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Bringing Back Life to this Turkey

Jim Fitzsimmons — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:44:58 +0000

OK, Technically it’s a Pheasant but I’m using this photo to bring life back to this site. It’s been dormant for too long. But, I’m going to use this as more of a photo blog at least to start…

iWashed. One iPhone’s journey in the spin cycle of life.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II just $2649.00 with Free Shipping

Jim Fitzsimmons — Mon, 04 May 2009 07:51:12 +0000

Buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the new darling of Digital SLR and photography enthusiasts worldwide. Amazon offers this amazing new Digital Camera for just $2649.00

What’s all the excitement about? In a nutshell, bang for buck. Or price to performance. Whatever you want to call it, this camera has oodles and oodles of it.

The big feature of this new Digital SLR is the 21 megapixel full framed sensor and the low light capability up to ISO 25,600. The other feature being video capture in High Definition at full 1080 resolution fat 30fps for real live video.

Due to advances in digital camera technology, full frame cameras are now starting to appear in the Market, and the Canon EOS 5D is currently the best dslr full frame camera at time of writing. No other camera incorporates a full frame, and video into such an affordable package.

So, let’s have a closer look at those features:

Firstly,there’s the sensor. Canon’s new CMOS sensor captures 21.1 megapixels on a sensor size the same size and dimensions as full frame of 35mm film. One feature of a full size sensor over a cropped sensor is the ability to use prime and zoom lenses at their actual focal lengths instead. A 50mm lens becomes a 50mm lens again. A 24mm lens is again, a 24. Using a 50mm lens on a non-full frame model makes your focal length 75m due to the 1.5x crop factor. The ‘crop factor’ is gone for a full frame camera such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. One of the disadvantages of the full frame camera is the loss of the added focal length which could be a disadvantage if your shooting requires long, long zooms or telephotos. Your 300mm lens becomes a 300mm lens again, not a 450mm lens as it would with a non-full frame camera model.

I won’t write about the DIGIC 4 Processor, as it’s just a name that the marketing guys dreamed up. Here’s what you need to know. It’s a newer camera, so the computer/chip/processor – whatever you want to call it has been improved as well, and it’s bigger, better, faster, brighter. That’s it.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 3 inch LCD that’s pretty much standard issue on even the cheapest compacts, so this really isn’t news. It’s a digital SLR. It has a 3 inch LCD screen. One feature of the screen that is noteworthy is the fact that the brightness will adjust to diferent lighting situations. This saves and extends battery life, which is always a good thing.

Live view is another feature you may find useful. I don’t. I prefer using the viewfinder, but this model does offer a live view through the 3 inch LCD screen if that’s your thing.

The autofocus system is a 9 point system, which is supported by 6 additional AF assist points.

Probably one of the more useful features of this camera is the new menu system which provides you with a ‘quick control’ screen for quick access to common settings. This is a great feature and useful, as nobody likes to wade through a sea of menus to get to the settings they want to change. Custom user settings allow you to quickly change pre-saved settings. One setting group could be for indoor shooting with a strobe, while the other could be for outdoors. (I was going to add: when no strobe is needed, but a lot of times a strobe is needed outdoors, but that’s an article (or two) in itself.

Low light capabilities are probably one of the most appealing features of this camera. With ISO sensitivity, this could be the camera for you if you shoot low light, such a gyms or churches for weddings. You can shoot up to ISO 25,600 if need be.

Speed-wise the Canon EOS 5D Mark II shoots at up to 3.9fps, which isn’t too bad considering this camera has over 21 million pixels to process.

So, to summarize, The Canon EOS 5D offers a whole lot of features for under $3000: Full frame, fast speed, convenient menu systems, HD Video, and excellent low light capability make this digital SLR a sure winner.

Please consider making your purchase of this camera, (or any of your photography needs) through either Amazon, Adorama, Ritz or B+H. Your support helps so much and costs you nothing to do so, and usually gets you better pricing than list price, which surely doesn’t hurt. Thanks again!

