One of the cooler jobs at B&H belongs to the guy in charge of identifying and evaluating the rare and/or oddball items that come through the doors in the B&H Used Department. Due to a great measure of modesty and humility, this particular person prefers to remain anonymous, so let's just call him 'Steve'. The scary part is that 'Steve' can usually identify the oddest pieces in the lot at first sight. And don't be surprised if he points out the brass thing-a-ma-jiggies on the focusing rail aren't original. 'Steve' knows his stuff.

We continuously turn up rare and unique photographica here at B&H, and thanks to 'Steve', these gems can now be browsed through in the new 'Collectables' section of our website. To kick things off we assembled a cross section of notable photographic eclectica available in our Collectables section. Some of these items are original manufactured products, and some are hybrids, i.e. a Zeiss 16mm Hologon with a Leica M mount.

 
Linhof Technica III 5x7 Folding Rangefinder

 Now that we've settled down following all the hubbub raised over the Canon EF 1200/5.6L we featured in our last newsletter, we agreed it would be a good idea to look at the options for those of you who simply can't justify - i.e. explain to your significant other - popping a hundred grand for a lens regardless of how cool it is.

It is amazing to think that a single program disk's worth of data can transform your computer into the equivalent of a full audio recording studio, complete with powerful signal processing, editing, and automated mixing capabilities. By properly outfitting your machine and making use of a high-quality audio interface, it is easy to take advantage of the myriad options available in almost any audio recording application. In fact, it has reached the point where your recorded signals do not even have to leave the warm confines of your computer until you are ready to release them by burning a CD of your latest handiwork. This mind-set conserves physical space, is very economical, and packs well for portability.

A wide range of products is becoming available, whose components enable you to tap into the power of an iPod in ways you may not have realized were possible. Integrating your iPod seamlessly with a sound system for live performance, presentations, and weddings has never been easier. In situations where multiple people share the same sound system, new rack-mountable iPod docks make it easy for everyone to get their music playing, a lifesaver for aerobic studios, theaters, rehearsal spaces, bars and restaurants.

If you're into bird watching, the holy grail would have to be the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, a huge (20" tall with a 30" wingspan), yet incredibly elusive woodpecker that despite reports of extinction, is spotted every now-and-then deep in the boonies of Florida and Arkansas. It's also known as the 'Lord G-d' woodpecker because that's what spotters have been known to blurt out - often accompanied by soiled trousers - when dive-bombed by one. 'Lord G-d' has also been exclaimed - minus the soiled trousers - by those seeing a Canon 1200/5.6L USM for the first time. At 36lbs, 33" long and 9" wide at the front element, calling this lens a 'tele' is like calling King Kong a monkey.

Even with high-rejection shotgun microphones, blimps, softies, and windscreens, wind din is the bane of location recording. An entire industry caters to addressing the problem. Yet, we still regularly encounter wind-related noise when we set up outdoors and slip on our headphones. Here’s some practical advice gleaned from customers in the field who know how to whip wind into submission.