Ultra Cool Gadgets

The Extreme USB 2.0 Reader provides you with a complete digital solution for your photography needs. Its performs at up to 20MB per seconds sequential read and write, above the level needed for the high enthusiast photographer. It’s designed with two slots and supports CF (Type I and II), SD, MS Pro, and MS PRO Duo. It supports USB 2.0 connectivity on both Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems. It plugs and plays with no external AC power.

Technical Details

* Read and write performance of 20MB/sec* with ESP Technology
* Extended temperature testing (-25 to 85 C)
* Shock-vibration tested
* Water resistance
* Data recovery software ensures your photos will always be there (even if you delete them accidentally)

Customer feedback:

1. One afternoon last week, I took 137 shots (so 274 files) that took up 1.34GB on my CF card. When I read them into my computer using other readers, it took 26 minutes one time, and 31 minutes a second time (I was testing the speed, it’s not that I really needed to do that 2 times). One of those was a reader that is built into my Canon photo printer, a USB 2.0 printer, but at about 30 minutes for the copy task, that was just not good. I bought the Sandisk Extreme USB 2.0 Reader from Amazon, and plugged it into one of my PC’s USB 2.0 ports, and the copy task only took 2 minutes for the same files! Now, the CF card that I am using is a high-speed, high-end card, a Sandisk Extreme III 2GB compactflash card, and the timings were not done with a stop watch, so your results may vary, but this was really good for me. In the event that it is important, the PC used for the test is a DELL Pentium 4 3Ghz 1GB RAM machine and the target disk-drive is a Seagate 120GB SATA 7200RPM drive.

2. We bought this disk reader to use with our regular SanDisk cards. It downloads photos from the cards to the computer in seconds. That is, it’s very fast on our WindowsXP computer. But on our older laptop with Win2000, the downloads are quite a bit slower. Still works with the older computer, though. The reader installs easily into a USB port and takes several different sizes of cards (SD/MMC, MSProDuo, CF I/II). It comes with a small format CD of RescuePro software and no instructions, but a 2 year warranty. We have used the reader several times a week for about 2 months and have had no problems with it.

Further development of Canon’s flagship Speedlite has led to the production of the 580 EX II. This is the premier Speedlite for all photographers, including professionals. Newly designed to match with the EOS-1D Mark III in terms of improved dust- and water-resistance, body strength, and the ability to control flash functions and settings from the camera menu (EOS-1D Mark III only). Other features include improved communication reliability through its direct contacts, and recycling time is both 20% shorter than the 580EX and is completely inaudible.

Speedlite 580EX II Flash Highlights

* Approximately 20 percent faster recycling time compared to 580EX
* Superior build quality, including a metal foot for higher rigidity
* Max Guide No. 58 at 105mm setting (GN 190, feet)
* Auto conversion of flash coverage with compatible digital SLR cameras
* White Balance info communicated instantly to compatible digital SLR cameras
* Full swivel, 180 degrees in either direction
* AF-assist beam, compatible with all AiAF points on every EOS SLR
* Dust- and water- resistance to match the EOS-1D Mark III

Customer feedback:

1. First, its battery life is outstanding. I shot shot more than 650 photos with the flash, most of them bouncing off the tall ceiling, with only ONE set of 4 AA batteries. Compared to the 420EX, the advantages are huge. The recycling time is amazingly fast. It reminded me of the time the shutted lag difference I noticed when I switched from a compact digital camera to a digital SLR! You can even burst the flash for half a dozen of exposures (bounced off ceiling!) in 2 seconds (interesting for the garter throw!), to match the speed of the Canon 20D or 30D.
The quality of the TTL exposures is also singificantly better than what I would get with the 420EX. 95% of my shots were spot on, using full TTL mode. It is consistently excellent. The fact that you only need to press one button to move the head of the flash in all directions was what sold me on the 580. What a pleasure to be able to switch from landscape to portrait and still be able to bounce the flash! This simple operation took 3+ seconds on the 420, and only 1 second on this one, which is the difference between getting the shot or missing it (or just giving up trying to get a vertical shot with the flash). The light reflector is also a nice feature, to get a catchlight in your subjects’ eyes. However, it won’t work if you shoot in portrait mode (will reflect off to the right side).
But the ONE feature that is worth the upgrade alone is the hot shoes quick release mount. Just slide the lever to the right, it clips right into position and is securely mounted on the hot shoe. It is of course just as easy to unmount the flash.