Canon Powershot SD770IS

Jim Fitzsimmons — Fri, 01 May 2009 07:54:06 +0000

Amazon.com has this compact camera on sale as I write this for $159.94. That’s a 30% savings off the list price of $229.00. You can also find this camera at Adorama, B+H, and Ritz Camera

The Canon Powershot SD770IS is a 10 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom, face detection, and a 2.5 inch LCD display.

Ten megapixels is more than enough to print poster-sized quality prints. Chances are, if you’re shooting from a compact camera that costs this little, I doubt you’re printing posters from it. But, you have the option if need be.

Image Stabilization is standard on this camera, and it should be. All but the most basic digital cameras offer this feature and it’s a must-have in my books. Image Stabilization eliminates or reduces camera shake. The camera doesn’t shake. You do. Rememeber all that coffee you had? or maybe tea? When shooting in low light you’ll wish you hadn’t. But wait – all is not lost, as you have Image Stabilization. Image Stabilization gets you photos that are sharp, instead of blurry even when the light and the shutter speeds are slow.

2.5 inch LCD display is considered a little small, as most cameras have now ‘upsized’ to a 3 inch LCD screen. But, this screen is still bright and clear to allow you to compose and review your photos easily.

Motion Detection Technology in this camera is a feature that allows the camera to detect motion and adjust the shutter speed and exposure to compensate. Again, you get better results.

Face Detection is a feature that, while once considered new is pretty much standard on any digital camera in this price point. As the name suggests, the camera detects the faces and exposes and focuses on the faces. When the face is in focus and has a proper exposure, a lot of times the rest of the image just falls into place. This is a must have feature. A blurry or poorly exposed face is just no fun. Nobody looks at the edges of the photos, it’s the faces that need to be sharp and well exposed.

Canon will try and use marketing terms such as Digic III, but all that really means is there’s a computer in the camera that figures out all the stuff like exposure and shutter speeds, so you don’t have to. In short, it does all the exposure and red eye stuff for you. They don’t call these cameras ‘point and shoot’ for no reason.. There’s some customization available, but the market for this camera is ease of use, and you’re better off just letting the camera do it’s thing.

One feature worth a mention is red eye reduction. The problem with the flash unit on this camera being in the same focal plane as the lens is the good chance of getting ‘red eye’ in your photos or portraits. The Canon offers 3 different methods of removing or reducing red eye. Firstly, it compensates for red eye as the image is being shot. Secondly, the Canon SD770IS will adjust for red eye before playback of the images on the LCD display, and lastly the camera will allow you the user to remove the red eye using editing tools built into the camera.

The Canon SD770IS is currently on sale at just over $150, and has a very nice feature set for the price including image stabilization, red eye reduction, ten megapixels and a 3x optical zoom. All in the familiar ELPH shape Canon has become known for. It’s a good little camera.

If you’ve found this article informative, or educational please consider making your purchase through Amazon, Adorama, B+H, or Ritz Camera. Using these links allow me to continue to offer you news, and camera reviews such as this. Using these links costs you nothing to do so and usually saves you money as you’re buying online at less than MSRP most times. I get a few dollars from the sale, which is enough to get up another day and keep posting here. You help me, and I help you. It’s that simple.

Pentax releases all white DSLR

Jim Fitzsimmons — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:15:23 +0000

You either love it, or you hate it. I think it’s kindof neat. It definitely has that ’storm trooper’ star wars feel to it to be sure.

One might argue that the white might fool the meter or reflect, but look at Canon: they’ve had white lenses for years. PRO lenses too.

Here’s the press release with all the details.

PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a limited edition, white PENTAX K2000 DSLR system with a double zoom kit. This new model replicates the original K2000 design that launched in September 2008 for consumers who are ready to make the transition from a point-and-shoot digital camera to digital SLR photography. The new camera body and both lenses* feature a brilliant white color with black trim.

The white PENTAX K2000 is an entry-level system consisting of the new PENTAX K2000 body, a white smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL lens, and a white smc PENTAX DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 AL lens. Bundled as a complete kit for the convenience of the customer, the PENTAX K2000 system offers uncomplicated operation for new digital SLR users and family photographers seeking high-quality digital SLR photography for the first time. Combining PENTAX-developed, easy-to-use Auto Picture modes as well as powerful learning functions all housed in one of the smallest, lightest camera bodies in its class, the PENTAX K2000 system is ideal for digital SLR beginners. Additional features on the newest digital K2000 SLR body include a 10.2 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch, 230,000 dot high resolution, wide-view LCD panel, and an ultra compact design that facilitates one handed operation. The body also features the same PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction technology found on more advanced K series digital SLRs. PENTAX Shake Reduction is compatible with more than 25 million PENTAX lenses to deliver sharp images even when handheld at slower shutter speeds. The K2000 also features the powerful PENTAX-developed Auto Picture Mode, which selects from Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, and Night Portrait modes to tailor the camera settings for any photographic situation. The camera also has a comprehensive Dust Removal system to help keep images spotless. A dedicated programmable help button clearly explains current camera settings to guide and teach the user about digital SLR photography.

The lenses included with this PENTAX K2000 system are the white versions of a newer series introduced with the DA L designation. This DA L series offers the same optical performance and compatibility as the current smc PENTAX DA 18-55mm II and smc PENTAX DA 50-200mm lenses. This stylish, limited edition white PENTAX K2000 kit will be available on a very limited basis in February 2009 at a price to be announced.

*Note: The white smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL and smc PENTAX DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 lenses will only be available in the US as part of the white PENTAX K2000 Double Zoom Kit. This new PENTAX digital SLR body will only be available under the white PENTAX K2000 product name in the US. The same body will be available under the PENTAX K-m product name outside of the US.

Adobe Lightroom 2.2 available for download

Jim Fitzsimmons — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:04:52 +0000

Adobe has released version 2.2 of their popular Lightroom 2 photo management and editing software suite. You can download the update HERE, or read the readme file

New Features include:

• Additional camera support for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon PowerShot G10, Panasonic DMC-LX3 and more**
• Includes several corrections for issues introduced by the Lightroom 2.0 release

XEOS Digital Keychain winner

Jim Fitzsimmons — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:08:37 +0000

Congratulations go to David who won the XEOS Digital KeyChain giveaway. All David had to to do was subscribe to my newsletter and he was instantly entered in the draw. Didn’t win? I’ll have another new contest soon, and if you have subscribed you’re already entered to win again.

Petit Triangle

Jim Fitzsimmons — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:01:18 +0000

Petit Triangle, originally uploaded by photodailynews.

This was a lucky one. I had the strobe in the corner of the room already, and the boss was sitting on the couch. All I had to do was a few test shots to get the Nikon SB-800 with home-made grid to line up where I wanted the light. We knocked off about ten frames and poses and liked this one the best.

Deal. Nikon D300 for $1365.00. Save $435.00

Jim Fitzsimmons — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:35:44 +0000

Abe’s of Maine has a deal on the Nikon D300 SLR Digital Camera body, $100 Off!. Use coupon code “DS160X” to take an additional $100 Off our lowest price!

As I write this, that would be $100 off $1465.00, making the D300 Available for just $1365, and much lower than 1799.95 regular price. Also included is a 4gb compact flash card for free. A $29.95 value.

How To: Make a cheap DIY softbox and get great results

Jim Fitzsimmons — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:14:29 +0000

As I get back into photography after a 15+ year hiatus, one of the things I’m trying to do is to see what I can do on the cheap.

Earlier this week I wrote about how to make your own product light box for under $10. And, it’s one of my most popular posts. And I can see why: All the ingredients you already probably have in your house already. and this one is no different:

HOW TO MAKE A SOFTBOX CHEAP

You need:

A box. I found a box by the dumpster in my condo. You’ve probably bought shoes, and have an extra shoebox lying around.
Some tape. Plain old transparent tape works just fine here.
A pen. Surely you have one.
A knife or scissors.
Aluminum Foil. Hint: Check the kitchen.
Tissue Paper: Check your closets, or in a pinch you could use plain old printer paper.

