Instagram Winners - Shadows

As photographers, we normally shoot the light and this week flipped the book with Shadows. Shadows can tell a mystery, paint an object, add to a story, or tell one of its own making creativity key this week. Being a harder subject we've got a few nice entries below that play with the theme nicely.This time with feeling for next week! While shadows can play on emotion we want you to show us the emotion for next weeks challenge. When you take a photo that gives you the unique chance to connect with the viewer, tell a story, and bring out emotion. That’s the goal this week and you can be creative, emotions don’t always mean people. You can use atmosphere for a spooky scene, red to show love, happiness in a cute baby gosling, or sorrow in a cherished memento of someone gone. So get yourselves out and go shoot, just remember to tag us in your shots with feeling.To enter post your photos on Instagram before noon next Friday with the tags #PRTV and #PRTV_shadows.

You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv

And the team!Toby – @Photorectoby Roy – @RoyMcKeeIII Rose -  @Randomcreativeart

Toby’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPzfjhujVCd/Love it! Strong shadows, carefully framed, the sun just off the edge - really nice.

Toby’s Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTHoWXuA5kC/Thoughtful placement of all lineshttps://www.instagram.com/p/BTCyhiLF6a0/Soft abstract not typical shadows but a strong image

Roy’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTHTrnVArXl/Shadows can play on horror elements and this works well for a grindhouse shot this week with the focus on the shadow casting the story versus the figurines themselves.  

Roy’s Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTHZ03xlaKX/It’s a nice shot and you gave it room to breathe, using the gate and it’s shadow frames the shot nicely drawing the eye up to your daughter.https://www.instagram.com/p/BTGk2wiBoco/Playing with shadows and having a butterfly going to the flower is the creativity I was talking about for this week. Using shadows as a creative tool you can add them to a photo if you just think out of the box.

Sony a9 - Just Announced | Hands-on!

Sony is going after Canon/Nikon in a BIG way.   While Sony cameras continue to sell well - their aps-c line and full frame, the sidelines of sporting events are still dominated by Canon and Nikon. The newly announced Sony a9 hopes to change that. With the a7R II and a7S II already pushing Sony full frame sales above Nikon for the 2nd spot, this is an exciting announcement.I am here in New York for the Sony a9 announcement and hands-on shooting.  I just recorded my thoughts in a short videohttps://youtu.be/1AixQ_rbqko

Highlights of the Sony a9

  • World’s First1 full-frame stacked CMOS sensor, 24.2 MP2 resolution
  • Blackout-Free Continuous Shooting at up to 20 fps for up to 241 RAW/ 362 JPEG images
  • 4K video and 1080 at 120fps
  • Silent, Vibration-free shooting at speeds up to 1/32,000 sec
  • 693 point focal plane phase detection AF points with 60 AF/AE tracking calculations per second and 93% AF frame coverage
  • Extensive professional features including Ethernet port for file transfer, Dual SD card slots and extended battery life (2.2x a7 series battery life)
  • 5-Axis in-body image stabilization
  • Nub (joystick for selecting focus point)
  • Touchscreen LCD
  • Upgraded viewfinder - bigger/brighter
  • Addition of My Menu section to save your favorite menu items

Preorders start 10am Fri Apr 21  - B&H LINK for Sony a9  PRICE:  $4,499.00Also announced -

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens

  • E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4.5-5.6 to f/32-40
  • One Super ED Element and Two ED Elements
  • Nano AR Coating and Fluorine Coating
  • Direct Drive SSM Focus System
  • Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
  • Zoom Torque Adjustment Ring
  • Internal Focus, Focus Range Limiter
  • Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Nine-Blade Circular Diaphragm

Preorders start 10am Fri Apr 21 - B&H LINK for Sony FE 100-400   PRICE:  $2,499.00 

10 Quick Tips for Great Reflection Photos

10 Quick Tips for Great Reflection Photos | http://photorec.tvReflections are a tricky subject. Sometimes it's all but impossible to avoid a harsh glare in a subject's glasses. Other times the light turns just the right way, so an ordinary location transforms into a stunning scene. Learning a few simple tips for great reflection photos helps you maximize the potential of a beautiful reflection scene, creating a one of a kind image. Fall Trees Long Exposure Reflection | http://photorec.tv

    • Select a high f/stop number. Choosing an f/stop of 11 or higher brings the entire scene into focus, enhancing the reflection aesthetic. The f/stop for the photo above is f/22. Once you've settled on your f/stop, play around with the focus. In some instances, it may be preferable to focus on the subject, while in other cases, it may be preferable to focus on the reflection.

 

    • Think about the angle of the reflection. Explore different viewpoints for the reflection scene, paying attention to the reflection from each viewpoint. In a natural setting, your vantage points may be limited. In the studio, you'll have more control over the best angle for a given subject and its reflection.

 Stillwater, MN Bridge Reflection | http://photorec.tv

    • Don't forget the basic rules of composition. It's hard to take a bad picture of a stunning natural reflection. However, you'll turn a good photo into a great photo by composing it properly. Instead of snapping a couple of pictures and moving on, take a few minutes to set up your image. Pay attention to the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing.

