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Featured Items of the Month
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We Need Your Camera Gear!
We've just raised the buy prices on digital and film equipment, so we can offer you more money than ever for your clean, used gear.
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Spring is right around the corner, and there's no better time to de-clutter your home. Whether you're looking to empty your closet or clean out your camera bag, KEH Camera is here to help!
We need your digital & film bodies, lenses, flashes and major accessories in ALL formats. If you are unsure about an item, just ask! Your used camera equipment may be worth more than you think.
* We treat you fairly by offering top market buy prices for your used camera gear.
* Free incoming shipping, so you won't have to pay out-of-pocket for sending in your gear.
* Fast 24-48 hour turnaround time once your gear arrives in-house.
* We're great to work with! Our friendly & knowledgeable purchasing agents are here to help you.
* You choose whether we mail a check or send payment to your PayPal account.
To sell your gear, visit us on the web HERE, or give us a call at (770) 333-4220 or (800) 342-5534.
We look forward to hearing from you!![]()
Spring is right around the corner, and there's no better time to de-clutter your home. Whether you're looking to empty your closet or clean out your camera bag, KEH Camera is here to help!
We need your digital & film bodies, lenses, flashes and major accessories in ALL formats. If you are unsure about an item, just ask! Your used camera equipment may be worth more than you think.
Why Sell to KEH?
* We treat you fairly by offering top market buy prices for your used camera gear.
* Free incoming shipping, so you won't have to pay out-of-pocket for sending in your gear.
* Fast 24-48 hour turnaround time once your gear arrives in-house.
* We're great to work with! Our friendly & knowledgeable purchasing agents are here to help you.
* You choose whether we mail a check or send payment to your PayPal account.
To sell your gear, visit us on the web HERE, or give us a call at (770) 333-4220 or (800) 342-5534.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Photo Video West Expo
KEH Camera will be attending the 7th annual Photo Video West expo on April 27 & 28, 2013. The two day expo is the largest photo show on the West Coast. A buyer from KEH Camera will be available to offer you a check on the spot for the purchase of your used photographic equipment. We are currently paying top dollar for bodies, lenses and major accessories. KEH Camera will located at booth 315. The event will take place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, CA just north of San Diego.
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Photo Video West will showcase the latest cutting edge photographic gear, as well as educational seminars for photography and videography amateurs and professionals alike. This year's featured presenters include world famous photographers Colin Smith of PhotoshopCAFE, Alan Hess of Alan Hess Photography and Jay P. Morgan of the Slanted Lens. Whether you're an amateur interested in improving family portraits or an advanced professional looking to network with the top experts in the field, Photo Video West is a great event for anyone with a love of photography.
There will also be live interactive demos, product specials, photo contests, portfolio reviews and more. Thousands of photographers from all levels will gather to learn, share, network and expand their photographic abilities.
We hope you can attend, and be sure to stop by KEH Camera's booth to sell your used photographic equipment! For more information on the event, visit Photo Video West online. They also have Facebook and Twitter pages to keep you up-to-date with information pertaining to the expo.
You can also view the expo schedule and purchase tickets online HERE. A one day pass is $12.00, and there is also a weekend pass option for $20.00.
Location:
Del Mar Fairgrounds
O'Brien Hall
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard
Del Mar, CA 92014
Date & Time:
Saturday, April 27, 2013
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 28, 2013
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
We hope to see you there!![]()
Photo Video West will showcase the latest cutting edge photographic gear, as well as educational seminars for photography and videography amateurs and professionals alike. This year's featured presenters include world famous photographers Colin Smith of PhotoshopCAFE, Alan Hess of Alan Hess Photography and Jay P. Morgan of the Slanted Lens. Whether you're an amateur interested in improving family portraits or an advanced professional looking to network with the top experts in the field, Photo Video West is a great event for anyone with a love of photography.
There will also be live interactive demos, product specials, photo contests, portfolio reviews and more. Thousands of photographers from all levels will gather to learn, share, network and expand their photographic abilities.
We hope you can attend, and be sure to stop by KEH Camera's booth to sell your used photographic equipment! For more information on the event, visit Photo Video West online. They also have Facebook and Twitter pages to keep you up-to-date with information pertaining to the expo.
You can also view the expo schedule and purchase tickets online HERE. A one day pass is $12.00, and there is also a weekend pass option for $20.00.
Location:
Del Mar Fairgrounds
O'Brien Hall
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard
Del Mar, CA 92014
Date & Time:
Saturday, April 27, 2013
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 28, 2013
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
We hope to see you there!
