REVIEW : Hahnel Giga T Pro II Wired / Wireless Release

The truth is that I have had this critter for nearly a year.  I bought it for its intervalometer and long exposure capability to use with my Canon DSLRs, particularly for night shooting and to shoot multiple images for stacking. It's not Infrared, it's radio and works in the 2.4GHz band.  Hahnel claims a range of 100m, I've tried it at distances of over 30m but then I get nervous about my gear and move in closer.

I had initially considered using Pocket Wizards as remote triggers, but discovered that the retail price of the PW cable is as much as the Hahnel full kit.  Have I mentioned how much the arrogance of the PW people bugs me?

Now I also wanted to be able to wirelessly trigger my Hasselblad H4D-40 and another member at the AWESOME Hasselblad Digital Forums had mentioned that he found that Canon Rebel appropriate wired remotes worked with the Hassy.  Since the Hahnel kit can be used wired or wireless I thought I'd give it a shot.

The Hahnel kit comes with cables for both the Canon pro bodies and the consumer bodies.  How convenient that the Hasselblad connection is the same configuration of the 3/32" (2.5mm) jack as the Canon Rebel.  So I connected the Rebel cable to the Hassy and to the transmitter.  Push the button and the shutter fires.  Cool!

Unplug the transmitter, plug in the receiver and walk across the room and press the button.  The shutter fires.  So I set up an interval sequence and yes that worked too.

Hahnel doesn't say anything about Hasselblad. Hasselblad doesn't say anything about Canon remotes.  All I know is that I now have a solution for the Hasselblad that cost nothing because I already owned the solution.  I got mine at Henry's, but I expect that they are widely available.

For more information on the Hahnel, go to http://www.hahnel.ie/index.cfm/action/productSearch/pid/80

The Photo Video Guy Podcast - Episode 42

Fuji X series frimware update improves AF performance.  Analysts see smartphones impacting compact camera sales.  Nikon patents 58/1.2.  Check your software for Windows 8 compliance before upgradiing.  Rest in Peace Bruce Bayer.  UK copyright idiocy. Canon 2013 rumours.

The Photo Video Guy Podcast - Episode 41

End of life for the Nikon 16/2.8 fisheye?  Nikon patents a 55-300/2.8-4.D600 sensor dust continues to show up.  Canon rumours for 2013 and a new Canon user forum.  Olympus releases a 17/1.8 in thime for the holidays, Sony's 16-50 sharp enough.  Apple updates Aperture and thoughts on what constitutes fast enough.

The Best Tripod I Have Ever Owned

And boy, have I owned tripods.... Like many of us who have been photographers for years/decades, I've accumulated a number of tripods over time, some I still have, many are long gone and others are "in process".  This week I received the tripod that is the best I've ever owned.

Following a series of conversations with the very helpful folks at Really Right Stuff, I ordered a leg set to go with my existing head.   My kit today consists of:

• TVC-34L legs
• TA-3-QC Quick Column
• BH-55 Ball Head
• TA-2-LC Leveling Base
• TH-DVTL-55 Dovetail adapter for the Ball Head
• B-150B Package Macro Rail Set
• PCL-1 Panoramic Clamp
• PCL-DVTL Dovetail Adapter for Panorama
• 192 Precision Plus Package Rail Set for Panoramas
• TQB-89 Tripod Case

I love the construction quality of the RRS equipment.  While the legs and pano gear are new, I have used the other gear for some time on Gitzo GT3541 legs and loved it.  What I needed was a taller tripod that gave me stability without necessarily having to extend the centre column fully.  The 34L legs do that.  They are slightly larger in diameter than the legs of the Gitzo and have a refined construction method to their carbon fiber tubing.  The leg set is only nominally heavier than what it replaces and delivers the stability I want.  I like the wider domed rubber feet and that I can easily exchange the feet for rock feet or spikes should the need arise.

I added the quick column not because I really wanted a taller height but to give me flexibility on slopes.  I rarely find that the ground where I shoot is level or flat.  The wider diameter legs feel more stable, especially with the weight of the Hasselblad H4D-40 and 300mm lens mounted up.