 

    • Whenever possible, shoot during the first or last hours of the day. The first and last hours of the day offer the softest light, minimizing harsh glare and smoothing out reflections. When you're shooting in the middle of the day, take care to limit shadows and blown out areas and bring out the colors.

 

    • Shoot with a circular polarizer or neutral density filter. Filters aren't necessary for great reflection photos but do increase your options for shooting. A circular polarizer will help you control the amount of shine in the reflection while deepening the colors and minimizing the blown out areas. A neutral density filter cuts the available light, allowing you to shoot long exposures.

 

An Colorful sunset yesterday behind the US capitol!

A post shared by Adrien Catel (@adriencatel) on

    • Use a tripod to experiment with different shutter speeds. Shooting a long exposure is a popular technique for water reflection photos. Smoothing out the water changes the aesthetic of the photo significantly, softening the image and drawing attention to the subject.

 Playmobile Wedding Ring Reflection | http://photorec.tvGroot 

    • Consider reflection surfaces besides water. When people think of reflection photos, their minds often go to water reflections. However, you shouldn't feel limited to this option. You can create great reflection photos with virtually any surface that produces a reflection from glass windows to mirrored sunglasses and even jewelry.

 

    • In the studio, experiment with lighting a subject from above or behind. Shiny surfaces don't absorb light. As such, it's important to think about the amount and angle of the light in relation to the shooting surface. You may produce better results lighting your subject from above or behind than the front or side.

 Playmobile Wedding Ring Reflection | http://photorec.tv

    • Limit use of flash. While there are exceptions to the rule, in general, using flash isn't advisable for reflection photography. In most cases, the light will simply bounce right back at you, distracting from the subject. If I had used a flash to light the cake, it would have flashed right on the ring, making it impossible to see the reflection.

 

    • Experiment with creating both realistic and abstract compositions. Shooting reflections allows for a wide spectrum of creativity. You may strive to produce a realistic image that mimics what you see in real life, or you may strive to produce an abstract image. For example, you might choose to shoot a street puddle reflection in manual focus to blur the bright lights.

 

Bonus tip! Finally, keep your eyes open for stunning opportunities to photograph reflection. You never know when you'll come across a beautiful bridge centered over a flowing river or the light will strike just right and highlight the boats in the harbor.The images in this post not embedded from Instagram are my own images. The embedded images from Instagram are from members of the Photorec community with the tags #PRTV and #reflection. Consider becoming a PRTV member and joining the support group today!The 4/29 PRTV Instagram challenge is reflection. Use the hashtags #PRTV_reflection and #PRTV on Instagram to enter up to two of your great reflection photos for the challenge. Entries are due by noon Friday (5/5). Winners are announced the following Saturday (5/6) with the start of a new challenge.

Do you have any additional tips for great reflection photos?

Leave your insight in the comments!

SaveSaveSave

GH5 Sample Photos

I have been impressed with the image quality improvements in the GH5 - Enough so that I am considering it as my only camera to bring along on my Croatia trip in early May.    Would you like to join me on an upcoming trip - find out future destinations, workshops and classes on the Travel Page Follow me on Instagram for more from my GH5

Instagram Winners - Centered

Architecture, portraits, and more this week with some nicely thought out shots in the Centered Instagram Challenge. Compared to the rule of thirds or other methods a strong subject is a must this week as all the attention is front and center. With that in mind for centering your subject, the composition for the whole shot also played a rather large part whether using minimalism, framing, symmetry, leading lines, or mirroring an image.We’ve got a trickier subject next week for the Shadows Instagram challenge. Paint a subject in shadow or shoot just a shadow, it’s up to you, but creativity is key this week! P.S. as someone already asked no silhouettes, we’re looking for a casted shadow.To enter post your photos on Instagram before noon next Friday with the tags #PRTV and #PRTV_shadows.

You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv

And the team!Toby – @Photorectoby Roy – @RoyMcKeeIII Rose -  @Randomcreativeart

Roy’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BS1d9b7hG6R/I honestly thought this week would be more food photos and this makes for a great shot! Going centered in the photo gives you just enough room to layer a few extra elements into the frame making it more appealing.

Roy’s Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSqj7Etj9VU/A somewhat popular angle shot by Maxence focuses on that blue hour color in a long exposure that really makes those city lights shine. It’s a great centered photo that works well for this week's challenge letting the reflection fall down through the photo. https://www.instagram.com/p/BSrcwNPD-yl/A mirrored reflection shot turning the horizon on end makes for a great shot this week. It’s a creative subject and a nice way to think outside the box.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BSxCWQujvMs/Caleb’s pelican party is just after the sun sets giving the photo that rich blue hue with the fiery orange which works well for a nice tone. With the sunset at the forefront we also have a nice bit of symmetry for the four pelicans on posts. https://www.instagram.com/p/BSn3Tk8hbq1/Another creative shot this week using photoshop (yes that’s allowed) to mirror a photo of this building. It’s a nice way to force the symmetry for a shot and creates a nice vanishing point pulling the photo to the center. https://www.instagram.com/p/BSqpVk3DtGi/Oak Alley Plantation makes a mention again this week with the great path leading up to the house just visible enough by the house lights. Framing works well for this shot as the trees push the focus center along with the leading line of the pathway.

