THIS WEEK IN PHOTOGRAPHY 12-17-2009
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NEW TRIPOD LINE- Cullman Tripods
Founded in 1955, Cullmann GMBH has been a major manufacturer of prosumer tripods for digital, still and video applications. The "Quick Release" camera plate system was invented by Mr. Cullmann and is now a universally accepted camera mount system used by most all tripod manufacturers. In addition, innovations such as hexagonal leg sections, which add much greater stability than traditional rounded leg sections, have set Cullmann apart as an industry leader.
Cullman Tripods are less expensive then the high end Manfrotto and Giottos tripods that we sell. With the addition of the Cullman line, we can now offer an entry level tripod with head for less than a $100. Their Aluminum 528 is a very good value at $114.95. The Cullman tripods have Paul's full support and he is happy to be able to offer a well made, less expensive tripod.
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REDESIGNED BALL HEADS-Manfrotto
Some significant modifications have been made to three redesigned Manfotto Ball Heads. Adjustable friction control has been added and the quick release plates are the same across the new models. They are now in stock for $75, $89, and $139.
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NEW PRODUCT- Zipshot Ultra Compact Tripod
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This tripod is more fun to open and close than it is to use. Closed, it will comfortably fit into any camera bag but it opens to a surprisingly sturdy 44 inch tripod with ball head. Weighing only 11 ounces and folding down to 15 inches, it will support a three pound camera or camcorder. The ZipShot is distributed through Tamrac and sells for $54.99. An instructional video can be seen at their web site http://www.zipshottripod.com |
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VISTING NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER TO SPEAK TONIGHT
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The second "Annual Morton Lecture on Photography" is at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 17th in the Steiner Auditorium at the Birmingham Museum Of Art. National contemporary artist, Walead Beshty, will discuss his recent work. He will examine photography's roll in shaping our understanding of history and the contradictions and paradoxes inherent in the mechanics and processes of the medium plus focus on links between the real and the reproduced. The event is sponsored by the BMoA and photography collector John Morton. It is free of charge. You should attend. |
Click here for more information about the image and about the speaker.
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ALL ABOUT SHUTTER RELEASES by Paul Franklin
Over the last couple of newsletters, we've mentioned the benefits through the use of a tripod, and they all stem from the added stability -- steadiness -- that the tripod provides. A tripod and head should keep motion to a relative minimum compared to hand-holding the camera, and that steadiness translates to added sharpness for your images.
Another part of the sharpness puzzle is the benefit that may be gained by using a remote shutter release. Remotes allow long exposures or even sudden, excited shots to be taken without the pressure of the finger on the shutter causing camera movement. Physical contact with the camera as the exposure is being made can be a major source of poor image sharpness.
Back in the days, most cameras used a simple "plunger"-type device that screwed into the shutter itself. These were semi-inexpensive and relatively effective until they got kinked up internally or simply fell apart, which was usually about once a month or every time you used the thing, whichever came first.
Now most cameras use electronic remotes with a proprietary connector on the side of the camera body. No more one-size-fits-all, but they are very reliable and quite durable, as there are no moving parts to break or wear out.
Nikon & Canon both make various remotes to fit their cameras. And for many cameras, there's an option of a "wired" remote where the actuator remains physically tethered to the camera, or a wireless remote that transmits a signal via infrared beam (cheap, short-distance, line-of-sight) or radio frequency (longer distance, shoots through walls or around corners). The wireless radio frequency remotes allow you to trigger the shutter from significant distances from the camera.
And... we also stock the Hahnel line of remotes. Hahnel is a German company that offers two lines of remotes - those that fit Nikons and those that fit all Canons, with wired and wireless versions of each. The Hahnel wireless remotes operate on radio frequency and are effective at distance up to 250 feet from the camera.
There's two important points about these remotes: (1) each package comes with interchangeable connectors to fit virtually ALL recent Nikon or Canon cameras (so if you buy a new camera or have multiple bodies, the remote will likely still work perfectly by simply changing out the connectors), and (2) these things are a real bargain: $29.99 for the wired remotes and $69.99 for the wireless.
Note: A new remote release is a perfect gift for any photographer. Especially you.
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PHOTO EXHIBITIONS
Continuing but ending soon....
... "Illuminations & Reflections", new work by Birmingham's Melissa Springer and David Young of New York. Melissa is showing her 19x19 inch series of silver gelatin floral prints at the Garden Center at Birmingham Botanical Gardens through January 1. http://www.bbgardens.org
... "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art from the Yale University Gallery" at the Birmingham Museum of Art through January 10th.