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Alternative Print Idea: Fluorescent Light Covers
In search of a fun way to display my photography, I recently came across Octo Lights, a US based company with an online portal for the distribution and production of affordable fluorescent light covers.
You may have seen fluorescent light covers at nails spas, schools, or doctors offices. I first noticed these types of backlit prints while sitting in my dentist’s chair. As I was leaning back, I looked right at a tropical beach scene covering the light fixture above me. I must admit that the image did have a calming effect, and distracted me from the long dreaded checkup. The actual image however, was not an image I would want to purchase myself, but it got my thinking about the light covers and their possibilities.
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You may have seen fluorescent light covers at nails spas, schools, or doctors offices. I first noticed these types of backlit prints while sitting in my dentist’s chair. As I was leaning back, I looked right at a tropical beach scene covering the light fixture above me. I must admit that the image did have a calming effect, and distracted me from the long dreaded checkup. The actual image however, was not an image I would want to purchase myself, but it got my thinking about the light covers and their possibilities.
Octo Lights offers a wide variety of high-resolution images to choose from including waterfalls, astronomy, tree collections, and much more. But the important part here is that you can create custom ones with your own images or logos on it. The fluorescent light covers come in a standard 2 x 4 ft. size and cost $29.99, which makes it easy for photographers to get their own work printed on high quality backlit film without breaking the bank. Being a photographer, I of course chose to have one of my own images printed.
The colors of my image are vibrant, and the high-res image appears to be very sharp and slightly dims the cold, harsh, fluorescent light in my office, which is a welcomed side effect. If you prefer your room to be very bright, then I would suggest going with a high-key image, or one with mostly light colors (such as clouds).
I was impressed by the overall quality of my order, the ease of installation, and excellent customer service, and can therefor highly recommend them for your next alternative printing project.
Contributor Bio: Sylvia Hagar is a full time internet marketing specialist and freelance photographer. You may have seen her photography of mostly tattooed models in local Atlanta tattoo magazines.
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Links This Month
* Vintage camera toy woodwork craft pattern(pictured above)
* A really cool wood camera lens lamp
* A rare antique ruby candle darkroom lamp
* How to Plan Ahead for Your Next Hire(a good follow up to our post from last month on hiring an employee to make more money)
* What to Look for When Accepting Payments on Your Website
* The Photographer's New Clothes (an interesting lesson on pluralistic ignorance)
*Snowflake Macro Photos Captured Using a [modified] Canon PowerShot Compact Camera
* There Are Giant Camera Resolution Test Charts Scattered Across the US
* Tutorial: Creating a Photo of Syrup Being Poured on a Pancake Lens
* Coiling Your Cables... You're Doing it Wrong
* Take Your Food Photography Out Of The Kitchen
* A breakdown of 10 photography contests- Are they worthwhile or worthless?
* How Shutter Speed Affects Video
* Work Faster in Photoshop and Lightroom with Batch Processing
* The official movie trailer for Finding Vivian Maier
* How To: Easily Fine Tune Your Flash Right From The Camera
* Q&A: Will My Old Flash Fry My New Remotes?
* How To Make More Money By Selling Custom Photography Products
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Photos of the Month
This months theme is animals. All images submitted to and chosen from the KEH Camera Flickr Group pool (join our group!). To view a photographers profile, click on the image to be directed to their Flickr page.
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| Untitled, by DhkZ |
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| Zoso, by Holly Clark |
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| My lil compan, by Cara |
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| Buddy, by Stephanie Dillon |
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| Engwish Bwudd, by Robb Hohmann |
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| Sleepy Passenger, by Sonja Stone |
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| Grazing, by esdemig |
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| Africa, by Taran Morgan |
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| Kish likes you, by xazzz |
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| Nightmare cat, by Lori C. |
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| Barred Owl-3, by Kristofer Rowe |
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| Adult Male House Finch, by Denise Trocio |
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| Stowaway, by Tammy Lee Bradley |
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| Fly, by David Gutierrez |
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It's Giveaway Time!
The Prizes: A $25 KEH Camera Gift Certificate (not pictured), a Kodak Duraflex III beeswax camera candle, a Kodak Brownie Holiday beeswax camera candle, a vintage camera strap, and a selection of KEH Camera branded goodies.
The two camera candles are courtesy of Mower Photography Shopon Etsy. The Duraflex candle measures approximately 5" tall, and the Brownie candle measures ~ 3" tall.
Vintage camera strap courtesy of the KEH eBay Outlet Store.
Adjustable strap will fit on both film or digital camera bodies.
How To Enter: Leave a comment on your favorite KEH Camera blog post from 2013 between now and Wednesday, March 27th. Be sure to leave your name on the comment (the same name as you enter into the giveaway widget below). Then, fill out the Rafflecopter Giveaway Widget box and check off that you left a comment. All entries will be verified.
