Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe 60 x 60 cm ( 24'' x 24'') - The Softbox forYour Flash

Well finally had the softbox delivered as the first one was lost on transit from carrier.

I have to say it was worth the wait the box is easy to assemble , like a pop up tent! Just attach bracket to rear and two diffusion panels which velcro in and your good to go. There are also additional masks available that you can attach for creative effects and even a honeycombed grid for even more controlled light.

The bracket is well made and designed allowing the most common used speedlites to attach without problem .

The only thing I wanted was to be able to angle the softbox up or down but for this you need a additional bracket which is available for around £15 or you may have a suitable umbrella adapter you may be able to use if you have a large enough spigot.

Not had a chance to really use it yet just one very quick home shoot but I was very impressed with the build quality and the results it produced.

I would highly recommend this softbox to anyone looking for a good speedlite light mod as this makes a great key light especially for portraits.

Hope to have some more images from it soon so check out my Flickr photo stream for latest images

Black Rapid Sport II

Today my new sling strap arrived and would like to recommend it to you all. If you are looking for a new strap for you camera i highly recommend the Black rapid Sport II sling strap. It feels very comfortable to wear and very secure. It is a little expensive for a strap but i am a great believer in you get what you pay for! This is a quality product well made and will last you years.

The sling strap takes all the weight from around your neck and distributes it more evenly. Great for if you out on location walking around. The camera can be locked in position at your hip when not in use and unlocked so you can slide it up the strap to shooting position.

If your camera has a tripod plate you may need to purchase a extra attachment if you want to keep the plate on as well, i purchased the extra for my manfrotto RC2 style plate. You do have to remove strap from camera to use on tripod but this is very quick and easy with the attachment, means you don't have to keep removing the thread all the time.

Check it out on their website, great strap if you in the market for a good one.

I got mine from Amazon site
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Catbells from Hoarse End

A gentle walk even the grandparents can do ! I think that was a quote I read but you would have to be a pretty fit biddy ! It a fairly steep climb to start before reaching the first flat spot. From here you walk along for a while to you reach a rocky scramble which if, like me, you take the wrong route it turns into a but of a climb up slippery rocks with a nice drop below if you fall. This was a nervous point but one we managed. From here was a short scramble to the summit. After a nice rest and a few photos we walked further along towards high spy although we didn't make it all the way, we came back via a disused mine and along a footpath taking is around catbells towards skelgill. The view from the summit of catbells were breathtaking overlooking Derwent water, keep looking at my Flickr for images to follow in coming days.

Sadly this was our last day and tomorrow we head home leaving behind the lakes I love so much . Thanks to my mate Barry for a good few days hope to do some of the bigger fells next time. Sadly not getting any younger and did find it a bit if a struggle at times .

Aira Force

Today we went for a walk around the aira force area taking in the view of the main fall along the way. In my opinion the river above the main fall is more picturesque and hope to post ages on my return, again home and showered now off for a drink ;-)

Haystacks

Today we made it to the top of Haystacks. On the way we had wind rain sleet hail and yes even snow ! Great walk up visited a couple of tarns on the way and took a few pics . Camera went away in the end due to bad weather hope to post images soon ! Off for a beer now !

Morning from the lakes

Well first morning awake in the lakes and it's been raining all night. Just starting to ease now. Hope to be able to get to Haystacks today where the late great Alfred Wainrights ashes were scattered, may be a wet day but still how to get a few shots !

Deb - Canon 70-200 F/4.0 L USM

Deb - Canon 70-200 F/4.0 L USM


Finally decided on a new lens and as i didn't really have a good medium telephoto lens this is what i went for. I watched review after review and tied myself up in knot's! After ruling out the top of the range F/2.8 with IS mainly due to budget i looked at both the F/4.0 versions. The F/4.0 with IS was about £500 more expensive than the Non IS version. So given my photography will be mainly outdoors and also with speedlites i decided to plump for the cheapest version the Canon 70-200 F/4.0 L USM was £529.95 but at the moment you can claim £45 cash back from canon via a redemption form available online.

This is my first image i have produced with it so i have yet to see if it lives up to its great reviews. I do have to say that this is my first L lens and the quality is very good and the lens is very sharp. I would have to say if you do a lot of indoor photography then the F/4.0 IS version would be better as this gives you about three stops of extra light and the more expensive F/2.8 will only give you the one stop extra, just my opinion.

Problem is i already want to upgrade my other lenses to L series!! Better buy a lottery ticket i think!!





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London Festival Of Photography Tickets Now Available

London Festival Of Photography Tickets Now Available

Great read never been but would like to go this year maybe




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Riveting Read - Speedlite 52 - Week 12

Riveting Read - Speedlite 52 - Week 12

This is a composite image made up of three seperate images, Each image was done with speedlites in different positions which gives each of me a different look. However it was fairly difficult to work out how to merge the three images together given the different lighting and shaddow casts.

Strobist

580 ex ii fired into westcott reflective umbrella
430 ex ii fired bare but zoomed into 70mm into the magazine
Aputure Trigmaster Plus Triggers.



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