Gear Review
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Canon PIXMA Pro 10 REVIEW
I used to think I’d never own an inkjet printer for printing my photos, believing that a solution for the home would never match a “real” lab print. Well, I can honestly say that I’ve had a bit of a change of heart recently with my introduction to the Canon Pixma Pro 10 inkjet printer.
When Canon asked me if I would like to review the Pixma Pro 10, I agreed, as long as they sent me enough ink and paper to properly run some real world tests. I was always under the impression that the ink was way too expensive and the added cost of purchasing paper made it an easy option to order my prints online. Despite my newfound respect for some at-home printing solutions, inkjet printers aren’t perfect, and I will break down their pros and cons in this full in-depth review.
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BlackRapid Yeti Review
As some of you may know my first introduction to the BlackRapid Strap was that I did not understand it. After using one and getting an education on how to properly use it I have not done a shoot with out it in almost three years.
In this review I take a look at the BlackRapid Yeti double strap. If you are asking yourself if there is already a double strap you would be correct. But there is a difference, the Yeti is not replacing the orignal double strap as it does not serve the same function. The Yeti does not go over both shoulders but simply is worn just like a regular BlackRapid and it ads a second place to attach a camera.
There are some differences in the strap where the front and back of the strap curve opposite directions allowing it to better stay secured to your shoulder. There is also a rubber mesh material on the bottom of the strap that will also help the strap from sliding around on your shoulder. I like this option but I tend to like the rubber nipple options more myself.
Fuji X100s Review
As much as I loved my Fuji X100, the X100s is that much better and is quite possibly the best camera I own. Fast, responsive, amazing color, tack sharp, great handling, spectacular low-light capabilities, flash sync to 1/4000 sec, all in one amazing little package. As most of you know, I’ve been an X100 fanboy for some time. It’s been my go-to camera for everything from portraits, to streetshots and a lot in between. It was always with me and now it’s been replaced! As great as the X100 was, the X100s is just that much better. Every gripe that I had with the X100 has been addressed with the X100s. It’s nimble and quick. Okay, not Nikon DSLR quick, but so much quicker and more responsive. The focus is fast and tack sharp. This was a huge problem with the X100. Many people were turned off with the slow and quirky focus, but Fuji nailed it with the X100s. Close focusing. I can now focus within 18 inches of my subject!!! This may be the single best feature of the camera for me! The X100 was cool for portraits – so long as you were at it’s minimum focus distance of 2.6 feet. Not quite ideal for portraits with a fixed 35mm equivalent lens.
Feisol Tripod and Ballhead Unboxing
One of the most essential pieces of gear for every photographer is a tripod. There are so many different choices out there and many of these choices are based on what you shoot and where you shoot. I do a lot of location work and travel with my gear, so for me, it’s important that my tripod be lightweight, yet sturdy. Also, I’m 6’1″ and need a tripod with good height. I want the legs on the tripod to be extended to a height that meets or exceeds my height with the camera attached and don’t want to rely on the center column for that additional height, I want to use the legs for stability.
Belive it of not, up until now, I never really made the “investment” into a proper tripod system. I have a decent pistol grip head and carbon fiber legs, but they’re decent at best and were just not cutting it, so I finally decided to bite the bullet and make the investment. I looked at a ton of brands, but my buddy Peter Hurley couldn’t stop saying great things about Feisol, so I checked them out and wow, am I glad I did.
I ended up getting the Feisol Elite Tripod CT-3472LV, which is a carbon fiber tripod that has a self-leveling center column. I paired that with the Feisol Ball Head CB-50DC which also is carbon fiber and seems ideally suited for the tripod. I actually even reached out to Feisol to consult them about my decision and they were so helpful and responsive.
I have relationships with the companies that make most of my gear and feel this is very important as a professional photographer. I want to deal with a company that not only makes good product, but is also responsive and supportive of their core customers.
I’m not sponsored by Feisol, so I have nothing to gain by promoting their product, however I really believe in their product and company and wanted to share my thoughts with you guys. Buying a tripod is a long-time investment. A good tripod system will last for years, hopefully decades, so buy right the first time. And remember that the tripod is holding your precious camera equipment, so definitely not worth skimping on a tripod if you value your gear.
