My first ever drone has arrived - Here's the un-boxing

I have been toying with the idea of buying a drone for several weeks now, and having spent many, many hours researching, watching videos and tutorials, questioning the forums and the like I finally pulled the trigger and ordered one.

After a long (and I mean long) five day wait my drone was finally delivered. I was hoping it would arrive at the weekend so I could get out there and fly it, but this was not to be. The drone was delivered whilst I was at work and with no chance to fly it for six days I was gutted.

My first ever drone is a Hubsan 501S and below is the un-boxing of it. Feel free to take a look and share my experience and excitement.

The 100mm - 400mm zoom isn't just for wildlife and motor sports photography

The 100mm – 400mm zoom lens is one that all photographers should own. There seems to be a common misconception the 100mm – 400mm zoom lens is only suitable for motor sports photography and long range wildlife photography, but this is not the case. The 100mm – 400mm zoom lens is a versatile lens you can use for taking photos of many subjects, including motor sports and wildlife of course.

The 100mm – 400mm lens is a great travel lens. Okay, the 100mm – 400mm zoom lens is a big, and as such reasonably heavy, lens but the large range of focal lengths makes it an ideal “all in one lens” you can use for travel photography and those other occasions when it is not possible or practical to carry several smaller lenses.

The 100mm – 400mm lens is a great butterfly lens. With a 100mm – 400mm lens you can stand back from the butterfly and use the zoom to get a frame filling shot. Standing back from the butterflies increases the chances of getting the shot as you won’t spook the butterflies and scare them off.

The 100mm – 400mm lens is a great dragonfly lens. Dragonflies, like butterflies, can be timid and easily spooked. Once again, you can use the long zoom to get in nice and tight for a frame filling shot whilst keeping a fair distance from the subject.

The above is just a taster of what you can use the 100mm – 400mm zoom lens for, and there are others besides.

The 100mm – 400mm lens I use is the Canon 100mm – 400mm L IS lens, and the pros and cons of this awesome lens are included in the following clip

If you shoot a Canon camera the Canon 100mm – 400mm f3.5 –5.6L IS lens is definitely one you should consider.

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

Essential lens for portrait photography - the 16mm - 35mm tele

I am sure you would have heard, or read that using a wide angle lens for portrait photography is not the thing to do. Wide angle lenses are said to distort the facial features, which leads to unflattering shots, which in turn is not going to endear you to your subjects.

Okay, I agree that you do need to be a little careful using a wide angle lens to capture individual portrait shots, and couple portrait shots but there are times when a wide angle lens is the only viable lens for capturing those stunning portraits.

The situations where a wide angle lens is essential for portrait photography is when taking group shots and portraits. Weddings, parties, events and corporate functions are all times when portrait photographers need a wide angle lens, as explored in the following video:

If you shoot a Canon camera and want to take group portrait shots you won't go far wrong with the Canon 16mm - 35mm f4L IS lens, and it is definitely one you should take a look at.

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

Off camera flash on a tight budget

If you want to get creative with your flash photography you need to take the flash off camera. Now then, many people seem to think that to take the flash off camera you need top end flash photography equipment, which obviously costs a few pennies. 

Well..... this isn't quite true as it is possible to take some off camera flash photos without buying the latest and greatest flash photography gear. In fact, it is possible to take off camera flash photos on a shoe string budget, as explored in the clip below:-

Flash photography video playlist that may be of interest

Video review of the Manfrotto holster camera bag

Unfortunately, there is no "one size fits all" camera bag and you will need a different camera bag for different situations, different cameras/lenses, different shoots etc. Over the years I have bought many bags, some of which have fallen by the wayside but most of which I still own and use today. 

I recently purchased a Manfrotto medium sized holster camera bag - it seemed the perfect camera bag for my street travel photography set up, and now I have taken delivery of the bag, and used it I thought I would post a quick video review on how good (or not as the case may be) the Manfrotto holster camera bag is, and how useful (if at all) it is, and here it is:-

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

Off camera flash is something you have to try

If you are in a flash photography rut and want to try something different with your flash why not give off camera flash a go? Off camera flash photography is excellent and can result in some unique and stunning photos. 

If you still need convincing to try off camera flash photography you may want to check out the following (short) video clip, courtesy of Youtube.

Flash photography video playlist that may be of interest

Video review of the Yongnuo YN-24EX macro twin light

The Yongnuo YN-24EX macro twin flash is Yongnuo's version of the awesome Canon MT-24EX macro flash. As soon as I got the opportunity to have a play with the MT-24EX I wanted one, but with a price tag f over a grand there was no way my budget could take that, and even if it could I could never justify such an expensive flash.

When Yongnuo released their YN-24EX macro light with a price tag of just under a hundred and fifty quid I decided it was worth a punt and ordered one. Well, I have had my YN-24EX macro flash for several months now so I thought it was time to do a quick review to let potential users/buyers know what this macro light is like and if, indeed, it is worth buying. 

Without further ado here's my quick review:-

From the video it is clear to see that the Yongnuo YN-24EX is an excellent twin macro light and for the money, you won't get better.

If you prefer a ring flash, rather than the twin macro light set up I  have also reviewed the Yongnuo YN-14EX ring flash, which is another macro flash you may want to take a look at, and below is the video review that may be of interest to you:-

Once again Yongnuo have come up trumps with this macro light and if you want the best value for money the Yongnuo YN-14EX is something you definitely need to take a look at. 

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest