Product reviews Archives - Outdoor Writers Association of America

Product Review: MK Controls Lightning Bug

OWAA staff — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:17:57 +0000

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BY KEITH PATANKAR
Lightning never strikes twice in the same spot. Yet, trying to be in the right spot, out of harm’s way, to capture a beautiful lightning strike with your digital camera can be difficult. You have to keep your equipment out of the elements and keep yourself safe from what sometimes can be a dangerous situation.
The newest tool on the market is the MK Controls Lightning Bug. The Lightning Bug is a camera accessory that fits on top of your hot shoe and triggers your camera when lightning strikes. It connects to your camera with a cable that fits into the pin connection and mini port in your camera. The Lightning Bug works off of a sensor that detects an infrared burst that precedes a lightning strike. It then automatically fires your camera off. The unique part of this tool is the option to adjust the sensitivity of the Lightning Bug. This gives the photographer control and creativity of what to capture. You can dial the sensitivity up for lighting strikes further away in the distance. Or to capture more vivid full lightning strikes, you would lower the sensitivity. You can capture light reflecting off clouds from the strike or full, bright, strikes with all the details. The Lightning Bug even includes a PC port to attach a manual flash for fill-in light on foreground objects. It is sealed against weather and has a rugged design and runs off of one 9V battery.
I had a chance to take the Lightning Bug out in the field to test it. It works, but patience is a virtue. Storms are not always the easiest thing to track down when you are ready to shoot. You have to be prepared for you safety, keep your equipment protected and at the same time try and compose and capture your vision with your camera. I recommend a rain cover for your camera and setting it on a tripod in a safe place or just shooting from your car in front of a large field. The sensitivity gauge on the top is easy to adjust and lights up to show where you are on the scale. I had to change it a few times to get it right to make the camera fire when the lightning was further away. When I was able to finally get a storm that was close enough, I raised the sensitivity to capture more vivid lightning. The only thing with this is the camera did fire several times when the lightning strike was out of frame. So expect to get plenty of throw-away shots. With patience the Lightning Bug is a great accessory for capturing lightning. So if you are looking to capture Mother Nature’s great outdoor electricity, the Lightning Bug is a worthy accessory to bring along.
—Keith Patankar works in outside sales, marketing and specialty market at Hunts Photo & Video in Melrose, Mass. Please feel free to contact Patankar directly at 781-462-2340 with any related question.
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Product Review: Zoon H4N audio recorder

OWAA staff — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:25:47 +0000

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BY KEITH PATANKAR
Each one of you are a story teller, showing the world what you experience through your eyes behind the camera and lens. And we have now entered into a digital era of multimedia where still and motion picture are no longer separate media, with communicators often using both to tell their story. So, in this product review, we’re looking beyond the usual essentials already found in your bag of equipment — your camera, the right lenses for the job, flashes, and anything else you use to steady or modify your camera for the type photography you do. The next essential piece of the equipment puzzle is audio.
Whether you use a digital still camera or video camera, quality audio is now equally as important as the picture you show. Enter in the Zoom H4N, a digital audio recorder capable of capturing high quality audio on 4 channels. This tool is a valuable piece to do interviews, enhance the sound quality of your video, or record separate tracks to input into a slideshow.
The Zoom H4N is more than a standard voice recorder (there are a million of them on the market today), it has features that work in tandem with today’s photographer/videographer, Starting with the most important thing: sound quality. The Zoom H4N produces crisp, high-quality sound. It will record in stereo 96 kHz/24-bit audio. You have control over the modes you want to record and can adjust it as needed. The audio is recorded in a WAV file format or you can lower it to record in a standard MP3 format. One amazing thing is the ability to record on four channels. With four-channel recording, your audio will sound more professional. For example, you can capture music and get all the layers of each instrument, far and near, to sound equally crisp.
Even though Zoom originally designed this mic recorder for the music recording business, you can quickly notice all the features are designed around today’s videographer. The Zoom H4N was completely redesigned and thought out for today’s DLR shooter or video camcorder. It has XLR connections for the higher-end camcorders or mixers. It also has a mini mic jack that will plug into most digital SLRs. You can record two separate tracks and sync them up in software later. The top of the x/y microphones will rotate from a 120-degree angle to a 90-degree angle. This is useful if you want to change from doing an interview where you want to concentrate the sound on the person talking, to picking up all the surrounding audio.
The Zoom H4N is a solid design that can stand up to the rigors of today’s photographer on the go, though, its size is a little bulky and you can not just throw it into your pocket. But on the plus side, the menu system is intuitive with a side scroll wheel that lets you quickly navigate the many features. It illuminates, making it easy to read the options. However, if you are new to this type of equipment, there are plenty of options that can get overwhelming, so do not let this deter you novices out there.
It runs off of AA batteries and has a battery life of 6-11 hours with the stamina mode enabled. Other connections include a headphone jack and USB out to download to your computer. The Zoom H4N records to a SD/SDHC memory card. This is very convenient since most of us have this type of card with our digital cameras.
Overall, the Zoom H4N is an excellent handheld microphone that can be put to good use for today’s photographer. It is great for interviews, documenting events and recording excellent audio to supplement DSLR videos. The Zoom h4H is a tool in today’s multimedia world that can add another dimension to everyone’s storytelling.
—Keith Patankar works in outside sales, marketing and specialty market at Hunts Photo & Video in Melrose, Mass. Please feel free to contact Patankar directly at 781-462-2340 with any related question.
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Product Review: Induro PHQ1 5-Way Panhead

