In Case You Missed It: December 2020 -- and Every Other Month After We Went into Lockdown!

Thank you.

Like so many of us, I’m feeling an enormous sense of RELIEF after January 20th.

We are far from out of the woods in so many ways — the pandemic, the economy, a pile of “isms"… life as we now know it — but we are cautiously optimistic.

And you, dear readers, are a big piece of that optimism.

I just wanted to say: thank you.

Thank your for engaging with us on line with your warmth, humor, generosity, knowledge, and kindness. Thank you for supporting the work we do. Most importantly, thank you for an emotional sustenance over the ether that is nothing short of astounding.

With this post we’re finishing up our 2020 recap from December back to April (we looked at November separately in our last post) — and then, that’s it.

Onward.

We wish for you, your friends and family health, safety and well-being.

Hugh

December

Sigma's 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 & 65mm f/2 "I" Series DG DN Lenses:
End-Stage Pixel Peeping?

Sigma is moving quickly to redefine what it can do, and these three lenses are a harbinger of where they're headed. They're just the lenses I've been waiting for. Buy here

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens for Talking Head
- Sony a7s III
- Sigma DG DN 65mm f/2

Cameras Used in Tests
- Sony a7R IV
- Canon EOS R6
- Panasonic Lumix S1R
- Nikon Z6 II

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure C120D II
- Aputure Lantern Softbox
- V-Flat

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- Apple iPad Mini-5

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

Leica SL2-S: S is for Strategic


There are many ways to think about the Leica SL2-S, beginning with this: it's a real, made-in-Germany SL2 with a lower resolution 24 megapixel sensor; better high ISO performance; no video recording limit; and costs $1,100 than the original. But there's something much bigger than that going on here.

Buy Leica SL2-S

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens for Talking Head
- Nikon Z6 II
- Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure C120D II
- Aputure Lantern Softbox
- V-Flat

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- Apple iPad Mini-5

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

Canon EOS R6 Review by
a Lapsed Canon Shooter

There is so much to like about the EOS R6 - but I think it's one hardware generation away from being compelling.
Buy the EOS R6 here
Buy the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 here

Special thanks to B&H for making the gear available for review. Check them out here for all your photography, video, audio, and computing needs.


Gear Used To Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Canon EOS R6
- Canon RF 24-70/2.8

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure C120D II

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- Apple iPad Mini-5

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Leica SL2-S: Life at ISO 50,000

I thought ISO 50,000 was irrelevant - until I went out of my mind testing more than half a dozen of the latest cameras that can go there, most especially Leica's SL2-S.
I love my SL2, but the SL2-S is an even better high ISO and video camera -- for $1,100 less.
This video was shot with a Leica SL2-S and Leica APO Summicron SL 50mm f/2 OH BABY!
Buy the SL2-S here


Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Leica SL2-S
- Leica APO Summicron SL 50mm f/2

Other Cameras Used for Testing:
Leica SL2
Leica M10-P
Panasonic S1R
Panasonic S5
Sony a7s III
Nikon Z6 II
Canon EOS R6
Canon EOS R5

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure C120D II

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- Apple iPad Mini-5

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

October

Through the Lens of Photography,
Episode 2: Hasselblad, 1871-1888

"We are choked with news but starved of history." - Will Durant, 1945

Buy the latest Hasselblad 907X 50C here


Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix S5:
- Panasonic S-Pro 24-70mm f/2.8

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Fujifilm X-S10:
Half-Price Mini-Me X-T4 - Whoa!

 

3 Legged Thing Nicky:
132 Lb Payload Carbon FiberTripod
w/a Twist in the Age of Mirrorless Hybrids

A tripod with personality, a 132 lb payload, and a twist in the era of mirrorless hybrid cameras. Buy here
NB: 3 Legged Thing sent me the tripod, but had no input into the review and did not see it before it was published.


Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix S5:
- Panasonic S-Pro 24-70mm f/2.8

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

My Favorite Fujifilm XF Lenses

Four years after a Fujifilm X-T2 rekindled my joy of photography, I've figured out which XF lenses are my favorites by looking back over the images I've shot with them. Though, yeah: I already knew.

