Pixel Pawn Wireless Flash Trigger for Sony

Pixel Pawn Wireless Flash Trigger -  Just got it today from Studio Zaloon. Normally I will use Sony built in wireless system for the flash. Very useful and reliable especially indoor. But there are limitation like it require sight of line and for outdoor shooting under bright sun, sometimes it might confuse it.

The functions of Pixel Pawn is as below:
1. Pawn TF-363  is a wireless  Flashgun remote control for Sony.
2. Pawn TF-363 is multi-function wireless shutter remote control, and flash trigger function.
3. FSK modulation used to improve the reliability and stability of the product, use the free worldwide 2.4GHz frequency.
4. Available to shoot with single, Bulb, continuous, delay mode.
5. With “wake-up” function, which can wake up the flash under sleep mode; guarantee to shoot each picture.
6. Changeable connecting cable for difference camera model.
7. With saving power function, the transmitter is only use 3mA under working status. Receiver is only use 2mA under working status. Battery working hour is up to 400hrs when using 2pcs of AAA alkaline battery. More than 10X compare with the similar product.
8. Low-voltage design, and available to use rechargeable battery.
9. Multi-power design, which can be use this via power socket.
10. Shutter speed up to 1/320S. (Depend the camera model, some camera are only support 1/250S or lower)

After unpack my new Pixel Pawn, do some testing on it and Yes, it is workable even on my Sony F42. But for Sony F42, you have to mount it on your camera and do a test shot before mount it on Pawn receiver.

Pixel Pawn for Sony Alpha

Test shot with Wall-E, left side is F42 and right side is F58

Firmware Update for Sony Alpha A850 / A900 in March 2010

According to sonyalpharumors, the firmware update for Sony Alpha A850 / A900 finally here. HIgh possibility (rated SR4) in March 2010.

Lets wish it will come true. : )

Source:
http://sonyalpharumors.com/sr4-finally-sony-a850-and-a900-firmware-coming/

Update 11th March 2010: - The firmware update have been postponed again. : (
Source:
http://sonyalpharumors.com/sr4-a850-and-a900-firmware-update-release-postponed-again/

Update 19th November 2010 - The firmware might be released by Christmas? (SR4 by Sonyalpharumors). Lets pray for it.
Source:
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr4-sony-a850a900-firmware-coming-soon-oh-yes-sony-santa-claus-does-really-exist/

Unbox Phottix Battery Grip for Sony A850 / A900

I just received the Phottix Battery Grip BP-A900 for Sony Alpha A850 / A900 today after waiting for a week. Below is the short video of it.



Inside the box:
1. Battery Grip
2. Battery holder for 1 or 2 FM-500H battery
3. Manual in English and Chinese.

Will post a review hopefully within this week. Stay tune.

DIY Snoot

Just finished my DIY Snoot and do some testing. I used a table calendar (one side is white) for it. Basically, snoot is used to illuminate a specific area of a scene with little or no effect on the surrounding area.

Example of the image below, I just want the light to hit on the car & Sony Alpha logo.

Below is the photo of my DIY Snoot.

If you with budget and want to look more PRO, can consider get LumiQuest Snoot. ShaShinki is selling at RM 118. Click the image below for product details from ShaShinki.

Agorabasta Setting on High ISO

Have you heard of Agorabasta guy which come out with some setting to tweak in his Sony Alpha A700 which produced good quality JPEG with high ISO. Below is extracted from one of his post.

I have recently found that 'zone matching' setting affects high-ISO noise of in-camera JPEGs far more than it could be expected. Essentially, setting zone matching to a negative value moves the contrast 'center' higher up the curve, so the contrast in the shadows is reduced along with the noise - but the actual effect is enormous compared to expectations. Of the reasons of such an effect I may only speculate but, it seems to me the in-camera curve adjustment happens before demosaicing, hence far less demosaicing-induced noise gets into the final image.

So far, I'm getting some truly amazing results with the following custom settings:

base mode 'standard', saturation +1, sharpness +2, brightness -2, zone matching -1; DR+; high ISO NR 'high'. (Here DR+ compensates darkening from low brightness and from the zone matching; sharpness up to +3 somehow doesn't look ugly at all.)

Shooting with NR off with further Noiseninja NR makes ISO 3200 look like ISO 400; most bright shots look great without any NR at all; ISO 6400 with NR is good for A4 print.

Source: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1037&message=34196235

I tested the setting with my Sony Alpha A850, and below is my sample photos with ISO 3200. My test is very simple, 2 photos. 1st photo I am using the setting recommended by Agorabasta and 2nd photo is without. 2nd photo is using Standard, with zero in all setting (contrast, brightness, etc) and Noise Reduction set to Normal.

1st Photo - Agorabasta Setting
Without Crop

 Crop

2nd Photo - Without Agorabasta Setting
Without Crop

With crop

So is it up to you guys to judge. : ). I have set the setting in my Custom Setting 1.

For me, Sony A850 / A900 high ISO performance in term of noise control is not that good compare to Nikon or Sony. But, if I just print in 4R or 8R it is still ok. As long as you don't pixel peep. LOL.

Cheers.