Stay ConnectedPPN.fm – Photo Podcast Network is your source of photography inspiration, education, information, and entertainment.
Each month we cover inspiration, technique, mirrorless photography, Q&A, gear, and other photography-related topics – all in one feed.
PPN is run by experienced photographers:
Marco Larousse (founder, chief editor, producer and show host)
Scott Bourne (founder and show host)
You can get more information at www.PPN.fm
Thank you for subscribing and listening! 🙂
This is the PPN - Q&A podcast episode #6 for November 2017.
Please submit your photography related questions to us here: http://www.photopodcasts.com/contact.html
This episode is sponsored by B&H - Please use our B&H affiliate link: https://bhpho.to/2hpGGPI
Here are the questions that Marco answers on this episode:
1.
I am currently looking for a versatile mirrorless camera system. As I want to get into indoor sports photography (Basketball and ice hockey) I need a setup that is good enough to handle the task. What do I need to look out for and what are your recommendations?
from Keith in Toronto, Canada
2.
Hi Scott and Marco, I have heard Marco talk about interior real estate photography in a previous show and would like to get a bit more info on how to tackle this task. I have given it a try but I have not been happy with the results that I get from my Nikon D800 and SB910 system flash. Any suggestions on what I can do to improve my results?
from Sandra in Sydney, Australia
Link to the Aurora HDR 2018 software: https://macphun.evyy.net/c/420516/185399/3255?u=https%3A%2F%2Faurorahdr.com
Please use the discount code "photopodcasts" at checkout for a rebate.
3.
Hi, can you please explain how to use the function button that is on lenses. Also, please include how you personally use. Thanks
from Bill in De Soto, Missouri
4.
Hi, I want every bit of light my Nikon 200-500 zoom will capture. Does my UV filter reduce light reaching the sensor significantly?
from Richard in New Jersey
5.
I want to start getting my photographs printed so I can sell them on my website and art shows, but the question is where? I have tried a couple of labs and the consistency is not there. Do you use a local lab or a national lab?
from Allen in Houston, Texas
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
For more information on Marco Larousse follow him on Twitter: @HamburgCam
For more information on Scott Bourne follow him on Twitter: @ScottBourne
On this episode #8 "We Shoot Mirrorless" podcast episode for November 2017, Scott and Marco discuss these new products and mirrorless topics:
This show is sponsored by B&H: https://bhpho.to/2htc5AL
17mm f1.2: https://bhpho.to/2htbn6z
45mm f1.2: https://bhpho.to/2AvF4aM
http://www.hasselblad.com/lenses/x-system
Mirrorless question of the month:
Hi Scott and Marco, I'm a new listener and love your approach to do different topic shows in your feed each month. I am currently a Canon 5D MK III shooter and you guys have convinced me that I can switch to mirrorless cameras without sacrificing IQ.
I do mainly portrait and travel photography and I'm wondering if I could get away with buying a less expensive mirrorless camera (i.e. Olympus E-M10 MK II, Fuji X-A3 or Sony a6000) and rather spend extra money on pro-grade lenses?
Would I lose AF speed, accuracy, or IQ on those lower end models compared to the higher end ones?
Jim from Valdosta, Georgia
You can also submit an image using the Instagram hashtag #WeShootMirrorless
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
For more information on Scott Bourne follow him on Twitter: @ScottBourne
For more information on Marco Larousse follow him on Twitter: @HamburgCam
About this show:
On the monthly #WeShootMirrorless episode of the "PPN - Photo Podcast Network" show, Scott and Marco will discuss news from the mirrorless camera world related to innovations, trends, gear and accessories. And they will introduce mirrorless camera brands by interviewing the respective managers of those manufacturers. They will also invite pro photographers who make their living working with mirrorless cameras to share some tips and tricks on their workflow.
This is episode #7 of the Camera and Inspiration show at "PPN - Photo Podcast Network" for October 2017.
