How to make Pentax DSLR cable shutter release from a hands-free cell phone kit

Pentax DSLR cable shutter release by Eagleapex

Eagleapex writes:

I’m trying to get into HDR photography, which usually requires some very long exposure shots. The best way to do this is with a tripod and a shutter release. I got the tripod off Craigslist, but the shutter release was too expensive for me, so I set off to make my own. This is inspired by this tutorial for a Canon DSLR.

Read instructions at Instructables

Photo by Eagleapex, under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike license

Kodak Gold 200 film updated

Kodak press release:

New KODAK GOLD 200 Speed Film Offers Consumers Brighter Colours

London, March 9, 2007 – With consumers worldwide continuing to use film, Eastman Kodak Company has introduced a new consumer film, KODAK GOLD 200, designed to give consumers high-quality picture-taking choices. Kodak has improved the emulsion to provide brighter colour, while maintaining the combination of colour saturation, colour accuracy, and sharpness in the film. KODAK GOLD 200 is an excellent option for picture-taking under general lighting conditions.

"In an ‘and’ world, where consumers use both digital and film, we focus on providing them with the best choices to capture and print their stories," said Julian Baust, Country Manager, Eastman Kodak Company. "When using the new KODAK GOLD Films, consumers can create bright, vivid photographs, even at low speeds and various lighting conditions. Consumers have rewarded our ongoing innovation by choosing KODAK films almost three times more than the next leading competitor."

KODAK GOLD 200 Film, with an extra stop of speed, now delivers even brighter colours and deeper colour saturation than before, for sharp, snappy prints. GOLD 200 Film is also great for enlargements, or for obtaining very high-quality results when scanning for digital output.

The new KODAK 200 Film will be available in the UK from early April.

Lens hacking article: "Hand-Assembling Lenses for the View Camera"

Check out photographer John Siskin‘s article on building your own multi-element, soft-focus lenses out of diopters. The article originally ran in View Camera Magazine and has heaps of example photos. You can download a PDF reprint of the article directly from Siskin.

Thanks to Katie Cooke for the heads-up!

 

Related: I ordered and received a copy of John Evans’ new ebook, Exploring Simple Lenses (blogged previously). I’m making my way through it, look for a review soon!

Ilford HP5 Plus Challenge and free film promo (North America only)

Ilford are having a contest to get your photo on boxes of Ilford photo paper, plus prize money. Images have to be shot on Ilford HP5 Plus film and printed on Ilford B&W paper. Full details here at Ilford, where the rules are available in English, French, and Spanish.

Also, "Special promotional boxes of ILFORD MULTIGRADE IV RC DELUXE Paper contain 3 free rolls of ILFORD HP5 PLUS film". Free film, sweet!