C&P Random Thread -
Earth-bound misfit
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 31,704
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My Lowepro ComputrekkerAW Plus came in yesterday. Don't know what the hell I was thinking, it's massive!!! I guess now my goal is to have it be the mothership for storage or vacation/work trips, and pick up a crumpler bag for carrying a body and couple lenses for walking around.
I have the mini-trekker, currently, and love it, but am looking for a bag that will hold a laptop for traveling. Carrying that pack fully loaded plus a laptop bag around airports is killer - I'd rather have all the weight in the pack.
Earth-bound misfit
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 31,704
Likes: 608
is learning to moonwalk i
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15,520
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
My Lowepro ComputrekkerAW Plus came in yesterday. Don't know what the hell I was thinking, it's massive!!! I guess now my goal is to have it be the mothership for storage or vacation/work trips, and pick up a crumpler bag for carrying a body and couple lenses for walking around.
is learning to moonwalk i
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15,520
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
I have a 15"+/- laptop, so it must be the non-plus.
Whichever one you get, you have to be more spacially aware when walking around. The pack sticks out a good 6"+ and is fairly bulky. I've nearly toppled shelves in small stores before.
Whichever one you get, you have to be more spacially aware when walking around. The pack sticks out a good 6"+ and is fairly bulky. I've nearly toppled shelves in small stores before.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 478
From: GA
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
If you already know all that and are indeed looking for an air-travel specific bag, then I would definitely also check out the ones from Think Tank Photo. I've seen posts from three or four pros that have them and they all really liked them. They appear to cost about the same as the Lowepro equivalents.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/catego...mera-bags.aspx
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 478
From: GA
I think the intent of the roller bags with the backpack straps is that you can carry them them on your back in the airport and while getting on/off the plane. I highly doubt you'd want to carry one on your back for a day's worth of regular shooting.
If you already know all that and are indeed looking for an air-travel specific bag, then I would definitely also check out the ones from Think Tank Photo. I've seen posts from three or four pros that have them and they all really liked them. They appear to cost about the same as the Lowepro equivalents.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/catego...mera-bags.aspx
If you already know all that and are indeed looking for an air-travel specific bag, then I would definitely also check out the ones from Think Tank Photo. I've seen posts from three or four pros that have them and they all really liked them. They appear to cost about the same as the Lowepro equivalents.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/catego...mera-bags.aspx
Earth-bound misfit
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 31,704
Likes: 608
Darnit, no Think Tanks at B&H. I have to buy it there. I'm loving the functionality of the Pro Trekker series with the laptop compartment (mine's 15" - no problems there), the water bladder pocket, and the very nicely done straps, but even the smallest one is HUGE. Also, quite heavy at nearly 7 lbs. My current pack is less than 3 lbs.
It would be great for traveling, but when I get where I'm going, I tend to carry my pack everywhere. Even if it's not fully loaded. I'm torn between wanting something that will do everything and still wanting to limit the size & weight as much as possible.
I've got some research ahead of me.
It would be great for traveling, but when I get where I'm going, I tend to carry my pack everywhere. Even if it's not fully loaded. I'm torn between wanting something that will do everything and still wanting to limit the size & weight as much as possible.
I've got some research ahead of me.
Earth-bound misfit
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 31,704
Likes: 608
I've been looking around there. I'm actually really loving on the Pro Trekker 300. It's big, but I need more room for all this 
gear. 
I also love that it has a pouch for a water bladder, and the suspension system looks really well-designed for some serious time on your back. 
I've looked at all the other major brands sold at B&H, and nothing else comes close to this functionality.
As soon as I choose a monopod, I'll be placing an order.
gear. I also love that it has a pouch for a water bladder, and the suspension system looks really well-designed for some serious time on your back. I've looked at all the other major brands sold at B&H, and nothing else comes close to this functionality.
As soon as I choose a monopod, I'll be placing an order.
Ok, I had pretty much already written all that. I'm losing it.
Thread Starter
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 64,144
Likes: 14,297
A few weekends ago I was at a club event in Indy and they had a "studio" setup with umbrellas. And I was triggering those flashes somehow when I would take my pics near those lights. It was super annoying at the time because it would totally blow out my shots. I mean I wasn't even really close to them and it would blow out, jus because they were so bright. But now it has me wondering since I plan to setup a studio at home soon - what kind of lightng technology is this? I figure it's probably cheaper than having to hardwire to the flash. Also looking for other general comments on this.
CL9 ABP
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 245
From: Commack, Long Island -> Queens NY
He was probably running on optically slave to save money on triggers. I tell you one thing a friend got an alienbee and set his bee and 2nd light to slave cuz he was lazy to setup the triggers during a wedding.
It was hooked up to a vagabond and stupid point and shoots fired the battery haha...
It was hooked up to a vagabond and stupid point and shoots fired the battery haha...
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
Rubin, if you're considering non-speedlight flashes for the home setup, there's a thread over at POTN on AlienBee vs. Calumet Genesis that you may want to read.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=706805
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=706805
Thread Starter
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 64,144
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http://www.petapixel.com/2010/01/06/...-lens-on-ebay/
Ginormous 5200mm Canon Lens on eBay
by Michael Zhang on January 6, 2010
If you have an extra $45,000 lying around, you might still be able to purchase the Canon 5200mm f/14 lens that was listed on eBay last month. It ended on December 14th with 0 bids (I wonder why…). Here’s a screenshot, in case the listing is removed:
Here’s an old advertisement that was displayed on the auction, demonstrating the power of the lens:
For an even better idea of how powerful the magnification of this lens is, here’s a video made with the lens attached to a video camera:
<center><object height="340" width="560">
<embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IRq18WpQZC0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" height="340" width="560"></object></center> Some of the facts and figures listed in the auction and on the video page are pretty interesting… The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 393ft/120m. It weighs 220lb,100kg without its stand. In a flyer promoting the lens, Canon states that,
Obviously, this lens isn’t very practical for things aside from spying on someone across a city, or staring at some portion of the moon. It seems like the lens would primarily be used for astrophotography. Can you think of any other examples of where this focal length could be useful?
(via PDNPulse)
by Michael Zhang on January 6, 2010
If you have an extra $45,000 lying around, you might still be able to purchase the Canon 5200mm f/14 lens that was listed on eBay last month. It ended on December 14th with 0 bids (I wonder why…). Here’s a screenshot, in case the listing is removed:
Here’s an old advertisement that was displayed on the auction, demonstrating the power of the lens:
For an even better idea of how powerful the magnification of this lens is, here’s a video made with the lens attached to a video camera:
<center><object height="340" width="560">
<embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IRq18WpQZC0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" height="340" width="560"></object></center> Some of the facts and figures listed in the auction and on the video page are pretty interesting… The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 393ft/120m. It weighs 220lb,100kg without its stand. In a flyer promoting the lens, Canon states that,
This is the only ultra-telephoto lens in the world capable of taking photographs of objects 18 to 32 miles away (30km to 52kms away). Having a focal length of 5200mm, Canon Mirror Lens 5200mm can obtain one hundred times as large an object image as that of a 50mm lens.
What’s even more interesting, is that if used with a DSLR with a crop factor (i.e. Canon 50D), the lens is effectively a 8320mm lens. Wowzers.Obviously, this lens isn’t very practical for things aside from spying on someone across a city, or staring at some portion of the moon. It seems like the lens would primarily be used for astrophotography. Can you think of any other examples of where this focal length could be useful?
(via PDNPulse)
nnInn
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 37,670
Likes: 1,084
This is a pretty good laugh
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EvWnMb5XRp0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EvWnMb5XRp0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EvWnMb5XRp0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EvWnMb5XRp0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
Random thought: How many people actually use the center column extension on their tripods? I'd be willing to bet that for any tripod model with about a 5' fully extended height or taller, you could nix the center column extension and hardly anyone would miss it.
When fully extended, my tripod requires me to hunch down only 3-4" to look through the viewfinder. About six months after I purchased it, I got a "shorty" column that allows for zero extension, but also allows me to get right down on the ground. It's been in the tripod ever since.
When fully extended, my tripod requires me to hunch down only 3-4" to look through the viewfinder. About six months after I purchased it, I got a "shorty" column that allows for zero extension, but also allows me to get right down on the ground. It's been in the tripod ever since.
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
Informative PW video on high speed sync with some examples to show how it effects ambient background light.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-BD_xD43oA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-BD_xD43oA
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 14
Billiam I have used my center column to mount the camera underneath the tripod to get close to the gound.
as you know the center column restricts how low the tripod will stand, so I get low by mounting the camera underneath. I use the center column for normal shooting only if there is no wind or breeze. means I have to stoop less until I get a taller tripod
as you know the center column restricts how low the tripod will stand, so I get low by mounting the camera underneath. I use the center column for normal shooting only if there is no wind or breeze. means I have to stoop less until I get a taller tripod
is learning to moonwalk i
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15,520
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
I do use my center column quite a bit, but mainly because my tripod is a fairly short traveler tripod. Also, I use it for fireworks to get above other people's heads. On the other hand, I have had very few occassions when I wanted to get lower than the tripod would normally do. 
nnInn
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 37,670
Likes: 1,084
Random thought: How many people actually use the center column extension on their tripods? I'd be willing to bet that for any tripod model with about a 5' fully extended height or taller, you could nix the center column extension and hardly anyone would miss it.
When fully extended, my tripod requires me to hunch down only 3-4" to look through the viewfinder. About six months after I purchased it, I got a "shorty" column that allows for zero extension, but also allows me to get right down on the ground. It's been in the tripod ever since.
When fully extended, my tripod requires me to hunch down only 3-4" to look through the viewfinder. About six months after I purchased it, I got a "shorty" column that allows for zero extension, but also allows me to get right down on the ground. It's been in the tripod ever since.
Thread Starter
Moderator Alumnus
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Earth-bound misfit
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 31,704
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I like what they can do in terms of critical sharpness or shooting at night, but I find myself passing up the technical merit for the artistic, so to speak. 
I pretty much only use it for night shooting.
I'm hoping the monopod will offer a happy middle - maybe an extra stop of stability, but a little more mobile. We'll see..
I pretty much only use it for night shooting.I'm hoping the monopod will offer a happy middle - maybe an extra stop of stability, but a little more mobile. We'll see..
nnInn
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 37,670
Likes: 1,084
In order to get the absolute best shot, using a tripod is the best way. It allows you to shot at the better ISO speeds and gives you the best shot at getting the sharpest picture. A cable release is a must.
Tripods do inhibit getting the shot you don't normally see. It's just too hard to set the tripod up to get the comp you want.
Tripods do inhibit getting the shot you don't normally see. It's just too hard to set the tripod up to get the comp you want.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,424
Likes: 720
From: Chicago, IL
In order to get the absolute best shot, using a tripod is the best way. It allows you to shot at the better ISO speeds and gives you the best shot at getting the sharpest picture. A cable release is a must.
Tripods do inhibit getting the shot you don't normally see. It's just too hard to set the tripod up to get the comp you want.
Tripods do inhibit getting the shot you don't normally see. It's just too hard to set the tripod up to get the comp you want.
(taken from another thread...not my pic)
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,424
Likes: 720
From: Chicago, IL
