I’m a bag freak and that extends beyond messenger bags, totes, over the shoulders, etc. When it comes to bags, there’s no limit to my obsession.
There are a few bags that I think look great for photographers, but a lot of them still look like a photo bag to me. Not a bad thing, just [...]
It’s simple. I love it. It makes my iPhone feel custom. It was easy to install (much easier than a screen protector) and the quality is pretty darn fantastic.
The only thing I didn’t realize was that the back piece isn’t a wrap around. For some reason I thought the back and sides were connected as [...]
I am still waiting for the case. In the meantime, my beanie will have to do (hated the apple case):
I caved. I could not resist. All others sounded like crap. My ears deserve amazingness from all the years of torture. This is how music is suppose to sound. I’m sure there are other amazing headphones out there, but this is perfect for me. Simple, collapsable and a touch of urban. Bring the beat back.
Update: They’re going back. Though they sound amazing for in-ears and look pretty slick, I can’t – for the life of me – make them fit. None of the custom ear buds seem to fit. A shame.
So I saw these randomly today online and read some reviews and most were positive. I had to [...]
In no particular order:
Stick It: I love this is app because it’s fun, designed well and actually provides a good this is what I need to do this week functionality.
Unfortunately to implement this, it’s all pretty much manual. What I mean by that is, you design your notes, save it to your photos folder [...]
EDIT: Since iPhone OS 4.0 has been announced, which indicates support for multitasking, folders, and a slew of other goodies, we’ll just have to wait and see how much better the iPad becomes with the update this Summer Fall
I wasn’t here on the weekend it came out, which I’d say is a [...]
Oh yea. This thing is gonna be a blast. Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye.
For a 300 dollar lens, I’m kinda of trippin’ out. This is shot at f/1.4. Click link under image for 100% view of focused area. Not as much CA as I expected coming from a non L lens. WOW.
View 100% crop
So with a few jobs coming up, I decided to get a carry-on ready case that would fit enough gear for a destination shoot. My co-worker Ryan was sporting a Pelican 1510 in military green and it was looking pretty damn sweet. Literally minutes later, I bought one from Amazon in desert tan.
Being that I [...]
Took out zefron this weekend. Nice ride up to Del Mar with a few miles clocked in on the 101. Then we stopped for some refreshments and a fresh sandwich. Not much shooting but managed to snap some foodie pics.
Also, the images have a cool vibe to them. I wasn’t sure which way to go, [...]
If you recall, I reviewed the Olympus E-P1 with very high remarks here. Since then, I’ve added a black leatherette, Lumix 20mm f/1.7, ditched the OVF and never looked back. With the announcement of the Panasonic GF1, the E-P2 and the latest E-PL1, I really did think about “upgrading” however the E-P2 isn’t much of [...]
iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad iPad [...]
Something I say quite often. Here’s a couple more from that day:
Mark doesn’t like the pic cause it makes him look like he has a belly… I assured him it was the wind and that people would realize it’s the wind. But just in case, it’s the wind hah!
Yet another sleepless night calls for another boring photo. If I had one, and only one f-stop to shoot at, it would be without a doubt, f/2. I love the razor thin depth of field it provides but also love it’s versatility.
Much like Ansel Adams was an f/22 kind of photographer. I am very much [...]
So far, I’m diggin’ it. Feels real sturdy and it gets the camera to your face like no other. This is how straps should be designed.
I will constantly check to make sure the connector is screwed in tight but I have no problem going a day without checking. Just gotta make habit of checking it [...]
With Canon’s latest cameras like the 5dmkII, they have made it possible to micro adjust your specific lens to insure quality photos through the accuracy of its focal point. There have been times in my career where I’ve picked up lenses that I thought were awful.
I focused dead center on something and that focal point [...]
Just another test image. Trying to test how well this Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L will work in my arsenal and I think it’s holding up.
Testing out some lighting for an upcoming shoot. Lending my 5dmkII to my brother so I used my EP1 with 20mm f/1.7. Pretty freakin’ impressed by this little camera.
Ideally I would have liked some fill light but I didn’t have an extra strobe with me. I thought about using my ringflash on camera and the [...]
Just a random clip using the EP1 video capabilities in low light with the Lumix 20mm f/1.7. I’m starting to like shooting video. I’ve had the 5dmkII for awhile now, but who really wants to shoot video with that thing for “fun”?
Gonna start experimenting. Who knows, maybe a Director of Photography for movies is in [...]
Haven’t had time to go out and shoot but this Lumix 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens is pretty freakin’ awesome on my Olympus EP1:
All at f/1.7. Oh and Bamboo Hut is also good Great sushi in San Diego. Check my Yelp review here.