For extra entries, you can "like" KEH Camera on Facebook, follow KEH Camera on Twitter (be sure to enter your Twitter name in the box below), and/or Tweet about the giveaway (you can do this once a day and must paste the Tweet URL into the box below).
How to leave a blog comment: If you are unfamiliar with the Blogger commenting system, here are the steps to take to ensure that you comment correctly... Go to the bottom of the post you wish to leave a comment on and enter your comment into the "Post a Comment" box. Then, below that box, select who to comment as. If you have one of the listed blogging accounts, choose that. If not, you can choose the option "Name/URL". Enter your name, and if you have a website then you can enter the URL for it if you wish. Do NOT choose to comment as "Anonymous", or your comment will not be counted as an entry.
Good Luck!
Giveaway Details and Terms: Giveaway runs Monday, March 18th through Wednesday, March 27th at Midnight EST. The winner will be randomly selected, announced, and contacted within 48 hours after the close of the giveaway and will have 10 days to claim their prize. In order to win, a correct email address must be provided (but the email address will not be shared). All entries will be verified, so please use the same name on the giveaway widget as when you leave a blog comment to qualify. If entries cannot be verified, they will be deleted (IE if you "enter" for leaving a blog comment and there is no comment, it will not count as an entry). No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase a contestants chance of winning. Contestants must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Proof of age may be required from the winners. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. KEH Camera will not verify receipt of entries. Incomplete entries are void. KEH Camera is not responsible for entries that are lost, late, misdirected, incomplete, incomprehensible, undeliverable or delayed. We reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event that the original promised prize becomes unavailable. Prize pack is valued at $93. KEH Camera is not responsible for damage to giveaway items during shipping. The odds of winning will depend on the number of entries. Unless otherwise noted, all contests and giveaway prizes are awarded via random drawing. KEH employees and families are not eligible to win. Gift certificate must be used via KEH phone sales. Winners automatically grant the use of their name and likeness in the promotion of this and other KEH Camera contests. KEH Camera will not sell or distribute entrants personal information such as email and mailing addresses.
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KEH's Most Wanted
Featured below are a selection of KEH Camera's "most wanted" items of the month. We are currently seeking digital& film bodies, lenses, flashes and major accessories in all formats, but the featured items below are at the top of our "most wanted" list this month.
We've raised the buy prices on digital and film equipment, which means we are able to offer more money for the purchase of your clean, used gear.
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To sell any of the above featured items (or if you have other gear you'd like to sell), please contact us via email or give us a call at (770) 333-4220 or (800) 342-5534. If you are unsure about an item, just ask! Your used camera equipment may be worth more than you think.
We look forward to hearing from you!![]()
We've raised the buy prices on digital and film equipment, which means we are able to offer more money for the purchase of your clean, used gear.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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How To: Turn a Photo Into a Coloring Book Page
This is a fun little activity to do with kids (or if you just like to color yourself)! Start by taking a photo, or letting your little one take a photo. It can be of anything, a person, a place, or a thing. A few suggestions are photos of favorite toys or of family members.
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Open up the photo in Photoshop or other photo editing software. The following steps are for Photoshop users, but similar steps can be taken in other programs.
Convert your photo to black and white.
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Adjust your levels and contrast settings to make your image pop a bit more than usual. This will help when you add your filter on. Next, go up to the filter menu, and choose artisitc, and poster edges. For the example below, I adjusted the edge thickness to 4, edge intensity to 2, and posterization to 5. Play with the settings until you get your desired effect, or you can go with my suggested settings. (Tip- If you plan on making a lot of these, you can create an action so that each time you open up a photo you want to turn into a coloring page, you just run it through the action and it will automatically complete all of the steps for you.)
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Once your filter is on, adjust your levels again until you bump the contrast of the image up so that there's primarily white, black outlines, and a small amount of grey shading on the darker areas of the image.
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From here, you can cut out the background if needed (for an individual object, or copy and paste multiple objects onto one page if desired). You may also wish to clean up any edges with the eraser tool, and do a bit of dodging and burning. These are optional steps and may or may not be needed depending on your image.
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Now you're ready resize (to whatever size you want to print it as), print, and color!
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A few additional tips- The best images to use for this are images with a lot of light colors or tones in it. It's much easier to take a light color all the way to white then it is if you have one with lots of dark colors. Pre-visualize how your original image will translate into a coloring book page. Objects tend to work better then landscapes.
