| Extending the range of the PocketWizard FlexTT5 and 580EX II |
| Since LPA Design released the PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 for Canon last year, the wireless radio remote system has been dogged by criticism that the working range is too short when the flash attached to the remote FlexTT5 is one of a trio of Canon Speedlite models that emit radio frequency (RF) noise in the operating range used by U.S./Canada PocketWizard devices. This prompted the company to develop an internal RF noise reduction modification for Canon's current Speedlite flagship, the 580EX II, as well as two RF noise shielding accessories, the PocketWizard AC5 and AC7. All three options extend the usable working distance dramatically. Each comes with its own set of side benefits and tradeoffs too. Here's a rundown of the current spate of range-improving options and how they compare.*UPDATED* |
March 26, 2010 | FULL STORY  |
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| An analysis of EOS-1D Mark IV autofocus performance |
| Does Canon's newest 1-series digital SLR deliver reliable peak action sports autofocus? Here's what we've found, in words and over 900 downloadable full resolution pictures. |
| February 11, 2010 | FULL STORY |
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| PLM umbrellas offer sweet combo of efficiency and softness |
| What has the brightness of a sport reflector, the softness of a large softbox and is quick to set up and tear down on location? It's the Parabolic Light Modification (PLM) system from Paul C. Buff. Available in three sizes, the silver version of these clever, inexpensive umbrellas from the Nashville, Tennessee-based lighting maker are like no other portable strobe modifier we've ever used, combining incredible light efficiency with wraparound light smoothness. If you want your medium power monolights to think they're big power packs, or make your shoe mount strobes put out soft light that's still usably bright, read on. |
| December 17, 2009 | FULL STORY |
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| A first look at Nikon D3S high ISO image quality, plus the new 70-200mm f/2.8 |
| A Nikon gathering in New York recently proved to be a fantastic opportunity to test out the high ISO capabilities of the upcoming Nikon D3S digital SLR, as well as try the new AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II for the first time. The result is 40 downloadable full-resolution JPEGs taken with a near-final D3S up to ISO 102400, comparison photos shot with the D3 up to ISO 25600, as well as some early impressions of the camera and new 70-200mm f/2.8. |
| November 5, 2009 | FULL STORY |
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| Lexar rejoins speed race with Pro 600X CompactFlash |
| Lexar has taken the wraps off a new series of CompactFlash cards geared towards the pro digital SLR shooter. Called Professional 600X, the series will be available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities that relaunch Lexar into the speed race in a serious way in our testing. The Fremont, California-based division of Micron has also unveiled the ExpressCard CompactFlash Reader, an ExpressCard/34 adapter for CompactFlash cards that gets the design right, as well as an updated version of Image Rescue that sports an all-new interface and more powerful photo recovery algorithms. |
| October 20, 2009 | FULL STORY |
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| Canon announces 16.06 million image pixel EOS-1D Mark IV |
| Canon has revealed the details of its next 1-series digital SLR, the EOS-1D Mark IV. The new model is an evolution of the EOS-1D Mark III and features a 16.06 million image pixel, 1.3x crop sensor, an ISO range that tops out at a heady 102,400, 1080p video with external stereo mic jack, revamped 45-point AF system and wider-gamut, 920,000-dot rear LCD. All of this is inside a body that's essentially identical in appearance and control layout to the camera it replaces. The EOS-1D Mark IV is slated to ship in late December 2009 at an expected street price of US$4999 in the U.S. Canon has also unveiled a companion wireless transmitter, the WFT-E2 II/WFT-E2 II A. |
| October 19, 2009 | FULL STORY |
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| Nikon announces D3S with 102,400 top ISO |
| Late next month Nikon will ship the D3S, an update of its venerable D3 digital SLR that features improved high-ISO image quality (and an eye-popping top ISO of 102,400), a 720p D-Movie mode with external stereo mic jack, approximately double the burst depth of the D3, a useful 1.2x crop mode and various other refinements. |
| October 13, 2009 | FULL STORY |
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| LibertyPak Little Genny LG400 provides premium portable power for strobes |
| The LibertyPak Little Genny LG400 portable power pack combines a regulated pure sine wave 115VAC inverter and 360 watt-hour lithium ion battery into a compact gear case that, in our testing, can power a 600ws monolight for over 1000 full power pops with consistent recycle times comparable to AC wall power. We've been using a Little Genny LG400 through a steady diet of sports team and other group photo shoots since August, and it has become an indispensable - though expensive - part of our location lighting kit. We have an in-depth look at this intriguing location power option. |
| September 30, 2009 | FULL STORY |
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| SanDisk, Transcend and PhotoFast roll out speedy cards up to 64GB |
| SanDisk today has rolled out a series of CompactFlash cards featuring the fastest performance we've ever seen in card-to-computer transfers. Called Extreme Pro, the new line is capable of up to nearly 97MB/s read speeds in our testing and offers class leading write speed performance in certain cameras. Extreme Pro ships this week in 16GB, 32GB and whopping 64GB capacities. SanDisk has also announced new 8GB, 16GB and 32GB cards simply called Extreme that deliver up to about 62MB/s during card-to-computer transfers. In addition,Transcend has released new 8GB and 16GB 600X CompactFlash that are that company's fastest ever, while PhotoFast - a Taiwanese card maker that's not well known outside of Asia - is offering two series of cards, and capacities up to 64GB, with performance from its 533X Plus that trumps all others in the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and 50D. We have a rundown of the new cards from all three makers, including card reader and camera performance results. |
| September 14, 2009 | FULL STORY |
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| Canon announces 17.92 million image pixel, 8fps EOS 7D |
| Canon has announced the EOS 7D, a 17.92 million image pixel digital SLR that fires at up to 8fps, sports newly-developed 19-point AF and 63-zone metering systems, a dual-axis electronic level, wireless TTL control via the built-in flash and 1080p video in a body whose controls are more configurable than any EOS camera to date. The EOS 7D is Canon's most ambitious new digital SLR in some time, and is clearly meant to attract professional photographers as well as compete directly with Nikon's D300 and D300s in both features and price. We have first impressions, sample photos and more. |
| August 31, 2009 | FULL STORY |
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