iPhone 4 still rocks for street photography

I cannot believe how good the iPhone 4 is for most types of photography, especially just street pics on the go. Besides the fact that it is a computer as well, the convenience is just so cool. But how often do we forget that we don't need expensive camera gear to take great photos. Yep, been there done that! Now I love expensive camera gear, and if I had an eternal budget, I'd be buying Leica's and full frame dslrs like there was no tomorrow. Back to reality. My favourite app on the iPhone 4 is ProCamera, which allows you a huge amount of control from your phone. Set focus and exposure points, timer, histogram etc etc - just check it out on iTunes. Its great. Easy to use too. Here's a few random shot from my whereabouts today. These are straight from the iPhone 4 without any processing using ProCamera. Enjoy.

Graffiti in East Sydney - I like the brick contrast

Same photo as above with Nik software neutral density and sharpening

Table number in Lane Cove - virtually no light

Cafe in Lane Cove - again its dark which you can tell from the camera shutter speed blurring the cafe worker 

Canon 60d and Sigma 85 f1.4 capture weekend sport

There is much said about the Sigma 85 f1.4 being a great portrait lens, which is true, but depending on your distance from the action, it's also a handy lens to capture weekend sports. The lens is a prime lens, fixed focal length with no zoom. The 1.4 aperture allows the lens to capture lots of light allowing for fast shutter speeds at most apertures. I always use mine with a hood and uv filter to protect the lens from accidental bumps and knocks. I know different people have different views on Sigma lenses, but I've generally thought that these are great. I own the 30mm 1.4, 17-55 2.8, 70-200 2.8 and extender tube. Occasionally the compatibility with Canon cameras means you can get either front or back focussing issues, which in Australia the distributors fix for free. Optically they are neck and neck with native brands. Just my experience, others may disagree. The Canon 60d was my step up dslr from the Canon 400d, which was also a great camera - it still is. I shot sports on the 60d with the centre focal point selected and use the AF button on the back to keep continuous focus to get more actions shots that are keepers. These were all shot jpeg and processed slightly in Snapseed on the iPad. The day was very contrasty and bright, so excuse the shadows. Enjoy.

Cooper in action

Pele

quick!

Olympus TG1 a great waterproof camera

Last Christmas I took the Olympus TG1 on holidays to Broadbeach for the convenience of taking some in and underwater shots. I usually take the Canon S95 down to the beach and try as best a possible to avoid sand and water, but you also miss many shots being so careful. Not with the TG1, it just goes where you go and is one tough camera. The quality of the images is fair, and probably on par with the Canon S95. If anything they are a little flatter than the Canon, but yell, I can take this in the ocean and the pool! Enjoy.

Cooper & Oliver make sandcastles

Cooper aqua

Oliver aqua