Digitalopia

If you are looking at exploring macro photography, there are a number of options available.

• Dedicated Macro Lens - can be an expensive option but will provide the most flexible solution. A Macro lens has been specifically design to provide a higher magnification and a closer focal point than normal prime or zoom lenses.
• Reversing the Lens - an adapter is available to allow a lens to be reversed onto the camera body. This will remove the automatic focus and aperture controls, but does offer a cheap solution, as cheap eBay adapters are available.
• Close-up Filters - similar to other lens filters in that they screw onto the end of your lens to provide reduced focal distance and magnification. You will need to ensure they match your filter size. Both Nikon and Canon offer close-up lens, as well as cheap eBay copies.
• Extension Tubes - extension tubes connect between the camera body and the lens, allowing you to focus at a much reduced distance and also increase the magnification factor of the lens. Available with electrical contacts for automatic focus and aperture, with the popular Kenko tubes up to 100 dollars each. Cheaper extension tubes are available that do not have electrical contacts, with cheap eBay tubes available for 10 dollars a set.

As a experiment, I decided to try out the cheap ten dollar eBay extension tubes. I was obviously not expecting much from them, but I was pleasantly surprised by the results I achieved.

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I do enjoy the near instant feedback that photographing when tethered provides. However, it is not always convenient to have your camera right next to your computer. During my current build of a DIY light tent (you will have to wait for a few more days for that article), I found the ideal place to set up the light tent was a few meters away from my computer (iMac rather than a laptop so not that portable.) Rather than shoot to the CF card and then process the photos later in Aperture, I decided to tether the camera with the help of a 5 meter USB (16.4 feet) extension cable. I found a cable that was compatible with USB 2 that gave nearly 6 meters extension when the Nikon cable was included.

The photo above (of a toy pencil sharpener) was taken with 2 desk lamps (100 Watts each) on a blue card background. The setup is shown below. No prizes for the lighting, but I am still in the process of building my DIY light tent (letting the glue dry!)

I have not noticed any slowdown or any other issues when using the longer cable. It should be noted that 5 meters is the maximum specified length for USB, but this should be more than enough to allow you to shoot anywhere in the same room as your computer.

With my recent purchase of the Feisol CT-3342 carbon fiber tripod I also upgraded my ball head to the Markins Q-Ball M10 ball head. This is my first ’serious’ ball head, after using a number of cheaper models with limited success. Their tendency to creep when used with larger lenses requiring constant tightening/loosening was frustrating in use. I therefore decided to move up to a more professional ball head. I was also looking for a head that is compatible with the Arca-Swiss mounting plates.

I ordered the Markins direct from their Korean office, and it was shipped in just a few days. Payment can be conveniently made through Paypal and an EMS tracking number was provided so you can track its progress.

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I recently read the announcement that Nikon and Microsoft have signed a patent sharing agreement. The deal basically gives each company access to the other’s patents. There were not many details revealed about the deal at the time of the annoucement, except that this would allow Nikon and Microsoft to continue to develop wireless camera technology and RAW image formats.

What is interesting is how this announcement relates to the recently announced Nikon Coolpix P6000. Rather than use the common NEF RAW format, Nikon have chosen to use the NRW RAW image format, which is based on Windows Imaging Component (and you would assume co-developed with Microsoft.) Why Nikon would choose to develop an alternative RAW image format is not clear. The NEF RAW image format is standard on all Nikon DSLRs and their top-of-the-range compact cameras. One thing to note is that Mac users will initially be unable to open the new NRW image format until Apple releases an update to Core Image.

I can understand Microsoft wanting to get more aggressively involved in digital photography, as the Apple Mac has become a very popular platform among professional photographers. This can have a flow-through effect to amateur photographers, who try to use similar technologies to the professionals. Microsoft may well also look at entering the digital video market more aggressively. With the increase in popularity of Linux as an alternative desktop solution, Microsoft must look at specific market segments with which to gain market share and credibility.

I recently decided to upgrade my tripod, choosing a carbon fiber Feisol model. My choice was particularly swayed by the many positive online reviews and its value for money, especially considering its 1kg weight and carbon fiber construction. I ordered the Feisol CT-3342 carbon fiber tripod and it arrived in only 4 days shipped direct from Taiwan. You are provided an EMS shipping number by email for tracking online. Payment was made through Paypal.

