Sunday Showcase: 4/3 Camera Systems, Interested?

Pictured here are two cameras that were recently announced from Nikon and Olympus. 

Nikon's AW1 is a throwback to the Nikonos years and is a fully waterproof (49 feet) mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. It boasts 14 mega pixel C-format CMOS sensor. Has an ISO range from 100-6400 and built in GPS with a compass, altimeter and depth meter.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 has a history too, going back to the first year OM became their flagship camera which was 1972. The 2013 version features a 16.3 mega pixel Live CMOS sensor and has an ISO range from 100-256000. It has a five axis stabilization built into the camera and is weather, dust, splash and freezeproof.

My question to you, the amateur, semi-professional, professional photographer, would you trade your more traditional DSLR camera setup in for a 4/3 mirrorless system? If so why? I look forward to reading why this 4/3 set up is appealing to you.

Both of these camera systems will be available at Lighthaus Camera. We have four locations across the islands to serve you. Two on Maui, one in Kona, and one on the gathering isle, Oahu.

Saturday Showcase: What is Aperture?

Today's showcase will be my attempt to describe what aperture is in terms that might make sense to the average Joe.  Keep in mind that I'm am just like Joe, I have not studied photography nor am I a pro photographer.

First off, let me tell you the settings on my camera: the ISO (light sensitivity of the sensor) was set at 250, the exposure time was set at 1/160 of a second and the focal length was set at 42mm for all of the photographs.  I used the middle focus point and it was pointed at the n in watermelon.

Aperture:  In simple terms it is the size of the hole that is letting in light to the camera's sensor.  The lower the f stop number, the bigger the hole, the more blurry the background will be behind the subject.  You can see how the background gains focus when progressing from f/2.8 to f/5.6 to f/11 to f/22.  As the hole (aperture) gets smaller the more the background becomes focused.  How does this relate to non can photographs?  When taking portraits having a large aperture (small number) will give you great bokeh (blurred background).  When taking landscape photographs you will most likely want to have the whole scene be sharp and you can do that by having a small aperture (big number).

I hope this definition helps you to understand what aperture is and how it helps you to get off that green mode on your camera.

Speaking of cameras, Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the Aloha state to serve your photographic needs.

Sunday Showcase: High Speed Sync

High speed sync is your flashes ability to use flash at shutter speeds faster than your camera's native sync speed (1/250th of a second). When would you use high speed sync? Outdoor portraits on a sunny day would be a perfect time to use high speed sync. If you were to use your cameras normal sync speed of 1/250th, the photo would most likely have an aperture of about f/16. That means everything in the picture would be in focus. To still get that creamy bokeh and have your subject in focus you would have to open your aperture to lets say f/2.8 and the shutter speed would be about 1/4000 of a second. Because we are shooting outdoors in bright sunlight, unwanted shadows may be present. How do we get rid of those shadows and still have that classic portrait look? The answer is by using high speed sync. On Nikon cameras look in your settings for Auto FP. On Canon cameras the syn button is actually on the flash and is represented by the lightning bolt with the letter H. Keep in mind that when you use high speed sync the power of the flashes effective range diminishes. What other situations would high speed sync benefit your photography?

Saturday Showcase: Night Photography

Let's face it, Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  It seems like there is a "postcard" shot around every corner.  Whether it be the double rainbow over the valley, the sunset at the beach or turtles frolicking about the rocks, photographers have inspiration all around them.  A majority of the photographs are taken during the day.  There is a whole new world after the sun goes down.  Capturing that beauty will be a little different and here is what you will need.

The first and foremost thing besides your camera you will need will be a good, sturdy tripod.  Lighthaus Camera carries the Mefoto Backpacker (holds up to 17 lbs.) for $250.  A nice fast lens like the Sigma 18-50mm 1.8 aperture lens ($800) also available at Lighthaus Camera. A flashlight so you can see where you are going or for checking the camera settings (if you haven't memorized where all the buttons are located).  And a bottle of water since it is always good to keep hydrated.  For us Non-Canadian citizens, depending on the time of night and year a light jacket may come in handy too.

Now that you have all of the equipment needed, lets talk about camera settings.  It may be a little scary but you will have to change from the green automatic mode to manual mode.  For the picture in this post, I have my ISO set at 3200.  My aperture was wide open at 2.8.  My shutter speed was set for a 30 second exposure.  My white balance was on automatic and my metering was center weighted.  Of course depending on the subject, those settings may change.  It is very important to have no camera shake. Using your two or ten second timer or using a remote to release the shutter is a must.  If your images are blurry, make adjustments where needed.  Don't fret if it doesn't come out the first time, it's all about learning and having fun.

Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the islands to serve your day time and night time photographic needs.  Come on by to see what we have.

