Monitor Calibration: X-Rite vs Datacolor Spyder & how-to

Short Answer: The X-Rite ColorMunki Smile can be a bit aggressive & warm with its calibrations but mostly works for what you need on a budget. If you want something a bit less aggressive the Datacolor Spyder4Express is a better option although you’ll need the next model up from Datacolor for multiple monitors if you use their software. Using free third party software you can get a better reasonable calibration from both but especially the smile.Why Do you need color calibration? If you are editing your photos and doing anything beyond hitting an automatic fix, you are trusting the monitor to be true to life. One of the ones I normally hear from people is that their prints came out quite dark or an off color and they want to immediately blame the print lab. One of the reasons, but not the only one, is what they see on the monitor is off in color and brightness. Your average monitor on full brightness displays at 200 cd/m² which is fine for normal use, near a window, or outside but for editing it has to be around 60% of that for a decent print.If you’re using the monitor to edit photos it needs to have the most accurate colors possible and while the monitor is calibrated at the factory over time it needs recalibrated. While the monitor ages very slowly the screen deteriorates which can throw the overall color off its optimal setting. If you look at an old LCD you can notice a slight yellowing to it because the chemicals used to create blue light are the most susceptible to this effect leaving a stronger red and green presence making yellow.As an example these are two photos that on screen look identical but as you can see are quite different. On the left being my desktop that has been calibrated with a white photo and the right being my laptop set to its default which is more of a cooler blue tone. For the laptop to have the same image as the desktop the photo has to be made significantly warmer which would affect prints and posting/sending it to anyone else.The ColorMunki Smile from X-Rite (Amazon) tries to fix this issue by creating a color calibration file for your computer. Without getting too technical it creates an .icc profile that acts as an index for the computer telling it the correct colors to send to the monitor. This is accomplished by using the Smile on your monitor and letting it display a baseline of colors for it to take the differences it monitored and come up with a calibration to negate the effect making the display true.Most of the monitors I’ve tested over the last couple weeks the results were positive with usable results. That is to say not all of the monitors did manage to make a correct calibration and the X-Rite software is not a magic bullet. The software tried to aggressively warm the monitor on displays that were cooler (mainly laptop displays) or were originally quite off. For one of my own monitors that errored testing the software, it was warm enough that I ended up switching to the profile only when editing.X-Rite’s solution is to install their baseline icc profile as a default and the software will tend to be less aggressive. It still edges on being slightly warm but will give you a much better result if you are having any issues. While packaged with the ColorMunki Display it is left out from the Smile but you can download the file below. Right click on the file, click install, go to color management in the control panel, add the icc profile, click it and select it as default, restart, then re-calibrate.Download the .icc profileAs I mentioned above if the monitor is off a fair bit the software can be a bit aggressive trying to fix the problem and in more than a few I tried it actually ended up with a warm result. For laptops and some monitors this is mainly due to the temperature being set for 9300K instead of 6500K which is great for videos and documents but overall a bit blue. While you cannot directly change the output of the monitor in this case you can alter the graphics card color setting for a less blue to get a better result at the cost of some brightness (see dispcalGUI below). Also if you use a USB display adapter they are not connected to color management for it to use .icc profiles so this will not work.As for ambient light, if you have a strong yellow lamp or light in the room the Smile does not have a ambient light sensor which in that case a Spyder4Pro or ColorMunki Display would be a better option.As for the instructions, which in terms of documentation leaves a bit to be desired.

1. Leave the monitor on for 30 minutes minimum and don’t let it go on standby
2. Reset the monitor to its factory default
3. Plug the sensor in
4. Run the Smile software* and press start on display
5. Place the sensor on the screen in the box below
   1. It has to be flush with the screen, this may involve tipping the monitor back
6. After pressing start it will go through a series of colors for testing
7. Click done or calibrate another monitor

