Highlights of our trip to Maryland, visiting my new grandson, my daughter and my son-in-law.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer friends,

Last week, my wife and I visited Maryland. The main purpose of our trip was to meet my new grandson "Henry Scott". We spent five full days with my daughter, my son-in-law and my new grandson "Henry Scott". He's another miracle. Each time we have a new grandchild, we realize how lucky we are to have a growing family and to live in a continent as free as ours. Henry Scott is beautiful. Of course all my grandkids are beautiful, but he's the newest one. There is another one on the way and April 2012 will be delivering, yet, another grandchild.

This was our first trip to Maryland and we were pleasantly surprised at how beautiful of a state it is. We drove to the country side one day and were astonished of how green it was. We walked, in a state park, to a secluded waterfall. It was just beautiful.

While there, my wife and I decided to drive to Philadelphia, to see some historic sites. WOW! We could have spent several days there. There are so many historic events that took place there, but we only had time to visit the Independence Hall, yes...where the declaration of independence was signed. We took the guided tour and our guide was fantastic. I've learned more about the independence  of the United States in one hour than I did in all of my school years. Of course I'm Canadian eh! and we didn't learned much about the other countries, still eh!

While in Philadelphia, we had to have a Philly cheese steak sandwich. Yum...good for the taste buds, but not so good for one's health.

This was a wonderful trip and I just wish that we could all live closer to each other, but as it is now, we have children in all corners of the United States. Thanks for the internet, Facebook and Skype.

Thank you for stopping by,

Yvon Bourque

P.S. This week, I will introduce my new line of Stabilizers. I listened to you and I have incorporated your suggestions. The Stabilizers Generation II are easier to adjust, fit on any camera, allow Portrait as well as Landscape photography and is compatible with Arca-Swiss Quick Release system, and other systems as well. It's all the stabilization you need, without carrying a heavy tripod.

Mom and Henry Scott.

It's a big job, taking care of a newborn. Gotta sleep sometimes.

A new soup or stew recipe...Henry Scott flavored.

A picture of us, using the AlettA Stabilizer, and the self-timer on the Pentax K-5.

Beautiful water falls...taken with the Pentax K-5, mounted on the AlettA Stabilizer Generation II and set-up on the side of the rocks.

The Maryland country side is beautiful. 

I made a friend, but he went away when my grass wasn't any better than his.

A beautiful Old Church, like there are many in Maryland.



This is the Independende Hall, the original one, but of course restored some.



A painting of the writing and discussions that led to the declaration of independence.

That's the same room depicted in the painting above, but it's the real thing.

Last day for 25% discount on all e-books purchased before midnight October 31,

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

The 25% discount on all e-books purchased before October 31st is almost over.. All you have to do is to enter the coupon code below at purchase time.


IKT0A0H058HD

You can actually cut and paste the code to your order.

You can order the e-books here:


http://www.alettaphoto.com/categories/e%252dbooks/

Spending quality time with my grandson, Matthew and Marisa and my wife Anne, in Maryland

  Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi  friends.

I just wanted to post a few pictures of our time in Maryland this week. We are enjoying our grandson, my daughter Marisa and our son-in-law, Matthew.

About three years ago, my daughter sent me information about an 86 years old pentaxian she had met while trekking near water falls in Maryland.

http://pentaxdslrs.blogspot.com/2008/11/eighty-six-years-old-pentaxians-hiking.html

Today, I visited the same place with my daughter, and took pictures of the same waterfalls.

This may be a good year for Pentax. Stranger things have happened before. Read the facts.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

This may be a good year for Pentax. All over the internet, there are talks about the production problems of the major camera players. With the flood in Thailand, Canon, Nikon and Sony have been forced to cease operations and a good majotity of their cameras are not currently being manufactured.  It is unfortunate, but buyers may have to pospone their purchases or look for another brand, while this shortage continues.

FACTS:
Nikon cameras affected are: D3100, D5100, D7000, and D300s.  Apparently 90% of Nikon's DSLR production is from Thailand.

Sony says it is postponing production of its new A77, A65, and NEX-7 cameras due to supply and production interruptions in Thailand, a result of the extensive flooding there.

Canon makes printers in Thailand and some of their DSLRs, although I'm not certain which they are.

Western Digital Hard Drive production facility was badly damaged and there are talks that Hard Drive prices and availability worldwide will be greatly affected.

