MIOPS Smart Trigger Review
I purchased the MIOPS Smart Trigger last summer after seeing it being used by a few photographers in Europe. This a combination trigger, intervalometer, remote and a whole lot more. The nice part is that it is well built, small and light. The MIOPS can be purchased for $220 to $240 based on the camera cables you need.The unit measures approximately 2.5 in. X 4.0 in. and weighs just under 4.0 oz. including the battery.The MIOPS trigger has six modes of preprogrammed operation and one “Do It Yourself” port. A really useful feature is that you can vary the sensitivity of each of the modes as appropriate. The controller is very durable. I have had it in my bag for over 1 year and is does not show any signs of wear and continues to perform very well.A 128×128 pixel, full-color display, is mounted just above the large buttons, used for operation and selecting menu options on the front of the trigger.The device is powered by a 3.7 V/1020 mAh. lithium-ion rechargeable battery.The MIOPS can be used with Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, Canon and Nikon, as well as other brands. The trigger hardware is identical for all configurations with the exception of the supplied cables that need to match the I/O ports of your camera.
This allows you to use one MIOPS with various camera models as long as you purchase the right connection cables.The trigger unit is used in two ways, either to trigger an external flash or to activate the shutter of your camera. Flash units are connected via the PC sync jack, and cameras are connected via the remote shutter release jack.
The MIOPS internal (replaceable) battery can be charged via a micro-USB cable and any USB charger or your PC’s USB Port,The MIOPS is manufactured using a strong plastic with well configured, raised push button controls. The screen is an LED display and is easy to read in most lighting conditions. It has an internal microphone and a light-sensitive sensor for activating laser and lightning modes. For the DIY mode, an additional port is provided that can be connected to an external sensor.The trigger can be mounted using the camera hot shoe or on any support that has a 1/4 20 screw mount.The MIOPS can be used remotely via the free MIOPS smartphone app for IOS and Android phones.For triggering with the MIOPS it is best to set your camera to manual exposure and manual focus.
HDR Mode: this is a mode that is good for cameras that either do not have an internal bracketing mode or where the camera is limited to just the 3 shot bracket. The MIOPS trigger will allow you to set 3, 5, and 7 shot brackets. I prefer to use the camera’s internal bracketing/HDR modes.
Scenario Mode: works in combination with the smartphone app. You can store up to three different scenarios to the MIOPS to be executed later. When you create a new scenario and run it, it will be also stored to the MIOPS. You can run each scenario later. To make any change you must do it via the app on the phone. The scenario mode screen lets you choose one of three previously stored scenarios. The screen will display which step is currently running and when the scenario ends, the MIOPS will return to the selection screen.
In conclusion, I have no hesitation in recommending the MIOPS Smart. There are a number of other features that are available when you use the smartphone app that I will leave for a future post.MIOPS Triggers are available at Hunts Photo & Video - here is a link to the Panasonic Version - use the search field for other versions. For more information, you can visit the MIOPS web site at www.miops.com
Bisti Badlands on a Cloudless Day
This image was captured in the fall of 2015. Back then, the cloudless sky did not appeal to me. Looking at this image two years later in B&W has it own appeal. Would love to go back next year and explore the region some more.
Iceland – The Land of Fire and Ice Photo Workshop - Sept. 22 - 29, 2017
September 22 - September 29, 2017 Iceland – The Land of Fire and Ice – is an experience for non-photographers and photographers alike. The country provides the opportunities to capture mighty glaciers, waterfalls and spouting geysers. Majestic mountains, magnificent coastlines and smoking volcanoes. September is the beginning of the awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights.Iceland is by far an ideal destination for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Its modern infrastructure and excellent location, midway between Europe and the United States and with direct flights, makes it ideal for the sighting of the Northern Lights.In late summer Iceland is truly magical. As this workshop is scheduled for September and solar activity permitting we should have some opportunities for seeing and photographing the Aurora Borealis.Please note: as the northern lights are natural phenomena, we cannot guarantee sightings.On this tour, we will take you to the very best photography locations Iceland has to offer. We will visit the many rugged volcanic landscapes, the iconic giant waterfalls, glacier lagoon, the black volcanic coastline.ItineraryA detailed day by day itinerary will be provided on registration along with recommendations for clothing, equipment and all relevant information to ensure an exceptional experience.Location Highlights Reykjanes peninsula: The lava scarred Reykjanes peninsula lies on the MID-Atlantic Ridge that borders the America’s and Europe. We will photograph, volcanic landscapes, moss covers lava fields, the Icelandic coastline, Lighthouses, ship wrecks and the famous Blue Lagoon. In addition, we will get a chance to photograph geothermal pools and a geothermal plant at night.
