system to get a softer look to my flash pictures.
The Promax folds flat enough to easily in the camera bag and with the included
Velcro straps will fit on any flash. True, it isn’t a real softbox
and you will still get some shadowing, but the edges are much less harsh
and the light is much softer than directly from the flash. There are also
silver and gold inserts to change the color of the light. |
|
October 8
LensPen
Instead of keeping a brush, microfiber cloth and cleaning solution in the
bag, this small marker sized device has a retractable brush in one end and
a lens cleaning pad with cleaning solution in the other end. I like to use
it for the light cleanings that you occasionally need. It's not a replacement
for the cloth and solution, but much easier to carry. They are about $10
at local stores. |
|
September 23
Wein
Safe-Sync
Mounts on the hot shoe of your camera and supplies a PC flash connection.
Many of the newer cameras (anything electronic with a processor in it) cannot
tolerate voltages higher than 6-9 volts. Some studio lighting can put out
over 200 volts back into the camera frying the internal electronics of the
camera. The newer digital cameras are most prone to damage from studio lighting.
The Safe-Sync limits the voltage to 6 volts and will protect your camera
from damage. This is a "must have" accessory if you are going
to use any PC connected lighting. Both Roberts and Cord Stock them. |
|