Instagram Winners - Black and White

The pictures we take should tell a story and the switch to black and white puts the focus on the subjects even more. This week focused on composition and form letting you skip a messy colorful scene, push the contrast (or drop it), or even change tones to get the feeling you want in your shot. 114 photos for #PRTV_bandw this week but I could only pick so many winners, unfortunately, but there are a ton of really great photos. Try to take a second to visit #PRTV_bandw and spread a few likes around to the shots that catch your eye.As a fun tip, before I really got into photography my composition starting out was that I put my subject in the exact center of every photo. Now that we all hopefully have an idea about basic composition it’s time to center compose your subjects in #PRTV_centered, and maybe get a bit of nice symmetry as well. As a tip for this challenge try using some framing for your shot as a strong subject will command the focus and the frame will support them. To enter post your photos on Instagram before noon next Friday with the tags #PRTV and #PRTV_centered.

You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv

And the team!Toby – @Photorectoby Roy – @RoyMcKeeIII Rose -  @Randomcreativeart

Roy’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSjb2i7jB_Q/https://www.instagram.com/p/BSjb2i7jB_Q/It’s a great night time shot with a healthy amount of contrast to get the rock and roll hall of fame to really pop behind the Cleveland script sign.

Roy’s Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSegS4TAozo/https://www.instagram.com/p/BSegS4TAozo/Something I didn’t mention from the intro last week is that silhouettes work great for a black and white shot. Using the section of tube works out great as it makes for a bit of framing for your subject that blends in being black.https://www.instagram.com/p/BSeZmu_Av0J/https://www.instagram.com/p/BSeZmu_Av0J/ In contrast to the last two photos, Heather has this great low contrast shot leaning more to the grays without a strong black point. Being black and white with the soft depth of field it makes for a nice soft and dreamy photo.https://www.instagram.com/p/BSfMSciAR79/https://www.instagram.com/p/BSfMSciAR79/If you follow the features on Instagram and Facebook I mentioned this one earlier as using a rose works well in black and white as we all know the color. Taking that color away lets the focus be on the great shape and petals versus that brilliant red color. https://www.instagram.com/p/BScZla9jI-a/https://www.instagram.com/p/BScZla9jI-a/A great bit of symmetry by Justin, this really makes for a great architectural shot with the shadows leading to the bright museum door above and framed nicely.

GH5 Hands-on

UPDATE: NEW VIDEO - 6 MONTHS WITH THE GH5I have had the GH4 for three years, the GH5 for three days - Here are my early thoughts on the GH5https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLTkpT6hBVQSummary Review: 

  • The GH5 offers 4k at 60fps and it looks gorgeous or shoot 4:2:2 10bit 4k for better color grading
  • The sensor is stabilized providing extremely smooth handheld footage with IS enabled lenses
  • Slow mo options are better and higher quality
  • Low light performance has improved - noticeably better but not OMG amazing difference
  • Autofocus seems to be similar, no real improvements over GH4
  • Additional Pro level tools- Focus Transition, Waveform and Vector Scopes

