Showing posts with label Gear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gear. Show all posts

Evolution... ??

Will this means a 1D MarkIV or 1DMarkIIIn camera without any bugs?

A lot of friends been changing their gear to Nikon and their new Nikon D3 with a lot of new features and the high ISO that we all love but would this mean that the war between Canon and Nikon will rise fro the ashes after so many years Canon leading the way?

I hope, for the sake of all photographers, that this war will rise again. This could only mean one think... the consumers, and I mean all of us, will get improvements on our gear faster. On the other hand photography business is turning into an update virtual world like computers... as soon as you got a new model a couple of months later a new with a lot of improvements will rise up.

This will lead us more into the indecision to buy the current model or wait a couple of months for an update to a better one.

Hey!!!... but wait a minute...

Aren't we photographers? why are we always taking advantage of the new technologies and not concentrate on what is really important that is taking photographs?

There are fellow photographers that still use film cameras with great results and people still read lighting books written for film.

Manufacturers lead us into this digital/pixel madness war and instead of improving their systems they lead the consumer into buy a camera for the increase number of Pixels they have. They did not care if the sensor had more noise just as long as it has more pixel people will buy it thinking that they will benefit from the larger pixels.

The cleaning sensor was one of the most wanted on Canon system but after the release of their 1D MarkII they came to the press and claim that their system would not collect dust bunnies and Blah! Blah! Blah! Well I do not know you but mine are a magnet bunnies collector :)

What happen a couple cameras later?... well you know the story.

Over the years one think manufacturers didn't seem to care about was the flash system and their firing, they did not care if the camera would produce great shots with flash nor they care if you could mount it off camera for different uses.

On the flash part I can say that Nikon has several advantages over the Canon system but they have never corrected them, go guess why... we just live in a commercial world, if it has a great feeling and looks and sells then we are happy with it.

Canon over the years, and I an say this because Nikon seemed not too much interested on the digital race, been playing with all of us for the commercial side. They never really got an improvement on their flash system. The ST-E2 trigger is has old has my first digital and the batteries too expensive for what it can really do in broad day light. Canon had plenty of time and sure have the money and means to create a integrated wireless system to implement internally on the body via radio frequency and a receiver on the flash.

But then you could come and say... hey but that would cost a lot of money for approval of the FCC for all the countries and blah, blah, blah. Well my friend that is what Canon lead us to... you have the example of a small group who created some great trigger for the Canon system called RadioPopper and they lived :)



Why not make a joint venture with Pocket Wizard or some others like Gadget Infinity to improve their systems, Nikon had PW on some of their bodies but abandon it?





Well just because it wasn't in their plans and because photographer demands aren't their priority :(

So we just have to see what Canon will be bringing to the world. We now know that the 5D MarkII will be coming out and since they are using the new DigicIV processor so probably the 1D would be called 1DMarkIV with integrated video recording.

AHHH!!! AHHHH!!! LIVE VIDEO RECORDING, now it's the Video race that we will all have to face since the Mega Pixel race is almost on their limit. I'm sure this will be the EVOLUTION Canon states on their commercial ADD.

This will affect the way bands will approach the 3 limit song on concerts and all the rest of the limits they have implemented. I'm sure with all this EVOLUTION photojournalism has we know it may be having an end sooner that we thought.

Your editor, soon or later, will be saying - "Hey man, send me the written story, get me a couple of good shots and while you are there do me a clip interview of the subject". ;) A one man show...

Well, we will have to wait for Photokina in Cologne to find out :(

What Gear to Take to the Olympics

(Picture by Vincent La Foret)

As a photographer I always wondered what people would take to major events such has the Olympics.

Well I recently found the Vincent Laforet post about the gear he was carrying to the Olympics.

Take a look at all the pictures from getting the Gear to the packing in here.

And if you would like to know more about it check the "Preparing for the Biggest Organized Event of Them All: The Olympics" article here.

Thank you to photographer
Vincent Laforet for posting this out to all of us.

Enjoy!!

Inside a Sports Photographer's Bag

Today I bring you the inside view of Harry How bag.

Another Damon Webster Photoinduced.com video production series.

Harry How is a staff sports photographer who works as an internal for Getty Images.