The Golden Circle: This is the region of Thingvellir – Geysir, – Gullfoss one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls – The Highlands region. We will visit Þingvellir, Iceland’s first national park est. 1930. where the Viking Parliament was established in 930AD.Geysir geothermal area is known for its erupting springs with the famous Strokkur that spouts regularly every 5 to 8 minutes.
Vatnajökull National Park: Vatnajökull glacier is the largest of all the glaciers in Iceland.
Jökulsárlón lagoon is beautiful glacial lagoon full of icebergs that range in color from white to deep blue to crystal clear. Exceptional light makes for phenomenal landscapes.Skaftafell, Iceland’s second largest national park. Here the landscape is representative of the various formations created by volcanic and glacial activity
Reynisdrangar: basalt sea stacks situated near the village of Vík í Mýrdal. A very photogenic church atop a hill makes for some beautiful photo opportunities. Dyrhólaey: a 120-meter high promontory is the southernmost part of the Iceland. Here you can feel and capture images of the power of the Icelandic seascapes. Elevated views and sea level views are possible.Skógafoss one of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls in the country, 25 meters wide and a height of 60 meters. On sunny days one or two rainbows are usually visible.Seljalandsfoss, one of the most picture perfect waterfalls. Here you can actually take a path and go behind the falls and photograph through the falling water. 
Búðir is the home of a famous inn and restaurant Hotel Búðir and a very old small church. The original old house and Hotel Búðir burned down on 21 February 2001 and was rebuilt to resemble the original old inn house.
Arnarstapi or Stapi is a small fishing village at the foot of Mt. Stapafell. In Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth, Stapi is the last stop on the route the protagonists take before they climb Snæfellsjökull and enter the interior of the planet through a tunnel in the crater.Hellnar is a fishing village. The beach has spectacular rock formations. One of these is a protruding cliff called Valasnös, which reaches across the ocean front and into the sea. Here there is a cave known for its colorful changes of light and shade.We will also visit Djupalon, Svortuloft, Skardsvik, Bjarnarhofn and many other exceptional photographic locations.
RegistrationRegistration requires a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 participants. The trip fees are $3,350. Accompanying non-photographers $2,950 - no special arrangements will be made.The single supplement fee is $950.Fees include accommodation, breakfast each day and all transportation in IcelandThe fee does not include:Your air fare to and from Reykjavik, Iceland, airport taxes, travel insurance (highly recommended). Meals other than breakfast. Personal expenses, tips, alcoholic drinks, telephones, laundry, personal travel if incurred and incidentals.Please complete the registration and release forms A deposit of $1,500 is required to confirm your reservation. The balance is due by September 5, 2017.Please make your payments to Shiv Verma and mail them to 652 Dedham Street, Wrentham, MA 02093-1149. Credit cards and PayPal are accepted (a 4% fee applies) please call 617.759.0010 if that is how you wish to pay.Travel & Accommodation Please make arrangement to arrive in Iceland Keflavik International Airport on the morning of day 1. You will take the FlyBus to the Foss Hotel in downtown Reykjavik and check-in to the hotel. Check-in is in the afternoon but the hotel will do its best to accommodate you. For those arriving very early, breakfast will be available at the hotel. Fly bus details will be sent to registrants.We will be staying at the Foss Hotel in Reykjavik on a double occupancy basis. For two nights we will be on the southern coast in Hali where we will be staying at the Hali Country Hotel InformationContact us at 617.759.0010 or emailsv @ shivverma.com (please remove spaces)
Fall Foliage and Landscape Photo Tour - October 6 - 9, 2017
October 6 to 9, 2017.