*As a note if you’re using Windows 8 or 8.1 your better option is to download the updated software vs using the packaged version. If you're on a budget the Smile is a workable solution. It sells for $69 frequently on Amazon Gold Box and for the most part does a decent job. In terms of software for another $20 you can go with the Datacolor Spyder4Express and have a few less issues. In comparison for your average when it does work correctly X-Rite software usually is warmer than the Datacolor software. The main drawback for some of the Spyder4Express is that it’s default software while somewhat limited the same as the Smile does not handle multiple monitors.Fortunately with both units if you would like to use them as a sensor only you can go a bit more advanced for a better result with the free software below.While they are expensive for a calibration I provided a link below in which you can rent a Spyder3 Print which does have that capability as well as making print calibration profiles. At least for laptops, unless you want to haul your desktop and monitor in, you can check with your local camera shops as sometimes their camera demo days sometimes have monitor calibrations for free using one of the pro models.Rent the Spyder3 from BorrowLensesBuy the X-Rite ColorMunki Smile From Amazon or B&H PhotoVideoBuy the Datacolor Spyder4Express From Amazon or B&H PhotoVideoDispcalGUI using Argyll CMS can solve a lot of the issues with the Smile having warm results. It is compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux for those wanting to avoid the stock software. In terms of sensors the Spyder4Express is relatively the Elite model bar a ambient light sensor and the software. The Smile is in the same respect as an older pro iProfiler model rebadged with dumbed down software. Compared to the previous two though the software is a bit more complicated to run.Compared to the Smile software the main benefit you gain from this is being able to set a monitor white point using monitor settings, something the more advanced products have. Compared to the default X-Rite software this leans towards a cooler result that for some monitors that I tested was preferable and you have the ability for a bit of fine tuning. For laptops this allows my above point of using the graphics card settings to account for a better calibration as well.Monitor calibration files are not permanent so you can try this software without causing any permanent issues to either device. You will however need to switch the driver back to the original to use the previous software again.Download DispcalguiWindows Instructions: (full instructions can be found on http://dispcalgui.hoech.net/)

1. Same as before you need to warm the monitor for 30 minutes and reset the settings
2. Plug the sensor in
3. Install the Argyll Driver
   1. If you're in windows you need to disable driver enforcement
      1. Windows 8/8.1: Bring up settings from the charms menu (menu on right). Click settings, power, hold down shift, and click restart. When the menu comes up select troubleshoot->advanced options->startup settings->restart. After reboot press 7.
   2. Run the software and select tools->Install Argyll CMS Insturment Drivers
   3. If you already have installed the previous software or it picked up the driver you need to check Launch Device Manager.
   4. Press OK
   5. If you did open device manager select the device under x-rite at the bottom. Right click and press update->browse my computer->let me pick->select Argyll driver->next and close.
4. If you have installed the previous software you can grab the calibration data from it to improve dispcalGUI. Select Tools>Import colorimeter corrections>Auto.
5. Choose your settings. In this case select photo at the top then adjust for 6500k. If you have an older monitor selecting drift compensation does seem to help. For some monitors selecting 2.4 gamma is a better option but that is up to experimentation.
6. Click Calibrate and Profile
7. Attach sensor to screen as previously
8. Start measurement and manually adjust your monitors color until all three bars are in the center and the text turns green. The final bar is for brightness, the goal of this would be somewhere close to 125cd/m².
9. Click stop measurement then continue
10. Finally, Install Profile

Want to see more of Roy's work? Follow him on Facebook or InstagramRent the Spyder3 from BorrowLensesBuy the X-Rite ColorMunki Smile From Amazon or B&H PhotoVideoBuy the Datacolor Spyder4Express From Amazon or B&H PhotoVideo

Just Announced: Sony's A7 II - faster autofocus and image stabilization

I reviewed the Sony A7 in April of this year - found it to be a lovely camera but suffered from slower AF and a small lens selection, unless you use adapters which causes focus to get even slower.   Since then I have reviewed the Sony a7r (36MP) and the Sony a7s (Amazing low light capabilities) along with the Sony FE mount to EF mount Metabones adapter that will provide access to all of my Canon lenses.    A complaint that is common across these sony A7 bodies and the more DSLR like A77 is lack of lenses - Sony now has something like 5 full frame bodies currently on the market and about 10 lenses that work natively (no adapters needed) with those bodies. Not a good ratio when you compare to Canon or Nikon.  But! the new Sony A7 II offers in body 5-axis image stabilization, this opens up greater possibilities with using older lenses and increases the catalog of lenses.

