We recently attended a professional baseball game for the first time in literally decades. We had cousins visiting from Japan for a few days and when asked what they would like to do during their visit to San Diego, they responded with a very specific request: To attend a game between the San Diego Padres vs. the Los Angeles Angels. I purchased tickets online months in advance and thought no more about it until later, corresponding with a Japanese friend who lives in Tokyo. When I mentioned that I would have cousins visit from Japan in … [Read more...] about Summertime fun: Take me out to the ballgame
Fuji
What does a “professional” camera really mean?
Last week, Tony and Chelsea Northrup posted a controversial video on YouTube that tried to define what a professional camera was. It centers around sales for all of the camera manufacturers. It makes some good points about how higher-end cameras can enhance a photograph. That being said, for the most part making a great photograph is not about the camera — it's about the photographer. While there are certainly cameras geared more towards professionals, including features that pros tend to take more advantage of, it doesn't mean that you … [Read more...] about What does a “professional” camera really mean?
Medium format vs. full frame
Medium Format digital cameras have sensors that are significantly larger than full frame DSLR's. That also means the lenses are larger and the price tag is usually much larger, as well. Hasselblad has long been one of the top manufacturers of medium format cameras, and this series of videos compares medium format with full frame. The videos are produced by Hasselblad, so I'm sure you can guess which one ends up being better, but they give a fair insight into some of the advantages of medium format. Hasselblad, Fuji, PhaseOne and Pentax … [Read more...] about Medium format vs. full frame
Quick Tip: Sunny Day? Mirrorless Shooters, Review the Photo in Your Viewfinder
One of the best advantages to mirrorless cameras is its electronic viewfinder. This not only gives you an accurate preview of your shot before you click the shutter button — it also allows you to preview your images through the viewfinder, not just the screen on the back. This is great for sunny days, allowing you to check exposure and focus without the need for a loupe. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Sunny Day? Mirrorless Shooters, Review the Photo in Your Viewfinder
Answering the Question, Which Camera Should I Buy?
If you're just getting into photography, there are several things to consider when buying a camera. Why do you want a camera in the first place, and what's drawing you toward photography? While the question of "which camera should I buy?" may be a simple one, the answer is anything but. What to Ask Yourself Once you've decided you want to get into photography, it's good to know what you like to photograph, and how you like to do so. For instance, do you enjoy capturing scenes on the street? Are you the person at the restaurant table that … [Read more...] about Answering the Question, Which Camera Should I Buy?
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Fuji’s New X-H1
Fujifilm have announced a new camera which should be the flagship of the line. The X-H1 seems to build on the incredibly popular X-T2 by adding more pro-level features, most notably, In-Body-Image-Stabilization (IBIS). Here's a short list of features: 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III Sensor X-Processor Pro Engine 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization Internal DCI 4K Video and F-Log Gamma 0.75x 3.69m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder 3" 1.04m-Dot 3-Way Tilt LCD Touchscreen 325-Point Intelligent Hybrid AF System 1080p at 120 fps; … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Fuji’s New X-H1
Great Savings on Used Gear Week of 02/12/2018
(Editor's Note: Our friends at MPB.com have some really great deals on select used camera bodies and lenses. MPB is a great place to sell your used gear that's lying around taking up space.) Save on cameras, lenses and other photographic equipment by buying used. Sell cameras and lenses you are no longer using at MPB.com. … [Read more...] about Great Savings on Used Gear Week of 02/12/2018
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Mirrorless Cameras Lead the Way in Innovation
