About 5057 filtered results
8,037 Views· Posted
In the following video, Larry Becker presents the Lensbaby 5.8mm f/3.5 Circular Fisheye lens and covers its unique design, broad perspective, and drops some hints about potential uses. The video begins with an introduction to what the lens is, and how it strays from a conventional lens, as well as conventional Lensbaby lens. The video highlights some of the lens's general specifications, including its all-manual control set, its compatibility with both full-frame and
by Amanda Bellucco · Posted
One of the latest trends to hit the big event scene is the photo booth. Odds are, if you've been to a wedding, birthday, graduation, or other big celebration in the recent past, you've seen a photo booth at one of these events. Their popularity is understandable―guests are always eager to line up for their turn to be goofy in front of the camera, picking out props and poses for a customized souvenir. While the pro photographers do their job, photo booths can be a fun way to give guests license to act silly in front of another lens
28,409 Views· Posted
In the following video, Larry Becker presents the Nikon D810 DSLR and covers its improvements and refinements in comparison to its predecessors, the D800 and D800E. The video begins with some of the standout updates, including the complete removal of the optical low-pass filter, upgraded EXPEED 4 image processor, and expanded sensitivity range to ISO 12800. The video segues there to the increased 5 fps continuous shooting rate, improved buffer
22,898 Views· Posted
In the following video, Mia McCormick discusses the Sony a7S Mirrorless digital camera and its video-recording features. McCormick makes points about the camera’s full-frame 12 Megapixel sensor, industry-leading low-light performance, and its ability to capture up to 15 stops of dynamic range using the Slog2 gamma profile. She also showcases the various recording options, including internal 1080p at 24, 30, or 60fps, 720p at up to
by Allan Weitz · Posted
At first glance, purchasing a step-up ring is a simple, straightforward transaction―all you need is a metal ring that enables you to use a filter with a wider-diameter thread size than the lens on which you want to mount it. What’s not so clear-cut is why there are so many choices for a lens accessory that, on the surface, is so simple and basic.
The answer to the above is that the materials used to manufacture the ring, i.e., aluminum, hard-anodized aluminum, or brass, as well as the finish of the ring, i.e., side knurled edges or a
9,951 Views· Posted
This video from Kelby One is Larry Becker’s hands-on review of the Canon G1 X Mark II. Becker discusses the camera’s 1.5" sensor, built-in 24-120mm lens, and Wi-Fi/NFC capabilities, as well as other features, such as a poseable pop-up flash and manual function controls. He also makes a good argument for why he thinks the G1 X Mark II will keep point-and-shoots alive and well in the age of the smartphone.
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Deviating from the common adage that "everything can be fixed in post," optical filters are an essential tool for current-day photographers and cinematographers to correctly balance exposures and achieve successful results at the time of shooting. In spite of the advancements for digitally manipulating imagery post production, filters offer the unique advantage of being able to get a shot right, in-camera. And in many cases, filters allow you to achieve effects and techniques that are simply not possible any other way.
Photograph above by
17,221 Views· Posted
In the following video, Larry Becker presents the Fujifilm X-T1 mirrorless digital camera and covers its features and unique functions in comparison to the previous Fujifilm X-series cameras. The video begins with a quick comparison between the X-T1 and the first mirrorless X-series camera, the X-Pro1 and, covers the X-Trans CMOS II sensor, Intelligent Hybrid autofocus system, as well as the impressive electronic
907 Views· Posted
In the following video, Larry Becker presents an overview of the Olympus Stylus SP-100 digital camera and covers its unique features, powerful zoom, and distinct imaging capabilities. The video begins with a focus on the 50x optical zoom lens and transitions into the unique Dot Sight framing assist tool that benefits this long-reaching lens. From here, Becker introduces the sensor and video-recording capabilities of the
1,149 Views· Posted
In the following video, Larry Becker presents the Sony a77II DSLR camera and covers its new features and technologies in comparison to the former, original a77. The video begins with a quick rundown of some of the imaging facets, including the 24.3MP APS-C sensor and BIONZ X image processor, and segues into the new 79-point phase-detection autofocus system with 15 central cross-type points and the 12 fps continuous shooting rate. From here,
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Two years after the introduction of the D800 and D800E, Nikon announced their successor, the D810, which was billed as the new high-resolution DSLR solution for still photographers and videographers. Upon release, one of the first issues to come to mind with this statement was: how does one improve upon a camera that
22,415 Views· Posted
In the following video, Larry Becker presents the Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-5.6 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens, and covers its versatility, optical qualities, and performance-related attributes. The video begins with a rundown of the lens' design as well as its ability to produce a 1:2.9 maximum magnification ratio despite its expansive zoom range. From here, the video touches on the Piezo Drive AF motor, and its near-silent and fast performance, as well as the
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Lightning is one of Nature’s most impressive displays and capturing it with a camera is a challenge, but the results can be almost as grand as the natural spectacle. There are a lot of overlaps between lightning photography and fireworks photography, but lightning’s unscheduled appearance adds an element of luck to the adventure.
Before we get started, there are two points I’d like to make:
Lightning is incredibly awesome, fun to
by Allan Weitz · Posted
What is a lens?
Superficially, a lens is little more than a cylinder containing optical elements that shift about as you focus by turning a ring around the cylinder. But even in its most basic form, a camera lens is far more complex than it might appear.
A lens is more than the sum of its parts. When you attach a lens to a camera, your choice of lens is very much like a painter's choice of brush. For finer details, the painter will choose a narrow, pointier brush. For cloud-free skies, a broader brush would be a wiser choice. Wide-angle lenses
by Mike Mezeul · Posted
The weather is something we all have to adjust to accordingly with each passing day. Sometimes it’s the heat, sometimes snow, sometimes the threat of beastly supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes, especially here in the Central Plains. It’s on these days in particular that I grab my camera, hop in my car, and drive hundreds of miles to document these monstrously beautiful yet destructive wonders of nature.
For the past 14 years I have spent my springtime traversing the country, from the Texas/Mexico border to Canada, documenting severe