Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM lens review
Key features Highly versatile 35mm focal length Stills/video hybrid VCM for smooth focusing Nano USM for floating element control Floating element design to reduce aberrations at close range Breathing correction SSC and ASC coatings reduce lens flare, and ghosting Aperture/iris collar for video 11 aperture blades Custom function button What is it? The Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is a high-speed, stills and video-oriented semi-wide-angle lens designed for the EOS R range of mirrorless cameras. It’s the successor to the much-vaunted EF 35mm F1.4L USM II, only it’s not quite what we were expecting. Like the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L, this lens is a hybrid model that appeals to both…
Step-by-Step Lightroom Classic Workflow plus useful tips
A well-structured workflow in Adobe Lightroom Classic can significantly enhance your photo editing efficiency and organisation. This is the typical workflow from import to export, but feel free to adjust the steps as needed to fit your style and preferences. Step-by-Step Lightroom Workflow STEP DESCRIPTION 1. Import Photos Use the Import dialog to select photos. Apply metadata (copyright, creator/artist’s name), keywords, and any develop(ment) settings during import. 2. Organize Create folders (and collections) to organise images. Use star ratings, flags, or colour labels to categorise photos. 3. Culling Review images and select the best ones. Use flags (Pick/Reject) to quickly sort through images. 4. Basic Adjustments Start with basic edits:…
Save up to 40% at Amazon on Nextorage SDXC V90-rated cards
Amazon UK have Nextorage F2 Pro SDXC UHS-II V90-rated U3 cards at a special price – the cheapest I’ve seen them at: Nextorage F2 Pro SDXC 128 GB at £74.99, was £124.99 (40% off) Nextorage F2 Pro SDXC 256 GB at £139.99, was £199.99 (30% off) Nextorage ‘Pro’ cards are very high-performance, using pSLC NAND flash, instead of the more usual TLC type. I’ve been using them for a while, and they are now among my first choice of brands, along with ProGrade Digital. Lexar, SanDisk, and Sony can still be recommended, but highly competitive offerings like these are hard to beat for the price/performance ratio. Articles may include…
How to create and use Virtual Copies in Lightroom
In Adobe Lightroom Classic, you can easily duplicate a photo with various edits using the Virtual Copy function. Here’s how to use virtual copies in Lightroom: What are Virtual Copies? In Lightroom, a virtual copy allows you to create a duplicate of a photo without actually duplicating the file on your hard drive. This means you can apply different edits, settings, or metadata to the same original image while keeping the original intact and unaltered. Crucially, VCs allow you to visually compare the effect of various edits on what’s essentially the same photo, without the huge file sizes of TIFFs. It’s an essential feature of a parametric editor and critical…
What are the benefits of Virtual Copies in Lightroom?
Virtual copies are commonly used in Adobe Lightroom, although their usage may vary among different photographers and workflows. Here are some reasons why many Lightroom users find virtual copies beneficial: Common Uses of Virtual Copies in Lightroom Experimentation: Photographers often create virtual copies to experiment with different editing styles or techniques without altering the original image. This allows for creative freedom and exploration. Multiple Versions: Users frequently create virtual copies to produce different versions of the same photo, such as: Colour vs. black and white Different crops or aspect ratios Various exposure adjustments or colour grading Client Options: When working with clients, photographers can create virtual copies to present multiple…
Organise photos in Lightroom using Collections
Adobe Lightroom Classic is unique in that it doesn’t use Albums but adopts something similar called Collections. Collections in Adobe Lightroom (both Classic and the cloud-based version) are a great way to organise and manage your photos. Benefits of Using Collections – Non-Destructive Organisation: Collections allow you to organise photos without moving them from their original location in the Catalog. – Multiple Groupings: You can add the same photo to multiple collections, making it easy to categorise images in different ways. – Smart Collections: Automatically gather photos based on specific criteria, saving time and effort in organisation. By using collections effectively, you can streamline your workflow and keep your photo…
Setting up Back-button AF on the Canon EOS R5
By following these steps, you will be able to set up Back-button AF operation on the Canon EOS R5. This guide has been written specifically for the Canon EOS R5; however, the operation will be similar to other EOS R cameras, including the EOS R5 II. Sports photographers often want to customise their cameras for so-called ‘Back-button AF‘ operation; however, it can be a useful option for most photographers. Customising this feature involves deactivating the AF start feature from the shutter button and selecting Servo AF from the camera’s AF menu options, if it is not already enabled. This action effectively switches between Servo AF, One-Shot AF, and manual focusing…
Setting up AF shortcuts on the Canon EOS R5
By following these steps, you will be able to set AF operation shortcuts to customisable buttons on the Canon EOS R5 (this guide has been written specifically for the Canon EOS R5, however, the operation will be similar to other EOS R cameras). Setting autofocus (AF) operation shortcuts to customisable buttons on the Canon EOS R5 (and other EOS R cameras) is an easy way to improve the handling experience by allowing quick access to frequently used functions. The default (factory) setting for the AF-On button at the rear of the camera is to initiate the AF operation, which is fine if you want to check its working before triggering…
Amazon Prime Day deals
Amazon Prime Day always offers some good deals on photography gear, particularly on memory cards and accessories. Links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon UK Lexar SanDisk Nextorage ProGrade Sony Samsung PolarPro Filters SmallRig Tilta Olight (LED Torches) IFOOTAGE (Shark Camera Slider) Apurture (LED Lighting) Other UK retailers with deals: WEX Canon Store Amazon US Lexar SanDisk OWC ProGrade Sony Samsung SmallRig Tilta IFOOTAGE (Shark Slider) Apurture (LED Lighting) DJI
Filter sizes for Leica M lenses
As you might expect, Leica offers its range of UV filters, which are recommended for the protection of the front element in everyday use but also to prevent damage when cleaning. It’s much less worrying to clean a filter than a front element. However, I also recommend B+W (UV or Clear) filters, which, although made by the German brand Schneider-Kreuznach, tend to be slightly cheaper and yet are not considered inferior in any way. The XS-Pro, now replaced by the ‘Master’, features a thin brass frame and a Nano coating to facilitate easier cleaning. More competitively priced offerings include the excellent Breakthrough Photography UV X2 range and the Firecrest series…
