tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21878995328307181742024-03-07T00:40:08.964-08:0013th Floor PhotographyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-64320739044532740042015-09-23T09:17:00.000-07:002015-09-23T09:17:47.657-07:00Fuji 56mm f/1.2 Lens Review<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I would like to think I have a good grasp of what I want/need in my photography equipment. I always talk about minimum things a lens or camera must have before I even consider purchasing it. In the past, I have bought several things based on hype or convincing YouTubers and felt burned after spending hard earned money on something that did not fit my needs. The Fuji X-T1 is one example that breaks every rule and standard I have. It does not have “fast” controls (relative to what I am used to), it does not have in-body image stabilization, it has a low flash synch speed and the AF is arguable the slowest out of all the mirrorless cameras I own. Yet, I find myself picking up the X-T1 more times than not. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SvHT1M5TsGs/VgCMED51iiI/AAAAAAAAGSY/BYEEGDQDz0o/s1600/Ap%2B-%2BWeb%2BReady-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SvHT1M5TsGs/VgCMED51iiI/AAAAAAAAGSY/BYEEGDQDz0o/s640/Ap%2B-%2BWeb%2BReady-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">My first time using the X-T1 & 56mm Combination under controlled studio conditions. The results definitely exceed my standards</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I know what you are thinking, why am I talking about the Fuji X-T1 when the title of this post clearly states it’s a review on the Fuji 56mm f/1.2. In my humble opinion. I feel the 56mm lens belongs to the X-T1 and this lens truly defines the system as a whole. While I have had some time with the venerable 23mm and 35mm glass, nothing has stunned me more than this seemingly perfect portrait lens. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hR5FXUUaQOA/VgI8nSbAI7I/AAAAAAAAGT0/MndgcZ4t9bA/s1600/Fuji%2B56-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hR5FXUUaQOA/VgI8nSbAI7I/AAAAAAAAGT0/MndgcZ4t9bA/s640/Fuji%2B56-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">All RAW files, with the exception to the studio shots, were first converted to TIF files via Silky Pix and then edited further in Lightroom. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Before I go any further, I must qualify this review by stating one glaring issue if you are a heavy user of Adobe photo editing products, particularly Lightroom. Simply put, I do not like how Lightroom converts Fuji Raw files. There are work arounds to this and is something I have considered and implore you consider if you decide to use this system with LR. You can read my thoughts about Raw converters below. Now that we have gotten that out of the way, let’s carry on with the review.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2015/04/my-final-thoughts-on-capture-one-pro-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">My Final Thoughts on Capture One Pro 8</span></a></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2015/02/raw-converters-lightroom-versus-capture.html" target="_blank">Raw Converters: Lightroom vs. Capture One Pro</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Auto Focus Speed and Accuracy:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is not much to say about this lens besides the fact that it is the slowest focusing lens I own. It is safe to say that all Fuji glass I have tried is slower than any OMD or Sony A7II glass (though I must admit I only have the FE 55mm and FE 70-200mm lens) I own. It does have a tendency to hunt in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, but it is mostly accurate. I qualify the accuracy of the focusing because I believe this is mostly operator driven. Because the focal plane is so thin at f/1.2 and at close distances, the slightest movement can shift the focus from the eye to the eye lash or even the nose. I do feel in-body image stabilization would help for portrait work. As a general rule of thumb, I try to keep my shutter speed faster than 1/100th and I fully depress the shutter release as opposed to half pressing, waiting for the focus confirmation and then pressing the shutter release all the way. These “shortcomings” are by no means a deal breaker. I simply adjust my shooting technique to accommodate the “nuances” of working with a Fuji system. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWSAZuNWtaE/VgI-l93K3jI/AAAAAAAAGUY/JpFim8My8NA/s1600/Fuji%2B56-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWSAZuNWtaE/VgI-l93K3jI/AAAAAAAAGUY/JpFim8My8NA/s640/Fuji%2B56-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Image Quality:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is by far the most important factor in my opinion and is highly subjective. I try to stray away from speaking matter of fact about image quality since I have a hard time quantifying or measuring the beauty of an image. Speaking only for myself, I am in love with the output from the 56mm. The quality of the bokeh is smooth and does not detract from the image. I have seen other lenses produce distracting and busy out of focus areas, but the bokeh with this glass seems organic and is pleasing to my eyes. Once you run the Fuji files through a RAW Converter other than Lightroom, the files are wonderfully sharp and have a nice pop to them. This lens defines the system and belongs with every Fuji owner. I would go as far to say this should be the first lens you buy if you are a portrait photographer. I can go on with the superlatives, but I'll leave you with sample photos instead.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYsvMSKihSdo4Y1j_tFcBIALElK8TOsSApyMcsanNLrY-nvNydL2vw5-n7tOFIvPLLIJ9tH2Zc3Rw_kPsiC2AOY6_khzmgZglyvS0CCp7XLbwYEgGaCY28vz-06sRd0LgS3KY73RwG7zS/s1600/Ap+-+Web+Ready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYsvMSKihSdo4Y1j_tFcBIALElK8TOsSApyMcsanNLrY-nvNydL2vw5-n7tOFIvPLLIJ9tH2Zc3Rw_kPsiC2AOY6_khzmgZglyvS0CCp7XLbwYEgGaCY28vz-06sRd0LgS3KY73RwG7zS/s640/Ap+-+Web+Ready.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">RAW file edited in Lightroom. Note: this did not go through the Silky Pix software.<br /> I believe the only filter I used was the Classic Chrome Fuji setting.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJYkb5zBzXQ/VgGenj0eYWI/AAAAAAAAGSw/JnSiCzUvbpc/s1600/SDCC%252BFuji%252BX-T1-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJYkb5zBzXQ/VgGenj0eYWI/AAAAAAAAGSw/JnSiCzUvbpc/s640/SDCC%252BFuji%252BX-T1-6.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Hands down my favorite shot taken from San Diego Comic Con 2015</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Build Quality and Weight:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To me, I believe good weight and bad weight exists in all things whether you are talking cameras, cars, computers and so forth. Size and weight is something mirrorless users tout as an inherent benefit of using this platform and I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment depending on the situation. If you like to hike and travel, every ounce start to feel like pounds after several hours trekking, so weight becomes an important factor. This lens, in my opinion, can be used for these applications, but is not what Fuji intended. More on that in the next section. A 1 pound (56mm = 0.89 lbs.) lens on a 1 pound body (Fuji X-T1 = 0.97 lbs.) can feel a bit front heavy and unbalanced. The same can be said about most of Fuji’s new lens offerings. With that being said, the camera becomes more balanced and easier to handle with a vertical grip added. Although I don’t personally own one, I have handled the camera with one on and plan on adding it to my collection in the near future. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim34s7xBj7aEbEhefyRym9-ceJhVbgLAD8TPkdxiN9z-ksVFTE3u9zok5gpeKnA3BGM5ftKLl1XBcCnvU6deJ1zga9EPOCwOx7x5H3U2JEWMqipP6bfm4jCdVZwVuUfeUQsWz8lxHzDp6e/s1600/Fuji+56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim34s7xBj7aEbEhefyRym9-ceJhVbgLAD8TPkdxiN9z-ksVFTE3u9zok5gpeKnA3BGM5ftKLl1XBcCnvU6deJ1zga9EPOCwOx7x5H3U2JEWMqipP6bfm4jCdVZwVuUfeUQsWz8lxHzDp6e/s640/Fuji+56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNdBgc2A0lo/VgI-ID3XFwI/AAAAAAAAGUI/nF1FFqAl5Do/s1600/Fuji%2B56-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNdBgc2A0lo/VgI-ID3XFwI/AAAAAAAAGUI/nF1FFqAl5Do/s640/Fuji%2B56-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Relative to my Olympus 45mm lens, this is heavy…and I like it a lot. Not only does it feel like a quality piece of glass, I find stabilizing the body easier. The additional weight can mask some poor shooting technique, of which I occasionally exhibit, especially when I push down the shutter release too quickly. Torquing or jerking a light weight camera is a prevalent issue with me so I welcome some heft. Overall, I am impressed with the build quality and believe the 56mm metal construction will last me a long time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Philosophy of Use:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I find that all of my cameras serve a very specific purpose and this lens is no exception. I think my Olympus OMD is the only camera I find that is my jack of all trades, master of none camera. While I believe you can get away with doing several types of work with this lens, my personal philosophy of use is portraiture work. I believe the AF speed on this lens precludes it from being a dedicated concert photography lens or an ideal tool for weddings, but it certainly can be done (and I have used it for both types of work). If I had to complain about anything, it would certainly be its focusing speed. Well, that and it has a fairly long minimum focusing distance of approximately 2.29 feet. For deliberate, controlled, portrait work with the Fuji platform, there isn’t a lens I can recommend more than the Fuji 56mm f/1.2. Without a doubt in my mind, this lens has made me a Fuji Fanboy and makes me excited to try/purchase other primes. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-59391534589570003612015-08-24T13:20:00.001-07:002015-08-24T13:20:36.266-07:00Updates and more reviews to come<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know it has been quiet on the blogging front, but I guarantee you there will be more to report on in the coming weeks. It is definitely a great time to be a mirrorless shooter. For now, I will just post one photo from a recent project. This was taken with the Fuji XT-1 and the fantastic 56mm f/1.2 lens. More to come.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-74190074170701598252015-07-15T22:47:00.000-07:002015-07-17T10:16:49.792-07:00Going to San Diego Comic Con with my Fuji X-T1 and Sony A7II<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CTqpiKun1-U/VaX-VhlIpDI/AAAAAAAAFmw/ieRKDF5zOAw/s1600/Set%2BUp%2B%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CTqpiKun1-U/VaX-VhlIpDI/AAAAAAAAFmw/ieRKDF5zOAw/s640/Set%2BUp%2B%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Taken Tuesday evening, the week of San Diego Comic Con. It is always fun to see SDCC transform right in front of you. I have read articles indicating how important this event is to the local economy. Taken with the Fuji X-T1 and Tokina EL 28mm lens. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For the past six years, I have exclusively taken a micro four thirds camera with me to Comic Con. It started with the Panasonic GF-1, then the Olympus OMD E-M5 and finally my favorite camera, the Olympus OMD E-M1. My confidence with the system grew and grew with each passing year and I never felt the need to bring any other system. These mirrorless cameras delivered on image quality, speed, usability and most importantly weight. I loved the fact I could walk around all day and never feel burdened by carrying more than 2 or 3 additional lenses. I wanted to change things up a bit this year and see what I could do with a different set up. The the only toll was on my body, as I had to significantly increase the weight of my backpack. Below is a list of all the gear used:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Kata KT DL-DR-466 Digital Rucksack (my favorite mirrorless backpack)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Manfrotto Tripod MK393-PD</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Slik SBH-100 Tabletop Tripod</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sony Alpha A7II </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G Lens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 Lens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fuji X-T1 - pre firmware 4.0</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fuji 56mm f/1.2</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Zhong Yi Lens Turbo II m42 to Fuji X mount adapter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tokina EL 28mm f/2.8 m42 lens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Zenit Helios 44M-4 58mm f/2 m42 lens (my Russian Wonder)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 Cheetah V850 flashes with triggers</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbM4djO5E8y1IjygJ5m2TPVIOd6Q8nhSMxZgNU0stwog0KfzxfGPpTzOvLGKcCRemOnSHolDMTrA0h76C4dpaN4Q6K9Vw5AIf5TLJv3Cv99udZ3pzb0Im9n_juvviqFCimg6w0Tlnk1ab/s1600/Comic+Con+Day+3-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbM4djO5E8y1IjygJ5m2TPVIOd6Q8nhSMxZgNU0stwog0KfzxfGPpTzOvLGKcCRemOnSHolDMTrA0h76C4dpaN4Q6K9Vw5AIf5TLJv3Cv99udZ3pzb0Im9n_juvviqFCimg6w0Tlnk1ab/s640/Comic+Con+Day+3-34.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The shallow depth of field really helps isolate this zombie cosplayer. Taken with the Sony Alpha A7II with the 55mm @ f/1.8</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While this may seem like a lot of weight, I will assure you it was manageable and I did not carry it all at once. Our hotel room was close enough to the convention hall that I could leave the tripod and FE70-200mm lens in the room and pick it up if I knew I would be working the Gaslamp District. For the most part, I carried only primes with me as I knew I wanted to use a fast lens within the not-so-perfectly lit convention hall. The added benefit of using a fast lens with either an APSC or Full Frame sensor is the ability to separate your subject from the ever so busy background that is SDCC. While "too much bokeh" can get tiresome, I find that it really helps to accentuate the cosplayer I am trying to photograph. The crowds have in many of my shots ruined what is otherwise a pretty cool image.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sxaie4c3jnMfEMqEG5e7uaRWKHRWY1weJYE7B8Q6BYxSX995jGuOdUClcvcadb2Cn8C4RbxC0fzaAuQJr9FDirsp2hQZnEZLLRSJ0hTH2d6TmPqUF-lhOteCOgUIf4CZ8_ADewczk_FS/s640/Comic+Con+Day+3-51.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">A panorama taken straight from the A7II. The was really well received by the Killer Pumpkins crew. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sxaie4c3jnMfEMqEG5e7uaRWKHRWY1weJYE7B8Q6BYxSX995jGuOdUClcvcadb2Cn8C4RbxC0fzaAuQJr9FDirsp2hQZnEZLLRSJ0hTH2d6TmPqUF-lhOteCOgUIf4CZ8_ADewczk_FS/s1600/Comic+Con+Day+3-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The patience of cosplayers is astounding. They will stand and pose for you without complaining even when guy-with-camera decides to take advantage of a situation and snap more than 20 shots (it happens). While I can comment on the autofocus speed, I think it is not as important as autofocus accuracy. Being that they are both contrast detect platforms, it is safe to say they are both very accurate. However, I must say the Sony A7II seems to have that slight edge on the Fuji X-T1. I had a higher percentage of perfectly focused (on a subject's eyes) photographs with the A7II, but this was only a marginal difference. It is possible that I was using too slow of a shutterspeed with the X-T1.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LQlGIaiZLU/VaXpeIJn5KI/AAAAAAAAFmI/strk0AiRWMs/s640/Comic%2BCon%2BDay%2B3-47.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Psylocke from the X-Men - Sony A7II with the 55mm wide open. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LQlGIaiZLU/VaXpeIJn5KI/AAAAAAAAFmI/strk0AiRWMs/s1600/Comic%2BCon%2BDay%2B3-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That is the glaring difference I noted with the Fuji and Sony cameras. The Fuji could truly benefit from an in-body image stabilization system (IBIS). While I could get away with 1/80th with solid technique, I found most of my shots came out clearer at 1/125th or higher whenever I use the Fuji 56mm. IBIS would certainly help with those minor movements especially when shooting wide open. The slightest bump or shake could shift the focus from the eyes to say the eyebrows. I was not only able to capture shots consistently at 1/60th with the A7II and the Zeiss 55mm, but I was also able to keep my ISO down to about the 200-640 range. Speaking only for myself, my future camera purchases MUST have IBIS. Not to say the X-T1 is a bad camera, I just know what I want after shooting several cameras and in-body image stabilization is a feature I would rather not live without.</span><br />
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTQnJc7dv2m5FG1XWWrx106C_8JHGmvITyrDw1qcXD8gRMz53O4LX3pgqWSX0HYqR0UD3_t5880kcaCYUtzVBwfYPbs9lEBukVRebbecSdOBIjcIjtaM2m936CCBFWAhCa4eWBBtRCNG1/s1600/Comic+Con+Day+3-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTQnJc7dv2m5FG1XWWrx106C_8JHGmvITyrDw1qcXD8gRMz53O4LX3pgqWSX0HYqR0UD3_t5880kcaCYUtzVBwfYPbs9lEBukVRebbecSdOBIjcIjtaM2m936CCBFWAhCa4eWBBtRCNG1/s640/Comic+Con+Day+3-48.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The world outside of the convention has a significantly different feel. The characters and cosplayers alike seem to have a different and wild energy. Never a dull moment at the Gaslamp District - Taken with the Fuji X-T1 and the 56mm (Classic Chrome photo setting)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bI4lplLRY8w/VaX_qid72qI/AAAAAAAAFm8/CivQJE416gw/s1600/Comic%2BCon%2BDay%2B3-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bI4lplLRY8w/VaX_qid72qI/AAAAAAAAFm8/CivQJE416gw/s640/Comic%2BCon%2BDay%2B3-44.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Ms. Sinister. I truly love it when the roles are reversed. Another image<br />taken with the Sony A7II and the Zeiss 55mm.</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Before I come off sounding like a Fuji hater, I can't help but gush over their JPEG output. My dedicated travel laptop only has Lightroom 4, which cannot process A7II or X-T1 RAW files. I don't normally recommend processing JPEG files, I would however make an exception for Fuji's. Simply put they are great straight out of the camera especially with my favorite Classic Chrome photo setting. In my last post, Concert Photography with the A7II, I talk about how mushy Sony files can look zoomed in. This is a huge plus for me when I have to post photos for Killer Pumpkins, the Company who brought me on board and is the reason why I have access to San Diego Comic Con every year. It is important for me to be able to provide photos that I am proud to present to third parties and you can bet I would rely on Fuji in a heart beat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6TPilu8_Ess/VaXoZ_JHF3I/AAAAAAAAFl4/1ySchxBIdDY/s640/Comic%2BCon%2BDay%2B3-43.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Not really a cosplayer, but more my partner in crime. I am in love with the bokeh quality of the Fuji 56mm lens. </span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Overall, I was very pleased with my experience and I have zero regret about bringing two different mirrorless systems. In fact, this past experience continues to solidify my love for mirrorless cameras. The paradigm shift is becoming more and more evident. I would say that I saw a significant amount of mirrorless owners roaming around San Diego. Of course DSLRs remain supreme and dominates the camera population, but I saw more and more people donning the Sony A6000, a Fuji X-100 variant or various Olympus OMD models. The following two posts will be photo essays showing my favorite shots from both my Fuji X-T1 and the Sony A7II. As always, thanks for stopping by. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For images from the Sony Alpha A7II - <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://dino-aranda.squarespace.com/blog/2015/7/16/san-diego-comic-con-sony-alpha-a7ii-photographs" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">For images from the Fuji X-T1 - <b><a href="https://dino-aranda.squarespace.com/blog/2015/7/16/san-diego-comic-con-2015-fuji-x-t1-photographs" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">CLICK HERE</span></a></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-15580477874148417922015-06-30T09:11:00.000-07:002015-07-13T00:15:39.732-07:00Field Report - Sony Alpha A7II - Concert Photography<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The Sony Alpha A7II has been an incredible addition to my
collection of cameras. While there is a lot of buzz going around with the A7RII,
and rightfully so, I just don’t think I can manage dealing with files that have
more than 24 megapixels. My fellow Canon
shooting friend, who happens to be a recent Sony convert, would definitely
benefit with all the improvements made to the autofocusing system especially
when adapting Canon glass. As much as I would like to comment on all of the
A7RII’s improvements, I have absolutely zero field time with it, but I do with the A7II.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_URGHbsd4k/VZIbuignKEI/AAAAAAAAFhc/61mtY2V1xi4/s1600/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_URGHbsd4k/VZIbuignKEI/AAAAAAAAFhc/61mtY2V1xi4/s640/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The wonderful Jenny Kidd as Alice of the Diamond Mad T Party Band - Testing out gear here is not only entertaining but also educational =)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqDAd1BibTPEjeryNOpKUbFlE0j8mgthGyurnx1DtHEnvmgcPFhbTgLM3dfaCQGl5EImBQJl5WBYi705l88hKJgNM0MWnhCl8XZfthd2sV3aSzTjtFBQd0l23ii1HHwQo5LBiSrGChqnQ/s640/Diamond+Mad+T+Party-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The great Drew Tablak as the Mad Hatter. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqDAd1BibTPEjeryNOpKUbFlE0j8mgthGyurnx1DtHEnvmgcPFhbTgLM3dfaCQGl5EImBQJl5WBYi705l88hKJgNM0MWnhCl8XZfthd2sV3aSzTjtFBQd0l23ii1HHwQo5LBiSrGChqnQ/s1600/Diamond+Mad+T+Party-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqDAd1BibTPEjeryNOpKUbFlE0j8mgthGyurnx1DtHEnvmgcPFhbTgLM3dfaCQGl5EImBQJl5WBYi705l88hKJgNM0MWnhCl8XZfthd2sV3aSzTjtFBQd0l23ii1HHwQo5LBiSrGChqnQ/s1600/Diamond+Mad+T+Party-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Many of you who follow my blog know I absolutely love
shooting bands and on the top of my list of bands is the Mad T Party over at
California Adventure. They’ve have been on a hiatus since November of last year
and has recently returned to the Disneyland Resort. I couldn’t have thought of
a better way to test out Sony’s claims of an improved autofocus system than to
shoot these amazing group of artists. Although Sony touts an improvement of
approximately 30%, I have no way of quantifying it other than to tell you how
it feels. Some things to note about the original A7. As members
of the band would move outside the main spotlight, I noticed the A7 would do
its fair share of hunting with the FE
70-200mm f/4 mounted (the FE 55mm f/1.8 performed marginally better). What I immediately noticed with the A7II was how
quick the focus would lock on regardless of the lighting condition. Please keep
in mind, I am not shooting in a dark bar, the lighting conditions are still
fairly good even outside of the main spotlight. Focus was accurate and spot on
– like I would suspect from a decent contrast detect system. This is most definitely a welcomed improvement
to the system and gets a solid thumbs up from me. Was it 30% better? Maybe. Was it noticeable? Absolutely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6HDiYrg4PdmdZgQeP4HyY4Mzcw07e0IuVFpDF8bX1DMe8H2_ugptNum9cJ3pOxkMxCAD9Ro2B4-gFqs1KO2PFArYpkxWHJ1lRHzymcAbn76RPD-Ca1O4AECLG-zQJkdQAwSWYWl5r8N1/s1600/Diamond+Mad+T+Party-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6HDiYrg4PdmdZgQeP4HyY4Mzcw07e0IuVFpDF8bX1DMe8H2_ugptNum9cJ3pOxkMxCAD9Ro2B4-gFqs1KO2PFArYpkxWHJ1lRHzymcAbn76RPD-Ca1O4AECLG-zQJkdQAwSWYWl5r8N1/s640/Diamond+Mad+T+Party-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Background compression is typically present with longer lenses and the FE 70-200mm is no exception. I spent the day shooting at 200mm to achieve this specific effect. It's no surprise this lens performs wonderfully attached to the A7II</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I also did a small amount of video recording to test out the AF tracking feature and it was a solid performer. Take this with a grain of salt, as I am not a videographer nor do I rely on this AF setting often. I am mainly a single AF shooter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHFRT8r7wE/VZIfaue9mvI/AAAAAAAAFh4/A7QNLSUZREE/s1600/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHFRT8r7wE/VZIfaue9mvI/AAAAAAAAFh4/A7QNLSUZREE/s640/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Jenny Kidd and Drew Tablak - Day time sample shot...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUuumZRr52Y/VZIhv88BoUI/AAAAAAAAFic/aVBrHF2D0Vc/s1600/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUuumZRr52Y/VZIhv88BoUI/AAAAAAAAFic/aVBrHF2D0Vc/s640/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">...and an evening sample shot </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Handling the Sony A7II with the FE70-200mm for over 5 hours
was not bad at all. In fact, the new body design feels significantly better in
my hands. The deeper grip on the A7II made me feel like I had a much more
secure hold than its predecessor. The extra heft, while noticeable, did not
bother me during my first outing and this was all hand held with the vertical
grip (I opted not to bring a strap with me). I may annotate this once I have
had a full 8+ hour event/wedding. Only then will I know the true impact
of the added weight…as the saying goes, “Ounces lead to pounds, pounds lead to
pain”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIdVU__ef2M/VZIerulQDVI/AAAAAAAAFhw/IjxymRNb1-s/s1600/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIdVU__ef2M/VZIerulQDVI/AAAAAAAAFhw/IjxymRNb1-s/s640/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">George Castells as the March Hare</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now comes the bad. Sony has never been known to have a good JPEG
system. Fuji, from my experience, and Olympus to a certain extent, have been
the only two brands that have impressed me with their JPEG output. When I got
home from my trip to Disneyland, I realized I had been shooting in FINE and not
RAW the entire time. My excitement in trying out my new camera and the Mad T
Party’s return made me forget to check the basics. There’s no one else to blame
other than myself. I am just glad I made this mistake with non-critical work.
