HarveyG

[Note the date I posted this article  (March 2010)]
I held off buying a new flash. Whilst I love the tech specs and build quality of the Nikon SB range, new they are just a bit too rich for my blood. (I subsequently bought 2x SB-800′s 2nd hand ). I have been using older manual flashes (Minolta and Vivitar) triggered either via sync cable or optic slave mode (indoors).

I have been watching this brand, YongNuo, with interest for the past few months, and read write-ups on the Strobist site as well as on Flickr about their various models.

Many good reviews and as usual a few not so good, by mostly “reviewers” who gave no satisfactory reasons for their dislike of the product. Take those reviews with a Pinch of salt.

I held one in my hand recently, the YN460II at a local supplier, and tested it. optically triggered by a basic DSLR popup flash, it fired flawlessly in all directions  optical slave mode and felt pretty solid, when it’s used as a manual off-camera flash, being fired either by light (optic slave mode) or by a radio trigger, like a Cactus 3/4, a Phottix Tetra/Aster/Atlas, AlienBees or Pocket Wizard’s.

However as an eTTL I have no doubt it will function as well as the Canon original albeit with some small configuration and menu differences. Quality and durability remains to be seen by owners and regular users.

ETA: June 2010: I’ve since bought a new YN460II (and the 2 x 2nd hand SB800′s) and have carried it (the YN460II) all over Africa as a spare off-camera kicker or on camera hot shoe flash when I want to go totally [M]anual at events or need fill light. It’s WB temperature looks spot-on, it’s rugged and very efficient on Li-Ion or NiMH rechargeable batteries. It’s much simpler to use than my 2 x SB800′s on CLS! Recharge time on 4 x fresh AA’s is under a second on full power.

Here’s a sample image of a pre shoot lighting test taken with the YN460II on a D90. All I’ve done with this image is smooth Christa’s skin and a bit of softness to everything but skin. No light modifiers whatsoever. Very acceptable.

ETA: July 2011, YongNuo 460II still behaving perfectly.
ETA: November 2011, YongNuo 460II still behaving perfectly.

However, for my primary flash(es) I need more than just a manual flash with optic slave mode triggering or radio/cable triggering. Cactus, Phottix, AB’s or PW’s are great but I still would like the option of iTTL. The YN468 has it! The Canon version is expected April 2010 and the Nikon version in May 2010.  (ETA July 2011!:  when is the Nikon version being released?). I deduct that it will be shipped to the USA before we even sniff it out here in the RSA. There is no indication of pricing yet, but I expect not more than US $200-00, probably less. In South African Rands? Your guess is as good as mine, but typically less than an SB 800/SB 900, maybe by a 1/3rd less?

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Nikon Canon...Canon Nikon ... Sony Pentax...!

A potential DSLR buyer asked me again the old argument, which is better? Canon or Nikon? He should know that it’s a flawed Q as I am a Nikon owner… even though I’m not rabidly pro Nikon.

What was the Q again? ROFL

…is it Nikon vs Canon or Canon vs Nikon? Hehe.

Personally I prefer the solid build of all the Nikon models right from the entry level D40 and now new D3000 all the way up to the flagship D3x. Where-as the entry level Canon’s from 350D even up to the new 550D are all smooth plastic looking and have that cheap Hong Kong lightweight feel. Pro models like the 20D and 1D on up are far better built.

From a photographic POV, they all take amazing images in the right hands….and don’t forget there are other choices out there; Olympus, Pentax, Fuji, Sony, Panasonic etc. even Leica or Hasselblad or Mamiya.

Also, MP (Megapixels) alone do not make for a better camera…

Thanks to Steve aka Yo_Spiff for the cool animated gif…

Canon EOS 550D

Canon has announced a new addition to its EOS range of DSLR cameras – the 18 Megapixel EOS 550D – which incorporates technologies and features more commonly found in semi-professional DSLRs, such as the EOS 7D. In a compact, lightweight body the EOS 550D includes a newly developed 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and the ability to shoot Full 1920x1080p HD movies.

Buy it here with EF-S 18-55mm IS lens.

Read more about it here.

Vivitar VIV-500-6.3 500mm f/6.3 Mirror Lens

Note to readers: Please leave a comment! It would be nice to know where you are from and if the article helped you in any way!

Christmas 2009. A new Vivitar 500mm f/6.3 DX Series 1 Mirror Lens. I’ve always been fond of them.

A lightweight (1.4 lb – 651 g) manual focus, multi-coated, catadioptric (reflex), fixed aperture “Super” Telephoto which, despite the “DX” label, can be used on full and small frame DSLR sensors as well as on regular 35mm film SLR’s. On the D90, with it’s DX sensor and 1.5x crop factor, that’s an effective 750mm! Make sure you are a good 15+ meters from your subject unless you want to shoot that Lion’s eyeball. These mirror lenses can be attached to virtually any (D)SLR using common T-Adapters. My first set of images can be found at the end of this post. You deserve to see what some lens manufacturers may not want you to see and thus why reviewers (and others) often unfairly malign these marvellous mirrors…

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Click the logo

Click the logo to be redirected to Canon’s manuals.

EOS-1D Mark IV

United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 20 October 2009 – Canon today announces the launch of the new EOS 1D MARK IV – a high-speed, professional Digital SLR (DSLR) camera designed to empower photographers to capture split-second moments in high resolution, under the most challenging of conditions. Ideal for shooting action, sports, news events and wildlife photography, the Canon EOS 1D MARK IV delivers speed, power and high-resolution images, creating the perfect camera for photographers who require reliability in fast-paced, high-pressure situations. (continue reading…)