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LumiQuest Softbox III – review
27th March 2011
Add Soft Lighting to your off-camera flash
The modern day external flash unit is a vital accessory for indoor portraits, still life, food shots and more.
Light that originates from a small source such as an external flash unit is harsher than light that originates from a larger source. To “soften” the lighting especially for portraits, photographers often use “modifiers” to alter the lighting to something more pleasing. Most of the modifiers work by spreading the light out over a larger area.
LumiQuest has been a well-known maker of modifiers for many years. Among their bestsellers is the Softbox III. When I was attending the WPPI Expo, Heidi one of LumiQuest’s principals gave me a quick demonstration of this lightweight device. I was so impressed that I ordered one when I returned home.
The concentrated light from the flash bounces inside the reflector of the Softbox III and passes through the translucent material covering its face. Instead of harsh light originating from the small flash head, a softer light originates from a much larger reflector.
Follow along as I show you how I’ve used the Softbox III to improve the lighting on some of my recent portraits.
Sony Alpha A55 – Review Part 3
16th March 2011
In this final Part 3, I’ll show you additional examples of some of the innovative and easy-to-use features that make the Sony Alpha A55 my recent favorite camera.
You can read about the “standard” features of the Sony Alpha A55 in Part 1 of my review. And in Part 2, I describe my experience using several of the A55’s unique features.
D-Range Optimization
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High Dynamic Range – in-camera
Multi Frame Noise Reduction – in-camera
Multi frame noise reduction is the A55’s “stealth” feature. For some reason, it hasn’t been widely promoted by Sony. In fact, I didn’t know about multi frame noise reduction until one of the Sony reps explained its use to me at a recent trade show.
When set to use this feature, the A55 captures six successive images and merges them to produce a single image with lower noise. Once again, it’s simple to use. Press the ISO button and set the topmost item (labeled ISO) between Auto and 25600. Press the shutter release to capture the scene and a short time later after it is processed, the image is written to the SDHC card. |
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![]() Right: image captured at ISO 3200 with multi frame noise reduction. Click to see an enlargement. |
to see a more detailed full size image |
Briefly, the process works like this: the camera automatically takes 6 frames at the currently settings: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. It combines them into a single JPEG image by carefully aligning the 6 frames during compositing while at the same time using proprietary techniques to reduce noise level equivalent to two ISO exposure levels.
Above, you can clearly see that the noise level of the rightmost image is significantly less than the leftmost image even though it was captured at a higher ISO setting. I experienced an equally reduced noise level in several other images that I shot in low lighting conditions. So I find multi frame noise reduction to be a very useful yet unexpected feature. Note that multi frame noise reduction is not available unless the A55 is set to capture JPG only images (not RAW). |
Sweep Panorama – in-camera
Earlier in the review, I mentioned that I’ve had extensive experience with a large variety of DSLRs. These range from low-priced entry to expensive professional level. I mention this so that you understand that my fondness for the Alpha A55 is not just “puppy love”.
When I first learned about the Alpha A55, I was amazed by the number of innovative features that Sony claimed to have packed into this new body. In the two months that I’ve used this camera, I remain impressed by the results that I’m seeing in the images and the ease with which I am able to capture them.
If the Alpha 55 is any indication of the kind of innovation that we might expect from Sony in coming months, I’ll be anxiously watching for more.
It looks like Sony has a winner. The Sony Alpha A55 is certainly a winner in my book.
Written by Arnie Lee
Sony Alpha A55 – Review Part 2
14th March 2011
Unique Features of the Sony Alpha A55
The Sony Alpha A55 has a long list of features – some of which you may find in a few other cameras and others that are unique only to the A55. But taken together they they make the A55 a very compelling piece of equipment.
In Part 1, I talked about the “standard” features of the A55.
In this part of the review, I’ll key in on several of these features that are both unique and innovative.
The first three features are possible because of the A55’s translucent mirror.
Electronic Viewfinder
Protective Filters For Your Lens
14th March 2011
To protect it from scratches and help keep it clean, consider using a clear protective filter on your camera lens.
Now you might be thinking “isn’t that the purpose of a lens cap?” and you’d be correct. The problem with a lens cap, however, is that it’s so easy to lose or misplace it. A filter, unlike the lens cap, is actually attached to the lens so it cannot fall off or become lost. Also, you won’t lose an opportunity of snaping a once in a lifetime photo by fumbling with the camera to remove the lens cap.
Keep in mind as you consider using a filter that if you ask ten photographers whether they use filters, five may say yes and five may say never. In other words, there are many opinions on the value of protective filters. Some believe that a filter is unnecessary and therefore they rarely, if ever, use a protective filter. They may prefer using lens caps, lens hoods or simply handling their cameras very carefully.
Some photographers believe that lenses made today are already protected with special coatings against scratches and dust and, therefore, don’t need any protection from the environment in most normal photography conditions.
Other photographers keep a filter on each lens they use, perhaps taking the filter off during certain types of photography.