Watch the 3 full videos has he leads us into the inside of his bag and to the equipment choices for his sports assignments.

So let's peek inside his bag...

As a sports photographer for Getty Images, Harry How has worked most of the major events in sports: Super Bowl, the Masters, Olympics, and playoffs of every other sport. In Part 1 of our visit with Harry, we hear how he began and listen to some sound advice on getting started in the biz.



In Part 2 of our visit with Harry, you get a real look at the gear he carries to get the shots, that get the money. And if you want to get into this profession, pay close attention to the next video.



And the final video takes you to the rest of the gear and some more tips about security.



Hope you enjoy another inside of a photographer's bag.

I also would like to thank Damon Webster at Photoinduced.com for taking the time on making these great video series.

My Gear: Walking Bag

All My Gear in 2 Bags
Another post of My Gear series.

This time I will bring you what I normally carry with me when I'm out walking or when going with my kids for a walk.

You never know what beautiful subjects you will find to photograph.

Normally, for regular photo assignments, I use the gear that you see on the above picture and you can see the details of all of it at My Gear - What's in the Bags? (Part 1) and My Gear - What you wanted to know but were afraid to ask (Part 2)

But today we will talk about my walking bag.

By this I mean it travels with me to wherever I go, and yes, also to restaurants and bathroom :)

As I said before you never know what you will get in those places.

Walking Gear_01

Here is the Kit inside the bags.

Walking Gear_02

Let's take a look inside the bags:

- Canon Powershot G9.
- Kata DP-415 camera bag.
- QuikPod and QuikPod small stand.
- 4 boxes with 4x 1,5v flash replacement batteries.
- 1 Canon Original NB-2L and 2 ioncell-plus replace for Canon NB-2L.
- Gadget Infinity Cactus PT-04 Receiver and Transmitter.
- 5x SD cards (2x Sandisk Extreme III 2Gb, 2x Transcend 2Gb and 1 Sandisk UltraII 1Gb).
- Canon 220Ex and carrying case.

All this will fit inside the Kata DP-415 bag except for the QuikPod and the Canon 220Ex flash that travels separately.
Walking Gear_03

Illumination is up to the Canon 220EX and the Gadget Infinity triggers.

Well it's not a good flash since it does not have a manual control for full Strobist flashing but at least would give you some great FULL off camera blasts and you can control the rest on the camera or even use a ND flash filter to soften a little.

Well I like it because it's very small and since it was hidden on one of my bags with no use at least I turn out a good thing that I kept it.

Advise: If you have an older flash never send it away just because it's old, if it's working and don't matter about the brand, you can always make it fire with some cheap remotes and for sure you will arrange some use for it even if it's just to light some dark corner.

Walking Gear_04

Well cards... I have some duper, duper, triple fast cards... but I use them on my other cameras so for the G9 you can find some inexpensive ones if you google around. Pay also attention not to buy fake ones.

I prefer using some brands that can give you a lifetime warranty even if they cost a little bit more.

I had an older Sandisks that stop working while giving me too much read errors. I contact Sandisk by email and received a quick reply saying "...send them over and we will replace them for new ones..."

What more do you need ?
Took me about a minute to pack them and send them to Sandisk USA and later on a 3 weeks period, on my returned snail mail, I got a unopened boxed with brand new ones.

Thank you Sandisk :)

Walking Gear_05

Last but not least some DIY reflectors.

On the left I made one of a rectangular cardboard of an old box and glued on one side some inexpensive aluminum kitchen foil so it will cover it the round one I found it as base of one of Christmas cakes but I think this would be very easy o find since they make this as base for some round cakes.

Well the cake unfortunately is no longer with us and it was delicious :)

Walking Gear_06

On the other side of the rectangular shaped one I glued 3 sheets of white paper so I can have a more flatted light and the round one is kinda white grayish look. But it also gives a soft light when needed.

Both of this sides are more soften for some macro stuff or even to reflect some sun light while taking some portrait shots.

Hope you have enjoyed this last tip and have yourself some inexpensive reflectors to carry around with you on some bag or pocket.

Today while doing some assignment shots I discovered some inexpensive reflective material that people use to warm them selfs on frozen days and I think you can get them for 1,00 euro or so, one side is silver the other is golden and they call them Thermal Sheet Covers.

