Category: Reviews

Review & samples: Legacy Olympus 50mm f3.5 Macro lens with Blackmagic Pocket 6K. Travel video setup.

March 2, 2024
Reviews

I’ve just put together my latest travel setup for video capture with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2. The aim was to get the BMPCC 6K G2 in to a reasonably sized camera bag along with other lenses and accessories. This is the result.

The Olympus Zuiko 50mm Macro f3.5 lens is surprisingly sharp for general video and has the benefit of close focus for 0.5x magnification. Optically, one of the best legacy lenses I have ever tested and better than some of my modern lenses. A truly tiny powerhouse of a lens with the bonus of it exhibiting practically zero chromatic aberration (on APSC sensor).

A brief review and a large selection of samples taken on a tripod, with clips that are long enough to study.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Full Frame. Exposure, ISO & Noise

December 27, 2023
Other StuffReviews

Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Full Frame. Perhaps some interesting observations with regards to how ISO and exposure affect noise on the BMCC 6K FF.

A Christmas Eve production directed by Harveys.

First test: Sigma 100-400 EF. BMPCC 6K G2. Hanningfield Reservoir during insect swarm.

April 20, 2023
PlacesReviews

Took a trip out with the Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens (Canon EF) mounted on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 for a first test.

Spent an hour at Hanningfield reservoir in Essex during an insect swarm at Easter. We believe the insects were Winter Gnats.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC) 6K G2 – First test shots

March 21, 2023
Other StuffPhotographyReviews

First time out with the BMPCC 6K G2. Shot using legacy Tamron Adaptall lenses:

Adaptall 2 70-210mm (46A)
Adaptall 2 80-210mm (103A)
Adaptall 2 90mm Macro (72B)

The first thing that impresses is how well this camera captures colour and how relatively easy it is to edit BRAW files in Davinci Resolve. I’ve been shooting with the Panasonic S1 and the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G 5 inch recording monitor also using the BRAW codec. There is a difference between the two versions of BRAW that is now plain to see, the BMPCC files are much smoother to edit and playback on the PC and the colour science is very different.

I’m unsure about where to go with lenses in the future when shooting with the BMPCC but for now my trusty legacy Tamron Adaptall lenses are filling the gap.

Panasonic S 24-105mm f4.0 lens. Photo samples from first day out.

January 23, 2023
PhotographyReviews

Took the Panasonic S5 out with my new lens, the Panasonic S 24-105mm f4.0.

Took lots of varied photos at different focal lengths, handheld, and I must say that I’m impressed. This is a sharp lens and the images speak for themselves. I tried to capture photos off subject matter that will reveal the sharpness of the lens.

This video is a slide show that shows the images at 100% crop (1:1 pixels in 4K) and also in their entirety. Basic info regarding focal length, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed is included.

Novoflex MagicBall 60mm tripod head review. Unique, is it the best ball head? Tripod hack included.

June 5, 2022
PhotographyReviews

The Novoflex MagicBall tripod head is certainly unique but can it do the job? Is this possibly the way all ball heads should be made?

In this review I take a hands on look at the Novoflex MagicBall 60mm head AKA “The big one”.

Also, don’t miss the tripod hack that I use regularly, especially with a long lens.

Lowepro Pro Trekker BP 450 AW II backpack used for the Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Sports DG DN OS

February 13, 2022
PhotographyReviews

I had trouble choosing a carry case for the Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Sports DG DN OS as I was unsure of actual sizes.

As it turns out the Lowepro Pro Trekker BP 450 AW II backpack accommodates the lens well and the case is comfortable to wear.

I thought it may be of interest to others who may specifically have this lens. There are plenty of reviews about this backpack if you want more info on it’s other attributes.

Test: Amazon Basics 72mm Polarising Filter CPL. An experiment in artificial voices.

July 28, 2021
PhotographyReviews

A test of the Amazon Basics 72mm CPL polarising filter, which produces unexpected results!

As an experiment this is the first video that we have created from new completely with artificial voices. Your feedback is welcome!

Throw away your microphone! Artificial voices, any good?

July 25, 2021
PhotographyReviews

I signed up to a new service recently because I was impressed by the voices that can be generated by this text-to-voice software. I intend to use the voices for some short upcoming videos as I am currently selling my house and moving so all my equipment is all over the place and my time is limited.

What do you think? Can these voices actually work for a video of this nature, maybe just in small doses, or do you hate them?

I created this video about lens hoods at the end part of 2020: https://youtu.be/xVKZ8vBdMeM In this current video I have replaced my voice with the artificially generated voices as a test, and for some feedback.

If you are interested in this online software the details are here: https://speechelo.com/first video that we have created from new completely with artificial voices. Your feedback is welcome!

JJC Extension Tubes MFT – Micro 4/3. Another unfinished review.

June 4, 2021
PhotographyReviews

JJC Extension Tubes MFT – Micro 4/3. Yet another item that does not warrant the time and effort it takes to produce a full review.

I sometimes film a review whilst discovering the item for myself and if I reach a point where I feel that the item is not up to scratch that’s where I stop the review as to my mind there is no point in continuing to review a product that I consider is not fit for purpose. Hence, the unfinished review.