MooseNewsBlog

I know what you’re saying, faster cards, why? True, they really don’t speed up the actual process of the camera writing files to the card (technically there is an increase but it’s negligible at best). The REAL benefit of the 133x cards is when you upload images to your computer. You can see the basic time saving here:

4GB 133x CF
Pro Reader 11.64mps
32 card bus reader 9.46mps

4GB 80x CF
Pro Reader 8.17mps
32 card bus reader 8.78mps

But that’s not really the big difference for me. Normally when I come in from a shoot, I have a minimum of two cards to upload and quite often four. The ability to slam four 133x CF cards into the Pro Card Reader, have DigitalPro automatically launch, Card Load dialog appear, a couple of clicks and then being able to walk away while the computer sucks up ALL the images from the FOUR cards saves me as much as THIRTY minutes of time. To me, that’s HUGE!

Where does the big time saving come from? First, the actual speed of the 133x card and the controller in the Pro Card Reader. That in itself when uploading just one card you can see readily. The big time savings comes from not having to watch the computer for when one card is done and it’s time to feed it another. Since DigitalPro uploads cards in the background, I can do other tasks with the computer or other chores so once the images are all uploaded, I’m ready to sit down and go through them.

I feel that any tool, technique or product that can minimize a photographers time doing menial tasks so they can get back out behind the camera, where time counts, is a must have. Yes, I have “old� cards that just sit in a drawer in the process of buying the latest and greatest. I now have more in that drawer because the investment I’ve made in the 133x cards puts time back in the day to be behind the camera! That makes these great cards!

This is so cool! Digital flash photography has just taken a light speed jump forward making macro flash and flash photography in general much easier, more rewarding with amazing results. This is an amazingly well thought out system!

The R1C1 (what a name) is comprised of the R1 close-up remote kit (pictured here), SU-800 Speedlight Commander (unit in the hot shoe) and SB-R200 Wireless Remote Speedlights (flashes on the ring). As soon as you see the box that holds all of this, you instantly know there’s more to this unit than just a couple of flashes. In fact when you purchase the entire kit, there is so much stuff that comes with it, the instruction book has packing information! That’s right, the case that holds all of this gear needs packing instructions. But don’t freak, if you don’t want to carry the huge case around, the kit comes with soft pouches to break everything out for easy travel. As I said, this is one well thought out system!

The main components of the R1C1 are the SU-800 and SB-R200s. These three units provide you wireless macro flash capability. What’s cool, you can simply slap this thing on your camera, place the flashes wherever you want them (they have modeling lights to help you with lighting patterns), dial in lighting ratios with the push of one button, fire and the iTTL system gives you the right exposure. That’s the very basics, it can do one heck of a lot more.

The R1C1 system works with Nikon’s iTTL so you can have as many as EIGHT SB-R200 on the ring working for you, either as one light bank or three banks on five channels. You can add to this mix SB-800s wherever the subject demands and control them all from the SU-800! You can even take the SU-800 and use it with just SB-800s as the Master Unit so you don’t have to sacrifice a SB-800 to the task.

What about the quality of the light? They are flash units which by their very nature are a harsh light. Light modifiers and gels come with the R1C1 which can help. I think once you buy the R1C1 you will more than likely by a third or fourth SB-R200 to “lighten� up shadows and mellow out the two light sources. The SB-R200s aren’t real powerful, but they can put out 15 feet of light at f/4 at ISO 100. If time permits, I will add images the R1C1 link in Moose’s Camera Bag in the future to give you some better ideas of what it can do.

In the meantime, I would strongly suggest that if you do any type of macro photography, you at the very least check out the R1C1. We have one at all DLWS events for folks, it’s just that amazing and powerful a tool for the wildlife/nature photographer.

I finally received the new Wimberley WH-200, the new version of the famous Wimberley head. Dang, darn sweet!

The loss of one pound is killer! It’s slightly smaller size and less weight is a huge improvement in these days of more and more painful air travel. The Arca Swiss clamp is now built into the unit rather than a bolt on extra as before. The Pan knob is now to the side and is easier to use (don’t get your fingers pinched) and the tilt knob is now rubberized.

The Wimberley has the same action feel and reliability we’ve all come to expect from the head. Nothing was sacrificed in the slimming down of the head. I’m not real keen on the new finish, shows dirt and scuffs in a heartbeat. Our Wimberley Head Cover fits the new model and is needed even more than ever if you want to keep you head looking new.

With the smaller size and lighter weight, I think the Arca Swiss B2 which I still used for the 200-400VR will be retired. That extra pound can make a big difference depending on where you’re traveling but with the B2 weighing more than the new Wimberley, the Wimberley wins hands down.

Be sure to check out the chart for lens compatibility because some of the longer lenses need the special Wimberley plate to work with the head. You will also need the new Flash Arm, F-9 as the old flash no longer works.

This is a MUST have!

 

The TOM is rather short, it’s rather obvious. Photographers all too often are happy with wherever they set down their tripod. They see some other photographer, they assume that photographer must know something so they set up near them. Photographers all too often get a shot they are happy with and they stop there, they don’t go to the next level and push themselves. Photographers see a photograph they like and try to copy it only to wonder why theirs falls short. They miss the subtle details that make the big difference. Photographers all too often, just settle and don’t grow! For you and your photography to grow, you’ve got to take the next step. Not a giant leap because normally you fall into a deep hole you can’t get out of. Rather, take constant small steps so you keep moving forward while avoiding the giant holes. Yeah, this is difficult because there are no road maps, photographers including myself don’t write about the how’s of accomplishing this but a large part of the learning is thinking for one’s self. It’s real simple, to improve your photography, think outside the box.