Innholdsfortegnelse for 18-jul-15 i Amateur Photographer

A friend told me the other day that he used to laugh at his dad for never listening to music made after 1975 – only to realise that he now never listens to anything from the last decade himself. It’s a sign of getting old, I guess, or at least becoming comfortable with the familiar. It’s the same with camera technology. Many film users begrudged digital. For some, optical viewfinders will always be better than their electronic counterparts, touchscreens are the work of the devil, and don’t even mention why we need video capture on our DSLRs. Yet future generations will continue to embrace such technology, and no doubt have their own technological grudges. On pages 48-53, I’ve tested the Leica Q and, I have to say, I’m pleased with…

AP's web team was at the centre of a separate viral photo drama when a staff member's image won massive public exposure within minutes of being posted on popular online community website Reddit. The viral iPhone 5S image of a cheeky fox peeping through a hedge was captured by Paul Nuttall, a digital production manager at AP's sister title What Digital Camera, who discovered a fox family living in the hedges at the bottom of his garden in Tooting, south London. At the time of writing, Paul's picture had garnered over 2.5m views. Within hours' of posting, the photo was viewed hundreds of thousands of times and fast became a trending story, rising to become Reddit's most popular post of the day. A stunned Paul said, ‘We were a bit…

1 Set up your shot, making sure you get a good balance of foreground and background elements in the composition. 2 Check the focal length and aperture you've set, then find the hyperfocal distance on your chart or smartphone app. 3 Remember to switch to manual focus, so that the camera won't refocus when you press the shutter. 4 Choose an object at the hyperfocal distance and focus on it. Live view is excellent for accurate manual focusing. 5 Once you've taken the shot, zoom in on the review image and check sharpness in the foreground and background. 6 The final image should display perfect front-to-back sharpness running through the entire picture.…

Removing large objects I REALLY liked this candid shot by Adrian Sadlier of an elderly couple, where the man is fast asleep and the woman appears to be lost in concentration as she cools herself with a fan. It's a shot that would work well in black & white. The main problem, of course, is all the modern street furniture, which is rather distracting. In the finished photo Adrian sent in I could see he did an admirable job retouching these out, so I chose here to replicate this. The trick with such large objects is to retouch in stages. For example, as I removed the bin I attempted to reconstruct the wall in the background. To do this I studied the lines of the blocks and carefully sampled other…

Manfrotto Lumie series LED lights Snap-fit attachments Colour balancing filters are included and help adjust the colour temperature of the light. These simply snap-fit onto the front. Tripod and hotshoe mount The Muse comes with a ball-and-socket mount, while the Play and Art have fixed forward-facing ones • £44.95 – £99.95 • www.manfrotto.co.uk Callum McInerney-Riley tries out the latest addition to Manfrotto’s continuous lighting range At a glance • Lightweight continuous LED lights • Rechargeable Li-Ion battery • Tripod and hotshoe mount included MANFROTTO Lumie LED lights make up a new range of compact, inexpensive and high performance lights for the enthusiast photographer. They sit below the high-end Manfrotto Spectra range of LED light panels. Rather than having lots of small LEDs, the Lumie range features Manfrotto's new super-bright surface-mount…

Silent operation Everything about the Leica is quiet, making it perfect to use when you don’t want to draw attention to yourself. USB 2.0 and HDMI The side of the camera houses a USB 2.0 socket for image transfer, while the HDMI socket allows connection to a TV. Shutter button The shutter button has a nice response, but some may bemoan the lack of a shutter-release screw thread. Aperture ring This selects the aperture, but switching to the ‘A’ setting puts the aperture into automatic mode. Focus ring Focusing the lens feels responsive, with a good torque on the focusing ring. Using the small button on the focus lever, the lens can be put in its AF mode. Hotshoe The Leica Q is compatible with the Leica SF 26 flashgun.…

Video lens dilemma Q I've started experimenting with recording video using my Nikon DSLR and am rather pleased by the results. But I want to get a bit more creative, and I'm frustrated that the 18-55mm lens I got with the camera isn't very easy to focus manually and I don't seem to be able to adjust the aperture while recording either. I've heard that manual focus lenses might be the solution and one of my work colleagues has suggested specialist video lenses are best, although these seem to be really expensive. I'm getting confused with all this information – can you help? John Kinsella A You’re running up against one of the limitations of DSLRs while they can record video at high quality, the lens mounts and many lenses…

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was founded in 1933. It had two aims. One was to ameliorate the truly wretched conditions in the Valley: on top of the Great Depression, incompetent farming had impoverished and eroded the soil, and perhaps 30% of the population suffered from malaria. The other was classic Keynes: spend your way out of a depression, instead of making it worse with austerity. Another such federal agency was the Farm Security Administration (FSA), probably better known to most photographers today. The TVA worked in many ways: creating a navigable waterway, educating farmers, draining stagnant pools, and building dams for irrigation and to generate hydroelectric power, some of which was used to make fertiliser. It still exists today, but it has changed greatly over the years: this picture…

