CES 2014: We already snagged a little quality time earlier in the week with Canon’s latest PowerShots at Digital Experience, but a visit to the booth was still in order. If nothing else, we wanted to see some really nice lenses chopped in half. Take a look at what Canon has in store for CES attendees this year.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
CES 2014: Samsung’s biggest announcement thus far this year (okay, we’re only a handful of days in) came the week before CES with the NX30. That didn’t stop them from announcing a few more compacts for the show, continuing the theme of connectivity by including Wi-Fi in all of them. We checked out the always-impressive Samsung booth and got a first look at the latest fleet of smart cameras.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
CES 2014: Sigma Photo had a good-sized booth and were showing off their latest lenses, as well as some old favorites. The new lenses are a budget-friendly 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 superzoom, as well as a 50mm F1.4 Prime. Click to see them in action.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
CES 2014: Nikon’s booth, near the back of the Central Hall, showed off their latest products, and also had a live demo of their ‘HD SLR’ cameras, replete with models. We’ve already had some hands-on time with the new D3300, 35mm F1.8G lens and a behind-glass D4S, so we spent our time at the booth checking out the new Coolpix lineup. Tour Nikon’s CES 2014 booth
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Pixel, the Corgi, grew up with Dax, the Newfoundland, and he believes that he is a water dog. He was my paddling companion in many trips taken in Sea Wind canoe. We paddled together all local lakes and several rivers including South and North Platte, Dismal, and Niobrara.
A year ago I started stand up paddling and Pixel is paddling with me on calmer lakes. He likes to ride on a stern or on a bow. Badfish SUP, a stable, whitewater board is not a challenge for him. However, a narrower and slippery Bark Expedition SUP may be more tricky and Pixel took some swims.
I’ve got a life jacket for him and we will certainly try it since water is getting cold.
Related posts:
To SUP or to Not SUP?
Paddling with Pixel, the Water Corgi
Bennett Peak to Pick Bridge on the North Platte River, Wyoming
by Sarah Hipwell.
The above shot at 1/20sec at f22
I brought two cameras on a recent vacation to France. My trusty DSLR and my new fab Sony RX100.
I don’t normally bring a tripod on holidays but this time I wanted to get some decent video footage. I also wanted to experiment with a variety of (still) exposures for HDR work and to get a nice sunset (low light shot).
With such an array of tripods on offer, how do you decide which one to buy?
I narrowed my search to 5 key features:
The cost of a tripod varies enormously and with so many brands, it can take a bit of time to find which model suits your requirements. Cost was a main issue for me for two reasons:
This ruled out purchasing a carbon fibre model as they are quite costly and it wasn’t justifiable for my means (I don’t travel extensively). So I decided on an aluminium tripod.
The more compact the tripod the better when travelling. But I need the height when it is extended (I’m 5’ 9”).
Portability is a prerequisite for any travel tripod.
Last but not least, the tripod had to be able to hold my D300 plus a 18-200mm lens, which both have a combined weight of 1.463kg or 3.23lbs. See TIP 2 below.
After a considerable research online between brands and so forth, I was beginning to think my criteria was a tall order. Then I hit jackpot. I found a Manfrotto Compact MKC3-H01 on offer for 49 euros! This particular tripod isn’t their current model but it seemed to tick all my boxes. Plus, I have a Manfrotto 055XB so I’m already familiar with the brand.
Tripod when closed measures 18”(46cm) and when it is extended, can reach 64”(163cm) with centre column fully extended
This tripod comes with a pistol type grip head which has two settings for photo(still) and video on the side. I found it is easy to use and a pleasant change from my usual ball-head socket type. My only gripe is that when I had it in the video position and tried to pan, it was quite jerky. I just loosened the locking wheel to make it more fluid, this wasn’t perfect but it worked.
Pistol type movie/photo head showing the locking wheel
To sum up, the cost of this tripod was only 49 euros. Therefore, it wasn’t a big deal putting it into the plane hold. When folded, it measures a mere 18” and can extend to 60”. It is very lightweight, compact and easy to set up. The actual weight of this tripod is 1.15kg. An added bonus for me is this travel tripod can be used as a light stand! I can pop on my SB700 speedlight and shoot remotely. I had a wonderful two weeks with my family, I swam, read books (oh such a treat) and took over 32gb worth of images with the support of my new neat travel tripod.
