Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society

I've just started processing images from a photoshoot I did about four weeks ago and I'm just blown away by them. I think they are some of the best photos I've ever created. I mean WOW!!

One of the factors is the soft directional lighting from my new beauty dish ( http://www.bessel.co.uk/acatalog/Beauty_Dishes.html ).

So, the idea for the thread... New lens, camera, book, DVD, speedlight, training course, accessory, you name it ...

What have you bought recently that has helped you to enjoy or improve your photography more?

Paul
It's not often that something that costs less than £50 has such a positive effect on anyone's results. Pound for pound it sounds like money well spent.
John

Definitely John. Plus it helps having someone good to photograph.

Have you bought anything recently?

I think the last new thing was probably the Pentax Q along with lenses and adapters. It's a tiny camera with interchangeable lenses and it totally encourages us to play. The f/1.9 standard lens plus optical add-on viewfinder make it handle like a reportage Leica from the 1940s or 1950s, in many respects. The K adapter enables use of standard K mount lenses, so with a 5.5x crop factor there's great fun to be had with super-telephoto shots. There are adapters for most lens makes, but also Pentax 110 lenses and C mount lenses, just an amazing array of possibilities.

I've used it in a studio shoot, the only limitation being the smallest aperture is f/8. I've used it for wildlife. The quality is actually remarkably good.

So for fun and really getting into experimentation, it's hard to beat the Pentax Q. The new Q10 is also available in 100 colours, perhaps I should get them all?

It's about four months old now but I bought a new Lowepro camera bag that enabled me to carry everything I need for a day following the hounds with the North East Cheshire Drag Hunt. It it's easy to carry, has compartments for camera & lenses and has a waterproof membrane that means I don"t have to worry about inclement weather. It's a basic necessity but it's so much better than my previous bag.

John

I was getting serious neck-ache from the neck strap on my camera so I bought an across the body strap which screws into the tripod mount on the base of the camera. The camera slides easily up and down the strap. It is much more comfortable and therefore enjoyable!

Jan

Paul - after watching the you tube films that you put the links up for, Duffy et al - my new thing is an old one and the very thing that I first bought my Zenit for way back - simple photography!
W

Walter Brooks wrote:Paul - after watching the you tube films that you put the links up for, Duffy et al - my new thing is an old one and the very thing that I first bought my Zenit for way back - simple photography!
W

I just bought a 40-150mm for my Olympus E-Pen and two rolls of black and white film for my .. well, my film camera.
I'm off to a wedding in Sorrento, Italy in less than two weeks and intend to take as many black and whites as possible.

Can't wait.

Janice Freeman wrote: I was getting serious neck-ache from the neck strap on my camera so I bought an across the body strap which screws into the tripod mount on the base of the camera. The camera slides easily up and down the strap. It is much more comfortable and therefore enjoyable!

Hi Janice - Do you have a link to the strap you bought?

PhilipHowe wrote: ... two rolls of black and white film for my .. well, my film camera.
I'm off to a wedding in Sorrento, Italy in less than two weeks and intend to take as many black and whites as possible.

I admire your idea Philip.
I'd just shoot digital black and whites.

I'm trying to make my hi-tech life a little more low-tech.

This week, I bought four new batteries for my 5D, two new batteries for my Olmpus E-pen and a 40-150mm and uv filter. A new sling strap and a new mobile phone, as well as the two rolls of b/w film.

It's not even my birthday.

PhilipHowe wrote: I'm trying to make my hi-tech life a little more low-tech.
..... and a new mobile phone....

You could leave the cameras at home and photograph the wedding on your phone.

See this link to Jerry Ghionis wedding pics shot on an IPhone - http://jerryghionisblog.com/2012/05/the ... phone.html

Widely regarded as one of the top five best wedding photographers in the world, Jerry Ghionis is based in Melbourne, Australia and Beverly Hills, California.

Hi Paul

Paul Jones wrote: I think they are some of the best photos I've ever created

Where can we see your new pictures, I've just had a look on your website and they don't seem to be on there yet. I'd love to see the effect of this new lighting system.

Janice - As Paul has asked, I too would like to see this strap you bought.

Tracey

Hi,
Exactly five months to the day after being burgled I finally, a few weeks ago, replaced my stolen camera(s) with a brand new Canon 700D, with 18-55 IS STM lens.
Although I haven't had the chance to use it enough yet for it to qualify as my favourite new thing, I am hopeful that it will fulfil that role in the coming months.
I have had a long run with 'low tech', it's time for some serious megapixel-ing.

Keith.