Hi everyone,.

I’ve now tried out my Nitecore air blower thingy. First thing to say is, on it’s turbo setting it is very powerful. I warned my wife who was sitting in an adjacent room, that she might hear a noise like a Harrier jump jet taking off from about 100 yards away. 🙂 You might be wondering how are you qualified to make that statement?. Well many years ago I visited the Hawker Test Facility at RAF Dunsfold and was privileged to be treated to a display of a Harrier doing it’s hovering from a viewing position on the grass verge adjacent to the runway. 🙂 Okay, I’m joking about the noise level but it does shift some air (and dust) particularly on the turbo setting and definitely not a device you’d want to use in a library or cinema should you feel inclined to do so.

First thing I cleaned was one of my cameras and lenses and it did a good job with the magnetically attached retractable brush enabling me to get into all the awkward to clean spots such as around and between control dials etc… You could now eat your dinner off of it, as opposed to looking like I had previously eaten my dinner off of it, but that would mean that I’d have to start all over again so probably not one of my best ideas.

It charged up pretty quickly but then it might have had some charge in it already so I can’t say how long it will take to charge from scratch until the battery charge is fully depleted, nor can I speak as yet about battery life between charges. The build quality is nice and solid and the three air speeds seem good right up to the powerful turbo speed. I did find a use for the built in light which helps to show up dust. I removed and then refitted the filter dust cover to examine the fan, surprising that such a small fan can shift so much air, it must have a very high RPM and there’s a printed safety warning not to operate it without the filter cover in place, I wouldn’t want to!. It also comes with a short USB A to USB C charge cable. The only thing that I would say is that I don’t think that it would be well suited for left-handed folks as one’s palm would be right over the dust filter air intake thus blocking the fan’s air flow and therefore cooling. If I could suggest an improvement, based on my initial usage, it would be to make the air speed selector dial more clicky, particularly in the lock position and a bit harder to turn. I can also see myself parting company with the plastic cap/cover sooner or later so maybe another way of covering it like a sliding cover or suchlike would be an improvement. It would perhaps also make a nice travelling companion for my go anywhere waterproof, drop-proof, dust-proof Tough TG-5 camera which is designed to be exposed to the elements.

I don’t go particularly crazy about packaging but, for what it’s worth, I have to say that it was extremely well packed in attractive, eye-catching yellow and black packaging. I think that it will earn its place in my travelling kit which I’ve recently rationalised and re-organised, more of that in another post. I’m impressed with how effectively and effortlessly it cleaned my camera and lens and computer keyboard. The only problem that I now have is that I no longer have any excuse not to do so more often as I’ve already told my wife so she knows that I’ve got it! 🙂

Take care,

Leigh

Hi everyone,

I’ve ordered one of those Nitecore Blowerbaby BB2 Electronic Cleaning Air Blower for Camera and Lens, try saying that fast 🙂 . Could be a useful bit of kit. I don’t think that I’d take it everywhere with me as my small air blower and lens pen usually do the job and are a lot more compact and lighter but for thoroughly cleaning my kit, particularly the camera’s nooks and crannies back at base or maybe taking out with me if I’m going to be somewhere particularly dusty, like a beach, I think that it would do a pretty thorough job judging by what I’ve seen of it in use. I’ll post when I’ve tried it out, not the cheapest bit of gear but hopefully a worthwhile purchase. Main features are: rechargeable (USB C), 3 air speeds, air intake filter , cleaning brush and flashlight although I’m not sure how often I’ll be using that. I wouldn’t use it on the camera’s sensor though but rather for the camera bodies, lenses and filters etc. and anything else that needs a good dust like my keyboard, my ageing record collection (note I didn’t say vinyl) or maybe the whole room for that matter! 🙂 . Hell if it’s no good I’ve got myself a Star Trek communicator look-alike, how cool is that!. 🙂 Beam me up Scotty.

Best wishes,

Leigh

Hi everyone,

Although I have quite a few filters which I rarely use, mostly ND and CPL filters from different manufacturers, I thought I’d give this filter a try. For some time I’ve been a fan of Marumi filters which I think are well built and very good value for money. Until recently I didn’t know that Marumi have been making filters for sixty or so years in Japan so they should know a thing or two about things. I read a lot about their Super DHG polariser which has got some very favourable reviews across the board and I thought I’d give one a try. I used it for the first time yesterday on my trip to West Wittering and I think that it’s one of the best, quite possibly the best CPL filter, that I’ve tried. I cannot detect any colour shift apart from the obvious increased saturation of warm tones. One reason that I don’t very often use any filter that will reduce the light hitting the sensor is because I shoot handheld HDR and don’t want to introduce longer shutter speeds. This one costs one approximately 1 1/2 stops, but on a nice sunny 🙂 but deceptively cold 😞 day like yesterday that’s not too much of an issue. Lighting conditions permitting I think that I’ll definitely be shooting more with this filter.