The silver lining is I get to test the JPEG output and like my Sony A58 review,
it was a disappointment. From normal viewing distances, the files look decent. The
moment you zoom in at 100%, the details just get smudgy. Simply put, I would
never feel comfortable delivering a JPEG file to a client.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ay147KqHlg/VZIj0gOiVrI/AAAAAAAAFio/HXrbwRK-u-0/s1600/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ay147KqHlg/VZIj0gOiVrI/AAAAAAAAFio/HXrbwRK-u-0/s640/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Nick Schaadt as the March Hare - Color correcting is significantly harder with JPEGs. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRt7V5ctm98/VZIlEGrOoqI/AAAAAAAAFjA/T9N49wStHIs/s1600/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2BA7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRt7V5ctm98/VZIlEGrOoqI/AAAAAAAAFjA/T9N49wStHIs/s640/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2BA7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Sunday Funday with none other than the talented Nathan Shrake as Mad Hatter</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As a self-proclaimed Olympus fanboy, Sony has left me
extremely excited. Although Sony will never admit it, I am glad they have
directed more attention to the e-mount system over their seemingly antiquated
DSLT line. I can only speak for myself when I say I like a light weight, modular system that is robust and can handle varying shooting conditions. I particularly like the fact that the A7II can be small and compact when I'm out traveling and "beefier" when working events/weddings. For the past 5 years I have taken a micro four-thirds camera to Comic Con. This might be the first year I decide to take a Sony and feel confident it will give me the results I want. In my next post, I will discuss the RAW files and how the camera handles studio/flash work. Thanks for stopping by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-Dino </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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If you are interested about my initial impressions of the Sony Alpha A7II, please <a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2015/06/initial-impressions-of-sony-alpha-a7.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>CLICK HERE</b></span></a> to read more about it. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Low light photography was no big deal. Where the A7 suffers, the A7II shines. While it cannot touch the Olympus OMD E-M1 speeds, the improvements in AF is noticeable. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JcWsRFOkQr4/VZIkXEhiW4I/AAAAAAAAFiw/QfLICwGkGGs/s1600/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JcWsRFOkQr4/VZIkXEhiW4I/AAAAAAAAFiw/QfLICwGkGGs/s640/Diamond%2BMad%2BT%2BParty-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Todd McCool as Dormouse - shredding on lead guitar</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-25258457182921449192015-06-09T09:16:00.000-07:002015-07-13T00:16:03.314-07:00Initial Impressions of the Sony Alpha A7 mark II<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When the Sony A7 was initially announced, I'll admit I hated on it...a lot. I couldn't get behind the idea of a mirrorless camera that didn't have in-body image stabilization like my venerable and unbeatable Olympus OMD. Not even a year after I published why I wasn't getting an Sony Alpha A7, I bought the A7 after I had spent some time playing around with it at my local brick and mortar. To be honest, I loved that camera. Sure it did not have the fastest AF and it<b> had</b> a limited line native lenses, but it just fit my work flow effectively. Before I was presented with an opportunity to upgrade my A7 to an A7markII on the cheap, I had every intention of keeping the camera for a very long time. In fact, it was on my list of things to review after 1 year of ownership. When presented with the idea of paying only $300 (after selling my camera) to get a Sony A7 with improved autofocus <b style="font-style: italic;">AND </b>in-body image stabilization, I just couldn't pass it up.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">First shot with an adapted lens - a Soviet Union lens that I will review later on. Having in-body image stabilization for adapted lenses is extremely helpful. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The moment I unboxed the A7II, I immediately noticed the weight. The difference was not significant, but it was different enough for me to notice it. How this extra heft will factor in during an 8-hour photo shoot or event, has yet to be determined. However, my subjective sense of quality has definitely risen. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even in low light, I was able to acquire accurate and quick AF - taken with the FE 55mm f/1.8 lens.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The placement of the shutter release feels very reminiscent of the Olympus OMD E-M1 and that's a good thing. While I found nothing wrong with the original location of the A7 shutter, I much prefer the A7II's forward placement. I just wish it had a hard click like the Fuji X-T1 as opposed to no discernible break. Just a minor nit pick. The grooves on the two dials are a nice touch as well, but could have been improved if the recessing weren't so deep. This is by no means a deal breaker nor does it have a significant impact on my ability to change settings on the fly. Overall, I welcome all of Sony's changes with open arms, including the additional customize-able function buttons even though I am not sure what to do with all of them just yet =).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The mount has definitely been changed from plastic to metal. Not once have I encountered a problem with plastic mounts and my only gripe with the A7 is the loose tolerance. In my initial impressions review of the FE 70-200mm f/4 G lens, I noted there was a noticeable wiggle. With the A7II this "problem" is completely resolved. In fact, I have noticed a much tighter fit with other third party adapters. Another +1 to Sony.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There isn't really much to say about the image quality. To my eyes, I see no real difference between the A7 and A7II. For my money, $300 is worth the price of having an in-body image stabilization system. In fact, I whole heartedly believe that this feature <b><i><u>SHOULD</u></i></b> be the competitive advantage of all mirrorless systems, period...Fuji, I hope you're listening. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Reports from other reviewers indicate that Sony's Steady Shot isn't nearly as good as the OMD's 5-axis system and I believe it without having to do my own investigation. There is just a lot more sensor to stabilize. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Handheld with a very slow shutter speed (1/25th). Taking a shot this clear would not have been possible with the original A7</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As far as the speed of the camera, I feel it powers much faster than the A7 though I did no formal test to substantiate my claim. Where I did see noticeable improvements is the transfer of photos via NFC (Near Field Communication) from the camera straight to my current phone, an LG G3. I use this option quite a lot especially when I want to show off to my friends and immediately print to my <a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2014/11/fuji-sp-1-printer-review-love-at-first.html" target="_blank">Fuji SP-1 Instax printer</a>. I can't speak much about the autofocus since I didn't see any noticeable improvements in speed, but I haven't had much field time with it nor have I tested it out under extreme conditions. It simply snaps into focus under ideal conditions like its predecessor has done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is really too early to determine definitively if this camera is a winner, though I thought the A7 was from my "limited" use. On paper, this camera is everything I want in a full-frame mirrorless camera. I don't expect to sell, trade-up or replace this unit, but only time will tell. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Dino </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-50230939446389214172015-05-14T13:07:00.000-07:002015-05-14T13:07:41.027-07:005 Day Black and White Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Photography challenges can be a lot of fun and it most certainly can be an opportunity to get yourself out there to shoot. Some of my photography buddies recently challenged me to a five day Black and White project and I happily obliged. I haven't done a photo essay in a long time and just wanted to share my five favorite shots from the challenge. I made an attempt to really try something different. All of the following shots were taken with the Fuji X-T1 in RAW and converted in Silky Pix. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As a side note, I have been really pleased with the output from Silky Pix. Although I find it not as sharp as Capture One Pro, it does a good enough job for me as a pure RAW converter. Of course you mileage may vary. As always thanks for stopping by.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TjRQU4UOMYU/VUr8gaWgzGI/AAAAAAAAFUw/2EjwyI9fqho/s1600/Cartel%2BAirstrip-7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Meet one of my best friends, Jeff. This was taken at the dessert at high noon. I knew his hair and sunglasses would provide a lot of contrast so I decided to blow up the highlights. While I normally try to preserve the highlights, I opted to do just the opposite. This was taken with the Fuji 56mm</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nnFqjDUjF9E/VUr74vgtOsI/AAAAAAAAFUg/E81Cy9q3CbU/s1600/Black%2B%26%2BWhite%2BChallenge-1-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Macro was never my strength, so I decided to give it a shot on my second day. This miniature toy skateboard was found around my complex. Just one of the many lost toys I found. This particular shot was taken with the Super Takumar 50mm macro lens adapted on the Lens Turbo II Focal Reducer. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCNd4ku8m3E/VUr7urjNykI/AAAAAAAAFUQ/nO-WIizFSC8/s640/Black%2B%26%2BWhite%2BChallenge-1-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Another lost toy I found in my neighborhood. If memory servers me right, this is an amber tone B&W conversion. I am really beginning to like this look and plan on using this process in future edits. This shot was taken with the Super Takumar 50mm macro lens adapted on the Lens Turbo II Focal Reducer. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PdFks96NMXg/VUr7tMM4O8I/AAAAAAAAFUI/Bq8HWfOsNMs/s1600/Black%2B%26%2BWhite%2BChallenge-1-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">I received this all metal Wall-E statuette from my brother for Christmas. This has inspired me to take him with me as a part of my future photography project. The Takumar 50mm macro has been a stellar performer and I just wish I could get in just a little bit closer to my subjects, but I won't really complain about a $90 investment that is this sharp.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epDAOqvYCVc/VUr7zO-yTeI/AAAAAAAAFUY/PIX_yq9gnPA/s1600/Black%2B%26%2BWhite%2BChallenge-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Obligatory muse post. The rendering of the Fuji 56mm f/1.2 lens is truly something else. Part of the reason why I have spent a lot of time with the X-T1 is this particular lens. While I think the 23mm is a spectacular lens, I think the 56mm is exceptionally good.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQzPwsdycgaHfIWf7PEAQTb0arBkFcNaAdv1I0xRReHr7kj6TMEGwbbTF9zAZzPw373ChOEKryouNP4V-qn_kc763eGGr2Qf-Y1wacPNttsF0nb4P0k7g_qv7BOWzg_ZAA3TMrgfvx3Ev/s1600/Cartel+Airstrip-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">I know I mentioned this was a five day challenge, but I decided to throw one in from Heather's set. I have been really impressed with some of her work and this shot is no exception. I liked her use of framing within a frame and its overall ominous feel.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQzPwsdycgaHfIWf7PEAQTb0arBkFcNaAdv1I0xRReHr7kj6TMEGwbbTF9zAZzPw373ChOEKryouNP4V-qn_kc763eGGr2Qf-Y1wacPNttsF0nb4P0k7g_qv7BOWzg_ZAA3TMrgfvx3Ev/s1600/Cartel+Airstrip-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-10759325336801588942015-05-01T12:04:00.000-07:002015-05-01T12:04:22.157-07:00Radioactive Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To those who follow my blog (thank you), you will know I am a huge fan of vintage glass. There was a time I had more manual lenses than I did native mount, autofocus gear. Call me glutton for torture or a hipster, I just find them extremely fun to use. After spending time in different photography forums, I would hear people talk about the one glass every vintage prime lens fan should own and that is the Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (the m42 mount variant). When I took delivery of this lens, I was shocked to find a very noticeable yellow tint. I originally thought it was a defective unit but after a little bit of googling I later discovered the yellowing is a byproduct of the radioactive gas within the lens itself. That's right, RADIOACTIVE. According to www.pentax-manuals.com this is what is causing it: </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Apparently the atomic structure of the glass is altered by radiation from trace amounts of radioactive thorium in one rare-earth glass element, creating the yellowish-brown color; and this change is reversed by exposure to ultraviolet light.</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>The yellowing problem affects the Model II 50mm f1.4 Super-Takumars and all other 50mm f1.4 lens through to the K-mount series. The older Model I 50/1.4 Super-Takumars, the 8-element ones (which can be distinguished by the protruding element at the rear NOT having a protective metal rim), do not turn yellow because they do not have the radioactive element, using an Additional regular optical glass element to get higher refraction instead. </i></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGbPapJzQ0U8avsETLeV0bfndvWjN2LnjcH164Y2pFi0d2DnojvIsM4YYtgdfOVS5AkKKhotko-vD7ggGykQsdQi7iGUiqflbs_oXteFVPECiYDrFhfhXKVsnKQxnJi_F9dkomDX2nI4x/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGbPapJzQ0U8avsETLeV0bfndvWjN2LnjcH164Y2pFi0d2DnojvIsM4YYtgdfOVS5AkKKhotko-vD7ggGykQsdQi7iGUiqflbs_oXteFVPECiYDrFhfhXKVsnKQxnJi_F9dkomDX2nI4x/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Untreated glass straight from the seller</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lucky for me I work at a facility where I have access to a portable UV light device. With the help of my fellow co-worker, we decided to conduct our very own un-scientific experiment with an extremely poor documentation process. Because this was done at work, I did not have my camera handy. Instead we decided to use his iPhone to record the progress after each day. While I understand we did not use the same white balance and camera settings for each shot, I can attest for the differences and the pictures are demonstrative of our findings. The UV light device had two settings for long and short wave. Without any kind of research we started with a 24-hour treatment of short-wave ultra violet light. It seemed to have lighten the yellow tint but it's still clearly present.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AqEuE7kJO2Q/VUJlFopMh4I/AAAAAAAAFRY/K-XHBfwFEmw/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AqEuE7kJO2Q/VUJlFopMh4I/AAAAAAAAFRY/K-XHBfwFEmw/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After 24 hours of direct long-wave UV light treatment</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Short wavelength UV light seems to be good at killing bacteria but ineffective at passing through glass, plastic and the earth's atmosphere. The sun is a great source of UV light and is one of the known ways to treat thorium tinted glass, but requires a more intricate setup and exposes your lens to the elements - something that can do more harm than good to an old lens like the Super Takumar. We decided to change the setting to long wave UV light and it had a greater impact.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrXDMptT6PI/VUKP-EOCS6I/AAAAAAAAFR0/GUpftONVbDg/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrXDMptT6PI/VUKP-EOCS6I/AAAAAAAAFR0/GUpftONVbDg/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After 24 hours of long wavelength ultra violet light<br />Total 48 hours of exposure</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DAk7jXAO8Gw/VUJ1ALycGKI/AAAAAAAAFRo/z8Ae-deWOzk/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After another 24 hours of long wavelength ultra violet light <br />Total 72 hours of exposure</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As you can see, the Super Takumar lens has been cured of its
yellow tinting. Part of me wishes I could have taken sample photos of a test
chart showing the effect of the thorium tint, but this was done on a whim. I
thought this was a neat little experiment that hopefully can help others
wanting to rid themselves of this “problem”. I hope this helps and happy shooting.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCPOrcMasyo/VUK79L_s8II/AAAAAAAAFSU/0wv0MzT-_b4/s1600/20150430_163101_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCPOrcMasyo/VUK79L_s8II/AAAAAAAAFSU/0wv0MzT-_b4/s1600/20150430_163101_HDR.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the model UV Light used for the "experiment"</td></tr>
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<b><i>Note: I have seen others use an Ikea lamp with great success. I can't say for certain the UV light is what removed the tinting but it definitely yielded favorable results after our 72 hour treatment.</i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-75331733914864897962015-04-17T09:06:00.000-07:002015-04-17T09:13:46.143-07:00My final thoughts on Capture One Pro 8 and Fuji X-Trans Files<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Note: I decided to use my photos from a recent trip to the
Angeles Range at Lake View Terrace, California. This photo set demonstrates the
amount of detail you are able to extract from a TIFF file once it has been
converted from RAW. The range is set up so shooters are comfortably shaded
under a long awning, while the targets are out in the open sun. Metering appropriately
was extremely challenging, but you will see below that Fuji files have amazing
dynamic range. All RAW files were imported into Capture One Pro 8, converted to
TIFF files and imported to Lightroom for editing. Gear used: Fuji XT-1, Fuji 56mm f/1.2 and an adapted Olympus OM 24mm f/2.8</span></i><o:p></o:p><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To see my previous post on Capture One Pro, click <b><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2015/02/raw-converters-lightroom-versus-capture.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></u></b></span></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UaPs5ThWkZM/VS9M_ZVTCkI/AAAAAAAAFOg/kOHR1xsrIiU/s1600/Sniper%2BSchool%2BFuji%2BX-T1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UaPs5ThWkZM/VS9M_ZVTCkI/AAAAAAAAFOg/kOHR1xsrIiU/s1600/Sniper%2BSchool%2BFuji%2BX-T1-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An HDR sample using three TIFF files (slightly over-cooked). Nik software was used to combine all exposures</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have spent a significant amount of time working with Capture One Pro 8 (C1P for short) and in my opinion is a far better raw converter than Lightroom 5 (LR5 for short), whether I am using Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and/or Fuji files. The files just seem to have more punch, detail and clarity - things that are extremely important to me when I deliver files to clients. While some may argue that C1P has a good starting point and that LR5 with some tweaking can get to where they want, my experience suggests otherwise. <a href="http://petebridgwood.com/wp/2014/10/x-trans-sharpening/" target="_blank">Pete Bridgewood</a> offered some great sharpening tips for LR5 that has greatly improved Fuji Raw files, but not to the same extent as C1P to my eyes. I started to notice some artifacts in my out-of-focus areas but only at the pixel peeping levels. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FfYZO5ZSnXdYIykwVCC87Nlv0vVqlhwwALmD3lWlUNPAqNG-nAK2d1WgfCeCb6LdksPevPKYeDTWUbOtXyzXWjHJkO9uQOvvo6Bpf22Rd-PSlL1dUzYCUsKElWuSw6aN0cCVdRyD8pKt/s1600/Sniper+School+Fuji+X-T1-1-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FfYZO5ZSnXdYIykwVCC87Nlv0vVqlhwwALmD3lWlUNPAqNG-nAK2d1WgfCeCb6LdksPevPKYeDTWUbOtXyzXWjHJkO9uQOvvo6Bpf22Rd-PSlL1dUzYCUsKElWuSw6aN0cCVdRyD8pKt/s1600/Sniper+School+Fuji+X-T1-1-7.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
I ended up going to the range with the same co-worker who bought a Fuji X-T1 based on limited use with mine. Instead of using a dedicated scouting scope to determine where our shots land, we used the Fuji X-T1 with a terribly inexpensive Rokinon 500mm, fixed aperture mirror lens. Optically it is nothing to write home about, but as a component for a "digital" scout scope, it worked perfectly. Due to the crop factor you get an effective field of view of 750mm. You can essentially double your range by using the magnify zoom feature. I would have never thought to do this and I'm glad he taught me another way to use my camera. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgOEHnQwE04/VS9NvrBlptI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/OWeyVTabosk/s1600/Sniper%2BSchool%2BFuji%2BX-T1-1-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgOEHnQwE04/VS9NvrBlptI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/OWeyVTabosk/s1600/Sniper%2BSchool%2BFuji%2BX-T1-1-5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
This is a Remington 700 bolt action with an upgraded Arctic Stock. Very cool toy. For this particular shot, I did a middle of the ground metering - pretty much an average of the highlight and shadow regions. There is definitely a lot of room for recovery.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlRUtoIObdI4eu28H68pEEUNSkHY8qWB92HN9cdFSSCg5VC0-qxbgf4VUAZbcqk0yHpooXZB34R-nCpW-Z8yMWEHdaoeCeelc_iRYVsjmVQe8mymHRqWc4IMOr7N1U9tNS-H1TQHzBRTQ/s1600/Sniper+School+Fuji+X-T1-1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlRUtoIObdI4eu28H68pEEUNSkHY8qWB92HN9cdFSSCg5VC0-qxbgf4VUAZbcqk0yHpooXZB34R-nCpW-Z8yMWEHdaoeCeelc_iRYVsjmVQe8mymHRqWc4IMOr7N1U9tNS-H1TQHzBRTQ/s1600/Sniper+School+Fuji+X-T1-1-3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