I’ve decide to do my own, non-scientific, quick review of the Olympus EP1 since most of the reviews online managed to all remain non original by slamming the weak points of the EP1. My review will based on my style of shooting for this camera. Street photography, portraits, urban type images. I don’t plan to [...]
The day was beautiful as were the couple and company. Just a great day all together.
View the rest here
I have to say that the quality of this is fantastic. Prior to this, I made a book with iPhoto and this Blurb book is miles better in construction, quality, size, finish, etc.
Their program is simple to use and connects with your flickr directly. Depending on how many photos you have on flickr, you may [...]
For all you strobists out there, eat your heart out…
We (5byseven.com) just picked one up and should receive it shortly. After two weekends of lugging around strobist gear, I think it’s time to do so in style. Check back for a review on how cool it is haha!
Just a few shots I’ve taken with my new lens. This thing is monstrous and I love every bit of it:
So I just picked up a Canon T1i as a backup camera for weddings and events. It’s also going to be used as my sister’s main camera, so only paying half for it to use at jobs is pretty sweet.
After reviews and forum discussions, a lot of people advised me to stick with similar camera [...]
Went hiking yesterday at Black Mountain Open Space Park in 85 degree weather so I didn’t want to lug around my dslr… this is where the DP2 excels. Didn’t feel pulled down by any weight at all. About a 2 hour hike up and down and the DP2 lasted the whole way.
I love the peacefulness [...]
No need to review. It’s awesome. Get it now if you are an iPhone user and photographer. No brainer and you can get it for $27.99 shipped from Griffin’s website. The end.’
I traded in my Panasonic TZ5 for the TS1. Originally I bought the TZ5 as my “party cam” to go along with my Sigma DP2 (compact travel cam) and Canon 5dmkII (money maker cam). Though the TZ5 is a gem of a camera, I felt like I needed something a little more chic and pocketable. [...]
These speakers are pretty bad ass. The sound quality is really really great. Almost comparable to that of my mom’s bose dock. What really interested me in purchasing these speakers was the form, color and look. It goes really well with my contemporary/moderns interior aesthetics so it’s definitely a keeper.
In some reviews, the cons listed [...]
Did a combo with the metallic gold and added the gun metal color for the bottom piece… and vice versa. I’m using the majority metallic gold piece and given the other combo to the hubby. I think he’ll be stoked. I sure am!
Quick links: Part I | Low light performance
I wanted to do a second review of the Sigma DP2, post field work, and since today was so gorgeous, I decided to take a ride on my bike around Lake Miramar for lunch and snap away. All images are clickable to 100% original files (the quality is [...]
I like Safari. I like that it’s fast with little bullshit. One thing I miss when using Safari is all my cool little add ons for firefox. Like Firebug! The best add on for any web designer or curious blogger. I also missed being able to stumble. StumbleUpon for me at work, is like the [...]
Lovin’ the new iPhone 3G S. So much that I can’t put this piece of shit down. It’s so damn fast. I feel so disconnected with the world because in the last few days I’ve been glued to it’s screen. Ahhhh! And I’m lovin’ BeeJiveIM with push. Freakin’ fantastic.
I also bought the incase slider, both [...]
I find it to be stylish, old school and cool.
I’ve seen these all over flickr and also on a few blogs and never got around to doing it… until today. I didn’t realize how awful I laid my stuff out until I downloaded the images onto my mac, but shit… I ain’t laying that shit out again and retaking the image. Plus, the contractors [...]
Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas 13 inch laptop case. And my heart melts…
So I just installed 3.0 on the iPhone 3g (google for the BitTorrent) and the iPhone is definitely much snappier. Getting into mail has zero lag. Typing is also speedy, so fast that I actually have to type slower than usual. And did the camera really get better or am I trippin?! Check out a [...]
I find this totally usable. I actually don’t even mind this kind of noise. It has that film grain quality to it and actually looks quite good when converted to black and white. I never went above iso 400 on my G10 or LX3.
full size sample
Quick links: Part II | Low light performance
If you aren’t a camera geek, I suggest you just look at the pictures and skip all the text. It will be a boring ass read for you.
This thing is BAD ASS but give it to someone who doesn’t know the quality it produces and first thought is, [...]
I am so excited to test this thing out. Was browsing around flickr and the results of some of the images this beast puts out are kind of amazing. This is crazy good. The depth, color and character this thing produces is just mighty. So damn amazing from a compact digital camera.
WTF right? Ok here’s the thing. I love it when friends talk about cool new gadgets and toys… but I also hate it because that thing inside me says, “OMG I need one.”
Thanks to shant, I coerced my better half (and I really do mean better) to buying me the HP mini 1030nr netbook instead [...]
