How to fix a Canon 16-35mm lens with a stuck focus ring

I was shooting at an air show last week, and all of a sudden, I could not manually focus.  Switching to Auto Focus worked, but I usually shoot manual focus for video.
The focus ring was stuck if I tried to move it manually, no matter how gentle.  What was confusing was the Auto Focus worked just fine but you still couldn't move the focus ring.

old school manual FD lenses on a 5D Mark II

Have you ever heard of lenses by JC Penney?
I've had these 2 old lenses for awhile now, but I haven't really used them.  I think I used the 135mm once on a wedding and that was it.  I bought them both through Craigslist and the adapter from Amazon.   I decided to go out and use them one last time before I put them up for sale.

Canon 70D SALE, $270 off!

Adorama has the new Canon 70D for only $949.
This offer expires 12/12/13.
Click here for the deal:  http://adorama.evyy.net/c/60436/110402/1036

Here are just some of the new 70D features:

• 20.2mp "Dual Pixel" CMOS AF sensor
• Fast Auto focus with 19 AF points
• 7fps continuos - FAST!
• Auto focus during video mode
• IPB or ALL-I full HD video
• Touchscreen LCD
• in camera HDR
• built in Wi-Fi

 

super cheap now Canon EOS M with extras

The Canon EOS M mirrorless camera was apparently not too popular. But at 43% off this package - that's a great deal. EOS M camera + 18-55 lens + Flash Kit for $369.00

Click here:

How to replace the Yongnuo 468 YN468 hotshoe

I didn't even realize I broke the hotshoe on my flash until I put it on and it just fell right off the camera.  The shoe itself was still screwed onto my camera and some wires were dangling.  First thought - this is trash.
I saw the wire connector was actually detachable.  The 4 tiny screws holding it down were still on, the actually damage was the plastic casing.
I started going through e-Bay for another flash to replace it.  Then I decided to search for "Yongnuo hotshoe".   And guess what, they actually sell them for $10 free shipping from China.

After about 2 weeks it arrived. Basically you attach the wire connector and 4 screws - thats it! So don't trash it - DIY it!

Behind the scenes with Christopher Wahl

16X9 Global News goes in depth with one of the top portrait photographers, Christopher Wahl.




http://www.christopherwahl.com/

The NEW Canon T5i

You know your T2i is old when you see preorders are open for the upcoming Canon T5i.

Product Highlights

• STM Lens Support for Quiet AF in Movies
• 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
• DIGIC 5 Image Processor
• 3.0" Vari-Angle Touch Screen LCD
• ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
• Full HD 1080 Video with Continuous AF
• 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
• 9-Point All Cross-Type AF System
• Multi Shot Noise Reduction
• Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses

Clike HERE to preorder your Canon EOS T5i.

Jaw breaking photo

FC photographer Joshua Hedges shares how he got this shot of Mark Hunt breaking the jaw of Stefan Struve.





You can read all about it on his blog here.

How to make M-Audio AV30's into passive speakers

A few months ago, a friend of mine gave me his old M-Audio AV30 speakers because the left side no longer worked.  Once hooked up to my computer, the speaker sounded great, the down side was that sound only came from one side.  The AV30 speakers are notorious for blowing out the left channel due to the amp and circuitry being inside that particular side.  After reading through forums it seems that this was a typical problem with these speakers in addition to overheating.
I checked out E-Bay for anyone selling the left side, hoping I could just replace the left side.  Someone was selling a pair but the auction included a Lepai  LP2020A+ amp.  This guy rigged the speakers with an external amp, bypassing the failed built in circuitry.

I googled Lepai amp and it seems like this was a popular amp for cheap or DIY speaker projects.
I ordered one through Amazon, hooked them up, and it didn't work.  The problem was the left speaker was active and wired to be powered internally and only output to the right speaker.

