I included several programs from the Adobe Master Collection CS6- my core software along with Lightroom for video and still imaging file storage and manipulation.
Also added was Nikon Camera Control Pro 2, which I recommend to Nikonians who want to be able to tether their captures. It supports stills and video.
lower right: high capacity Beillen Li ion battery to power LED lights, also acts as counterweight for rig
attached to leading tripod leg
before connection of Sescom cable
illustrating Sescom cableconnections allowing dual audio capture and headphone monitoring
Rig configured for monitor, stereo XLR audio recording and LED lighting
For those who wish to share video, audio, text and/or photo files with me, please send them to my Dropbox if you have access to this feature.
Southern CA USA- Local Climate Change Issues
This link is to a recent video I created which documented a visit to US Congresswoman Judy Chu’s office in Pasadena, CA during which Organizing for Action (OFA) interviewed her representative. We established a calendar for planning future collaboration with Judy in making climate change more prominent as a regional media issue,and formulating effective ways of mitigating its future impact here.
I use the Red Rock Micro Event rig, and add some components which work well for me: the microphone will vary (in this case,Rode Stereo Videomic Pro), with my general preference being a Rode NTG-2 shotgun if there’s significant ambient noise. LED lighting such as this 6 AA panel design with built-in barn doors allows a lightweight , fairly focused daylight balanced source. For headphones, I might add either extremely light mini-phones or a full set of Rockfish noise-cancelling HP’s.
At the rear is the recently added Hoodman Custom Finder Baseplate and 3″ loupe. There’s a RRM lens ring on this 85mm f/1.8 Nikkor, connected to a follow focus; a Fader is used to control aperture in bright light, as well as flare reduction with a matte box.
I found this baseplate for $99 (no tax) last weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center, while attending a Big Photo Show. The Hoodman rep was at the Samys section and I was intrigued by the prospect of using a compact, lightweight ‘rail’ to add or remove my 3″ Hoodman loupe to a DSLR monitor. This would make use in bright sunlight much easier.
After a short demo I decided to buy it, and I assembled it this afternoon (see images). The box has excellent schematic images showing the location and names of all of the parts. This is a modular design with 3 components: the onboard 1/8″ hex Allen wrench, the rail which accepts the loupe, and the baseplate which attaches to the camera base.
I’m pleased with the very lightweight of this unit, its build quality, and the ease of attachment and removal of the loupe assembly. The fit to the 3″ Nikon D600 monitor is excellent. Controls are positive and smooth. And it’s in Nikon colors- the main set screw is gold….[sorry, non-Nikonians]. I can easily reach the LiveView and other camera controls, because none of the baseplate extends over them.
This unit also adjusts for a 3.2″ monitor such as the D4, and all hex screws are of the same caliber so that the entire apparatus can be completely adjusted in the field with no additional tools.
SUMMARY: I highly recommend this item for DSLR videographers and still photographers, especially if you do a lot of field work and/or do not use a matte box. You won’t notice it until you need it.
baseplate (L), rail (R)
baseplate from below
attacheing the baseplate to the grip for Nikon D600
The bracket also fits 3.2″ loupes
microadjustments to fit the 3″ loupe to the bracket
the lower left portion of the vertical adjustment rail contains the 1/8″ hex wrench
no interference with battery swapout from Nikon grip
lateral view of complete assembly on tripod, with D600
closeup of main setscrew to adjust rail (gold) and QR plate from baseplate to tripod mount
Arca-Swiss compatible (Acratech) tripod quick-release plate attached
Photo Essay
I recommend you try the chili dogs at Art’s, Florence Ave between Vermont and Western…he’s a transplanted Texan who’s found his home here.
A disabled Marine and an Occupy staff member are interviewed about their experiences at the encampment, west side of City Hall
After several months of intensive use, these are some of my comments about the D600:
It continues to impress me with its overall versatility, good build quality, audio and video features and (actually) more resolution than I often need. One of the times when I find the 24MP files especially useful, though, is when required to crop heavily for print formats. I find that in most of these cases, the shoots cannot be rescheduled. Although I don’t have power aperture as on the D800/D4, it can be approximated by using a lens with an aperture ring.
While in a -15deg F snow camp in December, I was happy to observe that the battery functioned normally (!)
My experience with the camera has led me to use the battery grip moderately often, but in the field the ability to take a much lighter body and not sacrifice FX and feature set has been a huge advantage. Among the features I seem to be using most are in-camera HDR, timelapse, bracketing, and rapid switching between DX and FX format without the need to change lenses. Almost anything that avoids lens changes in the field is seen as a benefit for me- less to get inside the camera, faster operation, being able to push ISO and other attributes of the body to make the most use of each lens.
The menus have become even more intuitive with practice, and I have very few complaints regarding them. The control layout seems excellent to me…..
A brief recent history of the TIMES
I visited the editorial and printing facilities of the TIMES last week (while they’re still functioning), and this is a posting which summarizes the trajectory of the newspaper in the past 30 years.
William Hooks
maximpactphotography 