On top of the column I mounted the TA-2-LC leveling base.  Mine was actually a universal base that I converted from a 3/8-16 screw on top to a Really Right Stuff lever clamp.  This way I can level out whatever head assembly I choose to use before adjusting the head.  It adds a bit of length to the unit and some weight but the fast levelling capability more than overshadows the additional size.

I added the TH-DVTL-55 dovetail plate to the bottom of my existing BH-55 ball head.  The BH-55 is without a doubt the best ball head I have ever used.  It handles everything, is easy to deploy and never creeps.  By putting the dovetail plate on it, it makes it easy to change heads or insert accessories such as the Panoramic clamp.  At some point I might want to get one of the Omni Pivot Packages and the ability to change heads quickly is appealing to me.

The PCL-1 Panoramic Clamp also has the PCL-DVTL plate on it so I can quickly mount it on top of the BH-55 or between the BH-55 and Levelling Base depending on my needs.  I find that the RRS Lever clamps are superb, fast to lock and unlock and take up less space than the knob style clamps.  Don't get me wrong, the knob style clamps are extremely secure, I just like the speed of the levers.  I also got the 192 Precision Plus rail kit to make it simple to find the nodal point and to be able to use either camera body or lens mount orientation on the rail, because the mini-clamp is rotatable.

The macro rail kit is extremely precise and very smooth.  I had been using the simpler Manfrotto macro rail before and it worked fine for lighter cameras but it was a bit awkward with the Hasselblad and macro lens.  I added the adapter in the package as my Canon 180mm macro is a collared lens, so I can mount either body or lens orientation quickly.

I do have other RRS gear purchased over time and have never been disappointed.  I am always impressed by their team's knowledge and customer first attitude.  I've never had a quality issue and the one time I thought I had an issue, it was actually my fault for using a clamp wrong.

The main reason that took me to Really Right Stuff was the ability via L-Plates on my camera bodies to switch from landscape to portrait orientation without altering the lens plane.  To some this sounds like an expensive solution to a simple issue, but for me, I took a chance and have been proven right.  All my Canons, my Hasselblad and the Leica have L plates.  Nothing to lose, fast and secure mounting and no hassle makes this system hard to beat.

I don't sell Really Right Stuff gear.  I'm just a customer.  But I have to say I think it's the best gear out there and well worth the investment.

Holiday Shopping Ideas

A lot of new stuff has come out this year, some still to come but I wanted to give readers a head's up on what I think is pretty cool and what's less so. Please understand that these are my own opinions and may not be congruent with others. The Entry DSLR

If ever there was a year to be able to get into the DSLR game with incredible quality at unprecedented prices this would be it. Nikon's D3200 is a 24MP powerhouse that is a terrific first step into the DSLR world. It does stills and 1080P video and can use most all Nikon lenses (they have to have an AF motor inside as the body does not). It is fast to use, quick to focus and a great launch point. You will see D3000 and D3100 models at low prices this season but given the light year step forward that the D3200 brings, my opinion is stay away from end of life stuff.

BTW, the Nikon D5100 has been replaced by the D5200 everywhere EXCEPT North America. If you want a current D5X00 buy a gift card and wait. The D5100 is a fine camera but is End of Life.

Canon is now six months in on the Rebel T4i. Rebels have always been a great value, but this Rebel knocks it out of the park. It is an 18MP sensor but in a move never seen before it uses 14 bit processing instead of the 8 bit processing usually found in consumer DSLRs. That means that the tonal range and the overall amount of information is the same as what you would find in a 7D, for a lot less money. The Rebel T4i is also one of very few DSLR cameras that can autofocus in video mode with Canon's STM lenses. Pair this with the 18-135 lens for a truly rocking kit.

The Serious DSLR

In my mind there is a killer choice this season and it's particularly grand if you are a Nikon user, or want to be one. The D600 is stunningly good. Many pros are using the D600 to back up their D3 and D4 bodies instead of the D800. It has a brand new 24MP sensor, speedy autofocus, great handling and when bought as a kit with the brand new Nikkor 24-85 zoom lens you have a good to go offering. The D600 is a full frame sensor so you are maximizing the use of the sensor and the image quality that the camera can deliver.

