My Bodies and Lenses

Been wanting to highlight the camera bodies and lenses that I shoot with and while this looks like a lot of gear, these images don't include my accessories or video cameras etc.

Pictured:

Camera bodies:

(2) Sony A77
Sony A99

Lenses:

Sony 70-400 G
Sony 70-300 G
Sony Zeiss 24-70
Minolta 70-210
Minolta 35-70 (macro)
Minolta 28-85 (macro)
Minolta 50mm f/1.4
Minolta 28mm f/2.8
Minolta 20mm f/2.8
Rokinon 35mm f/1.4
Rokinon 8mm Fisheye
Bell and Howell 85mm f/1.4
Tokina 11-16mm (wide angle)
Sigma 18-35mm

These photos shot with a Sony VG10 video camera (pictured below, that photo shot with a Sony DSC-W710 point and shoot).

Photos shot with a Sony VG10

Han River, Seoul - Panorama and more

Took another trip down to the Han River and the Seoul Techno Mart. A friend of mine wanted to buy a few photography accessories and well, I love looking at all the cameras and gear as well.

The 9th floor of the Seoul Techno Mart offers a stunning view of the Han River. We braved the frigid temperatures for as long as we could and were able to snap off a few nice shots including this panorama.

Shot with the Sony A99 and Zeiss 24-70mm lens.

Grand Olympic Bridge. Seoul, South Korea

Picture of the Day - "A Cross in the Woods"

Enjoy today's picture of the day "A Cross in the Woods".

That is all.

Camera Anyone?

The Seoul Techno Mart is a 9 story mega-shopping center for cameras and electronics. There's an observation deck on the 9th floor that offers stunning views of the Han River. There are a seemingly infinite amount of cameras and lenses on display. If you're a photography enthusiast, it's a fun way to spend a couple hours.

There are some good deals to be had. I had JUST ordered a Minolta 50mm f/1.4 from an eBay seller for $250 USD, however, while at the Techno Mart, I spotted a really nice one in a glass display case. It was priced at $200 and while I sat there contemplating life, the merchant quickly dropped his asking price to $170. I was really giving it consideration because I could just turn around and resell the lens I just bought on eBay, even if I took a small loss I would still save a few bucks. Before I knew it, the merchant dropped the price to $130, I hadn't even said a word, I was just THINKING about buying the lens. Finally, he said with a thick Korean accent "Final price, $110." To which I replied "I'll take it".

I figured I'd have to resell the eBay lens but to my good fortune, I contacted the seller and he was able to stop the shipment at the USPS office the very next morning and he issued me a full refund.

Now that's a pretty big savings on a nice lens. A difference of $140 dollars? Thank you Seoul Techno Mart.

More on the Seoul Techno Mart:

http://m.visitseoul.net/en/m/article/article.do?_method=view&m=&p=02&menu=0003001005005&art_id=619

View from the 9th floor of the Seoul Techno Mart

Awesome escalator at the Seoul Techno Mart

Today's Photos - Sony A77

Enjoy some of the photos I snapped with one of my new Sony A77's... Just taking it out for a test spin. More photos coming soon.

Moon over the Han River. Sony A77 with Minolta 28mm lens. Effects Topaz BuzSim.

MY Sony A99 Has Arrived!

Pictured below is my new (used) Sony A99 mega-awesome DSLT camera. As you can see, I have paired it with the Sony VG-C99AM Vertical Grip. For glass, I have the Sony Zeiss 24-70mm. I just received it today and have not had any time to play around with it yet, but rest assured, I'll be sharing many, many photos from this awesome set-up. It's the best there is. The last photo below was shot with the A99.

Sony A99 

Nice view of the VG-C99AM Vertical Grip

Awesome Sony A99

Full frontal view of the Sony A99

Photo of Sony A77 shot with a Sony A99 w/ Zeiss 24-70mm lens.

Playing in the Field - Sony A77

My unit went to the field this week for a live fire exercise, shooting rockets from the M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System.