For this particular shot, I metered for the shadow areas (my co-worker). While it may seem like I had lost all of the blue in the sky, this particular time of day was overcast and gloomy. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vOgyxwksd5nnMgqX66DH8-cx6AchupKqbZzCNa_VnfgKeYZMSwNCP6uAFA7J98YWGpJt4xgSQ31AMvf8NBC4fPHwosQ3DPDVJ6VBH8NVfvyyKB5W3Lxmc9RvG_QiX294FFOrvkMzRlng/s1600/Sniper+School+Fuji+X-T1-1-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vOgyxwksd5nnMgqX66DH8-cx6AchupKqbZzCNa_VnfgKeYZMSwNCP6uAFA7J98YWGpJt4xgSQ31AMvf8NBC4fPHwosQ3DPDVJ6VBH8NVfvyyKB5W3Lxmc9RvG_QiX294FFOrvkMzRlng/s1600/Sniper+School+Fuji+X-T1-1-6.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An hour into our range time, the clouds parted and the blue sky made an appearance. I decided to swap to my Olympus 24mm with an intent to get a little more context of the range. I metered for the hills with intent to recover the shadows. In my opinion, it did an admirable job. What do you think?</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So the million dollar question: Will I transfer my post processing workflow over to C1P. The answer is unfortunately, no. Simply put, I couldn't get behind the user interface. The functionality was very backwards to me and I spent a good amount of time trying to navigate the controls. While I liked some of the features such as the color correction wheel and color blending, I found it very lacking in the portrait touch up department. A good portion of my work is portrait photography and I fix minor blemishes very quickly and seamlessly in LR5. I find Adobe's algorithms for healing and cloning at the top of its class. I spent a good half hour trying to edit a client headshot and I could not effectively clean up the file to my standards. This ultimately made my decision for me. I primarily blame myself for not being proficient with this tool, but for what it's worth, I found the LR learning curve to be extremely low. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_K3qNpVQ5I/VS9Nf1jUytI/AAAAAAAAFO4/MCr3wQylDE0/s1600/Sniper%2BSchool%2BFuji%2BX-T1-1-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_K3qNpVQ5I/VS9Nf1jUytI/AAAAAAAAFO4/MCr3wQylDE0/s1600/Sniper%2BSchool%2BFuji%2BX-T1-1-16.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an example of a shot where the lighting was ideal. Enough light was coming to the shooters right creating a balance, so to speak, of light. Uploading the Raw file directly to lightroom left me feeling unenthused due to the muddy details. I know I shouldn't pixel peep, but it's a way to benchmark my files. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1iPVm3xhDU/VS9NuUV_rKI/AAAAAAAAFPI/86EY-fUwMW4/s1600/Sniper%2BSchool%2BFuji%2BX-T1-1-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1iPVm3xhDU/VS9NuUV_rKI/AAAAAAAAFPI/86EY-fUwMW4/s1600/Sniper%2BSchool%2BFuji%2BX-T1-1-17.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added this only because I don't get many photos of myself, especially doing something cool as skeet shooting. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Part of me feels I did not give C1P a fair shake, but I just couldn't "invest" the finite amount of time (and money) I have to a new program. What honestly put the nail in the coffin for me was Fuji's recent release of their own Raw Converter (using the Silky Pix platform). Although I find C1P far more sophisticated and "sharper", Fuji's software was good enough for my needs and more importantly it is free. I will follow up this post with more examples from Silky Pix. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-Dino</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Note:</i></b> <i>By converting your raw files to TIFF, I noticed I lost my ability to use the popular camera profiles Fuji is known for. I personally am a huge fan of the Classic Chrome profile and not being able to utilize it as a creative tool was a little disappointing. If anyone knows a work around for this, I would greatly appreciate the advice</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msVKqMfkBbI/VInjuEVIotI/AAAAAAAAEdI/XpZJqgylLhE/s1600/fuji-colors.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msVKqMfkBbI/VInjuEVIotI/AAAAAAAAEdI/XpZJqgylLhE/s1600/fuji-colors.png" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-50059494260606003922015-04-06T11:14:00.000-07:002015-04-06T11:14:10.359-07:00My Love Affair with Fuji - An Instax Believer<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Don’t tell Olympus or Sony, but my love affair with the Fuji
brand is growing with each day. Although I have been writing about the Fuji
X-T1 quite a bit, I would say it is their offering of instant film products that has me head over heels. Their X-series mirrorless cameras have impressed me thus far, but
still have a lot of room to improve like all mirrorless cameras. For now, I am blissfully using it as another photographic
tool, but I will save that for another post. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What is it about the Instax products that appeal to me so
much, you may wonder. Before I started shooting in the digital age, I had a
point and shoot film camera that I pretty much took everywhere I went – from
family gatherings, middle school dances to our local ice skating rink. It was small, easy to use and created physical memories that
I could hold on to and enjoy with my friends/family.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8V5T-_S1qCg/VQmr5vTO3XI/AAAAAAAAFEU/2hEVfNkHhP8/s1600/51JCGA15JSL._SX355_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8V5T-_S1qCg/VQmr5vTO3XI/AAAAAAAAFEU/2hEVfNkHhP8/s1600/51JCGA15JSL._SX355_.jpg" height="188" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dropping off film at my local Target and
waiting an hour for it to develop was similar to the anticipation of opening
presents on Christmas Day. I even bought Fuji 800 Speed film packs mainly because they were more affordable than Kodak. Out of focus, motion blur, discoloration were all
acceptable to me just as long as the subject was interesting. In the digital
age, I notice I obsess more about sharpness, color, chromatic aberration, moiré,
vignetting and all the other factors that I probably shouldn't really be paying much attention to. With film we often hear people describe its inherent flaws as characteristics of the medium. Don't get me wrong, I would still rather work with the digital format, but in my eyes there’s still something appealing about film and it's ability to create something tangible without the need to post process. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XGTcAgxv9Gk/VR4lSLYwNBI/AAAAAAAAFM0/LyTCBA0Ifi4/s1600/Fuji%2BInstax-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XGTcAgxv9Gk/VR4lSLYwNBI/AAAAAAAAFM0/LyTCBA0Ifi4/s1600/Fuji%2BInstax-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We learned the hard way, not all Sharpies are created equal. If you plan on writing on the Instax prints make sure you use the permanent ink variant (as labeled on the pen) as to avoid smearing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4LEhz8Gvngo/VR4mAg75ZDI/AAAAAAAAFM8/x-LqkprUZl4/s1600/Fuji%2BInstax-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4LEhz8Gvngo/VR4mAg75ZDI/AAAAAAAAFM8/x-LqkprUZl4/s1600/Fuji%2BInstax-1-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For our wedding project, we decided to avoid powering the Fuji SP-1 printer with batteries. Instead we opted to use a CAIUL USB Power Cable (available on amazon for ~$13) and an external rechargeable battery pack. In my opinion, this is a more reliable way to power the printer</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1XxaSiySV8/VQnJnG7nwqI/AAAAAAAAFEk/lpmrOnSnB5w/s1600/20150221-Dino-Heather-wedding-104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1XxaSiySV8/VQnJnG7nwqI/AAAAAAAAFEk/lpmrOnSnB5w/s1600/20150221-Dino-Heather-wedding-104.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fuji is able to scratch that film itch and continue to give me something
physical to enjoy again. I raved about my recent acquisition of the SP-1 printer - Click <a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2014/11/fuji-sp-1-printer-review-love-at-first.html" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> for my review. I loved it so much, I even found a way to incorporate it in our wedding, which had a photography theme. My lovely fiance, now my wife, gave me the green light to buy over 200 sheets of Instax mini film and we printed out table cards for all of our 170+ guests. In the digital world, where all of our photography is mostly shared on Google+ and Facebook, it is so refreshing to share our work through a tangible medium. Even though the print quality will never match that of a professional grade printer, it is still something people can spend time holding, examining, and keeping for years to come. Many have commented that these table cards were a unique way of displaying our Disney photography and showing off our personality. To this day, I see these table cards posted on our friends'/family's refrigerators. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SoEelq4xHJ8/VQnJnQg-yRI/AAAAAAAAFEo/EdYBbdZpcWA/s1600/20150221-Dino-Heather-wedding-102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SoEelq4xHJ8/VQnJnQg-yRI/AAAAAAAAFEo/EdYBbdZpcWA/s1600/20150221-Dino-Heather-wedding-102.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A special thank you to Efong Chiu over at EmaginePixel for taking these photos. Pinterest gave us the idea of using a canvas to hang all of our prints (painted by our amazingly talented brother, John Pelico III). We stapled and taped string across and hung them with mini clothes pins (eBay is the best place to get these pins - I got 200 for under $20). A table top easel was used to keep the painted canvas upright.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fuji's contribution to our wedding didn't end there. We asked our usher to take candid photographs with the Fuji Instax 210 camera. This camera should not be mistaken with the mini versions that take the same film packs as the SP-1 Printer, Mini 8 or the hipster-friendly NEO 90. In my opinion, the 210 wide film is a much more favorable format at 9.9cm x 6.2cm than say Polaroid's 7.5cm x 7.5cm. For some reason, I just can't get behind the square format and is the sole reason why I do not use Instagram on a regular basis. Besides being more conducive for portrait, landscape and group shots for my style of photography, the film packs are significantly more affordable than Impossible Project's (a third party manufacturer who is known for making film for Polaroid cameras) and are far less temperamental. I have a hard time recommending Polaroid to people who want to get into instant photography especially after what I had seen on the Tony Northrup YouTube channel. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGktVuKk6eI/VRD9lPek6nI/AAAAAAAAFHk/8acCazbbETs/s1600/DSCF8400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGktVuKk6eI/VRD9lPek6nI/AAAAAAAAFHk/8acCazbbETs/s1600/DSCF8400.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our custom made, Etsy ordered, wedding album dedicated to Fuji Instax products</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Heather and I invested (and I wholeheartedly mean the word invested) in an additional 200 sheets of wide film and boy did it pay off. Our Usher went above and beyond what I had originally intended and spent the entire night documenting the festivities...that is until my father punched the camera out of his hand while dancing with my Mom. Although the camera did not survive the accident, we were able to walk away with over 150 frames and we are incredibly excited to build our wedding album/scrapbook.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjsOy_7E-Fk/VRD-CjPol3I/AAAAAAAAFHs/oGFwlLhxAvI/s1600/DSCF8401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjsOy_7E-Fk/VRD-CjPol3I/AAAAAAAAFHs/oGFwlLhxAvI/s1600/DSCF8401.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opening page to our book. All the photos were developed with the FujiFilm SP-1 Printer. A special thanks to Rachel B. Photography and EmaginePixel for their great contributions to our memories</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKOd-dow7T8/VRD-FVm2CpI/AAAAAAAAFH0/vJJfUAaN7ZE/s1600/DSCF8402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKOd-dow7T8/VRD-FVm2CpI/AAAAAAAAFH0/vJJfUAaN7ZE/s1600/DSCF8402.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wide prints fit perfectly in our album. We used adhesive photo corners, which can be purchased at any arts and crafts store, to adhere the photos to our album.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hulc6A63XWU/VRECOGyZGwI/AAAAAAAAFIA/wQJ0cSbaIps/s1600/DSCF8403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hulc6A63XWU/VRECOGyZGwI/AAAAAAAAFIA/wQJ0cSbaIps/s1600/DSCF8403.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a small sample of our Instax collection. Instead of having our guests sign a guest book, we had them leave us a message on the Instax photo themselves. It makes sifting through these photos a much more enjoyable experience. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">On my main website I have a tagline that states: "A good photo is an investment that doesn't lose interest". In fact, I believe photographs are one of the few things that gain exponentially more personal and sentimental value as time progresses. I may sound a little too adamant, even dogmatic, about printing, but I have come from a place where I almost lost 1 years worth of photographs due to a failed hard drive. Our memories should not live and die on our computer and the Fuji Instax products help me easily and conveniently practice what I preach. To date, no other company is able to scratch my nostalgic film itch at such an affordable price point. After spending thousands of dollars on a wedding, it is so nice to be able to instantly enjoy and reminisce one of the happiest days of my life. My wallet typically follows my heart and at the rate Fuji's going, they will continue to keep me as a loyal customer. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-2652326114682672432015-03-16T23:32:00.000-07:002015-03-17T00:28:23.999-07:00Hiking with the Olympus E-M1 and the 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro Lens - Bridge to Nowhere<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have been a prime lens shooter from the start and to this day I would rather carry two bodies and two primes than carry a zoom lens. Speaking only for myself, I find zooms make me lazy with my composition. Instead of walking back or moving closer to my subject, I tend to use my zoom ring to do the heavy lifting. I can go on and on about my thoughts about zooms vs. primes, but considering my last adventure with my groomsmen and groomsgals, I had no choice but to use my E-M1 and the Olympus Pro Zoom. Why, you ask? It is my only weather sealed combo and I heard from one of my bestmen (that's right I had 2) the possibility of getting wet was extremely high. He was right, I got wet but my camera did not =). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On so many occasions I have thought about selling this lens, but this trip made me realize that this piece of glass is a keeper. What particularly stood out was how sharp this lens is after processing my RAW files through Capture 1 Pro (I would export TIFF files from C1P and import to Lightroom, my preferred editor - more on this in another post). Additionally, I loved how close I could get with some of my shots. You will see below some of the close ups I took while on the Bridge to Nowhere hike - a 10 mile round trip hike out in the San Gabriel Mountains, which I highly recommend to all Southern California residents. At the end of the day, I found this lens/camera combo a pleasure to use. While it may be larger than other m43 gear, not once did I <i>feel</i> the weight even after 6+ hours of walking on stones, tightrope walking across creek logs and scaling mountain ledges. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to keep this post short on words, and heavy on images. I had no real processing style for this set. I merely wanted to test out some the cool VSCO presets I've neglected for the past year and a half. I was leaning towards the Fuji and Polaroid sets. Happy viewing</span> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Vince, our adventure guru and the cousin who is always down to go on an adventure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF59n9HhswEfx9Hr62y4sbHcrTQfyAuNVU4XXVy-CF9IqieAC_AoZPH9ivBGVkEXmCM3Jpi2OA06ablAvetUNxytNaLNLDh8hGJo7-FL4x8kgDC59iDDn44uGoc62CDAc5slAuls5NtcGX/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF59n9HhswEfx9Hr62y4sbHcrTQfyAuNVU4XXVy-CF9IqieAC_AoZPH9ivBGVkEXmCM3Jpi2OA06ablAvetUNxytNaLNLDh8hGJo7-FL4x8kgDC59iDDn44uGoc62CDAc5slAuls5NtcGX/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-4.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The organizer and co-best man </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLgsELZ3W_g/VQfEEjkRuoI/AAAAAAAAFCo/35UPPo7GGNQ/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLgsELZ3W_g/VQfEEjkRuoI/AAAAAAAAFCo/35UPPo7GGNQ/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-7.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I find this to be a great semi-macro lens for its close focusing abilities. Nothing will replace a dedicated macro lens, but that means limiting my photographic options. The 12-40mm is a fantastic all-around lens </td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9Zhby8PIUY/VQfEy6yJXnI/AAAAAAAAFDA/viRa6M1e4T4/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9Zhby8PIUY/VQfEy6yJXnI/AAAAAAAAFDA/viRa6M1e4T4/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-8.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbErPuUter0/VQfAurLU4vI/AAAAAAAAFAo/h4EjCOntJ5o/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbErPuUter0/VQfAurLU4vI/AAAAAAAAFAo/h4EjCOntJ5o/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-12.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I loved most about the hike is feeling like I was getting away from the city. I will most definitely come back to this place. It really is beautiful</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8TBH431WsU/VQfAnSx5pbI/AAAAAAAAFAg/2X-3skmpP68/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8TBH431WsU/VQfAnSx5pbI/AAAAAAAAFAg/2X-3skmpP68/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-13.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_dws1RvahQ/VQfAiK-4HCI/AAAAAAAAFAY/P47P1foUz6Y/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_dws1RvahQ/VQfAiK-4HCI/AAAAAAAAFAY/P47P1foUz6Y/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-18.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The landscape changed dramatically half way through the hike. Although I didn't have a long enough lens, we did see rams on the hillside. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCa6lp2Sjt7uA5bNpvPg9BeRIlfZ6el7REaHb9ENY5BLtG0yEh_kScPb7gewYcd5urA6XZqvjg_1hqucO4WGcNESwj7ilXmeaGPkMkQZrG2nfzlLTw_f38-mrzAQGpL-8CEJEGGMtcUg7/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCa6lp2Sjt7uA5bNpvPg9BeRIlfZ6el7REaHb9ENY5BLtG0yEh_kScPb7gewYcd5urA6XZqvjg_1hqucO4WGcNESwj7ilXmeaGPkMkQZrG2nfzlLTw_f38-mrzAQGpL-8CEJEGGMtcUg7/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-20.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grooms party minus a couple people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FaDf41V0CjQ/VQfBVtP1MJI/AAAAAAAAFA4/ujtwSdC-7Rk/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FaDf41V0CjQ/VQfBVtP1MJI/AAAAAAAAFA4/ujtwSdC-7Rk/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-21.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of the hike you can bungee jump off the bridge...I am too risk averse to jump off a perfectly functioning bridge, but the guy with the flag doing it looked pretty cool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olhjHY2DMRM/VQfBdPLvlMI/AAAAAAAAFBA/yYQq8m2sXis/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olhjHY2DMRM/VQfBdPLvlMI/AAAAAAAAFBA/yYQq8m2sXis/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-22.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a lot of rocks to cushion the fall IF the bungee happens to fail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsTjmb08NJw/VQfBoSOVovI/AAAAAAAAFBI/vHciAVlj3Zw/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsTjmb08NJw/VQfBoSOVovI/AAAAAAAAFBI/vHciAVlj3Zw/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-25.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08DNta-pJYJFeUfqS4TvLY11bO63WdmETB2vmAF5ErBtNjKxv0-S_UawZMFzklwIyz6v5JHB-ieghV6_cBo95blvNCcDXKjgyNMnsz5RsSAPnSJqiWnqD34ux9qgfXx656PHlR5SDvE2H/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08DNta-pJYJFeUfqS4TvLY11bO63WdmETB2vmAF5ErBtNjKxv0-S_UawZMFzklwIyz6v5JHB-ieghV6_cBo95blvNCcDXKjgyNMnsz5RsSAPnSJqiWnqD34ux9qgfXx656PHlR5SDvE2H/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-27.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a new friend. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaFhgtBiscP-8LmMprMo9zQ6F82WceDKozaWPTFP27ht2OURZQb7YAbraB6pIdr01t2RfjGyADcb6DdEdU4dx275DSnERB0c6Qt3oWq5Eo1GtBLawdOWasa4Ef5yCl7kEj_7USyjsdDjY/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaFhgtBiscP-8LmMprMo9zQ6F82WceDKozaWPTFP27ht2OURZQb7YAbraB6pIdr01t2RfjGyADcb6DdEdU4dx275DSnERB0c6Qt3oWq5Eo1GtBLawdOWasa4Ef5yCl7kEj_7USyjsdDjY/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-29.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not perfectly in focus, but it definitely shows how flare resistant the Pro Zoom lens is. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mzI6OCZ_mZLWfBiYP-_EJkVz3Hr7rYXdOPmdtgPmYoGP26sHGkjbl_qxsSWXCad6XVjjiN_kwNyiVnXvgrSs4nBSQypU64_qXWYN4CQwKpzlMr3xOnWa90QPBIm6DoKWckyn3IqbHBpV/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mzI6OCZ_mZLWfBiYP-_EJkVz3Hr7rYXdOPmdtgPmYoGP26sHGkjbl_qxsSWXCad6XVjjiN_kwNyiVnXvgrSs4nBSQypU64_qXWYN4CQwKpzlMr3xOnWa90QPBIm6DoKWckyn3IqbHBpV/s1600/Bachelor+Party-1-31.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fuji VSCO presets have a really nice pop especially in the blue. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-geqzV_wJync/VQfCpXBYJ1I/AAAAAAAAFBo/-Y4-d4MJRl0/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-geqzV_wJync/VQfCpXBYJ1I/AAAAAAAAFBo/-Y4-d4MJRl0/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-33.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2B7h5IfD_a4/VQfCuHWgj1I/AAAAAAAAFB4/Anobo-zAhTE/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2B7h5IfD_a4/VQfCuHWgj1I/AAAAAAAAFB4/Anobo-zAhTE/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-35.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could have gotten closer but....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpU8hi-ZgwU/VQfDTHr0wRI/AAAAAAAAFCI/JnIKuv7KLh0/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpU8hi-ZgwU/VQfDTHr0wRI/AAAAAAAAFCI/JnIKuv7KLh0/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-36.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the riskier parts of the hike. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPrwYdP2PJI/VQfDSd6Q-NI/AAAAAAAAFCA/o0q5-GeVcsQ/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPrwYdP2PJI/VQfDSd6Q-NI/AAAAAAAAFCA/o0q5-GeVcsQ/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-37.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znwunvtsXh0/VQfDeUgQ8QI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/VK3KVHluEeQ/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znwunvtsXh0/VQfDeUgQ8QI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/VK3KVHluEeQ/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-38.