The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York comprises series of eleven glacial lakes. Native American legend implies that the Creator looked upon this land with special favor and reached down to bless it, leaving the imprint of His hand, hence, the Finger Lakes. Each lake offers it's own unique photo opportunities. From streams and waterfalls to massive gorges. This photo tour/workshop will cover two of the regions lakes. This tour/workshop is suitable for all photographers. We will work with individual participants to maximize your experience and to enhance your photography.
ITINERARYWe will arrive late evening on October 6, 2017
Day 1 – October 7, 2017
Taughannock Falls State ParkPronounced Tuh-GA-nick. We will travel the length of this magnificent gorge which is about 1 mile photographing the two unique faces of the gorge. Taughannock falls has carved a 400ft deep gorge through layers of sandstone, shale and limestone. At the end of the trail we will reach the falls. With a 215 foot plunge, this waterfall stands three stories taller than Niagara Falls.Robert H. Treman State ParkHere we will photograph Enfield Glen with its craggy gorges and winding trails. Here is where we can capture the beauty of the 115ft tall Lucifer Falls and Devil's Kitchen.
Day 2 - October 8, 2017
Watkins Glen State ParkSurrounded by picturesque wineries and a glacially carved landscape of rolling hills, waterfalls, lakes and gorges, Watkins Glen State Park offers unbelievable natural beauty. We will capture the beauty of the spectacular 156-foot She-Qua-Ga Falls and the 165-foot Hector Falls. Both these are roadside shots. We will hike the gorge that is a 1.5 mile trail that follows the stream that has years carved its path creating waterfalls, pools, and cliffs. The park has about 20 major waterfalls.
Day 3 - October 9, 2017
Buttermilk FallsButtermilk Creek descends more than 500 feet in a series of cascades and rapids with a natural pool at the base. Time and weather permitting we will take a trail upstream for some exceptional landscapes.Ithaca FallsThe falls have a drop of 150ft and width of 175ft, Ithaca Falls is the region’s most powerful and most impressive.Depart mid to late afternoon.Our days will be based on a very flexible schedule allowing us to respond to the opportunities based on the weather and light conditions, so you can have the best experience each day. We start early each day so as to capture images in the best light, breaking at midday for lunch and then head out for more photography, concluding after sunset Dinner is at a location of your choosing. We will use our own vehicles, car pooling is suggested.Registration Registration is limited to 6 photographers and the cost is $775 per photographer.We will be staying at the:Quality Inn356 Elmira Rd.,Ithaca, NY, US, 14850Tel: +1 (607) 272-0100Double occupancy and breakfast included. Please complete the registration and release forms. A $300 deposit is required to confirm your reservation. The balance is due by September 20, 2017. Please make your payments to Shiv Verma and mail them to 652 Dedham Street, Wrentham, MA 02093-1149
Lumix GH5 Image Stabilization
This image was captured last night July 30, 2017 at 9:45. Panasonic had sent me the relatively new 12 - 60 mm f/2.8 - F/4 Leica lens to show at SWMCCVC so I decided to take it out for a test. The lens is absolutely amazing but what is more amazing is the GH5 and it Dual IS II when combined with this lens. I tried this shot by holding the camera and framing the image using the articulating screen. I did not get very good results so I brought the camera up to my eye and used the EVF. The extra anchor of my face worked. The lens was at 34 mm (68 mm FF equivalent). The exposure triad is f/3.8, 1 sec at ISO 200. I was not very sure if this was going to work but it sure did. Post processed to correct the horizon, pull back the highlights and open up the shadows a little.
