Author: imagist

Friday: about flowers and lenses

So I “needed” a backup… second body to photograph an upcoming wedding. I scanned eBay over a month or two to get an idea of market prices; finally went for a kit which included what appeared to be a low mileage 5D body, genuine Canon Backpack case, a few batteries, charger, a remote timer/trigger, some miscelaneous filters, including +1 and +2 Hoya Closeup lenses, an next newer version of my 580 speed light, with IR trigger unit, and a very inexpensive, though relatively well reviewed, Quantaray 19-35mm f:3.5-4.5 lens. All this for the super righteous price of $450. The lens sells, used, on eBay for $46 – $90; which is remarkable because it sold new for $150 a half dozen years ago. So on to testing this mildly used equipment to find out if I received anything that I can actually use for this upcoming wedding. It all works perfectly; as designed. The lens actually performed shockingly well.

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Canon 5D, Quantaray 19-35mm with Hoya +2 Closeup Lens attached

Capturing the illusive finch

This young house finch decided to set up housekeeping directly outside our front door. The pair spent a couple weeks attempting to create a nest. Windy days kept blowing their building materials off the beam. They tried construction between three different rafters before finally getting this one thrown together and ready to sit in. She flies off at the slightest hint of motion on the porch. I attempted to photograph her through a kitchen window with the 560 mm Telyt on the Leica R8/DMR; with dismal results. So I decided to try a remote “app” which allows me to use the iPhone as a remote camera and the iPad as a remote controller; which displays what the iPhone camera sees; allows for remote “touch focus, exposure, and white balance;” and releasing the “shutter” of the remote camera, via WIFI or Bluetooth. The connection is wonky; easily disconnected. I’ve not been able to shoot “RAW” which means the .jpg is of low quality, pixilated and overly sharpened. Yet the “technology” does sort of work. And easier to set up than a DSLR with a remote cord running to some sort of blind. Though it also causes me to lust after the Leica SL; which as I understand it would allow for remote control with the iPhone or iPad; and with significantly more quality.

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iPhone 6s, iPro 2x Tele Lens

The magic arm set up to capture this young mother.

iPhone 6s