Lighthaus Camera: ND Filters

Lighthaus Camera: ND Filters

Hawaii is one of the world's most beautiful places. There are breath taking shots everywhere you look. If you are looking to add a different look to your shots, try a ND (neutral density) filter to give your photos that "professional" look. Basically ND filters are sunglasses for your camera without polarization. They allow you to take longer exposures in the middle of the day or those dreamy water flowing type shots. This article from digitalcameraworld.com explains how strong of a filter you will need and when to use them. ND Filters.

Be sure to call one of our locations to see what sizes and options we may have for your neutral density filter needs.

Is Film Dead?

I get asked this question several times a year. The answer is almost yes…Sadly. I like to compare film and digital photography to Acrylic and Oil painting. They are the same art medium; however they have a much different feel. A lot of digital Fuji cameras will allow you to choose one of their films as a color profile. If you were fortunate enough to shoot film, most likely you can look at a print and tell the difference. Recently on Maui film developers are becoming hard to find. Costco and Long’s Drugs stopped developing film at the store level. The Longs Drugs next to the Kihei store send their film to the mainland to be developed. The death will be when you can’t get it developed conveniently. Polaroid had an interesting problem when they ran out of the raw materials. Polaroid has such a strong cult following that they were able to bring it back. You can watch their story unfold on Netlflix by watching the documentary “Time Zero”.

Lighthaus Camera: The Olympus OMD-EM5 Mark II

Well, it's three months into the new year.  Are you excited about any new cameras coming out?  I've taken a look at several new products and came to the conclusion that the Olympus OMD-EM5 Mark II is one that I would consider purchasing. The list price for the body only is $1099, so I don't have to sell a kidney to get a new camera.  So that is a major plus, besides I want to keep my kidney.  The weight of the camera is just under 500 grams, so I don't have to have muscles like Bruce Lee to carry it around all day.  The Mark II is weather sealed so shooting in the mist of Iao Valley, on the beaches of Kihei or in the snow on Mauna Kea (snow is not present at all times) will not be a problem.  It also features 5 axis image stabilization technology in the camera body, making any lens a stabilized lens.  This is great for those of us who drink too much coffee. Another great feature of this camera is the fact that the 16 MP sensor has technology that can bring the resolution up to 40 MP.  It takes 8 slightly different photographs in a second then combines them to for the 40 MP picture.  Isn't technology a wonderful thing?  Check out the specs and videos from Olympus's website by clicking the link below.

Lighthaus Camera has three locations across the islands to serve your camera needs.  Please call ahead to see if we have what you are looking for in stock.  If we don't, we can always order it for you.

Olympus OMD-EM5 Mark II

Lighthaus Camera: Canon's Newest 5Ds, 5Ds R, Rebel 750D, EOS M3, EF 11-24 f/4L and a few other PowerShot cameras...

Hey Canon welcome to 2012. Nikon has had high megapixel cameras for sale since the 2012 release of the D800 and D800E. I don't know why Canon has decided to wait so long to give their fan boys old technology. Are you excited for a 50+ MP camera? I'm sure you will have to have higher capacity cards, back up drives, and a faster computer to process those large files. Not to mention more time. And as you know time means money. If you are not a working photographer and just like to take pictures for fun, who cares? Having all those glorious mega pixels will allow you to shoot your subjects in fine detail. Just make sure you have the digital versions of Canon's lenses. I'm sure the version one lenses will work but will they be sharp in the corners?

Glossing over the Rebel 750D and going straight to the EOS M3, I sure hope Canon gets it right this time. The EOS M1 flopped because of its slow focusing system and the EOS M2 was only released in Asia. I'm hoping they will give a nod to the cameras of the past and make it a rangefinder style, mirror less, interchangeable lens, "compact" wonder of technology. I'm thinking if they did that, it would bring up their sales.

EF 11-24 f/4. Hmm... I've had the chance to use the Nikon 11-24 f/2.8 and I'd have to say it is one the best lenses I've ever used.

As for the new PowerShots, I'm sure they will bring out some slightly upgraded versions of last years models but do you think they will put resources into a style of camera that has been replaced by the cell phone?

FYI, I'm a Canon user. I don't like the fact that one of the worlds best camera manufactures is so behind in the times. Maybe it is because we live in an instant gratification, keep up with the Jones's kind of times. Now that I'm through venting, more information can be found by reading this article fromCanonRumors.com.

Lighthaus Camera: Photo Opportunity, Maui Marathon

Lighthaus Camera: Photo Opportunity, Maui Marathon

Attention all Maui photographers! It's time to get up at the crack of dawn to photograph some of the islands best athletes. The race starts tomorrow in Wailea at 5:30 a.m. and ends in Lahaina at Kamehameha Iki Park near the Banyan Tree. If you don't feel like photographing the whole 26.2 miles the 15K starts in Papalau Beach to Lahaina. The 10K starts at the finish line and is an out and back oceanfront course. The 5K starts at "lone palm point" which is the 23.1 mark on the course and finishes at Kamehameha Park. Now that the marathon information is known, check out these tips from the guys over at expertphotography.com:

https://expertphotography.com/10-ways-improve-your-marathon-photography/