Blog

Welcome to the new www.davidclapp.co.uk v3.0

2012-01-12T10:07:39+00:00

Welcome to the all new www.davidclapp.co.uk v3.0. It’s been hard graft, but its finally complete. Click on the video for a brief look around the new site and to explain some background thinking and also to showcase some of the new features. The clip works in HD, so try full screen too (this only works by watching it on the Vimeo wesbite sadly). Video blogging and digital tutorials are something that will start to feature a lot more on the website.

Using the Sigma 85mm for Macro

2012-01-10T14:36:32+00:00

Ever considered using an 85mm lens for portraits? Of course you have. What about landscapes? Well perhaps… how about macro? After buying a set of Kenko extension tubes a few years ago, I began to experiment with all my optics and the effect they had on them.

DIY Sharpness Tests - Sigma 85mm f1.4

2012-01-10T14:14:10+00:00

There has been a lot of posts on my Twitter feed the last couple of days regarding the remarkable Sigma 50mm f1.4, with questions about its sharpness and vignetting mainly. I thought I would post the results of its bigger brother, the Sigma 85mm f1.4, to follow onto my last post. I shot a few test images up on the moors when teaching a 1-2-1 workshop which I thought I would share.

FLM 48FT Ballhead Review

2012-01-10T13:25:08+00:00

Whenever you think about purchasing a new tripod head it’s very easy to imagine yourself satisfied with a safe bet made from one of the usual corporate manufacturers. Whether it’s a three way head, ball head, or perhaps one of the more precision based geared heads, many of us handing over our money to a big company convinced that a matching set is the way to go.

The Vanguard SBH-250 and SBH-300 Ball Head Review

2012-01-10T13:04:25+00:00

For landscape photographers tripod head is personal preference, but if you haven’t yet tried shooting with a ballhead then its time to reconsider. Vanguard SB250 and 300 ballheads bring quality high spec ballheads into an affordable sphere, with features and build only found on expensive niche products until now. If you are a considering an upgrade and the choice seems overwhelming, then start by considering the Vanguard range as you are in for some surprises.

iPad 2 - The Ultimate Photography Tool Part 2

2012-01-10T09:47:03+00:00

I have been using the Apple iPad 2 for a few weeks now and am finding more and more applications that are both life enriching and extremely useful to photographers, away from the usual photo apps. I thought I would highlight one I just installed about half an hour ago, the rather amazing AirDisplay.

KB Covers Keyboard Cover Review

2012-01-10T09:15:31+00:00

With modern software becoming ever more sophisticated and complicated, the myriad of keyboard shortcuts, trackpad swipes and function key combinations seem ever harder to remember. After five years behind the computer processing images in both RAW and Photoshop, I have to say I do have rather a lot of memory allocated to remembering the most bizarre of actions, across both Mac and PC platforms.

Eden Quality Binoculars 8X42 review

2012-01-10T09:05:23+00:00

After reviewing the amazing Vanguard 10x45 ED glass optics last year, I have rekindled my youthful passion of birdwatching with some pace. The quality of optics available on the market to the enthusiast are becoming so good that when another company, Eden Web Shops got in touch with me requesting I take a look through their glasses, I jumped at the chance to try another focal length out in the field.

Setting Up Camera Adapters Tutorial

2012-01-09T14:24:34+00:00

Two men, one bored afternoon, a steel ring, a rubber glove and some washing up liquid?! I’m out of here! No, you have it all wrong, welcome to my tutorial on adapting manual focus lenses for digital cameras. Learn to adapt and test alternative lenses, bring manual focus lenses in the digital age.

Panasonic GF-1 Review in the Landscape

2012-01-09T14:10:26+00:00

Do you want a compact 12mp system that almost rivals a 5D, fits in your pocket and produces knockout results? A landscape camera capable of truly remarkable images, with RAW output that will literally make you double take? A hiking companion without compromise? Bridging the gap at last, the GF-1 has me spellbound.It has a killer feature - depth of field preview and a Live View zoom feature, just like my DSLRs. I can actually focus my landscapes hyperfocally without guesswork by using them in partnership.