When I switched from Nikon to the Panasonic Lumix system last spring, I was nervous. I had used Nikon for more than three years. It was my bread and butter — I knew it inside and out. And it worked great. But one thing it wasn't was innovating. I started to feel like it was holding me back — specifically with its video capabilities. As the demand for video from my clients started to grow, I knew that I needed to think about making a change. Fast forward nine months later, and I couldn't be happier. With my new Lumix G9 in tow, along with … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Mirrorless Cameras Lead the Way in Innovation
Photographing The Scottish Highlands
I just returned from a photo tour of the Highlands of Scotland. The scenery did not disappoint. As we drove past and photographed heather-covered mountains, raging waterfalls and cascades, rugged, steep cliffs, and rocky coastlines, “oooo’s” and “aaaah’s” reverberated throughout our van among the tour participants. Scotland was dazzling. But the Highlands are also a fickle travel destination. The weather can literally change in a minute. We went from calm, sunny days to extreme winds, fog, and rain blowing sideways, with the ground becoming … [Read more...] about Photographing The Scottish Highlands
MPB.COM Used Gear Specials ~ Week of November 13, 2017
Photofocus partner MPB.com is a great place to sell and buy used photographic equipment. Check out their clearance specials this week! Deals Here are links to the gear shown above: Canon 5DSr body Nikon D4s body Fuji XT-1 Graphite Edition body DJI Phantom 4 … [Read more...] about MPB.COM Used Gear Specials ~ Week of November 13, 2017
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Tips For Shooting The Milky Way
Photographing the Milky Way is remarkable because what you see on your camera is magnitudes more intricate than what you can visualize with your eyes. I was teaching a workshop in Montana the other day, and we took advantage of the big, clear, dark skies and it was so much fun to see people ooh and ahh over the images appearing on their cameras. With Autumn around the corner, it's a terrific time to take advantage of earlier sunsets and cool clear skies before the winter makes it a lot more difficult to stay out at nighttime. Here are some tips … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Tips For Shooting The Milky Way
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Hallelujah! Lr Update Includes Picture Styles For Lumix
Update: I've changed the title of this article for those who are jumping to conclusions without reading the body. Lightroom has always supported RAW files for Lumix cameras as well as lens profile corrections. That's not what this is about. Read on. Three years ago I dove into the mirrorless world and started shooting full-time with the Lumix GH4, leaving my full frame Nikons aside. Ever since then, I've been saying that the only things I miss from Nikon are the speedlight controls and the camera color profiles in Lightroom. Well, … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Hallelujah! Lr Update Includes Picture Styles For Lumix
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: The Wrong ( Or Right) Reason to Buy Mirrorless
I was out making pictures with three other photographers, yesterday--just a random assortment of friends--and all of us were using mirrorless cameras and that's the first time I've been out with a group and no one had a DSLR. We took a short hike to a waterfall and as we walked everyone remarked once that they loved how much lighter their mirrorless systems are, which is always a big selling point. But I think getting into mirrorless because it's lighter would be a mistake. It's Not About Weight We're photographers, not adventure racers … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: The Wrong ( Or Right) Reason to Buy Mirrorless
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Does Form Follow Function?
When it comes to Mirrorless cameras, you've got two basic styles to choose from. The traditional SLR-shaped camera with a viewfinder in the center of the body, and the rangefinder style, with the viewfinder mounted at the top left corner of the body. Interestingly, you can't divide the styles up by brand because most of the manufacturers make bodies in both styles. I'm interested in this because with mirrorless cameras there's the opportunity to start over completely in regards to design. Film cameras required a lens mounted to the camera in … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Does Form Follow Function?