My favorite Fujifilm XF lenses:
Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4
Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8
Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix S5
- Sigma DG DN 24--70/2.8

Additional Cameras
- Fujifilm X-S10
- Fujifilm X-T4
- Fujifilm X-T2 (used)
- Fujifilm X-T3
- Fujifilm X100V

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure Light Storm C120D II

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- Apple iPad Mini-5

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

WARNING IN PENNSYLVANIA:
Vote in person or drop off your mail-in ballot
at an official dropbox

We mailed in our Pennsylvania ballots on September 25th, 2020 - but it took two WEEKS for them to be recorded! Here's what to do to make sure your vote counts in perhaps THE critical swing state in this election.

 

Wisdom has NOT Left the Building:
The Atlantic Endorsement

Rather than add noise to the cacophony that is the 2020 U.S. presidential election, I thought I'd boost signal by sharing with you The Atlantic's October 22nd endorsement of Joe Biden.

It was written by adults for adults, a welcome respite from what increasingly seems to be the fact that wisdom has left the building. The author is editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, on behalf of the editorial board. This video is neither sponsored nor approved by The Atlantic. I have no relationship with the magazine except as a subscriber.

This video has been created in large part under the Doctrine of Fair Use. I doubt The Atlantic will become aware of its existence. If, however, The Atlantic should become aware of it and consider challenging that use, I hope they will understand my intent and allow it to stay up.

I defer to their decision.

 

September


Panasonic Lumix S5: Zeno’s Paradox

 

NEW SERIES! Through the Lens of Photography, Episode 1: Hasselblad, 1841

This is a passion project I've wanted to do for a long time. In each episode I explore a red-letter date in the history of photography, and through that perspective explore the history of humanity -- and the parallels to our time.

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix S5:
- Panasonic S-Pro 24-70mm f/2.8

Audio
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- SmallRig Advanced Half Cage for Panasonic GH5
- SmallRig 15mm Carbon Fiber Rod, 9" (pair)
- SmallRig 15mm Dual Rod Clamp 1/4" 20
- SmallRig S-Lock Quick Release Mounting Device
- Sachtler Donut Set

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Sony a7C = ((a7III + a6600/2)*(1+v))...
But Is It Enough in 2020?

 

Laowa 14mm f/4: Tiny, Well-Built, Accessibly-Priced, Manual Focus Rectilinear Super-Wide

There's a lot to be said for this kind of lens, and Laowa delivers to the price point. Shipping in October. Be sure to check B&H & Adorama for pricing & availability.

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix S5:
- Panasonic S-Pro 24-70mm f/2.8

Audio
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- SmallRig Advanced Half Cage for Panasonic GH5
- SmallRig 15mm Carbon Fiber Rod, 9" (pair)
- SmallRig 15mm Dual Rod Clamp 1/4" 20
- SmallRig S-Lock Quick Release Mounting Device
- Sachtler Donut Set

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Leica M10R vs SL2:
A Tale of Two Cameras

This is less a review than a story about... epiphany. And oh, by the way: maybe half a dozen shots among the montages were shot on non-Leica cameras. You can try to figure out which ones - or you can just enjoy. ;)

Leica SL Review: Three Years After Launch (4-part series)

Buy your gear from Adorama, B&H or Amazon (when available) here:
Leica M10-R
Leica SL2
Leica CL
Leica APO Summicron SL 35mm f/2
Sigma DG DN 85mm f/1.4

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix S5:
- Panasonic S-Pro 24-70mm f/2.8
- Fujifilm X-T4
- Fujifilm XF 16-55/2.8

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Battle of the 85/1.8s:
Viltrox vs. Sony & Zeiss - Whoa!

Best 85 for the price? I can't think of anything as complete for the money. Buy Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 II here

The TWO things I forgot to mention: the Zeiss has the best weather sealing (Viltrox makes NO claim for weather resistance); and close-focusing performance on EVERY lens will be different than at infinity - but I REFUSE to do that many tests when there are others far more qualified than I to do them.
NB: Viltrox sent me the lens, but had no input into my review.

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix S5:
- Panasonic S-Pro 24-70mm f/2.8

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

August

 

UPDATE: Sony a7s III Overheating

 

Beyond Speedlites: broncolor SIROS 800L,
Profoto B10 Battery-Powered Monolights

 

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN for Sony & L-Mount:
I Just Fell a Little Bit in Love with Sigma

 

Samyang AF Compact Primes for Sony FE-Mount:
Tiny, Light, Moderately Fast, Cheap

This set of five primes ranging from 18mm f/2.8 to 75mm f/1.8 is a compelling alternative to kit zooms and smartphones - but they are not for everyone. Buy here


Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- I can’t tell you yet!

