SLR Geek

Polarizing filters eliminate glare on non-metallic surfaces like glass or water. Additionally they can be used to increase the contrast and color saturation of your images. I use my polarizer not only to eliminate glare, but also to make skies a nice shade of blue or to get “pop” out of clouds. But when it comes to choosing the right polarizing filter for your needs, there are several options to consider. Common options include, linear vs. circular, film or digital versions, or quality vs. price.

Switching to digital sensors from film brought a lot of advantages. But, with that switch we picked up one big problem, contamination on the sensor. When using a film SLR contaminants like: dust or pollen would occasionally fall on the film. However, the contaminant would quickly move out of the picture when new film advanced with each photo taken.

With digital there is no such advantage. Any debris that falls on the sensor might just stick causing a spot to cover part of the sensor and hence our image. Since each sensor pixel is only about 6 microns wide and typical dust or dirt particles are 20 microns you can end up with a dark spot on your photo where the light was blocked by the contamination.

When I first saw an add for the FireFly I thought it was a myth or gimmick so I had to order one and try it for myself. I really don’t like cleaning a sensor as it’s possible to end up with more of a mess then you had in the first place.

I had been using a plain blower bulb and sticking it in as far as I dared to try and clean the sensor with mixed results and it’s not something I would recommend anymore. Also, I had heard horror stories of the wet method and dry contact methods causing either damage or contaminating the sensor even more.

First I tried my old blower bulb and took a sample photo at F/22. Then I used the FireFly system (see FireFly in use photo below).

My daughter using the FireFly to clean a Canon 40D sensor.

I was amazed at how the FireFly got all the contaminants off my sensor. Using a regular blower bulb I just seemed to either be blowing the dust around or not moving it at all. But the FireFly removed all the particles! It was at this point I decided to delve deeper into just how the FireFly works and I discovered 3 main areas of it’s design.

Sensor photo after using regular bulb blower, dust spec on bottom left of sensor remains.

Sensor photo after using FireFly dust spec is gone!

1. Using a 9-voltt battery the FireFly creates a corona discharge field which effectively ionizes air that passes through the upper chamber of the FireFly, this produces positive (+) and negative (-) air ions in the air. This effectively neutralizes static charges for both the contaminants and the surface of not just the sensor but the mirror box and shutter. This allows the dust, pollen and other particles to just fall out off the surfaces and then just be blow away down and out of the camera.

2. The blower bulb for the FireFly not only has a cap in place so no contaminants enter while not in use but also has an inline replaceable 20-micron filter that helps cut down on any re-contaimination by air introduced by the blower.

3. The very design of the FireFly means you can safely get the blower as close as possible to the sensor without ever touching it. This maximizes the clean ionized air flow to the surface of the sensor. In fact the nozzle is short enough that it’s not physically possible to touch the sensor with the end of the tip even with the FIreFly as far into the sensor shutter box area as possible. The upper part of the FireFly is so wide that it will not fit into this area. Someone put a lot of thought into this design to protect this most fragile area.

Use:

It’s very simple to use and my daughter got it right the first try.

1. Take a sample control photo first of a clean white object such as piece of white paper at F/22 with the focus at infinity. Make sure only the paper is showing in the photo.

2. Move your camera, tripod and FireFly into a controlled clean environment as free from contaminants as possible. Wipe down the outside of the camera with a lint free cleaning cloth to make sure all dust on the outside of the camera is removed.

3. Following the instructions remove the upper FireFly compartment cover and insert a new 9 volt battery. If the FireFly was not stored in a dust proof container carefully remove all dust using a lint free camera lens cleaning cloth.

4. Remove the protective cap from the FireFly blower and insert the male end onto the upper housing coupler.

5. Place your camera securely on a tripod and face the camera downwards so that any particles blown loose will tend to fall away from and out the camera.