Mirorrless Camera Maniac: Dealing with Flickering Lights
Why are there colored lines of bright and dark in your indoor and nighttime pictures? How do you get rid of them? Don't worry, it's not a problem with your camera. It's a problem with electricity and LED lights and fluorescent lights. Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to mitigate the problem. What's the Situation? The power that comes from the wall is called AC power, which stands for alternating current. Alternating means the power is literally cycling on and off continuously. In countries using about 110V in the wall, it … [Read more...] about Mirorrless Camera Maniac: Dealing with Flickering Lights
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: 5 Ways to Maximize Your Battery Life
One complaint about mirrorless cameras is that their battery life is poor compared to DSLR's. Considering all that the battery does in mirrorless cameras, I'm actually amazed at how great the battery life is. The viewfinder, LCD, shutter, autofocus, and image stabilization are all driven by the one battery, plus the wifi and GPS functions you can activate. Nevertheless, here are some ways to maximize the battery life and keep shooting and these will help DSLR users, too. 1. Use the Viewfinder The large LCD on the back of your camera uses much … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: 5 Ways to Maximize Your Battery Life
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Accessories for Accessibility
In the last 35 days, I've traveled to Florida, Nevada, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shandong in China, the Oregon Coast, Seattle, and I've been hiking four times near my home in Portland, Oregon. I'm sitting in a hotel in Spokane, Washington, right now, and I'll be heading to Bozeman, Montana, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Boise Idaho in the next few days. I've made thousands of pictures in each place, and I couldn't have done it half so well with a bulkier DSLR. I realized there are a couple of accessories I use everywhere I go and they are so integrated … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Accessories for Accessibility
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: There’s An App For That
Most mirrorless cameras include wifi and the ability to work with a smartphone app, and most mirrorless photographers I talk to aren’t maximizing that connectivity and the included functions. The cameras themselves create the wifi, so you don’t need to connect to wifi wherever you are. I highly recommend you get used to using your app and let it help you work better. Here are some of the things I do regularly with my Lumix cameras and the Panasonic Image App. Transfer Photos Whether I’m sending pictures I just took of my kids to my wife or … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: There’s An App For That
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Debunking the Sensor Cleaning Myth
The idea of cleaning your camera's sensor scares most photographers half to death. The thing is, if you don't clean the sensor, you'll end up with spots in your pictures anytime you stop down the aperture a little bit, and it just gets worse over time. I know many photographers who are so nervous about cleaning their sensors that they won't even change lenses in the field for fear of getting some dust on the sensor. Don't Be Scared Well, it's time to get over the fear and get your sensor cleaned up. The first thing you need to understand is … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Debunking the Sensor Cleaning Myth
Mirrorless Camera Guru: How To See The World Like A Photograph
Mirrorless cameras' greatest advantage is the fact that there is no separation between what the sensor records and what you see in the viewfinder. Seeing exactly what your picture will look like before you even press the shutter button is an incredibly powerful way to shoot. Personally, I now shoot far fewer pictures because I know that I've already nailed the exposure. When I look in the viewfinder, I see the world like a photograph. DSLR's require you to focus a lot of brain power on your camera's light meter. The skill to interpret what … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Guru: How To See The World Like A Photograph
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Amazing Speedlight Solution for All Cameras
Once I realized that mirrorless cameras were more than capable of replacing my DSLR, I dove in head first and sold my Nikons. Ever since then, I've been saying that the only thing I miss from my Nikons is the excellent Creative Lighting System. Nikon's CLS allowed me to make pictures with excellent light in all kinds of situations without using additional radio triggers or sync cords. From broad daylight to pitch black night, from manual mode to TTL, Nikon's speedlights never failed me. when I switched to Lumix, I continued using my Nikon … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Amazing Speedlight Solution for All Cameras
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: You Need One Before 8/21/17
If you live in the United States, I can unequivocally say that you need to buy a mirrorless camera before August 21st, 2017. Just trust me. Ok, I'll tell you more. Why Before Aug. 21st? You’ve probably heard about the Total Solar Eclipse happening this year, and it’s on the 21st of August. If you haven’t made plan to be in place to view it, you’d better get going on that because hotels and campgrounds are filling fast. Here’s another article with the details. But Why Do I Need A Mirrorless Camera? A solar eclipse means the moon will … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: You Need One Before 8/21/17
