Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
iPhone into the Sink
I can't believe it. On vacation too.
Sucky!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Switching to a 7D
I have been waiting to get the Canon 7D since the rumors began.
It's incredibly well built, has great features and a decent price.
I've got a couple quips about it though.
My 1D MKII has a crop factor of 1.3x, while the 7D has 1.6x. Meaning my widest lens gets less wide. Blah.
I went to Silvio's to see how the two camera would compare.
Results below. Keep scrolling if you just want to read what I think.
Canon 24-70mm 2.8 L lens
ISO 100
f/5.6
1/125
Canon 24-70mm 2.8 L lens
ISO 100
f/8
1/80
Canon 24-70mm 2.8 L lens
ISO 100
f/11
1/30
If you want to get technical about sharpness difference, check out this site.
19 single AF points on the 7D.
My 1D has 45.
The 7D has the new iFCL (Intelligent focus, color, luminosity) meter. Meaning more accurate exposures when shooting in P, TV, AV.
However, I do the calculations in my head and shoot in manual mode, so I will lose 26 focal points for nothing.
:(
I'll just have to deal with this annoyance.
Some other stuff to deal with:
• Larger image sizes. Like 2x larger.
• No secondary memory card slot. Means no auto backups during shooting.
• No grip. I can buy one, but who wants to spend more money?
• I need $500 more after I sell my 1D.
One main thing to love about this camera is the size. Its half the weight of my 1D. Less weight means less fatigue, means less stress during shooting. When I held the 7D, it felt very comfortable and snug in my hands.
Overall I can’t wait to get it. As soon as a craigslist buyer decides to buy my medium excellent condition 1D MKII at $1000, Ill be set. Interested?
 |
| From June 9th |
It's incredibly well built, has great features and a decent price.
I've got a couple quips about it though.
My 1D MKII has a crop factor of 1.3x, while the 7D has 1.6x. Meaning my widest lens gets less wide. Blah.
More importantly, the 7D has a DLA (the aperture limit before an image loses sharpness) at f/6.3. My 1D has it at f/12.7.
I was worried that at higher apertures values, the quality loss will be to big to ignore.
I went to Silvio's to see how the two camera would compare.
Results below. Keep scrolling if you just want to read what I think.
 |
| From June 9th |
 |
| From June 9th |
Canon 24-70mm 2.8 L lens
ISO 100
f/5.6
1/125
|
 |
| From June 9th |
Canon 24-70mm 2.8 L lens
ISO 100
f/8
1/80
 |
| From June 9th |
 |
| From June 9th |
Canon 24-70mm 2.8 L lens
ISO 100
f/11
1/30
You cant really see a difference until you zoom in 100%.
Even at f/11, the 7D quality was amazing! New tech overcomes the limit.
Even at f/11, the 7D quality was amazing! New tech overcomes the limit.
Its interesting that at exactly the same setting, the 7D came out slightly dimmer than the 1D. I am not sure what caused this.
If you want to get technical about sharpness difference, check out this site.
19 single AF points on the 7D.
My 1D has 45.
The 7D has the new iFCL (Intelligent focus, color, luminosity) meter. Meaning more accurate exposures when shooting in P, TV, AV.
However, I do the calculations in my head and shoot in manual mode, so I will lose 26 focal points for nothing.
:(
I'll just have to deal with this annoyance.
Some other stuff to deal with:
• Larger image sizes. Like 2x larger.
• No secondary memory card slot. Means no auto backups during shooting.
• No grip. I can buy one, but who wants to spend more money?
• I need $500 more after I sell my 1D.
One main thing to love about this camera is the size. Its half the weight of my 1D. Less weight means less fatigue, means less stress during shooting. When I held the 7D, it felt very comfortable and snug in my hands.
Overall I can’t wait to get it. As soon as a craigslist buyer decides to buy my medium excellent condition 1D MKII at $1000, Ill be set. Interested?
