Vincent Pang Photography

Freelance Photographer in Malaysia for Wedding, Portrait, Events, Products, Fine Art and any photography related services

Tamron vs Sigma vs Canon

Tamron vs Sigma vs Canon

There shall be only 1 standing in the end (L-R) Tamron 17-50 f2.8 vs Sigma 24-70 f2.8 vs Canon 24-105 IS F4 L

The Tamron 17-50 f2.8
Sharpness: Sharp (4/5)
AF Speed: slow (3/5)
Low light AF: (5/5)
Usable range for event: (4/5)

Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG Macro
Sharpness: Sharp (3/5)
AF Speed: slow (4/5)
Low light AF: (3/5)
Usable range for event: (3/5)

Canon 24-105 IS F4 L
Sharpness: Sharp (5/5)
AF Speed: slow (5/5)
Low light AF: (4/5)
Usable range for event: (5/5)

Stobe info: Nikon Sb80DX on cam right at 1/32 @ 24mm Canon 580 EX II on cam eTTL.

Photography umbrella for less than U$ 5 !

I found a cheap translucent at Ikea recently that looks very similar to the umbrella i have which is 'design for photography'. However, this one cost only U$4 while my 'design for photography' one costed U$18. With some mod which took me less than an hour, I have manage to transform it to be used on tripod.

#1 - Top is my U$18 'design for photography' umbrella. And below is the cheap U$4 umbrella
Umbrellas

#2 - The size are similar, but you can see the left 'design for photography' has a more shinny surface
Almost the same size

#3 - The mod were simple, cut the top and enforce the bottom
Cut the top

#4 - I enforce the bottom by using a B4 pencil. The bottom shaft is starting to get out of shape after first mounted on the tripod
Pencil mod

#5 - Well the most important is the result. The cheap umbrella allows more light. That said, it produced a more harsh shadow. However, given 1/4 the price, I won't complain on that. I would conclude that I'm pretty happy with the result.
Comparison
Click on the image to view full size

#6 - A comparison without umbrella with bare flash. Harsh shadow and colour abit washed out. I suppose I need to tune down 2-3 steps, which I didn't
bare flash without umbrella

Photoshoot with Michelle

Nope this is not my wife Michelle. Had an impromptu photo shoot with her when visiting her during CNY at Dengkil. Proceed to Putrajaya as it's nearest to Dengkil. Here are the photos

#1
Michelle

#2
Michelle

#3
Michelle

#4
Michelle

#5
Michelle

Back from HK

I was at Hong Kong last week. Was told by my colleague who just came back that it's 13-16c deg there. Well my wife thought it wasn't that cold, but I brought along 3 winter clothing. It hit's HK record low 10c on 9th Jan 09. My god, I can't imagine single digit. Basically, we shop, and shop and shop all the way :) Below are some photos

#1 - On the way there, sunrise
sun rise

#2 - Lobby of Metropark Causeway Bay. It's the first time we are staying at HK Island, I have stayed near Mongkok area for the last 2 trips
Lobby of Metropark Causeway Bay

#3 - Central, on my way to Stanley Street
Central

#4 - The busy street of HK
City in Motion

#5 - Nice flower at Big Buddha
Flowers @ Big buddha

More...




Water

I miss my Canon G9 so much. I shot these once I got it back.

#1
Water

#2 - trying out low key
Water

#3
Water

will be posting the setup later :)

WB, to adjust or not to adjust

A common outcome when shooting under different lighting is yellowish photo especially when hotel/halls uses tungsten light. A typical photo is as below

WB, to adjust or not to adjust by you.

Some camera allows shooting in RAW mode and with that you can easily adjust the WB parameters like below

Adjust WB in DPP

 

Well the big question that people always ask is do i need to adjust it? The common arguement is, the place is yellowish in colour. Well my reply is yes and no.

Yes, because I feel the above photo, the 2nd one look much better after adjusting.

No, because sometimes the plain one is too plain and you don't give the mood to the photo. Below is a sample of photo with purposely adjusted WB. Some post processing to enhance it.

WB, to adjust or not to adjust by you.

Photography is an art. There is no clear right or wrong in it.

My new baby

Got myself a new Point and Shoot (PnS) recently. It is the Canon G9.

Well it's not the latest Canon G10 model. However, I have done some checking, and I don't found much difference and I like the button on this much more. The exposure dial on the left is kinda redundant in the G10, i prefer the G9.

My friends thought I'm crazy for getting a PnS when I already have DSLR. Here's a photo of my new baby.

My New Baby Canon G9

 

Sample photos taken by the Canon G9
Sample shots from Canon G9

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Setup for Fruits

Here's the setup

 

The shot was taken in my bathroom as water is easily available. An old aquarium was used. 1x 580 EX II bare flash @ 1/4 power on the left at the aquarium. eBay remote trigger was used.

I have used the back of my diffuser (the black side) as background as it's resistant to water when it spilled. And finally a diffuser on the right.

The fruits were dropped on the middle slightly to the right. Reason being is because diffuse light is not as powerful as straight flash (left). So the left side is pretty much lighted, only the right side which need some attention.

And the result is at my previous post :) Hopefully this is useful for all.