Olympus also has some problems. The ousted CEO of Olympus says he was fired for raising questions about more than 675 million in alleged improper payments made during acquisitions by the company between 2006 and 2008. Olympus shares plunged by one-quarter on Monday following an 18 percent fall. I'm not sure what impact this will have on camera production, but it will one way or the other.

Pentax, on the other hand, has no factory affecting production of it's DSLRs and lenses. They are lucky. With the acquisition by Ricoh, and the unavailability of some of the major cameras and lenses at this time, Pentax may inherit some sales by default. Stranger things have happened before.

Ricoh's goal:

The goal of the Acquisition is to establish a firmer presence in the consumer business, which has been a considerable challenge for Ricoh.

Ricoh believes that the borderline between office and home will fade and this will be reflected in a major change in products and services. Ricoh aims to provide more consumer–oriented offerings not only in the field of digital cameras but also video conferencing systems, network appliances, and others, to their customers around the world. The Acquisition is the first step in this direction.

Ricoh intends to maximize the synergy from the merger between Ricoh’s digital camera business and PENTAX Imaging System Business in various ways.

1) Strengthening the digital camera business

Enhanced interchangeable-lens cameras to meet expected future growth

Expansion of product lineup and interchangeable lens portfolio

2) Creation of new business delivering added value to consumers

Creation and development of value-added businesses such as making it easy to view, save and retouch photos.

3) Other benefits

Possible entry into the image archiving business using medium format digital cameras Expansion of security related products .


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As a precursor to my upcoming e-book for the Pentax Q system, and in appreciation of your encouragement, I am giving a 25% discount on all e-books purchased between now and October 31, 2011. All you have to do is to enter this coupon code at purchase time.

IKT0A0H058HD
You can actually cut and paste the code to your order.

You can order the e-books here:
http://www.alettaphoto.com/categories/e%252dbooks/

Biggest improvement to the AlettA Stabilizer Generation II, available for all DSLRs from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Leica, and others. ***Pentax e-books 25% off through October 31st. ***

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer friends.

The number one suggestion I received from users of the AlettA Stabilizers Generation I, is the need for longer and easier to access extension legs.  With the goal of upgrading Stabilizers Generation I as well, I designed additional extension legs mounted on "outriggers". They are sturdier and longer. Instead of adjusting the legs from the undeside, you can adjust the legs' height from the top. In addition, the legs are bigger, (1/4" diameter), and there are no limits to the length you can use, within reason.

The outriggers"can be mounted under the Stabilizer, with the supplied hardware or with the smaller legs supplied with the Generation I Stabilizers. The extension legs also permits the mounting of even bigger lenses.

The AlettA Stabilizer Geeneration II does the following:
(New or upgrades from Generation I.)
It protects your camera from scratches.

It works with any DSLRs or any type of cameras. Three new 1/4" wide by 3" long slots, stratigically spaced, allows for the mounting of any camera with a standard 1/4" ripod mount. It will work with your current camera and your future camera purchases.

It protects the attached lens or lens' hood from damages when resting on a table or other surface.

It incorporates a spirit bubble level, slightly offset for better reading, assuring horizontal level.

It includes a 1/4" threaded hole to install the whole camera system on a tripod for studio work.

It allows the use of Arca-Swiss or other brand of Quick Release.
It uses a genuine non-slip "egrips" on the top surface to prevent camera shifting.

It is made with aircraft aluminum, CNC machined for durability and quality.

It is powder coated with a durable black semi-gloss finish, matching the look and durability of your camera finish.

It has (3) sets of interchangeable and adjustable legs, allowing up to nearly 1-1/2" elevation differences.

It offers optional sturdier and longer extension legs, offering even more stability and flexibility.
It allows you to take pictures at very slow shutter speeds.

It makes telephoto handheld picture taking sturdier by providing a support point for the left hand

It allows low-to-the-ground picture taking.

With Generation II, the weight of the AlettA Stabilizer has been reduced from 12 ounces down to 9 ounces.
It conforms to almost any surface, levels up to perfect horizontal position, and permits shake-free and blur free images.

Additional uses reported by  users:

"I was at a restaurant and my camera was on the table with the stabilizer. My wife spilled her drink. It got everybody wet, except for the camera. The Tequila flowed under the camera." The Tequila flood was avoided with the Stabilizer island.

"Taking street photography, the camera can we held up against a wall for low light photography. I also set the camera on a table at an outside Coffee shop and took several candid shots of people walking by. I got some great shots."