Monday, June 7, 2010
iPhone IV
Apple has announced their new iPhone 4. Cool name. New look. Loads of features.
Here's my perspective on the phone as a photojournalist.
FIVE MEGAPIXELS
I got pretty excited when I heard this one.
I never felt like my 3G had enough quality for me to consider it as a secondary camera. The new sensor on the iPhone 4 will give me the creative leeway, and sharing capabilities that I've always wanted out of the iPhone.
Samples images from Apple look incredible. (Warning: High Bandwidth!)
The camera works great in well-lit scenes, but the low-lit scenes still lack punch.
It’ll be interesting to see how powerful the flash is.
I am skeptical though of the examples found on Apple's website. When I downloaded the samples, but the metadata didn't include any information about the camera. The VGA quality of the front facing camera looks superior to my 3G’s 1.3mp camera. And I doubt the little LED is powerful enough to illuminate the couple so much.
But I could be wrong. I am really hope this is legit.
720p, 30fps
The video example found on Apple.com shows off a gorgeous scene of the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, and lag-less waves crashing onto the beach in the forward-ground.
I can totally see myself using this:
Behind-the-scene video.
Scouting footage.
Breaking news coverage.
Embarrassing family trip videos.
Steve Jobs is making it hard for me to justify $1800 for a 7D.
I hope Apple got rid of the video length upload limitation. In the 3GS, recorded video was scaled down from 640x480 to 480x320 when uploading directly to Youtube from the phone.
I would love to see full 720p upload capability over wifi.
Front Facing Camera
After years of hearing complaints about the lack of video conference functionality, Apple finally added a camera to the front of their phone. This will make for fun phone interviews.
I've played with a lot of camera app's to.
Mill Colour was the best free camera app.
Its a simple, easy to use, and has lots of features.
Best Camera is the best paid camera app. Sponsored by Chase Jarvis, the app allows you to stack filters, share using multipule social networks, and even gives you workflow options.
Here's my perspective on the phone as a photojournalist.
 |
| From June 9th |
FIVE MEGAPIXELS
I got pretty excited when I heard this one.
I never felt like my 3G had enough quality for me to consider it as a secondary camera. The new sensor on the iPhone 4 will give me the creative leeway, and sharing capabilities that I've always wanted out of the iPhone.
Samples images from Apple look incredible. (Warning: High Bandwidth!)
Images are crisp, with a wide lens and low chromatic aberration.
 |
| From June 9th |
The camera works great in well-lit scenes, but the low-lit scenes still lack punch.
 |
| From June 9th |
It’ll be interesting to see how powerful the flash is.
I am skeptical though of the examples found on Apple's website. When I downloaded the samples, but the metadata didn't include any information about the camera. The VGA quality of the front facing camera looks superior to my 3G’s 1.3mp camera. And I doubt the little LED is powerful enough to illuminate the couple so much.
But I could be wrong. I am really hope this is legit.
720p, 30fps
The video example found on Apple.com shows off a gorgeous scene of the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, and lag-less waves crashing onto the beach in the forward-ground.
I can totally see myself using this:
Behind-the-scene video.
Scouting footage.
Breaking news coverage.
Embarrassing family trip videos.
UFO’s.
Everything at 720p.
Everything at 720p.
Steve Jobs is making it hard for me to justify $1800 for a 7D.
I hope Apple got rid of the video length upload limitation. In the 3GS, recorded video was scaled down from 640x480 to 480x320 when uploading directly to Youtube from the phone.
I would love to see full 720p upload capability over wifi.
Front Facing Camera
After years of hearing complaints about the lack of video conference functionality, Apple finally added a camera to the front of their phone. This will make for fun phone interviews.
Retina Display
This is amazing. The ppi on the new iPhone is 326 points. My Macbook is at 163 points and my Acer 24” monitor has 115 points.
This is amazing. The ppi on the new iPhone is 326 points. My Macbook is at 163 points and my Acer 24” monitor has 115 points.
I would love to see this screen on the next iPad.