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h_LVTeZl_Xk/VQfE4M1Qo5I/AAAAAAAAFDI/5a6HnOYK60s/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h_LVTeZl_Xk/VQfE4M1Qo5I/AAAAAAAAFDI/5a6HnOYK60s/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uL1w630K6F8/VQfDkVtqQbI/AAAAAAAAFCY/SqEPRvzowOA/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uL1w630K6F8/VQfDkVtqQbI/AAAAAAAAFCY/SqEPRvzowOA/s1600/Bachelor%2BParty-1-39.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-89180650689658547732015-03-08T16:08:00.000-07:002015-03-08T16:08:36.297-07:00A Tribute to my Brother, THE Artist<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And....I'm back! Well, sort of. Heather and I are now back to work and trying to come down from our post wedding high. It really has been a tough transition getting back into my groove since there have been a lot of changes going on at work, plus we're being audited (this happens annually). Work on the photography end has been picking up thanks to my buddy Efong over at EmaginePixel - a birthday party last week and a wedding yesterday. I normally would rule out all weddings, but if there is anyone who could get me to be a second, it would be him. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now that we are on the topic of weddings, I have been going back and forth on whether or not I should share our montage even before I saw what my brother had done for us. I struggle on whether or not this would be too personal, self-serving or even boring to anyone reading my blog, considering it <i>is</i> about me and my wife. However, the moment I saw the video I felt nothing but pride and inspiration. I have said it before and I will say it again, I never saw myself as an artist. I say this as not to fish for praise but because I feel I merely capture what is around me - the subject itself is art. My brother, Luigi Aranda, on the other hand is <i>THE</i> artist in the family/team because in my eyes he creates. Like individual brush strokes on a canvas, he put together video clips/music/graphics that is not only meaningful but it also drives the whole gamut of emotions. What he did for us was genuinely a labor of love which we are forever grateful for.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now you must be thinking, how does this all relate to this blog?Well, all the footage he took was taken with either an Olympus OMD E-M1, a Panasonic GM1 or the Panasonic GF3 - mirrorless cameras I rave about all the time. I am incredibly proud of my brother's talents and encourage him to keep it up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For the video please click the link below.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><a href="https://vimeo.com/120135143" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">H&D Wedding Montage Part 1</span></a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><a href="https://vimeo.com/119421213" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">H&D Wedding Montage Part 2</span></a></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-33558969341253995732015-02-19T22:55:00.000-08:002015-02-19T22:55:53.053-08:00Why We've Been So Quiet<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My goal for myself for 2014 and 2015 was to have a blog post once a week. Whether it is a review, a photo essay or an opinion piece, I wanted to keep this blog full of content. However, for the last two weeks, I have "neglected" this site and for good reason...I've been preparing for a wedding and in a couple of days, I will be married to the most beautiful and amazing person I know. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_PrOAK_KyNE/VObT6wpOreI/AAAAAAAAE7o/YBG3AngXyVA/s1600/20140504-Heather-Dino-232-3233045744-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_PrOAK_KyNE/VObT6wpOreI/AAAAAAAAE7o/YBG3AngXyVA/s1600/20140504-Heather-Dino-232-3233045744-O.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photo taken by the great Efong Chiu of EmaginePixel Photography. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Although I've been removed from this blog and might be for the next week, I am incredibly excited to write about a few of my new old lenses I have acquired from eBay, including an amazing China-made focal reducer for my Fuji X-T1. You can expect a blog post about the following pieces of gear in the very near future:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Zhong Yi Lens Turbo II - M42 to Fuji X Mount</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Tokina EL 28mm f/2.8 Lens - M42 Mount</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 - M42 Mount</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 - M42 Mount</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Russian made Helios 44-4 58mm f/2 - M42 Mount</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until then, thanks for stopping by and reading. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So say we all,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dino</div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-37305838371554159792015-02-03T00:22:00.000-08:002015-02-03T00:37:56.527-08:00Raw Converters - Lightroom versus Capture One Pro <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In my constantly evolving mission to see whether I should be a 3 system photographer, I venture into the RAW files produced by my Fuji X-T1. Before I turn this into another one of my reviews, I will say that when I first opened the raw files in Lightroom, I was taken aback by how smudgy some of the details look at 100%. I have heard reports about how Lightroom version 5.4 (and higher) has done a better job with their demosaicing of the Fuji X-Trans RAW files, but to my eyes it was just shy of being great. Now don't get me wrong, I still like the files produced by the X-T1 paired with the 56mm f/1.2, but I want to be sure I get the most out of my files even if it means using a different RAW converter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My initial search for a new converter led me to Iridient Developer. From what I have read online it is one of the best, if not the best converters for Fuji RAW files. The biggest problem - I don't own a Mac computer. ID would have been the perfect tool as it would have integrated with Lightroom seamlessly. As I continued my search, the name Capture One Pro (which I will now refer to as C1P) kept popping up. I figured it wouldn't hurt to try it out since they offer a 30 day free trial. I am only days into my testing and immediately, I can tell you I have found a difference in the amount of detail and sharpness in my files. I generated a TIFF file from C1P and synced the image in Lightroom to do a one to one comparison. Exposure and color aside, it is pretty clear Capture One Pro is the winner - the screen grab will not do it justice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Note: all of the screen grabs below have not been edited. All files are at their default setting. </i></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
FujiFilm RAW X Trans File Comparison</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjN2gjkmoOk/VM8q3zgMOmI/AAAAAAAAE3c/UUVOnsov_Jk/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjN2gjkmoOk/VM8q3zgMOmI/AAAAAAAAE3c/UUVOnsov_Jk/s1600/Capture.PNG" height="330" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">RAW file converted in CP1 on the LEFT and RAW file converted in LR on the RIGHT. Looking at the fur on the top of the squirrel's head it is clear C1P has far more contrast, clarity and detail. I initially thought I had misfocused, but upon viewing the file in C1P it was clear to me that LR was the "problem"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This immediately sparked my interest and made me consider the differences in how LR converts my Sony and Olympus files. The results surprised me because I heard the root of the problem was how Adobe products dealt with this files produced by Fuji's unconventional sensor layout. I won't pretend to know coding and/or the demosaic process, but I could only imagine how the arrangement of the blue, red and green pixels could pose a problem. I found a very interesting blog post by<a href="http://chromasoft.blogspot.com/2012/05/demosaicing-fuji-x-pro1-and-its-x-trans.html" target="_blank"> ChromaSoft</a> that goes into great detail about the topic if you want to read more about it (I can't comment on the accuracy of the article but it is compelling nonetheless). Otherwise, I will just provide samples from both Sony and Olympus RAW files. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDhGuyw249dFKC-AHoxYsoINR3HfwfMxsa0GdVwmbzpqivJ1tuhGCj2Vxv7ZWD8TX9igsUE2iG1iu0O8WUT7oi9YEmyOXpaROi0BoyCVRH2LETpR8KAtjxa1e5QSt2mCcWaBe-n2rdcst/s1600/Bayer-vs-X-Trans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDhGuyw249dFKC-AHoxYsoINR3HfwfMxsa0GdVwmbzpqivJ1tuhGCj2Vxv7ZWD8TX9igsUE2iG1iu0O8WUT7oi9YEmyOXpaROi0BoyCVRH2LETpR8KAtjxa1e5QSt2mCcWaBe-n2rdcst/s1600/Bayer-vs-X-Trans.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Traditional sensor layout vs. Fuji X-Trans</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Sony Alpha A7 RAW File Comparison</h2>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XaY00sFlYyM/VM8rNPJ5aFI/AAAAAAAAE3k/J5LMTXdXtKo/s1600/Capture%2BCLORES.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XaY00sFlYyM/VM8rNPJ5aFI/AAAAAAAAE3k/J5LMTXdXtKo/s1600/Capture%2BCLORES.PNG" height="330" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">RAW file converted in LR on the LEFT and RAW file converted in C1P on the RIGHT. Like the Fuji files, I noticed far more contrast and clarity with </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">C1P</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">'s conversion. The eye shadow and pupil has a lot more punch and the fine details in the skin are more pronounced. Even the rendering of colors are slightly different. From a sharpness standpoint, Capture One Pro is the clear winner </span></td></tr>
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Olympus OMD E-M1 RAW File Comparison</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzydPvBEph8/VNBciTwgKBI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/QZO-7KqEk4U/s1600/Brendan.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzydPvBEph8/VNBciTwgKBI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/QZO-7KqEk4U/s1600/Brendan.PNG" height="329" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">RAW file converted in C1P on the LEFT and RAW file converted in LR on the RIGHT. Given the results I have found with my Sony and Fuji X Trans files, it wasn't a surprise C1P brought out the most detail. In fact, I am inclined to bring down both the Clarity and Contrast sliders in touching up this particular headshot.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OkYkuiPYS4/VNBciWkslLI/AAAAAAAAE4M/L6JJOy75iI4/s1600/Olympus%2BClothing.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OkYkuiPYS4/VNBciWkslLI/AAAAAAAAE4M/L6JJOy75iI4/s1600/Olympus%2BClothing.PNG" height="330" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">RAW file converted in LR on the LEFT and RAW file converted in C1P on the RIGHT. I decided to throw in clothing to show how both are rendered. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Although I am only a few days into testing Capture One Pro, to me it's clear who has the better raw converter. However, in the next three weeks, I will see which software offers the best user experience. At the moment there are a lot of features I like, but there are other aspects that seem a bit backwards or counter intuitive to me. I'll chalk it up to growing pains for now. Expect a report about my one month trial period in the coming weeks. Only then can I truly say if I find the "upgrade" worth the price. Thanks for stopping by. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-26104140775345484902015-01-28T10:15:00.002-08:002015-01-28T10:15:51.930-08:00Flashpoint RoveLight 600 ws Monolight Review - A love-hate relationship<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Not too long ago I had written about my experience
purchasing the <a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2014/09/psa-my-unfortunate-experience-shopping.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Flashpoint RoveLight 600 ws light from Adorama</span></a>. While I still hold the
opinion that I had one of the worst consumer experiences shopping at Adorama
(just save yourself the trouble and shop at B&H), I must say they offer a
product that is highly usable and portable at a very good price point. It is
far from being perfect, but it allows me to take my “studio” practically anywhere I want.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let’s start with the bad. For one you have to go through
Adorama…OK, fine I will stop poking fun at that company, but shortly after I bought the lights, I found out that they do not service any of their equipment. They do offer a two year warranty on their strobes but cannot repair issues that may come up. In fact, this reviewer on YouTube confirmed this (see video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuZBi23VqgE" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></b></a>). I really can't complain because I feel if I get two years of consistent use (and I have used these a lot), then in my mind I will get my money's worth. There's no one else but me to blame for not doing my research and it's the cost of being an early adopter. Let's just hope I don't get burned too badly.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UELhlT9w0us/VJJ21ZIkW3I/AAAAAAAAEis/02IydVNPO5Q/s1600/Tessa-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UELhlT9w0us/VJJ21ZIkW3I/AAAAAAAAEis/02IydVNPO5Q/s1600/Tessa-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample studio shoot with the RoveLight 600ws paired with a 22" beauty dish. Four lights were used, 3 of which are from the Godox line of speedlights. At the bottom of the post you will see how I made it all work</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhXuaT7JYys/VMgoKXJlwDI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/y5Af7SSAWEI/s1600/tessa%2Bhigh-1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhXuaT7JYys/VMgoKXJlwDI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/y5Af7SSAWEI/s1600/tessa%2Bhigh-1-3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another studio variant using only 2 lights - RoveLight with beauty dish as main with a reflector for fill</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The fluctuation in power output is probably the biggest flaw with this unit. At high levels (half power to full power), I find terrible consistency in power output. Just look at the histograms below. The one to the left is the first shot taken at 1/1 power and the one on the right was the second shot taken the moment I heard a beep. The drop in power was significant but not unfixable in post. To avoid this problem, all you have to do is wait a second or two after the beep for the capacitor to fully re-cycle. Unless you are using Profotos, I wouldn’t expect a high level of speed and consistency. In fact, I would have preferred longer re-cycle times to mitigate this issue. However, I did notice at lower powers the power differential isn't so severe. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjmKgasYNKrUebhYgwpRpPo-GXkg9LDdS2P4tDIAKjMbQAD_1jQkp1aGMQvRLo9LjWT2QPPTLERFT6UnHpyIas1NeJTA4shMj6Vx7_xlLGByaesOFWCVheyN7XUEwPB8V6Y_gOHmKoH5Q/s1600/Histogram+1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjmKgasYNKrUebhYgwpRpPo-GXkg9LDdS2P4tDIAKjMbQAD_1jQkp1aGMQvRLo9LjWT2QPPTLERFT6UnHpyIas1NeJTA4shMj6Vx7_xlLGByaesOFWCVheyN7XUEwPB8V6Y_gOHmKoH5Q/s1600/Histogram+1.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3FmhBZEgLq1xb-YSex2Y1Xm03BujGK_rWN0e2R6h1re7IMnFsKP6rQAsk3e5SQP1S-jcRK4DBIhmlAm6-DJZMcC4ASHtMX-zhB-PGOyzHuiFt3OmL1C7Pzc3aFs2ZYqmG03iUvN0fnuJ/s1600/Histogram+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3FmhBZEgLq1xb-YSex2Y1Xm03BujGK_rWN0e2R6h1re7IMnFsKP6rQAsk3e5SQP1S-jcRK4DBIhmlAm6-DJZMcC4ASHtMX-zhB-PGOyzHuiFt3OmL1C7Pzc3aFs2ZYqmG03iUvN0fnuJ/s1600/Histogram+2.PNG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For me the <span style="color: red;"><b>*</b></span>Godox RT-16 trigger system has a perfect balance of functionality, control-ability and value. It goes without saying that there are far more sophisticated systems out there with bells and whistles galore (the Paul C Buff commander trigger comes to mind), but you will not find a reliable trigger like the RT-16 in the $20 to $30 range. The Rove Light trigger is really a step back in some ways. For one it uses these awful watch batteries. WHY? I won't ding Adorama for giving me a dead battery, but boy was it frustrating finding a replacement. I had to go to a specialty battery store to get one and I bought a spare just in case. The next thing that confuses me is the inability to control power levels of multiple Rove Lights with a single trigger. If you happen to own two or more units and want to individually control the power levels, you would need additional triggers set to different channels and a master on your camera hot shoe set to a fire all (Channel 15 will fire all lights regardless of what channel they are on). Flashpoint didn't really think this through. Besides having an integrated battery, half the appeal of this system to me is not having to physically walk to your monolight to adjust the power. This is what you are relegated to IF you choose not to carry multiple triggers (they're not cheap either). If there is a work around to this issue, someone please tell me. Overall, the convenience of this system outweigh its flaws </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>*</b></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="color: red;">Despite being a proprietary unit for the Godox line, you can integrate other non-Godox units by using a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Receiver-Wireless-Trigger-Transceiver-Shutter/dp/B00D11XGB0/ref=sr_1_1/190-8420524-8389410?ie=UTF8&qid=1422467644&sr=8-1&keywords=neewer+cells+II&pebp=1422467650386&peasin=B00D11XGB0#customerReviews" target="_blank">Cells II Trigger</a>. See the bottom of the post for more information on how to integrate the RoveLight with Godox units. </span></i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YlY8ObiGcUs/U1iSGo_Vm3I/AAAAAAAACzc/2K5OYzdKm90/s1600/P4220242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YlY8ObiGcUs/U1iSGo_Vm3I/AAAAAAAACzc/2K5OYzdKm90/s1600/P4220242.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Above are my favorite inexpensive triggers, the RT-16. You can purchase this trigger and receiver for around $20 to $30. The Rove Light spare trigger cost $70. Adorama is out of their mind. I would pay $70 if they ever decide to upgrade the triggers to be more like the ones above, but not definitely not for current design.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My final and minor gripe with the system is the small LCD screen on the back of the unit. Unless you are directly in front of the monolight, I found it difficult to tell what power level and/or setting I was at. It doesn't help that the triggers don't have a display like the RT-16s above.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-1LZqBezno/VJJri0uSvtI/AAAAAAAAEic/29svPowXJoM/s1600/Joyce%2Band%2BAndrew-1-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-1LZqBezno/VJJri0uSvtI/AAAAAAAAEic/29svPowXJoM/s1600/Joyce%2Band%2BAndrew-1-24.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A one light set up. I purposefully placed the family in the shade for the both their sake and the baby. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">While it may seem like I hate these lights, I am actually quite fond of this unit. Like all things in the photography world, there isn't a perfect light. Below is a list of all the things I love about using these monolights:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It is a light weight system - almost as heavy as my DE300 with a battery in it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Feels like a quality product. The mounts feel strong and secure</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Receiver is built into the monolight and the trigger is brand agnostic - it works with my Sony A7, Olympus OMD E-M1 and the Fuji X-T1</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's a very cheap alternative to Profotos. Although
not in the same league, the basic experience, usability and functionality is
there</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Uses bowens s-mount modifiers. Highly compatible with a
lot of modifiers I already own</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Fast recycle times, but see power consistency
issues mentioned above</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">No noticeable changes in color temperature throughout entire range</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Nice even spread of light even with just the
stock reflector</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The modeling light may not be very strong, but it can definitely help during evening shoots. </span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYVcBNGxDYU/VJKB36CJkdI/AAAAAAAAEjI/l_EJlM0_HoI/s1600/Flores%2BEngagement-1-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYVcBNGxDYU/VJKB36CJkdI/AAAAAAAAEjI/l_EJlM0_HoI/s1600/Flores%2BEngagement-1-24.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These lights are perfect for the beach. This shot was taken with just the standard reflector. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The Rove Light has an extremely high convenience factor – more convenient
