Using that "Other" Lens

One main advantage of SLR cameras is the ability to change lenses, something that has been done for years since the 35mm film days to now in our digital era. There are two types of lenses: primes and zooms, and both offer their advantages. Prime lenses are more simple in design and are fixed at a certain focal length - meaning they do not have the ability to "zoom" closer or further which would be feature offered by the zoom lenses.

Primes can be built more simply and cheaply compared to zoom lenses and this offer some advantages. With a more simple design, there are less elements in these lenses which means less distortions and also less weight. Generally a prime lens will offer better quality than an equivalent zoom lens and also offer a wider aperture meaning it will allow more light through the lens or is "faster". With a "faster" lens, you will be able to take images in darker areas and shoot with a faster shutter speed, this is probably where the "faster" term comes from.

Most people in the old days used primarily prime lenses because zoom lenses were just too expensive and cost of image quality was not worth the extra money, but today the quality differences have become more narrow and cost has been driven down a bit. I've been making a lot of comparisons with the past because the featured lens of this blog is an old 50mm lens from the 80s that has been used before by my father with his old 35mm.

Even though the lens may have a canon lens cap on it, it is not a canon lens - it's actually an old Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 from my dad's old Pentax Super ME 35mm camera. I did a little research on this particular lens and found out it was actually a decent lens (quality wise) and had potential uses. Although it was not going to be super sharp or quick to focus compared to modern day lenses, it has a super smooth manual focus ring that I admired. Being a Canon user, the lens could not normally fit onto my SLR body without the aid of an inexpensive PK to EOS (pentax-k to EOS) adapter from our friends in the far east. The reason for the Canon lens cap was because I did not have any 49mm filters around so I decided to upsize it to 52mm in order to use the filter I had and also look for that nice vintage lens cap as you see on the photo. I had the lens also cleaned because there were signs of moss inside the lens as well as dust - it cost me about $35 and that's where i spent another $5 on the rubber lens hood as pictured.

After all the extra money spent on this lens, it is time to talk about my experience with it; I had very mixed feelings about it at first, but eventually I found myself learning more from this lens because of all the manual work. Since i'm a beginner, I can't say my judgements on this lens are final because I find myself more open about this lens the more I use it. One thing for sure is that the auto focusing is a luxury I miss from the other lenses i've owned. It was frustrating to see the results in the beginning because I could not get very sharp images with it wide open - it was always very soft and didn't meet my standards or the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MKii in comparison. Although it might not be as sharp as the prime i've used in the past, it does offer that smooth bokeh or background blur that some people such as myself begin to adore. People often called it the "dreamy" lens and I can see why; the images taken through this lens come out soft and easily blurred at the larger apertures. Sharpness can be obtained at the f/8 and smaller apertures but anything larger will tend to get softer around the subject. Also the problem with manual lenses, there will be no way to get the aperture information within the file and it will not be able to record the focal length of the lens used. This can be a pain when trying to review the lens for the first time and understanding how to use the lens optimally.

I have had a few good shots with this lens, despite all the complaints I made. After taking a photo like the one above, I began realizing how nice a bokeh could be and how to start using it more in the photos I take in the future. Capturing a nice background blur that is related to the subject in the photo illustrates a lot to the person viewing it and also to the person who took it. The photo of the flower was probably the one that really impressed me - since it does show the sharpness of the lens and also the awesome use of its blur ability. Overall, I can say this is a good lens but with a high learning curve - I will probably not invest into anymore manual focus lenses in the future knowing all this. Definitely I had fun with this lens and will learn more from it later.

If you have an old lens and a Canon SLR, i would recommend investing in that adapter because you might learn more from operating in manual and also because you will have another lens in your collection for the price of an adapter.

REVIEWs: The Try-pod Game

Tripods are a camera's best friend - especially when you're shooting without the flash on. I've have always liked the idea of a dependable lightweight tripod without breaking the bank. I've made quite a few poor investments in the beginning, but after all the trials with various setups I hope I have all the tripods I will ever need.

