Ansel Adams Camera Up for Auction

Hat Tip: PetaPixel


The Revival Auction Company has a camera auction scheduled for July 9, featuring a 1960's Arca-Swiss 4x5 view camera once owned by Ansel Adams.

The auction catalog can be viewed online.  (To download the pdf file instead of viewing online, right-click on the cover image and chose "Save Link As...")


The camera comes from the estate of Liliane De Cock Morgan, who served as photography assistant to Adams from 1963 to 1972.  The camera was given to Morgan while working for Adams.

While Adams is one of the biggest names in photography, Morgan is also an important historical figure herself as a photographer, publisher and editor.  The rest of the equipment either belonged to Liliane Morgan or other family members.  (Her mother-in-law was dance photographer Barbara Morgan and her father-in-law, Willard Morgan, was picture editor for Life magazine and director of the department of photography for the Museum of Modern Art.)


The auction catalog includes provenance information for the historic pieces, including the Adams view camera.  (The carrying case has an Ansel Adams equipment label on it.)

The Adams view camera is lot #55 and is expected to bring at least $150,000.  Lot #56 was used by Willard Douglas and the expected price on that camera is $20,000.


Internet bidding is available, but carries a 23% premium fee.


Auction starts July 9, 7:00 PM Eastern.

(And appears that you can view the auction over the Internet if interested in how much the Adams camera fetches.)

Canon Patents Multi-Layer Sensor

Hat Tip: SLR Lounge / PetaPixel


Canon has patented a digital camera sensor consisting of five different layers.

The sensor appears similar to the one produced by Foveon, with the Canon sensor having the ability to capture infrared and ultraviolet information in addition to recording red, green and blue.


Digital cameras typically include a piece of glass in front of the sensor to screen excess UV light.  The Canon sensor (if it is actually produced) would most likely omit this glass.  That might be the only way for there to be enough UV information available for the UV layer to function correctly.

Omitting this layer of glass would have implications when it comes to lens design.  Lenses are designed with this piece of glass in mind, and using a lens on a camera that uses glass with a different thickness (or no glass at all) will impact image quality.
 
Canon might be able to address this problem by using glass that doesn't absorb UV light.  (I don't have enough information as to whether this would work or not.  I only throw it out as a possability.)


The design would also have implications when it comes to image editing software.  Current sensors only record three channels of information.  This sensor would add two more channels.  The simplest solution to this might be putting the information from the UV and IR layers into a separate file.  This would result in an image file that only contained RGB data, with an additional file that could be used for UV or IR photography or to edit the RGB data.


The ability to record UV and IR information might by a selling point for some photographers.  The problem might be the additional costs involved in producing the sensor. Those costs would include the design changes to the camera that would come with using the sensor in addition to the increased cost of producing the sensor itself due to the increased complexity.


(Image of sensor design from Northlight Images.  I didn't link to their article as it isn't on a permanent page.)

Blender 2.71 Released

The Blender organization has released the latest version of its 3D modeling software.

Version 2.71 introduces some new features as well as fixing bugs. 


3D Modeling software is a departure from the main subject of this blog (photography) but I do cover art related items as well as photography.  Blender is the most advanced free 3D modeling software available and it is well supported by volunteer developers.

There are ways for photographers to get some use out of the software, including using it to create animation effects with photographic images. 

It's also a way for artists looking to branch out into 3d modeling to do so without having to spend a large amount of money on a software license. 

Alternative 3D software can cost thousands of dollars to purchase. 

Why spend thousands of dollars when there is a free alternative?  The expensive software is used by companies producing 3D games and movies.  An artist will need to purchase the software used by those companies if they want to work in those industries on a professional basis.

Nikon Officially Announces the D810

Following weeks of rumors (and early leaks yesterday), Nikon has officially announced the release of its D810 DSLR camera.

MSRP: $3299, body only.  Available July 17


Tech Specs

• 36.3 MP Full Frame (FX) CMOS sensor, no low-pass filter
• CF and SD memory card slots
• 5 fps continuous shooting at full resolution
• ISO Range 64 -12,800  (extended 32-51,200)
• HD recording up to 60 fps 
• Auto ISO option when shooting video 
• Built-in stereo microphone
• 12 or 14 bit RAW 
• New "Size S" 12 bit Raw option, 9 MP resolution
• New shutter and sequencer mechanisms
• New imaging software
• Improved AF system

Camera and Lens News and Reviews for the Week of June 22

Cameras

First Look at the New Panasonic FZ1000

Third time's a charm: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III Review 
Sony Alpha A7R: Lab Test Results & Comments: Still & Video

Samsung NX3000 SMART Camera

Budget M43: Kodak Pixpro S-1 First Impressions Review

Canon EOS 1200D Digital SLR Full Review

Review: Fuji X-E2 | The Mistress
Fujifilm X-E2

Canon vs Nikon: the DSLR comparison you’ve been waiting for!