than using a Godox AD360 or multiple speedlights. With the AD360 I sometimes find the battery pack can swing around awkwardly during adjustment. Combining speedlights can be a bit cumbersome as well. With the Rove Light, you just pop the battery in and mount the unit on a light stand and you're ready to take pictures - no other components are needed besides your light modifier. I think it really says a lot about these lights that I have taken them with me on my last seven assignments. Despite its shortcomings and apparent limitations these lights are simply easy to use and work without a hitch. Not once did I have a miss fire and the battery held up well. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Let's just hope these lights stand the test of time. If I find any other issues, you can bet I will update this blog post. For now, I am pretty happy with this unit despite its limitations. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So say we all,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dino</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Note</b> - To those who have been following my blog for a while now, you may be wondering why I bought these lights considering I am so invested in the Godox/Cheetah ecosystem. All I needed to integrate the Rove Light with my current line of Godox monolights, speedlights and barebulb flash units is a CellsII trigger. I mounted the RoveLight trigger onto the hotshoe slot and I was ready to go. The RT-16 was mounted on my camera and it worked flawlessly. The very first shot in this blog post was taken with four lights and this was how I made it all work together. </i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-20745138888907808622015-01-21T22:21:00.000-08:002015-01-21T22:28:59.309-08:00A evening with the Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 and the Sony Alpha A7<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don't know if it is luck or a depreciating market, but I was able to score the Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 m42 mount lens for approximately $60 on eBay. I wanted to find a decent telephoto prime to take over my second copy of the Olympus OM 135mm lens which has been somewhat of a disappointment to me. It's quite possible I picked up a bad copy but it is the only Olympus OM lens I own that I might just let sit on the shelf. A couple of bids later, I take delivery of a clean, fungus and haze free screw mount lens.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgXHmFqt_2k/VMBSwTHp26I/AAAAAAAAExo/z3VewRd_mIY/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgXHmFqt_2k/VMBSwTHp26I/AAAAAAAAExo/z3VewRd_mIY/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomasina with a bit of vintage flare</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">With our wedding coming up in exactly 4 weeks today, Heather and I decided to take a mini break from all the prep work and go to Disneyland for half the day. I brought my tripod, Sony A7 and a handful of glass, including the Super Takumar, with me on this trip. Luckily for me, Tomorrowland Terrace was featuring Tomasina, a band whose lead singer is colorful, animated and great to photograph. The lighting on this stage was unpredictable, constantly changing and colorful, so I had to ride the ISO wheel on the A7 constantly. Going full manual is always a challenge but a good one nonetheless. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SDI2d3R83jY/VMCUrb48NlI/AAAAAAAAEys/fo5OvGJ49jQ/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SDI2d3R83jY/VMCUrb48NlI/AAAAAAAAEys/fo5OvGJ49jQ/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1-9.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the photos of Tomasina were shot in RAW and processed in Lightroom 5 using some VSCO presets. Among my favorite are, you can guess it, the Fuji VSCO versions</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpSLX6ed8KA/VMBTADvmQ9I/AAAAAAAAExw/N9CkeVneDww/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpSLX6ed8KA/VMBTADvmQ9I/AAAAAAAAExw/N9CkeVneDww/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">For most of these shots, I was working in the high ISO range of 2500 and above. I was pleasantly surprised with how much detail I was able to retain. Having read only a handful of user reports on forums regarding how "amazing" this prime lens is, I was skeptical to say the least. While it's too early to come to any reasonable conclusions, the initial results are rather promising. All of these concert shots are taken at f/2.8, its widest aperture. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdIbHHqwD8c/VMBTAePBzDI/AAAAAAAAEx0/6jcoXa5cmbc/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdIbHHqwD8c/VMBTAePBzDI/AAAAAAAAEx0/6jcoXa5cmbc/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1-4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even with extreme back lighting I was able to recover a ton of detail </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We didn't spend much time in Tomorrowland Terrace and wanted to catch a couple of rides and shows. Towards the end of our trip, as guests decided to vacate the park, Heather graciously and ever so patiently gave me free reign to set up a tripod for some low ISO, small aperture, long exposure shots. I wanted to see how this lens would resolve stopped down and in my opinion did a great job. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxItJ7E7VWM/VMBTrAmUD4I/AAAAAAAAEyQ/rW6iCxSlucE/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxItJ7E7VWM/VMBTrAmUD4I/AAAAAAAAEyQ/rW6iCxSlucE/s1600/Sony%2BA7%2BSMC%2B105%2Bf2.8-1-5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Story Book ride: Monstro from Pinocchio - The Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 at f/5.6</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDUjXfiizwjCqsw-6kI2gT_0mw12E7H7tqcZazlwSyg703J_G7RODiqT-a16cwok0qjylVT0nKe7LDJmJqz-ftmUBdNsqLybc8Eh9RkCGDsPefY6EvYpjjopk8rP3govEkKCfR7INcMU0/s1600/Sony+A7+SMC+105+f2.8-1-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDUjXfiizwjCqsw-6kI2gT_0mw12E7H7tqcZazlwSyg703J_G7RODiqT-a16cwok0qjylVT0nKe7LDJmJqz-ftmUBdNsqLybc8Eh9RkCGDsPefY6EvYpjjopk8rP3govEkKCfR7INcMU0/s1600/Sony+A7+SMC+105+f2.8-1-8.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sword in the Stone in Fantasyland - Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJatKjot_8iXnXaC2CBML-rs-lgP-fFpzYsN4ca1d4wBgwA4SoYHVmlo9TXuTXcFBfJHLkcqZZ76nl61Z4-jd6ulW_KomtyWQxnNditpRCLZjLL_bBKuQa0Oysn3m2NgGjYCDmsgMD-jtE/s1600/Sony+A7+SMC+105+f2.8-1-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJatKjot_8iXnXaC2CBML-rs-lgP-fFpzYsN4ca1d4wBgwA4SoYHVmlo9TXuTXcFBfJHLkcqZZ76nl61Z4-jd6ulW_KomtyWQxnNditpRCLZjLL_bBKuQa0Oysn3m2NgGjYCDmsgMD-jtE/s1600/Sony+A7+SMC+105+f2.8-1-6.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another angle of Excalibur with Sleeping Beauty's Castle in the background. The background compression is what I love most about using these longer lenses. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One thing I found very similar with all of the vintage glass I have used is that they exhibit very similar polygonal shapes as you close down the aperture. For this particular reason, I am quite interested in using a Pentacon prime, commonly known as a bokeh monster for it's 15 aperture blade system, while my Takumar lens only has 6 blades. In the photo below, you will notice even wide open at f/2.8 the bokeh is still showing its less-than-round shape. I know some find it rather distracting, but I personally don't mind it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Overall, I am having a great time using this lens. Unlike the common focal lengths like the 85mm or even the 135mm, I find this lens is neither too short or too long. The moment I slapped this on the A7, I immediately knew I would like the field of view. It is far too early to say whether this lens will have a permanent spot in my gear bag, but the initial results are truly promising. I look forward to spending more time with my new-to-me lens. Thanks for stopping by. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoibEZrhJDz8CdcwMJHfF9es29ChVVVYjb9wtzOke1HbEFY7EO3dttnhdhq0FXDlm6e9g8e9wD0RBGOLftiWVEtGp-hC0kgWLGNpZzTnD3-2YoTJZ8Q_J9hp8cAaLVRRHGTCPS-pj3HDBy/s1600/Sony+A7+SMC+105+f2.8-1-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoibEZrhJDz8CdcwMJHfF9es29ChVVVYjb9wtzOke1HbEFY7EO3dttnhdhq0FXDlm6e9g8e9wD0RBGOLftiWVEtGp-hC0kgWLGNpZzTnD3-2YoTJZ8Q_J9hp8cAaLVRRHGTCPS-pj3HDBy/s1600/Sony+A7+SMC+105+f2.8-1-7.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-34067530390021745932015-01-12T13:32:00.000-08:002015-01-12T13:32:18.235-08:00My 2014 Mirrorless Journey with Panasonic, Olympus, Sony and Fuji<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2014 was without a doubt a very fun year. I was fortunate enough to acquire different mirrorless cameras through trades, which my group of friends like to call "Trade Up Tuesdays", and a bit of luck with great used deals. Although I have been a fan of mirrorless cameras since the beginning, I will be the first to admit that they do not come without limitations. Several times during the year, friends have come to me for camera buying advice. While I am inclined to recommend a m43 camera or some of the newer Sony Alpha crop sensor bodies, I always ask what their budget and their intended use is. If anyone tells me they want to eventually shoot sports, weddings/events or wildlife on a full time basis, then I can't help but recommend a DSLR from Canon or Nikon. For anything else, whether it be street, travel or portraiture work I'm betting my money on mirrorless cameras. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You might be wondering why <u><i>I love</i></u> these mirrorless cameras so much and it really boils down to 4 simple aspects:</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Weight</b> - these cameras are so light weight, you won't mind bringing them anywhere. Even with an additional battery grip and the heaviest lens, these things are feathers compared to their DSLR "equivalent"</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The EVF</b> (Electronic View Finder) - some love it and some hate it. As for me, I simply can't live without it. I would rather see what the sensor is picking up rather than looking through the lens. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Adapting Vintage/Manual Focus Only Glass</b> - I have held the opinion since using the Panasonic GF-1 that mirrorless cameras offer the best user experience for adapting old and new manual lenses. From focus peaking to the fine focusing aids, these cameras have brought new life to what I believe was a niche photographic tool.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Autofocus Accuracy</b> - because the AF system is sensor based, you don't need to worry about back/front focusing or fine tuning each lens, especially fast primes, by doing micro adjustments. It goes without saying that the continuous AF has a long ways to go (I rarely ever use this except for video), but the single AF can be incredibly fast and incredibly accurate.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While most higher end DSLRs are fully capable of covering all types of photographic genres, I personally don't find them enjoyable to use (your mileage will most definitely vary). As for me, I can't live without the aforementioned perks and use each of my mirrorless gear for varying situations. Instead of trying to convince you how these are better or worse than their mirrored brethren, I decided to go the Zack Arias route and explain how each fit in my workflow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Olympus OMD E-M1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Olympus OMD is my main workhorse. On many occasions I have been asked which out of all my cameras I would keep if I could only choose one and my answer is always the OMD E-M1. While it does not have the highest image quality, it does so many things perfectly in my eyes and has the highest usability factor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Len(s)</b>: Olympus 75mm f/1.8, Olympus 12-40mm Pro f/2.8, Panasonic 7-14mm f/4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /><b>Intended Use</b>: Events, Studio Portraits & Headshots, Product Photography, Concert</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Features</b>: The E-M1 has the best single AF out of all the cameras I have used. This camera can lock focus with ease in low light and is the primary reason why this is my preferred camera for events. The face detect is extremely quick/accurate and is the most used feature whenever I do headshots. The high flash sync of 1/320 is incredibly handy if you want to over power ambient light. Ergonomically speaking, the E-M1 in my opinion is one of the best, if not the best, I have ever used. The touch to focus and/or shutter release was perfectly implemented and useful when handing the camera over to others. Need I mention the in body image stabilization and the new tethered shooting function. There's just so much to like about the E-M1 and I have gushed over this camera over several posts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Olympus Pen E-P5</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-Z2gfnMQyM/VKuYAgNy1vI/AAAAAAAAEu0/OJQh0ukXAMU/s1600/P2261803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-Z2gfnMQyM/VKuYAgNy1vI/AAAAAAAAEu0/OJQh0ukXAMU/s1600/P2261803.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Olympus Pen E-P5 was in my gear bag for a little under 6 months. I originally purchased the camera as a back up/secondary body to the OMD. It shared a lot of similar features to the E-M1 like the two control dials, the flash sync speed of 1/320 and 5 axis in-body image stabilization. If there was one thing I think Olympus dropped the ball on it would have to be the fact they did not integrate a rangefinder style EVF. Speaking strictly for myself, I would have sacrificed the pop-up flash for the view finder. Although the E-P5 was traded in to acquire the A7, I remember really enjoying it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Len(s)</b>: Olympus 45mm f/1.8, Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4, Panasonic 20mm f/1.7</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Area of work</b>: Secondary body for Events and Travel </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Features</b>: In many ways the E-P5 is just like the OMD in a smaller package, so I won't repeat myself. I wouldn't use the E-P5 as a my primary body, but as a travel companion it takes the prize. The form factor, size and weight are the selling points for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Panasonic Lumix GX1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">The Panasonic GX1 is a relatively old micro four thirds camera that I acquired through Trade Up Tuesday =). It's interesting to note that this camera sold for a premium when it was announced (I recall approximately $800 - $1,000) and I was able to acquire this body by trading an old, legacy Olympus lens. Not bad if you ask me. This camera is just a breeze to use and is one of my </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">fiancée</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'s favorite cameras to use. Full disclosure, I haven't had much field time with this camera so it's hard to speak to both its strengths and weaknesses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Len(s)</b>: Sigma 30mm f/2.8<b><span style="color: red;">*</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Intended Use</b>: Travel and </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">fiancée</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'s camera</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Favorite Features</b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">: </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Based purely on aesthetics, I love how tiny and pocket-able the body is especially when you pair it with the Panasonic 14mm prime lens. <b><span style="color: red;">*</span></b></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">During our trip to Disneyworld, the GX1 and the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 lens were permanently around Heather's neck and the only lens we've used. Both the E-P5 and the E-M1 will surpass it in features and can easily run circles around this camera, but Heather seems to like the snappy single AF, the intuitive menus and the user friendly operation. If you are on a tight budget and want a good introduction to micro four thirds cameras, you really can't beat the GX1 with its going rate of ~$120 used on Ebay. However, if you are like me and need an electronic view finder, I'd say save up a little more and get the recently discontinued GX7.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Sony Alpha A7</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPutoqaXBG0r9M0YWsWAch1tU-1CdUP_a0YzTlJQQ64PdbQ7ep6Ot0cVvuTLkYZJM5Zcu8pdZw4vNvF3ZbpfLGDhh1iYtMc5RykhQ_8IPkQAvoRbgisCg4eSc8HWytOrKbg5hXR31I7CO0/s1600/Sony+A7-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPutoqaXBG0r9M0YWsWAch1tU-1CdUP_a0YzTlJQQ64PdbQ7ep6Ot0cVvuTLkYZJM5Zcu8pdZw4vNvF3ZbpfLGDhh1iYtMc5RykhQ_8IPkQAvoRbgisCg4eSc8HWytOrKbg5hXR31I7CO0/s1600/Sony+A7-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Sony Alpha A7. The first mirrorless, automatic AF, full frame camera that really shook up the photography world. Quite frankly, Sony is growing to be one of my favorite companies because they are truly willing to take risks. The A7 series, in my eyes, was a shot across the bow of Canon and Nikon's ship. It's not a perfect camera and I'll be the first to criticize it for its weaknesses, but boy does it scream innovation. This was the first camera marketed as an "open source" system, in which its greatest strength is that it can adapt almost any legacy glass. Some may argue this was a ploy to divert attention from the fact it has a limited number of native lenses, but speaking only for myself it has brought new life to my arsenal of vintage gear and I believe has made most of them viable creative and professional tools.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Len(s)</b>: Zeiss FE 55mm f/1.8, FE 70-200mm f/4 G, Olympus OM 24mm f/2.8, Olympus OM 50mm f/1.4 and the Takumar M42 mount 105mm f/2.8</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Intended Use</b>: Product photography, on-location portrait and engagement work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Features</b>: Out of all my mirrorless cameras, I find the Sony A7 does the best job resolving images with adapted legacy glass. I no longer have to think about the crop factor or depth of field equivalence. A 50mm is a 50mm and f/1.4 is f/1.4. By virtue of having a full frame sensor, I enjoy having that shallower depth of field which I find is something my engagement and portrait clients seem to prefer. Comparatively, I find the RAW files have richer colors and far more latitude to recover details from shadows and highlights. I am not surprised it is clinically sharp given its high ranking on DxO's website (11th best sensor to date).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">From an ergonomic standpoint, I am rather fond of the A7 body. Sony's design team evidently created it to be used with the EVF in placing its shutter above the body as opposed to forward the body like the E-M1. Try composing with the back of the screen and you'll find your wrist contorting in a strange fashion to actuate the shutter. But bring it to your eye, it all starts to feel right in my book. Like the E-M1, I customized the A7 so that I can change the ISO, shutter speed, aperture and focus points without taking my eye away from the view finder. This is a huge plus and in some ways slightly better implemented than my venerable OMD with the scroll wheel assigned to ISO. The battery grip is also a welcomed addition when mounting heavier lenses. While the E-M1 has a better feel, I much prefer having two batteries in the vertical grip as opposed to having a battery in both the body and grip. The design feels far more secure and doesn't wiggle like the Olympus HLD-7.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Overall, it's a good first generation full-frame mirrorless camera with a lot of room to improve. The implementation of the in-body 5 axis image stabilization and auto focus improvements in the A7 mark II is an exciting move in the right direction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Fuji X-T1 is a conundrum to me. In many ways it falls perfectly in the middle of the micro four thirds cameras and the Sony Alpha A7. The APSC sensor is larger than my OMD but smaller than the A7. The auto focus in both low and decent light will lock on noticeably faster than Sony's full frame camera, but will not hold a candle to the E-M1. In other ways, the X-T1 offers a far different photographic experience with its retro-modern design that I find difficulty articulating why I enjoy using. This camera ranks incredibly low on the "Need" scale, but quickly shoots up the "Want" and "Fun-to-use" ladder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Len(s)</b>: FujiFilm 56mm f/1.2, Olympus OM 50mm f/1.4 and the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Intended Use</b>: I am still trying to figure out my intended use for having the X-T1, but it is fully capable of doing Product Photography, Portraits, Headshots and possibly Events. With the 56mm lens, it fills my need for an 85mm equivalent prime. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Features</b>: I joined the Fuji camp in November with only two manual lens adapters in my gear bag, the Olympus OM and the Fuji M mount. There aren't enough superlatives in the dictionary to express how fun it was to use manual lenses on this camera. The EVF size/quality and focus aids are simply incredible and are the contributing factors for my raving opinion. Nothing could improve the experience more besides having in body image stabilization but I suspect Fuji will be joining the party soon enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Shortly after purchasing the camera for an incredible price, I found out Fuji would be releasing firmware 3.0 which was touted to be ground breaking and it is. It's difficult to compare the X-T1 with pre 3.0 firmware and post 3.0 because I acquired a native lens for it late in December. With that being said, there are a lot of standout improvements had they not fixed would have driven me mad like the face detect feature. I have read reports that you cannot move focus points if face detect is on - that's just silly and I'm glad it's done away with. However, the real stand out feature for me would have to be the complete silent mode. Being able to take photographs without making an audible sound would have been instrumental during my studio shoot at Chapman University for the final taping of We're Alive. I was told not to take pictures during the actual recording as the mics were sensitive enough to pick up the sound of the shutter. I would have loved taking shots of the actors emoting and really getting into character. Fuji's 56mm f/1.2 lens, while not necessarily loud, makes enough noise auto focusing that it would not have been useful but I always have the option to manually focus or adapt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">From the small amount of time I have had with the body, I am honestly very happy with the experience. Although part of me feels like I am still in the honeymoon stage of the relationship, I am confident my opinion will not change much. Time will certainly tell. </span></div>
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<b>Conclusion</b></div>
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Having been with in the mirrorless world since the Panasanic GF-1, I have seen these cameras evolve dramatically. They are no longer relegated to the my back-up or travel camera status. Whether you are Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji or even Samsung, these companies are producing photographic equipment that are viable professional tools. The DSLR is not dead or anywhere near their deathbed. Canon and Nikon will be the king of the hill for the foreseeable future but even they are aware there is a growing paradigm shift. It would behoove them to adapt, expand or think about ways they join the mirrorless camp before their competition pulls too far away from them. Consumers and professionals alike are seeing the benefits of smaller cameras but some are still clutching to their DSLRs for very good reason. A lot of these emerging companies have been addressing their system limitations, including some of my personal gripes, namely first party support. Hopefully 2015 will be the year where we see partial or full professional support for the working mirrorless photographer. For now I am just excited to see the growth and proliferation of really neat technology. It is an exciting time to be a photographer.<br />