Canon should have the 6D out before the buying season really starts, although if I were spending coin on a new Canon body in this niche, I'd also look at the clearance pricing on 5D Mk II bodies. The 5D Mk II set the stage for DSLR video and while its autofocus is a bit slower than newer models and has fewer focus points, it is proven worldwide and well over $1,000 cheaper than the 5D Mk III. The 6D will also be full frame and have nominally better autofocus and a slightly higher burst mode fps as well as built in WiFi. The 6D will likely be a few hundred more expensive than the 5D Mk II body when it shows up

The Digital Single Lens Mirrorless

Kudos to Lumix for picking an acronym that finally makes sense. We've seen the Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Format, the Compact Systems Camera and a variety of others.

In this space despite new versions of the Nikon 1 series replacing the unsuccessful J1 and the nominally more successful V1, Sony rules the space. The NEX-5R and the NEX-6 are unstoppable when it comes to image quality, performance and ease of use. The NEX-6 brings most of the functionality of the market leading NEX-7 to a much more attractive price point and the Sony glass in the space is as good as any other player. The NEX-6 is also a full APS-C sensor instead of the smaller 1" sensors and M4/3 sensors in some of the alternatives.

The Canon EOS-M has finally arrived and I'm sad to say it's not on my hot list. The construction is great, the fit and feel are good but the autofocus is glacial in performance. So long as those mountains in the distance don't move you'll be fine but forget any kind of action. Plus the NEX-6 also offers an eyepiece viewfinder in addition to the rear LCD.

The Lens Quest

Well the lens quest is always a big deal during the holidays. And there are always plenty of options out there so I'm going to try to synthesize the list down for you.

For the person looking for a very fast 50mm that is tough and tack driving sharp, go with the Sigma 50/1.4 It's optically better than the Canon or Nikon options, costs a bit more and uses larger filters. It's better glass and fits both full frame and APS-C sensor cameras.

Want an all in one walkaround lens? Nikon's 28-300 is hard to beat and while Canon's 28-300 variant is both expensive and heavy, it's also great. I cannot say the same for the Nikon 18-300 or the Canon 18-200 as neither fares well in independent testing. Sigma's 18-250 (not the old one, the new one) is a strong player in the space and reasonably priced for what it delivers.

If you have that super-telephoto wanter on your list, or you are that person, allow me to recommend a lens that is expensive, heavy and absolutely brilliant. It's Sigma's 120-300/2.8 zoom. It's actually less expensive than their fixed 300/2.8 and is a joy to shoot with. If 300mm is longer than you want to carry and you don't want to spend as much but want amazing image quality consider the Canon 70-200/4 L IS or the forthcoming Nikon 70-200/4 ED VR. Today's cameras do well at higher ISO so the one stop down from the more expensive and more massive f/2.8 variants will save you money and weight and give you amazing images. You can also consider the Sigma 70-200/2.8 as it will be in a similar price point to the Canon or Nikon f/4 lenses. Many of my TV co-host Bryan's students on Daytripper events have shot amazing images with the Sigma. It's great value for the money.

Tripods

This is the number one time of year for tripod sales. We all know the value of a good tripod but let me share a thought that both Bryan and I have shared on the TV show.

Buy your last tripod first

Sounds simple? It actually is. Most serious photographers find that they end up with multiple tripods or are trying to sell older tripods to fund newer ones. Save time and money and buy the best you can up front. My personal choice is ALWAYS the gear from Really Right Stuff, but as most people like to see before they buy, allow me to use two words. Gitzo and Manfrotto. It's hard to go wrong with either brand, although in keeping with the last first sentiment, also think carbon fiber or basalt. Manfrotto does carbon, Gitzo does both. Lighter is better than heavier if you are the person carrying the tripod and either material transmits less vibration than the less expensive aluminum versions. Your choice of tripod head will make a difference as well so sometimes a new head for an existing tripod is a good move. In this case, if still photography is what the photographer will do most, get a ball head. Those multi-arm heads are awesome for video but take more time to get aligned than a simple ball head. Again, if you go Gitzo or Manfrotto you won't be disappointed.

Looking for more ideas?

Send me an email with your query and I will try to help you out.