To turn this activity into a more educational experience, add text to the bottom of your coloring pages before printing with the name of the objects. For example, if you're trying to teach a child the name of their toys, and are taking images of those for your coloring pages, label each one under the object- "horse", "ball", "doll", etc.
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Open up the photo in Photoshop or other photo editing software. The following steps are for Photoshop users, but similar steps can be taken in other programs.
Convert your photo to black and white.
Adjust your levels and contrast settings to make your image pop a bit more than usual. This will help when you add your filter on. Next, go up to the filter menu, and choose artisitc, and poster edges. For the example below, I adjusted the edge thickness to 4, edge intensity to 2, and posterization to 5. Play with the settings until you get your desired effect, or you can go with my suggested settings. (Tip- If you plan on making a lot of these, you can create an action so that each time you open up a photo you want to turn into a coloring page, you just run it through the action and it will automatically complete all of the steps for you.)
Once your filter is on, adjust your levels again until you bump the contrast of the image up so that there's primarily white, black outlines, and a small amount of grey shading on the darker areas of the image.
From here, you can cut out the background if needed (for an individual object, or copy and paste multiple objects onto one page if desired). You may also wish to clean up any edges with the eraser tool, and do a bit of dodging and burning. These are optional steps and may or may not be needed depending on your image.
Now you're ready resize (to whatever size you want to print it as), print, and color!
A few additional tips- The best images to use for this are images with a lot of light colors or tones in it. It's much easier to take a light color all the way to white then it is if you have one with lots of dark colors. Pre-visualize how your original image will translate into a coloring book page. Objects tend to work better then landscapes.
To turn this activity into a more educational experience, add text to the bottom of your coloring pages before printing with the name of the objects. For example, if you're trying to teach a child the name of their toys, and are taking images of those for your coloring pages, label each one under the object- "horse", "ball", "doll", etc.
- Jenn Fletcher
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Photos of the Month Special Edition: People With Camera Gear
A special and additional "Photos of the Month" today with the theme of "People with Camera Gear". All images submitted to and chosen from the KEH Camera Flickr Group pool (join our group!). To view a photographers profile, click on the image to be directed to their Flickr page.
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| E6 35mm tests Ektachrome 200, by Fabio Ventura |
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| Sam Leica 90 Cron Portrea 400, by Johnny Martyr |
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| Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, by Debbie |
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| Juli and the Nikon FE, by Chase Elliott Clark |
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| Self and Rolleiflex, by berntln |
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| Berlin 2012, by Richard Roca |
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| Untitled, by Cole McDaniel |
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| Lake Photographer- China, by Melvin Farris |
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| My Office Work, by Paul Vecsei |
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How I Shoot the KEH Product Photos
Todays post is from the KEH product photographer, Deborah Hodgin. She typically shoots anywhere from 200-300 items a day, primarily for our eBay store.
Lets start with gear. I shoot with a Canon EOS 50D paired with a Canon EFS 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens. The lens has a Canon EW-60C shade on it, and the hot shoe mount has a RPS Studio Series II remote attached. The settings always stay the same since the studio stays set up the same, and there are no windows with changing light conditions in there. Mine are set on ISO-100, aperture-25, and shutter speed-60. My off-camera gear consists of 2 Calumet light stands, 2 Travelite 750 speed lights, 2 Photoflex white umbrellas, and a RPS Studio Serries II receiver.
The basic set up is a table with a white backdrop coming down the wall and across the table creating an “L” shape. Attaching the umbrellas and speed lights to the light stands, I have placed one on either side of the table (as shown in the picture below). One speed light is set to go off when it sees a flash, while the other has the receiver attached. The remote goes on the hot shoe mount of the camera, and I’m ready to shoot!
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Lets start with gear. I shoot with a Canon EOS 50D paired with a Canon EFS 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens. The lens has a Canon EW-60C shade on it, and the hot shoe mount has a RPS Studio Series II remote attached. The settings always stay the same since the studio stays set up the same, and there are no windows with changing light conditions in there. Mine are set on ISO-100, aperture-25, and shutter speed-60. My off-camera gear consists of 2 Calumet light stands, 2 Travelite 750 speed lights, 2 Photoflex white umbrellas, and a RPS Studio Serries II receiver.
The basic set up is a table with a white backdrop coming down the wall and across the table creating an “L” shape. Attaching the umbrellas and speed lights to the light stands, I have placed one on either side of the table (as shown in the picture below). One speed light is set to go off when it sees a flash, while the other has the receiver attached. The remote goes on the hot shoe mount of the camera, and I’m ready to shoot!
The main
focus when shooting my products is to stay inside the white. When shooting, it
should be properly framed when I take the shot to cancel out any extra editing in the
post-photo production. I make sure white is the only background in the picture.
