Posted: October 14th, 2010 | Author: Linh Pham | No Comments »
About four months ago, I posted that I would change my focus from purchasing more lenses to focusing on getting better supporting equipment for my camera and lenses. I have spent the last several weeks narrowing my tripod and ballhead options down to a select few.
For the tripod, it really came down to several Gitzo Systematic models, since I wanted a tripod that can be set up with or without a column. Out of the various Systematic models, I opted to go for the GT3531S due to the combination of relatively light weight (about 800 grams less than my current tripod), optional column and collapsed/extended dimensions. A $40 mail-in rebate also helps deaden the blow to my wallet. I hope to pick up the tripod in the next couple of days.
For the ballhead and clamp, I had been considering various models by Kirk, Acratech and Really Right Stuff, in which all would take Arca-Swiss compatible plates (versus proprietary plates, as used by some ballhead/clamp manufacturers). After fiddling around with a couple of Acratech ballheads, I wasn’t really impressed with the overall tension controls or ergonomics. At the end of the day, it came down to the Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead with either the quick release or knob release clamp. While the knob release clamp provides more control and would be compatible with more Acra-Swiss style plates, the knob would badly interfere with any tilt-shift lens that I would want to purchase. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: September 29th, 2010 | Author: Linh Pham | No Comments »
In a previous blog post, I mentioned that I was done with buying lenses and will start focusing on the supporting equipment. Well, the all too common feeling of lens lust has taken hold of me and I’m starting to ogle over a lens that is made for taking architectural and landscape photos: a tilt-shift lens.
A tilt-shift lens allows a photographer to not only change the depth of field and focus area, but also correct for converging lines. Instead of trying to mangle the purpose of tilting and shifting, there are two informative articles on the topic (perspective control and depth of field). The tilt-shift lens that I have been thinking about is Nikon’s 24mm f/3.5D PC-E (which has two macro relatives, a 45mm f/2.8D PC-E and an 85mm f/2.8D PC-E). Due to the complex mechanics, specific purpose and low volume, the lens is quite expensive.
Before I decide to pick up the lens, I still need to get a better ball head for my tripod, as well as an L-bracket so that I can mount the camera in either portrait or landscape without having to re-frame. While my tripod isn’t great, it will still provide me with a pretty sturdy platform for framing and (manually) focusing in on to my target. I also have a cable release and a mirror-up function to reduce the amount of camera shake when I’m ready to take a picture.
Posted: June 17th, 2010 | Author: Linh Pham | No Comments »
Posted: February 20th, 2010 | Author: Linh Pham | No Comments »
For a while now, I have published some of my photos up on Picasa and have been relatively happy with how it presents albums and photos. The workflow that I went through to upload photos to Picasa included exporting pictures through ViewNX to a separate folder, Picasa would index the photos, then I would create and upload albums. I didn’t new any other features of Picasa and decided to look for other publishing options.
Recently, Digital Photography Review announced a new section to their site: user galleries. After looking at the user interface and the features available, I decided to switch their gallery service for all new photos and albums. In doing this, it helps simplify the upload, sorting and tagging process. For the time being, there is no way to add comments to photos or albums. I hope that this feature is added in the future, either for free or paid accounts.
The new photos and albums can be viewed by going to: Photo Albums (dpreview).
Posted: February 15th, 2010 | Author: Linh Pham | No Comments »
As mentioned in my last blog post, I have taken a step into the world of manual focus lenses (not only for cost, but also for the capability of both lenses). I have taken it a step further and picked up a Lensbaby Composer for my D300.
I have always been fascinated with macro and architectural photography, even more so by pictures with unique exposures and compositions that focused on only the subject. Of those photos, some were taken with various Lensbaby lenses and optics… so when the opportunity arose, I decided to order the Composer and the Lensbaby Accessory Kit. The Accessory Kit includes a macro kit, a telephoto/wide-angle kit.
I am currently learning how to use the lens and will hopefully have some fruitful pictures that I’ll post online. I will hopefully be able to get the Soft Focus Optic and the Lensbaby Optic Kit, once I am comfortable with the Composer.
Posted: January 30th, 2010 | Author: Linh Pham | No Comments »
When I entered the world of digital photography, I started with a Nikon AF-S 18-200mm DX VR lens and a D300 body. Over the course of a year, I’ve expanded my lens collection to include several more Nikon lenses (AF-S 50mm f/1.4G, AF-S 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro, AF-S 70-300mm VR, AF-S 35mm f/1.8 DX and an AF 85mm f/1.8) and a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. I also ended up selling the 18-200mm lens, as I decided that I liked the quality, size and simplicity of prime lenses. Read the rest of this entry »
with deployable metal legs. The monopod works quite well with my 
(and that’s the shortened version of its official name) or when I don’t want to lug around my tripod and ballhead. As far as my current tripod and ballhead, I have a 
tripod and a 
ballhead.
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