QUICK REVIEW : Blackmagic Design Micro Studio 4K and Video Assist 4K

QUICK REVIEW : Blackmagic Design Micro Studio 4K and Video Assist 4K

I thought I would put together a short video on how by starting out with a Micro Studio Camera 4K, a Video Assist 4K, a simple micro four thirds lens, some basic LED panels, a microphone and a tripod that anyone could get a good foundation in place for a simple 4K capable studio for either recorded content and if needed web broadcast.

Read More

Quick Review : Sony a9 - Ready for the Big Leagues?

Quick Review : Sony a9 - Ready for the Big Leagues?

Recently I was able to put hands on a Sony a9 with the 24-240/3.5-6.3 zoom lens for a couple of days for a quick review.  Let's face it, there have already been lots of reviews of the a9 so what am I going to add that's going to be different?   We know that the tech is good, we know that the sensor is good, so I want to look more at usability, which is going to be constrained to my use cases.  Also keep in mind that reviews combine facts "it has two card slots" with opinion "only one of the two card slots supports UHS-II cards and that's stupid."

Read More

Quick Look : Helicon Focus for professional grade focus stacking

Quick Look : Helicon Focus for professional grade focus stacking

I've recently done some tutorials on macro photography and a popular sub-topic to this kind of work is the subject of Focus Stacking.  Most of the attendees have the Adobe Photographer's Bundle, and so have Photoshop CC which does pretty darn good focus stacking, but some object to subscription software and others wanted something that was perhaps easier to use and that was more focused on stacking, as it were.

Read More

REVIEW : Fujifilm X-H1

REVIEW :  Fujifilm X-H1

Fujifilm recently released the X-H1 and courtesy of the fine people at Fujifilm Canada, I have received a complete kit for evaluation and review.  I have the luxury of checking out lots of gear, but am always excited to receive a new Fujifilm product for review, because the offerings consistently show a commitment to creative usability.  All opinions expressed are my own, and any reader is free to do their own assessment and disagree completely.  

Read More

Studio Strobes for the Rest of Us. The Godox AD600Pro

Studio Strobes for the Rest of Us.  The Godox AD600Pro

I've had the good fortune recently to get some solid hands-on time with flashes from Godox.  This time, I have been able to work with the new Godox AD600Pro strobes, and the Godox 2.4GHz Xpro radio remote.  My setup for the test is Canon, but you can get a remote for Canon, Nikon, Olympus/Panasonic, Sony or Fujifilm.  The remote talks to your camera in its native protocol and then uses it's own language to control the strobes.  I tell you straight upfront, I have never see a third party radio control system this reliable and this easy to use.

Read More