ODIN: Phottix's New ETTL Wireless Flash Trigger For Canon - FIRST REVIEW!

Hi All,

Just super excited to give you a review on the soon to be released ETTL wireless radio triggers from Phottix - called Odin.  I will be doing a range test and a few other details in another post in the near future.  All photos at the exhibition were taken with a Canon 7D and a 18-135mm stock lens.

Here are pictures of the Odin Canon ETTL speedlight triggering system....



More after the jump....

2011 Mitsubishi Galloper 3.8 GLS: My Shiny New Horse!

Hi Folks!

Just wanted to post a picture of my new ride.  I am really proud of this new car.  This is the first vehicle the I drove out of the showroom back in February, 2011.  Why do I call it my 'New Horse'?  Well, my old vehicle is a Hyundai Galloper.  While I love my new car and enjoy the comforts and luxuries it affords me, I miss the rough, rugged and beaten up Galloper.  That car has taken me to hell and back...and is still running.  What did I do with it?  Well, my wife is driving it around now!

Check out my strobist style pic...featuring - Moi! after the jump....

Phottix Atlas (Update): Go For Launch!

Check out Post 1/3 (Introduction To Phottix Atlas)
Check out Post 2/3 (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing)
Check out Post 3/3 (Long Range Testing)

Firstly I need to thank a few of my inspirations....mainly on account of them opening my eyes to off camera flash techniques....
Joe McNally
The Strobist (aka David Hobby)
Zack 'One Light' Arias
Gulf Photo Plus (I am where I am because of you)!

I hope you all check out the links above.  Great source of inspiration, resources and instruction!

NOW...to move on....
As you know, I recently reviewed (part 1, part 2 & part 3) the Phottix Atlas & compared it to the PocketWizard Plus II.

In my second post, under 'CONS & QUIRKS', I mention:
"Random triggering of the speedlite (on its own) causing the flash to go off..."

Well, this was noted by the good folks at Phottix and informed me (shortly before the official launch) that this issue was rectified and the current product was shipping with this issue resolved.  I therefore purchased 4 units of the (new) Phottix Atlas.

The package arrived late June, 2010.

More....(pictures of the desert around Dubai if you want to see it)... POST JUMPUS .....

Clash Of The Titans - Phottix Atlas vs PocketWizard Plus II (Long Range Testing) - Part 3 of 3)

This is Part 3/3 of my review of the Phottix Atlas and it's comparison to the PocketWizard Plus II...

Check out Post 1/3 (Introduction To Phottix Atlas)
Check out Post 2/3 (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing)
Check out Post On The Update (Random Triggering Fixed)

OK...so it has been longer than anticipated to post the final part of this review as I had a roll of assignments here in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

I actually got the opportunity to cover the launch of the Ferrari California at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi...sorry, I feel that I am allowed a little bit of excitement over this lovely car.  I also covered an exhibition (Automechanika) for AC Delco at the Dubai World Trade Centre, a friend's family portraits and a 'soon to be open' hotel in Abu Dhabi.  The reason I mention all of them is on account of me using the Phottix Atlas for all of them as my primary wireless radio triggers.  I say primary because on the Ferrari & hotel job I had to use my PocketWizards for additional strobes. More after the jump....

Clash Of The Titans - Phottix Atlas vs PocketWizard Plus II (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing) - Part 2 of 3)

This is Part 2/3 of my review of the Phottix Atlas and it's comparison to the PocketWizard Plus II...

Check out Post 1/3 (Introduction To Phottix Atlas)
Check out Post 3/3 (Long Range Testing)
Check out Post On The Update (Random Triggering Fixed)

OK! So folks settle in for a product description (the best that I can come up with anyway) and a demo of the short range wireless triggering capabilities of this device. I compare it with the PocketWizard Plus II since it is the closest in comparison.

I think that this is a product that deserves it's day in the sun.

PHOTTIX ATLAS

I had swapped out my not so good Tetra set for the (soon to be released) Phottix Atlas transceivers. Now, don't think I'm cutting down the Tetra's. It's just that I was so impressed with the Atlas, that all else faded by visual comparison (Plus II included !!). The Atlas seemed (not sure that it is) heavier. The first time I put this wireless trigger in my hand, it felt good...it felt solid, and had a proper finish to it.

Clash Of The Titans - Phottix Atlas vs PocketWizard Plus II (Intro - Part 1 of 3)

Check out Post 2/3 (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing)
Check out Post 3/3 (Long Range Testing)
Check out Post On The Update (Random Triggering Fixed)

Atlas , from mythology was a Titan who dared go up against Zeus and forced to hold up the celestial spheres (the sky) from the western edge of Gaia (the Earth) as punishment. He is also known as Atlas Telamon or "Enduring Atlas".

"What has that got to do with photography?" you ask.

Well this......



...The PHOTTIX ATLAS !!

...an alternative to the current industry standard and reliable PocketWizard (Plus II)....how about also adding the fact that it is almost a third of the price !!!

PocketWizard was & still is the king of the wireless heaven. But is Zeus ready to dish out wrath against the little known Titan who dare stand up to him and pose a genuine threat to his position on Olympus?

I review the newly (well actually, not yet) released Phottix Atlas and give it a head-to-head with the PocketWizard Plus II. This post will be about the my introduction to the Atlas and how I came to acquire it. The second post will be about the features and direct comparison of the Atlas to it's direct competitor, the PocketWizard Plus II. This post will also contain a quick short range wireless trigger test. I hope to then conclude with part three (coming soon) with a long range test and a few other closing remarks.

OK, now to set the stage for this Clash Of The Titans:

Strobist Boot Camp II - Assignment 1 (The Head Shot)

OK...so it's on!

The first Strobist Boot Camp II assignment is up on the Strobist website. A simple head shot along with a self portrait taken in the same setting (rules apply). Access the site for more details.

Winner gets:

• One Speedlight Pro Kit (more info)

• One Strobist Lighting Seminar 8-DVD boxed set (more info)

• One set of Strobist Trade Secret Cards (more info)

Deadline is June 23, 2009 (your local time)

By the way...for all you folks registering in the UAE (or anywhere else where flickr is banned), please take a look at the following link to Access Flickr! 1.11.

Hope to see your pictures there!!!

Ciao

Charles

Strobist Boot Camp II - Starts June 10 2009

Hi Folks!

Just in case you haven't heard, David Hobby (aka Strobist) is back in action and kicking our butts into shape! Yet another Boot Camp!! Woohoo!

The Strobist will be providing a series of 4 exercises/assignments with a few set of rules and with some wonderful prizes (shipped anywhere in the world). Assignments will cover four areas of flash photography. Open to anyone, this is a wonderful opportunity for any budding photographer to showcase his/her abilities (new or grizzled) in a (very) public platform.

So come on folks....get those cameras cleaned, batteries charged, strobes off camera and memory cards wiped clean!!

Strobist Boot Camp II - Starts June 10 2009

Going The Strobist Way

Ever since I was introduced to David Hobby (aka Strobist) via Gulf Photo Plus (GPP) last year, I have been experimenting on and off with off-camera flash lighting techniques. The results always inspire me. Now, I'm not saying that my results are good or unique, but I always feel that I am taking one more step in the right direction.

After this years GPP '09 event I was yet again inspired to try out these techniques once again. While attending one of the Dubai Strobist events, I happened to come across a burned down warehouse. Not really sure what caused the blaze but, I wonder if it had anything to do with insurance as are quite a few blazes rumoured to be caused by here in the UAE. Anyway, I scooped out these 'spaces' that had the right mood and ambiance for a strobist style shoot.

A few weeks later I visited this place with my wife on the way back from a weekend outing. I convinced my wife to pose for me. 'Convinced' (though she loves to be in front of the camera), because she felt that I hadn't given her sufficient warning for her to get ready!

Her mood is reflected in the first picture. After a few clicks and showing her the result, she gradually warmed up to the idea of this style of picture taking.

Basically, my setup is one Canon 580 EXII flash mounted with an umbrella in reflective mode on a stand connected to a Pocket Wizard.



First picture taken with the camera at ISO 400, 1/60 sec, f5 shooting at about 58mm.

The second was taken using my macro lens as it opens up to f2.8. Since I wanted to freeze the jump, blur (as much as possible) the background and decrease the ambient by increasing shutter speed to 1/100 sec I captured this exposure at f2.8 at 100mm while sticking at ISO 400.

The last picture was taken at f4.5 @ 1/80 sec using the 100mm macro lens. I intentionally put up this snap as it just shows the umbrella on the top left of the frame.

Overall, this exercise helped me build up my confidence in the strobist ways. I have since used the experience and knowledge gained to apply in my paid assignments. I hope to post some of them soon....

Ciao

Charles