Recent content by Bruce Foreman

I used diffusion a lot in my still portrait studio work. You're not likely to get by with just one strength, I recommend both the 1/8 and 1/4 strengths. As Ahalpert said, above, the 1/8th will be subtle but will take the "edge" off detail that is too sharp, the 1/4 will just begin to give skin...

In the 1980's during my studio days, the best diffusion I ever saw was the Mamiya Sekor 150mm Soft Focus lens for the RB-67. The optics in this lens were designed with the faults that used to be found in old optics blended in. These faults were only designed into the outer parts of some...

Definitely to be avoided but what I see is not too bad, appears reasonably sharp on my monitor. What I do see is a bit of diffraction softness though. The image below is a bit of an extreme example. The night before I had been shooting in low light and had the ISO set to the highest on a...

Speedbooster not necessary (although I do have and use an RJ focal reducter with "ancient" Nikkors). Here is a portrait of a family member done with a GH3 and 0lympus 75mm "native" m4/3 lens wide open. I could do essentially the same kind of look with the Oly 45mm with proper management of...

Gossen has an excellent reputation for very good meters. I did consider one of those. All quality meters are pretty pricey now.

I understand very well. Much of the time I was in business I was "budget challenged". Couldn't afford a decent flash meter and I had 3 camera rooms in my studio, each with it's own lighting kit. I still have the "el cheapo" Vivitar solid state meter that read out flash intensity with 9 red...

Marc, I advise also going for one of the Sekonic meters, too. I sent that Kenko meter back (3 stops off!) and finally decided on the Sekonic L 478D. Readings from it match my 45 year old L-28c and the LCD display is nice. Only negative is the crappy case that came with it, much like a soft...

Too late. B&H sent me an RMA and return label within less than an hour after I requested a "return". Dropped it off at a UPS Store this morning. A $248 meter should work without me opening up the case. Anyway it wasn't an urgent need as I still have the 45 year old Sekonic, I just need to...

Well, it was delivered yesterday evening about 7:10PM (I'm on the "tail end" of the UPS home delivery route). And it went right back this morning. Doggone thing was 3 stops off and exposures made by it's readings were all 3 stops underexposed compared to my 45 year old Sekonic L-28c and two...

I've been reading user reviews on what I can afford until going cross-eyed. I was about to order the L 308DC until I stumbled across one fact about the Kenko KFM1100. I'd been trying to decide between the Sekonic L 308DC and the L 478D but a couple of comments on the fragility of the latter's...

Lightly used well cared for GX7 (body only) . Shutter count is 393 at the moment, and there has been a screen protector on since shortly after I got it. Has much of the video functionality of the GH3 but the EVF is quite a bit better. Makes a great street, stealth camera as long as you...

For sale: A Panasonic Lumix GH3 body that has seen extremely little use. Current shutter count is 254. Cosmetically perfect, no marks, no scuffs, no worn paint. Has had a screen protector on the LCD since purchase and the LCD has not loosened (I "baby" my gear). Comes with box, software...

Too much gear on hand, so... For Sale: Olympus OMD E-M5 (original version) with 1108 shutter "clicks" and 2 lenses: 14-42mm m.Zuiko II f3.5-f5.6 (28-84mm equiv) "kit" lens and 40-150mm m.Zuiko f4-f5.6 telephoto zoom (80-300 equiv). Both lenses look brand new. Body and lenses are in...

First project shot with my GH4. Visited a small ranch in Christoval TX where the owner has established a hummingbird and other migratory bird sanctuary. Sitting inside the "observation building" I set up a tripod with the GH4 and a 45-200mm lens (90-400mm equiv). I had the camera set to...

Selling my backup GH3 body. Project requiring multiple cameras never happened. Shutter count is 128, camera is cosmetically unblemished - in almost brand new condition. SOLD! Price is now $775. Price includes PayPal fees and UPS or FedEX ground to CONUS locations. Camera will ship in...