Why? - Skip Cohen University
It is clear that that the photography industry has a tremendous number of great photographers who have done a lot for this art. However, not many combine and bring to us not only the art of photography but the art of education, marketing, social media and business. One such person is Skip Cohen. As the former President of Hasselblad USA, the past President/Chief Operating Officer of Rangefinder Publishing Inc., the current President/Founder of Marketing Essentials International and the Photo Resource Hub. He has been responsible for Rangefinder Magazine, After Capture Magazine, the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Association and the WPPI Convention and Trade Show, and serves as PPA’s Industry Advisor and Board member. He has authored six photography books. One of his new undertakings is Skip Cohen University I would encourage all my fllow photographers to spend some time on this site.Skip started an interesting Blog/Podcast and entitled it "Why?" - t's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound byte. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. I am thrilled to have one of my recent images "Refugees Welcome" featured on "Why" CLICK HERE to read and hear this short podcast.Thank you Skip.
Testing the Panasonic Leica 45mm Macro
This is a two image pano shot using the Panasonic Lumix GH5 and the Panasonic Leica 45mm macro lens. The exposure triad is f/7.1, 2 sec at ISO 200. Raw images processed in Capture One exported as TIFFs and stitched using Affinity. See the image full size to see how great this combination is.
GH5 High ISO in a studio setting
This image was captured last weekend at NECCC. Panasonic Lumix GH5 using the original Lumix Vario 35 - 100 mm f/2.8 lens. at 100 mm. Exposure triad f/2.8, 1/160 sec, ISO 3200. The image is straight out of camera with only a minor crop for composition and no retouching. The RAW to JPG conversion was done using Capture One Pro The camera performs exceptionally well as does the lens. there is no lack of sharpness, the color rendition is great as is the stabilization. There is a lot of great video produced using the GH5 but I am so pleased with the performance of this camera for stills.
Panasonic 4 Day Promotion
If you are in Massachusetts or want to mail order call Alan Samiljan of Hunts Photo and Video, at 781-462-2383
"Refugees Welcome"
After a lot of debate I decided to title this image "Refugees Welcome". In the past 6 months the topic of refugees has been dominant in the news. With Canada as one of the countries that has openly welcomed refugees, I felt this image represented the statement appropriately. The concrete totems can be viewed as either emerging or going into the St. Lawrence river in Northern Quebec.A little back story on this image: we had picked a number of location to photograph this morning but the incessant rain messed up our plans. So we stopped for a second breakfast and more coffee. - Well one just cant keep sitting in a restaurant for ever so I decided to get this image rain or no rain. It was pouring but I had my GH5 with the 12 - 35 mm f/2.8 (version 1) lens attached. I wanted to slow the shutter down so as to prevent capturing the water drops splashing on the water but was not going to venture back to the car to get my ND filters. I had my polarizer on so I closed down the aperture to f/18 that was enough to give me a shutter speed of 60 seconds at ISO 100 - yes it was quite dark and miserable. I held my hand over the front of the lens to prevent rain from ruining the image. The camera and lens were soaked but I got the image. I am convinced, first hand - the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is great in the rain. One day I might consider doing a dust test - Africa or India would be great for that.The following images are ones I have already posted on Facebook but wanted to include them as a record of the trip to Northern Quebec and New Brunswick over the 4th of July weekend 2017. 
AURORA HDR 2017 - 72 HOUR FLASH SALE
Aurora HDR 2017 + 26 presets from Trey Ratcliff for the lowest price ever!
OFFER AVAILABILITY: Tuesday June 27th - Friday June 30th
Pricing:
Here is what you get:
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Aurora HDR 2017 - The most awarded HDR photo editor for Mac
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Trey's Expansion Preset Pack - 26 presets from Pro Photographe and HDR guru, Trey Ratcliff
Think Tank - Sizzler
Think Tank Photo has just announced what they’re calling their “Sizzling Summer Savings.” With it, you can save up to 30% on some of their most popular gear, including their Urban Approach and Perception shoulder bags and backpacks, Retrospective Leather and CityWalker shoulder bags, and the My 2nd Brain laptop bags. And don’t forget, by using my special Web link, you will receive free gear and free shipping with your orders!CLICK HERE TO ORDER
Sail Boston 2017 - "Street Photography"
All images captured using the Panasonic Lumix GH5 and the Lumix Vario 35 - 100 f/2.8 lens. 