Sony A7 II Specs (Same as Original)

• 24MP Full Frame Sony Sensor
• 117 phase detect and 25 contrast detect points
• 5fps continuous shots
• Same Battery providing about 350 shots

Sony A7 II Upgrades:

5-Axis in body image stabilization. This is similar to what Olympus offers in their micro 4/3 series and I love the capabilities. Sony claims up to 4.5 stops of stabilization. Added benefit of making handheld video wonderful with any lensFaster AF - 30% improvement in the a7 II's AF speed and 1.5x better tracking performance than the original Sony A7Slight redesign to the body providing a deeper grip and more DSLR like feel.XVACs codec for video at 50MBPS and support for S-Log2 profile for better grading control of video in post Should be shipping in early December in Japan - not clear when it will be available here in the US.  Sony Product video showing the A7 Mark II Image Stabilization in action -  

Canon Prime Lenses & the new 24mm EFS lens

With the release of the new Canon EFS 24mm f/2.8 STM lens it is worth taking a few moments to share my thoughts on good prime options for Canon cameras. What is the best prime lens for you? Why should you own a prime?At the end of my recent EFS 24mm Review I share thoughts on the handful of affordable Canon prime lenses. Watch my review Prime lenses for Canon mentioned in the video:

Affordable Canon Prime Lenses

Canon EFS 24mm f/2.8 STM:Crop sensor only pancake lens - extremely small with excellent image quality and a decent maximum aperture. When compared to the kit there is not a huge difference in aperture at 24mm (Canon kit lenses have a maximum aperture of f/4 at 24mm) but the quality is better, less vignetting and chromatic aberration, slightly sharper but overall difference when viewed side by side is nearly indistinguishable. Why buy this lens? It makes your camera MUCH smaller and provides a nice quality walk around focal length that does do better for moving subjects (street photography) in lower light. $149Buy the Canon EFS 24mm from B&H PhotoVideo | AmazonCanon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM:Virtually identical in size and wait to the 24mm but EF so it is compatible with full frame cameras/sensors. I love using mine on my 5D mark III as a general walk around lens (on a full frame 40mm is almost identical to 24mm on a crop sensor) Because you have a little more focal length here you can more creatively control your depth of field - on a crop sensor this is a decent portrait lens. Typically sells for $149-199Buy the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM from B&H PhotoVideo | AmazonCanon EF 50mm f/1.8:This is the plastic fantastic or nifty fifty. Made ntirely out of plastic the build quality is not impressive but for just over $100 you get f/1.8 and decent quality, especially if stop down to f/2 or f/2.8. On a crop sensor this lens can feel limiting, especially indoors. But if you want creative control over your depth of field this is the easiest and cheapest way to get there.Buy the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 from B&H PhotoVideo | Amazon

Slightly more expensive prime lenses for Canon cameras

Sigma EFS 30mm f/1.4:My top pick for most versatile focal length and widest aperture goes to the new Sigma EFS 30mm f/1.4. You pay $500 but get one of Sigma's newest series lenses with HSM focusing(fast and smooth) and a wide open aperture of f/1.4, and the lens is sharp at that aperture. If you want a street photography lens this is it - downside - cost and weight (approx. 1lb)Buy the Sigma EFS f/1.4 DC HSM from B&H PhotoVideo | AmazonCanon 35mm f/2 IS:If you want a nice wide aperture but you also want image stabilization, especially for those shooting handheld video - the Canon 35mm f/2 IS provides everything you need. Offering a versatile focal length with a wide f/2 aperture and very capable IS in a compact package that weighs just 12oz or 335gBuy the Canon 35mm f/2 IS from B&H PhotoVideo | AmazonFor video work the Bower/Samyang/Rokinon (these lenses are virtually identical between manufacturer) lenses offer excellent features. You can use them for photo but 100% manual focus only can be tiring.  Some of these lenses are VERY WIDE  - Click here for some Bower Options

Expensive non-prime lens that acts like a prime lens

I need to mention the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 - this is a zoom lens (albeit limited range) that offers incredible sharpness and fantastic aperture across that range.  Downsides - it is HEAVY (1.8 lbs 811g) and expensive $799 but it is the equivalent to carrying around a handful of prime lenses and certainly more convenient. Watch my full review of the Sigma 18-35.Buy the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 HSM from B&H PhotoVideo | Amazon  

Review: Canon 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens- Best Prime For Crop?