This show is sponsored by B&H: bit.ly/bhphotodeals
Amazon Germany: http://amzn.to/2xCsWDW
Amazon US: http://a.co/60BPohV
Here are the links to Valérie's work and social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeriejardinphotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriejardin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/valeriejardin
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hit-streets-valerie-jardin/id1155913704
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
For more information on Scott Bourne follow him on Twitter: @ScottBourne
For more information on Marco Larousse follow him on Twitter: @HamburgCam
About this show:
On the monthly "Camera and Inspiration" podcast show of the PPN - Photo Podcast Network, Scott and Marco discuss the essence of photography and how to photograph with more intent. Determining the "why" before the "how" in photography is essential to understanding your subject better and create stronger images. In each episode, they introduce you to an inspirational photographer of the month and also share an inspirational photo book of the month.
The More Gear Show topic this month is: Prime v. Zoom Lenses
Follow @Photopodcasts on Twitter
Email: scott@scottbourne.com with questions or use the form on our website
You'll find a visual presentation of these show notes here:
https://spark.adobe.com/page/pNsx6L2onZBBB/
Prime v. Zoom Lenses. It's one of those age-old battles like Mac v. PC, or Xbox v. Playstation. While it's a subject that brings out passionate views from both sides, my goal in this presentation is not to take sides, but to give photographers a basic primer on the two types of lenses so that they can make better informed buying decisions. I do have my own opinions and will share them. At the end of this presentation, I will mention some of the lenses I use.
For those who are new to all this, a prime lens is merely a fixed focal length lens. It just means that unlike your 70-200mm zoom lens that allows you to use focal lengths between 70mm and 200mm, a prime lens will only shoot at a fixed length. Some common prime lens lengths are 24mm, 35mm 50mm, 85mm, 100mm, 200mm, etc.
Here's a rundown of the main advantages prime lenses have over zooms…
There are three primary disadvantages to all these features…
The basics of zoom lenses…
A zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens elements for which the focal length (and thus angle of view) can be varied, as opposed to a fixed focal length lens.
The main advantage of zoom lenses is flexibility. You can carry just one lens that covers a wide range of focal lengths.
As for which is better, primes or zooms, the answer is (as it always in with photography) IT DEPENDS. It depends on what you want to accomplish, your skill level, the type of photography you practice and your budget.
As for my own preferences, I generally prefer primes. When I have a choice, I shoot with primes, but there are indeed times when I want a zoom lens. They are affordable, flexible, convenient and versatile. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO Lens is one of my favorite zoom lenses for bird photography. There are times when it is just the best choice. Otherwise, I tend to use my Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO Lens and may use the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital MC-14 1.4x Teleconverter when I need more reach.
I almost photograph birds exclusively using these lenses with one exception. When I am at places in the Alligator Farm or Gatorland and I can get very close, I will use a lightweight zoom lens, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO Lens which is great for hand-held flight shots when the birds are close.
Conclusion
Everything in photography involves a trade off. Zooms typically have more flaws than prime lenses but primes are more expensive and you have to carry more of them. Even though I prefer primes, I am NOT saying you shouldn't buy a zoom lens. As you can see, I do own two myself. And the good news is that today's zooms are better than ever before.
I do believe (especially for those shooting video or those who need super telephoto lenses) that a very fast prime lens is the best way to go, if budget allows. Your mileage may vary.
If you are unsure of which way to go, my advice is to rent before you buy and put each lens you're considering through its paces. Decide if it's right for you and then pull the trigger.
