So you have been wanting that 500mm for ages but you want to know just how much extra reach you will actually get or you finally feel that you need a wide angle lens. How much wider? That's where this excellent focal length comparison tool from Tamron comes in very handy. They have also added a download of this tool so you can use it without visiting the Focal Length Comparison page.
Click here to go to the Tamron Focal Length Comparison page
Happy shooting!
Interesting Nikon Patent
Nikon has recently filed a patent for an interchangeable sensor in a mirrorless camera.
It will be sad to eventually see the SLR design go obsolete but at least it will take some time. That is if mirrorless cameras actually become popular. In my opinion I think there is a much higher chance of that happening than 3D TV's becoming the standard.
What is really nice about this new concept is that us normal people can finally own a system almost like the medium format users, where we can keep the camera body and just upgrade the sensor every year.
Share your thoughts in the comments below
It will be sad to eventually see the SLR design go obsolete but at least it will take some time. That is if mirrorless cameras actually become popular. In my opinion I think there is a much higher chance of that happening than 3D TV's becoming the standard.
What is really nice about this new concept is that us normal people can finally own a system almost like the medium format users, where we can keep the camera body and just upgrade the sensor every year.
Share your thoughts in the comments below
Which tripod head?
I remember my very first tripod was a cheapy about $10. The poor thing could hardly support the weight of my Canon 350D with 18-55mm Kit lens and that was without extending the legs. Why did I buy such a cheap tripod? Well I knew that a decent tripod which would last me many years would cost an arm and a leg and I wasn't that much into shooting anything that required a tripod. I did however get some amazing photos with this little cheap tripod.
Eventually when I set out to buy a tripod I still didn't know much about what to look for except that Manfrotto was one of the best and that a good tripod always comes with a detachable head. I was solely at the mercy of the sales person and my budget. I settled on the Manfrotto 190 Pro B legs because they were small and could support the weight of my equipment at the time. Then I had to choose a head which could actually cost just as much as the legs.
Back then we didn't have such a big choice when it came to tripod heads and we basically had three choices.
Basic pan and tilt head, Ball head and geared heads
I chose the basic pan and tilt head which worked better for me than the joystick ball head they had at the shop. It also cost half as much so it was an easy decision.
I didn't even try a geared head because they were more aimed at people shooting landscapes who wanted 100% control over the framing which came at the cost of speed.
Eventually I got frustrated with the head I chose and decided to look around for something else. Manfrotto had by then released some better ball heads and I decided to give this one a try.
It was a pleasure working with this ball head. Just one knob and I had total control over the camera. So if your in the market for a tripod I strongly suggest you try one of these before making a decision.
Happy Shooting!
Eventually when I set out to buy a tripod I still didn't know much about what to look for except that Manfrotto was one of the best and that a good tripod always comes with a detachable head. I was solely at the mercy of the sales person and my budget. I settled on the Manfrotto 190 Pro B legs because they were small and could support the weight of my equipment at the time. Then I had to choose a head which could actually cost just as much as the legs.
Back then we didn't have such a big choice when it came to tripod heads and we basically had three choices.
Basic pan and tilt head, Ball head and geared heads
I chose the basic pan and tilt head which worked better for me than the joystick ball head they had at the shop. It also cost half as much so it was an easy decision.
I didn't even try a geared head because they were more aimed at people shooting landscapes who wanted 100% control over the framing which came at the cost of speed.
Eventually I got frustrated with the head I chose and decided to look around for something else. Manfrotto had by then released some better ball heads and I decided to give this one a try.
It was a pleasure working with this ball head. Just one knob and I had total control over the camera. So if your in the market for a tripod I strongly suggest you try one of these before making a decision.
Happy Shooting!
A photograph of time
I don't remember where or even when I first heard of Noah. What matters is how this collection of photographs touched me. Maybe it was the music or maybe the sad expression.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about check out this youtube video. He was the first person ever to do something like this and since then alot of people have been trying to do the same thing but none with the same effect. Hope you enjoy the video. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about check out this youtube video. He was the first person ever to do something like this and since then alot of people have been trying to do the same thing but none with the same effect. Hope you enjoy the video. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The best rechargeable AA Battery in the world
Two years ago I discovered the absolute best Rechargeable battery there is. It's a good thing they invented these batteries because I was one among many people who wanted to pull their hair out of frustration with the older batteries. In every home there is at least one piece of electronic equipment that needs AA batteries. With us Photographers, you usually have your flash, battery grip and some other equipment in your bag that needs them.
Previous generation rechargeable batteries didn't keep their charge and I always had trouble charging them on a quick charger. Sometimes I had to put these batteries out in the sun before the charger would start doing it's job.
Then it all changed as I discovered GP Recyko Batteries. The amount of energy they hold isn't that good but the package claimed they keep up to 90% of their charge for 12 months! That is incredible. I bought a pack of 4 and they worked just as advertised. I have never had a problem with any of these batteries. I actually liked them so much that I threw out all my other batteries and replaced them with GP Recyko.
Never again will I take a battery from the drawer wondering if it has enough charge!
Happy Shooting!
Previous generation rechargeable batteries didn't keep their charge and I always had trouble charging them on a quick charger. Sometimes I had to put these batteries out in the sun before the charger would start doing it's job.
Then it all changed as I discovered GP Recyko Batteries. The amount of energy they hold isn't that good but the package claimed they keep up to 90% of their charge for 12 months! That is incredible. I bought a pack of 4 and they worked just as advertised. I have never had a problem with any of these batteries. I actually liked them so much that I threw out all my other batteries and replaced them with GP Recyko.
Never again will I take a battery from the drawer wondering if it has enough charge!
Happy Shooting!
Getting the correct white balance
Sometimes the auto white balance on even the best digital cameras doesn’t get it quite right. For times like these we need a gray card. You may be wondering why we need a gray card to set the white balance. All gray cards are balanced to 18% gray which is neutral and doesn’t have any color. Pure white on the other hand is always white no matter what your white balance is set to. That is why we need a gray card.
Gray cards come in all shapes and sizes from various manufacturers. I personally use whibal 
gray cards. They make a gray card especially for key chains so it is always with you and doesn’t take up any extra space in your bag. The great thing is that you can even use these gray cards when taking a photo with your cell phone.
gray cards. They make a gray card especially for key chains so it is always with you and doesn’t take up any extra space in your bag. The great thing is that you can even use these gray cards when taking a photo with your cell phone.To use a gray card when shooting raw you need only include it in one of your photos. Like in this example here.
As you can see the White Balance is completely off in this photo even if we included a gray card in the frame.
Now when you start processing your photos you need only open this file and take a sample from the gray card to get the correct white balance as shown here.
You should however be careful to get the same exposure on both photos otherwise your white balance will differ between the photos. The other great thing about these gray cards is that you can set your exposure with them. Just set your camera to spot metering and point it at the gray area to give you the correct exposure.
Happy Shooting!
Depth of field calculator
How many times have you taken a photo only to realize you don't have everything in focus? It has happened to me quite a few times. You can calculate which aperture you need by using this website DOF Master
They also have a great application for the Iphone. If you own a symbian phone you can go to this website for a free application Symbian DOF Calculator and here is one for Android users Android DOF Calculator
Happy Shooting!
They also have a great application for the Iphone. If you own a symbian phone you can go to this website for a free application Symbian DOF Calculator and here is one for Android users Android DOF Calculator
Happy Shooting!
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