You’ll have to decide whether a quality clear filter is best for your shooting situations.
Note: instead of a clear filter, you may also consider an UV filter. It serves the same purpose as a clear protective filter but may be easier to find at your local camera dealer.
Written by Scott Slaughter
Sony Alpha A55 – Review Part 1
12th March 2011
A New Breed of Camera
I first laid my hands on the Sony Alpha A55 (and the smaller, less expensive Alpha 33) at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City last September.
What interested me in this new camera was its fixed translucent mirror. In a conventional DSLR, the reflex mirror reflects the image into the viewfinder and then swings out of the way when you press the shutter to send the image to the “film” light sensor. In the Alpha 55, the translucent mirror sends a small portion of the incoming image to the viewfinder and the remainder to the “film” light sensor. This stationary mirror gives the camera several unique features that I’ll describe shortly. This technology isn’t new. In the early 1960′s Canon made a model called the Pellix using a similar scheme with a pellicle mirror. My uncle bought this camera back then, one of the first to have Through The Lens metering (TTL) and it served him well for many years.
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The A55’s translucent mirror eliminates the reflex mechanism providing a space, weight and cost savings. Removing this mechanical assembly also allows for a higher frame rate. Next, the electronics measuring the auto exposure remain uninterrupted from frame to frame giving instant responses to varying changes in lighting. Similarly, the auto focus system stays 100% available – a very important consideration for high speed continuous shooting. |
Event Tip # 3 – James Taylor concert
10th March 2011
Having grown up in the late 60s, I was excited to learn that one of my contemporaries – James Taylor – was going to be performing in Grand Rapids on March 8th. I anxiously waited for tickets to go on sale, but they were quickly sold out in less than an hour. Fortunately, I found two available last minute tickets through StubHub so I was still in luck.
Through the years, I’ve done my fair share of event photography. But nowadays when I go to a concert or show, I’m usually attending as a spectator and not as a working photographer with a press pass. Since one of my hobbies is to collecting pictures of celebrities, I continue to take a small camera with me – just in case.
Typically, show venues are a mixture of dark backgrounds with strong spotlights. For effect, the performers are often “creatively lit” (read dimly). This stage lighting makes for a very contrasty scene.
So the challenge is to be able to use the theater’s available light to capture the performers. Flash is a no-no.
For stage performances, you can use relatively inexpensive equipment. On this occasion I used a Canon SX210 IS point-and-shoot which has a 14X optical lens. Our seats were fairly close – the seventh row – but the lens allowed me to zoom in to grab a decent shot.
Just a quick note about courtesy: The auditorium was filled to the brim. Everyone paid for tickets with their hard-earned money so I go out of my way to keep as unobtrusive as possible when taking photos. I’m careful not to put my camera in front of another spectator and to be silent as I snap (usually a menu selection for “silent mode”). They are there for the performance, not to be disturbed by a rude and noisy picturetaker.
And since my real reason for being at the concert was to hear the performance, I make sure that I get to enjoy the music without being overly preoccupied with my camera. And by the way, the performance was great!
You can see more celebrity photos from my hobby celebrity collection here.
Written by Arnie Lee
Smile for your own camera
07th March 2011
Extending your Arm
You see it all of the time – an excited picture-taker is pointing her camera at herself with an extended arm. She’s taking her own photo.
She could have used a QuikPod. I first saw a demo of the QuikPod at the Consumer Electronics Show in early January and recently ordered one through Amazon.
Sometimes luck trumps skill
04th March 2011
Shooting Birds
Certainly one of the reasons that I enjoy the profession so much is that there are so many types of photography to choose from: architectural, wedding, journalism, nature, portrait, fine art, and the list goes on.
And like many other photographers, I often jump from one type of photography to another when the job calls for it or when I feel the need to “escape” to a totally different subject.
Each type of photography utilizes different skills.
For example, portrait photography is most successful when the subject can comfortably relate to the photographer who then combines creative posing and technical lighting to record a likeness of that subject.
A food photographer may use many tricks to enhance the appearance of a gourmet dish – with sprays, glue or gels, perhaps. These are skills that make the food look good; you probably wouldn’t want to eat the food after the photo session.
Having participated in many of the types of photography over the past 40+ years, I have learned that some types of photography require a higher level of skill than others.
From my experience, “photography degree of difficulty” varies from snapshots and event photography at the low end to wedding photography at the high end. And somewhere near the high end is wildlife photography. For the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time trying to improve my wildlife skill level.
I quickly snapped a half dozen photos before the eagle was out of range. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as lucky here. The photo is blurred owing to the distance and my rushed attempt.
So this time out, luck played a role in my capturing the Stellar’s jay. But I wasn’t as lucky with the golden eagle.
Still, I know that unless I’m out there hiking the trails and observing my surroundings that luck won’t have a chance to take hold. Each time I’m out enjoying nature I’m hoping that for that lucky catch.
Take enough photos and luck will come your way too. It’s a promise.
Written by Arnie Lee