New Gear: Nikon D810 Full Frame DSLR
Nikon D810 delivers best images in our history, claims firm
First Look Review: Nikon D810
A little bit better: Nikon D810 First Impressions Review
Nikon announces full-frame D810 with no OLPF
Nikon D810 Digital SLR Hands-On Preview
Nikon D810 – The Repeat Champion Of DSLRs?
Nikon D810: price, specs, release date confirmed
Nikon’s D810: A Familiar Looking Camera With Some New Improvements
Nikon Announces the Nikon D810


Lenses

New 14-150mm Lens Goes Where No Tamron Lens has Gone Before…
Tamron 14-150mm MFT lens debuts 
Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens For Canon EOS M
Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III Lens

Tokina AT-X 11-16mm T3 CINE Lens Review

Samsung 45mm f/1.8 2D/3D Lens Review: a compact, high-quality, fast prime with a nice 3D bonus

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro Contemporary Lens Review

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS

Other

Think Tank Briefcases & Airport Roller Announced

Lee Bug Filter Holder For GoPro Cameras

Blackmagic Announces New Camera 1.8 Update, Adds RAW 4K
Blackmagic releases firmware 1.8 for all cinema cameras

Paint.net 4.0 released

Hat Tip: Beta News


Version 4.0 of the free Paint.net image editing software has (finally) been released.


The previous stable version (3.5) was released in 2008.  The latest version requires Windows 7 or better to run.  (3.5 can still be downloaded for Vista or XP users.)  Dual-core or better hardware is recommended.

Version 4 introduces some new features and upgrades many carried over from the previous edition.

Upcoming Two Day Animation Art Auction

Hat Tip: Wired


Heritage Auction has an upcoming auction offering a large selection of animation artwork.  This is a slight departure from my usual subject, but I do cover art (and auctions) when I find a story that interests me.




The auction occurs July 1 and 2 at the Ukrainian Institute of America at The Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion in New York city.  ( The Address is 2 East 79th Street.)

The auction starts 11:00 AM central time, with a full preview on June 29-30.


Heritage does offer Internet bidding as well as bidding by phone.

The auction includes Animation Cels featuring Classic Disney films and characters.  Non-Disney characters are also represented including the Beetles, Gertie the Dinosaur, and the Peanuts gang.  (Some of the non-Disney items have very low bids right now.  This could be a good opportunity to purchase these items at a reasonable price, but keep in mind there will be live bidding on these items July 1-2.)


For those interested in vintage movie posters, Heritage's next featured auction consists of a large collection of those.  That auction occurs July 19-20 in Dallas, TX.

Another Approach to Addressing Phone Camera Limitations

I posted recently on Apple's patent that would enable variable apertures in phone cameras.

PetaPixel has an article today on a different approach being researched by a German lab that would also result in phone cameras having variable aperture capabilities.


The approach being researched at the University of Kaiserslautern involves the use of an electrochromic polymer.  The term "electochromatic" refers to a substance that has the ability to change colors when exposed to an electric current (or in this case, one with the ability to change transparency).

The lab is currently researching a series of stacked rings sandwiched between pieces of glass.  Different rings are triggered by altering the current to the aperture stack.


The camera would only be able to use an aperture present in the stack.  Being able to use a limited number of apertures would still be an improvement over the current fixed aperture used in camera phones.


The prototype stack is 55 micrometers or microns thick.  (1 micrometer is one thousandth of a millimeter.) A piece of paper runs about 90 micrometers thick.


The research needs to produce an opaque electrochromatic polymer before the technology would be suitable for aperture purposes.

Fine Art America Update

It's been a very slow news day (again).

Weekends and Mondays tend to be slow news days and those are the days I tend to go through the photos I've taken that week.  It's also when I catch up on uploading images.


I thought I'd share my latest upload to Fine Art America.




It's a shot I took while visiting a bicycle trail near my home.  (It's not quite within walking distance.) 

The trail used to branch off into the area where the bench is located.  It's no longer maintained by the parks department.

I used a lomo filter on the image.  The original had blown-out highlights in the background and the lomo filter helped tone those down.