Model Releases, Copyright and Where to Learn More

Last week, the Canadian government changed the Copyright Act to ensure that the copyright to work produced by a photographer is the same as for any other artist.  Simply, you retain your copyright whether you do the work for yourself or are commissioned to do so.  In the past, being prior to November 7, 2012, commissioned work became the property of the commissioning agency unless specifically excluded by contract.  Well done Canada! I regularly listen to Frederick van Johnson who hosts the This Week in Photo podcast.  Like any podcast, some episodes are more interesting than others depending upon what you are looking for.  A recent episode featured Mr. Jack Reznicki and Mr. Ed Greenberg of TheCopyrightZone.com and their critical book, The Photographer's Survival Manual.  (Link to purchase this book at the bottom of the post)

Even though I own the book and recommend it to students, repetition is the mother of skill and so I learn something whenever I listen to these gentlemen.  What was my learning this time?

Electronic model releases may not stand up in court because electronic documents can be edited.

I have looked at, and purchased, electronic model release systems for the iPad, and liked the one from the American Society of Media Photographers very much.  (Others left me underwhelmed).  Until Mr. Reznicki and Mr. Greenberg did their little role play, I missed completely how an electronic release could be challenged in court.  Paper is the way to go.  Listen to the episode of TWIP here.

Support The Photo Video Guy by purchasing the book from Amazon through this link.

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The Photo Video Guy Podcast - Episode 40

Correction, the new Sony pro video camera is the F55 not the F5S as reported last week.  Nikon has changed the protocol for the back focus button on the D4, the D800 and the D800e.  Nikon has announced the D5200 everywhere but in the US and are dropping the SB400 flash.  Canon has announced the 24-70/4L USM IS and the 35/2 USM IS.  Canon no longer includes USB cables in the boxes with some cameras frustrating buyers.  DP Review posts downloadable RAW files from the Pentax K5 II and the K5 IIs.  Sigma announces pricing on the new 35/1.4.  Adobe makes release candidates available for Lightroom 4.3 and ACR 7.3.  CAPIC wins fight for copyright retention for Canadian photographers.  Soft lens?  Try focus calibration.  Free lighting diagram app from Sylights.

What Canon's new MAP pricing policy means to you

As mentioned in the Episode 39 of the podcast, Canon is implementing a MAP pricing policy.  Most of us know of MSRP or Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.  It's suggested because to make it a requirement would be determined to be price fixing.  Resellers tend to stick pretty close to MSRP in their advertised prices, especially on Accessories because it keeps the margin very high and if everyone does it, discounting on these items becomes rare. MAP is Minimum Advertised Price.  This is a completely different game.  Basically MAP is a vehicle by which the manufacturer does set the lowest advertised price for their products by any authorized reseller.  Reseller authorization grants the reseller access to purchase the products for resale, MSRP provides a suggested selling price and MAP defines the lowest price that a product can be advertised for.

The theory is that MAP eliminates what social engineers (and I say those words with all the venom I can) call dog eat dog competition.  It's also a way for a vendor to cancel reseller authorization if MAP is not followed.  MAP does not prevent a reseller from selling below MAP, it simply holds an axe over their necks if they advertise a lower price.  In Canon's case we saw the prices rise on many items concurrent with the advent of their MAP policy. I'd say I was surprised but Canon is simply following the same tune as others before them.

What this means to you is that if you are an educated buyer who has done his or her research you will not be able to price shop the way you have in the past as all resellers will be held to the minimum advertised price.  There is a popular theorem that MAP reduces grey marketing, but this is spurious as warranty and serial number management make grey markets a caveat emptor entity already.  It's not price fixing, but it's close.

So how will you get a lower price than MAP allows?  Resellers work with manufacturers to prepare bundles that are reseller unique that have approved pricing thresholds.  These bundles are not generically available, and so makes comparison shopping more difficult.  It's an obfuscation scheme at best.

So how to deal with this buyer hostile model?  Choose your reseller based on your needs.  If you like the idea of a photographic centric reseller that will help you after you have made your purchase, and that provides additional service that you value, be they training programs, extended warranties and knowledgeable staff, then deal with that reseller and negotiate your own purchase to the best of your ability.  Price match policies become useless when every reseller must hold advertising at a certain level, so the differentiation becomes the reseller added value.  If you don't care about that, or think that it is fair to buy from a jobber or warehouse/big box store and then go waste the time of photographic professionals to whom you have brought only questions and no business that it your choice, although I do not see how this helps those resellers with a service orientation stay in business.

Who does MAP help?  It helps the manufacturer that implements it and the reseller that complains of price competition and who has no value to offer to buyers beyond a low price.  It doesn't help the buyer and that may cause you, if you are a thinking person, to be suspicious of any manufacturer that uses MAP as a stick.  No responsible reseller is going to sell below their burdened cost and their necessary profitability to keep the doors open.  MAP is the closest thing to price fixing a manufacturer has and is only spun as a "value" to those foolish enough to believe that they can have their lunch and eat it too.

The Photo Video Guy Podcast - Episode 39

Nikon updates software and rumours D5200.  Reviews of EOS-M.  Canon sets MAP pricing policy.  Sony intros F5 and F5S video cameras and RED drops prices.  More bags from Think Tank

The New Apple Drinking Game

Many folks know that I prefer Macintosh computer systems to alternatives. However, I am exhausted by recent Apple "nonovations" and propose a new drinking game. Here's how to play.

1. Sit down in a safe place with access to any recent Apple event keynote. You will not be driving ANYWHERE after this
2. Equip yourself with a shot glass and bottle of your favourite intoxicant
3. Pour a shot
4. Start the event keynote and every time any Apple executive uses either of "beautiful" or "thin" to describe any Apple product, drink the shot.
5. Refill quickly because this is an easy game to win and very fast paced
6. Prepare to be hammered in the first few minutes, first minute if you are watching Phil Schiller.

Both sad and pathetic.

I still prefer Macintosh computers, although I do wish that Apple would get their thumbs out and update the Mac Pro, and not f*ck it up in the process.

The Photo Video Guy Podcast - Episode 38

Canon to produce a new 8800/5.6? Nikon announces the 70-200/4 and Nikon 1 V2. Nikon announces development of new 1 series lenses. Phase One updates Capture One Pro to V7. DxO announces DxO Optics Pro v8. Apple updates their RAW converter. Short hands-on with the Alpha 99

The Photo Video Guy Podcast - Episode 37

Nikon announces new remote controls and is set to release a new 70-200/4 VR by the end of November. Canon has a firmware upgrade for the 1DX, the 1D-c is not just a 1Dx in different firmware, and the expected early availability of the EOS-M is not early. Canon has a rumoured 700D that leaves me shaking my head. Sony closes a DSLR lens factory and updates firmware on NEX and Alpha cameras. Lenrentals.com now has Sigzilla for rent. Go Pro announces the 4K Hero 3 Black. I close the episode with kudos for the Toronto Zombie Walk

The Photo Video Guy Podcast - Episode 36

Nikon press release on Oct 24, may be the V2? Rumours of a D4x exxagerrated, new 32/1.2 for 1 series. EyeFi cards don't work in the D800 family. Canon to release new lenses in 2013, 18-0300 EFS and 24-300 EF. New firmware for OM-D EM-5. Adobe updates Lightroom and Camera Raw, releases lossy DNG format. DxO Optics updates include support for the 1Dx and D600. I close wiht an opinion on the short term future of APS-C

Layers in Lightroom? Absolutely!

The number one draw for photographers to use Photoshop is Layers, at least according to those who would know.  Let's not kid ourselves, Layers is an awesome function but only barely touches the depths of design genius that Photoshop can unlock.  But, what if you only have Lightroom and REALLY NEED the functionality of Layers, but don't have the cash or time to get into Photoshop? It's all good.  Just click the graphic to the left and download Perfect Layers 2.  It's free.  It brings the power of Photoshop style Layers to Lightroom.  For free.  It's easy to use and plugs right into your workflow.  You call it as an external editor in Lightroom like any other plugin.  Did I mention the part about free?

It also works with Photoshop and Apple Aperture as well as in standalone mode.

