Phottix Atlas Trigger

For a long time, PocketWizard has being known as the top best wireless trigger-maker in the photography scene, particularly with their ultra popular PocketWizard Plus II™ transceiver.

PocketWizard Plus II

Until recently, Hong Kong-based company Phottix, announced the brand new Atlas Professional Wireless Flash Trigger (CE 433 MHz version) which incidentally looks very similar in design with the Plus II. Remote shutter release is also possible but you will need to purchase an optional 10-pin shutter-release cable.

© Phottix

Phottix Atlas Features

• Use as wireless flash, studio trigger or shutter release
• Automatically switches to transmit or receive mode when attached to a camera or flash, and triggers flashes
• A hot shoe port (for speedlights w/o PC-sync terminal ) and PC Sync port for attaching flashes and strobes
• Sync Speed: Up to 1/250 sec. (On compatible cameras / flashes)
• 4-channel
• Shoot from 100+ meters away (or longer, depending on actual shoot condition)
  
• Simultaneously trigger cameras, flashes, and studio strobes with a single remote
• Equipped with a two-color status LED
• Uses two AA Batteries or DC power port 
• Accessories include locking PC-sync, 3.5mm, 1/4″ mini plug, batteries and lanyard

Overview

3.5mm connections

Metal hot-shoe (You can also put another brand of wireless flash trigger on the hotshoe to trigger a different set of remote flashes in sync with the Atlas remotes.

Utilizes two AA's batteries

1/4" screw mount

Phottix Atlas + Canon 5D mark II (front)

Phottix Atlas + Canon 5D mark II (back)

Ease of operation, works flawlessly combined with great design and superb performance at only 70% price of the PocketWizard Plus II's, it's really hard to beat this kind of benchmark.

DSLR Speaker?

Couldn't resist the temptation when I came across this on eBay and bought it straight away. This is basically a 1:1 Canon 7D + 24-105mm replica speaker model that can be paired up with any mobile phones (including iPhone/iPod!) or mp3 devices with the included standard 3.5mm jack plug.

Original packaging

SD/USB/mini USU/3.5mm jack/DC

Got a remote control too!

Runs on 4 x AAs

Cover cap for the body when lens is removed

Alternate view (left)

Alternate view (right)

Various standard playback/pause/rewind/forward buttons

Lens (speaker) detached

Frontal view

Along side by side with an Olympus E3 + 12-60mm

Sound quality wasn't that great but it sure looks a whole lot better and more unique than any other mp3 speakers!

Canon Lens Code

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 USM II © dzignous

Canon have an unique way of documenting their lens manufacturing dates. Looking at the back (mount) of the lenses is a six-digit code, which indicates where and when the specific lens was manufactured.
E.g. - "UY1112"

The first letter 'U' represents the factory that made the lens:

1. U = Utsunomiya
2. F = Fukushima
3. O = Ōita

The second letter 'Y' represent the year of manufacture:

    •    A = 1986, 1960
    •    B = 1987, 1961
    •    C = 1988, 1962
    •    D = 1989, 1963
    •    E = 1990, 1964
    •    F = 1991, 1965
    •    G = 1992, 1966
    •    H = 1993, 1967
    •    I = 1994, 1968
    •    J = 1995, 1969
    •    K = 1996, 1970
    •    L = 1997, 1971
    •    M = 1998, 1972
    •    N = 1999, 1973
    •    O = 2000, 1974
    •    P = 2001, 1975
    •    Q = 2002, 1976
    •    R = 2003, 1977
    •    S = 2004, 1978
    •    T = 2005, 1979
    •    U = 2006, 1980
    •    V = 2007, 1981
    •    W = 2008, 1982
    •    X = 2009, 1983
    •    Y = 2010, 1984
    •    Z = 2011, 1985

The next two digits represent the month of the lens is manufactured. The last two digits are for internal Canon use. Thus the 16-35mm f2.8 L USM II (UX0903) shown was made in Utsunomiya, Japan factory in Sep 2009.

So the next time when you like to know how "old" is the 2nd hand Canon lenses that you are going to buy, take a look here for some general reference.

[PS] Carbon Fiber DSLR

Since film time to recent digital age , all top camera/lens models are make of either magnesium alloy/titanium or polycarbonate for entry-level models.

Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

Olympus E3

Sony A900

However, in terms of looks and durability, carbon fiber might seem to be a good choice too. Some enthusiastic (including me... hee...) had already used carbon fiber vinyl decals to gaffer their prized collection and the final result looks really good.

3M Carbon Fiber Vinyl

© dzignous

If only there is a real carbon-fiber DSLR/lens and I believe it will look damn fantastic! Agree?

© dzignous

© dzignous

[Vid] Photo stolen. Pay me!

Something all photographers that can relate to...