I took pictures of flowers and wanted an ultra-low perspective. By setting the camera on the ground with the stabilizer my image came out perfectly, as I imagined...but without having to put my face in the dirt.


Downside:

Be prepared to answer questions from other photographers everywhere you go. They are intrigued by the Stabilizer.

*********************************************************************************
As a precursor to my upcoming e-book for the Pentax Q system, and in appreciation of your encouragement, I am giving a 25% discount on all e-books purchased between now and October 31, 2011. All you have to do is to enter this coupon code at purchase time.

IKT0A0H058HD
You can actually cut and paste the code to your order.

You can order the e-books here:
http://www.alettaphoto.com/categories/e%252dbooks/

We are in Maryland for the next seven days.

We are on the East coast for about a week. I'm here to meet my mew grandson "Henry Scott".I'm sure I will get some good pictures of him and the area. Fall colors are all over. I will still post about the AlettA Stabilizers Generation II.

Here's my grandson. If that is not the meaning of life, what is?

Adapter for Portrait Photography... AlettA Stabilizers Generation II, available for all DSLRs from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olynpus, Leica, and others. ***Pentax e-books 25% off through October 31st. ***

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer friends.

New with the AlettA Stabilizer Generation II , the portrait photography adapter can make a difference in your composition.

The L bracket is attached to the Stabilizer via the D-screw, same D-screw used whenyour DSLR is mounted in Landscape mode.

Note that for stability, The L-bracket is secured with the D-screw(left) and a set screw (right). E-grip non-slip material is glued to the vertical portion of the L-bracket so the DSLR stay in position when attached. Arca-Swiss compatible and other quick release systems can be used with the AlettA Stabilizers.

Here is a view with a large DSLR attached, including the battery grip.

Another angle. DSLRs with large telephoto lenses can also be stabilized. this way.

It works with all DSLRs.

As a precursor to my upcoming e-book for the Pentax Q system, and in appreciation of your encouragement, I am giving a 25% discount on all e-books purchased between now and October 31, 2011. All you have to do is to enter this coupon code at purchase time.





IKT0A0H058HD

You can actually cut and paste the code to your order.

You can order the e-books here:
http://www.alettaphoto.com/categories/e%252dbooks/

More on AlettA Stabilizers Generation II, available for all DSLRs from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olynpus, Leica, and others. ***Pentax e-books 25% off through October 31st. ***

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

Here's more pictures of the upcoming AlettA Stabilizer Generation II:

Shown abovw are three typical setups for the new AlettA Stabilizers Generation II. Light Duty with DSLR in Landscape mode,   Ligh Duty with DSLR in Portrait mode, and Heavy Duty with extended legs. I will cover each application in the next few days, and show how versatile the Stabilizers are.

  

The new AlettA Stabilizer Generation II has three slots for mounting any DSLR. Note that the deburring around the slots took more than three ounces off the total weight...from 12 ounces down to 9 ounces. Note the 1/4" female threaded hole in the center, allowing the stabilizer to be mounted on a tripod when necessary, all without removing it from your camera.

This is a view of the DSLR mounted on the light duty Stabilizer Generation II. The legs are interchangeable and permits up to 1 1/2" elevation changes front to back and side to side.

View of a DSLR mounted on the stabilizer Generation II. Note the difference in legs extension. The Stabilizer is small, portable, and can stay attached to the bottom of your camera, even when stored inside your camera bag. It sure beats hauling a tripod everywhere you go.

Check here tomorrow for more.

As a precursor to my upcoming e-book for the Pentax Q system, and in appreciation of your encouragement, I am giving a 25% discount on all e-books purchased between now and October 31, 2011. All you have to do is to enter this coupon code at purchase time.

IKT0A0H058HD

You can actually cut and paste the code to your order.

You can order the e-books here:
http://www.alettaphoto.com/categories/e%252dbooks/

First look at the Aletta Stabilizer Generation II. More will be revealed every day. **** All my Pentax e-books are 25% off through October 31, 2011.****

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

As a precursor to my upcoming e-book for the Pentax Q system, and in appreciation of your encouragement, I am giving a 25% discount on all e-books purchased between now and October 31, 2011. All you have to do is to enter this coupon code at purchase time.

IKT0A0H058HD

You can actually cut and paste the code to your order.

