Jobu Jr.3 Swing Arm Upgrade

August 17, 2012 in Equipment, Gear, Jobu, upgrade

Jobu has just released a new swing-arm upgrade for the Jr.3 gimbal head. This new design integrates the quick-release clamp into swing-arm. This lowers the weight 1/8 th of a pound to 1.5 pounds (680g) total and lowers the mounting point. The new integrated QR swing-arm also uses a new larger fluted knob.

See the Jobu site for more info: http://www.jobu-design.com/catalog/item/2588354/9467589.htm

The Jobu Jr.3 has been my gimbal head of choice for a few years now, no other head that I have used has the Jr.3's combination of lightweight, compact size and performance. This head is a pleasure to use in the field and will easily support most if not all super telephoto lenses without a lot of extra weight.

On my recent trip to Alaska I was able to try a participant's new Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM super telephoto lens on my Jr.3 in side mount configuration and it balanced beautifully with out any stress or flex. The Jr.3 design allows you to mount lens in bottom mount or side mount depending on how you have the head set up. By the way the new 600 is a seriously nice lens, in fact I think that this is the most interesting addition Canon has made in their lens line up in a long time.

More about the Jobu Jr.3 gimbal head:

http://www.robertotoole.com/2012/06/14/jobu-jr-3-long-term-report/

http://www.robertotoole.com/2011/07/07/jobu_jr3_gimbal_head/

Sigma 50-500mm vs. Nikon 500mm VR

June 26, 2012 in D800, Equipment, Gear, Nikon, Sigma

Surprising sharpness test results

Comparing an independent manufacturer's 10X zoom side by side against a prime lens from Nikon sounds a little crazy right? Click on the image below to see the files at full size and tell me what you think. This image is two 100% actual pixel view crops side by side. Be sure to share any observations or ask a question in the comments section at the bottom of the post.

Left crop - Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO @ 500mm, Nikon D800E, 1/400 s f/8 ISO 400, handheld OS on.

Right crop - Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR II, Nikon D800E, 1/1000 s f/5.6 ISO 400, handheld VR on.

This is what the images above show, the 50-500 can make detailed sharp professional level images, even handheld. You can clearly see each comma and period and this is just a tiny crop of a much larger full size image made at about 30 feet away! The detail in the Sigma 50-500 image on the left is really surprisingly very good when viewed against the Nikon 500mm f/4 ED VR on the right. I have been using the Sigma 50-500 for a couple of years all over the world with great results and even I was surprised when I looked at the images at 100% view.

Here's the important thing to understand, the 50-500 zoom will never replace a 500mm prime lens and it was not designed to be a replacement, but when you consider the 50-500 retails for $1600-1700 and 500mm f/4 Nikon VR sells for $7800 (Canon's new 500 IS cost more than $10,000)the performance of the Sigma is pretty impressive and makes it a great long lens option for someone that does not have the funds for a 500mm prime lens in their budget.

This of course comes with all the pros and cons of a zoom, closer focus and superb flexibility are really big advantages but a slower maximum aperture and less durability due to the extra elements and more complicated design are negatives. A 500 f/4 prime lens will always have the advantage in low light capability, speed and ability to work with teleconverters but the 50-500 can be the solution when you need the flexibility of a zoom and the reach of a 500 in a easy to carry, easy to handhold package.

The Nikon 500mm f/4 ED VR image below is the same exact full size image source for one of the 100% crops above, the crop area is outlined in blue.

lens notes

I made the images for this informal test handheld, just as I would use the lenses in the field with OS or VR on and slightly stopped down.

The two lenses used in this test both had AF fine tuning enabled to correct back focus at a -5 value, also the Sigma 50-500 was a little shorter in focal length compared to the 500 prime lens.

More information

More 50-500 info on Sigma's site - http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/50-500mm-f45-63-apo-dg-os-hsm-sigma

Nikon 500mm VR info - http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2172/AF-S-NIKKOR-500mm-f%252F4G-ED-VR.html

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MacBook Pro Retina Display Issues

June 17, 2012 in Apple, Computer, Equipment, Gear, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

There are some issues with the MacBook Pro Retina that you should be aware of and what you need to know

Yesterday a friend asked me about my thoughts on the new the new MacBook Pro with Retina display. My thoughts about some issues might be useful for other photographers out there that are considering buying one. For the record I have not seen the MacBook Pro with Retina display in real life but I hope to get out this weekend to check one out.