OWAA staff — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:26:33 +0000

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BY KEITH PATANKAR
One of the most overlooked tools in a photographers bag is your tripod head. You have the perfect camera, the right lens for the job and a steady tripod. But what are you using to move and position your shot when your camera is on your tripod? That is where the right tripod head factors in. Your tripod head is the one piece you will move and maneuver to get the right shot. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to move and position your shot comfortably and precisely.
This is where the Induro PHQ1 5-Way Panhead comes into play. It’s a beautifully-designed head with precise movements and accurate levels. When you first look at the PHQ1, you will notice how well it is designed. The PHQ1 has two side handles that are just the right length and fold down without having to unscrew them. This makes it very convenient for traveling. Like the name suggests, this tripod head pans in five different directions for the most complete control. You can pan sideways from the base, but also have a smooth base, as the top the pans independently. This ensures you are level when panning or doing a panoramic. There are spirit levels on each plane, so you can keep horizontal and vertical movements straight. The Induro PHQ1 supports up to 25.3 pounds, making it useful for a wide range of camera-and-lens combinations. It comes with and supports all Arca Swiss-style plates.
I found that one very useful part of the PHQ1 Head is that the top knob allows you to easily and smoothly pan. Your horizon will stay level and makes it easy to take multiple images for panoramic shots. It also works great when taking a video clip and panning. While this head may have more than every user needs, you will find it a joy to work with. It makes it easy to set up your shots with accurate control.
The PHQ1 retails at $315. You can contact me at patankar@wbhunt.com for 15 percent off.
—Keith Patankar works in outside sales, marketing and specialty market at Hunts Photo & Video in Melrose, Mass. Please feel free to contact Patankar directly at 781-462-2340 with any related question.
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Product Review: Manfrotto 055XPROB kit