Service master I've recently purchased the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 zoom lens for use with my Canon EOS 5D Mark III and am very pleased with the combination. I read a number of reviews before purchasing, but found AP's to be most helpful and borne out by my experience. It is however a heavy lens/camera combination and although using a tripod and ball head works, I felt that a gimbal head was a better solution. Having done some research, I came across the Lensmaster unit made by Rob Hardy in Grimsby. I spoke with Rob to clarify what would suit me better, as I have some difficulty with my hands. He recommended their RH 2 unit, which I ordered just after midday on a Friday. It arrived 24 hours later…

1 It’s in the bag Although this was a planned shoot, I wasn't really focused on how I wanted to shoot it, and the first big problem was how to make red Martian sand. I couldn't find a material that had both the right colour and the right sandy texture. I ended up shooting white crepe paper and gelled the flash with an orange plastic bag. That gave the whole scene a Martian atmosphere. 2 Lighting up the Earth Earth was made from a mash-up of different coloured nylon bags – a round blue one for the Earth and small ones for the continents. It was lit with a small flash and to create an Earth phase (just like a moon phase). I used a snoot to create a spotlight…

On my way home on the Metro following an all-day conference in Newcastle in May, I could see that the sky to the north and east, over the coast, was looking very dark. My partner sent me a text to say they’d just had an intense hail storm at home. So, as soon as I reached my stop at West Monkseaton, I ran to my car and drove straight to the nearest stretch of coast. I parked in the first space I came to and dashed out to the edge of the small cliffs overlooking the beach at Whitley Bay. From there I could see the storm front coming in from the north as it approached St Mary’s Lighthouse. The storm clouds were like nothing I’d seen before; it looked…

Amateur Photographer Our cameras and lenses are tested using the industry-standard Image Engineering IQ-Analyser software. Visit www.image-engineering.de for more details The Leica Q uses a 24.2-million-pixel full frame sensor, which is most likely a Sony model. Leica has already stated that it's not the same sensor as that used in the Leica M (which has a bespoke sensor). As can be seen in the tests on this page, the Leica Q performs just as you would expect it to. It handles noise well until fairly high sensitivities, and the dynamic range is good, without setting any records. As for the resolution, the camera again performs about on par for a sensor of this specification. Overall, the Leica Q produces good images throughout ISO 100-6,400, which is the working range most…

Resolution Sharpness is very good in the centre of the image wide open, and the corners aren’t too far behind. Stop down to just f/2.8 and the corners now match the centre. Our MTF measurements then barely change before diffraction sets in at f/11, suggesting there’s plenty in reserve for higher-resolution sensors. The camera used was the 16MP X-A1, as its Bayer sensor is more tractable for lens testing. Shading Vignetting is kept impressively low. In our Applied Imaging tests we see just over a stop of shading in the corners of the frame at f/1.4, which really isn’t much for a fast prime. Fujifilm also corrects vignetting in software, so even this won’t be visible in camera JPEGs. Stopping down to just f/2.8 eliminates shading almost completely. Curvilinear distortion…

X-T1 AF revamp Fujifilm promises a new AF system alongside other improvements in the latest firmware update now available for the X-T1. Fuji UK said the free upgrade features zone mode and wide/tracking modes for ‘effortless and accurate capture of moving subjects’; plus improved phase detection autofocus designed to make the camera work much better in low light and low contrast situations. Visit www.fujifilm.eu/uk/news/article/news/fujifilm-x-t1-firmware-version-400-is-now-available ‘Adventure-proof’ Sirui tripods New launches from Sirui include Wave & Wilderness tripods with special seals to help prevent ingress of dust and water. Prices start at £599.99. Sirui has also updated its Travel TOX line with two new models (priced from £169.99). Also new are two video monopods with a ‘stand spider’ and a new tilt head. Visit www.sirui.eu Win a Sony Alpha 7S A Sony…

I've always had a fondness for old Soviet cameras, and when I was getting into photography in the 1970s the Zenit SLRs and Zorki rangefinders, together with the Lubitel medium-format twin-lens reflex, gave an affordable entry into serious photography. If your interest was maintained it also allowed you to move on to something more expensive with some confidence. The sheer quantity of Zenits and Zorkis that were sold here in the UK is evident in the frequency with which they turn up at boot sales and online, but it wasn't until the fall of the Iron Curtain that some of the lesser-known models, those not made for the export market, found their way west. The Vesna is a cute, compact little number, but nevertheless has a very usable set of…

Prime lenses › To make setting the hyperfocal distance really easy, use prime lenses with clear distance scales – you won’t even need to use a chart. Tape measure › Not everyone is good at estimating distance, so when accuracy is important a tape or laser measure can help you find an object at the hyperfocal distance. Tripod › A tripod not only helps you with setting precise composition, but also means you know exactly where the sensor plane is when calculating or measuring distances. Live view › Precise focusing is essential for getting the depth of field you want, so if your camera has a live-view facility, use it. Hyperfocal distance chart or app Unless you really enjoy complicated maths, use a chart or phone app to help you…