When I’m shooting larger objects than the space allotted, then editing can
whiten out the space past the backdrop, but it will take more time and won't
look quite as clean.
Depending on what I’m shooting, there may be issues with glare. This is a state of preference- I personally prefer cameras and lenses to be free of glare, as I feel this creates a sleeker look. There are tents you can buy to prevent glare, but I have built my own using white paper. It must be regular paper to allow the light to still come through. Card stock will be too thick and block the light.
Post-production is very simple since I use a droplet that
has been created (In Photoshop, you can create a droplet with presets that you
can add to every photo.). I simply select the
photos I have just taken and drag them on to the droplet icon on my desktop. Photoshop does the rest for me. The presets I use on my droplet are
open file, auto color, unsharpen filter, and close file. Unless I have to edit
for going outside of the white background, I’m then done!
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And The Giveaway Winner Is...
Congrats Sarah! And thanks to everyone who entered!
* Winner was chosen at random via Random.org and Rafflecopter. Winner has been notified and has 10 days to claim their prize. In the event that the winner does not respond within that time period, another winner will be chosen.
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Tips for Making a Purchase at KEH
As you know, there are two ways to order from KEH: you can order online, at www.keh.com, or you can call our main sales line (770) 333-4200. The Internet, wonderful thing that it is, is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – the sales line, with actual live humans, is available 8:30am-7:00pm Eastern, Monday thru Friday, and 10:00am - 4:00pm Eastern, on Saturday’s. The sales line is occasionally closed, but only on major US holidays.
Now I’m sure a lot of you are wondering what is ‘the best way to place an order’ is – well, I’m glad you asked, because I’m here to help you out with step-by-step instructions and hints!
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Ordering online is very simple:
- Ensure that your computer is turned on.
- Put on sunglasses as you search the site, so the computer can’t look back in to your brain (You know that they’re watching you, don’t you?). You might also want to consider a tinfoil hat.
- Make sure that on the day the items are to arrive, that you have taken the day off and are home – you never know what kind of crazy shenanigans a camera can get into while not being supervised, especially one that was ordered over the Internet.
- Don’t answer the doorbell when the delivery person leaves the package – if you answer the door, then something will invariably be wrong with the order. However, you must make sure that the instant the delivery truck has left eyesight to bring in the package immediately, or the entire order could malfunction.
- Remember, once you have received your order, send an email to 10 people about your experience (and pass along these hints!), or for the next 7 years, all of your images will be out of focus!
Ordering over the phone can be just as easy:
- Make a list of everything that you’re looking for, including your dream items, and stick to this list regardless if the sales person tells you those items don’t exist.
- Turn out all lights in the room you’re in, as you don’t want the sales person to see any confusion on your face.
- Use as many languages and accents as possible during the transaction just to keep things interesting.
- Ask the sales person to add a random item to your order and not tell you what it is in order to keep the final order and your package a big surprise.
- Once you have received your order, call 10 people about your experience (and pass along these hints!), or for the next 7 years, all of your images will automatically be selective color and with someone else’s watermark on them.
I hope that this has made things much easier and more understandable. And, by the way, April Fools of course!
Related: A past 4/1 favorite, Awesome Photo Tips Nobody Ever Told You About
Related: A past 4/1 favorite, Awesome Photo Tips Nobody Ever Told You About
- SM
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New Extended Sales Hours!
In order to serve you better, we are offering new extended sales department hours.
Our sales department may be reached by telephone at (770) 333-4200 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time (6:00 p.m. Pacific Time). That's an extra 2 hours each weekday!
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Our extended hours allow us to serve both our East and West Coast customers, as well as our customers all over the world, in the most convenient manner possible.
We are excited about this change, and look forward to providing a great customer experience!![]()
Our sales department may be reached by telephone at (770) 333-4200 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time (6:00 p.m. Pacific Time). That's an extra 2 hours each weekday!
Our extended hours allow us to serve both our East and West Coast customers, as well as our customers all over the world, in the most convenient manner possible.
We are excited about this change, and look forward to providing a great customer experience!
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The (Rare) Polaroid 185 Land Camera
The Polaroid 185 Land Camera is one of the more rare cameras produced by Polaroid, and part of their professional series of folding pack film cameras. Not to be confused with the limited edition Model 185 manufactured by Polaroid Japan in 2000, the original 185 Land Camera was released in the 1960s. Polaroid also produced the superficially similar 180, 190, and 195 professional folding cameras around the same time period as the 185, but they are not as scarce.