Here's the important thing to understand about the MacBook Pro Retina, there is no way to see the full retina resolution of 2880 x 1800 so there is no way to see 1:1 or actual pixels, unless maybe you use Aperture which is the only editing program that is written to work with it so far. This is a huge problem for photographers until Adobe updates Photoshop and Lightroom.

Even though the Apple site tells you otherwise as I understand the MacBook Pro Retina ships with the display set to 1440x900 (which is what my 13 inch MBA runs) and not 2880x1800. What you get is the effective desktop resolution of the standard 15.4 MacBook Pro with a 1440 x 900 panel, but with four pixels behind every single pixel on the screen. This configuration should offer amazing detail but you don't actually get any more desktop space. There is no way to actually see this actual 2880 x 1800 unless you run Windows 8 (see the anandtech link below).

The MBP Retina is really running insane resolution then scaling down to display 4 pixels for every 1 pixel on a normal display. To help you understand the issue think of this like a the resolution of a print, lets say the normal MPB 15.4 display looks like a 72 ppi 8 x 12 print for example, the MBPR display is similar to a the same 8x 12 inch size but at at 220 ppi. This is based on what I have read I can't actually say what it really looks like since I have not seen on in person.

There's one other thing that shouldn't be overlooked, images shown on a normal MBP will look exactly half the size on a MBPR since the display is showing them scaled down. You would have to resize an image to twice the size for a MBPR to show at the same size as a normal MBP.

Conclusions and recommendations?

I am keeping my 17 inch MBP and 13 MBA for awhile, although a 13 MBA with USB 3 looks interesting!

If you've have anything interesting to share can know something that isn't mentioned here, be sure to share 'em in the comments below.

Links for more info:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6008/windows-8-on-the-retina-display-macbook-pro

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5996/how-the-retina-display-macbook-pro-handles-scaling

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5998/macbook-pro-retina-display-analysis

This CNET tech blogger gets did get some of his facts wrong but his post makes for interesting reading:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-33620_3-57454551-278/forget-retina-look-how-much-the-new-macbook-pro-displays/?tag=mncol;cnetRiver

Sigma 150mm f2.8 EX OS Macro

June 16, 2012 in Equipment, Gear, Macro, macro lens, Sigma, Technical

Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro lens

Yesterday my UPS guy dropped off a lens that I have been looking forward to using for some time, the Sigma 150 OS macro. This lens, which is on a long term loan from Sigma, is the newest version with Sigma’s highly regarded 150 macro with OS System (Optical Stabilization). When I picked the lens up for the first time I was glad to see the new style smooth paint coating and it feels solid but slightly heavier than the old non-OS version that I own. With the addition of OS (Optical Stabilization) this lens seems like it will take the almost perfect older 150 macro lens just a little bit closer to perfection. This lens has the latest 4 stop Sigma OS system which will be interesting to see if it is of any help out in the field since I do almost all of my macro work handheld. A more stable image should make framing and focusing easier when working close. Before I get out in the field with the lens I wanted to look at this lens compared to my old Sigma 150 macro.

OS vs non-OS

Overall the lens is 24% heavier and about 10% longer than my old 150, but I dont think this will be an issue in the field. Two other specs really stand out to me, first the price went from $600 for the old lens to $1099 street price for the new OS version ($940 MSRP to $1600 MSRP). The new lens design is all new going from 16 Elements in 12 Groups with the old lens to 19 Elements in 13 Groups, but more importantly is that the working distance went from 24 cm or 9.56 in to 38 cm 15 inch. This would seem to indicate that the new lens will not lose so much focal length at close distances compared to the previous version. Internal focus lenses shrink focal length as you focus closer, the 200mm Nikkor macro lens drops to only 140mm at 1:2. I posted a 50-150-180 background image comparison in 2011 : http://www.robertotoole.com/2011/12/12/which-macro-lens/. It seemed that the old 150 macro was not just 30mm shorter than the 180mm as indicated but instead there seemed to be a huge difference between the two so I am glad to see this change with the new lens.

16 Elements in 12 Groups

The new sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro next to the old model Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM APO Macro lens.

I plan on putting this lens to use in the field this weekend to see if the lens is really an improvement over my old non-OS 150. Is it worth the 60% increase in list price. Will the OS really help with macro shooting and most importantly how is the image quality? Also how does this lens compare to my favorite close-up lens, the Sigma 180mm macro? My findings and image samples will be up here in a couple of days.