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Nik Software recently updated their Color Efex Pro 3.0 software to provide support for Aperture 2.1+ though the addition of an edit plug-in. Note that the Aperture plug-in is not available with the Standard Edition of Color Efex Pro 3.0, only the Select and Complete Editions.

Color Efex Pro 3.0 provides a set of digital filters for colour correction, retouching and creative enhancements. They are analogous to traditional photographic filters, and some of the filter names will be familiar, such as Graduated Neutral Density and Skylight Filter.

Color Efex Pro 3.0 is available in three different versions at different price points and number of included filters. A 15 day free trial version is also available.

• Standard Edition - 15 Filters - $99.95 (Aperture plug-in not included)
• Select Edition - 35 Filters - $159.95
• Complete Edition - 52 Filters - $299.95

The filters provided with each edition are listed here.

After opening the plug-in with a selected photo, the plug-in interface is opened. The Complete Edition is shown in the screen shot below after the B/W Conversion plug-in has been applied.

The left side of the plug-in lists the available filters, grouped into a number of tabs; All, Traditional, Stylizing, Landscape or Portrait. Filters can also be added to a dedicated Favorites tab.

The center of the plug-in shows the selected photo. A number of different display modes are available.

• A single image is shown with the filter applied (a check-box can remove the preview, simply showing the image before the filter is applied.)
• Before and after photos are shown side-by-side (as shown in the screen shot above.) This is my preferred display mode, allowing to see the filter effects upon all parts of the photo.
• A single photo is shown split in two, the left side showing before and the right side showing after.

The right side of the plug-in shows the available options for the currently selected filter. A loupe is also provided that shows the before and after effects of the filter at the pixel level. The loupe displays the photo detail at the current mouse pointer location.

I will be adding some subsequent follow-up articles taking an example image and passing it through a number of the available filters to show the their effect and the filters available options.

Overall, Color Efex Pro 3.0 is a great Aperture plug-in and a valuable addition to your digital kit-bag. However, as the Aperture plug-in is only available with the Select and Complete Editions, which at $160 and $300 (minus that 5 cents!) respectively are quite expensive, it will only be popular with a select group of Aperture users. However, if you have not invested in Photoshop, a couple of Aperture plug-ins may be all you need to complete your digital workflow. I would definitely recommend using the free trial version to see if it offers enough features for the cost.

As I have decided to upgrade my aging tripod to the Feisol CT-3343, I needed a new tripod head. I chose a ball head as I enjoy the freedom of movement it provides. Ball heads are available across a wide price range from a few dollars to nearly one thousand. After a lot of research, I decided upon the Markins M10 ball head. I also ordered the Markins PG34N plate to fit my Nikon D70 and also the Markins MP-3 neoprene pouch to protect the head when it is attached to the tripod (it also acts as a storage pouch.) At $340 it is not cheap, but I think it will be able to easily support both my current and planned future body and lenses.

There were some compelling reasons for me choosing this model and this brand. One of the most important considerations when choosing a ball head is the weight it is expected to support. I looked for a head that can support a 70-200mm F2.8 lens, but potentially could support a longer zoom in the future. Many of the cheaper head will start to creep with heavy lenses. As I am hoping to experiment with both HDR and panoramic photography, movements in the ball head will introduce blur to images.

• Positive reviews - Most, if not all of the review that I read were positive. There were minor comments regarding the movement of the panoramic base (rotational movement when forced) even when fully locked, but this did not distract the reviewers from recommending the head.



• Hopefully it will last a lifetime - I am hoping that the combination of the Feisol tripod and Markins M10 ball head will provide me many years of service. A lot of people agree with Thom Hogan, who thinks that most people will eventually end up buying progressively more extensive tripods and heads (as they start to find deficiencies in there current models), and it is better to just ‘bite the bullet’ and spend the money upfront. I agree, and think it will save you money in the long term.
• More support than I will need - The Markins M10 is rated at 90lbs of support. It is widely agreed that you should look for a head that can support 3 times the maximum support requirement. Based upon my current and planned future body and lenses, I believe this should be more than adequate. Also, having some ‘headroom’ will put the head under less stress under day-to-day use.

It is worth keeping in mind the additional cost of body and lens plates, which are around $50 each (L plates cost around $100.) Most of the more expensive and professional ball heads provide support for the Arca-Swiss quick release plates. This allows you to permanently attach a plate to your camera bodies or lenses. The Arca-Swiss plates offer a very stable and secure fit to your camera and quick release plates, as they are custom designed for specific camera and lens models. It also allows you to choose plates from a number of different manufacturers to meet your requirements. Note that Manfrotto ball heads do not support the Arca-Swiss plates, so you will need to buy additional Manfrotto plates if you choose a Manfrotto ball head. I did not find the Manfrotto plates as secure as the Arca-Swiss plates, with some movement when attached. This is mainly due to the generic nature of the Manfrotto plates, as they are designed to fit all available bodies and cameras. A tripod provides a secure and stable environment for low light or longer exposure shots. If any parts of your tripod setup can move, wether it be the legs, head or plates, then your photos may suffer from blur or sharpness issues.

The following are some other models that I looked at before deciding upon the Markins. Note that my budget was around $200 - $400 dollars, hence the lack of expensive models. However as this price range covers most of the popular ball heads, you would only look to spend more if you will be supporting larger (300mm +) lenses. I would recommend either the Kirk BH-1, Markins M20 or RRS BH-55 if more support is required.

• Markins Q-Ball Q3 - the baby brother to the Markins M10, the Q3 is slightly smaller and supports slightly less weight. It was very hard to choose between the Q3 and M10, but I ultimately chose the more expensive model, mainly due its increased support capability.
• Kirk BH-3 - a very popular ball head and its cheaper price ($255) and included universal plate makes a very good alternative to the Markins.
• RRS BH-40 - a work of art that looks fantastic. Most reviews have been positive, but I have read more than once about a slight creep after locking the ball. It is also more expensive at $375 (with lever quick release), but it would definitely be a good alternative to the Markins M10.
• Manfrotto 488 - a pretty good ball head for $100, but at this price point you are not really going to get the same level of support as the more expensive models. It does have a tendency to creep with anything bigger than a small body and zoom lens, so you may end up replacing it when you upgrade you lenses. All Manfrotto heads include a proprietary quick release system. It has become standard among the the more expensive and professional ball head manufactures to support the Arca-Swiss style quick release plates. After you have used the Arca-Swiss quick release plates, the Manfrotto system seems very unstable and cumbersome in comparison.
• Manfrotto 468MG - currently the top-of-the-range from Manfrotto ball head and has received a number of positive reviews. However, at around $290 it is priced similar to the Kirk, Markins and RRS models. Whilst I love Manfrotto products, I think a lot of photographers would recommend the other models. Also, the Manfrotto includes the proprietary quick release system as with the 488.

I am currently awaiting its delivery from Korea, and will be providing both my initial thoughts and a more detailed review after some use.

I have included some photos of the Markins M10 range, traditional black, blue, red and without the Markins quick shoe. The later model will be popular for people wishing to use alternative quick shoes, such as the Really Right Stuff models that are receiving some great reviews.

Please note that if you are from outside the US or Canada, you will need to use the Markins International site. US and Canada orders will be shipped from the US reseller, where all international orders will be shipped directly from Korea. My order was processed the same day and I was sent the shipping EMS details to allow me to track the order online. So far, I agree with a number of the online reviews regarding the very prompt and professional customer service of Markins.

After what seems like months of research, I have decided to upgrade my aging tripod to the Feisol CT-3342. This tripod (as with all of the Feisol tripods) is made from carbon fiber to provide a light and strong support. I have read many positive reviews of the Feisol range of tripods, and they seem to offer a cheaper alternative to Gitzo whilst offering a better solution than the popular Manfrotto. I chose a 3 section model over the TC-3442 4 section model, as I think that it will offer marginal better stability, be easier to extend and I have no real requirement for the shorter folded length of the 4 sections. However, if I was frequently traveling (especially flying), then the shorter folded length of the 4 section model would be an advantage.

