Battleangel | Personal

I had this nagging feeling that something was wrong with the UV filters on my lenses. Since they were all bought for peanuts, or more to the point included when I purchased the lenses, I realized that there was a definite possibility that they were adversely affecting image quality and contrast. Googling the subject will bring you to one of two extremist views – namely that UV and skylight filters may cool or warm the image, and reduce light throughput but even cheap filters wont influence the image quality in a noticeable way  … or that anything but the most expensive multicoated B+W will ruin your images.

So anyway, I did some preliminary testing using the Canon 70-200L lens at 200mm (f/2.8, 1/200, ISO400). Hoya filter to the left. No filter to the right. 100% crop from RAW files, opened in PS and each given a +1,30 exposure boost only.

Removing the filter also let in a bit more light or so it seems from testing in AV mode (shutter speed jumped from 1/160 to 1/200). It is also possible that the filter interferes with the AF and that this accounts for some of the fuzziness. Camera was obviously on a tripod, using a remote shutter and mirror lock-up. One focus point was selected and used for both images.

I certainly need to test this thoroughly using all my lenses and respective UV filters. Could be just coincidence and unscientific testing on my part. But I feel I am on to something here. It could very well be that I’ll have to toss all my filters on the garbage heap.

After having read a great deal of positive reviews I decided to get the Philips TT2030 hair trimmer / shaver solution.

It pretty much works as advertised, but the trimmer head is by far the most useful. The shaver head is slow and it’s hard hard to get a clean shave. I’ve never used electric shavers before so I don’t know how this compares. But if I had bought this unit solely for smooth facial shaves then I would have thrown it away.

Though to be fair, the device isn’t meant to be used on the face or neck. But you still can if you’re not too picky. I should note that despite the shaver feeling awkward and grinding it back and forth it did not produce any rashes or bleeding. Not on the neck nor anywhere else for that matter. Nor did I experience any pulling, at least once I had learnt to use the machine.

I use the trimmer mostly for getting a good stubble, which is so much easier than actually shaving. Anything else is just an added bonus really. One should note that the comb only allows trimming hairs down to a minimum of 3 mm. Beyond that you’ll have switch to the shaver head and do a sloppy job (easy, as mentioned above) for real stubble.

I finally got a normal flash for my 40D. I couldn’t find a used flash that suited me so I had to spring for a new unit. Like tripods, people rarely sell their flash guns and there isn’t much to do about it. I didn’t feel like going for the somewhat overpriced Canon 430EXII and was unsure about Metz so I eventually settled for a Sigma 530 DG Super.

I reckon this flash is pretty good, with the possible exception of its build quality. It does have a wireless master option and it supposedly plays nice with both Sigma and Canon flashes. It is also a bit more powerful than the 430. The menu system could be quirky but I have nothing to compare it to. I do suspect though that it is a bit noisier than its Canon equivalent.

I also got a Manfrotto 681B monopod. Unfortunately, the idiots at Manfrotto made the pod incompatible with the 323 RC2 quick release. The lever extends below the bottom of the plate and the "head" disc of the monopod is just a bit too wide. Clearly they could have matched their components better. Instead they figured that people should buy a complete head for their monopod, like the 234. Or get a big bulky ball head. I just don’t get it. Monopods are primarily used for telephoto lenses. Just tilting the pod a bit will be enough at a distance. Monopod heads just increase weight, price and, adding insult to injury, they can also drastically reduce the maximum load capacity of the monopod. The 234 (which Manfrotto is currently giving away for free in some parts of the world as part of some sort of promotion) for instance is rated 2.5 kg while the 681B itself is good for no less than 12 kg. The capacity of a big bulky ball head like my 488RC2 is 8 kg. But who would want to carry that around anyway.

The only options now is to either (1) get a dedicated head, (2) use my 488RC2 ball head which weight almost as much as the entire monopod, (3) not use a quick release plate at all, (4) get the 088LBP or 120 adapters if they fit or (5) perhaps simplest of all, grind one side of the monopod plate down a bit. The large circular plate is plastic after all and should be no match for a Dremel. But I am not amused having to do this with a brand new monopod.

Great job Manfrotto …

Edit: The adapters likely don’t fit as they too are 60mm wide. Also, I discovered that grinding down the plate isn’t a good idea since the threads on the screw are fairly wide and you’d have to remove at least half the plate to make the 323 turn and tighten properly. The monopod would be a mess before I’m finished.