As always, my opinions, not sponsored in any way and paid for out of my own pocket.

Kind regards

Leigh

PS. You know that I’m just shooting with my 20mm Lumix lens. None of the images I’ve posted using this lens have been cropped in post, they’re framed exactly as taken, a very versatile focal length.

Hi everyone,

I thought I’d invest in one of those silicone lens caps for my Lumix 20mm f/1.7 lens, lens hood and XUME lens adapter combo. I carefully measured the outside diameter as a maximum of 62mm and found one going for a temptingly cheap price. I noticed that one can pay significantly more for brand names so I thought I’d dip my toe in the water and get a cheap one to try out and see how it lasts. I’m not so interested in the claimed waterproof properties as the lens isn’t weather sealed and doesn’t have a rubber sealing ring on the lens mount but it might help with some added protection when the camera and lens is in the bag or maybe to slip on quickly if caught out in light rain, better that than nothing. They say it fits from 60mm to 110mm but I think that it’ll probably split if stretched too far and too often, this size is perfect for my requirements and easy to get on and off without much stretching but tight enough to stay on, tighter than a traditional lens cap for sure and it won’t fall off. I’m not bothered about it offering any additional protection from knocks as, with the hood fitted, the front lens element is well and truly recessed but I suppose it would offer a small degree of cushioning. If two solid objects collide I can’t see it as being a bad idea to have something made from rubber between them.

Best wishes,

Leigh

Hi everyone,

I know that I’ve posted about this great little lightweight pouch/bag before but, now that I’m just taking one small camera and lens out it’s really come into it’s own. I have the larger size, the fabric is very water-resistant, I know, I speak from experience as it got thoroughly drenched on one occasion when I was out in heavy rain. Unlike myself, the gear inside thankfully stayed dry but, as I’m more than a bit paranoid about such things, I found a rain cover from one of my small Manfrotto bags which fits it perfectly and is there if I need it in the event of a really heavy downpour. In order for it to be fitted I added lockable metal D-Rings to the pouch and used one of my clip on bag straps. Although I wasn’t ever a Boy Scout I think that their “be prepared” moto isn’t a bad one. 🙂

It’s nice because it’s well made, small, light and inconspicuous and doesn’t draw as much unwanted attention as a dedicated camera bag as I suppose that it probably looks like a small “man bag”. Not that I’ve ever had a man bag, no macho rambo esque rubbish here it’s just that I like pockets, a concept, like the offside rule in football, that my loving wife has never fully understood, one of her favourite sayings being whenever I try and explain such things, “I have a feeling that I should be more interested in that” 🙂 . She’s got her handbag which we laughingly joke about equating to Dr Who’s TARDIS in terms of the amount of things in it compared to it’s apparent size. Men (like me) like pockets, lots of pockets, preferably zip up pockets are good 🙂 . It’s the same as clothes, men keep clothes, it’s why when one goes into a charity shop there’s rails and rails of women’s clothing and maybe a small rail with men’s, “If you don’t throw that out I’m leaving you!” clothing on it. 🙂

Anyway, I digress, back to the tech pouch, I think that it’s an ideal way of carrying a small Micro Four Thirds or similar sized camera and lens with a few small accessories as it has two zip up compartments, the main one with a few additional elasticated mesh pockets which I’m using for a spare battery, some lens wipes and a filter and a well thought out soft-lined front compartment, lined so that it doesn’t scratch a mobile phone’s LCD screen, glasses, sunglasses etc.. All-in-all I think that it’s a great little bag, intended for those that have a need to carry their tech gear around but equally well suited for my purpose. The picture below shows the pouch with my Olympus E-M1 Mk 1 camera with strap and Lumix 20mm f/1.7 lens plus after market lens hood fitted which fits comfortably in it as would any of my small prime lenses such as my Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/1.8, 17mm f/1.8, 25mm f/1.8 or 45 mm f/1.8 or maybe my tiny Lumix 14 mm f/2.5 or 12-32mm lenses.

Best wishes,

Leigh

Hi everyone,

Back in the 70’s when I got my first serious camera a 35mm Olympus OM-1 manual film camera with the then pretty much obligatory 50 mm f.1.8 lens the one thing that I remember above all is the fun of having a one camera one lens lightweight setup which felt so natural in one’s hand and was a joy to use. Sure over time I bought other and more specialised lenses as I have with my modern gear but there’s something liberating and fun about that kind of gear.

So, trying to dismiss any feelings of nostalgia and being objective, I’ve decided to do just that all over again with one of my favourite cameras and lenses , my Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and my Lumix 20 mm f/1.7 (40mm equivalent) lens. I will also take my tiny Lumix 14-42 mm II zoom, a very capable lens in it’s own right, as it weighs next to nothing at 3.9 ounces! (I love plastic) 🙂 and it’s there if I feel that I need it but it is my intent to try and stick with the 20mm as much as possible. The other reason for taking the zoom is that, mobility-wise I cannot zoom with my feet like I used to and my opportunities to get out and take photographs have become quite rare and I really want to be covered if I’m somewhere when I need other focal lengths but not at the expense of lugging heavier gear around.