SAMPLE GH5 Photos

The GH4 pushed the envelope with a full featured video camera and became an extremely popular camera for videographers of all levels. I personally enjoy how beautiful the footage looks and how user friendly the camera is, well suited to casual vlogging or more serious work.   The GH5 continues to be a class leader with frame rates and/or bit rate recording offerings not seen in any other cameras at this price range.  The stabilized sensor now makes it possible to shoot gorgeously smooth handheld video and the sensor upgrade does better in low light(noticeably better but not dramatically better). Autofocus does still seem to be the achilles heel. Not sure I see any noticeable improvement in AF abilities over the GH4 but I plan to test more and make use of several new AF settings in the menu system.    Follow me on Instagram or twitter for updatesBuy the GH4 from B&H PhotoBuy the GH5 from B&H PhotoBuy the Rode Video Mic Full Review:The Gh5 form and button placement is very similar to the GH4 - though we do have a little joystick nub - useful for menu navigation, focus point selection, the record button has moved up top and the whole camera is slightly bigger and about a 1/2 lb heavier. I am a little bummed that they went bigger heavier, I really like the size of the GH4 but it did allow them to upgrade the viewfinder -which is noticeably bigger and add dual card slots - in the years of hard use and abuse the Gh4 has seen - including shooting days worth of footage in hot Tanzania - I have never had a card or camera write error but having two slots gives you backup, or split video and stills OR just have a massive amount of storage. We also have a full HDMI port and a USB C connection, I am so glad, I hate those fiddly usb3 connections. The USB-C allows for fast image download but does NOT support charging over USB. if you want to charge on the go you need to pick up one of these - And while the Gh5 uses the same battery it does seem like battery life is marginally shorter -likely do to the slightly higher resolution LCD AND the stabilized sensor.A stabilized sensor! And like the G85 I just reviewed and the Olympus OMD em1 Mark II - when paired with certain lenses you get dual stabilization - useful for longer exposures , though so far I can’t can’t seem to hand hold reliably past a 1/2 second -with the olympus I could get 4 seconds and that was without the dual IS lens. But for video you now have silky smooth footage and can throw on small primes and still get decently smooth footage.Let’s take a look at the rest of the features4K at 60fps, nothing else close to this price offers 4k at 60FPS and full sensor use for 4k, no additional crop at 4k like you had with the GH4 - wide lenses stay wide and this provides slight low light improvements. You also have 10 bit recording internally- this means the files respond better to grading and improved slowmo with 180fps at 1080 vs just 120 fps in the Gh4. And with 60 fps at 4k you can do the kind of cinematic slow mo at 30fps and stay at 4KYou now have AUTO ISO available when shooting in Manual Video mode - something I personally appreciate.And while this isn’t a difference from the Gh4 - it's important to mention as I get asked often - there is NO recording limit on the GH4 - as long as you have space on the cards and power, the camera will continue to record. It will NOT stop at 29:59 seconds!And also important for me to mention that you can continue to record 4k even when using the very capable wifi remote - something that sets this camera apart from Olympus and fuji.It’s not just on the video side, this is a more capable stills camera - with a 20MP sensor ,improved low light handlingDOWNLOAD FULL RESOLUTION FILES FROM BOTH CAMERAS
And you have the 6K photo feature - this is where the camera will take 18MP at 30fps and you can pull out individual still images - they are jpegs so it isn’t terribly exciting BUT certainly lets you nail important moments with basically 30fps!You also have the post focus feature and in camera 4k timelapse that I mentioned in the G85 reviewGH4/GH5 AutofocusThe Gh4 AF I have found to be adequate for my uses - I mostly get focus before starting my videos and it always is fast and responsive when you force focus, half press shutter or back button. When I leave AF on during my videos and record my face - it usually does good job, if you watch some of my videos you can see it hunt some when it really shouldn’t in my opinion and those times I want to have a slightly more dynamic video - walking toward or away from the camera - it’s just OK- I’d give it a 6/10 for reliability with tracking, maybe 6.5. The canon 80D or a sony a6500 gets an 8/10 in my opinion. The GH5 seems very similar to the GH4 in regards to focusing. This is something I don’t want to talk in depth about yet because I haven’t tested enough, I will be back with more as soon as I feel I can definitely say if it is the same or better - but for now it seems very similar so if you were really hoping to get a noticeably better AF system with the GH5 - hold off.They have added a sweet focus transition tool - basically let’s you rack focus - setting 3 positions and jumping between them during recording. A great way to use AF during video but with the reassurance it is going to land exactly where you want.   They have also added waveform and vector scopes, pro level features no one else offers.Summary Review: The GH4 pushed the envelope with a full featured video camera and became an extremely popular camera for videographers of all levels. I personally enjoy how beautiful the footage looks and how user friendly the camera is, well suited to casual vlogging or more serious work.   The GH5 continues to be a class leader with frame rates and/or bit rate recording offerings not seen in any other cameras at this price range.  The stabilized sensor now makes it possible to shoot gorgeously smooth handheld video and the sensor upgrade does better in low light(noticeably better but not dramatically better). Autofocus does still seem to be the achilles heel. Not sure I see any noticeable improvement in AF abilities over the GH4 but I plan to test more and make use of several new AF settings in the menu system.    Follow me on Instagram or twitter for updatesBuy the GH4 from B&H PhotoBuy the GH5 from B&H PhotoBuy the Rode Video MicConsider becoming a photorec.tv member - where you get access to my support group along with awesome additional perks and we can have those conversations where you get the answers you are looking for.

NEW - Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM

built-in Macro Lites that allow photographers to carefully arrange macro lighting without using special equipment.

[gallery link="none" ids="14374,14373,14372"]

PREORDER FROM B&H PHOTO  $349.99- available June, 2017

New Compact and Lightweight EF-S Macro Lens Opens Up a World of Photographic Possibilities and Helps Capture Close Subjects with Incredible DetailMELVILLE, N.Y., April 6, 2017 – Compact and lightweight, the new Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM, announced today by Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is the widest-angle Macro offering in Canon’s popular EF-S lens series. The new lens is designed to help both entry-level and advanced amateur DSLR photographers discover the incredible possibilities of macro photography. Capable of capturing close-up subjects with incredible detail, Canon’s new EF-S macro lens is also the first in the series to feature built-in Macro Lites that allow users to control lighting with ease.“Macro lenses are an amazing way to explore the worlds that exist all around us, and the new Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM lens is the ideal starting point for amateur photographers eager to capture incredible, up-close details on the go,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Whether capturing a delectable dessert or the subtleties of a backyard flower, users will be challenged to find new colors and shapes that turn everyday moments into art.”The new Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM captures stunning images and is a terrific companion lens for entry-level users eager to expand beyond their existing Canon EOS DSLR kit lens. Capable of shooting as close as 30mm from the end of the lens to the subject, aspiring photographers can get up close to a fruit or flower for an entirely new perspective, while capturing high-quality images with beautiful background blur. Additional technologies built into the new Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM lens include:

  • Popular 35mm focal length (56mm equivalent) and wide f/2.8 aperture
  • Hybrid IS system offers up to four stops* of shake correction
  • Smooth Movie Servo AF with Lead Screw-type STM ensures quiet AF operation
  • Full-time Manual Focus

https://youtu.be/k9-9TQBW57sIn a first for the EF-S lens series, the new Canon EF-S 35mm lens sports built-in Macro Lites that allow photographers to carefully arrange macro lighting without using special equipment. With built-in LED lights on each side of the lens, users can create compelling shadows on either side of a subject or adjust the intensity to give images a sense of dimension. Once the scene is set, the lens uses superb rendering performance to capture high contrast, sharp images.While specialized for high magnification photography, the Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM is still a versatile option for day-to-day use, easily capable of capturing portraits, landscapes or snapshots. As the latest addition to the lineup of EF-S lenses, Canon continues its commitment to providing a wide-range of affordable lens options for photographers of all levels.The Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM lens is scheduled to be available in June 2017 for an estimated retail price of $349.99.

PREORDER FROM B&H PHOTO  - available end of June, 2017

Sample Images

Specifications

Principal specifications
Lens type Prime lens
Max Format size APS-C / DX
Focal length 35 mm
Image stabilization Yes (4 stops)
Lens mount Canon EF-S
Aperture
Maximum aperture F2.8
Aperture ring No
Number of diaphragm blades 7
Optics
Elements 10
Groups 6
Special elements / coatings Glass-molded aspheric element
Focus
Minimum focus 0.03 m (1.18)
Maximum magnification 1×
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Stepper motor
Full time manual Yes
Focus method Internal
Distance scale No
DoF scale No
Focus distance limiter No
Physical
Weight 190 g (0.42 lb)
Diameter 69 mm (2.72)
Length 56 mm (2.2)
Sealing No
Colour Black
Filter thread 49.0 mm
Hood supplied Yes
Tripod collar No

New Sony a6300 / a6500 Instant Rebates and bundle savings

New Sony a6300 / a6500 Instant Rebates and bundle savings

Sony a6300 a6500 saleSony a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm & 55-210mm Lenses and Mic KitReg Price: $2,146 | Instant Savings: $350 | You Pay: $1,746 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm & 55-210mm Lenses & Free KitReg Price: $2,096 | Instant Savings: $150 | You Pay: $1,846 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-70mm Zeiss Lens & Free Accessory KitReg Price: $2,396 | Instant Savings: $100 | You Pay: $2,296 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm & 55-210mm Lenses KitReg Price: $1,496 | Instant Savings: $250 | You Pay: $1,246 – NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens and Free Accessory KitReg Price: $1,148 | Instant Savings: $100 | You Pay: $1,048 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Free Accessory KitReg Price: $998 | Instant Savings: $50 | You Pay: $948 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-70mm Zeiss Lens KitReg Price: $1,996 | Instant Savings: $150 | You Pay: $1,846 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses & Mic KitReg Price: $1,498 | Instant Savings: $250 | You Pay: $1,248–NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-70mm Zeiss Lens and Mic KitReg Price: $1,996 | Instant Savings: $150 | You Pay: $1,846 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA) 

Panasonic G85 Review vs Canon 80D Sony a6300/a6500

A feature packed micro 4/3 camera capable of shooting 4K video with in body stabilization, costing less than $1000 WITH lens - when I reviewed the Olympus omD EM1 Mark II many of you suggested this G85 as a more affordable option - I have now spent a month with the G85 and I am ready to share my thoughtshttps://youtu.be/grBCmCSR-foSummary Review: The G85 is a fantastic camera for stills and video, especially video.  In this price range nothing else provides a stabilized sensor and beautiful 4k output like the G85 does.  It is user-friendly and packed full of useful features.  I am disappointed in the automatic focus tracking - it is slow and easily gets confused- all other focus modes work well. 

G85 Pro
  • Beautiful 4K video
  • Small and lightweight camera
  • Stabilized sensor
  • Micro 4/3 - huge lens selection and many lenses are also small and lightweight
  • Feature packed - 4K photo mode, 4k timelapse in camera
G85 Con
  • Micro 4/3 suffers some in low light
  • Face tracking AF in video mode is slow and easily gets confused

g85Buy the Panasonic G85 ($997)Best Vlog Setup  - G85 with Video Micro Pro($59)

G85 compared to Sony a6500/a6300

The Sony a6500/a6300 cameras beat the G85 in nearly all respects - better image quality, better video quality(in low light) and a faster and more capable stills camera BUT the G85 wins on usability with a fully articulated and actually useful touchscreen  - the G85 is a joy to shoot video, especially vlog or selfie style video and costs significantly less than the a6500 and slightly less than the a6300 which does not offer a touchscreen or stabilized sensor.