Audio
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- SmallRig Advanced Half Cage for Panasonic GH5
- SmallRig 15mm Carbon Fiber Rod, 9" (pair)
- SmallRig 15mm Dual Rod Clamp 1/4" 20
- SmallRig S-Lock Quick Release Mounting Device
- Sachtler Donut Set

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Hasselblad 907X SPECIAL EDITION & 500C/M:
Back to the Future

 

The Case of The Simmering Sony a7s III

I believe I now know why the pre-production A7s III evaluation unit I had overheated. But it's not what you think. Buy here

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- I can’t tell you yet!

Audio
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- SmallRig Advanced Half Cage for Panasonic GH5
- SmallRig 15mm Carbon Fiber Rod, 9" (pair)
- SmallRig 15mm Dual Rod Clamp 1/4" 20
- SmallRig S-Lock Quick Release Mounting Device
- Sachtler Donut Set

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

July

Sony 12-24mm f/2.8: $3,000,
"Halo" Super-Wide Zoom

 

Fujifilm XT4: Best Balanced, Least Compromised Hybrid on the Market

 

Canon EOS R5 & R6 Five Days Later:
Star Trek, Aladdin, Gretzky

 

Leica M10-R: 40 Megapixel Pinnacle M
(The Full Color Monochrom!)

This is the pinnacle M. Buy here

NB: all but four images were shot on a 24-megapixel M10, M10-D or M10-P. Two were shot on the 47 megapixel SL2; one was shot on the 47 megapixel S1R; and one was shot on the 24 megapixel APS-C Fujifilm X100V. Care to guess which is which? 😊


Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix GH5 (Studio A-Cam)
- Panasonic Lumix G9 (location A-cam)
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7

Audio
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- SmallRig Advanced Half Cage for Panasonic GH5
- SmallRig 15mm Carbon Fiber Rod, 9" (pair)
- SmallRig 15mm Dual Rod Clamp 1/4" 20
- SmallRig S-Lock Quick Release Mounting Device
- Sachtler Donut Set

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Sony a7s III First Look: Most Compelling Video-Centric Hybrid Since GH5 - But We May Have a Problem

Buy Here

Sony clearly thought deeply about the a7s III, and everything was going swimmingly - until an after-thought of a heat test revealed the actively cooled Panasonic S1H fared much better in high heat and direct sunlight - but so did the little, passively cooled GH5.

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix GH5
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7

Audio
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- SmallRig Advanced Half Cage for Panasonic GH5
- SmallRig 15mm Carbon Fiber Rod, 9" (pair)
- SmallRig 15mm Dual Rod Clamp 1/4" 20
- SmallRig S-Lock Quick Release Mounting Device
- Sachtler Donut Set

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

June

George Floyd #blackouttuesday

Sometimes, a “photographer’s eye” means seeing and understanding things outside of his or her frame

 


Tamron 24, 35 & 70-180mm 2.8s:
An Apology; a Story

Was it laziness, wariness or something else that prevented me from giving Tamron's new lenses a fair shake until now? No matter. They are excellent values, incredibly sharp - though to the most discerning eye, distortion and chromatic aberration may be concerns under very specific use cases. Buy Tamron lenses here


Gear Used To Make This Video:

- Panasonic Lumix GH5
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)

FULL EDIT SUITE -
Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Sigma 16, 30 & 56 1.4 Primes Available for L-Mount; New 100-400mm f/5-6.3 for Sony, L-Mount Alliance

Update, December 2, 2020: as we went into lockdown, there was no compelling reason to buy ANY gear - but with Sigma’s announcement of three new full frame I series lenses, we are more likely to go in that direction instead. See our review of the new 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2. We’ve put the 65/2 on our shopping list.

We'll probably buy the 16 and 56/1.4s for our Leica CL and SL2 - they are incredible values. Buy here

Gear Used To Make This Video:

- Panasonic Lumix GH5
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)

FULL EDIT SUITE -
Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Panasonic G9; Panasonic S1; and Nikon Z6: Great Father's Day 2020 Deals on Three Great Cameras

Update: as of December 2, 2020 the Panasonic Lumix S1 is back up to $2,500, but the Nikon Z6 is available again at $1,600 and the Panasonic Lumix G9 is available again at $997 - making these last two STEALS!