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
For more information on Scott Bourne follow him on Twitter: @ScottBourne
For more information on Marco Larousse follow him on Twitter: @HamburgCam
On this episode #7 "We Shoot Mirrorless" podcast episode for October 2017, Scott and Marco discuss these new products and mirrorless topics:
This show is sponsored by B&H: bit.ly/bhphotodeals
https://shop.gopro.com/cameras/fusion/CHDHZ-101.html
GF 45mm f2.8 R WR: https://bhpho.to/2zjBEbs
GF 80mm f2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro: https://bhpho.to/2zhrzLY
http://www.fujifilm.com/news/n170907_08.html
https://www.sony.com.au/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce9-series/ilce-9
Mirrorless question of the month:
Hi Scott and Marco, I am a long time listener of your podcasts and have made the full switch from Nikon DSLR's to Fuji mirrorless cameras (sorry Scott) ;) last year. I'm currently using a Fuji X-T2 and X-T 20 and have the XF 50-140mm f2.8 lens for my zoom work. Inspired by Scott's recent PPN - More Gear Show episode about TC's, I am now considering the purchase of a 1.4x or 2x TC. But a photographer friend has told me, that TC are not a good idea on crop sensor cameras, as there is already an artificial crop happening on the sensor. And the IQ will degrade drastically stronger than on a cropped FF camera. He suggests that I'd rather invest in the Fuji XF 100-400mm f4.5 - 5.6 lens. What do you think?
Thanks so much for all of the great shows each month!
Johan from Uppsala, Sweden
You can also submit an image using the Instagram hashtag #WeShootMirrorless
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
For more information on Scott Bourne follow him on Twitter: @ScottBourne
For more information on Marco Larousse follow him on Twitter: @HamburgCam
About this show:
On the monthly #WeShootMirrorless episode of the "PPN - Photo Podcast Network" show, Scott and Marco will discuss news from the mirrorless camera world related to innovations, trends, gear and accessories. And they will introduce mirrorless camera brands by interviewing the respective managers of those manufacturers. They will also invite pro photographers who make their living working with mirrorless cameras to share some tips and tricks on their workflow.
Please submit your photography related questions to us here: http://www.photopodcasts.com/contact.html
Host Scott Bourne: @ScottBourne
Co-Host Rick Sammon: @ricksammon
Rick's website: www.ricksammon.com
B&H link: bit.ly/bhphotodeals
Here are the questions that Scott and Rick answer on this episode:
1. Would like to ask, how do you get better at composition? Seems like such a talent I don't have.
From Carlos Rivera‏ On Twitter
2. What's the biggest mistake that people moving from film to digital photography make?
From Dave in Tulsa, OK
3. Do you shoot JPEG or RAW and Lightroom or ???
From Aaron‏ on Twitter
4. How do you avoid getting red eye? I saw some on the forums saying use the red-eye reduction mode but my camera doesn't have that.
From Susan in Evansville, IN
5. How do you go about shooting in harsh sunlight?
From Stephanie Rodham on Twitter
6. Why do some portrait photographers choose continuous (hot)lights v. strobe?
From Alex in San Francisco, CA
7. Have any tips for shooting fast moving objects/ sports?
From Ryan Simonovich‏ on Twitter
8. How do you get your portrait subjects to relax?
From Phil in Edmonton, Alberta
9. Why can I not get the same picture in my camera as in my head?
From Russ Scullen‏ on Twitter
10. What motivates you to continue taking pictures economically, politically, intellectually or emotionally?
From Edward in Boise, ID
11. Why don't camera manufacturers built camera bases with the Area Swiss plate built into the base? I see lots of questions on forums asking "what plate to buy"- why not build it into the camera, save the extra bulk/weight/cost? And many m43 cameras are not deemed worthy of a custom plate, leading to problems accessing batteries//cards when using generic plates.
From Rick Fee
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
This is episode #6 of the Camera and Inspiration show at "PPN - Photo Podcast Network" for September 2017.
This show is sponsored by B&H: bit.ly/bhphotodeals
http://de.phaidon.com/store/photography/steve-mccurry-portraits-2nd-edition-9780714865379/#tab-2
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
For more information on Scott Bourne follow him on Twitter: @ScottBourne
For more information on Marco Larousse follow him on Twitter: @HamburgCam
About this show:
On the monthly "Camera and Inspiration" podcast show of the PPN - Photo Podcast Network, Scott and Marco discuss the essence of photography and how to photograph with more intent. Determining the "why" before the "how" in photography is essential to understanding your subject better and create stronger images. In each episode, they introduce you to an inspirational photographer of the month and also share an inspirational photo book of the month.