Here in Luxembourg you can find them on local supermarkets.

Just grab one of these babies and carry along with you, if needed they can also keep you warm ;)

By the way, if you have one Canon Powershot G9, like me, you are a lucky guy and I'm sure you haven't dig out all the menus. There is one great feature available that most of you haven't use it for sure.

Just pay attention next Monday to the Tips article and you will find it out, unless of course you have been using it ;)

More on this next Monday, March 10th 2008.

Inside a Fashion Week Photographer's Bag

Today I bring you the inside view of Katy Winn's bag.

Katy Winn is a news and entertainment photographer who works Fashion Week for Getty Images.

She leads us into the inside of her bag and on the equipment choices for her assignments.

So let's check what's in her bag...


But first let's hear a little bit more about Katy.

Katy Winn is a photojournalist based in New York City. Trained from the age of eight by an award winning photojournalist with over twenty years of experience in the field, Katy Winn began her professional career as a Wedding and Political Events Photographer. Now a graduate of Salve Regina University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Katy’s range spans the world of music and concerts, celebrity events , and newsworthy issues including press conferences, protests, and editorial features.

A contributor and stringer for Corbis, Everett Collection, Getty Images , and AFP, her list of clients include Newsweek, LIFE Magazine,TIME Magazine,Business Week, MTV, Forbes Magazine, MSNBC,NPR Official Website, The Boston Globe, The Harvard Review,The Washington Tribune, Los Angeles Daily News, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, The Committee to Protect Journalists, Rolling Stone Magazine,Cosmopolitan,Maxim Magazine, Stuff Magazine, Glamour Magazine, AM New York, Jane Magazine, In Touch Magazine, The Ramones Official Fansight,Blackheart Records,The New York Dolls Official Website,Fotobanco Italy, Marie France, People Magazine, US Weekly, Fat City Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The Daily Magazine, Trans Hi Publications, NBC Local Affiliate News Channels, Nationally Syndicated Infomercials, The University of Massachusetts, Shirley Maclaine’s Official Web Site, Christina Ricci’s Photo Website, The Mooney Suzuki’s Official Website,The Sexy Magazines Official Website,The Britbus Tour Official Website and Curry Printing Portland.

And here is video one:


And some more of inside the bag:

Hope you enjoy another inside of a photographer's bag.

I also would like to thank Damon Webster at Photoinduced.com for making these great video series.

Tip: How to Clean your gear

Cleaning the Sensor_001A lot of you send me an email asking if it would be possible for me to elaborate the way I do my cleanings since I did not express to well on my previous post concerning the Butterfly cleaning.

When I decided to wrote about sensor cleaning it was not my intention to write this follow around tips since there are already so many places to look for this, just google around and you will see them but I wanted to help you and show you the method I'm using to clean my gear as a solution to all my dust problems.

I tend to think more like - "If I clean my teeth everyday then why shouldn't I clean my photo gear regularly?"

Keep in mind that I also take my cameras and lenses to Canon, once every 6 months or so, to do a full checkup, calibrate the lens and do some deep cleaning of dust inside the lens and more lately inside the cameras viewfinder, this sucks.
Normally you get them inside the viewfinder underneath the prims because you blow inside the chamber so they get there and you cannot remove them unless by Canon technicians because they have to tear the camera apart just to get there. It will not affect the sensor or pictures but for me is very disturbing having a small hair in the middle of the viewfinder or a dust spot on one corner .

So what you are about to see here are just the simple steps I make so that my cameras can continue giving me the full support and not fail me when I have something really important to photograph. And believe me sometimes when you really need them that's when they tend to fail (Murphy's Law).

On the above picture you can see my cleaning table. If you click on the picture you can see the comments for better understanding what is on it.

