My new toys.......

[S.E.V.]

So I just received some new toys on thursday. Just thought I would rub it in. ;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/4020072617_0d65105d93_o.jpg

Gitzo 3531s
lenscoat tripod leg covers realtree MAX4 HD
lenscoat 500mm realtree MAX4 HD
Better Beamer w/ lenscaot realtree MAX4 HD carrying case
Hoya 72mm ND400 filter (but I needed the 77mm filter) (!!!Doh!!!)
Hoodman 3: LCD loupe

Took the new toys out for a test run this morning. I am in love with the weight of the gitzo, 500mm, 1.4x TC and the 1d3 with the leg covers are now way easier to carry on my shoulders. The only con I have with the Gitzo3531S is that it is a little to short when fully opened up. It needs to be about 5" higher. Maybe a center column will do the fix, maybe I should of gone with the 3530LS or the 3531LSV. Maybe I can still swap it out with B&H.

Now when a manufacturer tells you something, you better damn well follow what they say. I had the better beamer out for a test run. I did one shot turned the 500 around the other way and within a few seconds I walked around to the front of the 500mm and I saw smoke coming off the middle of the lens. OH SNAP the better beamer is burning my new lenscoat! I quickly put my hand over the burning area then removed the magnifier off the better beamer. That is the last time I ever leave it on when not using it. The damage was not severe but it still burned my new lenscoat.:cry: I think I am going to make a fabric cover that goes around it and velcro locks it in place so I don't have to worry about it burning anything while I do not use it. You can see the damage in the photo, just in front of the lens hood on the top side.

Here is a test shot with the better beamer, sun was directly in front of me.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/4020897566_b6a84a681d_o.jpg

Next addition I get are the lenscoat wimberly cover to match along with the lenscoat cover for the 1.4x TC

Sevan

[Garry Gibson]

great shot.. the beamer is amazing isn't it?

[NicolasRubio]

God, I hove that lens!

How are you liking the Hoodman?

PS: congrats for the acquisitions!

[Digitally_Altered]

nice additions, need to get some of those covers for my 500 and will take note re: the beamer burner...

[S.E.V.]

God, I hove that lens!

How are you liking the Hoodman?

PS: congrats for the acquisitions!

The hood man is awesome on super bright sunny day when you can see the LCD but can't tell if the exposure is right. It totally blocks out the ambient light and allows you to properly view the shot and make adjustments. Also you can adjust it to focus to your eyes, it is not a set deal and it comes with a neck strap and carrying case with a belt hook.

The 500mm is a beauty. light weight to carry and is great for both birding and motorsports, one of the reason I bought it.

Sevan

[S.E.V.]

nice additions, need to get some of those covers for my 500 and will take note re: the beamer burner...

Yeah WATCH OUT, the sun is your enemy. The covers are awesome very easy to put on, but the only thing I could complain about is that the clear plastic cover over the setting switches. They allow you to switch the switches but it will take some getting used to.

Sevan

[Digitally_Altered]

do you like the tripod, is it the systematic version?

[FinalCut747]

500 mm light weight my friend???? I am amazed... 100-400 is a heavy boy... 500 is light weight?
Then again, I can barely bench 65 lbs... or curl 25 lbs...

[S.E.V.]

do you like the tripod, is it the systematic version?

Yes i love it, it is way lighter then my manfrotto 055xprob, but it takes some getting used to, the legs have inward stop so when carrying it over your shoulder they can over close between each other. Yes it is the systematic, here is the link to b&h http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/569166-REG/Gitzo_GT3531S_GT3531S_Systematic_6X_Carbon.html

But if height is an issue to you, compare between the 3530LS and the 3531LSV both about $50.00 more.

Sevan

[Cyclop]

Congrats, nice setup.

[S.E.V.]

500 mm light weight my friend???? I am amazed... 100-400 is a heavy boy... 500 is light weight?
Then again, I can barely bench 65 lbs... or curl 25 lbs...
You get used to it.

[S.E.V.]

Congrats, nice setup.

