Cool Gadgets

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Lightsphere: Cool Gadget Of The Week

Published

on September 22, 2008

. 5 Comments

For this weeks CPPOTW I want to talk about something really simple and useful. Many of us photographers use hotshoe flashes for light on the go. I use a Canon 580EX myself and though it’s a great flash, the light is still really harsh. The Lightsphere is quite simply a diffuser for that harsh light. It helps me have control.

The Lighsphere is made by Gary Fong. I’ve never met him personally, but a lot of you know of him. I’ve tried more than one diffuser, and the Lightsphere (often called a Fong Dong) has worked the best. Many photographer will vouch for this, and I’m no exception.

It’s simple and straight forward. Put it on your flash, and get better light. It’s kinda like a tiny softbox for your flash. The bottom line it that it works really good. You can pick up a Lightsphere for around fifty bucks. I use the clear version myself, but their both good. I can light pretty big area with just a single on camera flash using this simple tool.

Gary also has a new diffuser called the Whale Tale. It looks good as well, though I have not tried it yet. When I get my hands on one and have an option I’ll let you know.

Check out the Lightsphere here…

CPPOTW - Remote Cable Release For Your Camera. You need one!

Published

prophotoshow

on September 3, 2008

in Cool Gadgets, Gavin Seim and Review

. 0 Comments

This weeks Cool Photo Product(s) Of The Week

This weeks gadget comes in various types, but you’ll find plenty of links to various options. The bottom line is that you should ABSOLUTELY have a cable release in your bag.

The release is basically a button that connects to your camera (occasionally wireless, but usually wired) that allows you to trip the shutter, and often allows you to lock it open (using Bulb mode on the camera) for long exposures. It’s also important for long exposures as you don’t have to “touch” the camera.

The lock button is invaluable for night images and if you’ve never done long exposure night photography, you owe it to yourself to try it. It’s pretty amazing what can come out of a camera after a multi-minute exposure. I’ve shot exposures to over 60 minutes with some neat results.
The release is also perfect for the portrait, commercial, or any other type of photographer; allowing you to set the camera on a pod, and shoot without leaning over it. Great for shooting while interacting a subject.

Last but not least I almost always use a release for shooting my HDR sequences because again I don’t have to touch (and thus shake) the camera. So now that you know you want one, here a few options…

Canon RS-80N3: Is what I use. It’s fits most newer Canons, has a lock, and works great. Runs about 50- on B&H

Canon TC-80N3: Is the big brother to the RS80. It runs close to 150- but offer a digital screen with a timer, This is perfect is you plan on a lot of long exposures.

Nikon MC30: This is for most of the Nikon line N90-D3 range. Again at about 50- it’s simple but effective.

Nikon MC36: This is the big brother on the Nikon side. Display, timer, and other cool functions for about 130- Again a good choice to the person who does a lot of long exposures.

Now there’s other models available, some from third parties as well, and also if you shoot other camera brands. Just search around. This is one piece if kit you should not be without.

Gavin Seim

CPPOTW - The Tamrac Modular Acessory Belt

Published

prophotoshow

on August 20, 2008

in Cool Gadgets, Gavin Seim and Review

. 5 Comments

~ Cool Photo Product Of The Week ~

I‘ve mentioned this before, but I wanted to officially make it CPPOTW. The Tamrac Modular Accessory Belt is something that is not standard equipment on a shoot, and if I’m without it I feel a bit naked.

It’s a simple adjustable empty belt. You buy only the pouches you want (Tamrac’s modular Accessory system) and clip them onto the belt. The pouches are tough, padded, and zippered, keeping things safe inside.

When I shoot weddings (or just about anything else) I have this belt, loaded with my lenses, extra cards, cords etc. There’s a broad range of pouches you can add, including one big enough to hold those 70-200 2.8 lenses many of us have.

You can get the Modular Accessory Belt for around 30 bucks on Amazon, and The Pouches are 7-15 apiece. You’ll probably be in about 100 when all said, but having your gear handy and safe is so worth it. I love this product, and I’ve been using it for over a year now.

