Phottix Macro Focusing Rail
I have just finished a review of the Phottix Macro Focusing Rail. The review is a PDF document that you can read on line or download.Phottix Macro Rail Review
Should you backup to the cloud???
I was asked a question today: What is a good on line backup service or program?Let me ask you, do you backup your computers, all your data or, selectively just what you believe is important, like your images?I have multiple terabytes of data, mainly images that I can not afford to lose. I continue to generate many gigabytes each month. Just a day’s shoot can be 32 to 64 GB of images. For me a backup system is an absolute must. At the present, I backup all my data (currently resident on raid arrays) to networked drives and secondarily, to a duplicate set of local drives. The data is scheduled to backup nightly on the local drives and weekly on the networked drives. Key client data is also retained on BluRay disks.So what about the cloud? Online backup services are becoming increasingly popular. The number of online back up companies that have been established in the last few years is amazing and difficult to list. However, some of these companies like Mozy, Carbonite, Crashplan, Dropbox, and SpiderOak have been around for a while. They all have their pros and cons. They all provide on line backup services and offer programs for a very reasonable fee (small Backups can even be free) based on the amount of data all the way to unlimited storage. These services require you to download and install programs on your computer that will monitor your system and backup to their remote servers, as long as your computer is connected to the Internet. All of this is fairly simple, and once set up, the entire backup is done in the background requiring no intervention on your part.I decided to check out two of these services, Carbonite and Crashplan. Carbonite was no good for me as I am an Apple Mac user. For Mac users Carbonite’s backup is limited to your main system and will not accommodate connected devices. So after a brief test, I dropped them. Also worthy of note is that Carbonite will throttle your data speed after you reach a certain data transfer threshold. I next tested Crashplan, another free trial. They offer all that I would need, backup the main system, connected drives, selected folders etc. I installed the software on my MacBook Pro and started the backup. I should point out that I have Verizon FIOS with 50 up and 25 down speeds. More than fast enough. Well the test started and a month later, when the trial expired, it had not completed the backup, a mere 400 GB of data. At this rate it would take more than a year to back 6 terabytes and up to 2 years for my main system that houses all my images. So much for the free trial, I did not subscribe.During this trial period I have given the online/cloud backup services some thought and here are some of my concerns.A service provider’s disgruntled employee, could take control of your information. This can be achieved using the very software that you install to manage the backup of data on your computer to the service provider’s data storage bank. This is just one concern and so many what if’s – hackers, information mining, etc., etc. Yes these service providers say the data is transferred via SSL (Secure Sockets Layer, the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between systems) and is stored encrypted. But all the encryption would be useless if your login identity could be compromised. It is worth reading a blog by an industry expert at http://dereknewton.com/2011/04/dropbox-authentication-static-host-ids/The other significant concern it the time it takes to backup, so how can you possibly check a full restore. In my case it would be two years to back up and I would know that it succeeded or failed two years later.Privacy and your personal data security concerns:
- All files you backup to an online/cloud service company can be viewed for review purposes by the service company. Though your data is encrypted the service company may decrypt it on an as needed basis.
- The government and law enforcement may request access to your files, and they will be granted access. Note: the hosting company has no obligation to notify you of any such request. As an example, here are the terms and conditions from Dropbox that is one such service.Compliance with Laws and Law Enforcement Requests; Protection of Dropbox’s Rights. We may disclose to parties outside Dropbox files stored in your Dropbox and information about you that we collect when we have a good faith belief that disclosure is reasonably necessary to (a) comply with a law, regulation or compulsory legal request; (b) protect the safety of any person from death or serious bodily injury; (c) prevent fraud or abuse of Dropbox or its users; or (d) to protect Dropbox’s property rights. If we provide your Dropbox files to a law enforcement agency as set forth above, we will remove Dropbox’s encryption from the files before providing them to law enforcement. However, Dropbox will not be able to decrypt any files that you encrypted prior to storing them on Dropbox.
- Be cautioned that these services can be just as easily hacked as American Express, Master Card, TJX Companies to name just a few. So many banks have been compromised.
I am not implying that you should not use these services or not back up. You should be aware of what can happen and what access is permitted by law. If you must back up to an online service, be selective with what you send to the cloud. If you must backup sensitive data, consider using a local encrypted vault. A product like TrueCrypt will perform this service. Then you backup the vault to the cloud. In the unfortunate event that the backup service or your backup gets hacked, your files will not be accessible as they are contained within the “vault”.Disclaimer: This article and blog post is based solely on what I am aware of and is my opinion only. I will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.All copyright and trademarks are owned by the respective companies mentioned, their owners, or their licensors.
