On another note, Lighthaus Camera Lahaina will be doing the photo booth again which was so much fun. Be sure to stop by the store to get your photos taken with or by the wild and fun Lahaina crew.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Lighthaus Camera: Shooting Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner. I know many of you on Maui will be going down to Front Street to capture the ghouls, ghosts and goblins among other things. Some great tips can be found by going to the link in this post. Halloween Tips.
On another note, Lighthaus Camera Lahaina will be doing the photo booth again which was so much fun. Be sure to stop by the store to get your photos taken with or by the wild and fun Lahaina crew.
On another note, Lighthaus Camera Lahaina will be doing the photo booth again which was so much fun. Be sure to stop by the store to get your photos taken with or by the wild and fun Lahaina crew.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Lighthaus Camera: The Tech of Lenses
Have you ever wondered how lenses are made, how they work or how does vibration reduction actually provide stabilization? In case the Einstein part of your brain needs a little stimulation, check out the video from PetaPixel via Nikon Asia.
A good way to protect your glass is with an UV filter. To be honest I can't tell the difference between a photo taken with a UV filter and one without but breaking a filter is much easier to deal with than breaking your lens. We carry two brands of UV filters. Hoya which is a good quality, multi-coated filter and B+W filters which are the Cadillacs in the filter world. Lighthaus Camera has four locations across this beautiful state to serve your camera needs. We have two locations on Maui, one in Oahu and one on the big island.
A good way to protect your glass is with an UV filter. To be honest I can't tell the difference between a photo taken with a UV filter and one without but breaking a filter is much easier to deal with than breaking your lens. We carry two brands of UV filters. Hoya which is a good quality, multi-coated filter and B+W filters which are the Cadillacs in the filter world. Lighthaus Camera has four locations across this beautiful state to serve your camera needs. We have two locations on Maui, one in Oahu and one on the big island.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Lighthaus Camera: Cameras and Bad Weather
I don't know about where you are in Hawaii but Kihei (Maui's south side) has been hot and muggy with a capital H and M. You definitely don't want to keep your gear in the car. I came across some tips from Chuck Westfall, a technical advisor from Canon. Here's what he had to say:
Hot Weather Photo Equipment Handling Tips
Compiled by Chuck Westfall, Technical Advisor/Canon U.S.A., Inc.
1. Avoid Condensation:
This is a biggie. If temperature and humidity differentials are high enough, condensation may occur when moving photo equipment from a relatively cool environment such as an air-conditioned vehicle, to a warmer one. When condensation forms inside a lens, for instance, internal elements can fog up, preventing clear images. When condensation gets bad enough inside a camera body, it can cause short circuits resulting in unexpected shutdowns. Worse yet, when equipment temperatures finally equalize to the warmer environment, water droplets on glass surfaces inside a lens may dry out and leave spots, mildew or fungus that can’t be cleaned by the photographer.
Similarly, when condensation dries up inside a camera, fungus, mildew, rust or corrosion may be left behind on printed circuit boards, viewfinder eyepieces, shutter curtains, or other internal components. If any of this happens, the equipment may be permanently damaged.
Incidentally, no matter how good it is, ‘weather sealing’ cannot prevent condensation, nor was it ever intended to do so. Damage caused by condensation is considered a user error, and it will void warranty coverage. One of the best methods to avoid condensation is to allow photo equipment to warm up gradually before exposing it to a hot environment. If this is not practical, consider placing the equipment in an airtight, resealable plastic bag with silica gel packets inside before exposing it to heat. (Don’t forget to squeeze as much air as possible out of the bag before you seal it, otherwise this technique may not work.) Using this method, the condensation will form on the bag instead of the equipment. Once the condensation on the bag has dried out, it should be safe to remove the equipment and start using it.
On a related matter, in hot and humid conditions, perspiration may cause condensation to form on your camera’s viewfinder eyepiece. Some camera manufacturers including Canon offer anti-fog eyepieces to prevent condensation from forming.