My very first tripod came from woot.com it was the SunPak 7500 for $30, it was inexpensive but very good and sturdy. Even though it was obviously made cheaply from China, it felt high quality and felt steady and the controls adjusted angles smoothly. The only problem with this product was that it was bulky and awkward to move around with - definitely a more heavy duty studio-type tripod. The next one i got was a set from Tripod-Guru which just turned out to be a waste of money because it was so fragile and flimsy; I broke a knob within the first day using it in the field. I would find myself spending extra time on this tripod to get a good angle; the tripod would jerk and move out of place easily. After the disappointing experiences, it wasn't long before I decided to look for some quality tripods to replace what I had because I could not tolerate unpractical or poor quality items.

At first, I couldn't believe the prices of the more professional Tripods with the more practical features. Brands like Gitzo scared me off at first because of their $300+ price tags as well as the need to purchase separate head systems. A head system is an adjustable mounting piece that attaches onto the tripods and it is where you mount your camera onto; most high end tripods manufacturers will let you decide on the head seperately. It took some time but I spotted a reputable tripod brand selling tripods at almost half price: the Induro C-113. This tripod cost me $120 it was made with the latest craze: carbon fiber - something that offers extra durability and reduces weight. It would have been great to get the cheaper aluminum because I felt the carbon fiber did not add much more value for the price premium. Induro, from my limited experience, made a very stable and solid tripod - there were no wiggles or loose parts that i could find. I was surprised that it also came with nice carrying bag and a set of tools on top of their 6 year warranty offer. I had a lot of high hopes for this carbon high-end tripod but it still felt pretty heavy with the first head system i bought for it.

The head system that i regret purchasing first was the Giottos MH-5001. This head system was the panning style which was more traditional but also had a quick-release design. Again, the only problem with this head was that it was just too bulky with the adjustment knobs in place; the head was so large fully assembled it couldn't even fit into the pouch it came with. Aside from my complaints though, it was a very good head if you were looking for one that offers steady panning at a decent price. After a few uses, I was looking for alternative solutions.

My next purchase was more simple: the monopod, something much lighter and very easy to carry anywhere. I found an older Manfrotto monopod on ebay for $50 and a matching headpiece on craigslist for $25. The combination was very solid and everything I expected of a quality product despite it being second hand. But because it was meant to support over 13 pounds, the monopod definitely felt heavier than it should have been. After some testing, I started liking the quality of Manfrotto, so I decided to get myself a new Manfrotto ball head that used the same quick-release system i became fond of. I quickly placed and order for the a Manfrotto ball head: the 496RC2. When it arrived, I noticed the newer Manfrotto head was made in China whereas all the older stuff I had been made in Italy - quite a change in quality i'd say (more plastic). The Manfrotto ball head was great, it was easier to adjust than my previous head systems thanks to the quick release ball clamp. After getting my monopod and tripod system, I thought my search was finally over but there was still that desire for something more portable and light.

It was about a few weeks later I saw a gorillapod at my local Fry's Electronics selling for $10 - something worth trying. The flexible and small legs on this tripod was not meant for my SLR - so I decided to test it with my sister's point and shoot. I was amazed at how well it performed; it could easily hold its form and also gave a lot of angles that you couldn't get any other way. The very first idea that popped into my head was wrapping it on a bicycle so that I could record video while i rode - this product was so versatile you can find an alternative use for it everyday.

There were other variants of these gorillapods as i researched more about them after my initial purchase. They all seemed to function the same but each variant increased in size and weight support. An interesting one was the iPhone kit that allowed you to use the smaller gorrillapod to hold your iPhone. This was particularly cool because I always wanted something to hold my phone while i watched Netflix on it - it was expensive at the time so I decided to wait.

I found myself getting the larger version of the Joby the very next week because Fry's had another sale. Instead of $10 it was now $100 for their top of tier product which also came with a ball head. At first I was very impressed at the price and tried hard to talk myself out of buying it. But eventually after some research, i just had to get it. I am glad I did also because this was the very item that solved my search for the practical, stable and dependable tripod.

