DSLR Buyers Guide, Winter 2010

It’s been an innovative year for the photography world. This winter, there are more available options than ever for creativity-inspiring cameras, lenses, and accessories. In this entry, we’ll take a look at some great cameras in five categories, Full Frame 35mm, Cropped 35mm, Micro Four Thirds, Mirrorless 35mm, and Digital 645. You’ll also find links to recent reviews and comparisons and, as always, purchases made through links on our pages support the growing staff at the Phoblographer! Read on for the best DSLRs of 2010.

Field Tutorial: The Orbis And Shooting Firestar

At Comic Con, I was given the opportunity to photograph a lot of talented and wonderful people dressed in their cosplay garb. Jessica Caitlin Foley was one of the attendees that stood out the most. She hails from Virginia and dressed as the Marvel superhero Firestar. As per recent reader requests, this is the beginning for a new type of posting here at ThePhoblographer, detailing Field Tutorials and how the equipment is used in the field. My apologies beforehand for the lack of Strobist photos and diagrams but we will be more careful in the future to do those.

New York Comic Con Day 2: The Orbis Continues to Amaze Me

So yesterday I made the bold statement of talking about how the Orbis was great for conventions. I continue to agree with that statement. It makes a wonderful softbox while on the side of the subject and using available light to illuminate the other side of them. Of course, great posing and a bit of editing works well too. Typically, ring flashes are supposed to be used around the lens. Now, I was doing this before with no problems at all using the infrared transmitter on the 7D and 430 EX II. However, I started to have some problem with it as it hasn’t been very effective in going off when triggered by the 7D’s flash. So off lighting camera tactics as well as using the Orbis under the lens are some tactics that I’ve been using. The Orbis isn’t to blame for this, Canon’s flashes are. Additionally, it probably would would for me to get my hands on some radio transmitters in the future (accepting review pitches.) Here’s the gallery; I’ll be going over certain individuals in depth in future postings. Once again with me is:

With me is the:

Canon EOS 7D

Orbis Ring Flash Attachment Kit

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens

Note: All photos here are my property and protected by my government copyright. If you’d like to use them, just ask: I’m a friendly dude. Shoot me an email at ChrisGampat[at]thephoblographer[dot]com. All coverage was done for Will Greenwald’s site: Aggrogate.com.

Further note: spot the Easter Egg

New York Comic Con 2010: Why The Orbis Is Awesome For Conventions

This posting is literally just a massive dump of gorgeous women in costume at New York Comic Con 2010 that I’m covering for Will over at Aggrogate.com. With me is the:

Canon EOS 7D

Orbis Ring Flash Attachment Kit

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens

Don’t forget the Canon rebates, and enjoy the gallery. Either way, the Orbis is highly recommended as it is easy to use in tight spaces and gives not only really nice even lighting on your subjects but can give some very nice creative lighting effects with different powers dialed in. Also, I’m not always using it around the lens; I am indeed using it off camera left and right sometimes because of the infrared signal between the 7D and 430 EX II not working at times.

Note: All photos here are my property and protected by my government copyright. If you’d like to use them, just ask: I’m a friendly dude. Shoot me an email at ChrisGampat[at]thephoblographer[dot]com.

Leica S-System Gets Its Own Facebook Page

Leica announced today that their S-system is getting its own Facebook page. I was able to get some hands-on time with the S2 and actually was really impressed with it. In addition to offering fans the opportunity to register for S-System demos, the page specifically highlights news, tips and features of the S-System, a completely new digital camera concept that meets supreme professional photography requirements.

This makes me wonder if we should be expecting a special edition of the S2 during Photokina.

Pentax K-5 Gets All Official

Sure the Pentax K-5 was rumored to be quite a trooper, but do you think that there might be a Korejanairobot Limited Edition as well? The important specs: 16.3 CMOS sensor, 7fps shooting, ISO 80-12,800, 1080p HD video at 25p, 11 point AF, fully weathersealed, 3 inch 921,000 dot LCD, 100% viewfinder and will retail for $1,599.95 in October. Pentax has a first look at their Youtube and the pres release is after the jump.

Shooting the US Open Today With Film

Of all the major annual sporting events, my favorite has to be the US Open Tennis Championships. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is a beautiful complex, and during the first week of the Open, it’s incredible. There are so many matches to watch, and so many photos to take. The photographs featured were taken with my Minolta Maxxum Htsi-Plus, Minolta 135mm AF f/2.8, Minolta 70-210mm AF f/4, rolls of Kodak Gold 400, and a roll of Kodak 400TX.