Category Archives: Gear

Advice, Gear, Review

Review: Orlit Rovelight RT610 with transmitter TR611C

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Buying experience

Anastasiya Mitr in a lovely dress designed by Marie Bonner from an October 2017 photo shoot.

Now that I’ve actually put the Orlit Rovelight RT610 and its companion transmitter TR611 on at least 2 on-location shoots, I feel I can objectively say what I like and dislike about it.

I originally purchased it through Amazon but due to poor quality control, blame either Adorama or the manufacturer, I received a unit that was DOA (dead on arrival). Continue reading Review: Orlit Rovelight RT610 with transmitter TR611C →

Gear, Photography

Welcoming the new year with a Canon 7DMark2

The front of my 'new' 7D Mark II. It's pristine and looks brand new even though it's refurbished. Comes with the same 1-year warranty from Canon
The front of my ‘new’ 7D Mark II. It’s pristine and looks brand new even though it’s refurbished. Comes with the same 1-year warranty from Canon

My last camera body purchase, a refurbished Canon 5DMarkII,  was almost 6 years ago.

Since then, my eyes aren’t what they used to be but more importantly technology has improved by leaps and bounds, so it made sense that I not fight it.

Just like the last time, I bought myself a refurbished Canon 7D Mark II. Continue reading Welcoming the new year with a Canon 7DMark2 →

Assignment, Gear

Using speed lights at Tios Tacos Restaurant2

Ariana backlit by late evening sun lit by Photoflex Octodome softbox fitted with 2 CTO gelled Canon 600EX-RT Speedlites
Ariana backlit by late evening sun lit by Photoflex Octodome softbox fitted with 2 CTO gelled Canon 600EX-RT Speedlites
In my previous post about using small flashes at  Tios Tacos restaurant, I made some pictures of Izzy and Kavita with some behind-the-scene pictures to give you a sense of the conditions we were working with.

So it’s time to see what my students came up with.

A misconception that many folks have about instructors teaching portraiture and photography in general is: the instructor wants all his students to take the picture exactly he would.

In my case, I don’t want that. Continue reading Using speed lights at Tios Tacos Restaurant2 →

Assignment, Gear

Field test Yongnuo YN-E3-RT in Music Room of Mission Inn Hotel

Yongnuo's YN-3E-RT transmitter with built-in infrared autofocus assist beam was instrumental in this picture. ISO 400 1/30 f4 with 17mm lens Canon 5DMark2 using 2 600-EX-RT Speedlites placed about 10 o'clock and 3 o'clock set to 1/8th power.
Yongnuo’s YN-E3-RT transmitter with built-in infrared autofocus assist beam was instrumental in this picture. ISO 400 1/30 f4 with 17mm lens Canon 5DMark2 using 2 600-EX-RT Speedlites placed about 10 o’clock and 3 o’clock set to 1/8th power.

I got my hands on Yongnuo’s YN-E3-RT at the end of last year.

I used it at several ‘event’ type settings and so far I have to say I am pleased with the results.

My first impression of the Yongnuo YN-E3-RT was that it was worth the risk, now that I’ve used it on actual jobs with confidence, I have to say I am very happy with my purchase.

Keep in mind the build isn’t as good as the OEM Canon version.

I suppose that’s why you’re paying a lot less–at least $174 less!

Continue reading Field test Yongnuo YN-E3-RT in Music Room of Mission Inn Hotel →