Gavin Seim

Pro Photo Roundtable #9 DRM, Rant, Geotag (PPS #49)

Published

prophotoshow

on August 14, 2008

in Cool Gadgets, Dennis Zerwas, Gavin Seim, News, Nikon, Podcasts and ProPhotoShow

. 10 Comments

<<Click To Listen - Photography Roundtable #9 PPS#49

Rate/Subscribe in itunes, or Vote on Podcast Alley

Todays Panel…
Michael Anderson ~ Anderson Photography - Craft You Sucess
Gavin Seim ~ Seim Photography - Effects & Presets
Josh Weisberg ~ Microsoft Rich Media Group
Kadie Pangburn ~ Pangburn Photography
Dennis Zerwas ~ DZ Photography
Mark Parker ~ MarksBrides

Note: We had a few levels problems this week. We’ve reworked the audio & updated the file. Sorry for the imperfection. Should be fixed next time… Gav

Show notes…
Episode Forum Discussion

Notable Time Index’s
Microsoft 2:53-21:30
Lightroom 2.0 22:02
Legal Stuff & Contracts 44:15
Lucas Art & DRM 57:00
After Show 2:12:24

____

Podcast Listeners can Save
15% from OnOne software with promo code PRPHTPC
20% on Seim Effects this week with promo code PODCAST

Microsoft Pro Photo tools for geotagging photo’s. It’s free, but no mac version. Mac� user can buy expression media pro and get similar features. The iFi wireless card can also use WiFi for tagging. Microsoft also has PhotoSynth

Lenovo and Microsoft team up for the W700 photographers laptop. It has a built in Wacom tablet.

NILMDTS topic got a lot of response last show. People really supported them.

Photographic is one alternative to WPJA. (their site is now as of this writing)

Lucas Art Pro is out. It’ll cost you nearly 600- bucks though, Yikes!

Online event image hosting and sales… Pictage vs Exposure Manager vs Collages vs Photocart Photocart is something you buy, and then pay no fees. The others charge a continual fee. PhotoReflect was also recommended on the forums.

Michael will be on the Craft Your Success Canadian tour this fall.

Gavin wrote an article about using WordPress for you entire site.

Picks of the week.

Mark:
Think Tank Photo Steroid Belt
Show It transformer For Show It Web shows. It converts shows to pro show gold format

Katie:
Totally Rad Actions REVENGE

DZ:
Start Up Biz cast podcast. A good podcast about business

Michael:
Seim Effects Creative Essentials actions
ShowIt Sites from David Jay. A great way to get a noce website.

Gavin:
From Camera to Print will help you learn about printing photo’s and getting great results…

Cool Product Of The Week. Kenko Extension Tubes!

Published

prophotoshow

on August 9, 2008

in Canon, Cool Gadgets, Gavin Seim, Nikon, ProPhotoShow and Review

. 0 Comments

Extension tubes allow you to put a spacer between your lens and your body this giving you a close macro focus distance.

Canon sells these, but there a bit pricey, so I decided to try the Kenko brand. They work great! You still maintain the contacts with the lens so you have all the metering and AF (though manual focus generally works better when your shooting a macro). You aren’t adding any glass in between, so image quality stays good, and the tube attached just like a lens.

Now if your really into macro a dedicated lens would doubtless be better, but these tubes are pretty cool. I just stick a 25mm tube on my lens, and I’m off to the races! I find my 24mm works best on the 50mm range lens.Wider angels don;t seem to like the tube, but I think the 12mm might work better for those.

You can the the whole set of 3 for Canon, or Nikon off Amazon for about 160- bucks (as of writing) Or you can just get one tube and see what you think. If your getting one I’d say start with the 12mm, or 24mm for Canon or Nikon

Here’s a shot I took this morning with a 24mm tube on my Canon 50mm. I’ve always thought macro was cool, this is a great way to play with it and get great results..

Gavin Seim

New Photoshop Effects. Creative Essentials

Published

prophotoshow

on July 21, 2008

in Cool Gadgets, Gavin Seim, Photoshop, Software and Videos

. 0 Comments

Check Em Out

Yep even we do a little shameless self promotion occasionally. Gotta keep the goods coming! Our sister site Seim Effects has just launched a brand new set of Photoshop actions. This is a collection if effects geared towards the everyday needs of nearly any photographer. S.E already has lots of amazing photographers already using their effects and workflow. You won’t be disappointed*

There’s a detailed video showing them in “Action” over on Seim Effects. There’s also a launch sale over there. PPS readers can save 15% off this set, and any of actions or Lightroom Presets on S.E for a very limited time. Just use promo code “PPSS”