Staff Writer's blog

If you're from my generation and have ever explained the concept of the vinyl record to anyone under the age of 18, then you too have experienced the looks of bewildered amusement and the distinct realization that you're probably just getting old. Well before you put yourself out to pasture, or consider putting your beloved record collection up for auction on eBay, there are a few things you should know. A recent resurgence in vinyl records fueled by collectors, vinyl DJs and music enthusiasts who can't seem to find their favorite oldies on iTunes has paved the way for new products that merge one of the oldest audio achievements of the 20th century with the digital advancements of today – the turntable and the USB port.

Today's competitive market has proven to be a boon for the consumer, since companies like Canon, have been outdoing themselves in improving their products and offering innovations and advanced options in their professional and prosumer line. Today we will talk about the Canon XH-A1s, a compact high definition camera with professional quality, sleek design and important additions from the successful XH-A1.

If you're looking to purchase a compact – and reliable – lighting system that's easy pack up and ideal for travel and location shooting, we currently have a nice selection of factory refurbished Profoto CPS ComPact Monolights. Rated at 300WS, Profoto CPS ComPacts can be used to build a compact lighting system that's ideal for portraits or still-life photography, or as an economical way to 'beef-up' your existing lighting system.

If you shoot on 'both sides of the pond' you'll appreciate the ability to tap into an AC power range of 90- 260VAC. Other features include a recycle time of under 0.8-seconds, a proportional modeling light, centralized umbrella socket for even illumination, and a built-in optical slave.

New, Profoto CPS ComPacts sell for $589.50 without a

Aside from all the lenses and optics displayed at PMA 2009, there were oodles of peripheral goodies to go along with all the 'latest and greatest' photographic toys known to mankind. Some serious, and some less so.

As the only pro photographer in my neighborhood, I sometimes get asked to shoot a quick photo of an event or a friend at the very last minute. My studio is only 15 minutes away, but I do most of my file processing, printing, and gear prep in my home office. So I keep a small set of portable gear at-the-ready for photographing whatever pops up. This week, one of my favorite neighbors, Anna (whom I affectionately call Anna Banana) was to receive an award at school and hated her school picture that was to go onto the plaque. So, Will to the rescue with an impromptu portrait session in my living room on a Tuesday evening. Yes, even big-time pro photographers shoot portraits in their living rooms sometimes!

A good tripod is an accessory overlooked by photographers of all skill levels. Matching the right tripod with your camera, location, and budget is very important. There are heaps of tripods out there, and selecting the right one to support your camera is tricky. We can help with a quick peek at a handful of newly introduced and specially priced models.

The 'Best of the Best' does not always mean expensive. But then again, sometimes it does. While compiling the 2008 'Best of the Best' photo gift wish list, we had to keep the dizzying realities of the day's financial headlines in mind. And to the ancient wise man who said, "May you live in interesting times", all we can say is "Thanks… wish you were here."