benhider.com/blog » Cameras

GoPro Failure #1 with Katrina Bowden

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:03:26 +0000

I setup a GoPro at this event today as a first test. It was set to 1/2 second time lapse at full resolution. Unfortunately that didn’t allow for a slow enough shutter, so the images were all too dark, except for when I caught a flash. I’ll try it again tonight at 2 second intervals, which allows for a slower shutter speed.

Leica M9 for Lincoln Center Fashion Week Spring 2011

admin — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:13:21 +0000

I borrowed/rented a Leica M9 yesterday at the Lincoln Center for Fashion Week. I had the M9 with 21mm 1.4 for about 6 hours, taking it to 2 shows backstage and front row. It totally changed the way I shoot, sometimes for the better but also often for the worse. I didn’t like the secondary viewfinder but also probably just battled with a superwide lens. When the 21mm 1.4 was used properly I loved the results. probablyt after a week of owning this camera and having a greater variety of lenses it would be a spectacular piece of kit. Unfortunately I don’t have $7000 for the body and then $2000 – $5000 per lens.

Panasonic Camera Commercials

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:12:14 +0000

I was trying to find the commercial where the professional nature photographer is outdone by the point and shoot tourist, but I couldn’t find it.

Making Life Difficulter

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:44:58 +0000

I think it’s great that we’ve had such advances in technology, but honestly I think we’re on a downward spiral when someone’s recording news worthy content on an ipod nano (and getting in my shot)…

I was made to shoot a show from the back balcony not that long ago, and this was the opening scene. A whole audience of front row photographers who probably had their content on youtube/flickr before I had anything out.

Canon 85mm F1.8

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:17:23 +0000

If you’ve never been to B&H, looking to buy a lens, and come home with some pictures that look like this, then you’re not an official camera nerd.

I ended up buying the 85mm 1.8, but was close to spending all my pocket money on the 135mm 2.0. I’m saving up to upgrade to the 70-200mm 2.8.

I want to give Fujifilm a hug

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:45:03 +0000

It either takes a lot of guts, or a lot of stupidity for Fujifilm to actually release the new GF670 in America. Either way, it’s a pretty sexy looking camera. I used to own an old voigtlander 6×9 camera that looked very similar (in an old and beaten up sort of way), and I would often get stopped and asked about it.

From Fujifilm….

The GF670 Professional is a foldable model that features 6×6 and 6×7 dual-format shooting for use with120 and 220 roll film. With its Fujinon EBC 80 mm lens, coupled rangefinder, exposure compensator, and aperture-priority automatic and manual exposure modes, the GF670 Professional produces sharp high quality images. Perfect for the professional photographer who loves to travel, needs to travel light and wants the look and sophistication of film photography.

The Fujifilm GF670 Professional has manual shutter speed control and offers a setting for aperture priority automation. With manual film advancement, exposure counter display, an ISO setting dial, the camera also provides -2/+2 exposure compensation and includes a hot shoe flash mount and a PC Sync connection socket. The “whisper quiet” shutter mechanism is an Electronic Leaf shutter with shutter speeds ranging from 4s~1/500s including Bulb with flash sync
at all speeds.

Additional features of the Fujifilm GF670 Professional include:

• Dimensions: 7”W x 4.29”H x 5.43”D (folded 2.52”)

• Weight: 35.27 oz (without batteries, strap or film)

• Color is black & silver

New Camera Harness Needed at Large Premiere’s

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:59:08 +0000

Buy a “Cotton Carrier” here

Fujifilm Instax 200 – Wide Format

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:42:14 +0000

I got the Fujifilm Instax 200 camera for christmas from my Dad. He’d also bought one for my mum, who uses 600 Polaroids at the beginning of every school semester to get headshots of her elementary students for the classroom wall. She should probably be sponsored by Polaroid (or now Fujifilm) as she has single handedly kept the art alive in the mind of over 500 children who would otherwise have never seen an image instantly pop out of a camera and develop in their hands.

The image quality is pretty good and it handles colors and focus nicely. It’s definitely a change to be shooting a polaroid that’s such a wide format which I think will look amazing for landscapes or group shots. The almost square format of the original Polaroid 600 film could be considered a large part of its appeal and certainly has affected the styling of the typical ‘polaroid’ image. The film costs about what Polaroid 600 used to (see after break for Polaroid costs now); about $1 an image.

The panel on the side has a few basic functions like 2 focus settings and 3 exposure choices, not dissimilar to a Holga. (Dimension of camera – 178.5(W) x 94.5(H) x 117.5(D) mm)

Looking up Polaroid 600 film on amazon.com I found this seller who has some ‘twin packs’ listed for $199. That’s $10 an image!!! Or look here on ebay for some bulk Polaroid 600. What would the Polaroid red carpet photographer Jeremy Kost do???

And here is the old Polaroid 210 Camera, and go HERE for more Fuji and Polaroid Instant Cameras

Think Tank Streetwalker Harddrive – Review

admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:57:15 +0000

I just got this bag for Christmas so am still learning all the features. It took me months of research, asking friends/photographers and poking around to decide on this bag. The Thinktank Streetwalker Harddrive retails for $179 and is NOT sold at B&H, mine was from Adorama. I only point out that it isn’t sold at B&H because I often use them as the first point of research for equipment. I’d been into the store several times ready to buy a bag but never found one that worked properly. The two main features that sold me on it were the laptop sleeve being against your back (therefore keeping the heaviest – 5lbs – weight closest to you) and the indentation of the main camera spot that allows a pro-body (or in my case a camera with battery grip) sit comfortably in the bag without making the whole pack too deep. I’m still working out how best to fill it, and am finding I’ve some spare room that I may use to carry my voigtlander or a point and shoot. I’m sure that if it was full it would quickly be a pain to carry every day for the smaller events. The space will definitely be needed for longer shoots to carry all my gear.

It will fit onto most airlines overheard carrying, but remember to make it look light as there is a weight limit for carry-on and this bag will certainly exceed that when filled.

The dividers are thinner than most bags which saves on space and weight. They appear to provide plenty of protection.

The small front pocket would carry a paperback and some of the usual pen/cards. I like the ID slot on top that I’m using as a place for some spare/emergency business cards.

MORE info…..

Features

- Vertically thin design with contoured curved top makes it easier to navigate urban environments
- Designed for a 15″ laptop and a Pro Size DSLR with a 70-200 2.8 attached and hood in position
- Monopod and tripod mounting system – product comes with detachable accessory straps
- Contoured harness for men and women; includes pockets and D rings.
- Air channel on back of the bag for circulation and comfort
- Removable waistbelt for those that prefer not to use the belt
- Pockets and organizers galore – Two pockets on the front, two side pockets andstretch pockets
- YKK “RC FUSE” zippers and sliders are the most durable in the world

Leica Noctilux-M 50mm F0.95 – $9,999.99

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:59:01 +0000

Do people really have $10,000 for a lens to go on their $7,000 M9? Or I guess a better question would be if people really need that extra stop and a bit of light for $6,500 more than any other 50mm lens.

DPReview writes – “At the new 0.95 full aperture, depth of field is so shallow as to allow the most aesthetic portraits”

Leica writes – “The extremely shallow depth of field at open aperture produces portraits and detailed studies of unequalled aesthetic effect”

I have to agree with Leica and disagree with DPReview. A wide open F0.95 aperture doesn’t make portraits more or less aesthetic, but will provide an effect that cannot be matched.