New Alternative to Adobe's Mobile Apps

Adobe announced its new mobile apps this week, including hardware that turns an iPad into a drawing tablet.


Avatron has just introduced a competitor  to Adobe's mobile apps: Air Stylus.



Air Stylus costs $19.99 versus Adobe offering their mobile apps free of charge.  On the plus side, it is compatible with most pressure-sensitive graphics applications.  This means you aren't limited to Adobe products.

There is a list of incompatible programs on the Apple Store page.  The list:

• Autodesk Sketchbook (Express and Pro)
• Corel Painter X3
• Escape Motions FlamePainter
• Mapdiva Artboard
• Synthetik Software Studio Artist 4.0
• Toon Boom Studio, Harmony, Animate, and Pencil Check

Avatron is working on the compatibility issues with those programs.


It is also compatible with multiple pressure-sensitive pens.  Currently three pens are supported:  the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus,  the Adonit Jot Touch 4, and the Ten One Designs Pogo Connect.  These pens are currently half the price of Adobe's Ink and Slide combo.

(Technical note: you don't have to use Adobe's hardware with their mobile software.  It will work with fingertip or plain stylus.  Pressure sensitive pens just help produce better results. The app store page suggests Adonit Jot Touch Pixelpoint pens in addition to Adobe's Ink and Slide.)


Technically, Air Stylus isn't an alternative to the Adobe mobile apps/hardware combination.

Adobe's apps allow an iPad to be used as a drawing device without having it connected to a computer.  Avatron's Air Stylus app turns the iPad into a drawing tablet, which requires it to be connected to a computer running image editing software.

On the other hand, Adobe's mobile apps require an Internet connection and a Creative Cloud subscription to use them fully.  There is a free subscription option, but the Internet connection requirement may be a deal breaker for some people.


It is possible to install both apps on an iPad, using one for editing images when in a studio and the second away from it.  The pressure-sensitive pen used needs to be compatible with both apps, though.  (It looks like the Adonit Jot Touch 4 might be the best choice if using both apps.)


Hat Tip: DP Connect

Camera and Lens News and Reviews for the Week of June 15

Cameras

Nikon Coolpix S810c Review
Nikon V3 review: is this Nikon’s best CSC yet?

Fuji X-T1 review: Deliciously-retro mirrorless trims the fat from the DSLR, delivers impressive results

Sony A7s Becomes DxO Mark’s New Low-Light King, Falls Short in Other Categories
Sony a77 II

Olympus Tough TG-850


Lenses

Pentax DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM Lens Review

Fujifilm 18-135mm to debut next month 
Fujifilm launches weather-resistant XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR 
Fujifilm XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Weather Resistant Lens
Fuji’s Weather Resistant 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Raises Image Stabilization Bar to 5 Stops
Get ready X-T1 shooters: Fujifilm announces its first weather-resistant XF lens, the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6

Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 EOS M Lens
Canon Announces New 55-200mm EF-M Lens

Samsung 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens Review: high quality and affordable, a no-brainer for NX-mount macro fans

Tamron makes 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC for Canon EOS M
Tamron officially launches 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 full frame superzoom
Tamron announces 14-150mm superzoom for Micro Four Thirds 
Tamron Announces New 18-200mm & 28-300mm Lenses
New Gear: Tamron 14-150mm F/3.5-5.8 DI III Zoom Lens for Micro Four Thirds Cameras
Long-zoom bonanza: Tamron launches powerful new zooms for mirrorless and full-frame DSLR
Tamron Reveals the 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8, Its First All-in-One Zoom for MFT Systems

Tokina Cinema AT-X 16-28mm T/3 Lens Review


Other

ThinkTank introduces new 'Airport Roller Derby' bag 

Adobe Camera Raw 8.5 and DNG Converter 8.5 now available

Apple Patent Addressing Factor Limiting Phone Photography

Last Saturday I posted an article on why phone cameras would never be able to fully replace DSLR cameras.

Apparently Apple agrees with me.  Apple has just filed a patent for "Artificial Muscle" used to control camera lenses.


The Artificial Muscle Camera Lens Actuator uses electroactive polymers which change their shape when exposed to an electric current.  The "artificial muscle" actuator would apparently be lighter, cheaper, and more efficient when it comes to power use than the current motor.


Judging from the patent design, the new actuator can also alter aperture size.

The fixed aperture currently used by phone cameras is possibly the most limiting factor when it phone photography.  This could address that limiting factor.


I still don't expect phone cameras to completely replace DSLR cameras, but this could increase the ability of phone cameras to replace lower end point-and-shoot or bridge cameras,

Adobe Making Waves With Latest Releases, and It's Not Just Software

Adobe's latest releases have dominated the news cycle this week.  Photography, Tech and Design web sites have all covered Adobe's releases.


Pricing Update

Adobe now offers a less expensive subscription option.  Photographers can now subscribe to Photoshop/Lightroom for $9.99/month.  This subscription only offers 2GB of cloud storage versus the 20GB for the more expensive options.

The 20GB storage option is $19.99 for a single app and $49.99 for full access.  (B&H currently has a deal where you can get $50 off a full yearly subscription.  The deal runs until June 20.)


Updates

Photoshop, Illustrator and inDesign all have new features as well as updates to some current features.  (I don't have any of these due to a tight budget so I can't give any first hand information on the new features or updates.)


Mobile Apps

Adobe has added apps for the iPad and iPhone.  (No support for any other OS at this time.)

Sketch and Line turn an iPad into a device similar to a graphics tablet.  Photoshop Mix offers the ability to edit images, including photographs, using an iPad.  These apps take advantage of the touch sensitivity features added to Photoshop with this release.

Lightroom Mobile offers the ability to edit photographs with an iPod or iPhone.  This includes the ability to edit RAW files from DSLR cameras.  This app could prove very useful to photographers that need to edit photographs in the field before uploading them.  It would also allow photographers the ability to determine whether they needed to take additional pictures while still on location.

Kuler creates color themes from images.  Can be used with an iPhone or web browser.

These mobile apps are free to download, but may require a Collective Cloud Subscription to access all features.  The apps use Adobe's servers to process images for some features.  Mobile devices lack the processing power needed.


Hardware

Adobe also introduced Ink and Slide with this latest release.  Ink is a pressure sensitive pen and Slide is a digital ruler.  The pair are currently priced at $199.99 and are only available in the U.S.  They will work with Sketch, Line and Photoshop Mix.



For Further Reading:
Lightroom for the iPhone! Adobe updates CC, locks in photographer pricing, launches new mobile apps
Adobe CC Announcements: What you need to know
Adobe launches new digital pen and ruler
Adobe unveils 5 new mobile apps
The top 5 new features in InDesign CC 2014
The top 5 new features in Illustrator CC 2014
The top 5 new features in Photoshop CC 2014
The top 5 new features in After Effects CC 2014
Adobe unveils Creative Cloud 2014  (Updates include Flash, Muse, Dreamweaver, etc.)
Adobe Creative Cloud Connected Apps And Hardware
Adobe makes photography program price permanent, unveils 14 new apps

Deal Alert: Save Over $500 on Pentax K-3 Body

Hat Tip: SLR Lounge

 B&H Photo currently has a deal where you can save over $500 when purchasing a Pentax K-3 body.

You can purchase the body, flash and battery grip for $1,296.95.  That's $543 off.  This deal does not include a lens.


There is another deal that includes a 50mm lens.   The price for this bundle is $1495.

Why Phone Cameras Will Never Completely Replace DSLRs

The iPhone Photography Awards website recently announced the winners of their 2014 contest.  You can view the winning images on their website.


The thought that struck me while viewing the gallery:  there just wasn't a great deal of variety when it came to the images.

Sure, they were of different subjects, but they looked like they could have been taken by the same photographer.  There just wasn't anything truly distinctive about any of the images.


The similarity in the images is caused by the limitations imposed by including camera technology inside a phone.  Modern phones are extremely thin.  This limits the distance between the sensor and the lens, and this greatly limits the type of images that can be produced.

Don't believe me?

Go through the galleries and find an image where focus is used to isolate the subject from the background.


That is what struck me when viewing all those iPhone images.

Not one was capable of producing a sense of depth.


Phone cameras will never replace DSLR cameras until they are capable of doing so.

Auction June 14: Camera and Related Items

LP Foto (located in Stockholm, Sweden) is holding an auction tomorrow featuring vintage cameras and related items.

This includes a number of Leica cameras.


The auction starts 11:00 local time.  This equates to 4:00 AM Central in the US.  (If my calculations are correct.)  You'll have to get up early tomorrow to bid live.  You can always leave a bid tonight if you aren't an early riser.

The auction does offer online bidding, go to auctionzip or invaluable.com to register to bid online.  Auctionzip might be the better choice.  They offer the option to watch the auction live.

