Review: Memorex SlimDrive Portable Hard Disk Drive 500GB

Every now and again, I’m sent random but potentially cool products for review. The 500GB Memorex Slimdriveappeared on my front stoop a couple of weeks ago and I began the testing. After getting through packaging that reminded me of trying to pry an elevator door open with your bare hands combined with examining a man’s prostate, the kit comprised of a simple but elegant hard drive with a very small USB cable.

The Leica M9 at an Event: Redux

Remember that event I shot with the Leica M9 and 35mm F2.5 Summarit and then how I stated that it was easiest for me to just convert the files to black and white because of the high ISO? Well I was bored one night and felt like editing some photos in Lightroom 3 Beta to hone my editing skills. The files from that event were chosen and edited. Originally, I had stated that the M9 files are not as versatile as the Canon 5D Mk II‘s. While that statement still stands, the files are versatile enough to the point where some editing was able to save them to be published in color. The gallery and findings are after the jump.

Hasselblad H4D-40 Sample Photo

Here it is. Thanks to the kind folks over at Fotocare in NYC for this. My Hands-on review with the camera is here. I’m not able to post the original here, the file is way too large. I’ll try to see what I can do in the future.

Edit: As time went on, this posting received many hits. Because of that, B&H offers the camera with the 35-90mm F4.5 lens, body only, and as a complete kit.

My Favorite Photo Sites To Check Out

As a tech blogger for years that’d had primarily online experience, I’ve developed quite the taste fora number of photo blogs in my Google News reader. I’m just going to get straight into this: here’s a list (in no particular order) of some of my favorite photo blogs and websites.

The Leica M9 As The Ultimate Travel Camera

Ashwin Rao has his own testimonial of using the Leica M9 as a great travel camera vs a DSLR and many lenses. His main arugment seems to be travelling light. Otherwise though, he does make good arguments for Leica glass/image quality, build quality, etc. You can check it out at Steve Huff Photo. Steve is a great photographer himself and I really like the field reviews he does.

I’ve tested the Leica M9 myself and published a hands-on over at Photography Bay. Shooting with a Leica M9 was quite the experience as it was my first time really using a rangefinder. The build quality is amazing. I hope and aspire to buy one one day. I’ve almost bought the Leica CL many times but I simply can’t justify using film for professional work as everyone these days demands digital. And at around $600 with a nice lens, sure it’s a steal but I can’t afford a toy like that. One day maybe.

Cheap Photo: FREE Ultra High Res Multicoated UV Filter

Today, and today only you can get a free ultra high resolution multicoated UV filter for free (just pay shipping.) No word on brand name, but it comes in any size thread you’d possibly need.

This is a great deal for the entry-level guys or someone that just wants some spare UV filters around. Check it out before the deal expires.