Here is how I converted it to become a passive speaker.
Open up the speaker.
Unsolder the red wire that connects the speaker terminals from the board.
Solder that wire to this spot, near where the crossover components are for the tweeter and the woofer.




I actually bought a soldering iron and tested my soldering skills. The red wire was too short, so I cut some speaker wire and extended it. Yes, that is duct tape, I know...I couldn't find my electrical tape and was too late to run out and get some.
Screwed the speaker back together, hooked up the amp, and I put new life into these old speakers. The Lepai LP2020A+ amp works well, tiny, but pumps them pretty loud. There is a bypass switch to either use the bass and treble tones on the amp too. At first I thought I was forced to lose headphone use now that I was using this amp. BUT, there is also a 3.5mm input in the back where you can plug in an mp3 player, etc. I plugged my headphones in, and what do you know? They worked! You don't have volume control for the headphones, but that's ok with me.
How did I know where to solder the wire? Thanks to these guys: AV40 Easy one wire fix and http://skralljt.info/?p=740 The only part I didn't do was "cut the trace". I'm no electrical engineer (that should explaing the shitty soldering work and duct tape). So please let me know how critical that is. Youtube Lepai LP2020A+ and you'll see what this $20 amp can do. I suggest you go out and get one and some bookshelf speakers for your computer set up.

Joe McNally interview on ANC Philippines for PhotoWorld Asia 2013

Joe McNally is in Manila this weekend as a featured keynote speaker at PhotoWorld Asia 2013. Here he is speaking about photography in general and shares some tips on improving your photography.




More information can be found at PhotoWorld Asia 2013.

The Sartorialist featured in a commercial

The Sartorialist is featured in a KIA commercial, basically doing what he does best - taking pictures of good looking, fashionable stuff on the street. http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/the-sartorialist-for-kia/

shooting the iconic Michael Jordan photo

the story behind the shot as told by the man who shot it, Walter Iooss Jr.

Shooting UFC 154

Want to know what it's like to shoot a UFC event?

As an MMA and Photography fan, I was excited to find this video and commentary by Esther Lin.  The photos in this video are amazing and the narration brings them to life even more.  Watch the video and go behind the scenes, before, during, and after - UFC 154 St. Pierre vs Condit.




courtesy of allelbows.com and Esther Lin

Pacquiao vs Marquez IV - the photoshoot

Here's a short behind the scenes video and tutorial by Monte Isom on how to shoot a boxing promo. It just gets better that this shoot is with Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Using your car as a dolly for video

The guys from Vimeo Video School put together a video with a pretty cheap and easy way to get those moving shots. Use your car!  They even show you how to edit one of their special effect scenes.



Drive-by Shooting: Using Your Car to Make Better Videos from Vimeo Video School on Vimeo.

another 5D Mark III or D800 giveaway

So you didn't win the last free DSLR contest giveaway?
Join the club.
Here's another chance for your Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800.
Click the link or picture below.
http://bit.ly/NDVQuw

How Sports Illustrated shoots the Olympics

This video has Sports Illustrated photographers explaining how they get the shot, what they bring, and their mindset as they shoot the best of the best.

Zak Noyle - Surf Photographer

One word. Inspirational.

www.zaknoyle.com

Check out this awesome documentary from Red Bull Media House!

Part 1


Part 2


I need to learn how to swim :-(

Win a 5D Mark III or Nikon D800 from Borrowlenses.com

4 days left for your chance to win a Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800.
Still haven't signed up?
Click here to sign up.

DIY DSLR backpack with inserts

I posted my DIY Rolling camera case a few weeks and I thought I would also share my DIY DSLR backpack.

I bought this camera insert from a seller in China through Ebay.  They had several sizes, but this one really fit my backpack well and held the lenses I needed.

Here is the insert loaded with:

• a 70-200 lens
• full frame body with 28-75mm attached
• flash unit
• 50mm
• and additional accesories

Just search Camera Insert on Ebay and you'll see.