The rest of the options are cool to.
See me standing in line in front of Apple on June 24th. Heh.
---
I've played with a lot of camera app's to.
Mill Colour was the best free camera app.
Its a simple, easy to use, and has lots of features.
Best Camera is the best paid camera app. Sponsored by Chase Jarvis, the app allows you to stack filters, share using multipule social networks, and even gives you workflow options.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The new king on the blog.
ZOMG... Forget the 5D MKII.
The Canon 7D
Here are the (supposed) spec's:
* 18 megapixels (-_-)
* Dual DiG!C 4 imaging processors, 14-bit A/D signal conversion (unconfirmed if full frame)
* 8 FPS (94 Large/Fine JPEGS or 15 RAW) (Just like my 1d MKII ;)
* 19 points cross type AF sensors. Eight-directional double cross central AF point
* ISO 100-6400, extends to 12800
* 100% coverage, 1.0x optical viewfinder with intelligent display, with electronic horizon line.
* 3.0″ LCD, 920,000 dot resolution, 160 degree viewing angle
* New iFCL meter system using high contrast and color detection (63-zone) (I have no idea what this will do, but it sounds good.)
* Newly-designed streamlined body, metallic shutter sound, shutter lifespan approx. 150,000 times (The 1d class has a shutter life of 200k.)
* HD movie, HDMI out, external mic input (1080p/24fps/40mbs?)
* EOS Integrated Dust Removal system
* Live view with Face-priority AF
* Auto Lighting Optimizer
* Auto correction of lens peripheral illumination (vignetting) (Cool)
* New switch for Live View/Video mode
* New 24mm wide-angle built-in flash supporting EOS E-TTL II
So I am not 100% sure this is the true final specifications for the 7D model, but it seems very probable.
Review--
Dual DiG!C 4 sensor
I looked online at what the benefits of having two sensors would bring. Basically it's about buffer size with high res images. You get more frames with a dual sensor, because when one fills up, the other takes over and stores the images before transferring them onto the memory card.
iFCL meter system
Matt Brown once told me, "It's better to keep your images neutral and punch up the color in shop. That way everything stays consistent, and you never have to worry about miscalculations the camera can make."
8 FPS @ 18 megapixels
This would be great for sports photography. I hope the file size is smaller than the 5d MKII's 25 MB file.
High ISO
64'000 to 128'000 sounds insane! I wonder if it can do 25'600?
Size
From the looks of it, the size will be similar to the 5D MKII. Lighter/Smaller/Durable is better.
HD Video Mode
The problem with the 5D MKII's HD video mode is it only records 15 min. at a time. (15 min = 4 GB) This is due to the limited buffer size of the DiG!C 4 sensor. Dual DiG!C sensors would double the buffer size, effectively doubling the record time. However, I have heard it is better to record in short bursts rather than longer intervals.
Overall, I think Canon is changing their body size for better portability. The smaller size will help photojournalists in the field. I take back what I initially said, because I am also a studio photographer.
The Canon 7D
Here are the (supposed) spec's:
* 18 megapixels (-_-)
* Dual DiG!C 4 imaging processors, 14-bit A/D signal conversion (unconfirmed if full frame)
* 8 FPS (94 Large/Fine JPEGS or 15 RAW) (Just like my 1d MKII ;)
* 19 points cross type AF sensors. Eight-directional double cross central AF point
* ISO 100-6400, extends to 12800
* 100% coverage, 1.0x optical viewfinder with intelligent display, with electronic horizon line.
* 3.0″ LCD, 920,000 dot resolution, 160 degree viewing angle
* New iFCL meter system using high contrast and color detection (63-zone) (I have no idea what this will do, but it sounds good.)
* Newly-designed streamlined body, metallic shutter sound, shutter lifespan approx. 150,000 times (The 1d class has a shutter life of 200k.)
* HD movie, HDMI out, external mic input (1080p/24fps/40mbs?)
