Well with the recent release of new photographic equipment from various manufacturers, Spring 2012 seems to be the most exciting season for Photographers.  With the new Canon 1Dx on its way, as well as the 5D Mark III and the D800  and Nikon D4 released in March, photography enthusiasts looking for a trade in or a new camera body will have a lot to look forward to.

Along with the new line of camera bodies, their are also a few accessories that have been released that many people will be very excited to get their hands on like the new Pocket Wizard Plus III, and the Canon 600EX RT speedlite.

Now like a lot of my reviews, its never about how good these improvements are but whether I believe the switch is worth the money.  So here's my analysis on the following new items...

Canon 600 EX RT Speedlite

Pocket Wizard Plus III

Canon 24-70mm L F2.8 USM II

Canon 600EX RT

*Size wise, the new 600EX RT is slightly longer by about an inch.

*LCD screen is significantly larger with a more easier to read green background.

 Menus

The menu system has been fully re-worked. It is easier to read and understand (especially the more complex wireless menus). There is no more remembering or looking up the magic numbers of the Custom Functions. Granted, with the latter cameras, it was possible to change custom functions using in-camera menus, but trying to do it on the 580EX II flash itself was a real mind game. Both Speedlite 600EX and 600EX-RT are more intuitive to operate.

*Buttons are translucent providing easier access in low lighting conditions.

 Buttons

One of the minor issues we always had with the 580EX II flash is the fact that the controls are not backlit. Even after using the flash for years, we still find it uncomfortable not being able to see the buttons under very dim lighting conditions. Well, with the new Speedlite 600EX, it is not a problem anymore. All buttons are backlit, except for the select button on the dial, which we believe is perfectly fine.*The 600EX RT comes with a filter adapter

*The 600EX RT now has a built in radio transmitter  

Zoom Range and Power

The 580EX II flash head is capable of zooming from 24mm to 105mm. The new head design extends the range of Speedlite 600EX on both ends: 20mm to 200mm. (With the built-in wide angle panel, both flashes cover 14mm angle.)

Canon specifies Guide Numbers for their flashes at the maximum flash zoom setting. Therefore, 600EX is listed with the Guide Number of 60, whereas 580EX II is at 58. This may lead users to believe that the new flash is more powerful. In reality, if you compare the Guide Numbers at identical zoom positions, the power output of both flashes is very similar, if not identical. So, there is no extra kick to be expected from the new Speedlite 600EX or 600EX-RT.

My Conclusion

Buy it if this is your first speedlite purchase.  If you own a 580 EX II, then maybe this is a pass.  The improvements although nice, but not enough for me to fork out $5100HKD (approximate retail price).  I myself is a monolight guy and I really don't see myself using all the new fancy functions.  I had two 580 EX IIs and I really never experienced issues with them (nothing that other speedlights didn't have as well, like slow refresh, limited lightshaping options, etc...).  In terms of the new built in radio transmitters, are they compatible with Pocket Wizards??? No? then it's garbage.  Long have I left the 3 Canon Speedlite lighting setup (due to many different problematic issues), so if the wireless transmitter only works between speedlite to speedlite then I don't see how that is a big bonus for photographers.  Let's face it, if you can afford 3 600 EX RTs, I think you may own Pocket Wizards as well.  So my conclusion is, well if you have the kind of money to splash, go for it.  I don't see how this purchase will improve your photography significantly.  Event Photographers may benefit more from these improvements, but even with that said I would still think twice before trading in the 580s for the new 600EX RTs.  

Pocket Wizard Plus III 

Although, there isn't a great significant of change ot the PWIIIs, I definitely think it's now a much better buy than the PWIIs.  Firstly, the reduced price.  YES!!! REDUCED PRICE.  You can now get one here in Hong Kong for roughly 1000HKD, compared to 1400HKD.  This is a significant price drop and I can assure you that has plently to do with the recent lawsuit Pocket Wizard has filed against Phottix for copyright infringement.

In terms of channels, the PWIIIs is now an improved 32 channel wireless transmitter, compare that to the 4 Channel PWIIs, need I say more?