Lighthaus Camera's Free Class

Just a reminder for all my friends out there in the social media world. Lance Folden from Canon will be giving free classes later this week. The schedule is as follows: September 13th from 5 to 7 at our Oahu store, September 14th from 4 to 6 at our Kona store, and September 16th from 5 to 7 at our Kihei store. Please call the appropriate store to reserve your seat today. Oahu 808 955-5155. Kona 808 326-7355. Kihei 808 877-5155.

Monday Showcase: Underwater Camera Care

There are so many places across the islands where an underwater camera comes in handy. You can channel you inner Jacques Cousteau and explore all of the sea life in Hawaii's waters. You can do your best impression of Kelly Slater catching tubes at Pipeline. Or you can be a little less adventurous and go to Iao Valley on Maui and get some of the same shots that are in this gallery.

After doing so you should rinse your camera or housing in fresh water so salt will not build up and corrode all those sealed buttons and dials. Just remember when opening up your camera, let gravity be your friend so any water will fall away from the camera as opposed to into the camera. If water does get into your camera, DO NOT try to turn it on! Any electrical impulse can fry your camera. 

You can try to save your camera by going to your local department store and purchase a product that is similar to "Damp Check" or "Damp Rid". Basically it is silica gel designed to suck up moisture. In a closed container, open your camera's ports with the battery and memory card taken out. Next open the silica gel and place it next to your camera (DO NOT PUT THE CAMERA IN THE GEL). Seal the container with the gel and camera and wait about a day or two. Hopefully all the moisture that was in your camera is now in the gel.

Lighthaus Camera has several cameras to fit your adventurous needs. We have the Olympus TG-830 and TG-2, Canon's D20, Pentax's WG-2, and the Intova camera system available for sale. Our rental division has underwater cameras too but each store has different products. Call any one of our four Lighthaus Camera locations to see what we have.

Sunday Showcase: Binoculars at Lighthaus Camera

In this picture we have three of Olympus's binoculars represented. While none of them can zoom into the 49ers versus Packers game from my location, they are great for birds, whales and people watching. Olympus multi-coats their lenses for maximum brightness and contrast. Feel wise, they have a rubber coating so they are easy to grip and feel solid yet lightweight. Dioptric correction technologies are built into the binoculars for individual needs.

Lighthaus Camera also carries Nikon, Canon and Leica brand binoculars. Copy and paste the following link to view which models we have.

http://www.lighthauscamera.com/collections/binoculars-scopes

Saturday Showcase: What the $%&* is P Mode?

Here we have two of the world's most popular camera makers. Nikon and Canon. This will not be a discussion of which is better or whose takes better pictures. To me, it is like what do you like better Coke or Pepsi? McDonald's french fries or Jack In The Box's curly fries? Chocolate or vanilla ice cream? You get the idea.

As you can see both cameras are set to P mode. In more simple terms, p mode is similar to the green auto modes on the cameras but p mode allows you to make adjustments while the camera determines the aperture and shutter speed for correct exposure. You are able to control the flash, ISO, white balance, and exposure compensation modes. Think of it as kind of like a semi-automatic setting.

Now that you know what Program mode is, take your setting off the green mode and see what your camera can do. Lighthaus Camera has several different cameras available from Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Intova, and Leica. Each store has different inventory. Call to find out what we have available or better yet come on down to any one of our four locations and see for yourself.

Monday Showcase: HiTech Filter Photographs

HiTech Filters Available At Lighthaus Camera (6 photos)

Taking photographs with HiTech filters was fun yesterday evening. The 82mm adapter ring fit well on my 16-35mm lens. The aluminium filter holder felt solid yet lightweight. And the filters slid in and out of the holder easily. The photographs below were taken in RAW (converted to jpeg) and HDR settings on my 5D Mark iii. I did not process any of the photographs.

Add another dimension to your photographs by using HiTech filters. They are available at any of Lighthaus Camera's four locations. Come on by to see which filters we have in stock.

Sunday Showcase: Don't Get Screwed!

Today I will not be showcasing a product (I'm taking a few HiTech filters out for a test spin), look for the pictures tomorrow. 

I just had a customer come into the Kihei location looking for a wide angle lens for his camera. He wanted to trade in a lens he bought from a shop back on the mainland. He paid $800 dollars for the lens, but just found out that the lens was worth $140. He also found out that he paid $1030 for a two year old iPhone bought from that same shop. Needless to say, since we are a constantly connected to the internet society, make sure you are not getting hoodwinked!

As you know, Lighthaus Camera buys and sells used gear. We will always give you a fair price, sometimes we even give you a little extra for that well taken care of piece of equipment. As a buyer, if you see a price from a reputable online seller we will do our best to match their price. We want to be the camera store that you refer to your friends and family so capturing life's moments will be worry free.

Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the 50th state. If you are in Kona we are located at 74-5614 Palani Road. If you are on Maui we have two locations, one in Kihei at 1215 South Kihei Road and the other in Lahaina located at 143 Dickenson Street. Our Oahu location is located at 2885 South King Street.