LightCraft Workshop has produced some very good variable ND filters that were all rated very highly on this site. Recently, they released their DigiPro HD line–which they state as having better optical qualities and better ergonomics than their previous lines. Specifically branded as the HD line, this means that videographers would probably be the ones to take the most advantage of this filter. However, ND filters have long been used by not only landscape photographers, but portrait photographers as well.
So how does it perform when used with a monolight?
[click to continue…]
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Do you see that right there? That is one way that Spider Holster is saying that you can use their new Spider Monkey. This is a brand new product that is bring introduced at WPPI 2013. For those not familiar, this company was originally made famous by their Spider Holster, which we’ve tested and many staffers actually really like. But if you check out the video after the jump, you’ll see one of the biggest no-nos for any speedliter. Ever! Syl Arena might have a heart attack.
Now, this new product is meant specifically for accessories and they explicitly state not to put your camera bodies on it. But personally, I’d go for the HoldFast Gear [PHOTO]Belt and know that I’ve got a bit more security. Speedlites are expensive anyway! It seems like they’re also specifically targeting this at studio shooters since a light meter is shown off too.
Check out their quick intro video after the jump; and try not to cringe.
[click to continue…]
Sigma SD1 Merrill
The Sigma SD1 Merrill is in its own right a revolutionary camera. Every other color camera on the market uses a Bayer pattern of alternating Red Green and Blue pixels, which they then interpolate data from nearest neighbors to fill in the missing two colors. This is a primary reason for jaggies, blurred edges, moire, low light artifacts and other unpleasantries. Sensor manufacturers have found various solutions to these issues both physical such as antialiasing filters and through improved fimrware and software. The only cameras on the market which do not have to deal with these issues in some way or other are dedicated black and white cameras such as the Leica M Monochrom for stills and the Red EPIC Monochrome (available soon) for video.
[click to continue…]
We’re in the middle of testing out the Olympus E-PL5 and decided that since the sensor doesn’t have an Anti-Aliasing filter, the output should be super sharp, yes? Well to put that to the test, we slapped on the Voigtlander 17.5mm f0.95, and hooked our PocketWizard Plus IIIs up to the Einstein E640. Then we bounced the light off of a wall. The lens was set to F11 and no post-production was done to this photo except for a bit of resizing for the web. This was shot at ISO 200.
What do you think?
Hey readers, we just got the Sony A99, 135mm f1.8, 85mm f1.4 (yes the Zeiss ones) 50mm f1.4 and HVL-F60M all in for review and we’ve been playing with them quite a bit so far. We understand that there is a ton of interest about the camera and the system overall. To help you guys out, we’d love to answer any questions you have about the camera, lenses, flash, and system.
But before you fire away, take a look at our studio tests with the A99, high ISO test sample, our landscape tests, and our first impressions. Plus, be sure to check out exactly which lenses will take full advantage of Sony’s new AF-D mode. If you’re in the market for a Sony DSLR, also be sure to take a look at which lenses we recommend for the system at the budget level.
Leave us a comment down below in the post. I’ve got nothing to do until tonight and will be happy to answer your questions.
About a week ago, we reported about a patent claim and coincidental ITC complaint by Litepanels, which could effectively block the import of LED light panels from other manufacturers into the U.S. We also reported about the website PatentFreeLED.com, who are running a campaign to counteract this possible import blockade of non-Litepanels-made LED light panels. In the meantime, the company has published a statement on their website, trying to explain their side of the story: [click to continue…]