* EOS Integrated Dust Removal system
* Live view with Face-priority AF
* Auto Lighting Optimizer
* Auto correction of lens peripheral illumination (vignetting) (Cool)
* New switch for Live View/Video mode
* New 24mm wide-angle built-in flash supporting EOS E-TTL II
So I am not 100% sure this is the true final specifications for the 7D model, but it seems very probable.
Review--
Dual DiG!C 4 sensor
I looked online at what the benefits of having two sensors would bring. Basically it's about buffer size with high res images. You get more frames with a dual sensor, because when one fills up, the other takes over and stores the images before transferring them onto the memory card.
iFCL meter system
Matt Brown once told me, "It's better to keep your images neutral and punch up the color in shop. That way everything stays consistent, and you never have to worry about miscalculations the camera can make."
8 FPS @ 18 megapixels
This would be great for sports photography. I hope the file size is smaller than the 5d MKII's 25 MB file.
High ISO
64'000 to 128'000 sounds insane! I wonder if it can do 25'600?
Size
From the looks of it, the size will be similar to the 5D MKII. Lighter/Smaller/Durable is better.
HD Video Mode
The problem with the 5D MKII's HD video mode is it only records 15 min. at a time. (15 min = 4 GB) This is due to the limited buffer size of the DiG!C 4 sensor. Dual DiG!C sensors would double the buffer size, effectively doubling the record time. However, I have heard it is better to record in short bursts rather than longer intervals.
Overall, I think Canon is changing their body size for better portability. The smaller size will help photojournalists in the field. I take back what I initially said, because I am also a studio photographer.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
PALOS VERDES UP IN FLAMES!!!
PALOS VERDES UP IN FLAMES!!!
I noticed it after turning onto my street. The moon was blood red.
Before I knew what I was doing, I ran into my house, grabbed my camera and camera bag and ran back to my car.
Driving up Crenshaw Blvd., I saw drivers parked on the road, trying to catch a glimpse of the fire. The fire was behind the hill and only the reflection it cast in the smoke was visible.
I drove up Crest Rd., but the guards at the entrance wouldn't let me in.
So what did I do? I hiked up the hill, next to Rancho Del Mar High School. In sandals. Did I tell you I had just come home from school before all of this?
I finally came face to face with with the blaze.
This tree just went up so fast, I couldn't believe it.
By the time I left, the L.A. fire department had begun deploying helicopters to put the flame out.
Daily Breeze is reporting 2 homes engulfed by the fire so far. L.A. Times says 500 homes are being evacuated.
Stay safe everyone.
UPDATE:
Source- Daily Breeze (Torrance Newspaper)
6 homes damaged, over 1000 evac, 125 acres damaged. Palos Verdes is known for million dollar+ homes, horse ranches and dense forests.
Friday, August 21, 2009
The day I met Nick Ut.
Holy! I just found a photograph from a year ago that I thought I had lost.
Last year, my photo teacher hosted an event at Cal-State Fullerton. Nick Ut, and other famous photojournalists came to speak at the event.
He told me much about his experience as a photo journalist. The horrors of war photography. The napalm girl. And the psychological toll one goes through.
Nick taught me a lot in the 30 minutes I had with him.
Afterwords I realized, I don't think I can handle what he witnessed.
I idolized guys like Nick
Robert Capa
Kyoichi Sawada
I would much rather work to document humanitarian efforts. To showcase the good and triumphant.
Photographed by Thomas E. Franklin after the attack on 9/11
Photographed by Sal Veder from AP. "Burst of Joy" became an iconic image that symbolized the Vietnam wars end.
Photographed by Renée C. Byer.
"Racing barefooted after kicking off her flip-flops, Cyndie pushes her son Derek Madsen, 10, up and down hallways in the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento on June 21, 2005, successfully distracting him during the dreaded wait before his bone marrow extraction. Doctors want to determine whether he is eligible for a blood stem cell transplant, his best hope for beating neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, which was diagnosed in November 2004."
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