These are the lowest prices I've ever seen on three great cameras: Panasonic Lumix G9 is again back on sale for $1,000; the Nikon Z6 new in box is $1,600; and the Panasonic Lumix S1 is selling for $2,000. These are 15- 25% off their prices just a short time ago. One of these deals -- the G9 -- has already disappeared from B&H and Adorama, though still available on Amazon.

 

BEST Teleprompter Under $150 in 2020:
PRomptBox 2.0 ABS

 

May


DJI OSMO Action Camera Used for
3-Minute Short
"Lockdown" - A Dystopian Fantasy

This is now my favorite action camera, but not for the reasons you might think. I gave myself an assignment: a 3-minute short using only the OSMO Action while under shelter-in-place rules remain in effect, with homages to some of our favorite films and TV shows (even if they don't all age well). 😎

Gear Used to Make This Video:

- Fujifilm X-T4 (pre-production at 1080/30!)
- Fujifilm XF 16-55/2.8
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Six Things the Pandemic
Has Taught Me
(with cameos by X-T4, G9, a7R IV, S1R, SL2, X1D II, S1H, GH5)

Like the video above, this video was less about the gear than processing what had happened to Andrew. But there are lessons here for all of us.

Gear Used To Make This Video:

- Panasonic Lumix GH5
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7
- TASCAM DR70-D
- RODE NTG4+
- Aputure LS 1
- Neewer 72" White Diffusion Parabolic Umbrella
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

SONY ZV-1: Casey Neistat's Canon 70D, 2020-Style? Perhaps THE
Best Vlogging Setup for the Most of Us

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In Case You Missed It: November

We’re Baaaack.

After going AWOL from this blog for the last seven months, it’s time to recommit, with my apologies.

I realized only today that I stopped two weeks after my brother-in-law Andrew died from COVID-19, but with his son (my nephew) Harris’ help, we’re getting back into the saddle.

Sigh. Not even 60 seconds and I’m mixing metaphors.

In any case, first we have to catch up, so each of the next several blog entries will be a month’s worth of the things I failed to post.

Here we go. THANK you, Harris!


Leica Q2 Monochrom, Objet de Désir:
1/3 Price, Autofocusing, EVF M10
Monochrom with MORE Pixels!

Well, it's that — 1/3 the price M10 Monochrom with Summilux 28mm f/1.4 - or a Q2 without a color filter array on the same 47.5 megapixel sensor and Darth Vader-ier than Vader, Leica's internal code name for the SL2. In either case, GORGEOUS - and a joy to shoot. Buy


Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Canon EOS R6
- Canon RF 24-70/2.8

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure Light Storm C120D II

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- Apple iPad Mini-5

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

Zeiss ZX1: New Ikon --
or Too Little, Too Late?

Announced two years ago with great fanfare less than a mile from the Koelnmesse during Photokina 2018, the Zeiss ZX1 seemed to drop off the face of the earth - until now. Buy

Used Gear Mentioned in this Video Available at KEH:
- Original Leica Q, used
- Original Sony RX1, used

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Panasonic Lumix S5
- Sigma DG DN 24--70/2.8

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure Light Storm C120D II

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- Apple iPad Mini-5

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

 

First Look:
Sony FX6 in Under Three Minutes,
Oh BABY!

 

GVM GW100 Bi-Color LED Monolight with
Lantern Softbox Kit for Under $300

 

ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY
for a Chance to Win
a Cecilia Gallery Camera Bag
or Rock & Roll Strap!

NB: This giveaway is closed: our winners were announced on December 4th.

These days especially, a penchant for expensive cameras and their accessories is something less than important - but I have a thought about that which may surprise you.

NB: products supplied by Cecilia Gallery and Rock & Roll Straps

Cecilia Gallery Mercator 16L Leather Backpack
Cecilia Gallery Tharp 8L Leather Messenger Bag
Rock & Roll Camera Straps

Gear Used to Make This Video:

Camera & Lens
- Sony a7R IV
- Mystery lens

Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II
- RODE NTG4+
- RODE PSA1 Studio Boom Arm

Lighting
- Aputure Light Storm C120D II
- Aputure Lantern Softbox
- V-Flat

Support/Rigging
- Cartoni SDS 8 Tripod System (Carbon Fiber)
- PRomptBox 2.0 ABS
- Apple iPad Mini-5

FULL EDIT SUITE
- Apple 2017 iMac with 5K Retina Display (newer model)
- G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle XL 24TB (8 x 3TB) Thunderbolt 2
- Promise Pegasus32 R8 (32TB)
- Apple 2018 Macbook Pro 15.4" (newer 16" model)

Thank you for supporting what we do.

