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Spyder Monitor Calibration Software

August 26, 2009

I assisted Ed Pingol for a wedding over the weekend and we were talking about monitor calibration as he said the images from a recent post of mine were a little cold. He said that monitor calibration software is a must have because your images can vary significantly if it is not color calibrated especially when it gets printed. I have always looked into getting it but just never got around to doing it. I got the Colorvision Datacolor Spyder2 Express and after using it on my monitor, I definitely noticed a difference. Now I can see what Ed was talking about as the images did look a little cool to me now!

I never really had the issue before and even after calibrating my monitor, my older images all look fine and it was just my most recent images that I noticed the difference. The colors on monitors can change over time so it is recommended that the color get adjusted at least once a month.

I got the Spyder 2 Express because it was the cheapest and most basic one that Datacolor provides. Calibrating is super easy and only takes about 5-10 minutes. Spyder 3 Pro adn Elite are the other versions that have more advanced options but I think the Express version is perfectly fine for me. If you have dual screen, then you would need to get the other editions but I only use one Dell 30 inch LCD monitor. The Express version only allows you to use a fixed color temperature at 6500K with Gamma 2.2 but that is the default choice anyways and I dont think you really need to have the other choices. 

So for other wedding photographers who dont currently color calibrate their monitors, I highly recommend it and it is definitely a must have!

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R Strap Review

June 5, 2009
I purchased the R Strap by Blackrapid about six months ago and have enjoyed using it so far. I didnt really like the default strap too much and was looking for an alternative.  I saw that one of my friends was using it and he liked it and receommended it. At first, I was hesitant to spend $50 on a camera strap. There are also plenty of DIY tutorials online and you can easily buy parts to make it yourself for less than $15 but I figure spending $50 on something that will be holding $1000+ of equipment isnt too bad.
So far I have used it for general shooting, hikes, parties, and weddings and it seems to work well. I have been using it on my Canon 40D and now it is on my 5D. The ease of use when you need the camera is great because you can easily grab the camera and take a shot. I like how you can just let the camera dangle when you are not using it as it can actually take some load off from your hand because I had the tendency to always hold it with one hand. When you have the 70-200 mounted on the camera, however, the load can be a little heavy but havent had any issues with it.
The little pocket on the strap is also nice to store two extra compact flash memory cards. The only complaint I have is that the version that I purchased was an older one so the attachment to the camera was a little bigger so that you cant put the camera down as before when there was nothing mounted onto the bottom of the camera. Before, you can easily put down the camera with the bottom down, but now since there is a fastener on the bottom of the camera, I have to set it down on the side. It isnt a huge deal but it could have been better. Fortunately, I guess they realized this and came up with the FastenR-2, which is now included when you buy the R Strap, and with this new fastener, I think it solves that issue and might allow you to be able to set it down on the bottom. They sell the fastener separately, but I dont think I am willing to pay $12 to get it.
Overall, I would highly recommend the R Strap if anyone is looking for a better way of carrying their camera. It is great not having the camera dangle in front of me. It is quite convenient when you need it while also allowing the camera to be out of the way on the side when you dont need it. They also came out with a Double Strap for two bodies but I think I am fine with just one and might consider getting another one as opposed to getting the Double Strap. The Double Strap does look pretty cool though.

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Cactus V4 Final Update

May 8, 2009

1st review
2nd review

This is hopefully my last and final update of the Cactus V4 by Gadget Infinity. I have given up on these cheapo products and have decided to go with the Cybersyncs.  I sent back the 1st gen receiver and transmitter since the transmitter was faulty. After waiting about 2 weeks to get my replacement, I can finally test them again. I had also ordered an additional receiver. I tried to do more testing using the Cactus V4 and one of the recievers was not working. After wiggling around the hot shoe on it, it worked fine but once I removed it and put it back on, it didnt work again.

The one working receiver actually works fine and is pretty reliable but due to all these issues, I highly recommend against these units unless you dont mind the stress and trouble in dealing with getting them resolved with Gadget Infinity. I have exchanged numerous emails already about sending back the 1st generation transmitter and now I have exchanged more emails again about this faulty reciever. They said that there was no known issues with the receivers and gave me instructions on removing the extra clip on top of the hot shoe and said that might help with the issue. I tried that and still have no luck. The receiver is basically defective. Since Gadget Infinity is in Hong Kong, it is also troublesome exchanging emails since the time zones are switched and everytime I send an email, I have to wait until the next day to get a reply. Even if I send it during my nighttime which is their daytime, they are still not very responsive with emails.

I did manage to do two photoshoots with the Cactus V4, but only with one receiver, and they worked out okay but with all the trouble I had with these units, I refuse to use them anymore. 

I just recieved my new pair of Cybersyncs so I can now return the Cactus V4 units for a refund. Unfortunately, the shipping policy of Gadget Infinity says that I have to pay for shipping even if the units are faulty. This is pretty lame considering that the unit was faulty when I received it. Hopefully others can learn from my mistakes and issues and if you still decide to purchase the V4s, dont say I didn’t warn you!

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