OWAA staff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:38:48 +0000

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BY JON LAWTON
If you ask a photographer what piece of equipment is most essential, you’re likely to hear a long list of favorite cameras or must have lenses. It’s easy to get caught up in high-tech electronics when talking about photo gear, but sometimes the most useful piece of hardware can be a little more mundane. A tripod, for example, might not be the most exciting piece of gear in your kit, but without one you are eliminating many great photo opportunities.
The Manfrotto 055XPROB kit is a tripod and head system aimed at photographers that need to support up to 8.8 pounds of camera gear. Given that the average DSLR weighs in at less than 2 pounds, the 055XPROB kit gives you the option to hold even the heaviest camera-lens combination. The tripod itself weighs in at 5.3 pounds and is made of aluminum. Each leg consists of three extending sections that feature quick-action locking levers that make it easy to set the tripod to the desired height. Another nice aspect of this tripod is that when the legs and center column are fully extended, the tripod head rests at 5.8 feet from the ground. This is a definite advantage for taller folks who will no longer have to hunch over to see through the viewfinder. This tripod also features a pivoting center column that can be locked in the horizontal position; and this, combined with spreading the legs to their widest setting, allows you to position the head a mere 10cm above the ground, making it great for ultra low-angle shooting.
The Manfrotto 804RC2 head is fitted on the top of the tripod legs. This three-way pan/tilt head nicely compliments the tripod. The head can support equipment up to 8.8 pounds and has three independent locking handles for precise control over your camera’s position. The head is made from a composite material that Manfrotto states is as strong as aluminum but roughly half the weight. The top of the head also features a spirit level and a quick-release plate system so you can easily mount or remove the camera from the head.
The 055XPROB legs and 804RC2 head are a great combination. The large range of height adjustments paired with superior build quality make it an ideal kit for a photographer looking for a rock solid support system that will last for many years of service. This kit sells for $239 and also ships with the Manfrotto MBAG80, a zippered ballistic nylon carrying case with shoulder strap.
—If you have any questions about this Manfrotto 055XPROB kit or any other photo-related topic, please contact Jon Lawton at jlawton@wbhunt.com.
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Product Review: Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD

OWAA staff — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:12:04 +0000

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BY JON LAWTON
Wouldn’t it be great if you could capture the photographs you wanted without having to carry around a camera bag full of lenses? Well, Tamron, a Japanese Optics Manufacturer, has spent the past 20 years working to make that a reality. Tamron makes lenses of almost every size, focal length and category, but they are best known as the pioneer of the all-in-one zoom lens. Their new 18-270mm PZD lens is the world’s lightest and most compact 15X zoom.
The Tamron 18-270mm PZD lens is designed specifically for crop sensor Digital SLR’s and gives users a 28-419mm zoom range (35mm equivalent). The lens exterior is made of hardened plastic, keeping the weight down to an impressive 15.9 ounces. When zoomed to the 18mm mark, the lens is only 3.8 inches long. Tamron improved on their previous 18-270mm model by adding an ultrasonic piezo drive (PZD) auto-focus motor that provides faster and quieter autofocus operation. It also features an enhanced image stabilization mode (VC) that allows you to capture sharp images at shutter speeds as slow as 1/25th of a second. It is a variable aperture lens that ranges from f/3.5 at 18mm to f/6.3 at 270mm. While there is some barrel distortion visible at the wide-end, which is typical for lens with such a large focal range, the image quality is very good. For a lens that could realistically replace two or three lenses that you have in your camera bag, I think the Tamron 18-270mm PZD is a solid performer.
I see the Tamron 18-270mm PZD being a great lens for travel photography or for anyone needing a versatile one-lens kit that can handle nearly any photographic scenario without having to swap-out lenses. The Tamron 18-270mm PZD is currently available in the Canon EOS and Nikon F mount and sells for $649.99. It comes with a petal style lens hood and is covered by a six-year Tamron USA warranty.
—Jon Lawton is a sales associate at Hunt’s Photo and Video in Melrose, Mass. Contact him at jlawton@wbhunt.com or 800-221-183
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Product Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25

OWAA staff — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:43:24 +0000

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BY JOHN LAWTON
The Panasonic DMC-FH25 is latest release to the popular Panasonic FH camera line. Panasonic FH series cameras place an emphasis on sleek and compact dimensions while also featuring quick performance and better-than-average zoom capabilities.
The 3.9-by-2.2-by-1.1 inch DMCFH25 has a 16.1 megapixel CCD sensor behind a Leica 8X optical zoom lens. The effective zoom range is 28mm-224mm, which in a camera this small is rather impressive.
The lens is also image-stabilized to give you sharp photos when hand holding the camera, even at long shutter speeds.
The auto-focus system has been improved and now has 11 focus points that can be individually selected by the user. The rear of the camera features a 2.7-inch LCD screen to aid in image composition and review.
The most notable upgrade is that the DMC-FH25 now is equipped with the Venus Engine VI processor. This is the same image processor that is found on the higher-end ZS5 and ZS7 super zoom cameras. The new processor reduces shutter lag, helps reduce digital noise when shooting at high ISOs, increases auto-focus speed, and allows the user to shoot full resolution images at 1.5 frames per second. The ISO sensitivity ranges from 100-1600 ISO.
In addition to capturing still images, the DMC-FH25 is also capable of shooting 720p HD video at 24 frames per second with sound. The DMC-FH25 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack and stores images to an SD memory card or its 70MB of internal memory.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25 is currently selling for $159.99 and includes the camera, battery pack, charger, AV cable, USB cable, wrist strap, software CD-ROM and one-year Panasonic manufacture warranty.
— If you have any questions about this Panasonic Lumix camera or any other photo-related topic, please contact Jon Lawton at jlawton@wbhunt.com.
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Genus ND Fader Filter