New Hard Cases from Think Tank and SKB
Think Tank Photo have just announced an exciting new partnership with hard-case manufacturer SKB. Think Tank’s designers have created internal divider sets, organizers, and a backpack designed specifically to fit within 10 SKB hard cases. There are times when you simply have to airline gate-check your most precious photography equipment. At moments like these, nothing will do a better job of protection than a hard case. But one of the downsides of hard cases is that they are basically hard shells with not a lot of other features built into them. Think Tank’s partnership with SKB solves this problem. The result is the best of a hard case with the best of internal organization. Don’t forget that with our special partnership with Think Tank that you receive free gear and free shipping when you order using our special link.
The Pixel Connection
This weekend I will be at the Pixel Connection photography show and programs. On Saturday June 3rd I will be leading a Macro photowalk - and would love to have you join. The event is free and promises to be a great learning experience and a lot of fun too. I addition, I will be at the local camera club and the store showing the fabulous Panasonic Lumix line-up. 
The GH5 continues to excel
With the exception of the last three years we typically go to Damariscotta Maine to photograph the Osprey fishing for alewives. The main reason for not going was the decline in activity. However we did spend this past weekend in a lovely B&B - The Mill Pond Inn in Nobleboro. It is a great place and has two of the finest hosts.My main purpose was to test out the GH5 for its tracking capability and the Dual IS 2 function. Both these images were shot with the GH5 and the Leica 100 - 400 lens, hand-held. Exposure was set to "Manual" and the ISO was set on Auto. The focus was set to 1 Area and reduced to its smallest size. All images processed using Capture One Pro, version 10I intentionally left the shutter speed slow so as to get a lot of motion in the wings and to have the water droplets streak. I panned this shot keeping the 1 Area on the bird's eye.
As we waited for more action (that never happened) a Bald Eagle flew by in the distance and finally landed on a tree on the far bank. I knew that the bird was just to far to get a decent shot but I wanted to see what I could get irrespective. Once again this was hand held. I did increase the shutter speed to 1/1600 sec and the lens was out at 800 mm (FF equivalent).This next image is the un-cropped version.
The next image is a crop at 1400 by 1050 pixels:
#LumixLounge #wherelumixgoes #lumixusa #lumixGH5 #gh5 #birdphotography#birds #africa #wildlifephotography
Platypod Ultra (+ Multi-Accessory Kit) now on Kickstarter
The world's most compact tripod and versatile photography accessory has a brand-new look! Get low-angle shots in unusual spots. GET IT ON KICKSTARTER HERE 
GH5 with Leica 12-60mm at Shutterfest
This was one of my very first images captured with the GH5 using the Leica 12 - 60 lens while the model was being prepped. The image is a jpg capture in sRGB. Click on the image to view it larger.
Capture One Pro 10.1 released with support for the Panasonic Lumix GH5
Capture One Pro 10.1 offers new key features and general improvements.New in this release:
- Enhanced Styles workflow
- Improved PSD Support
- Improved Fuji X-Trans support
- Temporary reset of adjustments
- Vectorscope Color Wheels Layout
- Tokenized watermarking
- Apple Script Enhancements (Mac only)
- Graphics Acceleration (OpenCL) improvements
- New camera and lens support
Capture One Pro 10.1 is a free update for Capture One Pro 10 owners and subscribers.CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
Panasonic Lumix GH5 - High ISO tests
These images were captured with the Lumix GH5 at ISO 6400 over the past few days during the Florida Birding and Photography Festival in St. Augustine.No in camera or Lightroom noise reduction has been applied. Images have been cropped for composition and white and black points set.