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: The #1 Problem With Mirrorless
I'm an evangelist for mirrorless. The mirrorless cameras are driving innovation and bringing the best changes to the way we make photographs. I tell everyone I meet that they should consider a mirrorless camera, and while they are amazed by the features and intrigued by the possibilities, they all say the same thing: "But I have all these lenses for my current camera--I'm too invested to change!" I understand that feeling, but I've had a different experience. Did you know that I've owned 27 Interchangeable Lens Cameras (ILC's) in the last 7 … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: The #1 Problem With Mirrorless
eBook Review: Get to Work – Dedpxl Business Primer
Photographer Zack Arias, recently released a new ebook entitled, Get to Work. You might've heard Zack and Marco talking about it on the podcast (a great interview by itself). As a photographer knee deep in business development, I thought I’d check it out. While I’ve been operating as a full-time photographer the last couple years, I’ve recently relocated my business to a new state. So the great thing is that I get a fresh start, but the tough part is that I have to start from scratch. Having read some of Zack’s previous books, I knew this one … [Read more...] about eBook Review: Get to Work – Dedpxl Business Primer
Fuji Announces Medium Format Mirrorless Camera
NOTE: all gear discussed in this post can be pre-ordered at B&H Fuji has unveiled its upcoming G Series medium format camera system, the GFX 50S Mirrorless Camera and its accompanying lenses and accessories. The heart of the new camera is a large 43.8 x 32.9mm 51.4MP CMOS image sensor, which is roughly 1.7x the area of a standard 35mm sensor. This should offer outstanding image quality, as well as a much different and much desired “look” compared to the usual 35mm systems. Thanks to its mirrorless design, the GFX 50S manages to fit a … [Read more...] about Fuji Announces Medium Format Mirrorless Camera
A Year and Some Change with the Fujifilm X-T1
I can't believe how fast time has flown by. I remember when I started to slowly sell my special Canon gear after the purchase of my Fujifilm X-T1. Do I miss the Canon? How did my X-T1 hold up? Well the experience has been kind of different, but still positive. If you missed out on why I switched, take a read here. Do I Miss the Canon? Honestly, I miss having all my lenses and interchangeability of the lenses with my Canon film bodies. I would say that I miss having security stop me for having a Canon body. I find myself being stopped and … [Read more...] about A Year and Some Change with the Fujifilm X-T1
Become a better B&W photographer – and let your camera help you with that.
Many modern mirrorless cameras offer great looking jpg color and film simulation modes straight out of the camera. But did you know that they can produce some of the best looking B&W images straight out of camera, too? I started my photography with a cheap plastic camera from a grab bag and a roll of B&W film in the late 70's. I must have been 5 or 6 years old at that time. I guess that is where my emotional attachment to B&W photography began. But when I started to also shoot with digital cameras in the 90's, I shot those … [Read more...] about Become a better B&W photographer – and let your camera help you with that.
First Thoughts on Fuji’s new X-T2
Note: I have not seen the camera in person or shot with it. This is just a first impressions post about what I like or dislike about the camera specs. I always recommend renting from a place like LensRentals.com before investing in new gear. Fuji newly-announced X-T2 camera is a major update to the original X-T1, which was released over 2 years ago in early 2014. I’ve been looking at buying a Fuji camera for about 6 months now and I was waiting to hear the specs for this camera before pulling the trigger. Here are some things I’m looking … [Read more...] about First Thoughts on Fuji’s new X-T2
SpiderLight Hand Strap Mini Review
Spider Holster has been innovating the way photographers carry cameras for years. Their line of holsters takes the burden of a heavy camera off your neck and puts it on your hips, where the largest bones and muscles in your body carry all the weight. Last year, they added the SpiderPro Hand Strap to the lineup. It takes the weight of the camera off your fingers and allows your whole arm to lend support. I've been using the hand strap for more than a year, and the holsters for more than three years and my body appreciates the way they shift the … [Read more...] about SpiderLight Hand Strap Mini Review
Time is Running Out to Win a Fujifilm X-T10 and Lensbaby Velvet 56
Have you entered our latest contest? Time is running out to win a great hand strap and a new camera. Enter before July 1. We've got a new camera contest thanks to our friends over at Lensbaby. You can win a new Fujifilm X-T10 and a great Lensbaby Velvet 56 to put on it. This is the perfect combination for street photography or travel. Details Welcome to the next Photofocus contest. This contest starts May 1, 2016 and ends July 1, 2016. The winner gets: Fujifilm X-T10 Lensbaby Velvet 56 Enter Here Enter the contest here. a … [Read more...] about Time is Running Out to Win a Fujifilm X-T10 and Lensbaby Velvet 56