6. Following the instructions in your camera operator manual remove lens or camera lens hole cover.

7. Set your camera for manual sensor cleaning mode. This will move the mirror into the upward position. Make sure you have a freshly charged battery when doing this as you don’t want the battery to fail and the mirror to fall back downwards onto the FireFly while it’s in use. This may damage your camera.

8. With the FireFly AWAY from the camera activate the ion system by pressing and holding the button making sure the function light illuminates and give the bulb several puffs of air. This will clear any contaminated air out of the system before putting it into your camera.

9. Carefully place the cleaning nozzle end up into the camera body and at each quadrant of the sensor give the bulb a couple of squeezes to blow any contaminants from that area.

10. Remove the FireFly and return the camera to normal operation using the cameras instructions.

11. Remount a lens and take a test photo as in step one.

12. Zoom in on the photos and switch back and forth between the pre-cleaning photo and post cleaning photo to see the results. The contaminants should be gone. If not carefully follow the steps above and re-clean the sensor. Store your FireFly in a dust proof bag or case.

If your sensor is very dirty and/or has not been cleaned in a long time then the FireFly may not get off all of the contaminants. In that case you may have to send your camera in and have it cleaned or use a more invasive method. Since it is so safe to use I find myself using it on a regular basis just to keep even the smaller particles off.

Conclusion: The FireFly is a non-contact safe and effective way to keep your sensor clean if used correctly and on a regular basis.

I love the protection of a camera bag, but I had trouble getting my camera out when I needed it. thinktank Digital Holster to the rescue! I found out that not only is the Digital 50 large enough for my Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 100-400 IS L zoom lens. It’s large enough that I can store it in the bag with the hood on and lens cap off ready to draw at a moments notice when that rare Roseate Spoonbill flew by. No more missed shots!!! But at the same time I have the protection a bag provides keeping: dust, pollen, water, etc off my camera and lens when I wasn’t actually shooting. There’s nothing like trying to eat something greasy and messy or trying to use the bathroom while holding two expensive cameras and lens systems with one hand and doing your business with the other. Just doesn’t work too well at least not without a good bag. Not only that the cool end expansion feature allows you to quickly go from carrying a Canon 50D and Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 IS L lens combo ready to shoot then put that up and get your Canon Rebel XTi with Canon 135mm F/2 II L lens into the very same bag. Or if you are feeling really rich you could buy two thinktank bags and carry two systems at once, say a professional setup like a Canon 1Ds Mark III with a Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM zoom lens in one bag and a Nikon D3x with Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens in the other. You would think that a bag this good had been thought of before. But it seems like most bags were thought up by someone who makes bags for a living and not shooting photos. Thank GOD the thinktank people actually thought about how real photographers actually use their camera systems and designed a bag around those needs.

Me and my dual Holsters:

Versatile:

Versatility: Yeah baby, that’s the name of the game with the Digital Holster 50. Wear it chest high with just the standard shoulder strap around your neck or with the optional waist band strap to hold it in place. Or pull up on the Velcro belt release wrap it around your pants belt and wear it like a six gun holster. One, two even three or four bags are possible at a time although I usually feel most comfortable to wear just two to balance each side out.

Features:

The included business card window in the top flap both identifies this bag as yours and keeps extra cards handy to give to potential new customers. A side bag provides a handy place to keep the standard rain bag handy for those sudden downpours. An inner flap divider comes standard allowing you to store a small lens or accessory say an extender in the bottom area while having a shorter lens camera combo up top. The provided inside storage area allows you to store the inner flap divider when not in use but it’s still handy when you need it. The inside of the upper flap door includes a compartment with see through cover to remind you where you put your spare batteries and memory cards etc. The extreme duty straps with high strength quick release with swivel on each end allow you to both carry any weight load and easily and quickly release one end when needed. A padded shoulder protection cover keeps the strap from digging into your shoulder during those long carries to your quarry. The extra long adjustment provided with the strap allows the holster to be worn high around the chest allowing you to also keep the camera strap around your neck and just close the flap over the camera or you can lengthen it to allow it to ride as low as you want. Speaking of top flaps the heavy duty YKK zipper allows you to open the cover from either direction in case you happen to see Angelina Jolie pop up out of her Lamborghini. Last but not least is a true life time warranty. If you purchase a thinktank bag and ever have a problem due to defects in material or workmanship they will fix, correct or replace it.