Spotted a nice reflection opportunity as my friend PFC Lohrentz sat in his HUMVEE.

Stay tuned for more photos!

Turner Hunt in the Field

Here's a shot of my good friend and co-host at www.HeyDontShoot.com Turner Hunt. He sits in the hatch of his M270A1 MLRS Rocket Launcher during a recent live fire exercise in Korea, near the DMZ.

Camera: Sony A77

Lens: Minolta 28-80mm

f /4.5

ISO 250

EXP 1/100

Going Pro (again) with the Sony A99 and Two A77s

I jokingly say that I should be committed for the amount of money I spent today on new cameras but the reality is that I would have been justified, and therefore should have purchased a camera on the level of the Sony A99 a long time ago. But alas, I have always, since the beginning of my days as a professional, tried to squeeze the most out of mid-level DSLRs since I started getting paid to shoot. I figure it's high time I drop a few bucks for a top-of-the-line, full-frame, high-level, professional camera. So today, I went ahead and purchased a Sony A99. I already own a full line-up of high performance lenses which will compliment a camera such as the A99 including the Sony Zeiss 24-70mm and the Sony SAL 70-400mm G series, along with an assortment of fine Minolta Maxxum lenses.

But my day of open-wallet expenditures didn't stop there, no, I also wanted to upgrade my back-up cameras (Only a pro upgrades their back-up cameras eh?). So, I went ahead and upgraded from the Sony 65 to the Sony A77. Now I am fully aware that the A77 Mark II has just come out but there are a lot of things I like about the original A77 and besides, I have always been an advocate of saving money by buying used. Right now there are plenty of nice, used A77s available for a low price. So, I pulled the trigger and ordered two of them.

Why would I purchase one A99 and two A77s you ask? Well, it's simple really. My new A99 will be my number one camera, the one that I use for the most important jobs, paid jobs preferably. In fact, I will reserve it for special occasions and professional jobs, whereas my A77s will be my everyday work horses. I won't mind if they get banged around a little. For shoots that I know are geared towards internet publication only, the A77s will be more than adequate. But the A99, oh, the magnificent A99, she will be held in reserve for only the most prestigious of photography assignments, magazines and/or other VIP projects.

It's high time my cameras matched my potential. In fact, as a result of my open-wallet epiphany, I decided I'll be making a go of it with professional photography again. After all, I am supremely confident in my skills and artistic eye for photographic beauty. Stay tuned for my first images with my new gear.

Sony A99

Sony A77

Sony SAL 70-400mm G Lens is mine, all mine!

My dream lens has arrived! This is version 1 of the Sony SAL 70-400mm G series lens and it is a monster. I lovingly refer to is as "the mother lode" due to it's size. I was worried about being able to carry it around on long shoots but as it turns out, it's not a problem at all. And it's just as easy to shoot with a monopod as without. 

The auto focus is plenty fast, quiet and smooth, image quality is outstanding as you would expect. Have a look at a couple sample images I shot down below.

So now that I have my dream lens, what next? I have all the lenses I want, so next on my list is a steadicam vest and stabilizer for video and then some new camera bodies, but that's down the road..

Sample image from the Sony SAL 70-400mm G Lens

Sample image from the Sony SAL 70-400mm G Lens

November

The fall is my favorite time of year, but when the second week of November comes around, things really start to change. The cold winds of winter announce it's arrival and the leaves on the trees know it's time to go.

"November"

Recent Images

My photography time has been almost singularly dedicated to military work lately, however, I have a few photo shoots coming up this month which should bear plenty of artistic-ly tasty fruit. In the meantime, if I hadn't previously shared these photos, enjoy the following samples of some of my recent captures. 

Sony A65

"Anticipation"

"Blonde Canine"

"Hotel Rive - Suwon, South Korea"

"Blossom"

"Graffiti by the River"

"Hungry Babies"

"The Best Mojito I've Ever Had - Itaewon, South Korea"

"Life in a Cage"

"Reflection"