Recent content by paul williams

Weren't the flash tubes on these solder in, non-user replaceable?

Honestly, unless you have an interest in preserving outdated gear, I'd consign the heads to the local recycling centre (or put them on eBay for parts) as I'd expect the cost of repair to far outweigh the value of the units, or indeed the cost of something newer! Also although I'm no Bowens...

Early days yet, I was reasonable happy with those results given they were taken in a darkish wooded area, but always room for improvement. Loath to start carrying more gear, I usually just carry a camera with the one lens fitted and a spare battery, though I have got several tripods and...

Recently bought the Pan/Leica 100-400 and getting to grips with it on my GX8 out and about in the woods. The pictures of birds are highly cropped from the original image, so reasonably please with the quality handheld, but hopefully as I get used to the combination things will improve...

In situations like this I'd tape a couple of silver survival blankets together (should be no more than £1.50 each) - as they weigh next to nothing they don't take much support, even been know to Blu Tack them hanging down from the ceiling, instant efficient reflective wall. I've always carried...

I don't need the power, I'd probably keep this for use indoors, just want a small heads to get into those difficult places and the strobe & delay facilities - Oh, there is already a considerable saving with some ELB 400 kits over the 500 - for instance; 1x pack, 2x batteries, 2x heads, hard case...

Well for myself I'm still considering an ELB 400 kit as I've never used or wanted TTL functionality. The current HS trigger can be used with the ELB 500 as a TTL trigger with a software update so that's good news for current users, I'm just going to hang on for a few weeks and see what ELB 400...

Oops - good spot ;-)

The bright spots of light on the salt cellar just above the collar are specular in nature. This part of the discussion wasn't about the reflection in the pepper cellar. Personally I always go for an in camera solution if at all possible as this is the best way to learn about lighting IMO

The hard reflected highlights just above the collar are specular highlights and are a function of the harsh (small) light source and will reduce as the light source becomes either larger or further away from the subject. This will of course have an effect on the overall result or feel of the...

The first issue could be resolve by reversing the cellars, the second requires a larger light source.

All those shot are under exposed - deliberately in the first and last case to bring out the print/etching on the valve glass and in the second one to ensure the damage to the glass support was clearly evident, this was done in post, all sessions start with grey scale and colour patches to...

I'd use AF or MF, depending on what I felt was appropriate at the time and again either handheld or tripod mounted - comfortable with all approaches, remember this will be in the studio environment where I have control of the light. As said the aim will be to provide some close elements of...

Thanks for the feedback - I don't really want to invest in the E-M5 mkII or indeed an E-M1. Regarding the inbuilt stacking/bracketing I didn't think this would work with studio flash, which is the only time I'd use macro and if needed (which given the small sensor size and type of detail I'd...

Bit of advice needed - I'm looking for a fairly low cost macro set-up, and was thinking of a secondhand E-M5 (mk1) average price £250 for a low actuation one in VG condition with 1 year guarantee + 60mm macro lens, probably new as with the current cashback offer this would make them pretty much...