Manfrotto MBAG120PN padded tripod bag review
After my review of the unpadded Manfrotto MBAG80N, see here, I thought I would write about the largest in the range, the padded Manfrotto MBAG120PN. This is a beast of a bag, but I bought it to transport a beast of a tripod, the aluminium Uni-loc 1600 System Major. Without doubt, it’s a great tripod, one of my favourites for working in the field, so to speak, but it’s somewhat unwieldy to carry. After selling my Manfrotto 054B some twenty years ago, which I deeply regret (it’s one of the best studio tripods ever made and was bought for me as a gift), I decided not to make the same…
Panasonic Lumix S 40mm F2 (S-S40) lens specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Panasonic Model Lumix S 40mm F2 (S-S40) Web https://www.panasonic.com/uk/ Elements/construction 7 elements in 6 groups (3x Glass Moulded (GMo) Asph), Coatings: Fl Angle of view (h,v,d) 48.6°, 34.4 °, 56.7° Max aperture F2 (7x blades) Min aperture F22 Min focus distance 0.3 m (11.8 in) AF/M Stepper-motor TBC Mount L mount Filter size 62 mm Length 40.9 mm (1.6 in.) Diameter 69.4 mm (2.7 in.) Weight 144 g (5.1 oz) Price £349 inc VAT ($399) Check prices and preorder the Panasonic Lumix S 40mm F2 (S-S40) at the following retailers: WEX Photo (UK)| Park Cameras (UK) |Panasonic Store (UK) (5yr warranty) B&H Photo (US) | Adorama…
Manfrotto MBAG80N unpadded tripod bag review
Tripods are awkward to transport and store, and to make matters worse, they’re often supplied without a bag or case. If you want to use your tripod more, a bag is a good way to get it out of the closet. As one of the leading manufacturers of tripods, Manfrotto unsurprisingly makes several bags. Their padded and unpadded MBAG range shares several features, including a preformed (padded) ‘cap’ for protecting pricey tripod/video heads, a padded base, a full-length two-way zip with zip pulls, and an adjustable shoulder strap. Padded variants are suffixed with PN after the length, while N indicates unpadded. So, for example, my unpadded Manfrotto 80cm bag has…
Labelling Captions and Titles in Lightroom Classic
Labelling photographs requires editing the metadata fields in Lightroom Classic’s Library Module, and understanding the difference between a Title and a Caption is good to know, as they’re often referred to interchangeably. In typical practice, use Title for a concise label and Caption for a full explanatory description and attribution. So, as an example, if I want to name a photograph (as an artwork), I would add this to the Title field. Title (IPTC: Object Name / IPTC Core: Title) Short, specific name for the image (one-line). Used as a display label or filename-friendly identifier. Typically appears in search results, galleries, or as a headline. Caption (IPTC: Caption/Description / IPTC…
Fujifilm GFX100S II review
What is it? Released in June, 2024, the Fujifilm GFX100S II is an update to the Fujifilm GFX100S, the smaller, more compact model that sits just beneath the flagship Fujifilm GFX100 II. It features a slightly upgraded 100MP sensor with a revised microlens structure, which is said to improve image quality at the periphery and AF accuracy out towards the edges of the frame. The redesigned sensor also features a new lower ISO base of 80, which is claimed to deliver lower noise and a wider dynamic range than the GFX100S. Further refinements include AI-assisted subject detection AF and improved continuous shooting speed of up to 7.0 frames per second.…
Lightroom Classic Library shortcuts
I recently published a post displaying Lightroom Classic’s Develop shortcuts. As you might expect, the Library module has extensive shortcuts as well. The following is for Mac OS, but Windows users can adopt most of them directly; where Command is shown, simply replace it with Control.
Do Lightroom Classic’s Point Curve and Parametric Curve affect colour?
Neither the Point Curve nor the Parametric Curve directly affects the colour of an image in Lightroom Classic. However, their adjustments can indirectly impact how colours appear based on changes in brightness and contrast. Influence on Colour Perception Point Curve: Adjusting the brightness in specific tonal ranges can influence how vibrant or muted certain colours appear. For example, increasing brightness in the shadows might make darker colours look lighter and less saturated. Parametric Curve: Similar to the Point Curve, working with the sliders affects overall exposure, which can change how colours are perceived. Adjustments in highlights might enhance or reduce brightness in colours that correspond to lighter areas. Colour Adjustments…
Differences between Point Curve and Parametric Curve in Lightroom Classic
In Lightroom Classic, the Point Curve and Parametric Curve are both tools located in the Tone Curve panel. They’re used for adjusting brightness and contrast in your images. However, they operate differently and serve distinct purposes. Point Curve This curve gives you the flexibility to create multiple points, allowing for unique shapes that can enhance the image contrast and brightness in specific areas. This is the option to use when you need precise control over the tonal range, from shadows, mid-tones and highlights. Parametric Curve This approach is more user-friendly, as you can adjust the overall look of the image by moving sliders within a predetermined range. It’s beneficial for…
Quick guide to enabling manual focus override on EOS R cameras
By default, Canon EOS RF lenses don’t have the instant manual-focus override feature enabled, as you find on the EF series. To enable this functionality, you need to change a specific menu setting in the EOS R camera. Follow these steps to activate manual focus override: Steps to Enable Manual Focus Override Access the AF Menu:On your camera, navigate to the AF menu. For the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6, look for page AF 4. For other models, look through the AF menu pages for the following option: Locate “Lens Electronic AF” option:Within the AF menu, locate the “Lens electronic AF” option. Change the Setting:Set it to either: “One-Shot…
Lightroom Classic Develop Shortcuts
Lightroom Classic’s shortcuts are a great timesaver and worth getting familiar with. The following list is for Mac OS (but you can substitute Ctrl for Command if you’re a Windows user).