Some words of advice:

- BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN DOING CLEANINGS TO ALL YOUR GEAR.
- PLEASE CHECK TWICE BEFORE DOING IT.
- THE SENSOR IS THE MOST DELICATE PART OF YOUR CAMERA THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT SENSOR (SO YOU CAN BE SENSIBLE WITH IT).
- NEVER USE ANY ABRASIVE PRODUCTS, THEY CAN ACTUALLY "KILL" AND WIPE OUT ANY PARTS THEY TOUCH OR TRY TO CLEAN.
- IF YOU FEEL INSECURE ON MAKING THIS SIMPLE TASKS PLEASE, I REPEAT PLEASE TAKE IT TO YOUR LOCAL REPAIR DEALER AND HAVE THEM TO CLEAN IT FOR YOU.
- CLEAN YOUR SENSOR AND LENS REGULARLY AND YOU WON'T REGRET IT.


I also would like to advise you that this may not work for you, but this is the way I do my cleanings successfully for quite some time now.

So after all this warnings I hope you are still there and if you want to proceed just keep reading ;)

Cleaning the Sensor_002

Let's start with lenses. I use the Giottos BIG blower to remove any dust particles that maybe on the front lens filter and on the lens itself. I also ALWAYS use the best filters I can get on the market to put in front of my lenses.

I have tried almost any kind of protective and UV filters from Roddenstock to Hoya Pro but the best, so far, has been the Canon Protect since they do not cast a Magenta when I'm capturing my concert pictures, maybe this will have to do with the actual curve of the filter also noticed that the photos would come out more sharp than previous ones.

And NO I'm no Canon fanatic :)

Cleaning the Sensor_003

Next I will apply some neutral lens liquid bought at photo shop for that purpose and sometimes I use a little of Eclipse liquid when that stains are difficult to remove from the front filter.

Try and avoid to clean your lens too much as I've been reading that the coating could come out by cleaning them so much. I'm actually talking about the lens and not the filter because the filter you can buy another one and would for sure be less expensive than having to change the lens.

Cleaning the Sensor_004

With some optic paper I clean the filter and remove all the dirty stains and spots.

Cleaning the Sensor_005

Also do the same procedure on the back part of the lens.
Afterwards with another clean and dry paper I dry it out nicely and always cleaning in circles from the center to the edge.

Cleaning the Sensor_006Cleaning the Sensor_007

I use Eclipse liquid on the cotton buds to clean the metal part and the contacts of the lens.

Cleaning the Sensor_008

I have this kind of sponge pac that I just use to clean the outside of the viewfinder also embedded with Eclipse liquid.

The eclipse liquid is very good for this kind of cleanings since it drys almost instantly and leaving no residue.

And here done with the lens cleaning. Just that Simple ;)

Cleaning the Sensor_009

Now the camera.

Is never too much to warn you about this procedures here, so be very careful with everything you do and clean.

I always use the camera with its opening down but for the purpose of illustrating this picture I had to put it up so you can really see what I'm talking about.

So, always blow inside the camera chamber with the opening down this avoids the flying dust to land again inside the chamber.

I will open the screen viewer and and will blow inside the viewer and also blow to remove some dust from the mirror.

MIRROR WARNING: THAT IS ACTUALLY NOT A MIRROR SO DO NOT CLEAN IT WITH ANY LIQUID NOT EVEN WITH ECLIPSE.

Now you are warned. I had one time to ask for a mirror replacement due to the cleaning with eclipse. I had somehow a stain on the mirror that was so stubborn that won't want to come out and I decided to apply my killer stains (Eclipse) while brushing it I noticed that instead of cleaning the mirror I was actually removing that small silver cover and when you do this the camera will lose some of his ability to focus too well.

So whatever you have to do on the mirror be careful since it's actually not a mirror ther but a layer of shinny silver film that comes out easily.

Cleaning the Sensor_010

Because I do not have an extended Manfrotto arm I just put the Manfrotto super clamp on the edge of the table and use my Manfrotto ball head on top of it to give me a more firm camera.

But has I said before I try to clean with the camera opening to the downside to avoid, as much as possible, to avoid any flying dirt to get inside while I do the cleaning.

Cleaning the Sensor_011

I also use a fixed lens, in this case my old 85mm, this would give me more depth of field and also I would not have the zooming pulling the dust inside the chamber while cleaning.

But if you do not have a fixed lens you can do it with a zoom also. Just keep it at end zoom position and you will be fine. Try not to move it so it won't put more dust inside the chamber.