G85 Compared to Canon 80D

The Canon 80D provides an excellent hybrid camera- excellent for photography and video unless you need 4k.  The 80D also does not offer a stabilized sensor and is a larger and more expensive camera BUT if you wanted to rely on AF tracking and face tracking the 80D does a much better job.80dBuy the Canon 80D($1249)

Full G85 Review

The Panasonic G85 has a 16mp micro 4/3rds sensor with in body image stabilization and when paired with many Panasonic lenses offers dual IS providing very smooth video and decent handheld stills at slower shutter speeds but not at the amazing level of the Olympus OMD EM1 Mark II that I could handhold for at least a few seconds.Two control dials provide easy manual control, a fully articulating touchscreen and as I said shoots beautiful 4K video along with a bunch of additional features packed in like 4K photo, 4K time-lapse in camera, 4k live cropping, post focus - remember the Lytro? Panasonic now includes the ability to take shots at different focus points and later choose the desired focus point OR merge them all to create a larger depth of field - focus stacking in the camera. This isn’t going to work for all types of photography but this camera is feature rich and there are more options, some of which feel a bit gimmicky or like something you might use once. BUT You also have Panasonic’s excellent wifi control and the ability to continue to shoot at 4K even when using wifi - YES! I complained about Fuji and Olympus and I so happy Panasonic continues to provide one of the best wifi apps.

Panasonic G85 vs the Canon 80D

Canon 80D vs Panasonic G85I want to at least briefly match this up against the canon 80D priced similarly. I think the 80D is for many people a default choice when they want a video capable camera especially a high quality vlogging setup - the flip out touch screen, the lovely dual pixel AF that makes focus smooth and capable of accurate tracking. The 80D is also a very solid still camera. Let’s look at how these two compareSensor - The 80D offers a larger aps-c sensor with 24mp vs the micro 4/3rds 16MP on the G85 and this of course translates to a fairly noticeable resolution difference but not as much of a low light noise difference as you might expect. And the G85 is helped by the absence of an AA filter - providing nicely detailed images. I will give the win to the 80D but it is very close. For stills I found AF to be very similar between both - the G85 in Af-s is fast though I would rather the 80D in my hands for any more serious wildlife photos, especially tracking action or birds in flight.

In terms of video -

The G85 offers 4k at 24 or 30p and in my opinion it is beautiful detailed and the Cine V profile looks great right out of camera. I love having the flexibility of shooting 4K on cameras like the g85 - either for producing 4K content or just having options when editing. I have 4K footage from africa that blows me away! And I can either publish out at 4k or crop in for even more detail! (brief africa footage)The 80D tops out at 1080 60fps and generally doesn’t look as sharp to me - but that dual pixel Af in the 80D is smoother and more capable at tracking though in multiple tests there were a few times it failed while the G85 continued to accurately track. But generally once the 80D locks onto a subject it rarely lets go - accurately keeping focus and with the G85 and I have seen this in my GH4 too - can get confused and hunt when it really shouldn’t. My solution is to turn AF off when I don’t need it and again the app let’s you easily force AF anytime, even when the camera is set to manual focus.I also appreciate The additional features like 4K time lapse and 4k live cropping as neat options for upping the usefulness of this camera as a tool to create cool content easily and in camera. And the fact that you have a stabilized sensor gives you the option to shoot with a little prime lens keeping your carry around small and lightweight or add a stabilized lens and the dual IS system kicks in providing very smooth video - I can leave the gimbal home for some situations!The 80D is and remains a safe choice for easy all around video and stills camera but the G85, smaller, lighter and cheaper offers some serious advantages for those interested in video, especially 4k or those wanting to keep their gear load smaller.g85Buy the Panasonic G85 ($997)Best Vlog Setup  - G85 with Video Micro Pro($59)

Instagram Winners - Bokeh

Challenging yourself with a small depth of field and lots of blur was the goal for this week’s #PRTV_bokeh. While sometimes using that faster aperture is a necessity of the situation using bokeh also can be an artistic choice. You used this to your advantage this week with a great shot of bokeh balls created from traffic, separating your subject out for a portrait, the tiniest macro shot, and the largest landscape with a foreground focus. All great photos and nice entries for this weeks challenge. For next week, if a picture is worth a thousand words, what if we remove the color? Your challenge for next week is Black and White, simplify a photo by cutting out the color or make it more personal and intimate. Even from an editing standpoint, going black and white lets you push the contrast up to 11. Your choice for your photos and I’m sure we’ll see some great ones next week for Black and White. To enter post your photos on Instagram before noon next Friday with the tags #PRTV and #PRTV_bandw.

You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv

And the team!Toby – @Photorectoby Roy – @RoyMcKeeIII Rose -  @Randomcreativeart

Toby’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSMHlQXhRtB/I like the soft sunflower fields with the low contrast gives your portrait a nice painterly feel.

