Sony Lounge Thread MKIII (All Sony cameras welcome)

First bug of 2018.
Living specimen=no stacking

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/HCXy​kL

As a reminder, this weeks theme is "METALIC" for the 52 week challenge. Be creative using color, gloss, texture, anything that conveys something that is or looks metalic.

At first, I announced a theme I had already used before and have now changed it to this one. My apologies for any confusion.

navydoc wrote in post #18598730
I purchased mine using PayPal and the receipt says I made the purchase on March 20th (my birthday ). It was delivered via USPS on March 29th. You should be able to track your package through DHL. I got the tracking number by following the 'view order' button on the update emails I received.

As a side note, I changed a few things from this setup photo (background, water container, and light positions), and I wasn't able to sync the flash with the drop again. I get frustrated easily so I left things alone for awhile. I've had other things to do and haven't tried again since then so I don't know what I'm still doing wrong yet. I know I did bump the magic arm supporting the valve and that it moved a little during the change of setup but I should be able to break things down and set back up again relatively quickly I would think.

I've also purchased from their website via PayPal on March 28th. I just checked the status and it just says, "Your order is confirmed"...and it's said that since last week....with no additional updates/info. Although, I did receive a "Thank you" email which also asked if I had any questions. So yesterday I asked about the status of my order with no reply just yet.

kekane wrote in post #18599349
I've also purchased from their website via PayPal on March 28th. I just checked the status and it just says, "Your order is confirmed"...and it's said that since last week....with no additional updates/info. Although, I did receive a "Thank you" email which also asked if I had any questions. So yesterday I asked about the status of my order with no reply just yet.

Very strange. I hope you get your Pluto soon or at least a reply from them explaining what your order status is. A couple of days after I ordered, I hadn't seen any notice of shipping so I contacted customer service too on Friday the 23rd. I got a reply 2 days later, on Sunday the 25th that read:

"Hi Gene,

Thanks for reaching out to us. You can receive DHL shipment on 30th-Mar.

Best regards,

Fiona"

I also ordered their Magic Arm on the same day I ordered the trigger and received a 2nd purchase confirmation. That order was never updated or tracking number provided. Fortunately, it was included in the package containing the trigger and valve. I just checked and that order still hasn't been updated to show it was ever shipped.

Charlie wrote in post #18599241
I shoot by the ocean...... OFTEN.

What I can say is that it's best NOT to retract your tripod while shooting. Try holding off all the way till you can at least rinse it. Tripod disassembly and relube is a total PITA. If you have to retract due to a hike, best bring some water with you to wash off excess sand (your drinking water). Finding cool compositions can be challenging but it's a lot of fun at the beach, especially tide pools.....

Thanks Charlie. Good advice.

Any of you guys ever use a monopod? I’m wondering if it could be a substitute to a tripod on an overseas trip. Was thinking that I could brace the monopod against things (walls, poles, fences etc) to achieve the same outcome without the bulk of a tripod. Has anyone done this?

Cathedral Basilica St Louis MO
Pixel Shift

xpfloyd wrote in post #18599458
Any of you guys ever use a monopod? I’m wondering if it could be a substitute to a tripod on an overseas trip. Was thinking that I could brace the monopod against things (walls, poles, fences etc) to achieve the same outcome without the bulk of a tripod. Has anyone done this?

Eddie they make a mono with a 'foot'.
Might really help with lightweight mirrorless but depending on conditions I don't think I'd let go, maybe a tether to the wrist?
I think mine is Sirui but there are several choices. This pic is a Manfrotto model.

BJ_Nguyen wrote in post #18599466
Cathedral Basilica St Louis MO
Pixel Shift

Hosted photo: posted by BJ_Nguyen in
./showthread.php?p=185​99466&i=i236664523
forum: Sony Digital Cameras

Hosted photo: posted by BJ_Nguyen in
./showthread.php?p=185​99466&i=i41352453
forum: Sony Digital Cameras

Very cool

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18599467
Eddie they make a mono with a 'foot'.
Might really help with lightweight mirrorless but depending on conditions I don't think I'd let go, maybe a tether to the wrist?
I think mine is Sirui but there are several choices. This pic is a Manfrotto model.

Hosted photo: posted by MedicineMan4040 in
./showthread.php?p=185​99467&i=i157607564
forum: Sony Digital Cameras

Thanks Robert, I saw these but wasn’t sure if it was just a gimmick. If I’m keeping hold of the top I couldn’t see what the benefit of the little tripod bit at the bottom would give verses just the monopod touching the ground. I certainly wouldn’t be chancing letting go on one of those!

xpfloyd wrote in post #18599458
Any of you guys ever use a monopod? I’m wondering if it could be a substitute to a tripod on an overseas trip. Was thinking that I could brace the monopod against things (walls, poles, fences etc) to achieve the same outcome without the bulk of a tripod. Has anyone done this?

I use a video monopod....... for video

It has feet, which keep it very stable. Not sure it can do LE though, that's a bit of a tall order.

I've seen very small footprint tripods like the mefoto backpacker air. I have a monopod that sets up like that (velbon, mefoto likely copied that idea), extremely fast, but at the cost of some stability.

super small and compact velbon monopod, is what I have, and use it as a hiking stick, if it had feet, it might have a chance at some LE, but without the feet leaning on anything it would just twist up.

Lightroom is getting an update to include new color profiles. Looks very interesting and should hopefully be closer to what you get from Capture1.

Thanks Charlie, just to be clear I don’t want something that will free stand but more wondering if I could brace a monopod against something solid. I suppose that limits me to shooting from solid item locations.

xpfloyd wrote in post #18599474
Thanks Robert, I saw these but wasn’t sure if it was just a gimmick. If I’m keeping hold of the top I couldn’t see what the benefit of the little tripod bit at the bottom would give verses just the monopod touching the ground. I certainly wouldn’t be chancing letting go on one of those!

For my monopod, I splurged and bought a Kirk tilting Arca-Swiss monopod head similar to this one since all my other supports are Arca-Swiss compatible. Originally, I bought my monopod to help support my EF 300L f2.8 lens.

https://www.kirkphoto.​com/kirk-mpa-2-monopod-head.html