2. I have the 420EX for my Rebel XT. It’s a decent flash, but doesn’t produce amazing pictures. I promised someone I would take pictures of their wedding and knew I had to get something better. I was very much eyeing the new Sigma EF-530 DG Super. Unfortunately there was not much definite information available, so I found it hard to make an educated decision. In the end I decided to pay the extra money, know that this flash will be compatible with future cameras without hassles and will reliably control my 420EX.
Without a doubt, this flash takes excellent pictures. It also has enough power – the 420EX pictures always seemed like it was on its limit. I am quite the electronics geek and figured most of the controls out without consulting the handbook. I was worried about having to sit down and learn all abouth the MASTER/SLAVE options it has, but to my relief, I switched it into Master, the 420EX into Slave, and wow, the resulting pictures are simply stunning with the 580EX II as Master with the Catchlight Panel and the 420EX bounced. Yes, this flash is not cheap, but now that I have it, I don’t regret spending the money one bit. If you’re trying to decide, I recommend to spend the extra money. I can’t imagine this flash will disappoint you.

The Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 is compatible with Type A EOS cameras (E-TTL, auto flash) and Type B EOS cameras (manual flash). The ST-E2 is designed to control slaved Canon 550 EX flashes, enabling simultaneous flash use in professional settings. The wireless controller has a flash ratio control, allowing for several different A:B ratios, 1:8 to 8:1 in half-step increments, as well as slave confirmation via a test transmission button, which sets off slave A, followed by slave B, at 1/64 output.

Technical Details

* Wireless flash controller for the Canon EX420 and EX550
* Indoor transmission range of approximately 40 to 50 feet
* Outdoor transmission range of approximately 26 to 33 feet
* 1,500-transmission battery life
* Turns off after 90-second idle

Customer feedback:

1. Yes, radio flash with strobes is better, but this item acts similarly to a radio-controlled studio, but with much more portability! No need for wireless transmitters and receivers, as the Canon Speedlites you surely own already accept signals from this thing! If you need portability with your portraits, this item is for you, since lugging around Speedlights and lightweight stands is easier than heavier strobes with bulkier stands. This makes location shooting much easier.
If you’re on a budget, this item is for you, since you won’t need to invest in additional strobes and trancievers and power packs. Just combine this with any Speedlites you already own. If you want a quick and easy backup to your expensive, heavy strobe setup, this is for you, as you’re likely to have your Speedlites in your camera bag anyway, and this item takes up about as much room as a Sto-Fen diffuser. You can’t go wrong with such a small item enabiling near-full studio capability.

2. Straight on lighting from a camera mounted flash is unnatural and unflattering. The Canon STE2 Speedlite Transmitter is a must have item if you own a compatible Canon Speedlite (580EX/550EX/420EX/430EX). Your subject will really appreciate not having the flash pointing directly into their eyes. Plus, with the right angle, you can cast natural looking shadows that will greatly improve the look of your portrait shots. With this transmitter you can place your Speedlite anywhere you like to get the perfect lighting for the shot. It’s a really great system when used with two or more Canon Speedlites. I own two Canon 430EX Speedlites that I use with this transmitter. One flash I use as the main light source is fitted with a unidirectional diffuser to soften the light. The other flash used as a fill flash is fitted with an omni-directional bounce diffuser. This transmitter allows you to easily set the balance of light between two Speedlite groups (group A and group B). You simply press a button on the back to adjust the balance. A lighted meter on the back of the transmitter shows you the balance setting. This allows you to easily balance the light between both flash groups without having to touch or move any of the flash units. Very handy! With this setup, you can create professional portrait shots with ease, and not have to worry about lugging around a bunch of heavy lighting equipment. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT!