Interesting New Toys?

[MarkBarbieri]

Since we've had endless which body or lens discussions lately, I thought I'd start a thread to discuss other photography related toys. Have you bought anything interesting lately that you'd like to comment on - new lighting equipment, filters, bags, etc?

I bought a leveling base a few weeks ago. I really bought it for my video camera. I found that I needed to have the tripod level so that my pans wouldn't go uphill or downhill. Doing that by fiddling with the tripod legs was a pain. With the leveling base, it takes just a couple of seconds.

I can see a use in photography for those that take a lot of panoramic shots. For individual shots, I can't see it adding much value (assuming that you already have a ball head).

The only issue that I've found so far is that the locking knob doesn't lock tight enough. My son sometimes pushes down hard on the tripod lever in an attempt to pan up without first loosening the panning knob. When he does that, pops the leveling base loose and gets off level.

 

[MICKEY88]

I recently purchased 2 pop up changing rooms for location model shoots, they are rather cool, should make shoots in odd locations a lot less complicated..

 

[tinksdad]

I just ordered a flash bracket and sync cord to aid in macro work.

Love that pano head idea. Been looking at one of those as well.

 

[ukcatfan]

Nothing as exciting as what you all are getting, but I recently picked up a Lowepro Orion Trekker II for use at WDW in August. It fits my body with any of my lenses attached, two extra lenses, filters, and my S2 IS all in the lower portion. Up top I have two memory cards, two sets of batteries, Giottos Large Rocket blower, and my AA charger. The charger will be left back at the room, but it will still hold everything else we will need for the day such as sunblock (in a baggie), hats, sunglasses, snacks, etc. Just nothing wet that can leak. Our youngest is six and we will still be bringing a stroller for when she gets tired and to hold our drinks and ponchos.

Kevin

 

[mabas9395]

My most recent, and probably last toy for a while was Lightroom just before the intro price ended on 4/30 (though I think you can still find it for the reduced price). I've decided I really need to get a book for it, no use letting all those advanced feature go unused.

As far as new toys, my wife is getting a new house next month (we are all living there, but it is HER dream house). So most of my toy money is going towards the bigger house payment. Which is fine, because I should really learn how to use the toys I got before I start getting more (but that 70-200 f/2.8 sure would have been nice to get before this new vow of poverty)

 

[Master Mason]

I just got a gittos rocket blower... came in the same box with the 24-70 I ordered... And Lightroom, on order, but downloading the trial.

The flash bracket is on my list of things to get as well, but hasn't reached to top. What got me interested was not macro, but candids at the ball parks. I saw another guy using one a while ago, and his shots were amazing with the off camera fill flash.

I honestly only have 2 other things I currently want, upgraded body and a UWA lens, but those will have to wait for a few months.

 

[jann1033]

I've been very good since hub said i could upgrade the body and haven't even bought the adapter to connect the 2 lenses for macro ( $14 at b&H) which could be part of his motive in telling me i could get the upgrade but since my 28-135 seems to be working ok i am forgetting the mid range lens for the moment and am chicken to buy my metz flash in case they do release a new body with a different flash configuration...however doesn't that seem unlikely since they just released the new speedlight?
i did see a few cases in B& h that looked good, one is a sling ( think the brand was kata or something, never heard of it)that opens like a messenger bag when you swing it around but that will wait for a while. and i can't decide what ultra wide i want so that is still up in the air as well...my indecisiveness has some benefits to my pocket

 

[SharonLowe]

My 2 latest toys are a Lensbaby 3 - such fun to use the Lensbaby and now I can use it for long exposures because the 3 locks into place. The second was that I finally converted my old D60 into an Infrared only camera. It has been fun playing with it and seeing old things in a new light.

 

[tinksdad]

My 2 latest toys are a Lensbaby 3 - such fun to use the Lensbaby and now I can use it for long exposures because the 3 locks into place.

Those look VERY interesting and fun!!!

 

[jann1033]

i just downloaded a new program... helicon filter( free for basic, 30 day free trial of full version) and so far it looks really good. easy to use, does everything on one page( ie fixes ca, crop, sharpen, clone etc)

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Love that pano head idea. Been looking at one of those as well.

Just to be clear, what I bought was a leveling base and not a pano head. The leveling base is helpful for panoramic shots because you need to be level. It doesn't really work as a true pano head, though, because it only rotates around the tripod mount point. To do panos right, you want a head that lets you rotate around the nodel point of the lens. Otherwise the relative position of foreground and background objects shifts as you rotate the camera.

 

[YEKCIM]

i just downloaded a new program... helicon filter( free for basic, 30 day free trial of full version) and so far it looks really good. easy to use, does everything on one page( ie fixes ca, crop, sharpen, clone etc)

Jan, this looks quite interesting. Have you figured out, yet, which tools are included as part of the free/basic program? I'm currently using Picasa, but this sounds like it might be a good "upgrade" to what I'm using now.

Thx.

~Ed

 

[tinksdad]

The Helicon program is pretty darn cool it your into macros. As you know, you get close and focus on one part of your subject and the other parts are outside the depth of field and blurry. This program stacks several different photos taken with a different focus and stacks the photos into one.

Here's one here;

You get 30 days for free and then you have to buy it. I'm about halfway through the trail period and will end up purchasing it. It does work better than the last stacking program I tried.

 

[tinksdad]

Just to be clear, what I bought was a leveling base and not a pano head. The leveling base is helpful for panoramic shots because you need to be level. It doesn't really work as a true pano head, though, because it only rotates around the tripod mount point. To do panos right, you want a head that lets you rotate around the nodel point of the lens. Otherwise the relative position of foreground and background objects shifts as you rotate the camera.

I understood that. Just brought to mind that a Pano head would be fun to use for better shots. I've been doing them with just leveling my ballhead and blasting away.

 

[jann1033]

Jan, this looks quite interesting. Have you figured out, yet, which tools are included as part of the free/basic program? I'm currently using Picasa, but this sounds like it might be a good "upgrade" to what I'm using now.

Thx.

the basic is free, the stand alone is around 40, the plugin up to 75, not sure what the differences are. this is the filter, i think tinksdad is talking about the focus program which i didn't download but is for macro etc.

http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconfilter.html

 

[tinksdad]

Jan, this looks quite interesting. Have you figured out, yet, which tools are included as part of the free/basic program? I'm currently using Picasa, but this sounds like it might be a good "upgrade" to what I'm using now.

Thx.

the basic is free, the stand alone is around 40, the plugin up to 75, not sure what the differences are. this is the filter, i think tinksdad is talking about the focus program which i didn't download but is for macro etc.

http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconfilter.html

You are (of course) right!!! Haven't tried the filter one yet. Do you like it?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Anybody use lens leashes? They are little things that attach your lens cap to your lens. I hate them, but my father swears by them.

 

[Master Mason]

I tried them once long ago, having the lens cover flapping around drove me nuts. I take it off, and put it in my pocket, I never lay it down or put it in my bag, always in my pocket. I have never lost one yet either.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

having the lens cover flapping around drove me nuts.

My too. It was especially annoying when shooting downward because it kept getting in the frame.

Almost all of my lenses have the same filter diameter (77mm), so I can share lens caps between them. I usually take the cap off, put it in my pocket, and then swap caps when I swap lenses. I also keep an extra one in my bag just in case I do loose one. I also keep a spare body cap and rear lens cap for that reason as well.

 

[Master Mason]

I never use the body cap, I just keep a lens attached. In my bag it is the big one, because thats the way it fits the best, plus it keeps the weight in the center.