What is your next purchase?

[aeon]

It’s a thing of beauty.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[Joeseph]

I've just ordered an IBM RAID card for my HP microserver - the SAS 8TB drives I got cheap before xmas won't work with the on-board SATA controller. Good job the accountant hasn't noticed...

 

[aeon]

The Godox parabolics were rightly savaged when released because the tested 128 and 158 didn’t have the tight focus that is the parabolic signature, and didn’t match the excellence of the Brons—but who does? Oh, right, Selens, but let’s get back to Godox.

The 68, at 700 mm (27.6"), is the baby of the line. It is longer (730 mm) than the width of its mouth. It has the greatest delta between spot and flood in terms of peak and falloff response curves relative to the other sizes. And from what I have seen online, no one has tested this small para.

Also, online listings mention it comes with a bag. Actually, no, it comes with a very solid fitted roller case that alone would be hundreds of dollars from the usual suspects. Quality of build and materials is top notch.

Well, after getting to try a 68 here in the Twin Cities, I wanted one of my own, and at 50% off the 68 kit and options (grid, diffusions), it fit in my budget.

-------

I also got a portraiture lens. Chasing the wide aperture tele dragon once again.

My quick note is that this lens does not have the modern, hyper-corrected, high element count, flat rendering look of, say, my Sigma 105mm f/1.4 ART.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[ImageMaker]

The Godox parabolics were rightly savaged when released because the tested 128 and 158 didn’t have the tight focus that is the parabolic signature, and didn’t match the excellence of the Brons—but who does? Oh, right, Selens, but let’s get back to Godox.

The 68, at 700 mm (27.6"), is the baby of the line. It is longer (730 mm) than the width of its mouth. It has the greatest delta between spot and flood in terms of peak and falloff response curves relative to the other sizes. And from what I have seen online, no one has tested this small para.

Also, online listings mention it comes with a bag. Actually, no, it comes with a very solid fitted roller case that alone would be hundreds of dollars from the usual suspects. Quality of build and materials is top notch.

Well, after getting to try a 68 here in the Twin Cities, I wanted one of my own, and at 50% off the 68 kit and options (grid, diffusions), it fit in my budget.

-------

I also got a portraiture lens. Chasing the wide aperture tele dragon once again.

My quick note is that this lens does not have the modern, hyper-corrected, high element count, flat rendering look of, say, my Sigma 105mm f/1.4 ART.

Cheers,
Ian

Looking forward to seeing shots from your parabolic!!

 

[aeon]

I got a grid.

Spoiler: the reveal...

LightTools 6' × 6' in black, 30°

Yay,
Ian

 

[Skygod44]

Well, well, well...
I am surprised.
The flippy screen of my belovèd Olympus OM-D E-M5 mk2 only works in one position now - sort of up at the sky, but twisted away from my face.

The on/off switch is temperamental.
And it seems to be draining batteries at 3X the normal rate.

I was thinking the OM-3 was going to be in my bag soon, as a replacement. But I just don't like the bulk of it, compared with my other micro 4/3 bodies.
I don't do pro work much, if ever, so don't care about all the fancy upgrades.
It's still a bit pricey, too.
And no grip at all...
Nah.

Then, I tried the OM Systems OM-5 mk2 yesterday.......

It's the natural path to take, being the same size/weight as my Olympus, the same sensor as my excellent PEN E-P7 (but with a much better processor), enough extra bells and whistles, such as Live ND filters, IP53 weather sealing, no anti-aliasing filter, in-camera focus stacking, Starry AF, new menus, a great price here in Japan, etc......
And it uses the same batteries as my PEN series cameras.

So, unless OM System announce a new PEN F mk2 before my birthday next month, I think my present to myself will be the OM-5 mk2.

The countdown has begun...
Yippee.