There is a 22.5% VAT fee in addition to the winning bid, and anyone bidding online will also need to pay shipping and handling fees.


The bid amounts are listed in Kronors.  The current exchange rate is roughly 0.15 Kronor per American Dollar.  (One dollar yields 6.64 Kronor.)

Deal Alert: Phase One Capture One Pro 7, 50% Off

B&H Photo is offering 50% savings on Phase One Capture One Pro 7 image editing/capturing software.

Purchase it now for $149 (regular price $299).

Camera and Lens News and Reviews for the Week of June 8

Camera

Samsung NX Mini

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 comes with a 1in sensor and 4k video
Hands-on with the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 
Super Sized: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 First Impressions Review
Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 Hands-On Review 
Panasonic’s FZ1000 is the World’s First 4K-Capable Compact Camera

Sigma announces US pricing and availability of dp2 Quattro 
Sigma Dp2 Quattro Pricing And Availability Announced


Lenses

Sigma’s 18-35mm f/1.8 lens will finally be available in Sony and Pentax mounts as well 

Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens Expert Review
Lens Test: Tamron 150-600MM F/5-6.3 DI VC USD

Review | Fuji Fujinon XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro Lens

Lens Review Canon 300mm f4 Lens for Sports Photography

Samsung NX-M 9mm f/3.5

Voigtlander 40mm f/2 Ultron SL II Lens Review
Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL II Lens Review

Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens Review


Other

Sony's New Curved Sensor

Hat Tip: DIY Photography

Sony patented a curved camera sensor back in April.  The sensor has apparently reached the production stage.

The curved design apparently enhances the sensor's sensitivity, making it twice as sensitive at the edges of the sensor and 1.4 times as sensitive in the middle.  The benefit of increased sensitivity to light is fairly self-evident.  Even better, the increase in sensitivity should not increase noise.


The biggest drawback would seem to be the impact the design change would have on the ability to use existing lenses.  Current lenses are designed for use with a flat sensor.  Using one with the curved sensor would probably produce an image that only have parts of the image in focus.

It might be possible to address this issue with an adapter.

Using a current lens with the new curved senor could produce desirable effects for some photographers (vignetting or soft-focus on the edges).


Lenses designed to by used with the curved sensor wouldn't need some of the elements used by current lenses to address problems caused by using a flat sensor.  This means lenses designed for this sensor could use fewer elements or a less complex design (or both).

This could allow Sony (or other companies) to produce lenses that cost less than those used by competing cameras without having to compromise on image quality.

Deal Alert: Save Up to $200 on Wacom Intuos Tablets

Hat Tip: SLR Lounge

Amazon currently is currently offering a deal on Wacom Intuos Graphics Tablets.

The large model is $200 off.

You can also save roughly $100 on the medium or small tablet.  (That's a 43% saving on the smallest size.)

New Science Images Available Under Creative Commons Licnse

Hat Tip: CNet


CSIRO, an Australian based science research organization, has a website with over 4,000 images and videos available under a Creative Commons License.  These are image and videos are free to use as long as the CSIRO is attributed as the source.

The files can be downloaded or embedded, like so:

Welcome Swallow by CSIRO

The site should be useful for science blogs looking for free image or videos.

Update on DeviantArt Project

Earlier this week I commented on a DeviantArt project I had in the works.  It was an entry for a DeviantArt contest.


I thought I'd write a quick update as it happens to be a slow news day.  (I had a total of 15 stories in my photography news feed this morning.  I usually have three times that.)


Here's the character I created for the contest using Inkscape:

I like how it turned out.  The problem was in trying to get the animation done.  I was a little too ambitious when it came to the animation.  The problem wasn't getting the animation done, it was getting it done while meeting the file size limit.

The limit was 200KB and the best I could do was 280KB.


The bad news: I missed an opportunity to win a contest with prize money.

The good news: I got an excuse to play with Inkscape and a character that I can use for other purposes.  (Inkscape and Animation tutorials come to mine.)  So it's not a total loss.

Using Lenses Designed for Camera With Different Sensor Size

PetaPixel has an interesting post on using a lens on one camera when it was designed to be used on one that had a sensor that was a different size (or a Leica).

The article was originally posted at Lens Rentals.

This is the second time Lens Rentals has be the subject of one of my blog posts.  The first was when they got a new, custom-made lens testing/calibrating machine. 


The article is a bit technical in parts, especially when it comes to the graphs used.  To me, those are just a bunch of pretty lines.


I'll try and boil it down to what a photographer needs to know.