The Gorillapod Focus was exceptionally sturdy and the ballhead was superbly smooth. I was very amazed at how great the quality was for the amount of money spent and was hooked on using it products and having fun with them. Also with the larger gorillapod, I was actually able to create my very own iPhone holder with the help of double-sided tape between a spare quick-release plate and the belt clip that came with my phone case.

Using the Joby head on the top of the carbon tripod, I was able to support an old telescope (for extension) with the Gorrillapod focus, Manfrotto head system, and iPhone attached. I felt like a genius to be able to make my very own iPhone mount with the tripod accessories I had. Sure it was very excessive but I now have a unique setup with two ball-heads of adjustment and also the luxury of watching Netflix while laying flat on my bed.

Another trick with the Gorillapod Focus was attaching it to my very own arm and shooting my camera with a remote trigger - I felt cool until my arm started hurting and changing colors.

Even though I spent more time talking about the GorillaPods, the Induro and Bogen/Manfrotto stuff was very good and solid and provided more conventional use. The GorillaPod was more of a toy: fun to use and might come in handy when you least expect it.

Summaries:

Induro C-113 Tripod
PRO: very sturdy, solid, and durable - 6 year warranty
CON: Does not fold up like those fancy Gitzo tripods
Very good if you can find for cheap, i paid $120 for mine

SunPak 7500 Pro Tripod
PRO: Cost effective and high quality
CON: Bulky and limited to only the integrated head system
Good if you wanted a large tripod for cheap.

Giottos MH-5001 Head System
PRO: Smooth and very solid
CON: Very bulky when fully setup
It will be a pain to disasemble/reassemble to fit it into your bags.

Bogen Manfrotto 3249 (old version) + 234RC Monopod
PRO: very solid, built to last
CON: isn't compatible with the 3-leg accessory with current Manfrotto monopods.
Lighter than tripods, and will give you the edge you need to take a better photo.

Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head
PRO: Quick Release Clamp for Adjusting
CON: Some parts are plastic, so this feels cheaper
My best ball head yet - recommended

Joby GorillaPod Classic
PRO: very versatile and light
CON: limited to P&S cameras, locking/unlocking the quick release mount can be difficult
A fun gadget if you wanted a tripod for the point and shoot.

Joby GorillaPod Focus + Ballhead X
PRO: versatile, supports up to 11 pounds, excellent ball head
CON: requires some muscle and patience to adjust the legs
This is something I would consider if you plan on traveling with an SLR.

Switching to Organic

I can't believe the day has come when I've converted my ways of thinking and actually contradicted a lot of my past beliefs of organic foods. The roasted perfection blog i recently posted was a how-to guide for roasting chicken; it was done so with an organic chicken we had leftover in the freezer. I had a very good and almost mind blowing experience with that chicken that i needed to do it again - this time testing out the difference between a $12 organic with the $4-5 supermarket bird; which is exactly what I've done yesterday.

So what happened? Well I can't say the chicken turned out bad because my family ate it and agreed it was pretty good. When i took my first bite, it tasted EXACTLY like that $5 Costco chicken I've had all my life. At first I was amazed and a little proud to have replicated the Costco chicken - feeling like it was some achievement. But then, shortly after, i realized how far off this chicken was compared to the organic one i cooked last week. I was so disappointed in the Foster Farms chicken that I would agree never to purchase this type of meat again... it is just far from what chicken should really taste like. I felt like a guy who has seen quality for the first time.

So i did more research and at the same time finished watching the Food Inc. movie on Netflix and realized just how much change is ahead of me. I believe my life going on forward will involve less meats just because the quality of meat I can afford is just a horrible idea now. I will probably be eating a more vegetarian diet with little or no red/poultry meat. I just hate low quality anything, it is just not my style and I was glad I could mimic the Costco chicken that most Americans and people worldwide love because it just showed how far inferior it was.

I think the journey with this new diet of mine will be a very healthy one and also a very committed one. Commercial products are all around us and it will be significantly harder to avoid eating it because even a vegetarian diet is not enough - I will have to go all organic and probably see myself spend more money inside Whole Foods (something i could never see myself doing).

Roasted Perfection!

Just wanted to test out my new kitchen gadget, an inexpensive food thermometer (the ones with the long cord) on a chicken today and it was a great success!