If you are interested in reading more about this lens see the following:

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150mm-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm-apo-macro-sigma

Photozone.de tests on the 150mm (on canon bodies), APS-C sensor:

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/668-sigma150f28oseosapsc

Full frame sensor DSLR:

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/667-sigma150f28oseos

The 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro lens specs

Minimum focus distance38 cm or 15 inches at maximum magnification ratio of 1:1

Dimensions80x150 mm

Weight2.53 pounds or 1150 g with lens mount

Filter size is 72mm and the mount does not rotate

What does the long lens name on the lens indicate?

APO - Apochromatic

DG - DG for Digital, this means that this lens will fit all DSLR sensor formats including full frame.

OS - Optical Stabilizer system

HSM - Hyper-Sonic Motor

Gold ring at the front of the lens tells you this is an EX lens - the EX series is the top of the line lens series for Sigma

This lens is compatible with Sigma's APO EX converters resulting in either a 210mm f/4 (1.4x) or 300mm f/5.6 (2x) combination. AF and OS remains functional and the maximum magnification ratio in macro setup increases to 1.4:1 and 2:1 respectively.

Jobu Jr 3 Long Term Report

June 14, 2012 in Equipment, Gear, Jobu

The Jr. 3 in side mount configuration with Nikon D700 and Nikkor 500mm f4G VR.

The Jobu Jr.3 has been my personal gimbal head choice for the last couple of years, it balances perfectly with my Nikkor 500mm f4 G VR lens without any flex or stress. I am glad to say that after two years my Jr. 3 is still going strong and I have not had a single problem so far. The pan and tilt controls are still smooth and lock easily with the large rubberized knobs that are easy to use even with gloves.

Over the years Jobu Designs has been able to deliver everything to me on time and have kept my referrals happy and satisfied. After sales support is very important to me and I wish all companies were as responsive as Jobu when it comes to support with things like extra screw replacements or extra parts like clamps and plates.

The Jobu Jr 3 advantage

Most serious photographers like to save a weight whenever possible, some will gladly spend $10,000 or more on a new model lens to save a few pounds. But most photographers overlook one of the easiest ways to save weight, the tripod head. Upgrading to a newer head like the Jobu Design Jr.3 can save you weight without sacrificing performance.

Compared to what is probably the most common gimbal head in the field today, the Wimberley, upgrading to a Jobu Jr.3 would save almost 2 pounds (29.7 oz or 1.86 pounds). To put that into perspective that is only a pound or less than the difference between the Canon EF 600 f4 IS lens and the EF 500 f4 IS lens! Even compared to the 4th Generation Design Mongoose head, the Jobu Jr.3 is about a quarter of a pound lighter.

Weight it not the only advantage that the Jr.3 has over older style heads. Not only is it compact and lightweight but it will completely lock pan and tilt easily with large rubberized knobs. Another advantage over the Wimberley or Mongoose is that the Jr.3 can easily convert between bottom and side mount configuration.

The Jr. 3 can be converted from bottom to side mount easily with the supplied Allen wrench.

Jobu Jr 3 value

The Jr.3 is $349 MSRP which is about half the price of the Wimberley or Mongoose but you can take advantage of a 15% workshop workshop code that would lower the Jobu Jr.3 to only $299. To use the code is easy just follow the link below and add the products you choose to your cart then check out use the code: robert to save 15%.

Some heads use lever style clamp heads like the Mongoose but I prefer a design like the knob style clamp on the Jr.3. Lever clamp heads cannot offer consistent clamping force since Arca Swiss style plates vary so much in thickness and width. Knob style clamps adjust for each and every plate you use. Over the years the Jr. 3 clamp has been rock solid and reliable.

Jobu Designs offers two flash brackets, a side mount version and one for bottom mount configuration. You can find these on the Jobu site with the link below.

I have been able to use the Jr 3 with the 600mm and 800mm lenses and it can handle these larger lenses without any issues. If you are interested in a heavier style head Jobu does offer 3 larger models and I will be reviewing in the next few weeks.

http://www.jobu-design.com/catalog/item/2588354/7937720.htm

Workshop discount code: robert

Please let us know if you have any questions or problems ordering anything on the Jobu site.

I have access to a limited number or brand new discounted blemished B stock Jr 3 heads so email me as soon as you can if you are interested.