Daily Briefing: Strobist, Canon EOS 7D, Sony A850, Pentax K-7

What’s Happening

First of all, happy New Year everybody. I’d like to thank you all for stopping in, reading, and leaving your comments over the past year. Our little site is getting to be not so little, and while I hope it continues to grow in 2010, I also hope we can continue to build a great community here, and even better it’d be great if I could get some of you to contribute even more, perhaps with some reviews of your new camera…just throwing it out there.  Also, here’s to getting better at all things photography in the new year!

On Becoming a Strobist

It’s been fun here the last couple of days, because I’ve received stage one of my strobist set up. In case you missed it, we documented how you, and I, could get started as a strobist, or in layman’s terms–begin the process of exploring the wonders of off-camera flash. My main goal was to confirm that Elinchrom’s Skyports (an external flash triggering device) would work for me, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, and our 580ex II’s. The good news: they do, and right out of the box to boot. Even better, the Skyports are universal. You can take the transmitter from the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, put it on the Nikon D3s, or D3000 for that matter, and it still fires the Canon 580ex II’s. Or any other flash (with the proper connection). It eliminates the line of sight issue that you’ll contend with by using the pop-up flash or a camera mounted speedlight too. I haven’t fully tested it but sheetrock and lengthy distances don’t appear to be a problem. The other great thing about the Skyports, they’re relatively affordable, about $176 for the transmitter and transciever (together).

Our other item of note, Phototek’s Softlighter II. The Softlighter is an umbrella with diffuser panel that stretches across the opening, turning it in effect, to a softbox. It isn’t exactly a softbox, but does contain the light a bit better than a regular umbrella. Of course minus the removable diffusion panel, you can use it just like a convertible umbrella, either as a shoot through, or as a bounce. Sort of a three in one type deal. It’s pretty well made for an umbrella, and not expensive, the 46″ model is $60 at B&H Photo.

In case you missed it, B&H Photo tipped us to off a dirt-cheap, but kick-ass camera bag that they’re offering. The Lowepro Toploader 65 AW Camera Holster Bag holds a DSLR with a small to med. size lens attached, and perhaps a few accessories. It’s Lowepro, so the quality is great, and the price is just $29.99!

Elsewhere

Canon EOS 7D Review
Photography Bay has reviewed what I consider the best deal going for a top of the line APS-C DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D. The ‘Bay gives it a hearty recommendation, the details can be had here.

Camera of the Year
1001noisycameras.com has posted their cameras of the year, with the Pentax K-7 taking top honors. I’m partial to the little guys, so I like the winner, Pentax has done well this year…Can I just add the K-7 is an incredible value right now, with the kit lens, just over $1000?

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Review
The Canon EOS 1D Mark IV gets video reviewed at Digitalrev.com. It’s not a real thorough review, but worth it just to see the beautiful Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II that’s mounted to the 1D Mark IV. I love that lens! Seriously is there a more lust-worthy lens on looks alone? (Answer: Yes, but can’t you just play along?)

On a related note, CanonRumors.com has posted their cameras of the year, with the mostly untested Canon EOS 1D Mark IV taking top honors. It’s CanonRumors.com, so you didn’t expect the K-7 to win here too did ya?

Sony A850 and A900 Review
The Sony A850 and A900 get the review treatment, again at PhotographyBay.com. Either makes an excellent studio and/or landscape camera, but the A850 sort of has an edge thanks to its price point.

Camera of the Year
Yes, the EOS 7D again. This time garnering high praise in Photofocus.com’s camera of the year awards. The money quote from there:

Canon’s superb video and still image quality at a $1699 price point will be tough to beat for a long time.

We reviewed the EOS 7D here at Neutralday.

Agenda

That raps up today’s daily briefing. Today’s agenda more field testing with Sigma’s DP1s, the Nikon D3s, and Nikon D3000. Afterwards finishing a shopping list for additional lighting equipment, and finishing reviews of the Canon EOS G11 and Panasonic FZ35.

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1. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   January 5, 2010 at 1:39 am

   I have the Canon 85mm 1.2 sitting on the desk right here in front of me, and I agree, it’s a stunning chunk of gear. Just the mass of glass so big it feels like you can stick your arm right through it!

   And to me it’s amazing that they can coordinate such a huge expanse of glass enough to make it one of their sharpest lenses too, even at full aperture!

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     January 5, 2010 at 11:15 pm

     sometimes I really hate you, with your money is no object-ness. But, yes the size of that glass up front is just amazing! I almost don’t care what the lens does, I just want it because it looks so nice. I hear the AF is slow with it…true?

     reply
2. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   January 6, 2010 at 12:51 am

   I would hate me too.

   Would it make you feel better if I say the AF is slow?

   Well, I’m sure there are faster lenses, but considering the mass of glass and that it moves all of it (rather than internal focusing), it does not seem slow to me.

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     January 6, 2010 at 2:06 am

     No, that doesn’t make me feel better strangely. I still don’t like the idea of you having a lens that I want, but don’t have. I was thinking of a post on the best portrait lens, that would be one of the contenders…

     reply
3. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   January 6, 2010 at 2:09 am

   Can’t help you there. Don’t read Luminous Landscape.

   I think that apart from the case of when you need exceptionally shallow DoF, this lens does not have anything you won’t find in quite affordable (and much more portable) lenses like the delightful 100mm 2.0. (Or the 85mm 1.8, I’m sure.)

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     January 6, 2010 at 11:12 am

     But of course DOF can be everything…and the lens goes a long way in ending “bragging rights” disputes. And as I said, nothing looks sexier (from a Canon perspective) than the 85 on Canon pro-body—like the 1D Mark IV. Yeah the f/1.8 is well regarded, but the looks….

     reply