2. What To Do When Condensation Has Occurred:
Use a soft, dry clean cloth to remove moisture from exterior surfaces. If possible, place the equipment in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent further condensation from occurring.
3. Cover Equipment When Not In Use:
If you must leave your camera equipment exposed to high heat and/or humidity conditions for long periods of time, consider covering it with a dry white towel when it’s not in use. Even when condensation is not an issue, heat absorption is another big concern for professional cameras and lenses, and especially digital SLRs. Cameras are designed to operate within a specific range of temperature and humidity conditions. For instance, the EOS-1D Mark IV professional camera has a high-end temperature rating of 45C/113F and a humidity rating of 85% or less. Since most camera bodies are black, internal temperatures can exceed this limit even when the ambient temperature is below it.
4. Avoid or Limit the Use of Camera Settings that Generate Heat:
Heat build-up caused by ambient temperatures is one problem, but the other side of the coin is heat build-up caused by the camera itself. This has become more of an issue recently with professional digital SLRs due to the incorporation of new features such as Live View and HD video recording. These features generate heat from several camera components including battery packs, image sensors and LCD screens. If you plan on using Live View or recording video outdoors in high-temperature environments with your digital SLR, there are a couple of things you can do to minimize heat build-up inside the camera:
Limit the use of Live View for still shots. This will minimize heat build-up from the image sensor and LCD screen.
Use an external monitor when recording video. This will shut off the camera’s LCD screen.
Use an AC Adapter Kit. This will reduce heat build-up by eliminating battery packs.
Set the camera’s Auto Power Off setting to a reasonably short interval. Let the camera help to minimize heat build-up by allowing it to shut down automatically after a minute or two of inactivity. This will also conserve battery power.
5. Storing Equipment in Hot Weather:
In high temperature environments with ambient humidity over 80%, use silica gel packets in your gadget bag or equipment case to absorb excessive moisture and protect your camera gear. Silica gel packets can be purchased in quantity from professional camera dealers and chemical supply houses, and are available in clear or moisture-indicating varieties. For long-term storage, consider storing camera equipment in Tupperware or similar sealable plastic containers with silica gel packets to absorb moisture and prevent fungus and mildew. In severely humid environments, even silica gel packets may be insufficient; so-called “camera dry cabinets” from manufacturers such as Toyo Living are available for such conditions. No matter what kind of storage container you use, ideally the humidity level should be less than 60% for maximum protection. Relatively inexpensive hygrometers of the type used for cigar thermidors are available to monitor humidity levels inside the containers. Remember to test hygrometers at least once a year, and recalibrate them if necessary.
6. Store Battery Packs Separately and Keep Equipment Clean:
To prevent corrosion of your camera’s electrical contacts, remove battery packs prior to long-term storage. Also, as a matter of good housekeeping, clean cameras and lenses regularly and thoroughly. This is especially important in hot and humid weather, or after your camera equipment has been exposed to rain or condensation, to prevent mildew and fungus from forming.
© August, 2010 by Chuck Westfall
Keeping your equipment safe from the elements is crucial. Should you need the silica gel packets, rain covers, or just need a little advice, we are here to help. Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the islands to service your camera needs.
Hot Weather Photo Equipment Handling Tips
Compiled by Chuck Westfall, Technical Advisor/Canon U.S.A., Inc.
1. Avoid Condensation:
This is a biggie. If temperature and humidity differentials are high enough, condensation may occur when moving photo equipment from a relatively cool environment such as an air-conditioned vehicle, to a warmer one. When condensation forms inside a lens, for instance, internal elements can fog up, preventing clear images. When condensation gets bad enough inside a camera body, it can cause short circuits resulting in unexpected shutdowns. Worse yet, when equipment temperatures finally equalize to the warmer environment, water droplets on glass surfaces inside a lens may dry out and leave spots, mildew or fungus that can’t be cleaned by the photographer.
Similarly, when condensation dries up inside a camera, fungus, mildew, rust or corrosion may be left behind on printed circuit boards, viewfinder eyepieces, shutter curtains, or other internal components. If any of this happens, the equipment may be permanently damaged.