First, some digital cameras have a sensor stack located in front of the senor.  This is a piece of optical glass that varies in thickness depending on camera manufacturer and the size of the sensor.  Micro 4/3 cameras tend to have sensor stacks that are thicker than those in APS-C or full frame cameras.  The manufacturer also matters, Leica for example uses thinner sensor stacks than other manufacturers.

The sensor stack does serve a purpose: it filters infrared and ultraviolet light, preventing it from reaching the sensor.  These wavelengths can have an impact on an image's colors if there are not filtered. 


This piece of glass needs to be taken into account when designing lenses for the camera in order to ensure that light hits the sensor correctly. 


What this means: using a lens designed with a camera that uses a sensor stack with a particular thickness on a camera that uses a stack with a different thickness will result in light not hitting the sensor in the way designed by the manufacturer.

In other words, using a lens designed for a a full frame camera on an APS-C or micro 4/3 (or vice versa) camera will result in the lens not working as intended.  It will still be useable, but the image quality may not be as good as if used with the correct sized sensor.


As a side note, removing the sensor stack is a hack that will enable a camera to take IR images.  This can have an impact on the camera's ability to focus properly in AF mode.

Camera and Lens News and Reviews for the Week of June 1

Cameras

Can a Canon DSLR with a street price under $500 deliver the goods? Canon T5 - sample gallery posted

Ever more exciting: Spectacular Sony A7S will boast silent shooting, wider movie sensitivity and more
Full speed ahead: Sony a6000 Review
Sony Cyber-shot HX60 Review

Pentax 645Z review - first impressions


Lenses

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Review

Review: The Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

Which 50mm lens is the best? Lensrentals’ Roger Cicala set out to answer this age-old question

New Gear: HandeVision IBELUX 40mm F/0.85 Lens

Sony 16-70mm f/4 Zeiss lens review: well-built, lightweight all-around lens for APS-C shooters

Lens Review Tamron 24-70 mm f/2.8 Di VC USD


Other

Lexar High Capacity Storage Drives And Thunderbolt 2 Reader Hub
LaCie Upgrades “Rugged” Line: USB 3 & Thunderbolt 2, up to 2TB HD & 500GB SSD

GoPro 3-Way – Extension Arm Camer Handle Tripod

Adorama Flashpoint Budget Studio Monolight Review 
Wescott Icelight Review and Hands-On Lighting Tutorial


Gossen Digital Lightmeter

onOne Software Perfect Photo Suite 8.5

Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch Tablet | Review & Thoughts

Chance to win Tamron 16-300 Zoom Lens

Pop Photo is hosting a facebook contest with the a Tamron 16-300mm zoom lens as the prize.

Just head over to the facebook contest page and hit like to enter.


The contest is open until June 30.  Only U.S. citizens over the age of 18 are eligible.

The lens is designed for APS-C sensor cameras and has a retail price of $629.

Deal Alert: 500GB External Hard Drive for $39.99

CowBoom's Deal of the Day is a 500GB External Hard Drive for $39.99 (plus $5 shipping.)


This is a USB 3/2 hard drive compatible with both Mac and PC's. 

Site Update: June 2, 2014

The photography news front has been fairly quiet recently.  Today has been no exception.  There really wasn't anything in my news feeds that I wanted to post on toady.

That makes it a good day to work on the blog itself.  I recently added a page that provides links to various stores.  I'll be adding to that today as I go through my links.


I also dabble in art.  I normally don't have that much time to paint, draw or work on digital artwork.  The current slow news cycle has given me more time to do so.

I always intended to include art related articles, and the slow photography news cycle will give me a chance to post those.


I am planning a project that involves creating digital artwork using images of found objects.

My current project involves a contest on DeviantArt: the WeChat Emoticon Sticker Challenge.  I have a day and a half to finish an animated gif.  I'll post it to my DeviantArt Page when finished.

Tip on How to Use Filters With Fisheye Lenses

Hat Tip: DIY Photography


This tip initially comes from Cheesycam.com and is the source of the YouTube video.



It's a remarkably simple tip, but promises to be very useful in certain situations.  (Shooting in bright light or when wanting some motion blur for artistic effect.)


The Cinegel Swatchbook is fairly inexpensive and offers a large number of gels that can be used. 

(The link URL is from the cheesycam website.  If you follow it to Amazon and purchase the Swatchbook, I think the writer will get a commission.  It's a way to show a little appreciation.)


Larger sheets can be purchased from B&H Photo.