These Pages Are Under Development. Updates are being made as my time allows and will continue through the month of December. If a particular category has an icon on the left, then it has some content, but may not be finished. Still, feel free to poke around. Typos and grammar are being polished daily.

Gear Quick Links

• Inspiration, Insights, and Info
• Cameras, Lenses, Filters, LCD Magnifier, Tripods, and Sensor Cleaning
• Lighting Kit Recommendations
• Light Sources: Small Flash, Continuous, and Strobes/Monolights
• Mods That Make a Light Appear Bigger
• Mods That Limit the Spread of Light
• Mods That Change the Color of a Light Source
• Ways to Trigger an Off-Camera Flash or Strobe
• Putting Lights Where You Want Them
• Power for Your Lights
• Image Capture and Processing
• Hauling Gear Around
• Other Essential Bits

 

Inspiration, Insights, and Info

Books by Syl Arena

If you’re curious about the details on my three books, click through. More books will be added as soon as I complete the other gear pages.

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Photo Mags

Photographers thrive on magazines. Here’s a list of my favorite photo mags—both in print and online—from around the globe.

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Canon User Manuals

When you need to look up a factoid about your camera or flash and don’t have your user manual handy, this repository of links might be of help.

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Cameras, Lenses, Filters, LCD Magnifier, Tripods, etc.

Cameras

My survey of cameras, including: HDLSRs, the new MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera), and a couple of point-and-shoots that I take everywhere.

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Lenses

My list is still a long work in progress, but if you like glass, then you’ll want to check out this section. There’s also a handy table that helps you compare lens between full-sensor cameras and the view seen by cameras with APS-C sensors.

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Filters: Neutral Density, Polarizing, & Protection

There are three reasons that I use a filter: to dim the ambient light (ND), to eliminate glare (polarizing), or to protect my lens in a wet or dirty environment. Given the amount of money that I spend on a lens, I’m certainly not going to put a piece of cheap glass on the front. These filters are my favorites.

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Magnifier / Viewfinder for Camera LCD

Let’s face it…while the addition of the LCD to cameras is a huge step forward in the evolution of mankind, it’s really hard to read them—especially in bright light. Check out my solution—one that completely seals the viewfinder from stray light. Now reading those histograms and focusing in LiveView is so easy.

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Tripods, Ball-Heads, and L-Plates

Over the years, I’ve come to value the importance and convenience of having a quality tripod and ballhead underneath my camera when I want it locked down tight. As importantly, all of my DSLRs have a Really Right Stuff L-Plate attached from day one.

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Sensor Cleaning

There is only one thing that I like less about digital cameras than film cameras—and that’s the attraction of dust to the digital sensor. Still, with the right gear, it’s easy to clean a sensor in the field and get back to shooting.

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Quick Start: Lighting Kit Recommendations

Just Starting Out

If you are just starting out, there are a few bits of essential gear that you should have when learning to light. The list is not as long as many people expect it to be. The key is to have the right bits of gear and the knowledge to use them well.

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Enthusiast

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Home Studio

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Light Sources: Small Flash, Continuous, and Strobes / Monolights

Small Flash (aka Speedlights / Speedlites / Hotshoe Flash)

Speedlites are powerful and versatile flashes that mount to the hotshoe of your camera—either directly or via an off-camera cord or trigger. There are a number of considerations when choosing the Speedlite that is best for your needs. Click through to read my list of points to consider and my thoughts about specific models.

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Continuous Lights—Hot & Cold

While it is possible to create light with a clamp-on shop light and a dusty light bulb, continuous lighting made specifically for photography offers many advantages. Not only can you see the light and shadows that you are creating, you can also buy bulbs that will blend perfectly with daylight.

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Strobes / Monolights

Strobes are powerful flash units that produce large amounts of light. Many require a direction connection to a power source. Others can be operated on location from battery packs. Monolights are strobes that have the flash tube, power system, and controls in a single unit.

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Mods That Make a Light Appear Bigger

Small Mods for Speedlites

A survey of my favorite softboxes, reflectors, grids, gels, etc. sized to work directly on Speedlites.

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Disks and Panels

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Umbrellas

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Softboxes

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Beauty Dishes

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Mods That Limit The Spread of Light

Flags, Cutters, and Gobos

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Grids

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Snoots

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OPEN

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Mods That Change the Color of a Light Source

Gels for Color Correction

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Gels for Color Effects

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Attaching Gels to Your Lights

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Ways to Trigger a Flash or Strobe

Off-Camera ETTL/ITTL Cords

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Radio Triggers

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Optical Slaves

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Putting Lights Where You Want Them

Light Stands

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Connecting Your Light to a Stand

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Connecting Your Light to Other Objects

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Multiple Flash Brackets

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Poles and Booms

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Power for Your Lights

Batteries and Chargers

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Battery Caddies

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External Battery Packs for Small Flash

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Battery Packs for Monolights and Strobes

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Image Capture and Processing

Software for Digital Photography

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Computers for Digital Photography

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Shooting Tethered

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Memory Cards and Cases

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Hauling Gear Around

Cases

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Other Essential Bits

Gaffer’s Tape

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Label Maker

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