There were some compelling reasons for me choosing this model and this brand. Note that a choice of tripod is quite a personal decision based upon individual requirements, such as weight, height and cost.

• Positive reviews - I have not read many (if any) negative reviews of the Feisol tripods. They have not taken the path to blatantly copy Gitzo (like Benro), rather they have applied their own innovation to the designs. They also listen to customer comments, as they have been revising their range based upon previous reviews.
• Carbon fibre at an aluminum price - as a general purpose tripod, I was looking for something both light and strong. A tripod that is heavy to carry will be left behind when treking, so weight was an important consideration. The CT-3342 weights around 1kg which is extremely light. The similar specification Manfrotto 055MF3 weights 2kg and the equivalent aluminum 055PRO weights 2.4kg. This can make a substantial difference when you are deciding what to take for a photography trip.
• Center column was an option - I am not a great fan of center columns. They are typically unstable, similar to adding a monopod to the top of the tripod. I prefer a tripod that has the height in its main leg sections rather than rely on a center column. The CT-3342 is 142cm fully extended, which together with the height of a typical ball head (10cm) and the camera body (10cm) should be acceptable for people less than 6″ tall. At 5′ 10″, I think it will be the perfect height for me without having to stoop.



• Hopefully it will last a lifetime - I am hoping that the combination of the Feisol tripod and Markins M10 ball head will provide me many years of service. A lot of people agree with Thom Hogan, who thinks that most people will eventually end up buying progressively more expensive tripods and heads (as they start to find deficiencies in their current models), and it is better to just ‘bite the bullet’ and spend the money upfront. I agree, and think it will save you money in the long term.
• Price - at $299 dollars it represents great value for money for a carbon fiber tripod. A Gitzo of a similar specification will cost 2 or 3 times as much. For a non-professional photographer, the Feisol may offer the best alternative.

The following are some other models that I looked at before deciding upon the Feisol. Note that my budget was around $200 - $400 dollars, hence the lack of the more expensive (and potentially better) Gitzo models.

• Manfrotto 055MF3 - I started my research with this model as it offered a carbon fiber tripod at a competitive price. I eventually decided that the Feisol (at the same price) offered a better solution, especially as it was half the weight.
• Manfrotto 190CX3 - a nice looking and well specified tripod. However, it is a little too short with me without raising the center column, something I am trying to avoid.
• Benro - Benro makes copies of the popular Gitzo models. I have read positive reviews based upon their low cost and quality copies of Gitzo. However, I like the innovation of the Feisol models.
• Giottos, Cullman, Slik, Velbon - I discounted some of the other brands early on. I am hoping to not upgrade the tripod for a number of years, and think that some of the cheaper models will not provide the stability or low weight I require. I know a lot of people that swear by some of these brands, so it may be a matter of personal preference, but I hope I am not proved wrong!

I am currently awaiting its delivery from Taiwan (it shipped within hours of putting the order in), and will be providing both my initial thoughts and a more detailed review after some use.

I needed to upgrade my embarrassingly old Canon IXUS point-and-shoot camera that was showing signs of old age. I primarily use my Nikon D70, but for general family shots and day trips it is convenient to take along a small camera in your back pocket. I had budgeted around $200 - $300, which is smack bang in the middle of the crowded point-and-shoot market. It is amazing how many models there are to choose from, especially if you only follow the DSLR market. I though Casio only made watches !?!?

After some online research, I decided upon a black Sony DSC-W150.

DCResource.com has a nice review of this camera and it is currently featured in their Buyers Guide. The W150 is Sony’s mid-range model, coming with 8.1MP, a 2.7″ LCD screen, Carl Zeiss lens and a 5x optical zoom (30 - 150mm equivalent).

As it is a Sony camera, it only accepts their Memory Stick media, so I went for the 4GB Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo card. This should be good for nearly 1000 shots at 8.1MP!

The battery is still charging (I read it can take up to 5 hours for a full charge), so I will provide a more comprehensive update when I have taken a few shots.

It seems that Amazon is currently offering Apple Aperture 2.0 for only $159.99, saving over $39 off the price it is available from other retailers, including the Apple store.

This offer is direct from Amazon and includes free shipping (Super Saver Shipping). Click here to head on over to Amazon.