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So say we all,<br />
Dino<br />
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PS - the blog title is a little wink to one of my new favorite websites dedicated to mirrorless cameras. Give Eric Cote a hello over at www.mirrorlessjourney.com</div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-21429265012373637142014-12-31T09:03:00.000-08:002014-12-31T09:03:15.285-08:002014 - A Year in Review<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">88 post in, several hours logged on the computer and another year nearly in the bag. As I reflect about my journey as a student in photography, I can't help but see that the learning never stops. While my thoughts about certain topics, both photography and non-photography related, tend to change on a day to day basis, I find there are certain lessons and words of wisdom imparted on me that I will never forget. I don't consider myself a leader in the industry or even a heavy hitter, so I find it rather difficult to accept that I am in a position to impart sound advice or useful anecdotes to anyone who visits my site. Most of the time, I write blog posts for myself so that I can track my progress as a photographer. I sometimes look back at older posts and cringe at some of the photos I publish, but I keep them there as a reminder of where I have come from. Looking back in 2014, I can't help but feel grateful for all the wonderful friends and family who have influenced me as an aspiring professional and moreover a human being. In today's post, I want to share some of the things that I've learned throughout the year. </span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Client Selection</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Because I am a full time accountant, I find that saying yes to all potential jobs can put a strain not only on myself but on my relationship with my CFO (Chief Fiance Officer). As much as I would like to make photography a full time job, it has to take a backseat to the job that consistently pays the bills. Now the big question is finding a method to determine if a job is worth my time. It's not a perfect science and the metric is different for everyone. Early in the year a friend posted an article about relationships (the title is somewhat vulgar so I am leaving it out on purpose - Click <a href="http://markmanson.net/fuck-yes" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></b></a> if you want to read it), which was inspired by an article written by Derek Sivers entitled <i><a href="http://sivers.org/hellyeah" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">No More Yes. It's Either Hell Yeah or No</span></b></a>. </i>The premise of the article is quite simple. Sivers cautions people/businesses not to over commit and to only say yes to things you are enthused about. Over simplified, maybe. Genius, ABSOLUTELY! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi97NBtqqGZnGhBSlm8UGS342Ze128Bov7gCAsI1daGijbrJ2Q12v91P4WOYkBWbAfEGImeajX1-dCxUGzNtn9H2XA4XpiafKTbxz5ShdyPqHGUdJoVGDF4enNG_GLr68lLFyY-iYpasw/s1600/Zombies+2014-6-3487691058-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi97NBtqqGZnGhBSlm8UGS342Ze128Bov7gCAsI1daGijbrJ2Q12v91P4WOYkBWbAfEGImeajX1-dCxUGzNtn9H2XA4XpiafKTbxz5ShdyPqHGUdJoVGDF4enNG_GLr68lLFyY-iYpasw/s1600/Zombies+2014-6-3487691058-O.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fill your free time with passion projects. This was an impromptu session with a couple of co-workers. Not only was this fun, it also gave me ideas for my next project</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not too long ago, I was asked by a very nice body builder/personal trainer if I wanted to do his portraits. I thought, "Sure, sounds like fun and a good portfolio builder". Little did I know, he wanted to shoot at multiple locations, have several studio sessions and have video work done for little to no money. I hold no resentment towards the guy, I just don't think he understood how much work and time (40+ hours) is needed to accomplish his vision, so I quoted him what I thought was a fair price and didn't hear from him again. While I was initially excited about the job, I was less and less excited about the scope of the work, especially since I don't find videography particularly exciting. This unique situation inspired me to modify Derek Sivers' philosophy and include a payout scale. The adage, time is money, has greater meaning to me now more than ever. Essentially the graph below expresses how much I feel I should be paid based on my level of enthusiasm for a job. Passion projects like the zombie shoot I did several months ago or working with We're Alive fall high on the Heal Yeah scale, so I personally don't care too much about receiving payment. However, weddings fall on the other side of the pay/hell yeah spectrum and it would take a decent rate to have me even consider doing one. Living by the <i>Hell Yeah</i> philosophy has definitely made me a happier photographer and it most definitely shows when I'm working with clients. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UXGxNT6FEzo/VJsFqqVXZRI/AAAAAAAAEnA/Sl3L-zIICy4/s1600/13th%2BFloor%2BPhilisophy.JPG" height="416" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Y axis represents my level of excitement for the blue curve and the amount I care to be paid for the orange curve. This graph is just a reminder to me to aim for client work/projects that make me happy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Power of Kindness</i></b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I will be the first to admit that I am filled with joy whenever I see a reply, message or +1 to a blog post or image I've shared. The +1's and likes are all petty things, but the direct messages have a far greater impact. Not too long ago, someone sent me a simple email stating they enjoyed my site and I somehow influenced their decision to purchase a Fuji Instax Printer. This absolutely made my day. I don't make a single dollar from this blog (I am not sponsored nor do I ever post amazon/photography affiliate links) and knowing that I have somehow helped someone make an informed decision is pretty darn cool. As I visit other photographers' websites I find myself more inclined to leave positive feedback if warranted, or find a way to sandwich constructive criticism with praise (I find myself far less inclined to do this). Because I know the impact of other peoples' words on me, I tend to be a lot more selective with what I say especially when it's so easy to hide in anonymity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Invite People to the Block Party with reckless abandon</i></b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have learned from other bloggers and podcasters alike by doing something long enough, you will encounter people who will disagree with you (which is totally fine with me) and some will even do so in a less than civil manner (this I have a problem with). I once held the opinion that censorship is bad and that people are entitled to a voice. The constantly changing opinion I spoke of earlier applies to this very thought as I have witnessed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law" target="_blank">Godwin's Law</a> and similar behaviors take place on other photographers' sites and forums. I personally have a hard time tolerating it and heavily moderate my blog for uncivil and condescending comments. It is quite freeing and I find more and more of my photography "heroes" exercising this policy (Kirk Tuck comes to mind) and I encourage others to do the same. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to other photographers</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The industry is a highly competitive field. I learned quickly that I need other qualities besides technical skills to make myself an attractive photographer to individuals, couples, families and companies. One of those factors that gives me a competitive advantage does NOT include isolating myself from other photographers. In fact, I find the more I interact with other photographers, the more I learn and evolve as an entrepreneur. I've acquired better shooting technique, I'm exposed to broader creative avenues, I have a sounding board for ideas and a means to troubleshoot problems, my network has exponentially more reach and I am introduced to more jobs. The list can go on, but the biggest take away is you make new friends, some who you even invite to your wedding =).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k5hIFQIqJPE/U0eSwP-MZ_I/AAAAAAAAChQ/WOjxb-Oqlkw/s1600/P4063051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k5hIFQIqJPE/U0eSwP-MZ_I/AAAAAAAAChQ/WOjxb-Oqlkw/s1600/P4063051.jpg" height="400" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a talented make-up artist on your team is important in so many ways.<br />
A big thanks to Ashley for joining our team this year</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't be afraid of extremes</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My last piece of advice for the year is simple. Don't be afraid to go the distance with your work. Whether it means paying for education (my favorite purchase to date has to be the Fro Guide to Flash) or getting friends to help you set up an elaborate on-location shoot with lights, a makeup artist and props, all the hard work will pay off. In my opinion, it's all the little things you do that will separate you from the rest of the photographers who aren't willing to take that extra step. be it small or large. I used to be self-conscious about bringing lightstands and monolights to the beach or a tripod to Disneyland, but the files I review when I get home make me happier that I did. During the moment I may regret over-packing, but not once did I ever regret being a bit over-zealous with planning. In fact, more times than not, I would wish I had done more as opposed to doing less. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzcT9IHuWoI/VKLnaiLjf3I/AAAAAAAAEtE/jEtim18q-Oo/s1600/20140925_090816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzcT9IHuWoI/VKLnaiLjf3I/AAAAAAAAEtE/jEtim18q-Oo/s1600/20140925_090816.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hated lugging this 30+ pound gear bag up and down my complex, but I was always glad I had with me. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, there you have it. As I gently descend from my pulpit and wrap up the lessons I have learned in 2014, I can't help but thank you all for commenting, visiting, liking and sharing what I've been writing for the past year. I appreciate you all tagging along my journey to becoming a better photographer. Here's to a happy and prosperous new year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So say we all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dino </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-19641226788852675562014-12-25T11:49:00.001-08:002014-12-25T11:49:38.805-08:00Happy Holidays<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The 13th Floor Photography team would like to send a special holiday greeting to all friends, family and visitors of the blog. We appreciate the love and support you have shown us throughout the year. Here's to a prosperous and fun-filled new year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So say we all,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The 13th Floor Photography Team</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-59781670975876959442014-12-18T21:58:00.000-08:002014-12-22T09:13:09.667-08:00Fuji X-T1 - Firmware Update 3.0 - Update Tip "New Firmware Not Be Found"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Like many Fuji X-T1 owners, I was very excited to hear that Firmware 3.0 released today. The laundry list of improvements to their flagship camera is truly impressive, but what impresses me more is that they released updates to their older model cameras like the X-Pro 1 which was released in 2012. It's refreshing to see a company not abandon their older line - something Sony should think about especially with their Sony A-Mount cameras. Now more than ever am I itching to pick up a native lens for what seems like a brand new camera to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Upon downloading the firmware file, I noticed I ran into a problem with the upgrading process. I got the message "New Firmware Not Be Found. Turn Off The Camera." I downloaded the files multiple times and even triple checked that I was pulling from the right link. According to Fuji, I need to make sure I upload the firmware file onto a formatted memory card which I did 3 times over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I read from the Fuji site and saw that firmware 3.0 is named "<b><span style="color: lime;">FWUP0005.DAT</span></b>". My computer however was downloading the file under the file name "<b><span style="color: red;">FWUP0005 (1).DAT</span></b>". To avoid the aforementioned problem, simply rename the file and delete any suffix after the 5 and upload to the memory card. This fixed my problem and I was able to update my firmware without a hitch. I have read elsewhere that sometimes the files comes with a prefix so be sure to upload the file with this exact file name - </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: lime;">FWUP0005.DAT</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Update: It has come to my attention from a colorful viewer,
who has recently been moderated, that the suffix issue is a user generated
error. While my download history seems to tell me otherwise, I will keep this
tip live as I find more utility in identifying a problem and offering a
solution, than determining whether or not this was caused by human error. </i></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don't know about you but I can't wait to try out all the new upgrades especially the new feature to print directly to the Fuji SP-1 printer. Just in case you didn't know, here are all the updates as summarized by Dpreview.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">AF (Auto Focus) Area direct selection – Users can select the focus area with the 4-way controller, without pressing the Fn Button.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Function replacement for the AE-L/AF-L buttons – The currently locked AE-L/AF-L button function will now be interchangeable, depending on the user’s preference.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Focus Area size variability during MF (Manual Focus) – Users will be able to change the focus area in Manual mode during One Push AF with the AF-L button.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Macro Mode direct selection – Users will be able to directly turn ON or OFF the Macro function in Auto Focus mode to expand the distance measurement range to the short-distance range. This will be possible without accessing the pop-up menu screen.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Q Menu customization – The update will render the items and layout of the Q Menu, used for quick access of frequently-used items, changeable to the user’s preference.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Video frame rate selection – In addition to the existing 60fps and 30fps selections, 50fps and 25fps, as well as a 24fps selection will become available to users. 50fps and 25fps allow video editing in the PAL region, such as Europe and elsewhere, without converting the frame rate. The 24fps will offer movie-like video capture and play back.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Video manual shooting – Users will be able to select ISO sensitivity prior to shooting videos, as well as adjusting the aperture and shutter speed during video shooting.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Phase Detection AF support for One Push AF – With One Push AF, operated by pressing the AF-L button during manual focusing, the update will enable Phase Detection AF with quicker focusing speeds.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Metering area focus area interlocking – The update will enable users to interlock the AF area position with the metering area when spot metering is selected.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Expansion of the Program Shift setting area – The update will enable the current Program Shift, in which the low-speed side is 1/4 second, to be shifted to a maximum of 4 seconds.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Electronic Shutter – Adds electronic shutter function to original X-T1 Black bodies with a maximum shutter speed of 1/32000 second.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">New “Classic Chrome” Film Simulation – Film simulation that delivers muted tones and deep color reproduction.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Support for INSTAX Share Printer – Photos can be sent directly to the INSTAX Share Printer for instant prints.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Lock Function – Users can lock the camera to prevent unexpected dial and button operations.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">AF+MF Setting – Users can half press the shutter to autofocus, and then make fine adjustments using the manual focus ring.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Three Custom White Balance options – Expands number of white balance users can store.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Expanded EVF/LCD display types in Manual Exposure Mode – Users can now customize the way the image is displayed on the EVF or LCD.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">LCD Brightness and EVF/LCD Adjustment Control – Users can customize display brightness based on environment.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Flash Compensation in Fn Button Setting – Users can now add Flash Compensation to any of the six custom function buttons.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Happy Upgrading,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dino</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-23697208332840160442014-12-12T00:08:00.000-08:002014-12-12T00:08:13.851-08:00Fuji X-T1 Review - Initial Impressions - Week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is my second week with the Fuji X-T1 and after immersing myself with this camera, I felt it warranted a second field report (if you are interested you can read my initial impressions <a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2014/12/fuji-x-t1-review-initial-impression.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). While I have been itching to try a native lens, I unfortunately can't really report much about certain things like focus accuracy, AF speed, image quality and other aspects that come along with the Fuji experience. To date, I am confident in saying this camera yielded the best manual/vintage glass experience to date. Similar to my last post, my intentions with these post is to show what this camera can do with straight out of the camera JPEGs. I did not do any post processing, so you will see all of my exposure mistakes, hits and everything in between. With exception to the Mad T Party photo, all the following shots were taken with the Olympus OM 50mm f/1.4 lens unless otherwise specified. If I can recall what aperture was used, I will make sure to add that EXIF data in the caption below. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4aKtOeF6aAM/VIf0ur0W1QI/AAAAAAAAEbM/asaqJEUfLN8/s1600/24hr%2BHomecare%2B2014%2BWinterparty-1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4aKtOeF6aAM/VIf0ur0W1QI/AAAAAAAAEbM/asaqJEUfLN8/s1600/24hr%2BHomecare%2B2014%2BWinterparty-1-3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shot above was taken with the OM 135mm f/3.5 lens (taken at f/3.5). This was the only image I tried to save in post as far as sharpness goes. I didn't want to touch exposure or recover anything to stay true to my original intention. This lens, on this body just doesn't perform well wide open. In fact this was the best shot I got, which to me is not saying much. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Assuming you have already read my previous post, I will just continue where I left off. The interesting thing about mirrorless cameras is that you can usually hand hold the camera and still change <i>some</i> of the key settings. The Fuji X-T1, despite being so light weight and small it still requires two hands to operate. I find that I cannot confidently hold the camera one-handed and spin the rear or front dial like I can with the A7, Olympus E-P5 or the OMD E-M1. This really isn't a problem rather an observation I had using this atypical (to me) camera. When changing the shutter speed, I find myself holding and supporting the body from the bottom with my left hand and shifting my right hand to pinch the shutter dial with my thumb and pointer finger. If I then need to adjust the ISO dial, my right hand now has to support the camera while my left hand makes the necessary change. The experience becomes a bit disjointed for me and is something to really consider if you care about a seamless and modern shooting experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If there was something that truly annoyed me about the camera, it would be the camera wifi. For the life of me, I cannot consistently get the camera to connect to my LG G3. I think I tried over 20 different times and several different combinations. Sometimes I get it to work and other times my phone tells me it "cannot connect to Fuji". This is really frustrating since I find the wifi integration with the X-T1 quicker and smoother to use than both my A7 and E-M1...when it works. I don't know whether to blame my phone or the camera, but all my other cameras (and even the Fuji SP-1 printer) work perfectly with my G3. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mdk5A3y-nrk/VIf0ucW9MnI/AAAAAAAAEbE/cqWr2jjVzHk/s1600/24hr%2BHomecare%2B2014%2BWinterparty-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mdk5A3y-nrk/VIf0ucW9MnI/AAAAAAAAEbE/cqWr2jjVzHk/s1600/24hr%2BHomecare%2B2014%2BWinterparty-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight out of the camera JPEG with Velvia filter. This setting definitely made the purple sky pop. I believe this was taken at f/2 - ISO 1600.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cL5ygawE_mE/VIf0tyBKESI/AAAAAAAAEbA/OVlaiNgYB-c/s1600/24hr%2BHomecare%2B2014%2BWinterparty-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cL5ygawE_mE/VIf0tyBKESI/AAAAAAAAEbA/OVlaiNgYB-c/s1600/24hr%2BHomecare%2B2014%2BWinterparty-1-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A high ISO sample shot. At 2000 ISO (f/2.8), I was quite impressed with the noise or lack there of at this particular setting. Processed with the B&W Yellow Filter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now that I have talked about what I don't like about the camera, I can now gush over the things that I REALLY like about using the X-T1. It is worth mentioning again that I am in love with the JPEGs I am getting straight out of the camera. This is the first camera I can say that I don't mind shooting JPEGs...IF and only IF you nail the exposure and white balance right off the back. Lucky for me, the EVF helps with nailing the exposure and the auto white balance does a decent job, though I tend to see a magenta cast on skin tones when using certain in-camera filters. If I need to recover details in the shadows or highlights, nothing beats raw. The beauty with the newest version of Lightroom, my photo editing software of choice, is that you can still apply the film simulations by selecting the desired filter in the camera profile section in the develop module. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msVKqMfkBbI/VInjuEVIotI/AAAAAAAAEdE/Uc8dSjLF-8I/s1600/fuji-colors.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msVKqMfkBbI/VInjuEVIotI/AAAAAAAAEdE/Uc8dSjLF-8I/s1600/fuji-colors.png" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Under low light conditions, this camera really does a good job handling noise. While I haven't done anything scientific or performed in-home lab testing, nor do I care to do so, I feel it outperforms the OMD in this department by a small margin. The low light and JPEG performance of this camera paired with an old Olympus lens solidified that I will be investing in native Fuji lenses in the near future. I believe the 56mm f/1.2 will be my next investment. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrcjgzhYha17UENojYEEJJGrLiJ4oA0C4xZqgDJx6W1ve1MkZF565I_5X0de4dCKmlQqXYOM_eWW_irAGFxohXV_ZPK3zAJWCq2FoKB8SDDolWSFiRtGGRuvYPh7DGlhXhsTtcnycZQa0/s1600/DSCF6357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrcjgzhYha17UENojYEEJJGrLiJ4oA0C4xZqgDJx6W1ve1MkZF565I_5X0de4dCKmlQqXYOM_eWW_irAGFxohXV_ZPK3zAJWCq2FoKB8SDDolWSFiRtGGRuvYPh7DGlhXhsTtcnycZQa0/s1600/DSCF6357.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">The Monorail at Disneyland - B&W Yellow Filter taken at f/2.8 - ISO 1000</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The main reason why I wanted to revisit my initial impressions regarding the Fuji X-T1 is because I actually let my co-worker use it during our company holiday lunch outing. While casually taking pictures of our food, I saw him eyeing the camera. Knowing he is a camera buff as well, I handed it over to him and didn't see the Fuji again until the end of the event. The next day he asked me for more information about the camera and the best place to buy one. I decided to take this golden opportunity to ask him about what he liked and didn't like about it. Below is a summary of his initial impressions:</span></div>
