Canon 7D Firmware Update

Canon has released an update to the firmware for the new EOS 7D. Firmware Version 1.0.9 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Improves AF accuracy during Live View shooting.
   
2. Corrects a phenomenon where in rare instances, movie images shot by the camera may exhibit abnormal colors.
   
3. Corrects a phenomenon that at certain timings, the shutter cannot be released when the camera's built-in flash or an external Speedlite is used for shooting.

Download the firmware update file from the link above and follow the instructions provided to update your camera. We will continue to post links to firmware updates as they are made available.

Products We Use: Lastolite Cubelite Studio pt. 2

After yesterday's article about the Lastolite Cubelite Studio, I realized there was a major element I neglected to include - a real world walkthrough. In about ten minutes this afternoon I knocked out a capture of a used Canon lens we took in on trade. Here's how I did it:

3:40 - Got the lens from Ryan, grabbed our Canon 1D Mark III w/ 24-70, CF card & Quantum Radio Slave 4i Sender.

3:42 - Turned on the lights that power our Cubelite Studio, a two-head pack system triggered by the Quantum Radio Slave 4i Remote. When we initially set up the Cubelight, some basic testing determined that an ideal exposure could be attained with both lights on 100w/s, with the camera set in full manual for 1/100th, f/10, ISO 100.

3:43 - Put the lens in the Cubelight, took a custom white balance with the Lastolite Grey Card and snapped off the first shot, shown here cropped but not edited:

(The greying background can easily be knocked out in post processing. Since with the Cubelite, the background lighting and main lighting are coming from the same source, they can't be individually adjusted. Getting the proper exposure on the subject is what counts.)

3:45 - Decided I didn't like the wrap around lighting that makes the edges of the lens on the left and right appear to fade out into the background. This can be remedied through subtractive lighting; Creating a gobo to block the direct sidelight. For this, I cut up a cardboard box to get the following image:

(Again, cropped but unedited. The cardboard sides block the light that hits the sides of the lens, but still allows the front of the lens and background to be unaffected.)

3:47 - I loaded the last image into Photoshop, removed the cardboard box gobo and used a quick level adjustment layer mask (the most important thing to know in Photoshop IMHO) and was left with this final result:

There it is. Ten minutes to a softly lit product shot, achieving the 'floating in white' look that is ideal for web product display. You can take more time as needed for shooting more demanding products and situations, but take my word that it is comforting to know that the lighting, diffusion and platform for product shooting are already set up and ready to go. If you find yourself shooting a lot of product for commercial clients or eBay product sales, the Lastolite Cubelite Studio is a strong choice towards creating a system for quick, straight-forward and repeatable results.

Products We Use: Lastolite Cubelite Studio

The Lastolite Cubelite Studio is the ultimate solution for product photography, and at Tallyn's, have been shooting new additions to our catalog as well as Ebay & Web Clearance items in it for over a year. The larger 37" version (left below) replaced our glass sweep table in the main showroom with a setup that takes up a third of the space and provides even more control over reflections and shadows while tying up less lights and softboxes than the glass sweep table demanded. It was such a success that we purchased the 28" version (right below) for a back room when we expanded our used equipment and Ebay sales setup.

It allows for control of the light from below and all other directions allowing you to give products that floating look with no shadows. The tensioned diffuser fabric means the reflections on even the most reflective surface are kept to an absolute minimum, while the front opening can be closed to mask reflections as well. I have experienced issues shooting lenses and other curved forms and getting excessive wrap-around, but that problem was easily remedied with a cardboard box cut to create a gobo that would block some of the side lighting.

As you can see in the images above, the Cubelite Studio only requires two heads to fully light your subject - one mounted above by means of either a boom arm or a resting softbox (as we have done here at Tallyn's with the Aurora 28x28), and an a second light mounted inside of the lower portion, best supported by a Bogen Backlight Stand 012B.

We have both the 28" & 39" versions in-stock and available now, as well as the experience to guide you through the construction, lighting and use of this versatile but strait-forward setup.

New Nikon D3s and DX MIRCO 85mm f/3.5

Nikon has announced the speedy 12.1 Megapixel D3s. Improvements include the expandable ISO up to 102,400 and a larger buffer for 48 RAW in continuous shooting mode. New on the D3s is the 720p 24fps HD movie mode and in-camera RAW processing. This camera is made to preform for any job anywhere.

Also announced was the AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5G ED VR. The new Micro lens provides 1:1 life size magnification. This lens is also outfitted with the VR II system, providing 4-stops of vibration reduction at slow shutter speeds. Another big plus on this lens is internal focus. The barrel of the lens does not change length when focusing.

Handy New Strobe Bracket available

How many times have we wanted to connect a Speedlight or Q-flash strobe to a bigger studio soft box?

The new Mini-Max Z-Bracket from Aurora solves this. This handy bracket will allow the attachment of any Aurora or Westcott soft boxes (and many others) right to any Hotshoe Speedlight or Quantum Q-flash. It also has screw mounting hardware for a radio slave and mounting bar for a battery belt clip.

The Z-Bracket is also included in a number of kits.

Kits include either a 12" x 36" strip, 24" Octobox or 18" square box, light stand and the Z-Bracket.

$50 ColorMunki Photo Rebate Extended

Now, through the end of the year, get $50 back from X-Rite on the purchase of the ColorMunki Photo - The ultimate tool for calibrating your computer monitor, printer & projectors to a common color profile. Stop assuming that your colors are accurate and know for sure with ColorMunki Photo. Regularly $479, this rebate brings your final cost to $429.
Links: ColorMunki Photo on Tallyns.com

Canon Pro Printer Rebates

Through the end of January, Canon is offering Mail-In Rebates on their two newest and most popular Pro Pixma Printers, the Pro9000 II and Pro9500 II.

Purchase a Pro9000 II and get a $100 stand alone mail-in rebate (MIR), or purchase the Pro9000 II with a T1i, 5D Mark II or 50D and get the $100 stand alone MIR plus an additional $300 bundle MIR for a total savings of $400. That makes the Pro9000II $399 when purchased alone, or $99 when purchased with a qualifying camera body.

Purchase a Pro9500 II and get a $200 stand alone MIR, or purchase the Pro9500 II with a T1i, 5D Mark II or 50D and get the $200 stand alone MIR plus an additional $300 bundle MIR for a total savings of $500. That makes the Pro9500II $649 when purchased alone, or $349 when purchased with a qualifying camera body.

Links: Canon Pro Printers at Tallyns.com | Pro9000 II and Pro9500 II on Canon.com