OWAA staff — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:49:29 +0000

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BY JON LAWTON
Neutral density filters are a popular tool for photographers. ND filters are essentially a tinted filter that, when placed in front of a lens, limits the amount of light that can pass through without affecting the color balance. They are primarily used to give a photographer more creative control over exposure. By limiting the amount of light passing through the lens, you can extend your exposure time or select a smaller aperture to capture a more shallow depth of field. ND filters are commonly available in 1-, 2-, or 3-stop densities. A filter with the greatest number of stops will block more light.
The new Genus ND Fader is an all-in-one variable neutral density filter that allows the user to dial-in up to four stops of light reduction. Until recently, a photographer might have to pur- chase two or three separate ND filters to equal the range capability of the Genus ND Fader. The ND Fader screws on to the front of your lens and is operated much like a circular polarizer. It is made up of two glass elements stacked together. The outermost element can rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to increase or decrease the amount of light that passes through the filter. The filter’s metal ring also features a thumb screw that makes it easy to adjust with precision.
The Genus ND Fader Filter ships with a protective case, two removable thumb screws and a micro fiber cleaning cloth. It is currently available in standard lens diameters ranging from 52mm to 82mm.
If you have any questions about the Genus ND Fader Filter or any other photo- related topic, please contact Jon Lawton at jlawton@wbhunt.com.
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Product review: Panasonic Lumix G10

OWAA staff — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:40:35 +0000

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BY JON LAWTON
Panasonic is a company that many people may not generally associate with photography, but during the past three years they have released some of the most popular cameras on the market. Their development of the mirrorless Micro Four Thirds system helped introduce an entirely new class of camera that blends the image quality and control of a digital SLR camera with the size and portability of a point-and-shoot. Similar to a DSLR, the Micro Four Thirds system allows for the use of interchangeable lenses, but it does away with the reflex mirror and optical viewfinder making the body of the camera much smaller than even the most compact DLSRs.
The Panasonic G10 is the fourth Micro Four Thirds camera released by Panasonic to date. It is the lightest camera featuring a built-in electronic viewfinder. The G10’s body is constructed of metal and is wrapped in a grippy rubber compound, making it easy to hold. Its back features a three-inch LCD screen that either displays the camera settings, or when in live view mode, allows you to compose your photos. The heart of the camera is its 12-megapixel CMOS image sensor with an impressive ISO range of 100-6400. In addition to taking great still images, the G10 also has a video mode that can capture 1280-by720 pixel high definition video files at 30 frames per second. The G10 comes with an image stabilized 14-42mm 3X zoom lens, and can accept any Micro Four Thirds lens on the market.
The G10 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can take an average 350 shots per charge. It can record in either JPEG or RAW image format and accepts SD memory cards. The small size and image quality of the Panasonic G10 makes it a great camera for someone looking to step up from a point-and-shoot without having to deal with the size and complexity of a full size DSLR. It’s also a fine choice for a DLSR shooter who wants to downsize their camera equipment without sacrificing their creative control and image quality.
—Jon Lawton is a sales associate at Hunt’s Photo and Video in Melrose, Mass. Contact him at jlawton@wbhunt.com or 800-221-183
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Nikon Coolpix P7000

