The 10-megapixel Finepix A170 encompasses all the necessary features essential for great pictures. These include the SR Auto Mode (Automatic Scene Recognition), Panoramic Shooting Mode, Face Detection technology and a slim 21.9mm body for quick, convenient, photography on the go.The A170 features a 3.0x optical zoom lens that was developed specifically for the A-series by Fujinon and large, 2.7-inch, 230k-pixel resolution LCD. It also offers Fujifilm
Filed under Digital Cameras by on Nov 1st, 2009. Comment. 
I’m good at messing up stuff. I’ll admit it. Take for instance the photo above. It is the final shot I took of many while in the Kazumura Cave on the Big Island of Hawaii. And it still needs help. In a recent post here on DPS entitled 14 Tips For Cave Photography, I explained some of the things I learned from a first time attempt at underground photography. In this post I’d like to humbly share my mistakes while researching the topic in hopes that it’ll speed up your learning process. My basic idea was to use the flash off camera and fire it multiple times using the pilot button. In this sense I hoped to gain a more even lighting. Let’s take a look at some of the shots that lead up to the final shot. (All photos are 30 second exposures)
This is the first attempt. I tried having my guide, Jeffery, highlight the tube to the right and attempted to light paint while using the flash. Sometimes I turned around and you can see my light trails. All in all, chaos. I realized I needed to be more methodical. And I needed something in the picture to give it perspective.
I now have Jeffery in the photo but still chaos. You can see my silhouette created when I fired the flash directly in front of me. Bad idea. I should be firing the flash where I’d cause little to no silhouette. Jeffery is still light painting and it’s not working. Plus he was moving. You can still see light trails from my headlamp when I turned around too much. Hmmm…..things have to improve. I know, I’ll turn off my headlamp (and luckily not fall!)
Ok, things are settling down a bit. I had Jeffery remain still. He’s also pointing his flashlight into the right tube so we can see the beam of light. Cool. I still see my silhouette. Bad. But with my headlamp off there is less color difference. I also realize I’m missing some areas of the ceiling with my flash. And there’s a burst on the right caused when I aimed the flash at the camera accidentally. Don’t point the flash at the camera.
I tried switching angles on this one but it didn’t help. Jeffery is covering the most interesting feature and you can’t see his light. And look at all those silhouettes! Actually, they are kinda cool in a spooky way. But not desired in this case. I got a more even coverage with the flash but I left my headlamp on accidentally (the streaks on the upper left and the color cast on the ground). Alright, let’s move back to the original position.
This one looks like a test. Can you spot the multiple things wrong? Yikes! And Jeffery is being so patient and such a great model. Let’s try something new.
Thinking about it, I really liked the single light beam from the flashlight. But I still wanted to see Jeffery. What about one single flash on him alone? DOH! Big mistake. It left a perfect silhouette of the flash including a trail left by the pilot light. I should have held it back a little. While interesting, I still wanted the entire cave lit up.
And now the ‘final’ shot. It still needs help (like my one, spooky silhouette on the left side there), but the lessons learned from the previous shot were applied:
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Don’t point the flash directly in front of you causing a silhouette
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Don’t point the flash at the camera
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If possible, go without a light source for yourself. It will cause hot spots or possible color difference like it did for me.
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Do put a subject in the photo.
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But don’t let them move.
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Cover the pilot or recycle light on the flash so it doesn’t show as a dot in the photo.
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Be methodical with light coverage. I only gave myself 30 seconds, but with more time I could be more complete.
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Have fun and experiment!!
Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.
Filed under Digital Cameras by on Nov 1st, 2009. Comment.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21 1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera Body Only
Compact, lightweight with environmental protection, EOS 5D successor boasts a newly-designed Canon CMOS sensor, with ISO sensitivity up to 25,600 for shooting in near dark conditions. The new DIGIC 4 processor combines with the improved CMOS sensor to deliver medium format territory image quality at 3.9 frames per second, for up to 310 frames. Triggered from Live View Mode, HD video capture allows users to shoot uninterrupted at full 1080 resolution at 30fps — for amazing quality footage with outstanding levels of detail and realism. The integration of HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1-megapixel camera opens a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers. With its full frame CMOS sensor and outstanding ISO performance, the EOS 5D Mark II will appeal to any photographer in search of the finest camera equipment available — from studio and wedding to nature and travel photographers.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Wonderful Camera
This is a wonderful camera. I shoot mainly outdoor, scenic nature photos. While the 5D is slightly larger and heavier than my 40D, it is not cumbersome or hard to work with. The high resolution/quality of the rear LCD screen is very useful in assuring a sharp focus when you are working with very shallow depth of field. The Quick Control Screen gives a simple way to use to review the current settings and change them if you wish. The only real drawback is the lack of a built in flash, not an issue for me, but it may be for others. I use the camera mostly with my 24-105 4L lense, a very comfortable fit. The full frame sensor and 21MP allow me to print larger images at high quality resolution. I did my homework b/4 I bought the camera and was not disappointed in its performance.
4 Stars 5DMkII
The camera does everything what is needed for a professional photographer. Even more – with overly abundant features; many of them is redundant. The automatic ISO setting is quite useful. Recommended for pro and advanced amateurs. Not sure if the video feature is really useful.
1 Star Price
WHY does Amazon.com charge $3599 for the camera (body only)? It is sold for $2699 in most retail stores and other websites, and for the price of $3499 you should also get a decent lens with it. DO NOT buy this item from Amazon… it’s a rip off!
4 Stars Good Cam/ Bad price
Bought this camera earlier this year. The only problem I see with it is it sometimes misses the mark on auto-focus. Very slow continuous shooting (only 3.9 fps) The Nikon D700 out-performs the Canon in fast focus situations. It would be a better choice for sporting events and racing. Other than that, the camera is a winner. Just keep your subjects still. You just can’t beat the resolution, although jpg’s are a little soft.
One other thing, why would you pay Amazon’s outrageous price when you can get it for $600 less at Best Buy ($2,700.00)? Even with taxes you lose buying it here? Even earlier this year I paid only $3,000 at BB.
2 Stars Sub-par body & features
Great sensor & image quality. However, the camera lacks many features one would expect from a $2700 camera:
* Auto-focus points are poorly placed (focus and recompose doesn’t work well due to shallow depth of field).
* The CF card door creaks & is flimsy—this affects the grip; I can’t attach a heavy lens (24-70L) and hold the camera comfortably. This problem is very common and well documented (do a web search).
* Outer auto-focus points hunt quite a bit. The camera feels non-responsive when using outer AF points (I’m coming from 40D).
* The camera is quite heavy; I don’t see why it should be given the poor construction. Weight becomes a problem especially with heavier lenses (24-70L and 85 f/1.2L), where you get blurry shots more frequently (again, compared to 40D).
* Lack of pop-up flash is bothering (although I have an external unit); If Nikon can do it, why can’t Canon?
* Lack of auto-focus during video recording. Expect to get a lot of out of focus videos if you shoot family & kids. No 720p option. The video files are huge (~1 gig for 3-4 mins of video).
Filed under Photography by on Nov 1st, 2009. Comment.
