Lighthaus Camera: A Great Tool

Have you ever wanted to compare different cameras or lenses?  I came across this great tool on DPReview.com.  It allows you to compare products side by side and has several different subjects and details.  To check out the widget, click the following link:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/image-comparison?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Lighthaus Camera: Focal Length for Landscape Photography

Lighthaus Camera has several wide angle lenses for both Canon and Nikon for rent to capture great landscape shots. For Canon shooters we have the 10-22mm EFS f/3.5-4.5, the 16-35mm Version I &II and Nikon shooters have the choice of the 10-24mm DX f/3.5-4.5 or the 14-24mm f/2.8 lenses. Please keep in mind that each store may have a different inventory, so please call ahead to see what lenses are available.

Now for the good part, I came across a great article on PetaPixel earlier this morning regarding focal lengths and landscape photography. I would love to share it with you, so click the link below to view the article by Gannon Burgett and video by Steve Perry (not the ex Journey front man) for some great tips on perspective.

http://petapixel.com/2014/05/26/learn-how-to-choose-the-best-focal-length-for-when-capturing-landscape-photos/

Lighthaus Camera: Off Camera Flash

Before you purchase a flash unit, make sure that the flash is compatible with your camera.  The flash must be able to communicate with your camera's auto-exposure system, therefor creating a dedicated flash.  Non dedicated flashes will only operate manually and that is lets just say, a pain in the butt in this day and age.

When choosing a flash, compare guide numbers.  Those numbers tell you the measurement of the light output of the flash.  Flashes that have higher guide numbers will put out more light at farther distances.  When checking guide numbers, double check to see if the distances are measured in meters or feet.  One meter equals three feet.

TTL means through the lens.  When flashes have this feature, it means that the flash will pre-flash and transmit a signal to each flash off the camera telling them the correct amount of power for the desired exposure.  When using one or more flashes off the camera, a wireless transmitter is ideal but they do make cords too.

There are two types of wireless transmitters.  Infrared wireless transmitters and remote transmitters.  The infrared system, both pieces of equipment must be within line of sight of each other.  The remote transmitters do not have to be in line of sight but a transmitter must be on your camera and the receiver must be present for each flash.

Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the Aloha state to service your camera needs.  We carry both Canon's and Nikon's flash systems and Pocket Wizard transmitters.  Since inventory does vary from store to store, call ahead to see what's in stock.

Hau'oli Pakoa from Lighthaus Camera

Lighthaus Camera: Blood Moon Monday/Tuesday

April 15, 2014 will be remembered for two things. The obvious is that it is when taxes are due. The other is the fact that there will be a blood moon eclipse the night of the 14th and early morning hours of the 15th. The blood moon is when the Earth, Sun and the moon are in perfect alignment, covering the moon from view in the Earth's shadow. The eclipse should last for several hours, starting around 7:00 pm and lasting until 12:30 for the full eclipse

Taking pictures of an eclipse is not the same as when taking pictures of the moon. Normally the moon is lit up by the sun so it is bright where fast shutter speeds and low ISO is common without having to worry about noise. Because of the Earth's shadow, causing the eclipse, you will have to decrease shutter speeds and increase your ISO. Especially with lenses above 300mm. At the beginning of the eclipse, typical setting should be around 1/125 to 1/250th of a second @ f/11 with an ISO between 100 to 200. Then exposing for the dark part of the moon will be at 1 second @ ISO 200 and slowing the shutter over time to compensate for the lack of light: 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1.

Please check with your closest Lighthaus Camera location to purchase that tripod, buy that long lens or even rent that long lens. We have four locations across the islands to serve your lunar photographing needs. We hope the weather is clear and your tripod is steady. Good luck.

Photo in this post was taken by Nasim Mansurov from his article on photographylife.com.

Lighthaus Camera: Landscape Photography Essentials

Landscape photography is one of the more interesting and challenging types of photography.  What type of challenges, you ask?  All you have to do is find a scenic spot and fire away.  That can be true but if you want outstanding photographs, you have to take into consideration the position of the sun, the strength of the light, the weight of carrying around your gear, the weather, etc.. My suggestions for better landscape photography are as follows:

1.  The tripod: to shoot at slow shutter speeds you need a good, sturdy tripod that will not blow over in the wind.  Of course having a carbon tripod will make your life a little easier but the aluminium ones work just as well.
2.  I just downloaded an app for my Android phone called Exsate Golden Hour for free.  This app tells me everything I want to know about where and when the sun and moon's position will be, the times of golden hour, blue hour, sunrise, sunset, moon rise, moon set.  It will even plot out positions on Google Maps.
3.  A Spirit Level: More expensive tripods and heads will have levels built into them so you can get perfectly level horizons but should you have a tripod that does not, a spirit level will show you level positions on the x and y axis.
4.  Shutter Remote: Even the slightest movement can create blur in your landscape shots.  You can do two things, use the self timer built into your camera or purchase a wired or wireless remote shutter release.
5.  Filters: Graduated filters are a must for any type of sunrise or sunset photography.  They come in either hard edge, soft edge or reverse graduated configurations.  If you are shooting when light is stronger, you may need neutral density filters.
6.  Other Essentials: Small flashlight, clothing for appropriate conditions, small pillow (something soft to sit upon), snacks and water.  Always remember to hydrate.
7.  Remember to have fun.  If it starts to feel like work, pack up and go home and start fresh the next day.

Lighthaus Camera has four locations to service your landscape photography needs.  We carry, Manfrotto, Canon, and Mefoto tripods.  Our spirit levels are from Dotline and our shutter remotes come from either Canon, Nikon or Dotline.  Please call the store closest to you to see what we have in stock.

Oahu: 808 955-5155
Kona: 808 326-7355
Lahaina: 808 661-5155
Kihei: 808 877-5155

Lighthaus Camera: Your opinion, mirrorless systems?

In the 10 months that I've been with Lighthaus Camera, I've only experienced two customers who purchased a mirrorless system: a Sony A7 and the Olympus OM-D EM1. My question to you is: what do you think of mirrorless systems? Would you trade in your DSLR for one of the beauties in this post? If you have a mirrorless camera, what are your likes and dislikes?

The cameras pictured are as follows: the Fuji X-T1, the Nikon 1 V3, the Olympus OMD-EM1, the Pentax Q7, the Sony A7 and A7R. 

Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the Hawaiian islands to serve your photographic needs. Should you want to order one of these cameras, feel free to give us a call.