Toby’s Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSJVtQFF0So/This is where getting the strong bokeh, but not crazy bokeh balls. The nice soft background keeps us in the plants nicely with the focus on your bug.https://www.instagram.com/p/BOryPAAAP4j/An older shot but there's something about the cool tones and soft yet distinguishable background. You could argue the bright spot on the frosty flower is a bit too much but the contrast makes it stand out.

Roy’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSRkVRJjHcF/A nice spring photo by Maxence with the focus thrown on the main subject. The shallow depth of field gives a nice bokeh and separates your subject from the pack.

Roy’s Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSQmCK3hWFF/This portrait from Gergö is great, especially with the bit of smoke making a nice touch. Using a nice heavy bokeh we’ve got a great leading line going towards your sister and the background is recognizable yet clean. https://www.instagram.com/p/BSGHerbhUi-/Holy macro bokeh balls! It’s a nice macro shot with these dew drops giving it a nice color tone to the image and those nice bokeh balls everyone loves to see.

Photographing Washington DC - Cherry Blossoms, Sunrise Monuments - Tips, Tricks and Adventure!

I spent a weekend with McKay Photography Academy in Washington DC - Photographing the monuments and memorials at sunrise, sunset, the Cherry Blossom festival and all the cherry blossom trees around the tidal basin and Jefferson Memorials. Watch for tips on photographing sunrise, sunset and the monuments plus all our adventures!https://youtu.be/TmeuOMguXJk TWO MORE DAYS TO ENTER TO WIN A TRIPJoin me on a future trip - Yosemite NP, Glacier NP, the Arctic - learn more at http://photorec.tv/travel

Backup your photos!

I hope you have a backup plan in place for ALL your important photos and documents, but if you don't! Take a few minutes to look at some options.Readers and viewers share their sad stories of losing ALL of their photos! Please back up your photos, Don't think it won't ever happen to you!  I recommend the 3-2-1 backup strategy.  A 3-2-1 strategy means having at least 3 total copies of your data, 2 of which are local but on different devices, and at least 1 copy offsite or in the cloud.Example: You have captured a nice family photo and downloaded it to your computer. That copy on your computer is ONE copy.  Now you need to back up to a second device in the home- an external HD is an easy solution and Amazon has excellent deals on BIG hard drives.I currently recommend - WD 4TB RED for just $102!You now have TWO copies, but both are local and if anything happens to your house ... to be safe you should have an offsite copy. Google Photos, Dropbox and Amazon Prime Photos are all systems that can help.Amazon Prime - $10.99 a month - Free 2-day shipping, Movies & TV Shows and Unlimited Photo storage to backup on ALL your devices.Amazon Prime Photos Storage

Your Prime membership comes with free unlimited photo storage through Prime Photos, which lets you securely save as many photos as you like and see them on your phone, computer, or tablet. You can share this Prime benefit and give free photo storage to up to five family members or friends. Collect photos together with your invited family and friends in the Family Vault and store memories from everyone in one safe place. New photo search technology makes it easy to find specific photos by searching for things like “sunset” or “Seattle,” and your photos are organized automatically so it’s easy to find and enjoy them.

 

Shutter Speed Explained Simply

https://youtu.be/LER6RFkkj68Everything you need to know about Shutter Speed | The basics of Shutter Speed Explained. The importance of shutter speed in the exposure triangle, making sure you shoot fast enough to get sharp pictures, and how to use it creatively with techniques like panning to improve your photography. Crop factor calculator

Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid of Shooting RAW

Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid of Shooting RAW | http://photorec.tvI got inspired to write about shooting RAW after a friend left a comment on a photography post on my blog about how many photographers are afraid to shoot RAW. She thinks that this is a mistake, and I completely agree. I also fully understand that for numerous photographers, shooting RAW seems very overwhelming or is total unknown territory.Full disclosure: When I purchased my first DSLR in late 2012, I had never heard of RAW and didn't know why you would shoot RAW versus JPEG. Even as I did become familiar with the concept of RAW, I didn't switch to shooting RAW right away. I had just started using Photoshop Elements, I'd never used Lightroom, and I didn't understand the power of shooting RAW. So I kept shooting JPEGs.Fast forward six months to when I finally took the plunge, bought Lightroom, and shot my first set of RAW files. When I imported the files into Lightroom and started editing them, I couldn't believe the difference. I knew next to nothing about editing in Lightroom and still saw a significant improvement in my editing and consequently, final images. I've never looked back.If I had known that editing RAW files in Lightroom was so intuitive and that I'd see such a difference in my photos, I would have started shooting RAW immediately after purchasing a DSLR. If you've been on the fence, don't put it off any longer!In my shooting RAW post, I take you through the following points.

  • What does "shooting RAW" mean?
  • How do I shoot RAW?
  • Uploading and editing RAW files seems like a lot of work. Does it really make a difference?
  • But isn't it difficult and time-consuming to edit RAW files?
  • But isn't photography software expensive? I like using free photography programs.
  • But don't RAW files take up a lot of space?