OWAA staff — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:47:06 +0000

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BY JON LAWTON
For Nikon, the P-Series designation is reserved for their highest-quality and most technically-advanced compact digital cameras. The Nikon P7000 is the flagship model of the Coolpix camera lineup and was specifically designed to satisfy the needs of serious amateurs and professionals alike. By combining features of an SLR with the form of a point-andshoot, Nikon created quite an impressive pocket camera.
The Nikon P7000 replaces the 1 1/2-yearold P6000. Typically, new models are released with subtle upgrades and minor improvements over their predecessors. However, the P7000 breaks that trend, as almost the entire camera was redesigned. The overall shape of the camera changed and it is now made of metal, while the key control switches are now located in areas where your hands naturally grip the body. The camera still features a large format 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor. However, in order to increase low-light sensitivity, the resolution was reduced to a reasonable 10.1 megapixels. A noteworthy improvement was made to the camera’s lens. The P7000 now sports an image-stabilized 7.1-times optical zoom (28-300mm 35mm equivalent) This versatile lens distinguishes the P7000 with the longest zoom lens in its class. On the back of the camera, the 921,000 dot LCD screen grew to three inches, allowing easy image composition and playback. Fortunately, Nikon also included an adjustable optical viewfinder that is helpful when shooting outdoors.
One attribute that sets the P7000 apart from nearly every other compact camera is the ability to shoot in full manual mode. Being able to select the aperture and shutter speed combination you want allows for more creative control. In addition to the standard JPEG image file, the P7000 also supports the uncompressed RAW image format. ISO settings can also be selected manually and range from 100 to 6400. Other notable upgrades include 720p HD video mode with stereo sound as well as a built-in virtual horizon that helps ensure your photos are level.
Operating the P7000 is very straightforward. You can quickly adjust important settings like ISO, white balance, picture quality, exposure compensation and the shooting mode with the thumb-operated wheels on the top of the camera. With its compact size and impressive feature-set, the P7000 has definitely earned its place at the top of Nikon’s Coolpix lineup. If you are interested in a travel friendly compact camera but still crave the creative control of SLR, the P7000 is a great alternative. The P7000 kit includes: one rechargeable lithium-ion battery, charger, USB and AV cables, neck strap, and the Nikon software suite CD-ROM. The P7000 currently sells for $449.95.
— Jon Lawton is a sales associate at Hunt’s Photo and Video in Melrose, Mass. Contact him at jlawton@wbhunt.com or 800-221-1830.
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Dyanphos 1000-watt Continuous Light Kit

OWAA staff — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 20:17:23 +0000

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BY JON LAWTON
Photography is all about capturing light. Most photographers start out by simply working with whatever light is available; whether provided by the sun or interior incandescent light fixtures. Eventually, you will find yourself in a situation where it could be beneficial to have more control over the direction and the intensity of light. Portrait photography is a great example of one of these situations. Having the ability to place a light exactly where you need it can make the difference between a lackluster portrait and one that looks like it was taken in a studio.
Dynaphos is a company that makes a number of pho- tographic lighting products, ranging from high-end studio strobe flashes to portable light stands. Dynaphos’ DP-2497 is a single light kit that makes studio-style portrait lighting a simpler task with its continuous 1000-watt tungsten light source. What makes this kit great for portrait photography is not only the impressive amount of light, but the quality of light it puts out. The DP-2497 features a 32-by- 24-inch softbox that evenly distributes the light and eliminates harsh shadows on your subject. The light is easy to position exactly where you need it as the supplied lightstand comes with wheeled casters and is fully adjustable up to seven feet.
When it comes to operating the light, it is pretty straight-forward. You simply plug it in and turn it on. If you need to tone down the light hitting your subject, the kit also comes with two light dampening louvers that can be secured to the front of the softbox to limit light output. Because of the size of the softbox, you have the flexibility to light even large group portraits as well as individuals. I would recommend the DP-2497 kit to any photographer who is looking for a straightforward and simple way to enhance their portrait lighting.
The Dynaphos’ DP-2497 light kit includes one light head, a softbox, a lightstand and four 1000-watt lamps that are rated at 2000 hours each. The entire kit can also be folded down and stored in its own wheeled carrying case for transport.
— If you have any questions about the Dyanphos light kit or any other photo-related topic, please contact Jon Lawton at jlawton@wbhunt.com.
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