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<b><u>Positives</u></b></div>
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<ul>
<li>It had a nice weight to it and felt good in the hands. It was reminiscent to his old film camera, an Olympus OM.</li>
<li>The viewfinder displays the colors accurately and contains a lot of important data. He particularly liked having the histogram in the EVF</li>
<li>I had the camera set to split screen. He really liked having the magnified view on the right side of the EVF. He said it was helpful for nailing the focus</li>
<li>Controls are easy to change (particularly the shutter speed). He liked that he could adjust this parameter without having to remove his eye from the EVF</li>
<li>He was fond of the live view and the idea of what you see is what you get. </li>
<li>The Fuji X-T1 was more responsive than his Canon Rebel T4i. He claims to have noticeable shutter lag with the Rebel.</li>
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It was really interesting to hear his answers especially since he's been praising his Rebel from the day he got it. My co-worker has played around with both my Sony and Olympus cameras and it was the Fuji X-T1 that got him to consider switching to the mirrorless camp. In fact, his only complaint about the camera was battery life, which in my opinion is a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things. I guess it says a lot about how far mirrorless has grown and Fuji's decision to design their cameras around old film bodies. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0LF38z8NeAM/VIf1akkVKwI/AAAAAAAAEbg/yvF2a1d6u9Q/s1600/DSCF6488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0LF38z8NeAM/VIf1akkVKwI/AAAAAAAAEbg/yvF2a1d6u9Q/s1600/DSCF6488.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice lunch with a great co-worker at Playa Provisions over at Marina del Rey, CA. f/2 at ISO 200 - Film Simulation Pro Neg. Hi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd84dTxxNjo/VIf2V0gUjbI/AAAAAAAAEb0/bGdxpIKasNQ/s1600/DSCF6517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd84dTxxNjo/VIf2V0gUjbI/AAAAAAAAEb0/bGdxpIKasNQ/s1600/DSCF6517.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even at f/2.8 (ISO 200) the depth of field can get pretty thin when you get in nice and tight. Playa Provisions' famous Patty Melt - Film Simulation Pro Neg. Hi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xoCdFE9CSA/VIf2UlkWERI/AAAAAAAAEbs/JfZiA24N1qg/s1600/DSCF6519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xoCdFE9CSA/VIf2UlkWERI/AAAAAAAAEbs/JfZiA24N1qg/s1600/DSCF6519.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More food porn for your viewing pleasure - the Lobster Roll lit by some beautiful hard light from the window in front of me - f/2.8 at ISO 200 - Film Simulation Pro Neg. Hi</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After spending a lot of time hand holding most of my shots, I wanted to really see the potential of this sensor under more controlled settings. There's really not much to say because in my opinion the X-T1 delivered. If I can achieve the level of clarity and sharpness with legacy glass, I have very high hopes with Fujinon lenses. The first two red ornaments were taken at f/5.6 (left) and f/2 (right) using the Astia film filter (if memory serves me correctly). The green and purple ornament is another Astia sample shot taken at f/5.6, while the blue and silver ornament was shot with the Velvia filter at f/4. While I don't necessarily like to use the Velvia filter, I think the ultra saturated look can work under certain conditions. These shots were all taken on a tripod at ISO 200 lit only by the Christmas lights from the tree. I would have used ISO 100 but later found out that I can't shoot RAW + JPEG with this setting. This could be troublesome if I ever decide to use strobes during the middle of the day. For these conditions 200 works perfectly well. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gn5vOok_Ac/VIf2dfTNXZI/AAAAAAAAEb8/s_Z8a6hB3Wg/s1600/DSCF6659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gn5vOok_Ac/VIf2dfTNXZI/AAAAAAAAEb8/s_Z8a6hB3Wg/s1600/DSCF6659.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_qp5Zc1S5AA/VIf3ImtvRLI/AAAAAAAAEcc/8oHbzJ6AWBM/s1600/DSCF6664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_qp5Zc1S5AA/VIf3ImtvRLI/AAAAAAAAEcc/8oHbzJ6AWBM/s1600/DSCF6664.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdvHClyeQB4/VIf24PjRtUI/AAAAAAAAEcM/bjXSxb-6Hxw/s1600/DSCF6660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdvHClyeQB4/VIf24PjRtUI/AAAAAAAAEcM/bjXSxb-6Hxw/s1600/DSCF6660.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_Td0gfn7pHp6m2DTiB0UINs_wP6LiSIglzxNtwx6xXmvQ2-zQBHE8Aeb2BBuunyoKfAq_-eh8FhS_BLvu96stMrVuj1FtVPcBfvIwfk0kwyyZUltwqV_UkI6mb1YY3Zv3Sbv0ulYh2ap/s1600/DSCF6663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_Td0gfn7pHp6m2DTiB0UINs_wP6LiSIglzxNtwx6xXmvQ2-zQBHE8Aeb2BBuunyoKfAq_-eh8FhS_BLvu96stMrVuj1FtVPcBfvIwfk0kwyyZUltwqV_UkI6mb1YY3Zv3Sbv0ulYh2ap/s1600/DSCF6663.JPG" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For the last set of shots, I decided to add the Godox/Cheetah V850 into the mix and again it didn't surprise me that it yielded favorable results. I decided to use what I think is a fairly average lens, the Olympus OM 135mm f/3.5. While it is not clinically sharp like the Olympus 75mm for the micro four thirds system, I do like the fact it has a lot of character. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Note</b>: </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">One thing to keep in mind when using flash is to make sure </span><u style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>silent mode is turned off</b></u></i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> or it will not fire a flash or a radio trigger. You find this setting in the main menu under the first wrench icon.</i> </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sYcjgkxd24/VIkzYOOgJkI/AAAAAAAAEcs/gURjPK5HkPs/s1600/DSCF6681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sYcjgkxd24/VIkzYOOgJkI/AAAAAAAAEcs/gURjPK5HkPs/s1600/DSCF6681.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken with the OM 135mm f/3.5 lens @ f/8, ISO 200 - Astia Film Simulation - The Sony A7 and Pentax 50mm f/1.2 was taken with the help of the Godox V850 and an umbrella. I was really happy to capture the star bursts to the left and upper right corner of the A7. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CqqDlShiOo/VIkzYw480zI/AAAAAAAAEc0/mPC-WX1D5x4/s1600/DSCF6682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CqqDlShiOo/VIkzYw480zI/AAAAAAAAEc0/mPC-WX1D5x4/s1600/DSCF6682.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another OM 135mm shot taken @ f/5.6, ISO 200 - Astia Film Simulation. A grip-less A7 and the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Fuji X-T1, simply put, is just a fun camera to use. While it has it quirks like the wifi connectivity or the inability to fire flash in silent mode, the output makes up for it in my opinion. Although I can't definitively say this camera is a keeper until I try it out with native lenses, I have high hopes it will not disappoint. As always, I thank you for stopping by and please let me know if you have any questions about the X-T1. </span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-72189838570924896002014-12-04T09:50:00.000-08:002014-12-04T09:50:11.640-08:00Fuji X-T1 Review - Initial Impression<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJlNlOVLjrcoUMZ-qqYSSeec_aFd_1yvkhcple5IH60qROWCCIVrc6kuuRLzc0tqkjN6DbI1iGV4Y9fKIX8ty48sRBSRnrDahSqQ7L8RnDTJ1PYjbi0DCMJRd3i-f1TANUECw0qav9wqS/s1600/Fuji+XT1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJlNlOVLjrcoUMZ-qqYSSeec_aFd_1yvkhcple5IH60qROWCCIVrc6kuuRLzc0tqkjN6DbI1iGV4Y9fKIX8ty48sRBSRnrDahSqQ7L8RnDTJ1PYjbi0DCMJRd3i-f1TANUECw0qav9wqS/s1600/Fuji+XT1-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Call it Gear Acquisition Syndrome, a deep love for mirrorless cameras or call it a really good deal I couldn't pass up on. I now am an owner of a Fuji X-T1. A friend of mine asked me if I wanted to take his beloved Fuji off his hand as he now is part of the cool kids club - the Leica Owners' Club.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first thing I noticed when holding the camera once again was that it shared a lot of similarities to the Olympus OMD E-M1 in size, weight and body shape, but was significantly different in operation and ergonomics. As a self proclaimed fanboy of the OMD cameras, I can't help but compare the X-T1 to what <i><u>I believe </u></i>is one of the best all-around stills camera out to date. While there's a lot to like about this camera, I do have a short list of things I don't really like (but can live with). </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zyPuVR7ASk/VH69vZ0h8HI/AAAAAAAAEWU/RJAgNliZXQo/s1600/Fuji%2BX-T1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zyPuVR7ASk/VH69vZ0h8HI/AAAAAAAAEWU/RJAgNliZXQo/s1600/Fuji%2BX-T1-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let's start with the buttons. While I absolutely love the shutter release button and function buttons for its tactile "clickiness", I can't understand why the main menu button and d-pad have such a drastically different feel (and not in a good way). I would liken it to the OMD E-M5, which is the only other camera whose buttons I detested for its mushy feeling. The front and rear dials could also use an upgrade. For one, it could be less recessed in the body and a lot more "grippy". If my thumbs are slightest bit sweaty, they easily slip off the dial (the same can be said about the Exposure Compensation and Shutter Speed wheel). All of this together make changing settings without taking my eye away from the EVF somewhat difficult. Right now, that's all I can really complain about since I am using this camera strictly with old manual glass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At the risk of turning this into a full blown review, the following is a very long list of things I like about the camera:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's a sexy camera. I have a thing for vintage styled bodies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It has a nice heft to it. It doesn't feel cheap but it's the least bit heavy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">One of the best EVFs I have ever used. It even trumps my beloved Olympus OMD E-M1</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I cannot reiterate how much I love the shutter release button. It has a defined click to it that I wish my other bodies would use</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">No need for menu diving. All the necessary controls are linked or link-able to a function button and/or a dial. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The JPEGs are actually very impressive. I still believe in the power of raw, but you can get away with shooting JPEG for non-professional work</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Does a great job handling the old lenses in my arsenal. While it cannot touch the Sony A7, it does a lot better resolving images than the OMD E-M1</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The focus assist features are among the best I have used in the mirrorless world. I particularly like the split screen feature. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Live view is very accurate</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">High fun factor</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I decided to take the X-T1 with me every where I went during my Thanksgiving weekend with the intent to shoot, share and not process any of the JPEG files coming out of this camera. Reviewers all over the interwebs have been praising Fuji for its JPEG processing powers and I must say, it passes and exceeds my standards, for whatever that's worth. The following shots are all straight out of the camera with +1 sharpening applied globally. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Shots taken with the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 m mount lens</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>(all shots were taken wide open or close to it)</i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE18qHAoVyfSIyA6BTWtv614-Afw6wF0E31rnsflTPcZrxoaPE_BU4N8gORYVCPqT-tXoq2E4_tS-7iriCN87N7WCSOYAZNKwIaMs-Tgsx4T-7hKxIuzebzlLzDNidGIZn-YmkS_IJSQdt/s1600/DSCF6034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE18qHAoVyfSIyA6BTWtv614-Afw6wF0E31rnsflTPcZrxoaPE_BU4N8gORYVCPqT-tXoq2E4_tS-7iriCN87N7WCSOYAZNKwIaMs-Tgsx4T-7hKxIuzebzlLzDNidGIZn-YmkS_IJSQdt/s1600/DSCF6034.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W with Yellow Filter - Low light test: ISO 3200 @ 1/100 sec</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRlPPyjvL6c/VH7GrJLvboI/AAAAAAAAEWw/ToOnvrnODuI/s1600/DSCF6052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRlPPyjvL6c/VH7GrJLvboI/AAAAAAAAEWw/ToOnvrnODuI/s1600/DSCF6052.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W with Yellow Filter - ISO 200 @1/500 sec</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I45nbv5Hq54/VH7GYnYrcdI/AAAAAAAAEWk/K9uAyZ4oTh0/s1600/DSCF6124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I45nbv5Hq54/VH7GYnYrcdI/AAAAAAAAEWk/K9uAyZ4oTh0/s1600/DSCF6124.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W with Yellow Filter - ISO 200 @1/180 sec</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFVPhA-152I/VH7G2N4bdyI/AAAAAAAAEW8/lqbBU7m9TD8/s1600/DSCF6138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFVPhA-152I/VH7G2N4bdyI/AAAAAAAAEW8/lqbBU7m9TD8/s1600/DSCF6138.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W with Yellow Filter - ISO 200 @1/180 sec</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Shots taken with the Olympus OM 50mm f/1.4</b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(all shots were taken wide open or close to it)</i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHsg6AChXgUjNDnVVddzjYv-A-IuEXF6Dsrpdxombm5Gkd9k8DGWZmldjoBDkh7e5dTkOb05vivLkYEuswcXDUQfPJ160926qMZYkU1P4N3lvtWRD5eQ4FEZjuEMG-6uqxWI60cU1wEn6/s1600/DSCF6178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHsg6AChXgUjNDnVVddzjYv-A-IuEXF6Dsrpdxombm5Gkd9k8DGWZmldjoBDkh7e5dTkOb05vivLkYEuswcXDUQfPJ160926qMZYkU1P4N3lvtWRD5eQ4FEZjuEMG-6uqxWI60cU1wEn6/s1600/DSCF6178.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W with Yellow Filter - ISO 800 @1/80 sec</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXFNcOX3URQ/VH7JR0u_jEI/AAAAAAAAEXI/D5cIB9Fy_MI/s1600/DSCF6182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXFNcOX3URQ/VH7JR0u_jEI/AAAAAAAAEXI/D5cIB9Fy_MI/s1600/DSCF6182.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W with Yellow Filter - ISO 200 @1/1000 sec</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XL6gE7fHWD0/VH7JkMIYwRI/AAAAAAAAEXY/BnAEHK6Dnr8/s1600/DSCF6228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XL6gE7fHWD0/VH7JkMIYwRI/AAAAAAAAEXY/BnAEHK6Dnr8/s1600/DSCF6228.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W with Yellow Filter - ISO 640 @1/60 sec</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sx2fR2QA20w/VIAQEtyWraI/AAAAAAAAEXs/Pb7-vuQP1l0/s1600/DSCF6352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sx2fR2QA20w/VIAQEtyWraI/AAAAAAAAEXs/Pb7-vuQP1l0/s1600/DSCF6352.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W with Yellow Filter - ISO 800 @1/60 sec</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1gBknFkcDdOsHtj82iOeOH-Gu1P76nyWvSXxWP2D1j-Dl3O5EtBmoCTIa6o3gCBMHC17TSsBeAyoi7xQmp7e9WZWbTHghRlK5N7n8AufkwCrn87bFc6mPECQwPNxky28C9zmX1I7vqXW/s1600/DSCF6330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1gBknFkcDdOsHtj82iOeOH-Gu1P76nyWvSXxWP2D1j-Dl3O5EtBmoCTIa6o3gCBMHC17TSsBeAyoi7xQmp7e9WZWbTHghRlK5N7n8AufkwCrn87bFc6mPECQwPNxky28C9zmX1I7vqXW/s1600/DSCF6330.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw this sunset and knew I had to take it in color. Velvia Film Setting - ISO 200 @ 1/125 sec</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While this camera may not be the first one I reach for all the time, I must say I've had a lot of fun using it especially for purely B&W photos. It's not perfect and I could think of a number of things it could improve on (notably the flash sync speed of 1/180th sec). Besides pure curiosity, part of the reason I decided to buy this camera off my friend is because this body with the 56mm f/1.2 is still cheaper than the micro four thirds Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 lens, which both have a very similar field of view. Like all of my gear, you can bet I will have a more extensive review once I have spent more time with the camera and added a native lens to the mix. Next on my agenda is studio work. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what this camera can produce under more controlled settings. I hope you found this helpful and thanks for stopping by.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-78516836665628904372014-11-20T21:58:00.000-08:002014-12-01T00:43:55.767-08:00Mad T Party Hiatus - A Heartfelt Thank You<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I was browsing my Facebook page not too long ago, I found a status update from one of my favorite Alices, Dani Kerry, regarding her last performance at Mad T Party. My initial reaction was shock and sadness, as I thought it was HER last performance, but it turns out that the Mad T Party itself will be having its last show on November 30th. I have had a several days to let this fact sink in and while I hold back that lump in my throat and suppress this comedically over dramatic urge to cry, I can't help but thank Disneyland for creating something truly special in my eyes. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtU2hJivhFY/UYNHSVMC1DI/AAAAAAAAAHo/ioVRzLzHRSs/s1600/PC080503-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtU2hJivhFY/UYNHSVMC1DI/AAAAAAAAAHo/ioVRzLzHRSs/s1600/PC080503-Edit.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Taken on December 8th, 2012 - A day that Heather and I will never forget</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It goes without saying, from a photographic standpoint, Mad T Party has been huge for me. In fact, I associate a lot of who I am as a photographer to this glorious band. I have used it as a place to practice my craft, test out my gear and more importantly, make new friends.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoxGfIF-qoM/UYNGAqq3hcI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/4ZeCM9Q8uQk/s1600/PC080428-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoxGfIF-qoM/UYNGAqq3hcI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/4ZeCM9Q8uQk/s1600/PC080428-Edit.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another shot from that wonderful night. Both this shot and the one above are hanging on our wall</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was December 8th 2012 when I first really fell in love with Mad T Party. I think it was the first day I was able to convince Heather and my cousins to stay at California Adventure to watch all four sets. I still remember the leads: Nathan Shrake was killing it as the Hatter, Jenny Kidd won me with her stage presence and Dan Franklin was summoning his inner Billy Idol as Dormouse (we gave him the nickname, Billy Idol, before we knew his name). This night also happened to be the night they performed their first encore, "Faithfully" by Journey. Combine the energy of the crowd, our love for live music and the sudden realization that I could witness this every time we take a road trip to Disneyland, I was simply ecstatic. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2OB280mwbg/VG7B4xqG1EI/AAAAAAAAEPU/lMqHDTsAk20/s1600/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2B-%2B2014.11.15-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2OB280mwbg/VG7B4xqG1EI/AAAAAAAAEPU/lMqHDTsAk20/s1600/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2B-%2B2014.11.15-3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I took my camera with me this past weekend not knowing it would be one of the last few times I would be photographing these performers for a while. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That same night I jumped on Facebook to "research" the band and ran into a lot of fantastic photos, but the ones that stood out the most in my eyes were the ones taken by Rachel B. Photography. You can bet, I immediately "liked" her page. It took me a while to gather enough courage to message her just to talk about her process (and to compliment her work), as I am a huge nerd about settings and technique. Heck, we even discovered we love the same brand of equipment. Because of this friendship over MTP, I was able to meet other wonderful artists who inspire my work today and I wanted to give a big shout out to the following people:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Rachel B. Photography (and Susie Brogan)</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Joyous King Photography</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ed King Photography ;)</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Brianna Garcia Artist</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Kate C. Photography</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Emily Peterson Photography</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tom Hodges</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Even though the powers that be are removing this show from their lineup (hopefully the rumors are true this is a temporary hiatus), I can't help but feel thankful for all the memories this show has given me and the friendships I have developed through shared admiration. I find it extremely easy to hate change, but it was this same change that brought us from elecTRONica to the wonderful world of Alice In Wonderland. For now I will hold on to faith that Disneyland will replace this show with something truly special because they always do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So Say We All,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dino</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h2YuPNKYg30/VG7D7QPXxaI/AAAAAAAAEPg/fNng7f7f7GQ/s1600/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2B-%2B2014.11.15-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h2YuPNKYg30/VG7D7QPXxaI/AAAAAAAAEPg/fNng7f7f7GQ/s1600/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2B-%2B2014.11.15-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zo4O-FJf5q8/VG7GbStEdGI/AAAAAAAAEPs/qSkYUL9AfgU/s1600/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2B-%2B2014.11.15-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zo4O-FJf5q8/VG7GbStEdGI/AAAAAAAAEPs/qSkYUL9AfgU/s1600/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2B-%2B2014.11.15-1-2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XYT1zDqxQQ/VG7GyLbdC9I/AAAAAAAAEP0/uHM4BxR6U8Q/s1600/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2B-%2B2014.11.15-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XYT1zDqxQQ/VG7GyLbdC9I/AAAAAAAAEP0/uHM4BxR6U8Q/s1600/Mad%2BT%2BParty%2B-%2B2014.11.15-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCHbyB6cZ7VNKETzRNqheaUn_ToaTCjXKtZbZYBdH-OkqgGWksURrLl0cSBLf7YiulBeTCWM0_T-2gzxCX5KTGk-7Nb9QoWVoEEgZSqMeTZZOR3keulNUYI6J4n-P-WgPIS1K_3L9YpTj/s1600/Mad+T+Party+-+2014.11.15-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCHbyB6cZ7VNKETzRNqheaUn_ToaTCjXKtZbZYBdH-OkqgGWksURrLl0cSBLf7YiulBeTCWM0_T-2gzxCX5KTGk-7Nb9QoWVoEEgZSqMeTZZOR3keulNUYI6J4n-P-WgPIS1K_3L9YpTj/s1600/Mad+T+Party+-+2014.11.15-2-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-73175923070850670442014-11-14T09:36:00.000-08:002014-11-14T09:36:27.136-08:00Fuji SP-1 Printer Review - Love at first sight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-heyOlfGlLt0/VGWL81swl6I/AAAAAAAAEM8/Y1Aq_PYieic/s1600/38c3cac622560d747c3e247988264624_Fuji_SP1%2B10film.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-heyOlfGlLt0/VGWL81swl6I/AAAAAAAAEM8/Y1Aq_PYieic/s320/38c3cac622560d747c3e247988264624_Fuji_SP1%2B10film.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's hard to admit it, but I am a hipster photographer. Ever since I played around with my cousin's Fuji Instax camera and saw the documentary about Polaroid instant film called Time Zero, I knew I had to have something like it. I was on the fence for a while about whether I would go with Fuji or Polaroid. While Fuji's NEO Classic 90 is retrotastic, the Polaroid 600 is a true classic. The only thing holding me back was the cost of film, buying <i><u>another</u></i> camera and the questionable output. It wasn't until Fuji announced the SP-1 Instax Printer that I suddenly decided to really give it some thought. Just recently an opportunity presented itself to me where I could trade one of my many paintball guns for this device. Needless to say, I took the offer and immediately fell in love.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ag2evO7x4QE/VGWJ_PINPhI/AAAAAAAAEMw/8xIp8QembUA/s1600/DSC08634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ag2evO7x4QE/VGWJ_PINPhI/AAAAAAAAEMw/8xIp8QembUA/s640/DSC08634.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of the FujiFilm SP-1 with samples of the Mini Instant Film with colored borders</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What makes the SP-1 so special is the fact that it takes the same film as the NEO 90 and can print ANY image that is on your smart phone or tablet (connects via wifi). AMAZING!! Now that most mirrorless cameras can instantly transfer images to any of your smart devices that means you are no longer tied to a separate camera for instant film fun. I know that most people claim that half the appeal of using instant film is that you don't know what you're going to get until it develops, but I personally don't have the money or resources to just hope I get a good shot, especially with the lack of manual controls. With this device, I can sort through all of my shots and only print the ones that are real keepers. The photos that come directly from your camera can even get some TLC from your photo editing app of choice before the printing process (I personally like Snapseed). </span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>TIP: Do not buy the 50 film pack ($41.99 as of 11/13/14) from Amazon or B&H. You are better off buying multiple twin packs (20 sheets of film at $14.99 as of 11/13/14) as it comes out to $0.75 per sheet vs. $0.84 with the 50 pack. Go figure</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are a couple of things you have to realize about this printer. Your shots will not be as sharp, clear or vibrant as the original photo. It will be softer and much more muted, but you have something physical that you can share with your friends and look back years from now. The feeling of sifting through old photographs has a far different effect and emotional impact than looking through photos from your facebook page or your hardrive. I can't articulate what it is that makes it so special, but it is special at least to me. Below are some color shots to compare with the original digital file. I know that taking a photo of a photo is slightly ridiculous, but it gives some perspective of the quality. The hipster in me just loves the vintage feel </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU2oNp_WGrAFt4NK3zsJpqzrSItjSjkZcra_2mmU0LwA3iXpmf1p4OqAnJX1nJVdRBwb_OxRh9WJnLIZSLfICGtXPItdKsJHSGMPVN3H0QO1goxJgzFIgJ1umQ94qfbcAWyymp1jenmgx/s1600/DSC08633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU2oNp_WGrAFt4NK3zsJpqzrSItjSjkZcra_2mmU0LwA3iXpmf1p4OqAnJX1nJVdRBwb_OxRh9WJnLIZSLfICGtXPItdKsJHSGMPVN3H0QO1goxJgzFIgJ1umQ94qfbcAWyymp1jenmgx/s640/DSC08633.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below you will find the original photos. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR6kbvoe-vE/UWT-L4vdrWI/AAAAAAAAABs/gkgKy3yz23o/s1600/P3301519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR6kbvoe-vE/UWT-L4vdrWI/AAAAAAAAABs/gkgKy3yz23o/s640/P3301519.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken with a micro 43 camera - I wanted to test the reds and oranges. It suffers a bit in this tonal range, but I still like it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKwlTJNb9dM/VB4vlY-7fcI/AAAAAAAADpU/UD9P9yyrhD0/s1600/Vintage%2BSpooky%2B-1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKwlTJNb9dM/VB4vlY-7fcI/AAAAAAAADpU/UD9P9yyrhD0/s640/Vintage%2BSpooky%2B-1-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The greens and purples come out pretty well. This is probably my favorite colored print</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tMkcB8uAaAw/VGWTF0kpk_I/AAAAAAAAENU/TJBQXKOInso/s1600/20140830_184927_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tMkcB8uAaAw/VGWTF0kpk_I/AAAAAAAAENU/TJBQXKOInso/s640/20140830_184927_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shot was taken with my LG G3 smart phone. I was impressed with how this came out. Gives me a lot of hope printing shots taken directly from my phone. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Where I think the instax truly shines is with black & white prints. The blacks are much deeper and the whites do not exhibit any form of gradation like I have seen with the the solid colors. In general, I noticed that they come out a bit overexposed, so I would recommend editing your photos and underexposing them by a third to two thirds of a stop. I did a special edit of my Dad below and purposefully darkened the image a bit (I actually like it a bit more this way) and found the printed image came out perfectly.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gab1BLmOs9E/VGWXYFyXnUI/AAAAAAAAENg/yAYu_6tQ3hs/s1600/DSC08632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gab1BLmOs9E/VGWXYFyXnUI/AAAAAAAAENg/yAYu_6tQ3hs/s640/DSC08632.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample shots of the instant film with the white border. I am just loving the B&W prints I am getting from this printer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvQj4o3Be_g/VGWXnqSqgEI/AAAAAAAAENo/-OxgbmFexUw/s1600/Family%2BWedding-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvQj4o3Be_g/VGWXnqSqgEI/AAAAAAAAENo/-OxgbmFexUw/s640/Family%2BWedding-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I darkened this image of my father and found the printer slightly raise the brightness. Something to think about when you decide to print B&W photos.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuLovP304p4/UZO8vJMI-KI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/tsBEwxgc6jM/s1600/P5041920-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuLovP304p4/UZO8vJMI-KI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/tsBEwxgc6jM/s400/P5041920-Edit.jpg" width="263" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4q3l-0MJDc/Ue9eVkptRJI/AAAAAAAAATw/WtoWUiCy5k4/s1600/P7161616-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4q3l-0MJDc/Ue9eVkptRJI/AAAAAAAAATw/WtoWUiCy5k4/s400/P7161616-Edit.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At the end of the day, I am just completely in love with this device. I have always been an advocate of printing photos and the FujiFilm SP-1 helps facilitate this. While it may not produce picture perfect prints, there is most definitely a hispter charm to these little 2"x3.5" instant film photos. I can't recommend this product more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So say we all,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dino </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-87558336295099282502014-11-05T09:18:00.000-08:002014-11-14T15:35:27.557-08:00Thoughts about Full Frame and Micro Four Thirds/Cropped Sensor Cameras <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When I published my post regarding my full frame, <a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2014/10/full-frame-vs-micro-four-thirds-m43.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Sony A7 camera versus the Olympus OMD E-M1</span></b></a> (a cropped sensor, m43 camera), I knew it would gain some traction, but I didn't realize how much of a response it would elicit. Many have been asking me follow up questions like what I prefer and if I could only buy one which one would I get. While the quick answer is the Olympus OMD E-M1, I believe this requires a qualified response since I have been gearing my business towards more studio and portrait work with off camera lighting. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncz8vnX1QUk/VFm6dxvyfrI/AAAAAAAAEFs/lD_R7wOdCys/s1600/Ashley%2BGrey%2BBackground%2B-%2BWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncz8vnX1QUk/VFm6dxvyfrI/AAAAAAAAEFs/lD_R7wOdCys/s1600/Ashley%2BGrey%2BBackground%2B-%2BWeb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A studio headshot taken with the OMD E-M1 - Oly 75mm @ f/5.6</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's get the technical stuff out of the way first. The Olympus OMD and other micro four thirds cameras have a crop factor of 2. Let's assume I am using a Canon 5D Mark II (a full frame camera I had used this past weekend) with a 50mm prime lens. If I decide to mount a Canon lens on my OMD, the field of view will change to ~100mm. The crop factor also applies to the depth of field (not light gathering potential). While you will hear a lot of people saying that the strength of full frame cameras is being able to capture an image with a shallow depth of field, I say the strength of m43 cameras is the fact that it has such a great depth of field. Imagine shooting at f/2 on a m43, that's equal to a depth of field similar to f/4 on a full frame camera. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When shooting groups this extra depth of field truly comes in handy. Not only will I be able to shoot at a lower aperture and still ensure that all people are sharp and in focus, I can as a result bump down my ISO for a cleaner image and/or raise the shutter speed to prevent shutter shock/motion blur. This becomes especially helpful in low light conditions like events and or weddings.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS4Yjb0rtYQ/VFiAhvkEo4I/AAAAAAAAEFY/96ZfHSoCq6U/s1600/Rise-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS4Yjb0rtYQ/VFiAhvkEo4I/AAAAAAAAEFY/96ZfHSoCq6U/s1600/Rise-1.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While not really a group shot, the extra depth of field I got when shooting at f/1.4 with the Panasonic 25mm and OMD really helped bring context to this image. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOTyfNQxPbc/VFiAeIHRM9I/AAAAAAAAEFQ/m1TXq6S4vT8/s1600/PA250021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOTyfNQxPbc/VFiAeIHRM9I/AAAAAAAAEFQ/m1TXq6S4vT8/s1600/PA250021.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is another shot taken from the Rise of the Jack O Lanterns at the Descanso Gardens. Both shots were taken at ISO 800 below 1/30th of a second (hand held).</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whenever I do studio headshots, I prefer to use an f-stop that allows for both eyes being completely tack sharp. On a full frame camera, I find that I need to use a minimum of f/8, but tend use f/10 or f/11 for safety. On my OMD, all I would need to use is f/4 or f/5.6 to achieve the aforementioned requirements. Since aperture exposes for flash, what this essentially means is that I would need less power from my lights to properly expose my subject using a m43 camera than I would with a full frame camera (the higher the f-stop/aperture, the more power I would need). </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anBHhjcefGk/U5Nle97cv7I/AAAAAAAAC20/5Wv0EkBjeaI/s1600/Ben%2B(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anBHhjcefGk/U5Nle97cv7I/AAAAAAAAC20/5Wv0EkBjeaI/s1600/Ben%2B%286%29.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo was taken with Godox lights. Because of the recycle time, I was able to capture this candid moment when my friend, Ben, was interacting with his wife. This is possibly my favorite shot of the day simply for the expression alone. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you've been following my blog for a while, you will know that I am a fan of the Godox speedlights. Unfortunately, the Godox V850s just won't cut it with my A7 (let alone full frame cameras for a similar shot shown above) when consistently firing at high power. While I don't machine gun the shutter, I still consistently hit the overheating zone where the lights just stop firing to prevent permanent damage. I undoubtedly resort to monolights, which are bulkier and require an outlet to power. Like Doug Story, I prefer to be a more nimble photographer. However, if I have to use monolights with m43 gear, I at least don't have to wait as long for the lights to recycle between shots. This helps incredibly when you want to capture those candid laughter shots or those key poses </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EC_MjHcqQmmttcjLW-DXbM_dhC3pFnRsJYE0bHYoKEL2hFXcO0oKWPUmpy9n5ypUY1u5bmFfoYn8RdcLSkCY85AwFqzI120J7GpixiWVjQgyWbRv4GDd0CPVHYE6a0bqiNkhjDIdNkjC/s1600/Kara+San+Diego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EC_MjHcqQmmttcjLW-DXbM_dhC3pFnRsJYE0bHYoKEL2hFXcO0oKWPUmpy9n5ypUY1u5bmFfoYn8RdcLSkCY85AwFqzI120J7GpixiWVjQgyWbRv4GDd0CPVHYE6a0bqiNkhjDIdNkjC/s1600/Kara+San+Diego.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full frame goodness with the Sony A7 and FE 55mm f1.8 - There's something truly amazing about this lens </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While you might think I'm hating on all full frame cameras and my new Sony A7, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Full frame cameras have their place in my gear bag especially for on-location portrait work or engagement photography. This is why I wanted to qualify my response, but the truth is I reach for my E-M1 9 times out of 10 whenever I do work in the studio. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VtUsfnCbBo/VFh60QhqnOI/AAAAAAAAEFA/w7OY9HUyt-Y/s1600/Amanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VtUsfnCbBo/VFh60QhqnOI/AAAAAAAAEFA/w7OY9HUyt-Y/s1600/Amanda.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recently taken with my new Zeiss 55mm lens - this glass is truly wonderful. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So say we all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dino</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">PS: I had mentioned earlier that I was using a Canon 5D Mark II. In a previous post I did a review comparing it with the Olympus OMD E-M1(See review <b><a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2014/07/canon-5d-mark-ii-vs-olympus-omd-e-m1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a></b>). While I love the fact that it easily tethers to the Lightroom, which all of my mirrorless gear cannot easily do, my opinion about that camera still has not changed. In fact, my hand started to really cramp up after 3 hours handling it while working a photo booth. I also couldn't help but notice how dark the view finder was with the Canon 24-105 f/4 L Lens. According to the owner, it is a problem that only occurs when using that particular lens. At the end of the day, I couldn't help but miss an Electronic View Finder and the weight of my Sony A7/E-M1.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187899532830718174.post-75059237985886473202014-10-27T20:29:00.000-07:002014-11-06T09:21:59.990-08:00Full Frame vs. Micro Four Thirds (m43): Sony A7 vs. the Olympus OMD E-M1<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The mirrorless world is full of options and I am happy that it is progressing as quickly as it has. I have been fortunate enough to own both a mirrorless full frame camera from the Sony A7 series and what is arguably the best micro four thirds camera out in the market today, the Olympus OMD E-M1. I wanted to challenge all of my fellow mirrorless shooters to see if they can tell the difference from the two cameras under controlled, studio settings. I will post which camera I used in a couple of days. <br /><br />I think immediately you will notice the difference in skin tones. I purposefully picked these two wonderful ladies as they share a very similar color (I even posed them similarly). In processing the shots, I made sure to use a similar white balance and hue to demonstrate the rendering of both the Olympus OMD and the Sony A7 files. I will let you decide which you like best, but to my eyes it is hard to tell which is which especially when you have good light. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDffzgJMxTw/VE8FcbLCaII/AAAAAAAAD_I/4sq42fWY_EQ/s1600/Ashley-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDffzgJMxTw/VE8FcbLCaII/AAAAAAAAD_I/4sq42fWY_EQ/s1600/Ashley-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq4epJddIoQ/VE8FrNi04ZI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/prUdeJStG4s/s1600/Samantha%2B-%2BWeb%2BVersion-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq4epJddIoQ/VE8FrNi04ZI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/prUdeJStG4s/s1600/Samantha%2B-%2BWeb%2BVersion-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Notes about the shoot:</b></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I paired the OMD E-M1 with the 75mm f1.8 </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">@ f/5.6, ISO 100 (Low)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I paired the Sony A7 with the FE 70-200mm f/4 G Zoom lens. It was shot at f/10, ISO 100.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Both were processed in Lightroom</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Flashpoint RoveLight 600WS as Key</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2014/04/godox-de300-neewer-ds300-monolight.html" target="_blank">Neewer DS 300</a> for fill </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2014/02/godox-ving-v850-and-godox-ad-360.html" target="_blank">Cheetahstand Cl-360</a> (Godox AD-360) background light</span></li>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At the end of the day, I think we all can agree that mirrorless cameras, in its current state, is in a good place and it's only getting better. I am glad I dove head first into this world and would love to hear your thoughts. Remember to come back in a few days for the results =).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Update 10/28/2014</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I polled people from Facebook and Google+ receiving the following results:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">54% believe the 1st photo was taken with the OMD E-M1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">46% believe the 1st photo was taken with the Sony A7 (please note the A7, NOT the A7r/s was used)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Answer: The first photo was taken with the OMD E-M1 and the second with the Sony A7</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Update 10/28/2014</i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></b>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here are my follow up thoughts on full frame vs. m43: <a href="http://13thfloorphotography.blogspot.com/2014/11/thoughts-about-full-frame-and-micro.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Read More</span></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So say we all,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dino</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08892310527847203692noreply@blogger.com0