Author Archive
Completing the prologue to an upcoming documentary, KATRINA TO LANDERS:Random relocation of African American Refugees from the hurricane disaster in 2005
Posted in Music, Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on March 28, 2014 by William HooksFirst steps shooting with Canon EOS Cinema C100 at Filmtools, Burbank CA
Posted in Reviews, Video on March 9, 2014 by William HooksI spent some time last week with Jim Martin at Filmtools, evaluating and shooting the C100 and editing the files in Adobe Premiere Pro CS6.
These were some of my observations of note:
The camera was well over $6K 6 months ago and is now approx $5000, substantially less than a Nikon D4s or Canon 1DX
Excellent low light capability, far superior to the 5D3 at ISO 20,000-80,000 (!!!!!!)
Expected in June 2014: dedicated remote unit; dual pixel AF upgrade option pending
2 XLR’s integrated into the workflow as options on the handle, allowing elimination of syncing in post if desired (!!)- and stereo mics on board
in a camera which is set up for Canon lenses and color rendition
Excellent financing options available
ND filters/rapid exposure and focus assist built in, allowing significant gain in operational speed (indoor to outdoor, etc)
Programmable function buttons
Excellent silent cooling system; no hard time limit on recording
Can record directly to second card in standard def for outpt to DVD or web, with dramatic reduction in file sizes
Integrates very well with RedRock Micro cage and rig systems
Files are completely native to my Pr Pro and AE CS6 NLE system; I can edit exactly as I already do with my 5D3 files
Compact light, ergonomic and largely modular form factor
If I can find the financial means, this camera is in my sights.
Manfrotto SYMPLA Clamp-On Remote Control for Canon DSLRs
Posted in Photography, Reviews, Video on March 9, 2014 by William Hooks
This is an initial, preliminary review. I recently added this item to my 5D3 system, primarily for video, and so far it’s promising to make life much easier for shooting with a jib and on a shoulder rig in particular. Theses situations call for being able to control the camera remotely if feasible.
The part number for this unit at B&H is Manfrotto SYMPLA MVR911ECCN.
I paid the B&Hprice of approx $280 at Samys Pasadena, CA.
What can I do with this? I can set a focus range for racking in or out; turn Live View on or off, record and stop video or take stills, WITHOUT touching the camera. I can use digital zoom to check focus.
The initial tests show that it works as advertised with the 5D3.I still need to test with a longer USB cable to allow more flexibility on rigs and jib if possible…stay tuned.
Had fun solo aid climbing at Joshua Tree NP this week
Posted in Photography on February 28, 2014 by William Hooks
My Black Diamond Skylounge single portaledge was the ticket for relaxing after the first pitch (I’m lazy)
The weather turned early Thursday morning with a sandstorm hitting camp…. but it was great fun! I said adios to my Nikon Coolpix S9100 after 3 years of good service, I plan to add a Canon S110 compact soon.
What winter???
Posted in Photography, Reviews on January 23, 2014 by William Hooks
Thanks Petzl for the great ascenders! I also like the Black Diamond N-Force but they’re a little more effort to slide up ropes…
Metolius Quarter Dome haul bag –excellent for soloing and as a sub-bag
I especially recommend the Petzl MicroTraxion combo hauling device, the CMI RP-101 pulley, and the Tibloc by Petzl if you want to do 3:1 haul setups as shown here- instead of space hauling if the distances are less than ~ 50 feet.
Space hauling really looks good if you’re bringing something up from farther than that.
What has worked well for me in the mountains over the years
Posted in Reviews, Travel on December 13, 2013 by William HooksMy winter 2013-14 Alpine mountaineering favored equipment- choose from these options….