Incidentally, no matter how good it is, ‘weather sealing’ cannot prevent condensation, nor was it ever intended to do so. Damage caused by condensation is considered a user error, and it will void warranty coverage. One of the best methods to avoid condensation is to allow photo equipment to warm up gradually before exposing it to a hot environment. If this is not practical, consider placing the equipment in an airtight, resealable plastic bag with silica gel packets inside before exposing it to heat. (Don’t forget to squeeze as much air as possible out of the bag before you seal it, otherwise this technique may not work.) Using this method, the condensation will form on the bag instead of the equipment. Once the condensation on the bag has dried out, it should be safe to remove the equipment and start using it.
On a related matter, in hot and humid conditions, perspiration may cause condensation to form on your camera’s viewfinder eyepiece. Some camera manufacturers including Canon offer anti-fog eyepieces to prevent condensation from forming.
2. What To Do When Condensation Has Occurred:
Use a soft, dry clean cloth to remove moisture from exterior surfaces. If possible, place the equipment in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent further condensation from occurring.
3. Cover Equipment When Not In Use:
If you must leave your camera equipment exposed to high heat and/or humidity conditions for long periods of time, consider covering it with a dry white towel when it’s not in use. Even when condensation is not an issue, heat absorption is another big concern for professional cameras and lenses, and especially digital SLRs. Cameras are designed to operate within a specific range of temperature and humidity conditions. For instance, the EOS-1D Mark IV professional camera has a high-end temperature rating of 45C/113F and a humidity rating of 85% or less. Since most camera bodies are black, internal temperatures can exceed this limit even when the ambient temperature is below it.
4. Avoid or Limit the Use of Camera Settings that Generate Heat:
Heat build-up caused by ambient temperatures is one problem, but the other side of the coin is heat build-up caused by the camera itself. This has become more of an issue recently with professional digital SLRs due to the incorporation of new features such as Live View and HD video recording. These features generate heat from several camera components including battery packs, image sensors and LCD screens. If you plan on using Live View or recording video outdoors in high-temperature environments with your digital SLR, there are a couple of things you can do to minimize heat build-up inside the camera:
Limit the use of Live View for still shots. This will minimize heat build-up from the image sensor and LCD screen.
Use an external monitor when recording video. This will shut off the camera’s LCD screen.
Use an AC Adapter Kit. This will reduce heat build-up by eliminating battery packs.
Set the camera’s Auto Power Off setting to a reasonably short interval. Let the camera help to minimize heat build-up by allowing it to shut down automatically after a minute or two of inactivity. This will also conserve battery power.
5. Storing Equipment in Hot Weather:
In high temperature environments with ambient humidity over 80%, use silica gel packets in your gadget bag or equipment case to absorb excessive moisture and protect your camera gear. Silica gel packets can be purchased in quantity from professional camera dealers and chemical supply houses, and are available in clear or moisture-indicating varieties. For long-term storage, consider storing camera equipment in Tupperware or similar sealable plastic containers with silica gel packets to absorb moisture and prevent fungus and mildew. In severely humid environments, even silica gel packets may be insufficient; so-called “camera dry cabinets” from manufacturers such as Toyo Living are available for such conditions. No matter what kind of storage container you use, ideally the humidity level should be less than 60% for maximum protection. Relatively inexpensive hygrometers of the type used for cigar thermidors are available to monitor humidity levels inside the containers. Remember to test hygrometers at least once a year, and recalibrate them if necessary.
6. Store Battery Packs Separately and Keep Equipment Clean:
To prevent corrosion of your camera’s electrical contacts, remove battery packs prior to long-term storage. Also, as a matter of good housekeeping, clean cameras and lenses regularly and thoroughly. This is especially important in hot and humid weather, or after your camera equipment has been exposed to rain or condensation, to prevent mildew and fungus from forming.