You can help keep us going any number of ways

1) Support our sponsors, like Squarespace. Sign up for a free trial - no credit card needed - and save 10% on your first order. Visit http://www.squarespace.com/hugh and use the discount code "HUGH" at check-out. NOW SHIPPING!

2) Purchase our Streets of New York, The Book at http://www.3bmep.com/books

3) Use our no-cost-to-you affiliate links above and below: We recommend B&H & Adorama for all your photo, video & electronics needs

4) Join us oon PATREON.

5) Buy us coffee by sending a donation directly to http://www.paypal.com/hughbrownstone

6) Follow and engage with us on social media Instagram/Twitter

Like, subscribe, share, add to a playlist, or join the conversation below. Join Consider making a small contribution directly via http://paypal.me/hughbrownstone.

In all cases, thanks so much for being part of our YouTube community and supporting what we do.

*We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also part of the B&H, Adorama, Epidemic Sound, Peak Design, DJI, and smallrig programs.

Instagram, Friend or Foe? And: Our Photo Competition Winners

Instagram is Great; Instagram is Terrible

What is the value of Instagram? Is there a way to talk about the pros and cons without hyperbolic “the TRUTH behind Instagram,” or “Exploding Instagram MYTHS?”

Well, we can certainly talk about it in a reasoned way, and I spent more than 20 minutes thinking through and showing how this social media platform can make you a better photographer - and maybe a happier, better person too (no, it wasn’t sponsored by Instagram - though the video WAS sponsored by Squarespace).

But at that same time that I was writing and recording this video, a judge dismissed a photographer’s copyright lawsuit against Instagram for using her photograph without permission.

I’ll have more to say about this in the coming days.

On a Brighter Note: Our Photo Competition Winners

The same day we released our Instagram video, we also announced the winners of “Make Lemonade from Lemons” photo competition. We received 350 entries from 40 countries across six continents. The finalists were extraordinary, the winners absolutely the cream of that crop. In fact, the entire field was rich.

The People’s Choice winner was a slam dunk for Luis (who has a 10.2” Apple iPad on the way to him, courtesy of our sponsor Adorama), but we couldn’t - we refused - to choose between our two grand prize finalists. Fortunately, when we explained our predicament to Fujifilm, they kicked in another camera, their new X-T200 with image-stabilized, power zoom kit lens. That X-T200 is on its way to Chris Griffith, the Fujifilm X100V to Simon Tasker.

I managed to misspell the country of Colombia, even though I absolutely know how to spell it. I also erred - and I know better than this, too — when I listed one contestant’s country as Vilnius (it is a city in Lithuania). Sigh.


In Case You Missed It: Freewell Magnetic Quick Swap Filter System; Year-End Message from Claudia & Hugh; 2020 Workshop Dates; Our First Super-Chat

Even as the Julian calendar winds down for 2019, we’re trying to keep the blog current - yay!

New Videos

In case you missed it, we’ve published two new videos.

The first one covers a subject that makes me particularly cranky (neutral density filters). All I want for Christmas is a variable internal ND for my hybrid cameras. Until then, there's Freewell's Magnetic Quick Swap system (buy here).

BTW: we used Epidemic Sound for all our soundtrack needsl Get a free trial here.

Please like, subscribe, share, add to a playlist, or join the conversation below. Consider making a small contribution directly via http://paypal.me/hughbrownstone. Follow us on social media: Instagram and Twitter.

The second one makes me smile (spoiler alert: we are thankful to YOU, dear subscribers here on the blog; subscribers on YouTube; followers on Twitter and Instagram; attendees of our previous workshops; and industry partners from Adorama and B&H to Hasselblad, Leica, and many more).

New 2020 Workshops!

For those of you interested in our workshops, we have three tentative dates, so mark your calendars now and let us know which dates work best for you. This is the first time we’re scheduling them all at once, :

We’re delighted to partner once again with Hasselblad to hold our workshops at their perfectly located (really - perfectly) New York Experience Studio in NoHo.