Cavit? Ghetto bird for “Can I have it?”
Offering all of the features that Panasonic’s multiple award winning TZ range of cameras is renowned for – including a remarkable 12x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body and 25mm ultra wide angle lens – the TZ7 goes one step further to offer AVCHD Lite*1 motion picture [...]
Oh hell yes I did. I ended up selling my beloved Macbook Pro. Good thing is, Mark needed a laptop for work, thus he became the happy buyer, along with a dashing 23in Cinema Display. So you know what this means right? That shit is still within my reach! LOL. But for real, that [...]
Went out to Mission Trails in San Diego to test out a new lens. We’re doing a Spring Fashion Shoot here for work (djpremium.com) and it was beautiful out. This 12mm is really fantastic for landscapes. Here are some test shots:
Have some big shoots coming up!
Updated our growing gear and added a Sigma 24mm f1.8 Macro EX DG. This lens is amazing. Though the AF is a bit slow and noisy, the lens itself is sharp. So sharp it’s almost comparable to the Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro. Here are some sample images! Oh, also just ordered a Boda Dry Lens [...]
Yes, it’s growing and it’s totally and absolutely out of control. Someone stop me.
Canon 5dmkII w/ BG-E6 – but only one battery, doh’!
Canon 24-105mm f4L
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L (sold to matt!)
Canon 85mm f1.8 (selling this one)
Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro (sharpest lens ever)
Sigma 50mm f1.4
Sigma 12-24mm f4.5
Sigma 24mm f1.8 Macro
580EX Speedlight
Rayflash Ringlight
Set of three 750 strobes with [...]
March 2009: Pretec creator of the highest capacity CompactFlash card in the world (100GB) and the fastest CF card in the world (433X), continues today its record breaking history in the field of speed and capacity by unveiling the extraordinary 666X CF card, the world’s fastest CF card.
Four times faster than a typical CF [...]
So I know that I said that Beaubourg tote would be my last Louis piece for awhile… but… I totally lied (thank you tax return!). I had to get this wallet since it’s been sold out for the longest time everywhere! It just so happens that the Louis Vuitton store in Fashion Valley had one [...]
Quick review of this cool gadget. If you’re looking for some scientific bullshit analysis of the light output, don’t bother reading on. The only thing I will say is that so far, there seems to be a loss of one stop in your flash unit with this on.
I’m currently shooting with a canon 5dmkII and [...]
Geeks like me. My personal favorite, though I use canon:
When I saw this through my view finder, I automatically thought of Final Fantasy. It just looked so dreamy to me and felt like at any second, some creature was going to walk about behind the shrub. WTF right? I guess this new camera is making me feel giddy about photography again. I’ve been caught [...]
Ok, so I just bought myself a Nintendo DS Lite last Friday and I can tell you now, this thing is the fountain of youth. I’m pretty sure that over the weekend, I’ve managed to age backwards.
I found myself waking up at 7am on both Saturday AND Sunday to play video games. The difference was [...]
Matt, Migs, Apes:
12.11.2008 PGN Company Class from Migs Catacutan on Vimeo.
5D mkII + 16-35mm F2.8L II
The above photo was taken with the 5D mkII with a 16-35mm f2.8 lens. This thing is bad.ass.
This hobby of mine is fucking expensive. I’m eying the new 5D mkII. My bestbuy card is currently at a 0 balance awaiting 18 months of glorious no interest. Now only if they would stock this bad boy. It seems nearly impossible to get.
I did hear about some bad copies being distributed with some sort [...]
I’m crazy. I know. Stop. Don’t even say anything. Video after the jump (I’ve always wanted to say that):
Especially with a gold backpack. Unless of course that shit has speakers.
For some weird reason, UPS decided to drop my package off at 10pm. It was a shady drop too. Some dude literally jumped out of his cargo van, dropped off my package, and left. All this at 10pm. WTH right? Whatever, I’m totally stoked [...]
Seriously, this is one of the MUST HAVE FREE applications for mac. Forget stickies. This is the app it should have been and more. You can actually draw on your post-its, write notes and set alarms. Since I have a tablet, I’m gonna find this extremely useful at jotting down notes and to-dos on the [...]
Never used this function before but I think I like what I see. Saw someone post about it over at Dpreview and took a snap of my desk at the moment. Kinda gross.
Samuel Adams Oktoberfest. Lotion. Baby cologne. G10. Dayquil. Green tea. Can of dog food. SDHC and CF card readers. Blank CD. Edge of [...]
This thing is sweet. Who would have thought you could instantly print images from your camera through a pocketable printer that uses inkless technology? Hey, it’s no high quality print, but it’s something awesome you can bring forth to the table with clients, especially at weddings.