The More Gear Show topic this month is:
Using Teleconverters - The Basics.
Follow @Photopodcasts on Twitter
Email: scott@scottbourne.com with questions or use the form on our website
You'll find a visual presentation of these show notes here: https://spark.adobe.com/page/CabgCmTh8kpH5/
Introduction
A teleconverter (sometimes called tele extender or TC) is a secondary lens which is mounted between the camera and a photographic lens. Its job is to enlarge the central part of an image. They usually come in two lengths, 1.4 and 2X. These numbers represent the multiplier effect of the teleconverter. For instance, a 1.4 TC on a 100mm lens would make that lens operate like a 140mm lens. A 2X TC on the same lens would make that lens operate like a 200mm lens.
As I've grown older, I have come to rely on teleconverters. In the past, I've had a love/hate relationship with them. When I was a young man and dead broke, I used them to try to get more focal length and hated the results. Then again, when I was young, the quality of the average teleconverter was horrible and my technique not much better.
Now, decades later, teleconverters from manufacturers like Olympus are very, very good. (There are other good teleconverters from other manufacturers but I mention Olympus because I am most familiar with them.)
With the advent of higher-quality TCs and practice, I have come to the conclusion that with proper technique, and a super sharp lens to connect with the teleconverter, this gear can deliver sharp, pleasing image quality. The caveats are that you start with quality glass and use a properly matched teleconverter, i.e., one made by the same company that manufactures your lens. While technically, other brands may work, in my opinion, best practices require a properly matched converter.
Proper technique is also really important. For those who only use long lenses occasionally, it's very hard to develop good technique. When I teach at bird photography workshops the first thing I tend to note with new students is their assumption that their expensive telephoto lens will be all they need to get a good, sharp image. If only that were true.
You really need to practice with long lenses and get your technique down. Use a sturdy tripod, and preferably a gimbal head if you're shooting with DSLRs. (Mirrorless shooters may be able to hand hold but a tripod and gimbal are always nice perks if you can afford them.) Place your feet shoulder-width apart, press your eye firmly to the back of your camera and drape your arm over the center of gravity on the lens. If you're making any sort of image other than a static, locked down image, and you're using a modern lens, go ahead and turn on IS. (Check your camera/lens manual to see if your stabilization works on a tripod.) These are minimum techniques for good image making with long telephoto lenses. I use a 1.4 TC on my Olympus camera. In the past I worked with a 2X teleconverter. Once you add that 2x TC to the equation, it only gets harder. When you use a 2X teleconverter you magnify EVERY mistake you make for all to see.
When you use a teleconverter you will end up short a stop or two of light. A 1.4 TC will cost you one stop of light and a 2X TC will cost you two stops of light. Most people already know that. What few people talk about is that you may also lose autofocus or at least autofocus speed. You may also lose some of your autofocus points. (My Olympus camera doesn't suffer from this problem but most do.) If you're shooting with an older camera and lenses slower than f/2.8 pay attention to this.
I want to clear up a misconception. I have seen many photographers flatly state that teleconverters don't offer autofocus on lenses slower than f/2.8. While this may be true for a majority of cameras its not true with some of the more modern high-end cameras.
Even if your camera can autofocus using a teleconverter, remember you will also be penalized by slightly slower autofocus acquisition. It is lens, body and situation dependent but it is something to know. I am lucky in that on my Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, paired to the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital MC-14 1.4x Teleconverter this isn't a real issue. I don't notice any difference.
Back when I shot on DSLRs, a 400mm f/4 lens with a 1.4TC (EFL of 560mm at f/5.6 due to the one stop of light lost to the TC) will not yield autofocus that is as fast as a 600mm f/5.6 lens without the TC. The gaps grow closer every year and it's much less of a problem with new gear. Older cameras/lenses/converters will be more likely to manifest slower AF acquisition.