One of the factors contributing to the rare nature of the 185 Land Camera is the presumption that Polaroid never released the camera for sale to the general public. Many camera historians and collectors believe the camera was created specifically as gifts for the relatives, friends, and business associates of Edwin Land.
The Polaroid 185 Land Camera features a Mamiya 114mm f5.6 lens, a Copal mechanical leaf shutter, and a Zeiss Ikon single window viewfinder/rangefinder. The camera also has manual exposure capabilities, folding bellows, and a built-in coupled CdS exposure meter. Unlike other similarly designed Land Cameras that included a flat case, the protective shell for the 185 was specifically designed to fit securely around the Mamiya lens. The Polaroid 185 Land Camera also utilizes 100-series peel-apart pack film.
The faster glass lenses, mechanical leaf shutters, and manual exposure capabilities all attribute to the noteworthy quality of the professional series Land Cameras. Those qualities, paired with the rarity of the 185 Land Camera, make it a truly coveted model for Polaroid collectors and enthusiasts.
-L.M.* We currently have one of these cameras (with the front cover) available for sale in EX+ condition. Click HERE to view the Polaroid 185 Land Camera on the KEH Camera website.
* In addition to selling rare and collectible items, we love to BUY them too! If you have any rare or collectible cameras or other photographic equipment that you would like to sell to us, please send us an email at purchasing@keh.com, or give us a call at (770) 333-4220 or (800) 342-5534.
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An Introduction To Large Sensor Compact Cameras
In the last few years we have seen a new trend in compact cameras. Select manufacturers have decided to trade making a camera as small as possible for the higher image quality that comes with having a larger sensor.
The benefit of a large sensor is improved image quality. It gives better dynamic range, better colors, and better low-light performance. To make the most of these sensors, the companies have also looked at the other aspects of the camera to make it appeal to a more discerning photographer. They are coupling them with a higher-grade lens that is able to optimize the photos coming out of the camera. They also have paid special attention to the controls. Some companies have gone for simple controls, while others try to pack the camera full of features. All of the cameras are designed for professional photographers who may want something smaller to have on the side, or for an advanced amateur who appreciates what these cameras offer.
The benefit of a large sensor is improved image quality. It gives better dynamic range, better colors, and better low-light performance. To make the most of these sensors, the companies have also looked at the other aspects of the camera to make it appeal to a more discerning photographer. They are coupling them with a higher-grade lens that is able to optimize the photos coming out of the camera. They also have paid special attention to the controls. Some companies have gone for simple controls, while others try to pack the camera full of features. All of the cameras are designed for professional photographers who may want something smaller to have on the side, or for an advanced amateur who appreciates what these cameras offer.
The first large sensor compact released was the Leica X1. The X1 has a 12 megapixel APS-C sensor that is the same size that many DSLRs use. The X1 was designed to be easy to operate, with the best possible image quality. They created a 24mm (36mm equivalent) f2.8 lens that was designed specifically for this camera. It is sharp, with great color reproduction. This is a camera for a person who likes to take their time when taking their photos, and is looking for the best possible image quality. Leica has followed the X1 with the X2. In typical Leica fashion, the X2 is an evolution of the X1. It offers a higher resolution of 16 megapixels, a faster auto focus system, and a few other improvements.
Perhaps the most popular of these new cameras has been the Fuji X100. It has a 12 megapixel APS-C sensor and 35mm equivalent lens and looks like a classic rangefinder camera. Fuji incorporated a hybrid viewfinder into the X100 that is switchable between an optical or electronic viewfinder at the flip of a switch. This allows the photographer to work in whichever way they prefer. The X100 has been widely adopted for the quality of it’s photos and innovative design. And like Leica, Fuji has recently updated the X100 to the X100s. Fuji has included it’s new 16 megapixel X Trans sensor that has a unique filter array to improve the overall resolution of the camera. Fuji has improved AF as well as the low light capabilities of the camera.
Canon took a different approach when designing the G1X. Instead of using an APS-C sensor, the sensor in the G1X is 20 percent smaller, but is still larger than other point and shoot cameras on the market. They also included a zoom with a 28-112mm equivalent range. Canon wanted this to be a good back up to photographers who are using their DSLR cameras. The controls will be familiar to someone who uses a Canon 5D Mark III or 7D. There is also an articulated screen for more versatility in composing photos or video.
Sony has made an exciting entrance into this market by releasing the RX1. It is the first company to release a compact camera with a full frame sensor. This means that the sensor is the same size as a 35mm negative and the same as the top DSLR cameras. This allows the best possible image quality. They have mated it with a Carl Zeiss 35mm f2 lens that was designed especially for this camera. It has the photo quality of the best cameras on the market, but is small enough to fit into a jacket pocket. Sony has delivered an unparalleled tool for photo taking. From it’s small size to it’s amazing photos, this is a camera for the photographer who wants the best compact camera available.
