Canon Powershot G10

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Even though the Canon Powershot G10 is rather heavy and chunky by todays standards it feels solid and very much like a “real” camera.

The G10 performs at its best when shooting wide open at 2.8 and at its lowest ISO of 80. Sharpness quickly falls off when you start stopping increasing the aperture. Noise becomes noticeable at 200 ISO and could be described as poor by 400 ISO.

Shooting at such a low ISO can be limiting. A tripod naturally helps but this obviously defeats the object of a compact camera. But, if you can work within with these limitations you’ll be rewarded with superb results which can be rather reminiscent of film.

The Canon Powershot G10 is still my all time favourite compact camera.

Coolscan 5000 ED

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The Nikon CoolScan 5000 ED is highly regarded. It’s known to be one of the very best 35mm Film Scanners ever produced and sets the benchmark for this type of scanner.

This professional grade scanner will scan both 35mm slides and negatives at up to 4000 dpi. It’s perfect for those who shoot “analogue” and demand the very best from their 35mm scans.

Although Nikon stopped updating the software for this scanner many years ago, luckily both Hamrick Software’s Vuescan or Silverfast run perfectly. Both of these apps produce exceptional results.

Scans can be opened as usual in Lightroom, Photoshop or other editing applications for editing as normal.

Highly recommended for the analogue shooter.

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The Light Machine

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Still popular today and much sought after by off-camera flash enthusiasts, the Vivitar 283 is a true classic.

Introduced in 1970 and promoted by Vivitar as “The Light Machine”; the 283 became the world’s best selling flash and outsold all its competitors combined. Although a little slow to charge the 283 was very popular with both professionals and amateurs. Earning a reputation as a reliable and dependable workhorse it became a mainstay with photographers around the world.

Revolutionary in its time, the “Auto Thyristor” circuitry cut off the flash when the correct exposure had been detected by the built-in sensor allowing faster recycling time and a higher number of flashes.

Vivitar 283 – An Expandable Workhorse

A range of accessories extended the capability of the 283 which helped it’s appeal. Out of the box, the 283 provided four auto exposure modes plus manual. Greater flexibility could be achieved with the the VP-1 Varipower Module which provided full manual control of the flash output from full to 1/64th power.

The BD-1 attached an 8x10in card to the flash to help soften and spread the light.Varipower Module VP-1

  • Varipower Module VP-1
  • Bounce Diffuser BD-1
  • Filter and Lens Kits FK-1, LK-1
  • Lens/Filter Adaptor FA-1
  • Remote Sensor Cords SC-1, SC-2
  • Remote Flash Trigger SL-1
  • High Voltage Pack HVP-1
  • RB-510 Battery for HVP-1
  • Special NiCad Pack NC-3
  • AC Adaptor SB-4

Vivitar 283 – Trigger Voltage Issue

Over the years the Vivitar 283 was manufactured in Korea, Hong Kong and Japan. With some versions the trigger voltage is extremely high and can run to hundreds of volts! With film cameras of the time this wasn’t a problem as the mechanical systems could handle it. With a modern DSLR or Mirrorless camera however, its’ a serious issue and the high voltage can easily damage the circuitry of modern digital cameras.

Some theories suggest that the models produced in Japan suffer from the high sync voltage issue. However, I have a Korean version which has a sync voltage of 260v!

While it’s highly advisable to check the sync voltage with a multi-meter before attaching a Vivitar 283 to a DSLR, it’s much safer to err on the side of caution and NEVER directly connect one to the camera. If you use an optical slave or wireless trigger such as a Pocket Wizard to fire your flash you’ll be set to go and the high voltage won’t be a problem.

Vivitar 283 – Modifications

At the height of it’s popularity, several companies offered modifications to the Vivitar 283. Versions could be built with 2 flash heads.

A Portable Lighting Setup

A couple of 283s with VP-1 modules, Manfrotto nano stands, umbrellas, and radio triggers makes for an ideal lightweight lighting setup. We still keep this kit handy and ready to go in a small tripod bag. We often end up using them to supplement our other lighting on location.

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Casino Park Hotel

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Funchal’s Pestana Casino Park Hotel designed by Post-Modern architect Oscar Niemeyer

Designed by post-modern Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, Funchal’s Casino Park Hotel explores the creative and aesthetic possibilities of reinforced concrete.

Funchal’s Pestana Casino Park Hotel designed by Post-Modern architect Oscar Niemeyer

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Beast From The East

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February’s storm was the most dramatic we’ve witnessed for a while. What better way to experience the Northumberland coast than by clinging to the railings of Seahouses Harbour and feel the exhilarating power of “The Beast From The East” full-on!

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Yashica Reflex 35

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The Reflex 35 J was the first camera of the ‘J’ series Manufactured by Yashica Co., Ltd., Tokyo Japan. This was the second real camera I owned after the extremely heavy and tank-like Edixa Matt Reflex.

Shutter speeds ranged from 1/2 to 1/500 second, plus ‘B’ which are set by aligning the numbers on the shutter speed dial with a black triangle on the camera body.

Close up of the sync sockets on a Yashica Reflex SLR

While there isn’t a hot shoe, the camera is equipped with two separate flash sync terminals. The uppermost marked FP is for use with ‘FP’ flashbulbs, while the lower terminal, marked ‘X’ is for use with either electronic flash or ‘M’ & ‘F’ flashbulbs. When using the ‘X’ sync terminal, the instruction manual indicates that the Shutter Speed Dial should be set to the red ‘X’ to obtain proper flash sync.

Close up of the lens on a Yashica Reflex SLR showing the focus and depth-of-field scales.

The standard lens is a 50mm f/2 Auto Yashinon which fitted the M42 screw lens mount. F/stops are adjusted by turning the click stops on the aperture ring with a red dot indicated the selected f/stop. The lens has a diaphragm preset lever which allowed for “fully open” focusing with the lens only stopping down when the shutter button is pressed.

Close up of pentaprism on a Yashica Reflex SLR camera. The Yashica brand name can be clearly seen.

Yashica produced a range of accessories for the Reflex 35 including a clip-on exposure meter, specially designed for the camera which allowed exposure readings to be taken automatically. Also produced were extension tubes, a right-angle viewfinder, and a lens hood.  A range of filters was also produced; Y1, Y2, O2, G, R, B and UV for black and white films and 1A, 80B, 81B, 82A and 85C for colour.

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Lac d’Annecy

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Lac d’Annecy “The Jewel of the French Alps”

The third largest lake in France, Lake Annecy is a popular tourist destination known for its swimming and water sports. Thanks to very tight environmental regulation, the water is crystal clear, and Lake Annecy is known as “Europe’s cleanest lake”.

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