Let’s start with your box. If you’re using a shoebox, the lid would be a good candidate: Cut a big hole in the lid, effectively giving you a 1 inch border all the way around the top. Tape your paper or tissue paper over the big hole you have a made.

Take your tape and aluminum foil and line the inside of the shoebox with the foil. doesn’t matter what side of the foil. I used the shiny side but your mileage may vary.

Now tape the lid to your newly aluminum foil lined shoebox

Lastly, in one of the ends of the box – it doesn’t matter which end the wide or narrower end – cut a hole the same size of the flash and stick your flash head in that hole.

You’re done.

I mounted my strobe on stand and you can see the results above, but also here:

Voila. A poor man’s softbox. On the cheap and with stuff you already have. I found my box in the garbage.

Here’s some more photos of the results:

What I learned from this project is good light doesn’t have to be either complicated, or expensive. This is using just ONE light on a stick with a cardboard box, some tape, and some tissue paper I had lying around.

Great photos don’t need a $8000 dollar camera and mutliple lights and a studio to hold it all. For the self portrait, I set the camera on the table and propped up the lens with an orange (no tripod). I set the camera on self timer, and ran to the spot. I used what I had available. In this case it was a cardboard box and an extra orange. The orange was the snack at the end of the shoot.

What I’d do different: I wonder if adding more paper to the shoebox would help soften up the light a bit more? There’s still a shadow on the self portrait, and I’m pretty far from the wall. It could be unavoidable as it was dark out and the ambient light in the room was nil. But would more paper just make the strobe work harder? Only one way to find out….try it!

Make great ebay and product photos for about ten bucks.

Jim Fitzsimmons — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:58:16 +0000

I made the photo above with ONE strobe light, a cardboard box and about ten bucks worth of stuff from the craft store. Not too bad, considering my studio was my kitchen table.

What you need:

at least one light. you could even use a household lamp if you balanced the white balance for it. I used a Nikon SB-800 on a light stand. It’s the one and only light I have so the it narrowed the options down some.

A cardboard box

knife or scissors

a bit of tape

a box. I used a 12×12x12 box from the UPS store.

A background and/or base for your product. For the base, I used a shiny cardboard/bristolboard material (sorry, can’t remember the actual name) and some craft foam for the background. About 5 bucks for all, if you get the box for free . I actually paid for the box as I had it lying around from a move so my box cost more.

What you get looks like this:

To make this, what you want to do is take your knife/scissors and cut out the sides and top of the box. I used the bottom of the box as the ‘back wall’ of the studio which then required me to cut out three sides.

Then you tape some tissue paper over the holes in the box to diffuse the light, and voila – instant photo studio!

You can noodle around with lighting placement, but as I only have one light at the moment, I chose to shoot it into the right side of my, umm studio. As you can see arts and crafts is not my calling. there’s a reason I have somebody else wrap my gifts.

Caveats:

I used paper for the bottom. The trouble with this is that it’s hard to get a straight horizon. You’d be better off looking for something else that’s sturdier and with a flat edge. Glass or even a shiny piece of tile from Home Depot can work.

The foam I used marks easily. It’s only a buck a sheet, but if you look closely you can see a mark or two in the background. Nothing photoshop can’t fix, but still. I’d rather not post-process if I don’t have to.

The good news is the foam I found comes in 12×18 sheets, meaning that one sheet can cover both bottom and back giving you a seamless background on the cheap. This stuff comes in lots and lots of different colors too.

Here’s a few more photos out of my cardboard studio. No photoshop or editing at all was applied to these. All these photos are straight out of the camera.

This was stuff I just had lying around that I grabbed quikly and tossed it into the box. I was more concerned with the lighting, than scuffs on the background. If you look close, there’s a few. Next time I’m at the craft store I will worry more about scuffs and dust and other stuff. The only publication these photos will ever see is here, so not too worried.