© August, 2010 by Chuck Westfall
Keeping your equipment safe from the elements is crucial. Should you need the silica gel packets, rain covers, or just need a little advice, we are here to help. Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the islands to service your camera needs.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Lighthaus Camera: Useful Guide
Not too much happening in the camera world today, especially since Photokina is just a few weeks away in Cologne, Germany. If you want to go, it starts on September 16 and runs till the 21st. All the biggest names will be there. Will Canon announce the 7d Mk II? I'm thinking Sony, Nikon, and Olympus will show off their newest cameras, the A5100, D810, and E-PL7 respectively. What a fun convention it must be. For those of us who can't make it all the way to Germany, we will just have to troll the old interweb.
Now for the guide I came across for those of us who have a really bad memory or never learned all of the technical aspects of taking pictures. This guide comes from www.digitalcameraworld.com and may come in handy for getting that perfect shot.
Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the islands. If one of our stores does not have what you are looking for, keep in mind that we can always have an item shipped from another store. If it is a substantially priced item, please note that a deposit will be required.
Now for the guide I came across for those of us who have a really bad memory or never learned all of the technical aspects of taking pictures. This guide comes from www.digitalcameraworld.com and may come in handy for getting that perfect shot.
Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the islands. If one of our stores does not have what you are looking for, keep in mind that we can always have an item shipped from another store. If it is a substantially priced item, please note that a deposit will be required.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Lighthaus Camera: Printing on Aluminium
Hello fellow photographers. Lighthaus Camera is now offering aluminium printing through an affiliate on Oahu. Bring in or send us your favorite photo so we can then FTP it to our representative for a quality, sublimation processed print. Our Kona location has one of the aluminium prints displayed for a closer examination. If you have questions, please contact your nearest Lighthaus Camera location.
The picture in this post is of a tree in South Maui. What are your thoughts? When I first framed the tree, I thought it would be a great picture. Now that I'm looking at it on the computer, I think that it is too "busy". I didn't use the rule of thirds, there are no leading lines and I don't see any geometric shapes. Let me know what you think. Please keep your comments PG rated.
Enjoy your weekend,
Lighthaus Camera
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Lighthaus Camera: Now in stock, the Canon D30
Canon's newest underwater camera has washed ashore at Lighthaus Camera. This camera looks similar to last years D20 but it has some major upgrades. The first major upgrade is the fact that the camera is waterproof down to 82 feet. The other major upgrade is the new LCD screen. It has a sunlight mode that makes it easier to see in direct sunlight. The focal length is from 28-140 mm, the f-stop is f/3.9-4.8, a 5x zoom, has GPS and is image stabilized. If you are looking for an underwater camera without a housing that will bring you down farther than your average underwater camera, the Canon D30 should fit your needs.
Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the islands to serve your underwater camera needs. Please call ahead to see which products we have available for purchase or rentals.
Lighthaus Camera has four locations across the islands to serve your underwater camera needs. Please call ahead to see which products we have available for purchase or rentals.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Lighthaus Camera: Now accepting pre-orders for the Nikon D810
According to the reviews, this new camera from Nikon touts the "Best Image Quality in Nikon History". After seeing the results from the D800 and D4s I don't doubt that claim. And I am a Canon shooter. Don't get me wrong I LOVE my 5D Mark III. If you want to check out the specs and a few samples, click the link below from my favorite source, PetaPixel:
http://petapixel.com/2014/06/26/nikon-d810-bts-promo-video-roundup-get-know-new-nikon-shooter/
Contact your nearest Lighthaus Camera location to put your name on the pre-order list. We will be calling customers when the camera is in stock. At that time the camera must be paid in full. If you can't pay in full at the time of the call, we will move on to the next person on the list. Thank you for your understanding regarding the pre-order process. I'm thinking this will be a very popular camera for those looking for something new.
http://petapixel.com/2014/06/26/nikon-d810-bts-promo-video-roundup-get-know-new-nikon-shooter/
Contact your nearest Lighthaus Camera location to put your name on the pre-order list. We will be calling customers when the camera is in stock. At that time the camera must be paid in full. If you can't pay in full at the time of the call, we will move on to the next person on the list. Thank you for your understanding regarding the pre-order process. I'm thinking this will be a very popular camera for those looking for something new.
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