Once you open an image in Perfect Layers, you can do all those cool layerly things that you want to do, like retouch, mask out section, control blend modes or add more layers with colour blends.  Heck it also comes with Perfect Effects 3, also at no charge so you leverage over 20 custom photo styling effects.  For free.

Now you are probably asking why the heck the nice people at OnOneSoftware would give these amazing tools away for free.  They aren't insane.  But the tools are so good, it might (should) encourage you to try out their full suite for 30 days to see if (how) it will make your post-processing workflow easier, richer and faster. There's a lot to like in the suite. The coming Perfect Photo Suite 7 has a number of modules including;

Perfect Layers 3 Perfect Portrait 2 Perfect Effects 4 Perfect Resize 7.5 Focal Point 2 Perfect Mask 5 and the brand new Perfect B&W

I like the way these tools integrate into Lightroom. I also like that OnOneSoftware make available a stack of USEFUL Lightroom presets at no charge. LR presets are available in lots of places but with rare exceptions, they're worth what you paid for them. The OnOne presets are usable, and provide a great starting point for your own creativity.

In fact you can order Perfect Photo Suite 6.1 by clicking the banner below and get Perfect Photo Suite 7 at no charge when it is released. So you can get to beautiful work today and be assured to get the new version as soon as it ships.

Give Perfect Layers 2 a shot. The photo you save may be your own.

The Photo Video Guy Podcast - Episode 35

Nikon drops the D5100?  Nikon finds the focusing problem in the D800 and has a fix.  The Nikon V1 is cheaper than the J1 in the US.  The Canon 1C is a 1Dx with different brains.  Price drop on the 5D Mk II.  EOS-M is shipping in Asia.  New 35/1.4L II at Photoplus? A new sensor for 2013 and a new 400/4?  Metz does a touch screen flash.  Sony invest in Olympus.  Red Giant releases PluralEyes 3.  Adobe turns Elements up to 11.  Color Munki releases the Smile and purple flare in the iPhone 5 is your fault.

Announcing the Hasselblad Lunar

You'd think that the Hasselblad company had gone out and run over the family dog based on the vituperance about the announced Lunar. Hasselblad hasn't lied about the Lunar at all.  They say it is a style oriented camera and benefits from special materials including carbon fibre, wood, leather, titanium and precious metals including gold.  They have made no claims at all about making the electronics or the sensor or even the glass.

Internally the Lunar is a Sony NEX-7.  In my opinion, at time of writing, the NEX-7 is the best Compact System Camera, Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera, Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Format, fill in your own name here camera on the market.

The NEX-7 is easy to use and well suited to committed photographers with dual control dials, a built-in viewfinder, blazing autofocus and superb exposure control.  Sony E lenses are pretty darn good and we've recently learned that they are full frame capable.

So Hasselblad isn't making the guts.  They are doing the physical casement.  It will cost around $5,000 more than an NEX-7.  If all you need is delivered by the NEX-7, then go out and buy one.  If you have the coin, and the desire, as well as the willingness to drop $5K on what is, imho, basically bling, then go rock your world.  It's not going to make better images than an NEX-7, but you might feel that your image is enhanced.

There are folks out there who like this sort of thing.  They put gold emblems and giant spinner rims on their cars.  They self-adorn with jewelry.  Those "into photography" have been buying Hermes limited editions of Leicas.  So don't really hammer Hasselblad.  You and I may not buy a Lunar, but if this product generates revenue to help Hasselblad to keep doing amazing "real" (my word) cameras, good for them.  And to their credit, when they went outboard for the guts, they picked the best choice out there.

