PhotographyBanzai.com

The Pentax WG-2 has a special macro configuration that allows some unique images. In addition to the lens being capable of a 1cm macro mode, the camera comes with 6 while LED lights that surround the front element of the lens. This allows these extreme close ups to have sufficient light.  Here is a picture of the camera’s lens and macro lights: The white circles surrounding the lens glass are the LED lights. This function can be turned on or off at will. Getting a photo of your own eye isn’t the easiest thing to do. Especially with large cameras that are more capable of doing that from a technical standpoint. DSLRs are heavy and macro lenses on DSLRs are not always the best at auto-focus. With the WG-2, it’s pretty simple. Get the lens as close to your eye as possible and take a picture. There is some trial and error involved, but keepers are easily possible. Results are very impressive considering the equipment being used. Here are a few examples: The best photo of the set...

Around September, I made the decision to switch to a system that supports full-frame imaging sensors. I currently have all of my previous gear on consignment, so I’ve only been able to get a few things to hold my photography over until it is liquidated.  Me and the camera. I was hoping that consignment would be quick and painless, but it looks like it will take a long time to get most things sold off. While I could handle everything myself by selling online, I don’t particularly like the risk and other issues that come with it. Look for the Nikon D7000 through my links: KEH (180 day warranty for most gear) , eBay , B&H , and  Amazon As an affiliate of these shops, I earn from qualifying purchases!  I was able to pick up a few tools in the new system that I could use to get started with. More specifically a Nikon D7000 and a 50mm f1.8g lens. Half of it is thanks to a friend that offered up his D7000 for a good price. So far, I’m liking it. The taller grip makes holding...

Yesterday I went to a cosplay meetup that my friend organized. It was located at Edwards Apple Orchard Cosplay in Poplar Grove, IL. If you frequent this website or my Youtube channel, you probably know I’m in the process of switching out my DSLR equipment. Right now I only have the Pentax Optio WG-II, so I used that. Here are a few highlights from the meetup: You can see more images here. This camera is, at times, more challenging to use than a DSLR. The inherent limitations of a small camera require a certain level of care to produce a decent result. I think that I was capable of extracting about 70% of the camera’s technical capability, but I did make quite a few mistakes throughout the photo taking sessions. Most importantly, the camera needs ample time to gain proper focus before I recompose the frame. Even with a small aperture lens and small sensor, this was an issue.  The telephoto end of the camera seems a lot more difficult to use properly. With the maximum apert...

I recently consigned my last DSLR camera body. While I am still hanging onto some lenses for a potential local sale, I wanted to move forward with selling as much of my equipment as possible. I do have a very old digicam that I mostly used in 2006, but I thought something low cost, yet new, would be a good idea. The Optio WG-II line just dropped in price at my local camera shop, so while I was there, I picked up a solid black unit.  This of this article as basic overview of the camera before I’m able to do something more extensive with better equipment. Taking quality product shots and video for a detailed review isn’t really possible at the moment. Here are a few webcam based videos that I’ve already made with the camera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXLzEG_aHKA Using it with one hand modification. Being taken seriously with a small camera. Get a second battery (especially with small digicams). How to hold a small camera. Optical fisheye effect with the WG-II (not the digita...