I haven't held the actual product on hand, but I can tell the built quality looks a lot more improved and the LCD screen makes the interface a lot cleaner and also user friendly in low light conditions.  I would recommend this purchase for new user and existing PW Plus II users (since it is PW Plus II compatible).

Canon 24-70L 2.8 USM II

According to Canon, the updated lens will feature a new combination of lens elements and coatings which supposedly will result in improved color reproduction while avoiding ghosting and image distortion. It also sports a zoom-lock switch and has seen its aperture’s old 8-blade mechanism replaced with a 9-blade mechanism which Canon claims will deliver “incredible bokeh”. It is expected to see a launch in April for $2,299USD. 

Conclusion, to be honest if these improvements were made to another lens, I would not give this review a "BUY", but it is the 24-70mm L, my favorite lens and also favorite to many fashion photographers.  What I didn't like about the present 24-70 is the probably the slow speed of the lens itself (in AF mode), and it could be sharper.  I am hoping the new lens will be as sharp as the 70-300L, if so I would definitely trade it in even with the significant price difference. 

Tags ( Pocket Wizards 5D Mark III Phottix photographers lighting 580EX II 600EX RT Pocket Wizard Plus III Canon 24-70L USM II )

The following photos were shot with...

100W Continuous Flourescent Light

40 x 60 Softbox

5D Mark II

Both 50mm Carl Zeiss 1.4 and 100mm Carl Zeiss 2.8

Pros

You see what you get

Not as distracting for model (strobing vs. continuous light) 

Cons

Must shoot with a very fast lens due to insufficient power from flourescent lights

Depth of Field is pretty shallow due to use of wide aperture

Very difficult for freeze subject, must as model to be still. 

Tags ( lighting Photography equipment soft box photographers Studio celebrity portraits， Hong Kong )

This week has been a busy week for DSLR shooters in Hong Kong.  Just about everywhere you go, you can see someone with a DSLR dangling on their neck.  While I do not doubt some of these users have some of best high end lenses around, I question whether they have the right lens?

One experience that I often find myself in is hearing young photographers talk about how they must have a fast lens (as in wide aperture).  While it's true the wider the aperture, the better the chances you can grab a photo with decent exposure in any light environment, but not necessarily will that be the best setting for that particular photo.

One example of this is for Photo-Journalism.  Photo-Journalists rarely shoot in wide aperture.  Usually Photo-Journalist shoot at around F5.6.  This is because when shooting lifestyle portraiture it's usually not very clear cut as to single subject and background and usually the background is just as if not more important than the subject.  By shooting wide open at all times, the background is usually blurred out and all you get is  the focused subject neglecting its surrounding that may have played a key importance in the story telling of the photograph.

I am saddened by this because nowadays I feel most people use their cameras like a rebel with a machine gun.  Constant firing and very few hits.  

I urge our photographers of today and tomorrow.  To aim at for the exposure and not at the equipment.  You see famous photographers with high end equipment not because they are proud of having expensive equipment on hand but because the job requires it.  In fact most top photographers don't even own cameras (most of them are lent out to them for exposure).

The DSLR owners of Hong Kong have become more tech junkies then photographers.  Chasing after the latest camera or accessory.  I always use a little trick once in a while to ensure I am using most of my photography skill rather than my tech skill and that is to shoot with nothing but ISO100, with a lens not faster than F4, and use nothing but manual selection (yes even focus).  If you can still pictures you are crazy about then you are still on the right track, but if you find your photos just a bunch of meaningless exposures, then you really have to ask yourself whether it is your camera capturing your stunning pics or yourself.

Tags ( Photography equipment photographers celebrity portraits， Hong Kong )

Canon EOS 5D Mark III (Released March 15, 2012)

Finally was able to find a 5D Mark III in a shop yesterday in Wanchai.  First impression, the camera is slightly thicker than the previous model.  It took me a while to get used to the buttons and interface but I think for most 5D users it will not be a big problem.

The camera does sort of look like the 7D and with that said the grip has slightly improved and now photographers with larger hands will definitely find it more pleasing and secure to hold on to for prolong periods.