USE CASES
It's possible to use TCs with any variety of lens and camera combinations (check your owner's' manual to make sure your camera and lens pairing is compatible.) Some photographers are even able to stack two teleconverters (a 1.4 TC plus a 2X TC) to get even more reach. I have never tried this but you may want to. (Put the 2X on the camera, attach a 12mm extension tube to the 2X TC and then attach a 1.4 TC to the 12mm extension tube.)
When I attach a teleconverter I tend to attach the TC to the lens first and THEN to the camera. On some cameras, this seems to make a big difference in how well the TC talks to both the lens and the camera, in terms of autofocus speed and also in terms of metering. Consider this a best practice just to be safe.
With my desire to shoot long lenses I am constantly battling the need for big, heavy glass with the need for something that isn't too expensive and that I can more easily carry. I have increasingly moved to using teleconverters and with practice, most photographers will find this is a reasonable compromise.
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
For more information on Scott Bourne follow him on Twitter: @ScottBourne
For more information on Marco Larousse follow him on Twitter: @HamburgCam
On the PPN Q&A show, we answer our listener questions about photography related topics.
Submit your photography related questions here: http://www.photopodcasts.com/contact.html
Host Marco Larousse
Marco's Website: www.MarcoLarousse.com
Marco's Twitter: @HamburgCam
Co-Host Joseph Linaschke
Joseph's Website: www.joseph.info
Joseph's Twitter: @PhotoJoseph
Joseph's Instagram: www.instagram.com/photojoseph
Joseph's YouTube Channel: youtube.com/photojoseph
Joseph's current contest: http://www.photojoseph.com/contest
This show is sponsored by B&H: bit.ly/bhphotodeals
Here are the questions that Marco and Joseph answer on this episode:
From Brian in Portland, Oregon
From James in Chandler, Arizona
From Curtis in Franklin, Tennessee
From Rob in the U.K.
From David in Toronto, Canada
From Keith in Belfast, Northern Ireland
From Dan in Neilson, Florida
From Michael in Melbourne, Australia
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
On this episode #6 "We Shoot Mirrorless" podcast episode for September 2017, Scott and Marco discuss these new products and mirrorless topics:
This show is sponsored by B&H: bit.ly/bhphotodeals
Theta V 360° 4K camera: https://bhpho.to/2waKLIw
Ricoh TA-1 3D Microphone for THETA V 360 camera: https://bhpho.to/2wJJkoh
Mirrorless question of the month:
Hi Scott / Marco, absolutely love your show. Here is my question: If I want to get into wildlife photography, which entry-level mirrorless camera would you recommend for someone coming from DSLR?
Why I'm asking: it's not clear for me if the Olympus E-M10 II as the E-M1's smaller sibling would be up to the task, although it doesn't have the E-M1 Mk II's phase detection AF. Would something like the Fuji X-T20 (which supports PD AF) be a better option? Looking forward to your recommendation!
Cheers, Alex Munich / Germany
You can also submit an image using the Instagram hashtag #WeShootMirrorless
See more of Nicolas great work on his website: www.nicolascazard.com
Please support our show by using our B&H affiliate link (click here) that will not cost you a penny more than when you are buying at B&H without our link. And the more this link will be used to buy at B&H, the more giveaways we'll be able to give back to our listeners through B&H. It really is a "win-win" situation :)
And please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes. We would also love to get your feedback. Is there anything that you want us to cover on the show in the future? And we would appreciate if you could take a short moment to rate or post a quick review about our shows on iTunes.
For more information on Scott Bourne follow him on Twitter: @ScottBourne
For more information on Marco Larousse follow him on Twitter: @HamburgCam
About this show:
On the monthly #WeShootMirrorless episode of the "PPN - Photo Podcast Network" show, Scott and Marco will discuss news from the mirrorless camera world related to innovations, trends, gear and accessories. And they will introduce mirrorless camera brands by interviewing the respective managers of those manufacturers. They will also invite pro photographers who make their living working with mirrorless cameras to share some tips and tricks on their workflow.
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