Check with each airline company in each country that you are flying to and from. Last year, I flew to Bordeaux from Dublin. I had a Manfrotto 5001B Nano Black Light Stand in my carry-on bag. However, en route home from Bordeaux the custom officials would not allow me to take on board the light stand as they deemed it a lethal weapon! I was quite fortunate, that a lovely desk clerk retrieved my already checked-in bag, so that I could put in my light stand without incurring any extra charges. She’s was a star!
When I was packing my travel tripod into one of the luggage bags, I thought of wrapping it in bubble wrap to protect it. I used a beach towel instead which I needed to bring with me. The towel provided adequate protection.
Using a large or beach towel to wrap around the tripod for added protection in luggage bag
The maximum weight that this tripod holds is 1.5kg (3.3lbs). I was thrilled when I weighed my DSLR camera plus the lens which has a combined weight of 1.463kg (3.23lbs). However, this is pushing it to the max. Fortunately, I didn’t experience any inclement weather while on holidays, i.e. wind/gusts. Otherwise, I would have been nervous using my DSLR body and lens on the tripod for fear of toppling over. For added stability in this case, I recommend adding a sandbag(s). Sandbags are not practical to bring away with you on vacation. Here’s my tip, there is a rubber end at the bottom of the centre column. Ease this off and you will see two holes. Place a cable tie through the holes to create a plastic ring. With another cable tie, secure this to a Ziploc bag filled with dried beans, rice or soup mix (Cable ties & Ziploc bags should be in your camera bag). Dried beans/rice can be purchased at the local supermarket very cheaply. See below.
A Ziploc bag filled with 1kg of rice suspended from tripod using cable ties
My SB700 speedlight on the Manfrotto Compact MKC3-H01
Check out more of Sarah’s work at her website – SarahHipwell.com.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
A Travel Tripod that can Also Act as a Light Stand
Joby has announced two new flexible tripods. The GPod Mini Magnetic is designed for compact cameras, and the MPod Mini Stand will hold a smartphone in or out of a case. Smaller than the original Gorillapod, the GPod Mini Magnetic – as its name implies – contains magnets in its feet to secure a compact camera to a metal surface. It can hold cameras weighing up to 325 grams. The MPod Mini Stand will accommodate a phone as wide as 3.2 inches between its rubberized ‘jaws.’ Click through for more details and pricing.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
A smartphone is typically the one camera you always carry with you but its tiny sensors often struggle in low light which makes a tripod a useful accessory. The Joby Grip Tight Micro Stand is a combined mini-tripod and phone holder that is foldable and so small that it fits in any pocket or can even be used as a key fob which makes it an ideal companion for your smartphone. We’ve tried it out for you.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
A quick blast around the massive Nikon display stand at the FOCUS Photography show, The NEC, Birmingham, 2012. A huge display, with a live conference & photography tips, all the latest Coolpix and DSLR range to try out and lots and lots of helpful Nikon staff. You could also try Binoculars and some massively expensively Nikon Lenses. www.lordsphotodigital.co.uk http www.facebook.com www.youtube.com www.flickr.com All your photography needs, Lords PhotoDigital, Commercial Street, Brighouse, West Yorkshire Filmed using a Sony Alpha 35, 18-55mm Lens, AVCHD Full HD 1080p
Shout Out and the highest level of respect to GURU RIP.. This Jadakiss assisted Premo track was so infectious and Hip-Hip that is was impossible for me to not attempt to make Guru and Premo proud!!! Recorded for the Mic Handz 2012 Release SAYOUAINTKNOW! Project Mic Handz delivers an array for flow pattern changes and a BlockBoy bravado worthy of this industries attention… Mic Handz has breached the perimeter and god help who ever is not paying attention… Your spots are in jeopardy …”These Half Ass Freshman Class, Bastids is Killin Me!!, ” Quoted “RIGHT WHERE YOU STAND” freestyle ,Mic Handz 2012
Video Rating: 4 / 5
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