I have cooked thanksgiving twice already and each year seems to come down to how well the bird was cooked. I've cooked three birds already and had each possible result show up: perfect, undercooked, and overcooked - it's always frustrating when you carve into the bird with your guests waiting. Well this time it's going to be different because I bought myself a tool that will bulletproof the cooking process down to a science.

I've seen these thermometers before and actually did buy a real cheap $5 one form the supermarket but had very terrible success, it was some metal one that had a non-digital readout -- very poor performance and a pain to check. The new one i got was the luxury equivalent complete with a digital reader, a temperature alarm and also a heat proof probe that can extend from tabletop into the overn - all for around $15 @ a department store.

A little history of myself, I've grown up on PBS cooking shows, it's usually on when i came back from school so I always was amazed at how Jacques Pepin was in the kitchen with his detailed work and great techniques that he would share. I think i liked him the best because the work he does really outshines most of the other television chefs - he seems more legit to me. Also his recipes are very open and easy to modify unlike some other chefs. I've seen those videos of Julia Child and her informative talks about chicken and roasting; also videos of cleaning and preparing birds from various videos. I was prepared, and also curious at the same time how well this tool will do - since Alton Brown approves I will trust him 100%.

Roasted chicken to me sounded a bit boring and also i'd admit very plain - i was surprised how much Julia Child appreciated a good roasted chicken and never felt the urge to do it because of the difficulty. My family often cooks their chicken whole via the steam method and are often proud when the chicken comes out great - but most often it comes out raw or overcooked. I've studied a lot of videos in the past to prepare turkey for thanksgiving and they all say it's similar to chicken process-wise so I just followed the same procedure. As you can see the results from the photo and my raving about this product, the tool actually works and I had the opportunity to taste the difference firsthand!

Detailed information on how to roast a chicken:
REQUIREMENTS:
- Whole Chicken or Bird
- Oil (something that can tolerate heat, i use canola NOT OLIVE)
- Salt
- Aluminum Foil
- Something to cook it in and also an elevated wire rack.
- Oven 350-500 degrees

Roasting a chicken is pretty simple, it can be done in three steps: cleaning, seasoning, and baking - but there are tips to do each of these that can help a beginner out.

Cleaning:
Usually the chicken comes whole with all the hearts and livers inside the cavity - remove these out and rub the entire bird with salt until you think you cleaned it pretty well. Now you rinse the bird and let it dry up and rest for a while (1 hour?) to reduce cooking times. After the hour is up you better dispose of the water that leaked out of the chicken, if any, and prepare for the seasoning step.

Seasoning:
For something very basic, a good smothering of salt would be good - just pat as much as you like around the skin and all around the cavity you will need to coat the bird with oil also so make sure there is enough salt to go around the bird. You can always enhance flavoring by putting other personal seasonings!

Preparation/Cooking:
This is probably the step that will be a bit more creative and also have optional steps to enhance the results. Usually a bird's white and dark meats cook unevenly so I borrowed the turkey triangle tip from thanksgiving. The turkey triangle (from Good Eats) is just a sheet of foil folded in half into a triangle and you mold it on the breast side of the chicken so that it is completely covered in the baking process. This tip will help reduce the cooking of the breast meat. There is another tip i know to speed up the cooking process, the other tip from Jacques Pepin would be to make deep cuts around the drumstick / thigh area because usually that is where things get raw - this will release juices while cooking but will speed up the cooking process for the dark meat. While the bird is breast-side up, tuck the wing tips under the wings themselves and also make sure the chicken legs / drumsticks are held together by string or tuck them through the flesh between the breast and thighs after making a small incision (see photo). Now stick that meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast meat, I stuck it from the rear and drove it under the wishbone area.

Place the chicken on a wire rack and have a dripping pan for it - you don't want to cook the bird in its own juices. Now that the bird is ready, first you want to put the chicken into the 500 degree oven for a few minutes (10-20mins) until the chicken gets some browning. After you have the desired browning, put the turkey triangle onto the breast meat and reduce the oven temperature to around 375 Fahrenheit. Now just close the door and wait until the internal temperatures reach 165 and your chicken is done and ready to eat - it took me under an hour after browning.

My chicken was buttery and flavorful - simple indeed but great!

REVIEW: Tamron SP 60mm F/2 Di-II Macro Lens

This may not be my very first lens, but it is my very first lens review. Before purchasing the Tamron 60mm Di2 macro lens, I spent quite a lot of time researching and comparing different comparative lenses. I have a 1.6x cropped Canon SLR and wanted something that delivers high IQ and sharpness and also would perform reasonably well indoors or in low light situations. What lead me to this lens was after a recommendation of the 100mm f2.8 macro, but I thought with the 100mm it would be too much of a zoom lens to be useful in my daily use - so i looked around to find the 60mm EF-S version and also there was a Tamron 60mm with F/2 which caught my eye.

After using the Tamron 60mm for a while and trying to understand the use of macro for the first time... i question my purchase and was wondering if it was even worth it. I did sell my nifty-fifty (some cheap 50mm f/1.8) for this but now wonder if i should return this one as well... It sort of has all the same qualities as the nifty-fifty except that this lens can take macro shots as well.

When it auto-focuses it will take a while if switching from macro to infinity, about a full second and more (seems like an eternity). Compared to my USM 17-55, it suffers a big performance difference; the usm focuses within half a second while this lens will take a full second and some more to refocus. The reason why i sold the 50mm f/1.8 was the very same reason: weird and slow auto-focus performance. I would think the tamron which costed $400-500 would focus better than the $80 50mm, but i was wrong to believe this. I guess a macro lens just has a much wider focusing range, therefore it would only make the tamron slower. On the plus side, the tamron has a beefier manual focusing ring that seems like a breeze to use despite the "cheap" clunky feeling.

I tried taking some portraits to see the sharpness of the lens, under low light the lens' auto focusing does not seem accurate as i found out when i got back to the computer. I'm not sure if these tests are fair but i'll try again during the day and hopefully there will be some redeeming interests for keeping this lens. I've heard so many great things about this lens that i will definitely try it again... i really hope it's as sharp as people say because i'm not seeing it at all.

Shortly later, i used a tripod to compare image quality with the 17-55. After a few tests at all apertures i needed to conclude that the lens is sharp but not sharp enough to blow me away. The canon, indoors, definitely has a clear advantage because of its effective image stabilization and super fast USM focusing. I'd say the Tamron (outside of macro) is somewhat of a step above the 50mm f/1.8 but, for the price, it's an insignificant upgrade.

The next day I spent some time using the lens outside of the house taking photos of the garden and using the macro to my advantage. I have gotten a few good shots outside, but only after finding them from the many photos i took. I tried taking photos of a small flower but without the aid of a tripod the image showed a lot of blur and wasn't a very good impression. With the right amount of light this prime lens does shine outdoors but it's very difficult imo to use.

I've returned indoor to do further testing, I started to see some chromatic aberration after taking photos of a red rocket air blower i had. You can see it slightly on the right side.

After thinking it over I'm going to return this lens and suffer the loss in shipping and the 55mm filter i bought for it.

Here are some pros and cons of this lens:

PROS:
- very light
- sharper than the nifty fifty.
- can act as a regular walk around lens
- good focal length for portraits
- comes with a free hood
- offers 1:1 magnification macro
- large focusing grip for easy manual focusing
- manual focus overriding (useful to refocus if AF doesn't look sharp)

CONS:
- the rear end-cap (too short) will not interchange with my canon lenses nor will the 55mm filter size
- Not the sharpest lens I've seen for $400-500
- chromatic aberration
- slow / loud auto focusing system ("searches" in low light)
- poor indoor performance despite the F/2.0
- not much sharper than my 17-55 zoom for walk around uses

Summary:
- Good for macro, but the price is too high for the IQ and the slower, blind@night, auto focus.
- For $500, you should be expecting more - something sharper than any zoom but it's not.

I am not sure I want a prime lens anymore unless it has image stabilization... i just want a good companion to the 17-55 is i have currently, i guess the search goes on.