Specifications courtesy Victor Hasselblad AG

Recording system (still image)
Image quality modes.	RAW, RAW & JPEG, JPEG Fine, JPEG Standard
Media
Media	Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO HG Duo, SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC memory card
Slot	Multi slot for Memory Stick Duo/SD memory card
Exposure control
Exposure modes	IAUTO, Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed (S), Manual (M), Sweep Panorama, 3D
Exposure Compensation	Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion Blur, Scene Selection
Bracketing	3 continuous exposure in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps
LCD monitor
Brightness control	Auto, Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2), Sunny Weather mode
Display contents	Graphic Display, Display All Info., Big Font Size Disp, Info., Live View Priority, Level, Histogram, For viewfinder
Flash
Type	Built-in flash
Flash compensation	+/- 3.0 EV
Flash modes	Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync
Shutter
Type	Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Shutter speed	1/4000 to 30 sec., Bulb
Flash sync. speed	1/160 sec.
Electronic front curtain shutter	Yes, On/Off
Drive
Modes	Single-shot, Continuous, Speed Priority Continuous, Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay: 3/5 exposures), Bracketing, Remote Cdr
Interface
Pc Interface	Hi-speed USB (USB 2.0): Mass-storage, MTP
HD output	HDMI® mini connector (type-C), PhotoTV HD
Others	Auto-lock Accessory Shoe, Microphone jack, Remote sensor
Weight
Body only	Approx. 420 g
Dimension
W x H x D (including protrusion)	Approx. 140 x 83 x 67 mm

The Photo Video Guy Podcast - Episode 34

More Photokina joy. More info for and on the D600. Canon lights up the 6D and G15 and new printers. More small Fuji goodness. Olympus re-PENs. PhaseOne Mamiya bring a new medium format out. Lumix adds a new CSC and lens. Google commits to photography. Sigma brings out new glass and a new lens strategy. Hassleblad brings you the moon. Leica announces the next M series. Think Tank helps you travel in style.

VIDEO : Introducing Canon's Radio Remote Flash System

I've just made available this new video that introduces Canon's 600 EX-RT flash and ST-E3-RT flash controller. The new radio system is a significant departure so I explain the infrared history of Canon remote flash, where the new system is compatible and where it is not, and offer a comparison to the well known Pocket Wizard radio controllers for eTTL flash. [iframe][/iframe]

Announcing new Leicas

I guess it's no surprise that Leica (Germany) would hold it's big release party at Photokina (Germany).  There has been a ton of speculation about new cameras to be announced and Leica has not failed to deliver on the promise of announcements. The M

Most anticipated by the serious rangefinder crowd was the M10.  Which didn't appear.  Instead, Leica takes a page from Apple and has ceased numbering it's cameras so the camera we've been expecting as the M10 is just the M (Typ 240)

It is very much what has been rumoured.  About the same money as an M9 was before the discounting started about a month ago, with many of the expected changes being delivered.  I've posted links to the specs but here are the salient points.

• 24MP CMOS sensor by CMOSIS of Belgium
• 1/4000s - 60s plus Bulb
• 3fps
• SD card slot
• ISO 200-6400 with one stop pull
• 3" 920k dot LCD display covered in Corning Gorilla Glass
• Spot or centre weighted metering
• 1080p video at 25/24/30 fps

Going CMOS allows for Live View and video but means that the old style of no Anti-Aliasing filter is now gone.  Some Leica fans were near apoplectic to see this.  The higher ISO range is a nice change from the 2500 cap on the M9.  The new camera is made of magnesium with brass top and bottom plates and comes in black or chrome.

The M-E

If you've always wanted a Leica digital rangefinder but found the cost of entry a bit extreme, Leica has a new option for you called the M-E.

As best I can tell, it's a stripped (not by much) M9.  Specs are as follows

• 18MP CCD without AA filter
• ISO 160-2500 one stop pull
• 1/4000s - 240s plus bulb
• SD card slot
• Centre weighted metering
• 2.5" 230K TFT display

So with the exception of the USB port, for all intents and purposes it's an M9, only in anthracite grey with the same Kodak sensor.  It will take all accessories offered on the M9 and M9-P.  Price looks to be about $1000 below the pre-discount price of the M9.

The S

Leica is less known for their medium format camera the S2.  The new camera, called the S, is the latest iteration in the S System.

Medium format cameras tend to be heavy and bulky and look boxy.  The S looks like a DSLR that is a bit overgrown.  Control layout is simple and easy to use and the glass is amazing.  About $20k for a body only so not for those of us of average incomes.  This is a very targeted buyer.