Popdown and popup:

Dimensions:

Inner Height: 11.25 – 14.25” Body: 7.25 x 6″

Pros:

Included rain bag
Slim design hugs the body
Always ready to shoot design
Configurable compartment divider
Heavy duty build meant for the professional photographer
Versatile pop-down feature allows many different lenses and configurations.

Poped up and down side by side with rain bag:

Cons:

Would be nice if it had side bag attachments like the Tamrac Pro-Zoom Pak system.
Hum…. I’m thinking…

Conclusion:

I carry mine everywhere I go and couldn’t live without it. Zoo, Renaissance Festival, air show, safari, model shoot, you name it, it’s ready. If you are a professional photographer or simply need a great bag and need your camera ready to shoot then you can’t go wrong with the thinktank Digital Holster 50. If you need a smaller version they make 5 different sizes, check them out at http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html

This is a personal review of the Bogen – Manfrotto 701HDV video head. Like I’ve said before I enjoy using Manfrotto products and this one is simply awesome. The 701HDV head is primarily meant for video use as it can not rotate from landscape to portrait orientation. But, if you are shooting stills in landscape mode or your lens has a rotatable tripod ring it can also be used as an extremely good standard tripod head for still photography. Primarily purchased for my Canon 5D Mark II for video use I’m finding it has several features that really endure it to all around use like the sliding head mount which I will talk about later. Internal fluid cartridges make for a very smooth pan and tilt function which is a must have when shooting videos. I had tried using several other regular head designs I already owned such as the Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head and Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head and all resulted in a very jerky movement during video filming and playback when any movement is required. The smoothness while not needed for still photography is very critical when filming video especially in High Definition mode with a longer lens where it can be almost non-useable if the panning and titling are not absolutely smooth. The other surprising thing about this head I never thought about is the sliding head mount. This allows you to find the perfect center of gravity (CG) for any lens. By simply sliding your lens and camera to the perfect CG the camera does not start tilting upwards or downwards with the lock screws loosened. Although I have found the Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L lens to be my best all around video camera lens with the 5D Mark II, sometimes I need a longer reach. The sliding head mount is especially useful with a larger lens such as the Canon 100-400 IS L Zoom is attached (see photo below). With a perfect CG you can leave the lock screws loosened and respond instantly to any movements of your video subject. Double locking mechanisms also give a peace of mind that your very expensive camera system will not accidentally fall to the ground. Another thing I never thought about is the adjustable tilt / pan handle that allows you to adjust the relationship between the camera and handle, every handy!

Manfrotto 701 HDV Video Head with Canon 100-400 IS L lens and Canon 40D:

Specifications:

Made in Italy the Bogen – Manfrotto 701HDV video head is made of quality aluminum and feels like a very professional piece. A maximum weight loading allowance of 8.82 pounds allows you to use a large lens and camera combo. With a tilting range of -60/+90 degrees and a panning range of a full 360 degrees I find this head more then adequate for all video and most still photography uses. The slider plate has a full range of 2.2 inches (58mm) allowing a generous range of CG adjustments. The dual mount 1/4″ – -20 and 3/8″ thread types give you flexibility also allowing you to mount a standard Manfrotto 323 Quick release system. This allows you to quickly attach and remove your still camera from this type head and still retain the neat sliding head feature. A mini-bubble level allows quick reference to make sure your videos are level. Adjustable handle ensures the perfect relation between the handle and camera.

Still capture of B-17 Bomber video Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 17-40 F/4 L Lens:

Pros:

Slider plate
Very Smooth
Adjustable handle
Mini leveler bubble
Double latching system

Cons:

No tilt for portrait mode
Can be a little bit heavy

Accessories:

Manfrotto 323 Quick release system allows you to quickly release and attach your standard still camera.
I love using this head with the Bogen – Manfrotto 055CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod. The carbon fiber allows maximum stability and vibration dampening to make those perfect High Definition videos.