Cleaning the Sensor_012

I use the lowest JPG for faster downloading and viewing on the computer. The increase of the JPG will not make your dust looks better anyway ;)

So I just take it to S and use the SD card since my computer has an SD port. I just slide the card there and download the images using the Downloader Pro by Breeze Systems, in fact I use the all Breeze Systems suit for a fast viewing, IPTC and web page creation.

This suite is really incredible I think that all cameras should come with it check out the Breeze Browser Pro and the Remotes for DSLR and Point and Shoots unfortunately is only for the PC platform :(

Cleaning the Sensor_013

Next I set my camera to Low ISO in this case I have set it to 100 I believe that 50 would do also great then set your aperture to the lowest you can get on your lens, mine is Av22.

I also put the camera on Av mode so I wouldn't have to worry about the shutter speed.

00-Sensor w Dust

Then I point it at the sky. I like to do my cleanings on a bright day sky rather than to some white paper because you can get much better contrast. Unfortunately while I was witting this the weather did not helped me :(

But I took the picture and made, on Photoshop, some round dots around some of the biggest and noticeable spots so you could have at least a reasonable viewing on the dust spots.

Here is the shot of the sensor after first sky shot.

Cleaning the Sensor_014

Next procedure is to go into the camera menu and select the sensor cleaning option.

Cleaning the Sensor_015

Choose OK and then the mirror will lift and the sensor will be showed.

I always choose OK with my camera opening facing down.

Cleaning the Sensor_016

I then lift the camera up high and above my head and start my first procedure that is blowing those dust spot off.

Of course some loosen ones will eventually will be removed but some others may not.

01-Cleaning_Dry

Let's take another shot of the sky after blowing. You can see that a lot of dust still remains on the sensor. It's always good to start with the blower since if you do not have many dust on the sensor and chamber then you will not need to proceed even further with the cleaning.

So that's why I always start with the blower fist.

Arctic Butterfly 724 Kit for Cleaning the Sensor

Next I will use my next acquisition the Arctic Butterfly 724.

This dust magnet will get almost all the dust specs on the sensor and since I bought it my cleanings turn a lot easier and sometimes I do not need to make the final wet cleaning.

You can see the full review of the product here.

Arctic Butterfly 724 Kit for Cleaning the Sensor

I will use the Sensor Loupe, from the VisibleDust package, to look inside the chamber and for better viewing the dust particles inside.

Unfortunatly this only has 5x magnification which leaves you with no space to put and use the brush inside the chamber while looking through the loupe.

But besides this it's a great help for better look inside.

Cleaning the Sensor_027

A good friend and fellow photographer from Luxembourg gave me another tool that I find also useful to look inside the chamber.

It's the inexpensive stamp loupe from Kaiser.

Cleaning the Sensor_028

With this one you can actually work inside the chamber while looking through the loupe. The magnification is very good but unfortunately this is also not the perfect loupe tool because it causes too much reflections on the sensor making it only useful for some sensor parts or for cleaning the chamber.

Arctic Butterfly 724 Kit for Cleaning the Sensor

I spin the Butterfly brush brush for 2 times for about 10 seconds to remove any dust particles that could be in it and then brush the sensor again.

I do 5 or 6 passages before I can proceed to my next and final step. Sometimes I even brush it over specific parts of the sensor just to get them really nice and clean.

Pay close attention to the following things to watch out, they are pretty much common sense:

Avoid touching the brush bristles with your fingers unless you want oil smears on your sensor. Keep the sensor brush dedicated to cleaning sensors only; I keep a separate brush for chamber cleaning, and brushing dirt off lenses and filters. Finally, they recommend cleaning the brush head every few cleanings with pure Isopropyl Alcohol, pure Ethanol, or their Sensor Brush Wash product.

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT under any circumstances use your Arctic Butterfly 724 for any other thing like cleaning the chamber, playing with it over your hand or use it has a fan, DO NOT let your friends play with it because it an get some oil and instead of cleaning the sensor it could DAMAGE IT.

THINK OF the Arctic Butterfly 724 AS A CIRURGIC TOOL!!

03-Cleaning_Dry

The final result and best, at least for this time, I could get with the brushing.

It's time to remove those dust spots that seem to be "glued" to the sensor.

And that's when I start the wet procedures so let's see them.

Cleaning the Sensor_017

Click on the picture to see the names of each of the products that I have in here.