YouTube Super-Chats

Finally, as we enter a new year, we’re trying new things including our first-ever YouTube super-chat. We haven’t set a date or time yet, but hold that thought - we’ll keep you posted.

That’s it for now. Hope you had a good year in 2019 - here’s hoping for an even better one in 2020!

The Tension Among Art, Commerce and Politics (Black Friday/Cyber Monday); The Disturbing Case of Lu Guang

An Apology

I owe you an apology. 

Multiple apologies, in fact.

Sorry for letting the blog lie dormant for more than a year. Sorry that we’ve not done NEARLY as many “Good World Gone Bad” and “What Were You Thinking” video segments as we’d have liked. Sorry that we haven’t kept you abreast of our workshops, photowalks, travels…life.

Chalk it up to the tension among art (our ambition), commerce (a constraint on our priorities) and politics (our preoccupation when we aren’t focused on the other two) brings us to this newsletter.

We HAVE been busy.

In the past week alone, for example, we released five videos, six if you include our documentary short entitled “ralph & doris.”

Social Impact Filmmaking 

Yesterday, we submitted “ralph & doris” to the 2020 Cannes Short Film festival.

I labor under no illusion that it will win, let alone be selected for inclusion. It wasn’t created for film festivals: it was created to make a difference.

But it would be AMAZING (and this is why we entered it) if Ralph & Doris’ story could reach a wider audience.  

We filmed them (and many others) to help spread the word about a hazardous liquids pipeline being rammed down the throats of residents across Pennsylvania -- as those catastrophic risks were being imposed upon them. 

In 13 minutes and three seconds, these childhood sweethearts (now septuagenarians), share how and why they’ve taken on fossil fuel giant Energy Transfer Partners -- and their own elected officials -- to save their farm.

Inspired by the citizen journalists and drone pilots of Standing Rock and Studs Terkel’s “Working,” our ambition was about getting their story out while it mattered - while there was still time to change things. Take a look — and if the spirit moves you, please share.

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals

Of course, we did a few videos on THE best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals (there’s one day left!), but reflecting my own cognitive dissonance about the silly season – there aren’t actually that many great deals, and I think the whole consumerist thing has gotten completely out of control (from which I am FAR from immune: I just got myself a Leica SL2) – I listed only TWO deals truly worth sharing: the Panasonic G9 for $998 and the FujiFilm X-H1 with battery grip for $999. The deals are/were even better when you bundle the body with a lens.

Pricing & Availability: Panasonic Lumix G9 here: Adorama | Amazon | B&H

The G9 is still available, and with the 2.0 firmware update a crazy deal ( down 40% from launch price) just got crazier. I think it is now a better GH5 than the GH5 for most of us. Though if you need unlimited recording, want to use the XLR Mic adapter – things like that – the GH5 is now the lowest I’ve ever seen it too: $1,300. 

Pricing & Availability: Panasonic GH5: Adorama | Amazon | B&H

The $999 X-H1 deal is already gone, but FujiFilm’s X-E3 is on sale for $500, almost a third off from its price a few weeks ago.  Of course, it doesn’t have the IBIS, ergos, dual card slots, build, and EVF of the X-H1 – but at $500 the X-E3 is an exceptionally cost effective entry point into the most complete dedicated portfolio of APS-C lenses out there.

Pricing & Availability: FujiFilm X-E3: Adorama | Amazon | B&H

I also gave an honorable mention to the Nikon Z7 and Z6, two cameras that I think got a bum rap when they launched last year, especially given the optically outstanding, keenly priced 1.8 primes and their recently release 24-70/2.8.

 Pricing & availability: Nikon Z cameras & lenses here: Adorama | Amazon | B&H

Our 2019 Award Winners

And then there was our 2019 awards video – heavily weighted to gear, of course – but it was important to me that we go beyond gear.