I also take you through examples of editing JPEG and RAW versions of a single image. It's very difficult to appreciate the difference between shooting JPEG and RAW fully until you've tried it for yourself. But hopefully, learning more about RAW and reviewing examples of RAW versus JPEG images will help you make the decision to invest in Lightroom and start shooting RAW.Read the full post over on roseclearfield.com: DSLR Photography 101: Don't Be Afraid of Shooting RAW.SaveSaveSave

Instagram Winners – Pets

Coincidentally, with March 23rd being National Puppy Day, this week was your chance to show us your best pet photos. Whether they are your furbabies, or the furbabies of others, pets have a lot of character and personality you can capture in camera from a playful side to that doggy sass.Bokeh is key for your shots next week for #prtv_bokeh. Bokeh does not mean bokeh balls necessarily, bokeh is actually the quality of the out of focus parts of your photo. A semi-recent term as Bokeh is turning 20, having been coined sometime around 1997 in Photo Techniques magazine by Mike Johnston. Boke (ボケ) translated from Japanese means haze or blur. So that said we’re looking for the quality of bokeh which means intentional blurring, of an aesthetic choice, that helps to improve your photo.Try a fast prime lens or get closer to your subject this week for some great bokeh -  Aperture & Bokeh - Kit Lens vs a Prime LensTo enter post your photos on Instagram before noon next Friday with the tags #PRTV and #PRTV_bokeh.

You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv

And the team!Toby – @Photorectoby Roy – @RoyMcKeeIII Rose -  @Randomcreativeart

Toby’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BR_-JixggZk/I just love the pose, gaze upward, and it really works for a great photo. I'd just like the shadows to be just a bit slightly brighter.

Toby’s Honorable Mention:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BR6zXQrgAKH/Angela, you've got a cute pooch. The focus is bang on and the focus nails the shot.

Roy’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BR5Dz2NgUla/

A tiny little ball of fur exploring, cropping in close with a shallow depth of field helps make the scene for your kitten.

Roy’s Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BR_-JixggZk/Gidget did well staying for a portrait and you managed to get a great portrait on black. Happy she got a treat out of it!https://www.instagram.com/p/BR2QYKhjvge/Something I always try to tell people starting out is that when it comes to certain subjects a portrait is a portrait regardless if a dog, horse, or a deer. You captured a nice scene at the park on the bench with your “niece” and it makes for a really great shot.  

Hands-on REVIEW Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D Lens

I have spent a month with the widest, fastest rectilinear lens that claims zero distortion and costs FAR less than other lenses this fast and this wide. I am now ready to share some thoughts on this super wide angle lens. Is it the perfect lens for wide angle interior and architecture work?https://youtu.be/fTR-X3p_LCQSample Images

New! Signature Series Bags from Think Tank

Signature Series

Think Tank has gone modern and luxurious with their new Signature Series bags. Hand sewn, advanced fabrics blend weather protection and durability with the classic feel of fine wool. Genuine leather detailing and metal hardware add character and stand up to the rigors of daily use. In addition, the zippered flap provides full closure and security to the main compartment, or tucks away when not in use.  The Signature 10 fits a 10” tablet; the Signature 13 fits a 13” laptop.

Key Features:

  • Modern wool-like fabric that is soft to the touch and stands up to everyday use
  • Full-grain leather bottom and detailing, plus antique finished metal hardware
  • Secure clasps on front flap with one-handed operation
  • Dedicated phone pocket fits up to an iPhone 6s+ or S7 Edge
  • Wide handle pass-through for attaching to rolling luggage
  • Removable dividers for a completely collapsible bag
  • Water-resistant fabric and a seam-sealed rain cover for downpour conditions

https://vimeo.com/180057691

Specifications:

 Signature 10

Signature Series 10

Signature 13

Signature Series 13

What Fits?
  • 1 standard size DSLR with 3–4 prime lenses and accessories
  • A complete Mirrorless camera system with 3–4 lenses and accessories
  • 10” tablet fits inside a dedicated compartment
  • 1 standard-size DSLR with mid-range zoom attached plus 2–3 additional lenses
  • 13” laptop fits inside a dedicated compartment
Size/Weight
  • Internal Dimensions: 11.8” W x 7.8” H x 5.1” D (30 x 20 x 13 cm)
  • Exterior Dimensions: 13” W x 9.1” H x 5.9” D (33 x 23 x 15 cm)
  • 10" Tablet Pocket: 11.4” W x 7.8” H x 0.8” D (29 x 20 x 2 cm)
  • Weight: 2.8 lbs. (1.3 kg)
  • Internal Dimensions:13.3” W x 9.1” H x 5.1” D (34 x 23 x 13 cm)
  • Exterior Dimensions:14.6” W x 10.4” H x 6.3” D (37 x 26.5 x 16 cm)
  • Laptop/Tablet Pocket:13” W x 9.1” H x 1.2” D (33 x 23 x 3 cm)
  • Weight:3.1 lbs. (1.4 kg)
Price
$249.00 $279.00

 

Buy them now at Think Tank and get free gear plus free shipping!