• Weighs 1.2 kg
• ISO 100-1600
• 1/4000s - 4s plus bulb
• No spec on the sensor although the S2 sensor was a 37.5MP CCD
• 1.5fps

Nothing light or trivial here.  Leica reminds me of Rolls Royce when it comes to specs.  I remember that when Rolls used to be queried on the horsepower of their cars, their answer was "enough".  Leica is sort of that way with the S.  I don't see a lot of pros using Leica S family products, there is a lot more Hasselblad, Mamiya, Phase One and even Pentax out there in pro-land, but if money was no object this would be cool.

Leica also announced two new point and shoot style cameras, the D-Lux 6 and V-Lux 4 super zoom.  They are both very pricey models with features comparable (sometimes identical - wink) to existing point and shoot cameras from folks such as Lumix.  I don't really cover point and shoots on this site, so I will leave them to others to cover.

Announcing new Sigma lenses and organizational structure

At Photokina this week, Sigma has announced a revamping of their lens business and three new lenses. From the release, Sigma will be grouping their lenses into Contemporary, Art and Sports.  Reasons for the distinctions are not completely clear and as at this writing even the websites for Sigma country sites and distributors were not yet updated.

All the lenses have a new cosmetic look and ostensibly have improved weather sealing.

Contemporary

I think Contemporary is set to cover all-around use lenses, including multi-purpose zooms. Sigma has updated a number of lenses this year including their popular 18-250 walk around zoom, but cosmetically the lenses did not change much and optically the changes were nominal.  This week they have announced a new 17-70 f2.8-4 lens.  It's on their DC construction line so targeted at crop sensor bodies.  There are lots of those out there, but I am disappointed that the lens is not a DG given the industry trend to full frame sensors.

Construction comprises aspherical, FLD (fluorite) and SLD (super low dispersion) elements in addition to traditional optical glass.  It will weigh about 1 pound and take 72mm filters.  A 7 blade rounded diaphragm should provide pleasing bokeh when shot wide open.  Pricing was not available in the announcement.

Credit to Sigma for including performance charts with their announcement.  The chart shows mild barrel distortion at the wide end and minuscule pincushion distortion at the telephoto end.  Given that this lens is for crop sensors of varying mounts, probability is that an oversize image circle will make the distortion invisible in real world applications.

Art

Sigma says that this line is targeted for artists.  I think that this means fast primes.  The lens announced in this group is a 35mm f/1.4  Sigma has successfully proven their ability to make superb fast primes already with the industry choice 50mm f/1.4 and their 85mm f/1.4.  I've shot the 50mm and think it is better than Canon's less expensive 50/1.4.  Fashion professional Lindsay Adler is a spokesperson for the 85/1.4.  Thus I am optimistic about the image performance of the new 35mm.  This lens is a DG mount so suitable for full frame use.

Construction comprises aspherical, FLD (fluorite) and SLD (super low dispersion) elements in addition to traditional optical glass.  It's pretty large and take 67mm filters, weight was not included in the specs.  A 9 blade rounded diaphragm should provide pleasing bokeh when shot wide open.  Pricing was not available in the announcement.

Sigma's performance charts show negligible distortion, which is expected given the longevity of 35mm construction and the simple design it requires.  Vignetting is not insignificant wide open but it will take real world tests to see how much of a difference it really makes.

Sports

Many photographers have loved the second generation of Sigma's 120-300/2.8 fast telephoto zoom.  The 2nd gen model added optical image stabilization enhancing the value proposition substantially even over Sigma's really excellent 300/2.8.  We see the third generation of the 120-300/2.8 in this announcement and it has changed both cosmetically and physically.  The new lens is much sleeker that it's predecessor and now includes focus control buttons near the front element as we would find on Nikon and Canon super telephotos.  This allows the photographer direct control of focus tracking and motor speed.

The lens is built with FLD and SLD elements as well as regular optical glass as was the predecessor.  Distortion charts are available and show negligible distortions.  Since the lens is an all telephoto zoom, this makes for simpler and more robust construction.  No weight is given, but if the 2nd gen is an indicator, hand-holding will be a tiring proposition.  A tripod foot and carry case are to be included with the lens.  Filter size remains an enormous 105mm so you'll be doing a special order on that from Sigma as well.

While I am impressed with what was announced, I am looking forward to more detail and seeing the real things in stores.