I take a detailed look at the newest pancake lens from Canon, the EFS 24mm f/2.8 STM lens. Why should you buy a prime lens like the 24mm when you already have that focal length in your kit lens. Should you buy the 24mm, the 40mm or the 50mm - or maybe the 35 or the Sigma 30 - Many choices, I help you decide what is right for you.Watch the Video Review of the Canon EFS 24mm STM LensA few sample images (more comings soon)

 My opinion on current Canon Prime lenses here!  

Adobe Lightroom 5.7 Update - Now Available

Scroll down for download linksNew features

• Support for the ability to add or read feedback provided on Lightroom web.
• Ability to import images from Apple Aperture and Apple iPhoto libraries into Lightroom.
• Fixes for bugs introduced in earlier versions of Lightroom 5.
• Camera support for additional new lenses and cameras.

Lightroom 5.7 includes support for new cameras including

• Nikon D750
• Canon 7D Mark II
• Canon G7 X
• Powershot SX60HS
• Sony A5100
• Iphone 6 and 6 Plus

A handful of new lenses

• Canon & Nikon Mounts of EF Zeiss Otus 1.4/85 ZE
• SIGMA 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM C014
• SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S014
• Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8
• Voigtlander SL 40mm f/2 Ultron ASPH
• Voigtlander SL 40mm f/2 Ultron ASPH close-up Lens
• Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED
• Nikon AF-S 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR

Lightroom 5.7 is a free update for existing Lightroom 5 users. New customers can download Lightroom as a 30-day free trial, or as part of Adobe's Creative Cloud subscriptions that start at $9.99 per month for the Creative Cloud Photography Plan, which comes with Photoshop, Lightroom mobile and more.Adobe is also running a Black Friday promotion for Creative Cloud Complete, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, access to Adobe's cloud, the ProSite portfolio website, Typekit desktop and web fonts and 20 GB of cloud storage for $39.99 per month or $15.99 per month for students and teachers. The promotional period ends Nov. 28.Want to know more about Lightroom? Watch my FREE Lightroom Video Tutorials Download Lightroom 5.7 from AdobeMac – http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5852Win – http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5853

Review Sigma 24-105 f/4 OS Lens

The new Sigma 24-105 f/4 OS lens from Sigma is exceptionally sharp and offers awesome image stabilization. Are those two features worth the drawbacks to shooting with a lens like this?Watch the Video Review of the Sigma 24-105: 

Sigma 24-105 Pros

• Exceptionally Sharp across the range from 24-105. You will not find a lens that is as sharp that covers this range.
• A very useful walk around range for full frame cameras. Useful for crop sensors too but there are other options that make more sense.
• Excellent Image Stabilization (OS as Sigma calls it) for video or lower light photography

Sigma 24-105 Cons

• Heavy (about 2 lbs)
• No weather sealing
• Image Stabilization (OS) cannot be left on when on a tripod*

*It generally is a good idea to turn Image Stabilization OFF when the camera is on a tripod or stable surface - some IS systems are intelligent enough to detect when on a tripod or stable surface and turn off. Systems like the Sigma 24-105 do not and longer shutter speed images will be ruined if you leave IS on.