The new kid on the block is the Nikon Coolpix A. It has a 16 megapixel APS-C sensor and a 28mm f2.8 lens. They decided on a wider angle lens, to separate the Coolpix A from the pack. They have made it easy to use for someone using their medium range DSLR camera or the high-end point and shoots like the P7700. It has many of the features found in Nikon’s best cameras, including the Creative Lighting System for amazing TTL flash photography.
This is a segment of cameras that I see growing over the next few years as camera phones continue to be used as the go-to camera for most people. People are going to need a reason to buy a compact camera instead of using their phones, and this just might be the answer.
- Josh Bearden
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Featured Items of the Month
Items selected from the KEH Camera website:
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Items selected from the KEH Camera Outlet on eBay:
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Nikonos RS Auto Focus Underwater Camera w/ 50mm f2.8 Lens. Buy It Now, $719.00.
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Minolta 200mm f2.8 APO Auto Focus Telephoto Lens. White, Buy It Now, $949.00.
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Canon VT Rangefinder Camera Body. Buy It Now, $289.00.
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Revere Stereo 33 35mm Film Camera. Buy It Now, $199.00.![]()
Items selected from the KEH Camera Outlet on eBay:
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Newly Added Digital Pentax Gear!
We've just added $600,000 in digital Pentax gear to our inventory. That's more than 2,500 digital Pentax items that are available now and ready to ship.
This huge addition to our Pentax digital selection is straight from the manufacturer, and includes tons of current and discontinued products in almost new condition.
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Don't miss this opportunity to stock up on all your favorite Pentax DSLR bodies, lenses, mirrorless cameras, flashes and accessories!
To shop KEH Camera's selection of digital Pentax equipment, click HERE.
Your purchase is backed by a 14 day return privilege and 6 month KEH Camera warranty, so you can shop with confidence.
For additional information and reviews on Pentax equipment, be sure to check out the following websites:
* Official Pentax Product Website
* Pentax Forum Camera Reviews
* Imaging Resource Pentax Reviews
* Digital Photography Review (Pentax)![]()
This huge addition to our Pentax digital selection is straight from the manufacturer, and includes tons of current and discontinued products in almost new condition.
Don't miss this opportunity to stock up on all your favorite Pentax DSLR bodies, lenses, mirrorless cameras, flashes and accessories!
To shop KEH Camera's selection of digital Pentax equipment, click HERE.
Your purchase is backed by a 14 day return privilege and 6 month KEH Camera warranty, so you can shop with confidence.
For additional information and reviews on Pentax equipment, be sure to check out the following websites:
* Official Pentax Product Website
* Pentax Forum Camera Reviews
* Imaging Resource Pentax Reviews
* Digital Photography Review (Pentax)
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A Camera Technician's Cleaning Tools
One of the most important steps in the equipment grading process at KEH Camera is making sure the camera gear is fully cleaned in order to achieve the most accurate grade possible. Every piece of equipment is given a general cleaning before it even reaches a technician's desk. Some of the cameras and lenses we see on a daily basis are decades old, but with a thorough cleaning they can look as good as new.
Every technician has an air hose at his or her desk to blow dust off of the camera equipment. For more delicate items, we use a rubber air blower to remove dust and debris. It directs a delicate current of air to remove dust, and has a one-way valve to prevent dust from spreading back into the equipment.
For more stubborn dirt and dust, we use a variety of brushes to clean the camera equipment. Toothbrushes with soft bristles can be used to scrub certain kinds of equipment. A good way to clean up the rubber on a camera grip or lens is to scrub it with a toothbrush. This cleans off the oxidation, which appears as a white residue.
We also use a product by STP® called Son of a Gun!®, a protective polymer silicone formula spray that will moisturize and renew the rubber commonly used on cameras. Products like naphtha or lighter fluid can be used to de-grease metal parts or to remove any other material off of metal surfaces.
Some of the equipment we see will have battery corrosion. Heat from general use over time or from storing the equipment in warm or humid areas will cause batteries to expand and leak a chemical paste of potassium hydroxide. When the chemicals come in contact with the spring and terminal of the electronic it is powering, it produces a blue-green powder as it corrodes the metal. The best way to keep this from happening is to remove any batteries while the item is not in use. If we see that a camera or flash has battery corrosion we can use vinegar to remove it. Sometimes the equipment can be saved and sometimes the metal terminals are too far corroded to work.