I really enjoyed Luke Massey's piece on photographing foxes (Fox hunt, AP 27 June). I've been following a family of foxes that lives near my local rail station for the last two or three years. Last year I saw small cubs near their den beside the tracks, but this year I was even luckier. I was on my way to a meeting one evening (luckily with my Canon compact in tow) and as I took a look up the platform I could see that the vixen was returning home. I approached carefully, but since the evening sun was shining directly into my eyes I couldn't see her and her cubs properly until I was really close. I couldn't believe my luck – she was suckling the cubs. I managed to…

When it comes to the equipment needed for a photographic bug fantasia, Nadav's tools of choice are a Canon EOS 60D and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens. ‘I don't use editing software more than the average photographer, maybe even less. Sometimes the images require a little fine-tuning that mostly includes general brightness/ contrast, white balance correction, noise reduction and a little cropping. But there is no change in the content of the photo.' Indeed, Nadav is adamant that none of his photos are a photomontage or comp job. ‘There is no pasting in or cutting out objects, no selective colouring or saturation boosting or anything similar. The colours are real, the “snow” is real, and so are the insects, landscapes and the rest, they are all taken…

Chris's passion for photography grew from his enjoyment of nature. ‘I primarily photograph landscapes, often with man-made aspects included,' says Chris. ‘I also enjoy using long exposures with clouds and water. This allows me to both show movement and, going further, helps to make things appear minimal and calm.' Chris intends to develop his skills at photographing people, particularly as he has a baby on the way and would like to use photography to preserve these cherished memories. 1 Dawlish Sea Groyne Chris made sure to pick the right shutter to allow for just a subtle degree of texture to be left in the water Canon EOS 400D, 10-22mm, 30secs at f/11, ISO 100, tripod, ND filter, shutter release 2 Canal Boat on Misty Trent ‘The mist leads to a…

When you’re ready to take your video shooting to the next level, the Canon EOS C100 Mark II is the camera you’ll need. The C100 Mark II uses much of the technology found in Canon’s flagship EOS C500, boasting an imaging engine that is powered by a DIGIC DV 4 processor and a Canon 8.3-million-pixel Super 35mm sensor. For your chance to win this great prize visit www.thevideomode.com THE COMPETITION CLOSING DATE IS FRIDAY 31 JULY 2015…

At a glance • 250W max energy • 9-stop energy range • LED modelling light (9W) • Battery capacity up to 215 full-powerflashes per charge • Head weight 0.7kg • Generator weight 1.6kg (inc battery) • Price £1,700 (single head To-Go kit) Studio battery-powered flash systems provide you with powerful and controllable lighting that can be taken anywhere on location. Such systems have been around for a few years and most offer a lot more flash power than on-camera speedlights, while typically being compatible with a wide range of light-shaping accessories such as soft boxes or snoots. Profoto products are at the elite end of the market and while they are certainly more expensive than most other portable flash systems, they have a good reputation for being innovative and well…

1 Nikon Df I’ve opted out of the megapixel race and have found that the 16-million-pixel sensor works perfectly on the Df. Dynamic Range, and the High ISO ability allows me to shoot without tripod or filters in the vast majority of situations. I’ve printed 30x20in with no issues and could go bigger. 2 Nikon Nikkor 70–200mm f/4G The great thing about this lens is that it means I am able to leave my 85mm, 135mm and 180mm at home. I still use those lenses from time to time, but this zoom is light and is a really good match for the Df. I love being able to focus on and pick out wee bits of landscape with it. 3 Lowepro Flipside Sport 20L AW This is the thing that…

LAUNCHED 1978 NEW PRICE £110 for the 50mm f/2 GUIDE PRICE TODAY £25-£50 The Praktica MTL3 (1978-1984) was the most successful of the third-generation Praktica models of the 1970s and 1980s. The established L-series design was refined with more than 100 modifications, mainly in the shutter mechanism. It gained a split-image rangefinder and useful viewfinder warning signals. The metal focal-plane shutter provided speeds from 1sec to 1/1,000sec. The TTL exposure meter, located within the mirror, was switched on with the black lever next to the lens mount. This stopped-down the diaphragm to the aperture you selected, while you adjusted the shutter speed, until the needle in the viewfinder settled to indicate correct exposure. The meter covered film speeds from ASA 12 to 1,600. Today, full instructions can be found at…

In my last article I discussed how three camera manufacturers have introduced super-resolution based on making multiple exposures, moving the position of the sensor between each. Here I'll show how you might duplicate some of the effect if you don't have a camera equipped with this feature. The way this super-resolution works is essentially the same: multiple exposures are made, with the sensor shifted slightly between each. Instead of using precision piezoelectric actuators to achieve the effect, we'll use camera shake. Obviously this is not as precise or predictable, so we'll end up with multiple exposures with some randomised variation in position. While this can't achieve the tidy, precise subsampling of the purpose-built mechanism, it will generally produce enough variation to give much the same effect. The first step is…