I made a new action for my photos specifically for my blog and who better to test on than Matt?? I think I like it. Polaroid like, but not. Perhaps this is fitting since I have my eyes set on the Polaroid PoGo!
A few photographers over at Dpreview wanted to know what I thought of both the LX3 and G10 so I kindly obliged. Thought I’d share over here:
I’ll tell you now that if you’re wondering whether to get a Panasonic LX3 of a Canon G10, it’s gonna be a TOUGH decision.
Like the LX3, I love [...]
New top case finally came in for my LX150. This thing was a BITCH to install. Actually, there is one bolt missing because it was so badly misaligned. I guess I’ll have them look at it when I get my first service.
So I just picked up a Canon G10. What am I thinking? I know right. I totally just bought a LX3 last month as a non DSLR camera and here I am with a non DSLR camera #2. Crazy as it may be, I’ve had my eyes on this camera for awhile. I’ve always wanted [...]
After a pretty awful weekend, I finally had some time to try this out. All images taken at f1.8, 800iso with the exception of the second and third image which is at 400iso. Obviously at small resolution, this is not meant to show you the amazingly low levels of noise. Instead, its to show the [...]
The photography manager at work let me take the 5d home for the weekend for a test drive. I’m in the market for a full frame camera and after shooting with it for about an hour, I’m pretty much sold. Taking images feels so much more like home to me for some reason.
It feels more [...]
I love my new lens. Haven’t had time to take it out in the real world, but Cargo seems to love it.
Now all I need is the new Canon 5d mkII
TrekStor’s sweet new usb stick. Looks like something we could definitely utilize at work.
I finally had the chance to get out of the house this weekend since I’ve been feeling really tired and out of it. Mark and I drove our vespas to La Jolla Shores.
We started out with some sample beers at Karl Strauss
Then we parked along the cliffs
And just sat for awhile as we people watched [...]
Panasonic LX3 Digital Camera from Migs Catacutan on Vimeo.
For my vespa… he needs a touch of class too ya know, even if it’s hanging from a key hole. Holla!
Yip to the ee!!!! Click for larger version.
How hot is this?
This is by far the sexiest piece of work I’ve seen done in a long while. Who the hell sits on Gucci? I don’t know but if my ass could sit on this on a daily basis, he’d be pretty freakin’ stoked. Fresh and Clean stamp of approval right there!
I went crazy yesterday and stayed up late customizing these awesome wordpress themes. I’m also attempting, yet again, another photoblog. I’ve titled it, “Picture this” and am so far having fun with it.
Hopefully it will also get me out there exploring again and snapping any and everything in my way. I’m starting to remember why [...]
Vespa lesson #who’s counting?…
Your gas gauge is not a representative of how much gas you really have. I filled up today with my tank nearly on empty and to my surprise only filled up a little over a gallons worth of gas in my 2.4 gallon tank. Meaning, I had about 1 gallon left. Meaning, [...]
We just bought our second Vespa LX150. A cool blue with lots of upgrades! I’m seriously considering selling my Mazdaspeed 3 since it just sits in the garage all week depreciating in value. I love that car, but I don’t love the monthly payments.
This is going to be my latest camera. Here are the reasons why…
F2.0 LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON Lens
24-60mm ultra wide
RAW Format
16:9 aspect ratio:
Full manual controls
1/1.63″ sensor
3-inch LCD with 460,000 reso
HD 16:9 aspect ratio 24fps video
Hot shoe for external flash or optical view finder!!!
Wide lens converted to 18mm + filters
Sweet old school leather case
Face detection
Mega O.I.S.
Now those [...]
Love at first sight. It’s been a little over a week now and I don’t regret this one bit. Once I start taking this bad boy out and about (rather than just daily commutes), I think I’ll start an on location blog here, “Adventures with my cute yellow vespa”
I just picked up a Harmon Kardon GPS-810 Guide + Play. I’ve been wanting a GPS for quite some time now. I was even at Circuit City a few months ago in line, ready to pay for a 1500 nav+install on my mazda speed3. I backed out last minute. Left the papers on the counter [...]
I purchased a new toy. My epson p-3000 will be in my hands come tomorrow afternoon.
This thing is a monster. Aside from storing and viewing RAW images on the fly, the epson p-3000 also plays music and video files. I probably won’t use those features all that much considering I have an iPhone, but I [...]
Is it bad that I have a better setup at home than I do at work? Especially when 80% of my computer usage is at work? Sad, but I’m addicted and love me my apples.
Pictured: 2.4GHz Macbook Pro with 4GB ram installed (via crucial memory), 23in HD Apple display, Apple wireless keyboard, iPhone, Maxtor 250GB [...]