 

[Nick5]

Canon PFI-300 Ink Set for my PRO-300

 

[aeon]

So for a few days I was hyped to get a lens, the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 clone/interpretation/revival of the original Zeiss Jena Biotar from 1938-1939.

I love the look, and it’s cheap and cheerful, and would likely be quite fun.

But then I refocused (no pun intended) because an opportunity has presented itself, and will require the purchase of a COB light with some grunt.

I’ve thought about what I need, and what’s available, and my budget, and I’ve got a shortlist of potential choices.

I’ve got a few pocket lights and an Aputure MT Pro, but nothing with serious power, so this is new for me. I need to punch through rags and big domes.

I get a little up front from the client, I shoot photos and provide lights, and someone else shoots video.

Dad: Are ya’ winning, son?
Me: I’m gonna be a gaffer, Dad!

Cheers,
Ian

 

[aeon]

Canon PFI-300 Ink Set for my PRO-300

I basically know what that printer is. How much is an ink set for that beast, if you don’t mind me asking?

Thanks,
Ian

 

[mcoren]

I bought a UPS this week, an APC Back-UPS BVN900M1.

 

[SYS]

Purchased a Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (11") for photo editing on the go. Initially purchased an iPad Pro M5 11" but decided to return it for the Samsung tab. For photo editing app, I'm using a 60-day free trial of the LR Mobile Premium, which I'll probably end up subscribing to for $4.99 a month after the trial period.

 

[Nick5]

I basically know what that printer is. How much is an ink set for that beast, if you don’t mind me asking?

Thanks,
Ian

129.00 US

 

[aeon]

Coming from Japan...

Carl Zeiss Jena 180mm f/2.8 MC DDR in Pentacon Six mount—the Olympia Sonnar.

This one, based on the serial number, is from 1990, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, but before the reunification of Zeiss.

I’ve wanted one for a while, so this is a little dream come true.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[Joeseph]

I bought a UPS this week, an APC Back-UPS BVN900M1.

Nice! always good to have a little time to shut down cleanly if the need arises

 

[ImageMaker]

Nice! always good to have a little time to shut down cleanly if the need arises

Now one for the mother-in-law. Good for a little time for shutdown would work real nice…

 

[jimmy_racoon]

Finally found a Canon Angle Finder C
Always wanted one for low-level birds, macro, & astro photography
Forever a fan of the OVF over EVF, so this will save my neck!
Cheers

 

[Skygod44]

My new OM System OM-5 mk2 body is due to arrive between 4~6pm, to replace my dead Olympus OM-D E-M5 mk2.
An early birthday present to myself.

These days, "plenty" of an upgrade from the 2015 Olympus model seems wise, as opposed to buying the all-singing-all dancing OM-3 or OM-1 MK2.

Looks like February will shape up to be a great month.

 

[West Coast Birder]

Hope you enjoy the new gear, Simon. Always exciting, waiting for the mailman to arrive with the goods!

 

[Skygod44]

Hope you enjoy the new gear, Simon. Always exciting, waiting for the mailman to arrive with the goods!

Thanks, however........
A disaster struck....?

The OM-5 mk2 arrived early.
"Oh goody", I thought.
But it turns out that the domestic market product is ONLY in Japanese, to stop grey imports flooding the foreign market.
I'm good at Japanese....but I'm not that good at technical kanji characters, on the fly, wanting to find the right menu item.
"Sad" just doesn't sum it up.

BUT,
I bought it through Amazon Japan, and they've accepted the return for a full refund.

AND....
It is my birthday next week.
So I've taken the plunge and ordered an OM-3 plus 2 spare batteries plus thumb grip.


It's due on Monday, which is still before my birthday, so perhaps all's well that ends well....?
Only time will tell.

Just don't tell Missus Skygod Mk3...

 

[West Coast Birder]

Yikes! Maybe I should rethink my idea of picking up a little Fuji on my next trip to Japan. I know enough Japanese to ask for directions to the train station, but definitely not to read Japanese menus.