STOVES: MSR Reactor, MSR Windpro II, Bibler (canister); MSR XGK-EX (liquid fuel)
CLOTHING: Mountain Hardwear, Arc’teryx, Marmot, REI/ Smartwool and Icebreaker base layers; Outdoor Research Crocodile gaiters, Expedition Modular Mitts and gloves
SLEEPING BAGS: Western Mountaineering Antelope +5 F , Puma -25 F (SMF versions)
PACKS: Black Diamond [BD]Predator 50/ Quantum 65; Wild Things Freney; Arc’teryx Bora 80/95, Cierzo 35
BOOTS: La Sportiva Baturas/ Trango Evo GTX; Raichle GTX
TENTS: Black Diamond superlights, especially Firstlight/ Megalite; The North Face Mountain 25/ Assault 22
SNOW SAW: Yang Fang
SHOVEL: BD (curved shaft)
ICE TOOLS: Petzl Aztars; BD Venoms, 50cm and 57 cm pairs
ICE AXES: BD Raven and Raven Pro
CRAMPONS: Grivel especially New-Matics, BD stainless steel Sabretooths
ROPES: Edelrid Discovery 8mm x 30 m twins; Sterling Nano 9.2mm single (2014?); Petzl Fuse 9.4mm x 60, 70m singles; Mammut 9mm x50m doubles; 6mm cord for full-length rappels with single ropes
BELAY-RAPPEL DEVICES: Petzl Reverso 4, BD ATC_Guide
HARNESSES: BD Couloir, Petzl Adjama
SLINGS: Mammut sewn Spectra; various other sewn and nylon types
HEADLAMP: BD Icon
HELMET: Petzl Meteor 3
BIV SACK: Wild Things Big Wall w spectra tie-in; REI Minimalist
ROCK PROTECTION: BD Camalot C4’s, Wild Country Superlight Rocks, Omega Pacific Link Cams; Hugh Banner Offset nuts; Lowe Tricams; WC offset Tech Friends; BD pitons
SNOW PICKETS: MSR
ICE PROTECTION: Abalakov system; Petzl Laser ice screws; BD Spectre ice hooks
These days, I use the Nikon Coolpix S9100 and Canon 5D Mark III for photography and video.
Tips for alpine mountaineering and winter snow camping
Posted in Photography, Reviews, Travel, Video on December 13, 2013 by William HooksPlease also see my updated equipment lists for 3-season and winter trips, on a separate page….
Having just returned from an outing to Joshua Tree National Park, CA in true desert winter conditions, I’m reminded of the following gained from experience:
-If you aren’t ABSOLUTELY sure that your equipment is correctly assembled and in working order, it’s a good idea to go through a detailed checklist befo’ leaving. CHECK BATTERIES.
-Start keeping track of what really works well FOR YOU, and what is nonessential, and re-evaluate after each trip using a spreadsheet. I like Microsoft Excel. If you like, import or download one of many free templates online.
-Trend toward what you feel is very reliable, simple equipment which translates into speed of use. This is really important with stove systems, rock and ice gear, and rope management in particular. The best system for creating multiple liters of hot water in the least amount of time is worth a lot of consideration in the winter, so you must titrate what you take in view of anticipated weather conditions.
-Practice using your sleeping bag/s until you’ve mastered all of the features needed to keep you comfortable. I know that doing that with my winter bags has been especially helpful, because in that environment it’s crucial to get quality rest.
– Do not neglect carrying basic first aid materials, again especially in winter (sharp tools, crampons, remote areas,……………………….)What I recommend is to be very frank with yourself about your health status, and the potential consequences of a bleeding injury or head injury in a remote area. Example: I have had 2 kidney stones in the past. I take special precautions against dehydration, but have not required any medication; this clearly relates to what I mentioned earlier about being able to generate adequate amounts of water.
-LEARN from not only your personal experience, but that of others. It’s often easy to find online. Dedicate yoursef’ to modifying or discarding how you’ve been doing things in light of new information or experience– that’s just being intelligent.
-Never forget these things: Alpinism is the art of suffering. And try to actually have fun. I know- it doesn’t make sense, but that’s what my mother has been telling me for my entire adult life.
–
Followup review of the Canon 5D Mark III
Posted in Photography, Photojournalism, Reviews, Studio Portraiture, Travel, Video on November 23, 2013 by William HooksWhat do I NOT like about the 5D3/ Canon DSLR systems?
– No crop mode such as DX/ FX (Nikon got this RIGHT)
– No highly compressed 1080p/24 to reduce file sizes..NO 1080p/60!!!!
– No XLR inputs**
– Much more difficult to achieve ‘image overlay’ process in-camera (again, Nikon got this right)
– No built-in intervalometer (Please take a tip from Nikon??)
– Overheating during some longer video recordings**
– Beep mode is too quiet to be useful in a number of situations, especially outdoors
– (Overly)complex AF system
– Canon super telephotos tend to be much more expensive than Nikon counterparts
– No recording of an StdDef-quality vid version on a second card, for output to DVD/web**
– No ND filters built in ** (I’m reaching here….)
I prefer to use Nikons for photography and Canons for video… YMMV.
** these and other issues are well addressed by the Canon EOS Cinema camera line.
My video record of the Climate Change Solutions Forum at Cal Tech
Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Photojournalism, Video on November 22, 2013 by William Hooks
This is the first of four parts. Please also refer to my Facebook page for updates.
William Hooks
maximpactphotography 