Conclusion:

The Manfrotto 701HDV video head is an awesome all around head very useful for still photography but a real requirement for videos! I highly recommend it.

Tripod mounted sunset storm shot:

A personal review of the Bogen – Manfrotto 055CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod. I’ve always enjoyed Manfrotto products and this one is no exception. It’s extremely versatile and has positive locking features. I purchased this tripod and head for use primarily with my Canon 5D Mark II for video and still capture and for astronomical photography with my Canon 40D and macro shots with my Canon Rebel XTi at work. In all the photos I have a Manfrotto 701HDV video head mounted. Stay tuned to SLRGeek for a future article dealing with this head. Made in Italy the Manfrotto 055CX3 has a very high professional production build quality. The three legs have three sections each made of 100% carbon fiber and the top plate and center column are made of aluminum with die-cast parts made of magnesium. The carbon fiber’s density of 1.75g/cm3 results in a very significant weight savings vs a regular aluminum tripod leg’s 2.7 g/cm3. The magnesium component’s lower density of 1.74g/cm3 vs aluminum 2.70g/cm3 also results in weight reduction for the cast components. In addition the center column allows the head to be mounted above or below the center support for height flexibility. Latches at the top of each led allow the legs to be released out to greater angles for more stability and / or a lower stance.

Despite the light weight it’s extremely stable when setup with your expensive and heavy camera / lens combo with a maximum weight load limit of 17 pounds or 7.23 kilograms. For those who feel the need for extra height it reaches a maximum height of 69.7 inches or 1770mm. I find these specifications as more then adequate for my needs.

Want to get one of those cool night shots with car tail lights running through the photo (red streak in photo below)? A good tripod does this and more!

Accessories:

The Manfrotto 055CX3 also comes with a handy tool mounted on one leg ready to tighten any loose leg latch bolts. A cable release guide is included on the top plate to keep the release down and out of the way. A quick release pin on the bottom of the center column allows the column to be quickly removed.

My Canon 100-400 IS L lens mounted to the Manfrotto tripod and Canon 40D ready for a moon shot:

The resulting moon shot with critical sharpness thanks to the carbon fiber tripod!

Carbon Fiber Advantages:

Carbon fiber tubes are made with vastly different quality depending on manufacturer. Production process and the amount of carbon material can create a difference in the strength and dampening abilities of the tubes. Manfrotto tripods have maximum quality since they use 100% carbon fiber and a special production process (pull winding technology to maximize reliability, performance and resistance to vibrations and loads).

Carbon Fiber vs Aluminum in use:

You only have to go back to your old aluminum tripod once to realize how much of a difference the carbon fiber makes. I had been using a 2 second timer to get most of my tripod mounted photos with my Canon Rebel XTi macro photos and I found this just wasn’t cutting it. The aluminum tripod would still be vibrating slightly after pushing the shutter release. Also vibrations in the clean room would go up through the legs of the tripod causing a slight blurring of the longer shutter speeds. After releasing the shutter with the camera mounted to a carbon fiber tripod the vibration cessation is almost instant! Of course I have to mention the approximate 35% reduction in weight when carrying a tripod any distance. Once you haul a heavy tripod up several miles of trail to get that perfect landscape photo every ounce of weight reduction is highly appreciated.

A sky and landscape shot using my tripod:

Pros:

Vastly superior dampening
Much less flexing under load
Lighter weight, about 30% under a similar sized non-carbon fiber tripod
Resistance to temperature changes, they don’t feel as hot or cold to the bare hands when handled

Cons:

Cost
Can result in a little more top heaviness due to the light weight below

Conclusion:

For those who want the perfect critical sharpness in their photos a stable well made vibration dampening tripod is a must. The Bogen – Manfrotto 055CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod fulfills this need and then some! I highly recommend it.