Quantifying and Reducing Variability Part One.

There are many manufacturers vying for your hard earned dollars.  In todays marketplace, we as photographers have more options for quality lenses produced by third party manufacturers.  As good as they may be, you need to keep in mind that the contrast and color produced from each manufacturer is not the same.  Manufacturers like Mamiya & Nikon grind and coat most of their own glass.  This gives a more uniform look from lens to lens.  Others sub out the glass manufacturing to a third party.  Still they are using the Camera manufacturers specifications so their glass has a more uniform look from lens to lens too.  Using your primary manufactures lenses will give you more uniform contrast and color in your files. That brings us to Third party manufactures.  Many of these lenses are very attractive considering what you get for the money.  Some have focal lengths that the Camera manufactures just don’t have.  These are good lenses, but compared to your Manufactures lenses, there can be more of a difference in Color and Contrast than from your camera manufacturers lenses. This creates more variability in color and contract in your files.   Filters can also have a very different color cast as well as transmission of light.  Take a white piece of  paper and place all of your UV and Skylight filters on it.  If the paper looks darker or there is a color cast to it, that is also going to affect the look of your files.  If the filter looks slightly grey, you could be loosing exposure.  If there is a yellow or pink cast, that is going to affect the color of your files.    Take the color cast of your lens and then add the color cast of your filter and you could have a very different look from one lens to another.      

Sample Time! Spring is coming, Out with the Old and In with the New!

Now is a great time of year to cull through the best of 2007 to create new samples for the wall as well as albums.  With many new products available from LustreColor this year, it’s time to spice things up.  Until May 31st, you can receive 30% sample discounts on Nouveau Coffee Table Books as well as all Companion Albums.  Other offers available, go to the Studio Sample Specials tab at www.LustreColor.com and check it out.

Calumet Genesis Strobes

Below is a copy of the Calumet press release for these new Strobes.  The pricing is great and they seem to be well built for the money.  If you have been looking to add AC strobes to your equipment arsenal and are on a budget, take a look.  For those in the Boston area, we are lucky enough to have a Calumet close by in Cambridge MA.  

 

Calumet Press Release

NEW Calumet Genesis Redefines Standard of Excellence For Entry-Level Studio Lighting

CHICAGO, January 29, 2008 - Calumet Photographic invites the emerging photographer to enter the world of studio lighting with the extremely affordable, and yet sophisticated self-contained flash units. The Genesis 200w/s and 400w/s monolights provide you with all the power and lighting control that you will need to create professional-looking portraits and great still-life tabletop photographs. They will provide you with recycling times as low as one second. The Genesis flash units’ 5-volt sync voltage is even safe for today’s digital cameras.

Flash operation has never been easier. The convenient rear control panel of each Genesis puts their full range of flash controls at your finger tips. Each model features digital, variable flash-output controls that allow you to adjust power levels over a 5-stop range. You can switch from full to proportional modeling with the press of a button. A built-in infrared slave cell provides wireless flash synchronization and it is adjustable to increase or decrease sensitivity, depending upon the environment you are working in. An audible flash-ready alarm lets you know when your Genesis is fully charged and ready to go.

Other notable features of the Genesis line include: • Easy-lock interchangeable reflectors • Built-in umbrella mount • User-replaceable flash tube • Convenient carry handle • Universal 5⁄8” mounting and easy angle-adjustments

The Genesis 200 is a 200w/s monolight has a Guide Number of 125 (ft.) and offers flash-output controls over a 5-stop range. It weighs just 4.2 lbs. The Genesis 400 is a 400w/s monolight has a Guide Number of 160 (ft.) and offers flash-output controls over a 5-stop range. Each Genesis comes with an umbrella reflector, flash tube, 150w modeling lamp, sync cord, power cord and a protective cap.

GENESIS KITS

Genesis 200 1-Light Kit Includes one Genesis 200, a 10’ light stand and a 45” white umbrella w/black cover. CF0502K $245.97 

Genesis 400 1-Light Kit Includes one Genesis 400, a 10’ light stand and a 45” white umbrella w/black cover. CF0514K $375.97 

Genesis 200 2-Light Kit Includes two Genesis 200s, two 10’ light stands and two 45” white umbrellas w/black covers. CF0502K1 $491.94 

Genesis 400 2-Light Kit Includes two Genesis 400s, two 10’ light stands and two 45” white umbrellas w/black covers. CF0514K1 $751.94

 

 

 

 

 

Firmware Update for Nikon D300

Nikon has announced a firmware upgrade for the D300.  In rare cases at 8 seconds and below, vertical banding may occur.  This update is said to take care of it.  

Nikon D300 Field test.

This past weekend Steve Sedman and I took the recently available Nikon D300 out for a test drive.  We where equipped with the body, vertical grip, 17-55 Nikkor and SB-800.  The files looked natural, I would say film like.  We agreed that the Auto Color and High ISO are better than the previous generation of Nikons.  Other improvements include 100% viewfinder, 14 bit color processing, 51 point auto focus, better flash exposure,  shadow detail, and shadow noise.  The rear 3 inch screen is welcome, as well as double the battery life compared to the D200.  The D300 is much more than an incremental improvement over the D200, this camera is basically a DX version of the D3.  At less that half the price, it is a true bargain in professional photography.  Enclosed is a photograph shot at ISO 800, color mode set to A, SB-800 (with Diffuser) as the main light and a Lumedyne off to the left to separate the bride from the background.   19051.jpg                                                                                   written by Scott Levine  

Back-up, it’s not just for your files!

We all have backup equipment we carry.  An extra body, zoom and flash.  What about your wardrobe or an extra pair of Glasses. Have you ever been shooting a wedding or event and tear your jacket, or worse your pants!  How about your glasses fall and get crushed.   I make it a habit to carry an extra Tux and a spare pair of glasses when I’m shooting.  There are enough stresses in event photography, wardrobe failure shouldn’t be one of them.  By the way, a bottle of Excedren can be handy too.                                                                       Written by  Scott Levine