Sony’s Webbie HD reviewed: cheap but not a bargain (Engadget)

With everything going on at this year’s CES we didn’t get a chance to do more than take a few pictures of Sony’s unfortunately named Webbie HD (aka the MHS-CM1), a tiny little camcorder that shoots in high-def yet costs just $200. Michael at Diffusion had the opportunity to review one and, while he liked everything on the camera’s spec sheet, in practice found it to be a “low priced, low quality …

Lensbaby 3G Nikon F Mount SLR Camera Lens LB3GN

The Lensbaby 3G lens is a workhorse for photographers who require precise focusing, complete control, longer exposures, and repeatability. When working with dynamic subject matter you can focus Lensbaby 3G just like Lensbaby 2.0 – by compressing and bending. For slower moving or static subject matter, you can lock the lens in place simply by pressing a button on the focusing collar. Then you can fine focus using a traditional barrel focusing ring and fine tune the tilt to place the sweet spot exactly where you want.Lensbaby 3G features the same low dispersion, high refractive index, multi-coated optical glass doublet as Lensbaby 2.0, and delivers images with a tack sharp sweet spot with minimal diffusion even at the f/2 aperture setting. Lensbaby 3G uses the same system of magnetically levitating aperture disks as Lensbaby 2.0 with aperture settings of f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, and f/22.

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Sto Fen OMEY Omni Bounce Diffuser

Sto Fen OMEY Omni Bounce Diffuser

The Omni-Bounce creates a Diffused Bare Bulb Effect, giving even coverage across the entire frame with lenses from 15mm to 200mm in the 35mm format. The Omni-Bounce is easy to use and goes onto and off of your flash in seconds with custom fitting, except UNI, and No Velcro.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars works great, unobtrusive
Put it on and point the unit straight up towards the ceiling. The light going up will be even more diffuse and a small amount of diffused light will be directed forward. When shooting in darker situations without ceiling, you can point it 45 degress – or even directly forward if you have to at night outdoors. Works fine for flash fill too. I have taken shots back-to-back with this vs the Gary Fong LightSphere and I can’t tell the difference – I imagine that the lightsphere is marginally better (esp if you have to aim it directly under extreme conditions), but I can’t tell the difference. And it’s unobtrusive and it works. (Occasionally you might notice a small hot spot on a reflective surface when it is directed upwards – to completely eliminate that if that’s your concern, just bouncing the flash backwards against walls and ceiling without the diffuser is best.)

4 Stars Achieves its purpose
Most people familiar with flash know about Sto-Fens, or will shortly. They’re about the cheapest decent way to diffuse your flash somewhat. Don’t expect amazing diffusion — not possible from something this small — but it makes a noticeable difference compared to direct flash.

Shadows are still present, but they’re noticeably softer than with direct flash. If you’re hoping for decent night or evening outdoor pictures using one, well, it’s still close to direct flash, honestly… so just keep that in mind. A small umbrella is going to go a lot further to help even out the shadows.

It would be nice if Sto-Fen made a taller version of this; it would help quite a bit.

5 Stars Great For Diffusing Light!
You gotta have if you’re a photographer! You don’t need the big fancy stuff…what for? When you can use this!

3 Stars It does its job but its no miracle worker
The Omni-bounce is an expensive Tupperware but it does its job if the environment permits it, meaning if you have low to normal height ceiling then it does a good job of scattering the light from your strobe, giving that nice soft light.

But if you are outdoors or in a place with very high ceilings then it does nothing to help.

I should not have listened to the hype, I could have bought different sets of Tupperware cut their top and still had the same effect plus I would have had some left for sodas and fries, oh well, I learned my lesson.

5 Stars Classic must have…
This is a classic addition to any dedicated flash setup. There are many situations that I personally use it both on and off camera. It is a nice low cost solution to soften hard light when using a 45 degree bounce technique off lower ceiling structures. Just be aware of your ceiling color as that will affect your outcome. This product is easy to slip in even the smallest of camera bags and makes an excellent on-the-go diffuser. You can also use it for holding color correction gels when shooting in different lighting environments. There are several variations of this type of product on the market but this one is compact and something you’ll use for years to come. Enjoy your creative side and never stop reaching for the ultimate picture in your life!

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Lensbaby 3G Canon EF mount SLR Camera Lens LB3GC

Lensbaby 3G Canon EF mount SLR Camera Lens LB3GC

The Lensbaby 3G lens is a workhorse for photographers who require precise focusing, complete control, longer exposures, and repeatability. When working with dynamic subject matter you can focus Lensbaby 3G just like Lensbaby 2.0 – by compressing and bending. For slower moving or static subject matter, you can lock the lens in place simply by pressing a button on the focusing collar. Then you can fine focus using a traditional barrel focusing ring and fine tune the tilt to place the sweet spot exactly where you want.Lensbaby 3G features the same low dispersion, high refractive index, multi-coated optical glass doublet as Lensbaby 2.0, and delivers images with a tack sharp sweet spot with minimal diffusion even at the f/2 aperture setting. Lensbaby 3G uses the same system of magnetically levitating aperture disks as Lensbaby 2.0 with aperture settings of f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, and f/22.

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