Sigma 24-105 vs Canon 24-105

The Sigma is sharper and cheaper* than the Canon.Strengths of the Canon

• Large focus ring is good for video
• Weather sealed
• Cheaper if bought whitebox or used

Strengths of the Sigma

• SHARP, noticeably sharper than the Canon at most focal lengths
• Better build quality (except no weather sealing)
• Better resale value (at this time the Sigma is selling used for almost as much as it sells new - this is due to the build quality but mostly from the scarcity of the lens)

Sigma retails for $899, *Canon retails new for $1149 but can often be found as a whitebox (originally part of a kit now sold separately - legit and full warranty) for $700-800. Used the Canon sells for $600Support my work - Rent from Lumoid.com  or Buy from B&H Photo/Video or AmazonJeffrey Friedl's Lightroom Plugin mentioned in this video: http://regex.info/blog/lightroom-goodies/data-plot [He has a ton more so spend some time looking at all of the options.] Walk around options for owners of Crop sensor cameras - Canon T5i, 70D, Nikon D5300, D7100 etcAs sharp as the Sigma 24-105 is the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Click to see my review and sample images. No IS and significantly less range.The Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4  offers a similar range, very good OS and good image quality/sharpness.[green_message]Source: http://ift.tt/1uFToXZ [/green_message] Follow me on Facebook at http://ift.tt/1uV7XXi

Photo Mish Mash Ep 37 - Dream Camera

Week in Ahead:Giveaway STARTS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Tenba 14L ActionPack Camera BagGoPro Hero 416gb Micro SD CardHead Strap, cap strapWHAT IS AT THE TOP OF YOUR WISH LIST THIS YEAR? - Comment below AND go enter!http://digital.photorecommendations.com/recs/2014/11/giveaway-1-holiday-2014/The Other GoPro-like camera SJ4000 http://www.gearbest.com/action-cameras/pp_81588.html coupon"SJCAMTH"--$86.99TWO WEEKS - and the start of another giveaway9:50 News:Magic Lantern ScareSpace News - Pictures from a comet - Rossetta http://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2014/11/welcome_to_a_comet/15048351-1-eng-GB/Welcome_to_a_comet.jpgNew Phantom with modular gimball http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1097099-REG/dji_inspire_1.html?BI=4773&KBID=5287Shirley Cards for callibrating printers http://www.npr.org/2014/11/13/363517842/for-decades-kodak-s-shirley-cards-set-photography-s-skin-tone-standardDXMark Scores http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/do-you-believe-in-dxomark.html32:34 Discussion:Brief updates on the 7D Mark IIDream CameraIdea borrowed from MKBHD and his dream cell phone channel http://www.youtube.com/user/marquesbrownleeMy B&W portrait - http://instagram.com/p/vXaEUGtMGw/?modal=trueMy B&W Portrait setup - https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1e48hEnfw6E6QrZBrVsm_xa6uZ72RchMDRWN2igXHk7o/edit?usp=sharingLumiQuest Softbox: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N=10576949?BI=4773&KBID=528746:29 Reader Questions:Cold weather, upgrading from T5i to 70D or 7D Mark II, Portfolio review and tips, 6D mark II? Comparing the 7D mark II and the Sony a6000? NX1 and problems with a dropped flash. https://www.facebook.com/Digital.Photo.Recommendations/photos/a.10150222907829855.334190.233048999854/10152866135234855/?type=1

Giveaway #1 - Holiday 2014

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Build a Photography Portfolio w/ Squarespace

There are many reasons you should have your own portfolio site - in this video I outline the reasons and show you just how easy it is to have your own piece of the web. Build a complete portfolio site from scratch in just 15 minutes!SQUARESPACE - Save 10% off your purchase and get a 14 free trial - SQUARESPACE7 the all new all in one hosting and building platform. Use coupon code: TOBY at http://squarespace.com/toby

Canon 7D Mark II vs 70D Which is right for you?