Award winners with pricing & availability:

00:32: Audio Gear of the Year: RODE Wireless Go Adorama | Amazon | B&H

01:37: Lighting Gear of the Year: Boling P1 Adorama | Amazon | B&H

03:16: Drone of the Year: Mavic Mini Adorama | Amazon | B&H

04:48: Lens of the Year: Leica Summicron-SL 35 (and others!) Adorama | Amazon | B&H

08:18: Compact Zoom Camera of the Year: RX100 VII Adorama | Amazon | B&H

09:55: Compact Full Frame Camera of the Year: Leica Q2 Adorama | Amazon | B&H

11:20: Street Camera of the Year: FujiFilm X-Pro3 Adorama | Amazon | B&H

12:21: Video-Centric Hybrid Camera of the Year: Panasonic Lumix S1H Adorama | Amazon | B&H

13:18: Medium Format Camera of the Year: FujiFilm GFX 100 Adorama | Amazon | B&H

14:33: Design of the Year/Personal Favorite Camera of the Year: Leica SL2 Adorama | Amazon | B&H

17:15: Concept of the Year: Hasselblad 907X Adorama | Amazon | B&H

18:11: Overall Winner, Camera of the Year: Sony a7R IV Adorama | Amazon | B&H

20:09: Deal of the Year (tie): Panasonic G9/(FujiFilm X-H1 sold out) Adorama | Amazon | B&H

21:33: Royalty-Free Music & Sound Effects: Epidemic Sound (free 30 day trial here)

22:03: Web Site Builder: Squarespace (sorry, no discount code – it’s just what we use)

22:39: Photography or Movie-Centric Film of the Year: Show Me the Picture - the Story of Jim Marshall 

24:54: 2019 Elephant Award: The Disturbing Case of Lu Guang

I want to spend a moment with you on this last one - The Disturbing Case of Lu Guang. There’s been an update, so while I hope you check out our 2019 Awards video above, here’s what you need to know (how this case got started).

What’s Coming Up in 2020

We’ve got a PILE of videos and gear to review in 2020, new conversations to be hand, and new Streets of New York workshops coming up in May and October (details being finalized, but to see our most recent one, check it out here). We are looking for the first time at taking our workshops abroad. I promise to keep you posted.

That’s it for now. Although I now understand that Thanksgiving is the triumph of revisionist history over what actually transpired, with that proviso Claudia & I still want to wish you and yours a happy/healthy/merry holiday season.

NB: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also part of the B&H, Adorama smallrig, and Epidemic Sound programs..

Has It Really Been SIX WEEKS Since I've Posted? The Tension Between Art & Commerce

If math serves, yes.

Sigh.

In the overall scheme of humanity, keeping up across social media platforms is not exactly a top 10 concern. I'm fortunate, in fact, that this is an issue at all.

But there's no point having a blog if I don't keep it current, and it isn't of value to you. So first: apologies.

Second, I'm sorting this out. Our YouTube channel is taking off, and it is my first business priority (yes, it has gone beyond passion to full time preoccupation, but since I love what I do , it doesn't really feel like work at all). 

After enough requests that we realized people weren't joking, in July we opened up a 3BMEP Storefront on Threadless.com where you can buy "Hold That Thought" T-shirts. Amazing: we have T-shirts. Who'd have thought?

In August, we launched our Patreon page, and the passion, intelligence, and generosity of our patrons -- as is the case on our YouTube channel -- are just extraordinary.

And then we also have the challenge of sorting out emails to keep you up to date, which we back-burnered months ago. That's now on our list, too.

So: lots to figure out, lots to do. For the moment, the store runs itself, Patreon is a gift, and YouTube is demanding tremendous effort which is also tremendously rewarding. I'm going to try to get on to a regular process for this blog and email, too. Realistically, this is an October set of ambitions given that we'll be in Europe for half of September for Photokina, and frenzied until that point.

All of which is a long way of saying: thank you for support, kindness, generosity and patience. 

Stoked! We Like The Luxli Viola On-Camera LED, So We're Giving One Away

It recently became clear that we needed a small, bi-color, diffusable on-camera (or almost on-camera) light. Then we learned about the Luxli Viola, tested it with a little help from our friends, and liked it so much we decided to give one away:

Read more

2017 Lighting Gear of The Year: Aputure LS Mini20 LED Flight Kit

They aren't general purpose lights; they won't light up an entire room; and the daylight heads (two of the three in the flight kit) shine at a constant 7600K, too blue to be considered "daylight." Yet the LS Mini20 LED Flight Kit is my pick for 2017 Lighting Gear of The Year. Here's why.

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Hasselblad X1D: Bold, Beautiful, Flawed, Fixable (Episode 3, "The X1D Has Me Thinking")

I think the Hasselblad X1D is the most important Hasselblad since the company launched the 500 C back in 1957, and in fact the most important medium format camera of the last 60 years, period. In this video, I tell you exactly why; where it stands at the moment, and what it needs to be successful.

Read more