Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Fuji HS10 Recommended External Flashes

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One of the frequently recurring questions that I receive is “What flash should I get for the Fuji HS10?”

The Fuji HS10 features a hot shoe for an external flash; however, Fuji does not make a dedicated flash for the camera.  Perhaps Fuji should think hard about making a flash for the next version of this camera.

I have inquired directly with Fuji regarding recommended external flashes, only to receive rather vague responses as to which flash models are appropriate for the HS10.  As a result of testing, obtaining recommendations from manufacturers and corresponding with HS10 users, I’ve compiled a short list of recommended external flashes for the Fuji HS10. [Read more…]

 

Litepanels MicroPro Hybrid – A Single Light Source for Video and Stills

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The Litepanels MicroPro Hybrid is a new flash and continuous output light source that is geared toward DSLR shooters who crossover between stills and video.  The MicroPro Hybrid is an LED light source that draws 9 watts and operates on 6 AA batteries.  Because it uses LED bulbs, almost no heat is generated from the device.

The continuous light mode is fully dimmable from 0% to 100%, while the “flash” feature produces a 400% brighter burst.  To enable the flash feature, you just need to plug the MicroPro into your camera’s PC port.

The MicroPro Hybrid includes a ball head shoe mount with a 1/4-20 thread.  Of course, it can also be mounted off-camera for other lighting situations.

The MicroPro Hybrid delivers 5600° K daylight balanced output and includes three filters – a 3200° K filter, a 1/4 warming filter and a diffusion filter.

You can find the MicroPro Hybrid at B&H Photo.

Zack Arias Light Modifier Run Down

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If you happened to catch the Zack Arias session on creativeLIVE last weekend, you saw that one of the things he did was shoot a live comparison of a number of light modifiers, ranging from a 7′ Octabank down to 10-degree grid.

Zack has posted all of those images over on his blog at zarias.com for everyone to check out.  He’s even put them all together in a .zip file for you to download if you want to look at them on your own screen and compare different modifiers side-by-side.

If you want to learn off-camera lighting, Zack’s creativeLIVE session is a great way to jump in to it.  It’s three days packed full of lighting knowledge with Zack’s practical approach.  While it was free to watch the 3-day session live, you can download all three days for $129 and put them on your PC, iPhone, iPad, or whatever.  I didn’t have the ability to sit through all three days of the sessions non-stop, so I stole it for $79 before the session ended (Lord knows I could use some help with my off-camera lighting).  At $129, this is still an absurd bargain.

You can order Zack’s creativeLIVE session here.

And, again, the light modifier images are on Zack’s blog here.

And just so you know, I’m not pimping this class because I get anything out of it.  I get nothing, and neither Zack, nor anyone else from creativeLIVE asked me to say anything about it. I just want to make sure that anyone who reads Photography Bay and struggles with off-camera lighting is aware of this.

Rogue FlashBenders – Flexible Light Modifiers for Speedlights

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ExpoImaging has announced a new line of flash modifiers, dubbed Rogue FlashBenders.  The new FlashBenders are designed to work with speedlights and can be shaped and positioned to help get the light from your hot shoe flashes headed in the direction you want it to go.

There are currently 3 models available – a large reflector, a small reflector, and a bounce card/flag, which retail for $39.95, $34.95 and 29.95, respectively.  You can get more details about the Rogue FlashBenders on ExpoImaging’s website.

Official press release follows. [Read more…]

Lights, Camera, Capture – Book Review

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Lights, Camera, Capture is a book by Bob Davis that discusses creative lighting techniques. While Davis discusses many lighting equipment options, his primary focus is on Canon Speedlites using TTL metering.  And, while the techniques that apply to Canon Speedlites are prevalent throughout the book, the info will easily translate to Nikon shooters using the Nikon Creative Lighting System as well. [Read more…]

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography – New Book

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Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography is a new book from NK Guy that, as the title implies, focuses on the Canon EOS Speedlite system.  It is intended as an authoritative resource for the Canon E-TTL Speedlite system, and includes diagrams and sample photos to demonstrate techniques.

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography carries a retail price tag of $44.95; however, it can be found for $29.67 on Amazon.com.

More details below. [Read more…]

Impact EX100A Monolight Kit Review

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Impact EX100A Monolight

The Impact EX100A is a basic 100 watt monolight that’s available from B&H Photo.  The EX100A is also available in a 2 monolight kit with 24″ softboxes, an umbrella, light stands and a carry case.

The EX100A 2-light kit was my first experience with using monolights, and for the $200 I spent on it, I have been pretty pleased.  Sure, it’s not AlienBees, Elinchrom or anything fancy, but not everyone needs (or can afford) those brands. [Read more…]

PocketWizard MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver ControlTL Firmware Version 5.0 for Canon

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PocketWizard FlexTT5 Transceiver

PocketWizard has updated the firmware for the Canon version of the MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver.

The new firmware adds several new capabilities to the wireless system.  Two of the big ones are Rear Curtain Sync and Pre-Flash Boost:

“PocketWizard’s rear curtain sync allows the photographer to set the shutter speed at which rear curtain sync automatically engages while optimizing the timing of rear curtain sync to fire at the absolute end of the shutter opening. Pre-Flash Boost provides enhanced E-TTL performance when using flash diffusers, doing bounce flash, or at ranges just beyond the normal E-TTL capabilities. By increasing the pre-flash power, PocketWizard has offset the loss of light in these challenging E-TTL situations.” –PocketWizard

The new firmware also adds automatic camera detection, which allows the system to determine appropriate sync speed for High Speed Sync mode.  Compatibility for the Canon 7D has been added, along with compatibility for the Metz 58 AF-1.

Additional details about the updated firmware are available in a PDF file from PocketWizard, which can be viewed here.

Download info for the firmware can be found here.

7 Tips for Shooting in Troubling Lighting

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Leeni at the Blip Festival
If you’re an event, wedding or concert photographer you know the pains of shooting in low light all too well. Some of the main problems are focusing, white balance issues, high ISO noise, and ensuring that you capture the correct motion. All of this can be pretty tricky, especially if you’re trying to get a variety of angles to ensure that your shots don’t all look the same. Here are some tips for shooting and how to save your work in post process.

[Read more…]