You can order the e-books here:
 http://www.alettaphoto.com/categories/e%252dbooks/

Yvon Bourque

Watch this site in the coming days, I will be introducing the next generation of Stabilizers, available for all brand of DSLRs, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Leica and essentially all brands of cameras. I listened to all my customers of the first generation  of Stabilizers, and incorporated the features most requested. This will include a universal mount, the ability to stabilize in Portrait or landscape, Additional mounting legs design, and more.

The original "Stabilizer". This particular Stabilizer was designed specifically for the Canon EOS 5D Mk II.  The Stabilizers were only available for some of the most popular DSLRs only. (Canon 5D and D700, Nikon D700, D7000 and D300S, Pentax K-7 and K-5)

What's new with the AlettA Stabilizer Generation II? Tonight, let's look at the top view.

 

This is the "Stabilizer" Generation II. It is a universal fit and any DSLR will fit on this Stabilizer. Note the three slots, separated by 1/4" and 3" wide. This allows the mounting of any camera, while keeping the camera centered on the Stabilizer. The square opening, that was used to attach a handgrip is discontinued and has been replaced by a new attachment method, that permits the quick removal/installation of a handgrip. With this new design, more metal was removed underneath the Stabilizer, bringing the weight down from 12 ounces to 9 ounces.

Tomorrow, I will show the new attachment for taking Portrait photographs, while still stabilizing your camera. Please come back.

Check videos of the Stabilizer Generation I.

http://alettaphoto.blogspot.com/2011/06/aletta-photographic-stabilizer.html

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Testing iPhone

Testing blogging from my Iphone and iPad 2.

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

This is a short video depicting the new Pentax Q capabilities. It's in German, but the images speaks for themselves. The music is also great.

I got my Pentax Q two weeks ago and I love it. It's turning out that I'm using it more often than my K-5.

Yvon Bourque

Are DSLRs (Digital single lens reflex) giving way to smaller non-reflex cameras?

  

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer friends.

Are Digital single lens reflex cameras giving way to the smaller  non-reflex cameras.

(A single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system (hence the name "reflex", from the mirror's reflection) that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system.)The trend with the newer generation of photographers seems to be the use of small cameras without the pentaprism/mirror arrangement of typical DSLRs. I always liked big cameras because they are easier to stabilize...more weight = less shaking. However, this is all changing with technology. Most digital cameras now have some kind of shake reduction system. With the evolution of technology, smaller sensors can now produce images as good as the top DSLRs of just a few years ago. The EVF cameras (Electronic View Finder) have evolved as well and there are no latency anymore.

I recently acquired the new Pentax Q cameras. It is currently the smallest interchangeable lens camera system in the world. I suspect it won't be for very long as other manufacturers are introducing models of their own. To my surprise, this little camera is very capable despite the small sensor. I believe we have definitely entered in the mirror-less digital cameras.

Wind the clock back just ten years, and big was in. Now big is on its way out and small is in. There are always going to be some people that will not accept new technology and will swear that in the good old days, camera were better built and that you had to be a real photographer to use one of these. At weddings, you would see the "Uncle Bob of the world" with their SLR cameras, but the Professional Photographer was always easy to spot with the big (D) SLR, Medium format camera or the good old twin-lens Mamiyas, that used to be the king of wedding photography.

The new generation of photographers, (the new generation period), don't give a hoot about big and impressive cameras. It's not about impressing others anymore, it's about taking pictures, anywhere, anytime, with or without a degree in photography. Just put your mirror-less camera in auto-everything and you're good to go. Heck, cell phones now have cameras built-in with image quality better or equal to expensive dedicated  digital cameras. Furthermore, with the cell phones, you can send your image via the internet immediately to friends and family. How cool is that?

I can't understand why no camera maker has come up with a Digital Camera with built-in internet access through cell phone companies 3G and now 4G networks. Look at the Apple iPad 2, it has a camera and for only $20.00 per month, you can access the internet via Verizon and AT&T.  It's time to wake up manufacturers. Don't let technology pass you over. Just think of the generations of tomorrow, everything will be done instantly via an even better and faster internet system.

You can hang-on to your big cameras, (and I personally will) but soon, they will join other items on dusty shelves as relics of the past. It just the way it is. You either embrace progress or eventually you are left behind. It's a young people's world, always has been and always will be.

The best you can do to stay young, is to adopt the way of young people. This is the Twenty-First Century, you don't have be in a rocking chair and wait for the big one. 

Thank you for reading, and don't get mad, it will come to past,

Yvon Bourque