First experiment witht he HDR (High dynamic range) capabilities. These are three bad frames of the Cerro Torre valley view merged into one 32-bit image and then compressed into the regular 8-bit JPEG. Pretty much removes the need for a neutral density filter, which is good, since I never could force myself to own one (and always regretted not owning it when I needed it). The starting frames are on top.
Витя Новак и я не виделись почти 20 лет со дня окончания школы....
Десять лет спустя...
(10 years after...)
A small flash for a small compact camera- Ricoh GX100 is an imperfect solution for a tough problem- how do you get a small camera that takes decent pictures the way you want it. On paper this one looks very good, RAW, 24mm wide angle, good control system, sharp lens and the adapter that lets you use filters, hoods and even a 20mm converter. What bugs me is that Ricoh put a 10Mpix (yes, 10Mpix!) sensor into this tiny thing, so the pictures are, well, noisy, and lack the dynamic range of a decent DSLR or even a very good P/S. Still this is the best available so far....
Look, it can do bounce flash too...
June 8, 2007
A new camera bag that really does not look like a camera bag...
I am always skeptical about new camera bags on the market (having had my trusted Domke for years...), but this one is quite clever and actually works well enough so I bought it. It is called Urban Disguise 40 and it is made by a new company ThinkTank Photo here in SF which is made of some former LowePro people (not the best recommendation for me) Fortunately, they are making something diffeerent from the overpadded LowePro monstrosities. This bag is made to look like a laptop case and anywhere civilized you go now, there is plenty of laptop cases. I was told that ThinkTank made it to fit Canon gear specifically, and the fit is very good, there is not much space left in the bag after I stuff all my system in there but it is quite easy to get in and out and it even carries well. Truth told I would still prefer my Domke if I were to go to a place where I would only shoot pictures and do it without trying to blend in, but or other situations ThinkTank is very good. I can bring it anywhere without looking like I just came with a huge camera bag.
In use I think Domke still wins for the ease of access, bulletproof construction and the body hugging design. There is is just not that many things on the Domke that can ever go wrong- no zippers, everything is thick, durable, no-nonsense workhorse stuff. But it does look like a camera bag.
One thing I would definitely improve on a ThinkTank is the shoulder strap- compared to Domke shoulder pad it sucks...
June 8, 2007
Daniella and her new ring
I don't know if women are genetically attracted to jewelery, but my daughter has discovered rings, and so far they seem to be endlessly fascinating... She was not going to surrender this ring to her older sister under ANY circumstances, and I mean ANY circumstances... (whose ring it actually was, but who splits those things between siblings anyway...)
This is a place for posting random photos, equipment notes, etc... Check back periodically!
