Category Archives: Photography

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Product Review: The Flashpoint DG600 300 w/s AC/DC Monolight

I’ve been testing a studio strobe from Adorama, the  Flashpoint DG-600. Intended for use in both studio and location work, this is a 300/WS workhorse (published guide number of 58m/190ft ISO 100) that offers flexibility in many types of shooting situations. It can run on normal household power (US) or a 12v DC power pack.

The housing of the light is made of heavyweight plastic, and seems quite durable. An attached carrying handle is provided, as is a  8” metal reflector – the latter is attached using a locking bayonet-style design.

On the front end, one sees a conventional semi-circular flash tube mounted in front of an LED-array modeling light.

hero shot angle

At the back, most controls are push-button variety, with the exception of the power switch, which provides on/AC, off, and on/DC positions.

hero shot rear

The unit is provided with a nice long power cord (which is a good change – it seems lately that power cords are shrinking in length, or are not provided at all), and a PC/sync cord for those of use who haven’t yet gone to wireless triggers. The sync plug on the housing is of mini-plug variety, not the full-size “stereo” plugs one often sees.

Push button controls include flash test, sound on/off, modeling light, and slave operation. Flash intensity is read through a digital numeric display, and is controlled through a rotating knob. Flash intensity numbers are not linked to f/stop, but are displayed relative to total flash output, from nil to maximum.

Flash output is consistent in intensity right from start up, and stays that way throughout a shoot. Max recycling time is 1.5 seconds at max power (AC) – but at lower power settings is near-instantaneous. The cooling fan is quiet and unobtrusive. Stated flash duration is 1/800 to 1/1500/sec.

I also tested the light with a color meter. While I found that the light easily hit daylight color temperature (5500k) a from a cold start, it needed to fire a few times before settling in and stabilizing at this color temperature. (In other words, color temp varied a bit from shot to shot from a cold start to warm-up).

Once warmed up, variance in color temperature in the mid- to ¾-power range was not a significant issue. At full power, it took a bit longer for the light to warm up and stabilize – if you are shooting at full power, and the light has been resting a while, fire off five or six test shots to bring everything into line.

The modeling light is an LED array, which operates in proportion to flash output settings. This is a great idea – those of us who engage in day-long shoots will appreciate this. Completely cool, with no appreciable heat generated, so less wear and tear on umbrellas and soft boxes, not to mention one’s fingers!

Also, unlike tungsten or halogen-based bulbs, it is roughly the same color temperature as the flash tube, which is a significant convenience. However, the modeling light is challenged to provide enough illumination used with a diffuser or soft box, and I’d like to see available luminance increased. Otherwise, a brilliant idea (no pun.)

One might think that the lower power usage of the LED modeling light would bode well for its use with a battery pack – however, Adorama doesn’t recommend this.

Accessories available include a NIMH portable battery pack and spare battery, a speed ring for soft box/light modifiers, a beauty dish, umbrellas, and related items.

At this price point, $199, this light is a good value vis-à-vis overall build quality and light output, and it appears that it would deliver sold performance in the field or in the studio. In my opinion, at 300/ws, a couple of these would fill an average room nicely – even at levels below full power. All you location shooters and real estate photographers, take note!

The Flashpoint DG-600 is available through Adorama: http://www.adorama.com/FP600DG.html

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Free Webinar: Valentine’s Photography: Photographing Loved Ones, Couples and More

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate and express love. Photography is a great tool to use when capturing those special moments. It can be a busy time for photographing couples, families, friends, kids, etc. There are many elements to consider in your capture to output workflow. This webinar will explore posing, lighting, editing and printing of Valentine’s Day photography.

Join us, Wednesday, January 30th from 3PM-4PM EST, as Datacolor Experts David Saffir and C. David Tobie share their love of photography with you and some tips and tricks to use for this special holiday.

An interactive Q&A will take place throughout the webinar to answer any questions you may have.

Two lucky webinar guests will win a free SpyderCUBE!

Here’s a link to register for the Valentine’s Photography Webinar

iStock_000022961707XSmall

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Recorded Webinar: Exploring Photographic Composition in Landscape and Still Life

Just completed my collaboration with C. David Tobie in this webinar: Exploring Photographic Composition in Landscape and Still Life
Co-sponsored by Datacolor and Digital Silver Imaging

Photographic composition is a key element of photography. To master composition, one must learn the ability to see compositions as shapes, lines, forms, masses, etc., and not just as recognizable objects. You must be able to visualize how objects function as forms in space under light, and how they will relate to a two dimensional composition. This webinar gives an overview of the use of photographic composition in landscape and still life photography, drawing examples from the work of masters of photography, as well as our own photographers.

Enjoy!

Here’s a few comments offered by those who participated in the “live” version:

-Thank you for conducting an “artists” seminar. Getting the correct exposure and color balance are important, but understanding the complexities of visual interpretation and the psychology of experiencing images is so important. Your comments relative to the “human elements” within the images were very strong. Thanks for expanding your topics to include this so a deeper appreciation of the artistic aspects can be appreciated!
-RS

-Guys… this was a simply AMAZING webinar. One of the best I have ever attended. I am teaching two classes as we speak, and you have both given me a whole lot more to include in my instruction.
BG

-Thank you guys. One of the most interesting webinars I’ve attended.
-AB

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Interesting Photo from the Pre-Rose Parade Events

Every year, the Rose Parade organizers provide a venue where visitors can see the floats as they are put together. There are also quite a few antique cars in the mix; here’s an image of a 1938 Packard Standard 8. This particular car was exported by Franklin Roosevelt to Russia, for the exclusive use of Joseph Stalin. It has since been returned to the US (not sure how long) for restoration. It is the first image provided below; I’m not sure about the info for the second car shown.

IMG_5139 © D Saffir

IMG_5136 © D Saffir

 

 

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Fuji XE-1 – Just Received Camera for Review!

Well, I have a great way to start the New Year – got the loan of a brand new Fuji XE-1 for review! I’ll be writing an article of course. First impression out of the box: very light, classic layout for controls. Took a few test shots and now I’m reading through the manual….. I will be working with the camera for a week or two, and I will publish some images and brief comments here. I’m particularly interested in the performance of the new CMOS sensor. I will also be writing a review article for publication.

Fuji XE-1, Front View

Fuji XE-1, Front View

fuji rear - stock

Rear view

fuji with kit lens