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GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition Review
Everyone knows that GoPro is the go to camera for capturing action. They got that way with a great product and even better marketing. Everywhere you turn when it comes to action sports and tv shows you see a GoPro.
The Hero 3 Black Edition is the latest and top of the line action camera that GoPro offers. This is personally my first GoPro purchase and I can say I am very happy with what it allows me to do. I use the GoPro slightly different then those guys crashing down mountains and even filed complaints that I am using it wrong.
I like using it as the first person shooter camera on my D4 as well as using it to record the RAWtalk conversations. See, there is no right or wrong way to use the GoPro, its a camera that has so many different ways you can use it. From controlling and previewing the footage wirelessly using the GoPro app to swimming with it in the ocean. The posibilites are pretty much endless.
As with any product there are things I like and a few things that leave you scratching your head. In the video above you will get to hear my full on review.
I will tell you that I fully recommend the top of the line gopro for anyone who is interested in its amazing features. But I can not stress enough, if you are not a video editor or you do not know a video editor you may be a little upset with the results. In my opinion the footage you capture is only as good as the editor who is cutting it. Without editing, your footage is nothing more then a couple of action scenes with a ton of not so useful footage.
Edited GoPro Footage
Manfrotto 561B HDV-1 Monopod Preview
Before heading out to CES 2013 I was on a quest to find tools that would lessen my load. I learned from CES last year that there is a TON I mean a TON of walking that you have to do. Because of this I did not want to use a DSLR for video like my D4 and have to set up a mono pod each and every segment.
I knew this year since I was going to be filming with a smaller camera I would’t need a huge tripod. That is where the Manfroto 561B HDV-1 Monopod comes into play. This monopod has a fluid video head and a way to stand on its on with a very clever design.
This Monopod is sure to be lighter and easier to maneuver around CES and the 135K people that were there.
If you would like to pick one up please call AllensCamera.com
Nikon D600 Vs Canon 6D
The age old question every time Nikon and Canon put out a similar camera is which one should you buy. This time around we have the Nikon D600 and the Canon 6D.
I have done a full review of both of these cameras and during the video you can click the top left or top right to go see that review. Some people like to see two cameras shot in the exact situations and than review the sample images. To me thats just not real, its not shooting in a real world environment which would be almost impossible to replicate the settings and situations.
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GoPro Hero 3 Black Preview and Sniff Test
I am currently in Aruba testing out the NEW GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition. Before I left I did an unboxing and sniff test along with my first thoughts of the camera.
The first thing you will notice once you finally get the camera out of the packaging and out of the underwater housing is how small it is. The camera fits right inside the palm of your hand but does feel like it has a little weight behind it for something so small. The rubber coating seems like a nice texture to allow you to hold onto the camera for the times you are handling the camera out of its underwater housing.
Speaking of the underwater housing. Its nice that it comes with it but honestly I wish it did not. The reason I say that is if your not looking to use it in an extreme environment than you need to go purchase something called the “Frame”. The frame takes an obstructions away from the front of the camera aka the lens. When the camera is in a case its behind the case plastic thus cutting down on some of the clarity of the lens.
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ThinkTank Airport Navigator REVIEW
When I first saw this ThinkTank Airport Navigator I thought it might just be the bag that replaces my shoulder bag. I was partly right and partly wrong.
The Airport Navigator will not replace your shoulder bag but that does not mean it may not be better. Like I have said many times before there is not “one bag” to rule them all. That is why we are left collecting bags like woman/men collect purses and shoes.
Here is what I liked about this bag. It fits the hebrew trinity, laptop, Ipad and a few extra items. I like the fact that it rolls and I can fly with it. Its built amazingly well like all other ThinkTank Bags. It is a nice function to be able to load the bag from the top or from a flip open compartment. I like how this may be a bag that finds its way to my top three bags for when I grab and go.
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Nikon D600 Review – Video Quality
After reviewing the quality of the still images form the Nikon D600 I thought I should do the same type of field review for the video quality of the Nikon D600.
CLICK HERE for the FULL REVIEW of the Nikon D600
I had the perfect opportunity to put the video capability of the D600 to the test when my friend Graham Colton came to town to play a show.
All LIVE video shown is this video was shot with one Nikon D600 and various different pro Nikon lenses.
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