I know from years of experience that this focal length range feels the best and most natural for me with the sweet spot more or less right in the middle at about 20mm thus I almost certainly should be able to capture just about everything that I want. One thing is for sure it’ll be a lot of fun and, when it’s fun, it not only feels better but like as not ends up with some of my favourite “keeper” shots. Photography is as much about state of mind as it is anything else.

Kind regards,

Leigh

Hi everyone,

Not what you may be thinking from the title of this post, I’m referring to travelling light. Without labouring the point, as many of you are already aware, my mobility problems have caused me to continuously rethink my gear choices, I’ve been a long-term fan of lightweight gear and this has exaggerated things further. There maybe some compromises to be made but I really don’t care or think that, in terms of image quality, they are very significant especially so if one is prepared to invest some time and effort in processing one’s images.

Most of my photographic gear has been purchased second-hand, at least two-thirds of my lenses and all but one of my cameras and that makes the budget-friendly gear options especially regarding lenses even more financially satisfying. Whilst waiting to get out hopefully tomorrow I have decided to make a few changes to my intended gear for the outing. I have changed my camera choice to my Olympus PEN E-PL8 + EV4 electronic viewfinder camera which is lighter and smaller but still does everything that I require and my choice of telephoto zoom lens to my Olympus 40-150mm R f/4-5.6 whilst keeping with my Lumix 14-42mm II and 20mm f/1.7 lenses all in one of my small Manfrotto camera bags.

I always take gear reviews with a healthy pinch of salt, that’s if salt is regarded healthy these days 🙂 but if one reads around it’s difficult to find bad reviews of these lenses, optically and value for money wise, they’re all sharp and punch well above their weight and are great choices when putting together a versatile, lightweight travel kit. I am very much guilty of not using my longer lenses very much, something that I’m very keen to put right. One can pickup the 40-150mm lens new or split from a kit for a laughably cheap price, let alone second-hand, if I remember correctly I paid about £80 new for mine, possibly less 🙂 . when compared to the cost of it’s PRO series equivalent , constant aperture f/2,8 lens which costs an eye-watering circa £1200 and weighs in at 760g (without tripod adapter / 880g (with tripod adapter) . I’ll let you form your own conclusions as to whether the price difference is reflected in their relative optical performance. Sure the Pro lenses have weather sealing, undisputedly better build quality are faster and are optically better, (at least on laboratory test charts) but they are, by comparison, a hell of a lot heavier and extremely expensive. If, and it’s a very BIG if, I had the funds, health, transport and my photographic interest were different, would I buy them, maybe so but, for my every day on-foot requirements certainly not so. I’ll leave the pixel-peepers and gear-heads to their devices, I’d much rather be out taking pictures. 🙂

Never once have I been asked which camera or lens I have used for a shot. As we all know, it’s not the gear it’s the image, if it appeals then it appeals, if it doesn’t it doesn’t and let’s face it, the quality of imagery that modern camera equipment is capable of producing is extremely high and certainly better than the gear I was using years ago but the principals remain exactly the same and there is, as the saying goes “no substitute for experience” whatever one’s choice of gear.

Kind regards

Leigh

Hi everyone,

Whilst I’m waiting to get out and get some shots I thought I’d choose my gear for my next outing as there are a few ideas I’d like to try out. I’ve chosen to take my trusty and much-loved Olympus PEN-F MFT camera and three, lightweight (as always), lenses, my Lumix 20 mm f/1.7, 14-42 mm II and 45-150 mm.

Firstly, packing my 45-150 mm is a bit of an odd choice for me as I don’t really take many shots with telephoto lenses and they’re not my first, and more obvious, choice for landscapes and it could be interesting doing some landscape shots with this lens. During my recent ill-fated trip to Spain I fell back in love with my Lumix 20mm pancake lens as a very capable lightweight walk about lens and I’m keen to continue with using it as such. The focal length is an interesting one as it sits between 35 mm and 50 mm (in 35 mm terms) lenses. For me, it’s a bit of a Goldilocks lens as 35 mm focal length is frequently “just too wide” and the 50 mm focal length is “just too tight” and the 20 mm (40mm equivalent) focal length more than often feels “just right” 🙂 and of course good in low light too. Its autofocus isn’t the fastest in the World and it can occasionally hunt for focus neither of which bother me unduly as it’s very sharp, ultra-compact, lightweight and fast. Lastly, I’m going to take my JJC pistol grip/remote and see if I can use it to hopefully explore some interesting angles and elevated views and I also find it comfortable, versatile and steadying in use especially with longer focal lengths such as the 45-150 mm.

I’ll post the results here.

Best wishes,

Leigh

PS. Here’s one of the few landscape shots I’ve taken to date with the 45-150mm lens.