Category: Camera

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Revisiting old images

One of the things on the ‘to do’ list is done. I’ve been wondering about my film scanner for a while. I didn’t want to use it with the old PC as my intention is to sell that. In the end I decided to use a spare small form factor PC (Compaq EVO P4 2.4ghz) with I’ve had lying around for a while.

The unit itself will be just a scanner unit. All the processing will still be completed on the Mac.

So here goes for the first two images on the ‘new’ production line.

Anchor Close, Edinburgh
Cornish Surfers

Quite happy with the newer cleaner images. I’ll need to consider the quality if I submit them to Alamy.

The Anchor Close image may suffer as the original lens was a little soft on the Lubitel Medium Format. Still it took a nice image 🙂

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Twin flash setup – part II

I know you can’t contain your excitement, so here is part 2 (of how many I’m not too sure, maybe I’ll get bored).

After playing around with bouncing flash of walls I thought I could do with a bit more control. So off to the flash centre I went to spend money (actually my companies money – so sort of mine). £200 lighter I’m now the proud owner of:

2x Manfrotto 001B Flash stand

2x Manfrotto Flash

2x Elinchrom Silver umbrella

and I bought a Stofen diffuser as well.

I really should go on a flash course as well, but being me I’ll try the manual methods first.

EyesFirst test is with one flash (assume with brolly) on my right (image left side) set normally. The other flash behind me, but pointing away to the background. As I wanted a bright background I set the rear flash to +3 exposure. Seems to have worked.

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Twin flash setup

Just like a bus, one flash turns up and so does another. Well not quite, but after shifting some stuff on ebay I bought a second flash unit (430EX) and the ST-E2 Remote Trigger. The source this time was Digital-Rev in Hong Kong. I had some money in PayPal which they accept. The price difference between Kerso and DR wasn’t so great this time. So HK won this time. No issues with import duty as they paid the duty charge up front. So all I had to do is order and wait for delivery. It only took 4 days!

Anyway, after five days of playing I’m happy with the results so far. It’s not the first off camera flash setup I’ve had. My old film Eos had one. Sadly this wasn’t compatible (well the TTL part) with the E-TTL system on Eos Digital. Still time moves on and things get updated, so it’s kinda expected.

Me
The first test is with the 580ex mkII on the floor and the 430ex on my desk just under face height. I like the way the shadow is cast on my nose but the uplight is catching part of my face.

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Flickr and the Fucktards

In fairness to Flickr, there are many many forums that have the full compliment of fucktards.  Some of the fucktards run the sites.  Anyway, a quick browse on the forum side of flickr (ie group questions).  A familiar scene unfolds.

Person:  I’m looking for a lens, I have a

17-40

50mm

70-200

Fucktards:  Best look at the 24-70 f/2.8 nothing better.

Right, they are correct.  It’s a great lens, but the fucktards seem content to just state get the best lens without regard to what the original poster requires.   On an Apple forum with a photography page someone wanted a 70-200, so the usual 70-200 f/2.8 IS brigade start up again.  The 70-200 f/2.8 is top bollocks.  However it’s top bollocks price, but the tards never really seem to understand that.  Plus a I pointed out, twice the price and weight of the f/4.  To which a ‘of course it is, it can shoot in half the light’ bollocks post appeared.  Yes I know it fucking can, I do know what a lens does.

However tards of the day belong to two flickr posters

One suggesting his beloved EF-S 17-55 IS will be his first choice on a full frame body ‘if’ he upgrades, because of the lack of IS on the 24-70.

Another 17-55 IS owner claiming it’s a much better lens than the 24-70.

Anyway, rant over.  Time for bed.

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Canon 580EX Mk2

So the beast has arrived. Not in the original form of the 580EX, but the upgraded model. Source as of late the ever reliable Kerso (Ian Kerr). Ordered and shipped within a couple of days. Superb service.

Teh Beast

Initial reaction is ‘it’s big’. O.k. not huge but bigger than my old 380EX (Currently on Ebay!).

So what can it do. Well everything my old 380EX could but a whole lot more. Like many of the flash units produced after the 380 it is more controllable via the rear panel. Setting up second curtain sync is a couple of button presses now, rather than a hunt though custom settings.

One clear advantage is the swivel head. The ability to bounce flash on the 380 was useful, however this (and like the 420,430, 550 and 580 mk1) has much more control. Being able to bounce flash from behind gives the user more control (as with my old 380 bounce was limited to above and left/right in portrait).

Many may find my excitement over this new found flash freedom odd. But it’s a new thing for me.

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