Canon 7D Mark II and the Canon 70D - Which is right for you?I share my early opinion on the Canon 7D Mark II and outline the differences and similarities between the 70D and the new 7D Mark II.Corrections: 70D does allow some AF adjustments under custom functions.Buy the 7D Mark II from B&H Buy from AmazonBuy the Canon 70D from B&H Buy from AmazonAdd WiFI to your 7D Mark II via an Eye-Fi Card- Buy from Amazon | Buy from B&H Additional 7D Mark II Videos from Toby

Photo Mish Mash Ep 36 - My Expensive Facebook Photo

Early hands-on with the 7D Mark II, Amazon Prime Unlimited Photos - compare to crashplan, backblaze, carbonite and more, Kodak releases 360° action cam and we offer tips for keeping your camera condensation free.Sponsors & Partners:SQUARESPACE - Save 10% off your purchase and get a 14 free trial - SQUARESPACE7 the all new all in one hosting and building platform. Use coupon code: TOBY http://squarespace.com/tobyMcKay Photography Academy: http://mckaylive.com/bozeman-animals-wyellowstone-15-spots-left-january-16-21-2015/ Fantastic trips- Join us this winter in Montana or next August in Iceland or September in GreeceRavPower - Don't be a slave to the wall- Get one for you and a friend at http://geni.us/RavPower15KSHOW NOTES:Photo Mish Mash Ep #36 Date: 11/07/14Week in Ahead:Giveaway Tease -12:42 News:Astronaut timelapse - http://vimeo.com/111049676Kodak got new action cam- http://kodakpixpro.com/Americas/cameras/activeCam/sp360.phpSony Pro support - https://esupport.sony.com/info/1523/US/ENCanon Pro Support - http://www.cps.usa.canon.com/about_cps/about.shtmlAmazon Prime unlimited photo storage including RAWS - http://bit.ly/DPR_primephotos24:00 Discussion:Backing up - In the field and at homeSecond card (bigger)Import and copy to external (smart previews for bigger imports)3 backups of your data, on 2 types of media, 1 of those off-site.Crashplan- https://www.code42.com/store/Mozy-BackBlaze- https://www.backblaze.com/best-online-backup-service.htmlCarbonite-SmugMug and ZenfolioAmazonDropboxApple iCloud35:50 7D Mark II very early report40:51 Reader Questions:https://www.facebook.com/Digital.Photo.Recommendations/photos/a.10150222907829855.334190.233048999854/10152851183604855/?type=1

Sony a7 & a7r Trade In Savings

See my review of the Sony A7R | My Review of the Sony a7Adorama has a sweet offering  - Trade in any working interchangeable lens camera for savings on the Sony A7, A7 with 24-70 or Sony A7r. This is on top of instant savings of $200 and 4% rewards! Start here or click the image below.Purchase a Sony a7 or a7R Camera and send Adorama your DSLR camera of any make or model and receive the following trade-in bonus:

• $345 bonus towards the purchase of a Sony a7R
• $300 bonus towards the purchase of a Sony a7 Kit
• $255 bonus towards the purchase of a Sony a7 Body

More information about the trade in.  You buy the camera and they include a box with prepaid label to ship your old camera back. Any model as long as it works.

7D Mark II Weather Sealing - Seriously Sealed

I love Roger's posts- he works over at LensRentals and has a great curiosity along with a skeptical nature. He recently heard Canon's claim that the 7D Mark II is 4x as weather sealed as the original. Not one to take such claims at face value Roger dug in and found. . 

the Canon 7D Mk II may be the best weather-sealed camera I’ve run across. It’s excellent.

 Read his full report along with loads of gory camera internal photos at LensRentals.Order your 7D Mark II from B&H Photo Video or Amazon

Photo Mish Mash Ep 35 - JetLagged Podcast

We are back from Italy with an announcement, more discussion about the perfect travel camera, interview with photographer from space, delivering RAW files to clients and offering unlimited wedding coverage.Week in review:ITALY, ITALY, ITALYWhat camera did I use the most? And What lenses?News:Canon vows to hone on high-end camera market after earnings, sales drop due to smartphones http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/canon-earnings-sales-drop-due-smartphone-cameras-article-1.1989081Interview with astronaut Photographerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlxMX-YWNxU and watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFp9pndbSKMDiscussion:http://photocritic.org/wedding-photography-expectations/http://www.slrlounge.com/offer-unlimited-wedding-coverage/Reader Questions:https://www.facebook.com/Digital.Photo.Recommendations/photos/a.10150222907829855.334190.233048999854/10152834164274855/?type=1

