ePHOTOzine.tv - the Photography TV Show: No3

Much better, much more in details.
But very disappointed with the review of the ring flash, as we don't get to see what the result is, what can be done, rather than just some specs of what it will fit.
All in all, well done.

I'll second that. Indeed more details, more photographic tips. But I, too, wanted to see the results of the ring flash shots, and was disappointed to find that they weren't shown.

But the background for the presenter was better (still a few creases in the material visible, but oh well...).

Matt initially slowed down enough for me to follow his remarks quite well, although he couldn't keep himself from rattling a little more later on (slowing down might keep him from stumbling over his own words), and at the location he gave more photographic tips and insights, and, notably, showed and discussed the results. The part where he even showed what he had done to them in PhotoShop was a very nice bonus.

In the news section of the programme I noticed to my satisfaction that the motion news item was presented in much more detail and with better coverage of the subject than the related item in edition 2.

The sound was also better, I think, although there were some notable changes to the sound levels during the news - it was a lot louder when zoomed in on a few objects, and the sound level immediately dropped again when the presenter was back in view.

The item on saving money by using sweet wrappers as filters was in itself very nice, but the part of the person not in view was read in a somewhat unconvincing manner. It sounded read, instead of acted, and that took away a part of the pleasure I had in watching it. Creative item, though, in more than one respect.

I liked the bluebells item best. Great stuff - my favourite part of the whole show. Not only interesting to watch, but very well presented, too. And of course, with the resulting photos being shown, quite complete as well.

So yes, much better than edition no. 2!

Oh, something minor - only your problem, and not mine: The tags are incomplete. They do not mention the wrappers/filters, the ring flash, or the interview. And 'Contributer' should be spelled 'Contributor'.

Oh, and before I forget: Episode 2 refused to load while being paused, which was irritating because I was unable to build up a buffer, but for this episode 3 it worked fine, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted viewing.

I have left some comments on the main EPZ forum here.

Content is enjoyable and instructive but, from a video point of view (technical and technique) leaves a great deal to be desired.

Sweet wrappers! Where is John McEnroe when you need him? OK maybe I’m not being fair, but I am way too picky about optical quality loss, it was quite interesting anyway.
Probably better off with studio flash gel/acetates, (maybe) which are pretty inexpensive.

I found the sound hard work at times, from very soft, turning up the volume and then getting blasted off my seat, often a problem with web videos; one or two other sites have it pretty much nailed though, that must be sorted if you are to equal/seriously compete with them.

Shame about the macro ring review with lack of resulting images, having one (MR-14), not really that bothered about it myself, but if I was interested in buying one it wouldn’t help much.

The rail location visit and interview was good with interesting topics being covered, the need for a tripod due to lighting conditions etc, and the resulting postwork at the end.

I really enjoyed the bluebells (although any subject matter would have been fine) and the mirror lens, something I have never used, but have come close to buying a few times, from my understanding they are fixed aperture? You can’t really tell from a web based video, so I would be really interested to know more about (and even get hold of a full res sample image) of the optical quality output. I had forgotten about the doughnut shape highlight blur, so thanks for the reminder, nice to see someone else rolling about on the ground too ha ha.

Also the interview with the press photographer was very interesting.

Overall I liked the video, with a good variety of content; unlike real TV you can wiz past what you aren’t interested in, that’s always a good thing.

Really do like epz.tv, one of my favourite sites.

Are the blue ground cover sheets available in the ePz shop?

Oh, you wanted serious comments!!

OK then, here goes. Content. Much better than episode 2! Although the Bluebell bit misses out that Mirror lenses are no longer produced and hard to come by, so that slot is also a bit wasted. Pete, I'll send you a cable release, 'cos if you are going to set up a tripod you really should use one!

Tech problems have been mentioned already, and the most annoying for me was the sound level changes that were quite distracting, but I've had no problems with buffering and did not find the panning as bad as in previous episodes. Yes, it jerks a little (I didn't say Matt was a jerk!) but still much better than the fire-hosing of earlier attempts.
Exposure perhaps needs a little more thought, as bright backgrounds are darkening the faces of the cast during interviews and news items, but that is nit picking (and I can balls that sort of thing up myself, so sympathy reigns!)

Overall a better production all round than episode 2, with Nik and Becky more relaxed and Matt more understandable (OK Matt, you were quite good in it)

Ian

Just looked on eBay and there are 40 available today so at least 15% of everyone who's watched this so far could get one...so not really that hard to come by

Really struggled with the sound, I could hardly hear it on my laptop speakers. I particularly enjoyed the Bluebell section, especially seeing the results.

While I enjoyed watching the whole show, it would have been great to watch one section at time rather than watching the whole show at once.

Cheers Rick

Yeah, but that 15% is crippled by the fact that only 20% of people will use e-bay!
That leaves ony 3% of viewers able to obtain one. Now something that was available in the ePz shop, like maybe a lensbaby or something, might be more fruitful!

I'm not saying that the show should be commercial, that would spoil it, but showing the usefulness of equipment that is more widely available, maybe used in creative ways, would, IMHO, be more sensible.

Ian

We'll do both. the obvious choice would have been to use a macro lens and hundreds of plant techniques will exists to show you how. My aim it help people to think differently, so there are more options open, that may not necessarily have been thought of. While doing that it also gave a brief guide to mirror lens that many people would not be aware of.

Best bit for me was on the mirror lens and Blue Bell`s, and have half been expecting Jabber and John to make an appearance

I`ve got the same lens but not used it in years along with a few other tamrons.

The sound was a bit up and down, apart from that not bad.

Paul

Pete, is it possible to put more details review of the ringflash in EPZ?
Thanks.

Still have the problem of the voice and lips not being in synch.

Albert (fentiger)