... Auburn: "Elvis at 21- New York To Memphis", photographs by Alfred Wertheimer at the Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University through January 9th, 2010. http://www.jcsm.auburn.edu
... Tuscaloosa: "William Christenberry: Land/Memory" at the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa through December 22nd. http://www.as.ua.edu/art.
... Atlanta: "Black Line of Woods", by Minneapolis photographer Alec Soth at the High Museum through January 3rd. http://www.high.org
... Nashville: "Twilight Visions: Surrealism, Photography, and Paris" by world famous photographers on display through January 23rd, 2010 at the Frist Center in Nashville. http:/ www.fristcenter.org.
... Columbus: "Now and Then: Snapshots of the South", historic photos by A.S. Williams and contemporary images by Jerry Siegle at the Columbus Museum in Columbus, Georgia through January 31. http://www.columbusmuseum.com
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MANUFACTURER PROMOTIONS
JILL-E Camera Bags trade-in program http://www.camerasbrookwood.com/BrochurePage/FLYER_Jill-e-CameraBags.pdf
Lowepro SlingShot 100 and SlingShot 200 AW camera bags receive a $10 mail-in rebate for purchases through 12/31/09. Pick up your rebate form and bag at CAMERAS BROOKWOOD.
Manfrotto Rebate on carbon fiber tripods http://www.camerasbrookwood.com/BrochurePage/FLYER_ManfrottoRebate.pdf
Select Manfrotto Tripods have a temporary $10 to $20 price reduction: 055XB tripod for $145; 055XPROB $160; 190XPROB- $145; and 7302YB for $115; and the 322RC2 grip for $120; Through December 31st.
Westcott Soft Boxes FREE with purchase
http://www.camerasbrookwood.com/BrochurePage/FLYER_Westcott-StrobeliteOutfit.pdf
Ilford Photo Contest : "Image On A Box" http://www.camerasbrookwood.com/BrochurePage/Flyer_IlfordPhotoContest.pdf
Lensbaby call for publication- get published; through December 31st. www.lensbaby.com/getpublished
Harman CrystalJet RC Inkjet Photo Paper introductory packaging contains 30 sheets of paper for the normal 25 sheet price. The cost of the 8.5x11 25+5 sheet box is $11.99 as long as supply lasts.
Nikon World Calendar- the 2010 calendar is in. Pick up your FREE copy.
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PHOTO CLASSES
The Southern Institute of Photography Winter catalog of classes at the Birmingham Bontanical Gardens is now available. Pick up a copy next time your in.
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WORKSHOPS at CAMERAS BROOKWOOD
The 2009 Workshop Series is now complete. A new schedule will be posted in mid January. If you have requests for the upcoming year, please let us know.
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www.cbPhotoStore.com http://www.cbphotostore.com/index.html
Tripods are the featured products on our cbPhotoStore Home Page for the month of December. Get specs and compare tripods. Bring a hardcopy of the Tripod page when you come in to purchase your tripod and we will treat it as a Fifteen Dollar Gift Certificate toward the purchase of any tripod in stock during the month of December. (One per customer)
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www.cbPhotoLab.com http://www.cbPhotoLab.com
Gift items and book orders can no longer be guaranteed to be ready by Christmas. Everyone, of course, will try their best to complete as many orders as possible.
Order your greeting cards online by closing Monday. Get 250 4x8 cards with envelopes for only $99. Choose from many designs. Monday is the last day for submitting cards to be returned before the 25th. Use offer code NL1209.
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NEWSLETTER SPECIALS
Remote shutter release specials for Newsletter subscribers only and retroactive back to Thanksgiving,,,
Hahnel Remote Shutter Release with 2.5 foot cord plus a 6 foot extension for $6 off the $29.95 price. One model is for all Canon cameras, another for all Nikons.
Hahnel Pro Remote Control Wireless Transmitter & Receiver plus Short Cable Shutter Release works to a distance of 240 feet and has continuous and bulb capability. $12 off the regular $69.99 price. One model for Canon, one for Nikon.
Canon Rebel Remote Switch RS-60E3 for $6 off the regular $30 price.
Remote Switch RS-80N3 for most Canon non-Rebel cameras for $10 off the regular $63 price.
Nikon MC-36 Remote Cord for $30 off the regular $179 price.
Kaiser 16 foot Remote Control Air Release with screw-in plunger release- $37.95 less 33%.
Repair estimates are always free- call us at 205 822-2106
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LAUGH with Ron Bowen
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