Battle of the Ring Flashes: Orbis vs Ray Flash (As Tested at NYC Comic Con in Practical Use)

Comic Con has been over with for a little while now, but if it has solidified anything that I’ve been taught it’s that your lighting is paramount. The lighting on a convention floor won’t always be ideal, and you can even take your on-camera flash’s capabilities a bit further with a light modifier. Last year, I tested the Orbis at the event and this year I took the Ray Flash—a close competitor. Though the Orbis and Ray Flash have received shining stars from us, here’s a test from us in practical use for portraits.

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Hands On: Phottix Odin TTL Wireless Triggers for Canon EOS (Test at New York Comic Con 2011)

I’ve had the Phottix Odin Wireless TTL Triggers for less than a week now, but they’ve quickly turned into something that I need to have in my camera bag with me at almost all times. Recently, they saw lots of action during my visit to New York City Comic Con 2011. So how have they held up so far? And are they better than the Canon wireless flash system?

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Long Term Review: Canon 50mm F1.8 (Nifty Fifty)

As the favorite lens of many growing, hobbyist and new photographers the Canon 50mm F/1.8 is the best bang for your buck lens out on the market. Capable of delivering super sharp images and small enough to forever stay coupled to your camera, the nifty 50 is a lens that receives rave after rave. This review will chronicle my long term use of the lens followed by why I finally sold mine and why I’m contemplating buying another one.

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Reader Question: How to Trigger a Flash Wirelessly on a Canon DSLR

We recently had a question posed to us on our Facebook wall asking us how to set your Canon 60D to trigger wireless flashes like a Canon 550 EX. To do this, we’re going to borrow a bit from our intro to Canon Wireless Flash posting. Since I don’t have a Canon 60D, I’m going to use my 7D and show you how to trigger a 430 EX II (the flash closest in functionality to the 550 EX) wirelessly using infrared control.

Hit the jump to check out the instructional video.

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Review: Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible

The Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsibleis a product that has been used on and off again in The Phoblographer’s postings, but one that has never received a full, proper field review. Called by many to be nothing more than a Chinese soupbowl, my tests have proven that if it is, it is one hell of a versatile one. It has been tested at events, part of a wedding and a concert. Let’s dive right in, here is the full field review.

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Photo Plus Expo 2010 Is Over; Now Here’s the Roundup

Here’s a roundup of all the Photo Plus Expo 2010 Coverage we did.

Leica

Which One? Canon 5D Mk II or Canon 7D for Wedding Photography

The Ring Shot

We believe that the Canon 7Dand Canon 5D Mk IIcomplement each other very well, but questions have arisen as to which one is better to get all the shots on your wedding photography checklist. Go onto the most popular photography forums and you’ll see this question appear at least three times a month in one way or another. We’re aware that in some ways this is like comparing apples to oranges, but it is a subject that is well worth exploring. David Ziser concluded that he’d rather go for the 7D; but is that right for you? We’ve noticed readers typing this into the search bar of the site—so since the 1D Mk IV is out of range for many of you, here’s your answer.

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Field Tutorial: The Orbis And Shooting Firestar

At Comic Con, I was given the opportunity to photograph a lot of talented and wonderful people dressed in their cosplay garb. Jessica Caitlin Foley was one of the attendees that stood out the most. She hails from Virginia and dressed as the Marvel superhero Firestar. As per recent reader requests, this is the beginning for a new type of posting here at ThePhoblographer, detailing Field Tutorials and how the equipment is used in the field. My apologies beforehand for the lack of Strobist photos and diagrams but we will be more careful in the future to do those.

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An Introduction To Canon’s Wireless Flash System

Wireless flash control is perhaps one of the biggest upgrades that your photography can take as it allows you to control the light nearly anywhere you so choose to go. There are photographers out there that oftentimes say that they choose not to use flash at all because it disturbs their subjects. While this can be true, the argument can be made that you’d much rather get a good photo of them—in which wireless flash can help tremendously. When used correctly, it will also not tamper with the wonderful colors that your camera’s sensor is capable of capturing. You shouldn’t be afraid to learn how to light, so here’s a bit of a walkthrough.

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New York Comic Con Day 2: The Orbis Continues to Amaze Me

So yesterday I made the bold statement of talking about how the Orbis was great for conventions. I continue to agree with that statement. It makes a wonderful softbox while on the side of the subject and using available light to illuminate the other side of them. Of course, great posing and a bit of editing works well too. Typically, ring flashes are supposed to be used around the lens. Now, I was doing this before with no problems at all using the infrared transmitter on the 7D and 430 EX II. However, I started to have some problem with it as it hasn’t been very effective in going off when triggered by the 7D’s flash. So off lighting camera tactics as well as using the Orbis under the lens are some tactics that I’ve been using. The Orbis isn’t to blame for this, Canon’s flashes are. Additionally, it probably would would for me to get my hands on some radio transmitters in the future (accepting review pitches.) Here’s the gallery; I’ll be going over certain individuals in depth in future postings. Once again with me is:

With me is the:

Canon EOS 7D

Orbis Ring Flash Attachment Kit

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens

Note: All photos here are my property and protected by my government copyright. If you’d like to use them, just ask: I’m a friendly dude. Shoot me an email at ChrisGampat[at]thephoblographer[dot]com. All coverage was done for Will Greenwald’s site: Aggrogate.com.

Further note: spot the Easter Egg 😉

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New York Comic Con 2010: Why The Orbis Is Awesome For Conventions

This posting is literally just a massive dump of gorgeous women in costume at New York Comic Con 2010 that I’m covering for Will over at Aggrogate.com. With me is the:

Canon EOS 7D

Orbis Ring Flash Attachment Kit

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens

Don’t forget the Canon rebates, and enjoy the gallery. Either way, the Orbis is highly recommended as it is easy to use in tight spaces and gives not only really nice even lighting on your subjects but can give some very nice creative lighting effects with different powers dialed in. Also, I’m not always using it around the lens; I am indeed using it off camera left and right sometimes because of the infrared signal between the 7D and 430 EX II not working at times.

Note: All photos here are my property and protected by my government copyright. If you’d like to use them, just ask: I’m a friendly dude. Shoot me an email at ChrisGampat[at]thephoblographer[dot]com.

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Field Review: EasyTag (Day 1)

I’m a traveling geek, moving through places, space and time, some locations weird and unique, other locations normal but still great locations to take the camera out an take some shots. When I produce images of these places I’ve always wanted GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates to share the locations with others, and to have a record of exactly where these places were. The EasyTag is a decent and reasonably priced device that uses the space-based global navigation satellite system that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver like the EasyTag

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My First Attempt at a Self Portrait

I did it—I took my first self portrait and maybe we don’t need to sing the doom song when looking at my picture. My camera did not melt! No fire and brimstone came down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! No 40 years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes… none of the dead rising from the grave!

My first thought was that the image was an utter failure. But after some reflection and encouragement from friends and colleagues, my first endeavor at a self portrait was not as bad as I thought.

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