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Archive for the 'Gear' Category

Filters and sharpness

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 [...]

Philips Bodygroom TT2030

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 [...]

DSLR rain cover

Rain protection for the DSLR. By Matin via Just.
 
The insulated cover in particular seems pretty good. A bit bulky, clunky and slow to install but it is multi-purpose and can accommodate really long lenses. If the rain cape to the right can take a 300mm lens, this one ought to be able to [...]

Strap, sleeves and reflectors

Being tired of the Canon stock shoulder and neck strap I decided to get the much talked about Op/Tech Pro strap. Haven’t had time to try it out yet but it seems a great deal more comfortable. It doesn’t slip as easily, it is wider, curved and has a nice bungee elastic effect.
On a similar [...]

Sigma EF-530 DG Super

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 [...]

Sensor Cleaning

Before and after some swabbings. Not quite perfect, there is some smudge left on one side where the swab finished, but for the most part I am pleased. Larger images are stored over at Picasa temporarily at least.
 

Every swabbing seemed like a complete gamble even though there was a clear improvement each time overall. So [...]

Maha Powerex MH-C9000

I solved the charger issue by getting a Maha Powerex MH-C9000 and a set of Imedion AA for the other flash unit. Not exactly an affordable solution but at least now I can recondition and test batteries at home. And be sure to charge batteries in a way that will make them last.
Downsides, besides [...]

Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 1.4X

I figured I needed one of these groovy teleconverters. So I picked up a Kenko 1.4X. The price was considerably better than Canon’s equivalent and the difference in edge sharpness isn’t a big deal because the APS-C sensor doesn’t utilize the entire optical area anyway.

I thought about getting a 2.0X as well but reconsidered when [...]

Dslr Sensor Cleaning

I knew it had to happen sooner or later. Couldn’t find a retailer in Sweden that had Eclipse E2 (from Photographic Solutions) so I had to import it. I considered Just / Camera Clean but eventually settled for Micro Tools. Both offer reasonable shipping rates across Europe and don’t seem to mind shipping potentially flammable [...]

Batteries and Chargers

As I mentioned earlier, I need new batteries that could power the ring flash. The NiMH cells I did have simply couldn’t provide the sustained power required for continuous flash recycling.
Being short on time I bought more or less the first LSD Hybrid NiMH I could find, which turned out to be Varta’s Ready2Use (2100mAh). [...]





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