Adorama 7D Mark II and T5i Deals

Canon 7D Mark II will start shipping from Adorama tomorrow and all pre-orders will be handled with free overnight shipping. Customers will receive their new cameras on Friday, Oct. 31  Pre-order NOW-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Also, now in stock and shipping overnight for free: Canon PowerShot SX60 and Canon PowerShot G7-XCanon SX60 Canon G7-XG7-X comes with FREE CANON NB-13L battery pack. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Great Canon Deals! Final prices are with free standard shipping and after $350 mail-in rebateUse links below for offered bundles and add all 3 items (lens, printer, paper) to the bundle. Then add bundle to cart. The free software is already included in the kit. No need to add it.Canon T5i Bundle #1Includes:- Canon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens- Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 III Autofocus Telephoto Zoom Lens - USA- Canon PIXMA PRO-100 Professional Photo Inkjet Printer- Canon Photo Paper- SOFTWARE: FXhome Ltd Photokey 6 Lite: Creative Green Screen Photography Software for Windows & MacFinal price: $799.00 after $350 mail-in rebate-----------Canon T5i Bundle #2Includes:- Canon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens- Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 III Autofocus Telephoto Zoom Lens - USA- Canon PIXMA PRO-100 Professional Photo Inkjet Printer- Canon Photo Paper- SOFTWARE: FXhome Ltd Photokey 6 Lite: Creative Green Screen Photography Software for Windows & MacFinal price: $599.00 after $350 mail-in rebate-----------Canon SL1 BundleIncludes:- Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens- Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 III Autofocus Telephoto Zoom Lens - USA- Canon PIXMA PRO-100 Professional Photo Inkjet Printer- Canon Photo Paper- SOFTWARE: FXhome Ltd Photokey 6 Lite: Creative Green Screen Photography Software for Windows & MacFinal price: $499.00 after $350 mail-in rebate-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pentax K-5 IIs Digital SLR Camera Body, Anti Aliasing Filterless Design, 16.3 MP, SAFOX X Autofocus, 3" LCD, Shake Reduction, Full HD 1080p Video$596.95 + free 2-day shipping and 4% Adorama rewardscomes with free Pentax D-BG4 Battery Grip and Samsung 64GB SDXC Pro UHS-1 Class 10 Memory Card-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Only at Adorama - fantastic coupon code special on high-end monitors so you can easily edit all your photos.Use coupon code: S103014349 to take $100 off regular priceThe monitors are not in stock at the moment, but are on their way and you can purchase them at coupon price. They will ship to customers as soon as they arrive to us. We charge credit cards only when the item ships.LG Electronics 34UM95-P 34" Class 21:9 UltraWide WQHD IPS Monitor, 1000:1 Contrast Ratio, 320 cd/m2 Brightness, 3440x1440 Resolution, 2 HDMI, 2 ThunderBoltCoupon price: $899 + free US Shipping (will be in stock shortly)LG Electronics 34UC97-S 34" Class 21:9 Ultrawide WQHD IPS Curved LED Monitor, Thunderbolt/ MAC CompatibleCoupon price: $1,199 + free US shipping and 6% Adorama rewardsLG Electronics 31" 4K Monitor , USB, HDMI, Mini Display Port, Display portCoupon price: $1,299 + free US shipping (will be in stock shortly)Coupon expires 11/02-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home Shoulder Bag for DSLR Camera, Navy/Rust RedReg: $145.00Special: $72.50 + free US shippingGet a FREE Crumpler Pouch from the bundle optionsAdd only one choice to the bundle for free (value of $35.00) and then add bundle to cart.