EXPOIMAGING – The Rogue Product Line
For years I have been struggling with accessories that can be used with my hot shoe flash on- or off- camera. A good diffusion accessory was a plastic cap that fits over the flash head, then a cumbersome triangular unit with Velcro strips, adhesive and tape – reflectors and so many pieces that would drive anyone crazy. Not to mention the fact that this was dubbed “the fall apart”.My challenge was to get a system that was light, easy to carry, easy to setup and most important, effective.THE FLASHBENDERS:
About a year ago I acquired a product from ExpoImaging called the Rogue FlashBender “large positionable reflector” – this accessory has not left my arsenal of gizmos and gadgets that I don’t leave home without. I use this to bend and shape the light, use it as a reflector, a snoot, and as a flag or gobo any time I have to eliminate flare.Rogue FlashBenders are shapeable light modifiers for shoe mount flash heads. The design allows you bend the reflector into any position and you can be sure it will stay in that position until you decide to alter it .After an introduction by Hunt’s Photo and Video a few weeks ago, ExpoImaging sent me a their product line to try out. Thank you Hunt’s and ExpoImaging. On opening the package, I immediately fell in love with the diffusion panel that works in conjunction with the large FlashBender. Now I have twice the effective use from the same product. This basically converts the FlashBender into a micro softbox.
A smaller version of the same system is equally versatile and I was able to complete a jewelry product shoot with just two off-camera hot shoe flash units mounted with FlashBenders and diffusion panels. It was great not to have to use my large strobes and soft-boxes and achieve awesome results with the Rogues.In addition to the FlashBenders (large and small) they make a third product in this lineup called the bendable bounce card/flag. This is equally effective. If you are the type of photographer who uses elastic bands and white cards (business cards) you will love this. Each of these FlashBenders stay put. Installation is a breeze, collars and Velcro wrap around straps are superb. The system is designed to hold fast and stay that way no matter what size of a flash head you have. Event photographers you will feel you are in heaven. Moreover, attach the diffusion panel and you have beautiful soft light on the go.For one of my product shots I needed an additional reflector so I used the bounce card without mounting it to my speedlight. Needing additional light, I folded some aluminum kitchen foil over it and now I had a high reflection surface bendable in any direction. I have also created a sleeve made with gold reflective material that fits over the large flash bender when I need warmer light.GRIDS3-in-1 Honey Comb Grid and Rogue Gells
If you have ever had the need to control your flash light output with a grid – look no further. The Rogue product line includes one of the mot ingenious honey-comb stacking system. A stacking system that includes a bezel, attachment straps, a 25 degree and a 45 degree honeycomb grid (combined they give you a 16 degree grid) all in a nylon carrying pouch. There is more, you can get a set of Rogue Gels that are specifically designed for the grid system. The set comprises 20 circular filters and a padded pouch. Each filter is identified by its color and f/stop loss (wow!!!!). There is no way you won’t fall in love with this system. That is if you want control and color. FILTERSRogue Gels - Universal Lighting Filter Kit
There is no end to the number of options you have to gel your flash head. From pre-cut, to sample gels to cut it and fit it, Velcro, elastic bands, stick-on double sided tape and many other crazy options. I had actually given up looking for a good solution.The Rogue system is so well designed; you get a large gel band (not a rubber band) that you put around your flash head (this stays put). Now you insert one end of your gel that is tabbed under the band on one side and then the other side. You are free to stack gels as you please. Each gel is printed with its color and f/stop loss. All so well organized in a padded pouch. The gels fit – they cover the flash head and provide even gelled light.It is important to note that Rogue gels are manufactured by Lee Filters, renowned for their gels, glass and polycarbonate filters.Conclusion: I have found the Rogue product line to be simple yet versatile, giving you total control for your lighting requirements when used with your portable flash heads. They are durable and light, easily packed into the smallest of camera bags and ready for use. Best of all they are self contained and do not require you to stick or glue things onto your flash heads. I highly recommend the system to all photographers who need to control or modify the light from their flash heads.In addition to regular use of the FlashBender, I have now included the entire product line in my “Lighting Demystified” workshop.
Review of the Feisol Carbon Fiber Tripod and Ball-Head
I was provided a Feisol Carbon Fiber Tripod and a Carbon Fiber Tripod to do a review. The review may be read/downloaded by clicking on the link: Feisol ReviewI highly recommend both products.
Feisol Carbon Fiber Tripods, Ballheads and accessories
I have been following the Feisol product line for some time now and have been very impressed with their products. Their carbon fiber tripods and carbon fiber (yes carbon fiber) ballheads are well constructed, strong and will withstand the most adverse conditions. I have finished a review of their Tournament Tripod Model CT-3442, a light folding 4 section tripod and their Arca Swiss compatible Carbon Fiber Ball-head Model CB50DC and will be posting this tomorrow.I will happily recommend these products to any photographer longing to buy a good tripod, upgrade their existing tripod or head or just get another one.I feel strongly enough to endorse their products and have become a Feisol affiliate. There is a permanent affiliate link on my "Products and Discounts" page.If you wish to see more on Feisol products or to purchase, please click on the banner below to be directed to their site.
My review of Lightroom 4 Public Beta
I spent all day looking at and using the Lightroom 4 Beta. I like a number of the new features that it has and am also disappointed that some of the modules have not had the enhancements I was hoping for. I have the review available as a PDF document that you can get by clicking on the following:
Lightroom 4 Public Beta Review.Your feedback and comments would be most appreciated.