I bought this all package from Copper Hill Images a long time ago, I think I bought them when people start to mention dust particles on the sensors.

Choose the right Pac size to match your sensor.

--- Update 11/02/2008 ---

It came into my attention that Eclipse has created a new liquid fluid (Eclipse E2) to clean the "sensor" (i.e. Sensor Protective Cover) of the new cameras that now are shipped with tin oxide coating on the front of the AA filter.

So pay attention to this extensive list to find out what will be the best Eclipse liquid for cleaning your cameras and gear.

This is very important because if you use the wrong liquid you can damage the sensor filter and leaving you with lots of money for the repair or replace.

---//---

I remember that Canon by that time were not planning on releasing electronic dust cleaners on their cameras and also mentioned on several articles that their sensors would not collect dust because they did not produce enough static to attract them. Can you believe it ?

Only after Olympus started to implement the Sensor Cleaning on their cameras Canon realized that this would be a BIG problem for users and that one day they need to put this on their cameras. Then Nikon came out with their news digital SLR with sensor cleaning system and Canon followed.

Now Nikon is getting a 2 way system cleaning (Image Sensor Cleaning function & Nikon’s exclusive Airflow Control System) with their new D60, Canon will have to come with something to fight them back. Unfortunately we consumers are caught in this duel.

How many of you have cleaned the chamber of your old film cameras and they last a lifetime ?

Anyway... that's another thing ;)

Cleaning the Sensor_018

I use the PecPad of 100 wipe units and cut them in half so this would help me when putting them on the chamber since they will not be too big and bulky.

Cleaning the Sensor_019

How to fold the PecPad wipes to be able to clean the sensor?

First I fold them by the middle part like in the above picture.

You can get the full assembly instructions here.

Cleaning the Sensor_020

Then without touching the middle part, this will be the part that touches the sensor, I bend it cross to the other side.

Cleaning the Sensor_021

Then from right to left.

Cleaning the Sensor_022

Use some scotch tape to glue it together.

Cleaning the Sensor_023

Here is the final.

Cleaning the Sensor_024

I put one 1 drop of Eclipse liquid on each side and that's it. Do not moisture too much the pad or you will end up with too much liquid on the sensor, although it will dry fast but it won't dry fast enough if you put too much liquid in it, and have to remove it later on.

Just 2 small drops is enough.

Cleaning the Sensor_025

Brush from left to right then turn the Pac around and

Cleaning the Sensor_026

Brush from the other side.



Only use one PecPad and wipe per passage. Do not brush it 2 or 3 times with the same pack because this could bring more dirt and moisture into the sensor.

After it shoot into the sky and see if there are more specs in there if there are still some there repeat this procedure until you have cleaned them all.

Clean them all sounds quite exaggerated because you cannot actually clean it completely but try to clean the biggest one and don't be to annal about it.

Normally the small dust specs are not visible under f8.0 so shoot the sky at f22 and then at f8.0 to check for results and when you feel happy it them stop cleaning.

Too much cleaning may damage your brains :)

05-Cleaning_Wet Final

Here is my final result after 15 minutes cleaning one of my cameras.

Now I will have to do this all procedure with the other one ;)

Once you get to know how to clean them you can improve the cleaning speeds timings.

But I do prefer making it slowly and carefully than to have some surprises while doing it.

Sensor w Dust Cleaning_all

Here is a compiled version of the steps I have taken on this particular cleaning.

4 Brush passages and and only 1 wet need, sometimes , depending on the previous assignment I have to wet clean it more than one but this time it was easy because the camera I used to make this was parked :)

Final notes:

This is a simple procedure to do, you can make it yourself without having to take the camera to your shop and pay a lot of money to have somebody to clean it for you also you will never know when it comes back from cleaning if it's really well cleaned. By experience they normally never come well cleaned and you still have to pay :(

So take your chance and start cleaning yours even with the new super duper cleaning technologies dust will always be a problem on the sensors.

I cannot be held responsible if you damage your sensor by following my procedures. As I mentioned before they work for me don't mean they are the correct ones for you or even that they will work for you and your cameras.

Hope this will bring you a new perspective on how to clean sensors, oh well at least this is how I clean mine.

Enjoy.