Thanks :)

[sdipirro]

What struck me the most, as I drooled over the gear, is the cheap TV in the background. Hey, what's with that?

[NicolasRubio]

What struck me the most, as I drooled over the gear, is the cheap TV in the background. Hey, what's with that?

That's what I'd call PRIORITIES. :D

[S.E.V.]

That's what I'd call PRIORITIES. :D


Hahahaha naw, this was taken at my girlfriends moms house, where everything in the house in antique. But priorities is right if it was mine. But I have a 42" wide screen phillips. Priorities on both ends.;)

[Muskydave22]

One day I will have that 500mm, one day.

Dave

[S.E.V.]

One day I will have that 500mm, one day.

Dave

That's the same thing I said to both the 1d3 and the 500mm now I am saying the same thing to the 400mm f2.8L IS and the 800mm:rolleyes:

[Muskydave22]

Haha, it will definitely be a while for me. In college and looking towards medical school means a lot of money in student loans so lens purchasing might have to take a back seat for a while.

Dave

[CanonHowitzer]

What do you think of the Lenscoat products?
Worth it? Easy to use?

Tks.
:)

[Digitally_Altered]

What do you think of the Lenscoat products?
Worth it? Easy to use?

Tks.
:)
also the tripod leg covers look a bit short, the only option?

[S.E.V.]

What do you think of the Lenscoat products?
Worth it? Easy to use?

Tks.
:)

Yes very easy to put an and they don't get in the way of anything, but like I said the only thing that will take some getting used to will be the clear cover over the setting switches, but I am already used to them. Worth it yes I would say so, I was able to get closer to the birds then my last trip out.

Sevan

[S.E.V.]

also the tripod leg covers look a bit short, the only option?
Yes the covers are a few inches short but when carrying it over your shoulder it doesn't matter. I think they are the only option figuring that the other gitzos might have shorter first section because of there overall height, not sure to tell you the truth. But it is not a big deal like I said.

Sevan

[FinalCut747]

Is that a fresnel on the flash?
(A fresnel is this)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Fresnel_lens.svg/401px-Fresnel_lens.svg.png

[S.E.V.]

Is that a fresnel on the flash?
(A fresnel is this)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Fresnel_lens.svg/401px-Fresnel_lens.svg.png

This is what I had purchased from B&H

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/427602-REG/Visual_Echoes_FX3_FX3_Better_Beamer_for.html

Item description from B&H site:

The Visual Echos FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender will help increase the reach of the Canon 580EX and Metz 54MZ-4 flash and increases the flash output by about 2 to 3 f/stops. It focuses and concentrates the output of the flash into a narrow beam via the fresnel panel that gets positioned in front of the flash. This allows shooting at greater distances and shooting with smaller apertures.

The Better Beamer is designed to be used with lenses 300mm and longer, and its rugged, injection-molded plastic side supports are attached to the flash head by a sturdy elastic "hook-and-loop" band. The rigid supports hold the Fresnel screen in place in both horizontal and vertical formats.

• Excellent for wildlife and birding photography, where long-distance fill-flash is often required, especially with a bright sunlight background. The use of fill flash opens up the shadows without the appearance that a flash was used.

• When used with TTL flash metering, exposure is automatically set by the camera and flash, and no special compensation is required.

• Reduces the drain on battery power by two-thirds.


Sevan

[Jon]

Yeah, the Beamer's a Fresnel, all right. Just like those flat magnifier lenses, really.

[FinalCut747]

Wow.... thanks guys... Now I can magnify my flash... and torture ants at the same time. my nerd friend and I were talking about them today. Thanks Jon!!

[S.E.V.]

Wow.... thanks guys... Now I can magnify my flash... and torture ants at the same time. my nerd friend and I were talking about them today. Thanks Jon!!

Yes but it magnifies the light from the flash for a great distance, not really intended for close range firing, your flash can reach for that.

[FinalCut747]

You are truly an inspiration for me in photography... I am a simple noob borrowing dad's camera with 4 lenses. You have the setup I would die to have....