B&H Deals for Tuesday October 28, 2014

Canon EOS 70D DSLR Camera(Body Only)$1,199 $200 Savings = $999+$231.89 Free AccBuy from B&H

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 SanDisk 32GB microSDHC Extreme Class 10 UHS-1 Memory Card with microSDAdapterTODAY ONLY! $27.95 - $9 Savings = $18.95Buy from B&H

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 WD 8TB My Book Duo External RAID Storage$449 $70 Savings = $379Buy from B&H

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 Buffalo MiniStation Extreme 1 TB Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive (Silver$119.99 $25 Savings = $94.99Buy from B&H 

Canon and Nikon Rebates - OCT/NOV 2014

Canon has updated their bundles of DSLR bodies and Lenses to include the new 7D Mark II. Good deals on other bodies and lenses including the Canon 70D.  On the current models - 5D Mark III, 70D, 7D Mark II and T5i I suspect that these are the best prices we will see this Holiday season.  There is a chance of further discounts on the 70D and T5i but don't expect much.  Click through the image below for the bundles and savings.  Canon deals expire 11/22/14. Nikon photographers have rebates as well and they do include the new Nikon D750. Nikon deals expire 11/01/14 (yes, in just a few days)  

Italy - October 2014 with McKay Photography Academy

We traveled to Italy with McKay Photography Academy 

File Submission for Oct 28th

On the most recent Image Critique- October 14th 2014 I announced that the next submission would be special!Listen up! For the next several critiques we will work our way through the images submitted this week. We will not accept new ones until all the images have been critiqued. If you submit an image it will get critiqued. But please make sure you read over the following

• You are limited to ONE (1) image- make sure you pick an image you want critiqued and is more than a snapshot.
• The image must be at least 1920px on the short side. It can be bigger but not smaller.
• The image must have metadata (focal length, aperture, shutter speed etc) - if there is no metadata (i.e. panorama or shot with manual lens) use the caption box to write out any info)
• The filename must include your name.
• The image must be submitted by 10/25. We will be back from Italy on that day and starting the critiques the following week.

Leave questions as comments below.Upload Files through dbinbox.com

Photo Mish Mash Ep 34 - Going Global

The Dynamic Range in the Sony A7r, New Photoshop update that makes it easy to add a watermark to images, is the LX100 the new pocketable low light champion? The NX1 beats the pants off the 7D Mark II (on paper), HTC makes a periscope? We answer RAW vs JPEG Questions and more.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SDb2CQof4MPhoto Mish Mash Ep #34     Date: 10/09/14https://lumoid.com/camerarectoby : 10% off your rental until Oct 15th! 0:55 Week in review:Raw vs JPEG - great discussion, will revisit in our discussion piece.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIWvLrcuarcTravel Interview - packinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIsyyWv4jh4 & https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photo-mish-mash/id909428017?mt=2 We are on Itunes, leave a review! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photo-mish-mash/id909428017?mt=2 Sony a7R - 36MP with some serious Dynamic Rangehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPKmoJcJlz8Adorama Sony A7 and A7r Trade in programhttp://photorec.tv/2014/10/sony-a7-a7r-trade-in-savings/ Gone Global  -  Amazon affiliate links should take you to your home amazon and to the correct product now - Support my work by shopping for ALL your needs on Amazon.Go Shopping - http://photorec.tv/recommended-gear/  12:40 News:Adobe creative cloud updates - demo the libraries panel-http://bit.ly/DPR_PSLR  The LX00 - Micro 4/3 sensor - arguably one of the most interesting cameras coming out of Photokina http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1082158-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_lx100_digital_camera.html?BI=4773&KBID=5287  Speaking of other interesting cameras - the samsung NX1http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1081854-REG/samsung_ev_nx1zzzbzbus_nx1_digital_camera.html?BI=4773&KBID=5287  HTC RE is announced - http://photorec.tv/2014/10/gopro-hero-vs-the-htc-re/  Forest service debacle http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/09/forest_service_says_media_need.html  T6i might be mirrorless http://photorec.tv/2014/10/canon-t6i-750d-rumors-and-speculation/  42:22 Discussion:Revisit Jpeg vs RAWhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIWvLrcuarc  Camera to ItalyCamera I picked- A5100Lens - Sigma 24-105 f/4 OSMore in my packing video comings soon. 1:00:00 Reader Questions:Caption “Contest”   Flickr Pic(k) of the WeekToby:https://www.flickr.com/photos/alessiorr/15471948635/in/pool-digitalphotorecChristina: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chantalvandenbroek/13432459264/in/pool-digitalphotorec/