The new AF sensor although not as fast as it claims, but definitely an improvement from the previous model.  I can definitely see the 5D Mark III being used for event photography a whole lot more than the 5D Mark II or the 7D.

Overall the response of the camera is a lot quicker.  Also with the a wider LCD and fancy functions like a picture to picture review and HDR function, the upgrade is a must for outdoor photographers but not as much for studio photographers.

One thing that I was not too pleased with is the price.  The 5D mark III is a bit overpriced.  I was expecting the body to be around 25K HKD, but it turned out to be $27430HKD, not the mention the battery grip (which has not been officially introduced by canon) will start at $2400HKD.

At this price I think many people will fight their decision between the 1D Mark IV ($30k HKD) and the 5D Mark III. 

Tags ( canon photographers 5D Mark III review )

The other day, as I was browsing for some new gadgets in SSP, just as I was about to make a purchase some kid (probably a university student) comes over and asks me for some advice.  The first question he asks...

(1) Excuse me sir, but will this (a small size light stand) be enough for my 580 EX II?

Always willing to help, I replied... "Yeah it should be enough, mind you though it does not hurt to buy a slightly bigger stand because there may be a chance that you will use lightshaping tools with your speedlite and it may not be strong enough to support some heavier lightshapers."

The young man then asked.  "What are lightshapers?"

I replied "well depending on what you are shooting and your own preference but most common is adding a shoot through umbrella."

Then the young man asked. "What does an umbrella do?"

I then replied (starting to get slightly impatient because I needed to go to the next store to check out the new Dis from Godox). "Well there are several ways to use a shoot through umbrella.  You can bounce a light and reflect the light to a subject or you can shoot through it hence the name "Shoot Through Umbrella.

The young man then continued to ask.  Well why are some of them silver?  and why are some of them white?

I replied. "Well silver is for a more contrasty look which in the meanwhile still gives you a more diffused effect.  So it's great if you are using it on a speedlite because you don't have much power to work with or waste.  White shoot through on the other hand is probably the most handy umbrella and what most beginners start with when they start using umbrellas due to the convenience/price and the ability to use the umbrella in different ways."

He then thanked me and I approached the counter to pay for the 2 new 30x90 strip banks that I just bought.  Suddenly the young man appeared next to me again like Yoda and asked.

"Well I am trying to shoot something outside and from a low angle (don't ask me what it was, I didn't want to know).  Firstly do I need to use a speedlite?  and secondly, if I use an umbrella how should I set it up so I get the best lighting for my portrait."

Wow, what a question I thought.  I might as well shoot the thing for him.  Some of you prosumers or photographers reading this blog post may say "Why bother answering his questions, it's most likely he has never used a light before and the more you explain the more complicated it will be for him to get his photo.

You are probably right about this and most likely I am assuming that he did not get the photo he is aiming for.  However, if you think about his questions, they are not stupid questions at all.  These are the questions that make camera owners into photographers.  Separating the truly passionate from the trendy camera owners.  You ever see someone on a street with like old crusty Canon 400D or 350D with a stock zoom lens but yet they shoot amazing photos?  I have.  These photographers took similar questions and not that they found an answer but took the risk to make the mistakes and learn from them.  That is photography, many experiences that give you good experience.  Good photographers are people that most likely have failed a lot more than beginners (ironic eh?).  But what makes a Photographer a great photographer is someone that is willing to take a number of shots after shots of "bad" photos, and practise their technique until they find (not the 'correct' method) their own style.

My last words to that young man was.  Photography is not as difficult as you think.  You are seeking my help today because you think I am more knowledgeable or more skilled than you, but I can answer your questions only because I have failed more than you and attempted failure more than you.  Have fun with your camera and remember if the photo comes out "poorly" that it can only get better if you let yourself understand what was wrong with it.  He then thanked me sincerely and left the shop.  I'll probably won't recognize this guy again, but if he gets what I am saying maybe I will bump into him next time at the same shop and it will be him looking for a strip bank.

Tags ( henri cartier bresson umbrellas soft box strip bank 580EX II canon 350D 400D camera shop Photography photographers )