Often we will see electric contacts on flash hot shoes, lenses or camera bodies with dirt and corrosion. This can cause the flash to not fire, or the camera to not recognize when a lens is attached. A simple pencil eraser can be used to clean the contacts. We use eraser pencils, which can be sharpened to clean smaller areas.
Other liquids commonly found on a technician's desk are alcohol and Windex® to clean glass. We use a diluted mixture of Windex®, alcohol, and distilled water on most optical glass, which is great for removing smudges and marks without leaving streaks or residue.
To clean optical glass we use cotton Q-tips® and Kimtech® tissues that are gentle and won't scratch the surface.
To clean the front or rear glass of a lens we dip the Q-tip® into the diluted Windex® mixture, gently wipe the lens in circular motions working from the center out, and then wipe it off with the tissue. It is very important to make sure there are no large particles of dust or debris in this process, which can scratch the glass.
A quick cleaning can drastically improve the appearance and picture quality of a camera or lens. In addition to these tools and methods, the KEH Camera Repair Center offers sensor cleanings and internal glass cleanings for lenses with dust inside.
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Every technician has an air hose at his or her desk to blow dust off of the camera equipment. For more delicate items, we use a rubber air blower to remove dust and debris. It directs a delicate current of air to remove dust, and has a one-way valve to prevent dust from spreading back into the equipment.
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| Giottos® Air Blower |
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| Variety of Brushes for Cleaning |
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| Cleaning Solvents for Rubber & Metal Surfaces |
Some of the equipment we see will have battery corrosion. Heat from general use over time or from storing the equipment in warm or humid areas will cause batteries to expand and leak a chemical paste of potassium hydroxide. When the chemicals come in contact with the spring and terminal of the electronic it is powering, it produces a blue-green powder as it corrodes the metal. The best way to keep this from happening is to remove any batteries while the item is not in use. If we see that a camera or flash has battery corrosion we can use vinegar to remove it. Sometimes the equipment can be saved and sometimes the metal terminals are too far corroded to work.
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| Eraser Pencil Used to Clean Flash Hot Shoe |
Often we will see electric contacts on flash hot shoes, lenses or camera bodies with dirt and corrosion. This can cause the flash to not fire, or the camera to not recognize when a lens is attached. A simple pencil eraser can be used to clean the contacts. We use eraser pencils, which can be sharpened to clean smaller areas.
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| Eraser Pencil Used to Clean Lens Contacts |
Other liquids commonly found on a technician's desk are alcohol and Windex® to clean glass. We use a diluted mixture of Windex®, alcohol, and distilled water on most optical glass, which is great for removing smudges and marks without leaving streaks or residue.
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| Variety of Liquids Used for Cleaning |
To clean optical glass we use cotton Q-tips® and Kimtech® tissues that are gentle and won't scratch the surface.
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| Q-tips® & Kimtech® Tissues for Cleaning Optical Glass |
To clean the front or rear glass of a lens we dip the Q-tip® into the diluted Windex® mixture, gently wipe the lens in circular motions working from the center out, and then wipe it off with the tissue. It is very important to make sure there are no large particles of dust or debris in this process, which can scratch the glass.
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| Applying Diluted Cleaning Fluid to Q-tip® |
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| Gently Cleaning Front Lens Element |
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| Wiping Front Lens Element With Tissue |
- Mollie Damon
For your camera equipment maintenance & repair needs, please visit the KEH Camera Repair Center online or contact them by telephone at (770) 333-4210.
Please note that the nature of this article is to be informative and we do not condone the repetition of its contents. If you choose to clean your own camera equipment, you do so at your own risk. We recommend that cleaning and repair services be provided by a trained technician.
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KEH's Most Wanted
Featured below are a selection of KEH Camera's "most wanted" items of the month. We are currently seeking digital & film bodies, lenses, flashes and major accessories in all formats, but the featured items below are at the top of our "most wanted" list this month.
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To sell any of the above featured items (or if you have other gear you'd like to sell), please contact us via email or give us a call at (770) 333-4220 or (800) 342-5534. If you are unsure about an item, just ask! Your used camera equipment may be worth more than you think.![]()
* We currently need all clean, gently used medium format equipment & large format field cameras.
In addition to the photographic equipment featured above, we are also looking to purchase the following gear:
* Canon EOS: 7D, 40D, 50D, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark II, 6D and Rebel T3i
* Nikon: D300, D600, and D90
* Rollei TLR: Rolleiflex 2.8 F, 2.8 G, 2.8 FX and 3.5 F
* Lenses: All Canon IS and Nikon VR lenses
* Meters: Pentax Digital Spotmeter, Pentax Spotmeter V and Minolta Spotmeter F
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