August Newsletter
Greetings from
Porter's Camera Store!


Whether you shoot with a 35mm SLR, a digital camera or video, the world of close-up photography yields fascinating results. Casual snapshooters seldom take close-up shots, so adding a few well-executed close-up shots to your collection will catch plenty of attention when viewed by others.

WHAT TO SHOOT?
There are no limits. Nature subjects such as flowers, leaves and rocks are very popular objects to photograph, since capturing the colors, shapes and textures is an interesting challenge. Look also for close-up details of commonplace objects. They can be good "what is this?" puzzles for the viewer.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?
It depends on what type of camera you will be using. 35mm point & shoot cameras are limited to the closest they can focus, so most are not well-suited for this type of photography. A 35mm or digital SLR camera is a natural choice for close-up shooting, since the viewfinder gives you an accurate preview of focus and cropping. Also, a set of filter-like close-up lenses enables the prime lens on an SLR to focus much closer. Each lens attachment in the set is a different strength, so select the one from the set to cover the corresponding distance range. If you intend to do quite a bit of close-up photography, consider getting a fixed focal length macro lens. This type of lens is designed for close-up shooting and will focus continuously from infinity down to a few inches with outstanding sharpness.

Video camcorders and compact digital cameras often have outstanding close-up capability. Their lenses are much shorter in focal length than 35mm cameras, providing good close-focusing ability and plenty of depth of field. Their LCD viewfinders and monitors give you a great preview of the subject. With some, switch the camera into a special close-up mode to shift the lens into the correct focusing range.

LIGHTING TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
Good lighting, whether sunlight or artificial, is the key to successful results. Take several shots, moving the camera position between shots, to try different lighting angles. If you're shooting a flower or some other translucent object, take some pictures with natural light coming from the side and some with the light coming from behind the flower. The side- and back-lighting will make the colors glow and add more dimension to the photo than with frontal lighting. Be sure to use a lens hood to keep the lighting from causing lens flare that will degrade the image.

The quality of light is also important. Cloudy and partly cloudy days are often better for close-ups outdoors, since the lighting is much less harsh than on a bright sunny day. Ideally, the lighting should have enough contrast to cast a shadow, but the shadow should have some detail in it and not be solid black. The strong lighting of full sunlight can be very effective as a sidelight to bring out texture and form of opaque objects such as weathered wood and metal. Care must be taken to keep important details from washing out in the highlights.

Reflector panels are a great way to easily modify the quality and quantity of light. Holding a reflector to one side lets you add fill light, reflect light into shadow areas, or block light from the background to darken it. They can be as simple as cardboard or foamcore sheets, maybe 8x10 inches to 16x20 inches in size, or pop-out round fabric reflectors in translucent, white, silver or gold colors. With your camera mounted on a tripod and a cable release or remote control cord attached, move the reflector around until you get the effect you want, then take the picture.


We Have A Winner!
Congratulations to Bob Garas for winning the July "RED" Porter's/Tamron Calendar Photo Contest! His winning entry and the other monthly winners are ready for downloading as 2006 monthly calendars on our web site at http://www.porters.com. Now in its second year, this popular contest has new themes for each month. Be sure to download last year's monthly winners to create your own 2005 calendar.

NEW CONTEST FORMAT...
Porter's has updated the Tamron Photo Calendar Contest to make it more user-friendly. Check it out today:
View 2006 Calendar Entries
Submit Your Photo Today (Theme: Portraits)

WHAT’S NEW AT PORTER’S

VANGUARD 12X50 BINOCULARS
Thanks to a recent special buy from the manufacturer, we have a great price on the powerful and bright Vanguard BR 12x50 Binoculars. Featuring a rubber armor-covered aluminum body and optical glass elements and porroprisms, these full size binoculars deliver a winning combination of brightness, field of coverage and dramatic 12X power. Get the Vanguard BR 12x50 Binoculars (38-7023) now for only $29.99. See them on page 130 of Porter’s 80A Catalog and online at http://www.porters.com.
SLIK U9000 TRIPOD
Slik is one of the world’s most prominent tripod makers and when you see the new U9000 Photo/Video Tripod, you’ll understand why they have a solid reputation. The U9000 is very modestly priced, yet has a silky smooth 3-way pan head, the locks on the 3-section legs secure the legs smoothly and it extends to a generous 59 inches. It’s a good choice for any photo or video camera that weighs up to 4.5 pounds. See the Slik U9000 (16-0319, $54.99) on page 45 and online at http://www.porters.com.
SUNPAK AUTO 383 FLASH
While the Auto 383 doesn’t offer dedicated operation and a long list of specifications, it makes up for that with solid performance, plenty of power and an attractive price. It’s an excellent choice for an older manual 35mm or medium format SLR, with a powerful ISO 100 guide number rating of 120, tilt and swivel bounce, 3 auto range modes, variable manual power to 1/16th power, and quick recycling. See the Sunpak Auto 383 Flash (12-0502, $99.99) on page 66 and online at http://www.porters.com.
PORTER’S 4-CHANNEL RADIO FLASH TRIGGER
Our single-channel radio flash slave set has been a popular way to fire studio flash without tethering the camera to the flash system with a sync cord. Our new 4-channel set improves on the original by letting you select from four different radio frequencies. Now you can avoid interference from a neighboring photographer at a shoot, or have more than one lighting setup in a studio, each triggered independently. See the new Porter’s 4-Channel Radio Flash Slave Set (13-0625, $139.99) on page 75 and online at http://www.porters.com.
PENTAX *ISTDL DIGITAL SLR CAMERA
Although it can be argued that Pentax can use some help coming up with better names for their digital SLRs, it is clear they have plenty of expertise designing and building them. The new *istDL is smaller and lighter than most competitors, but has a stainless steel chassis for rigidity, a 6 megapixel CCD for resolution up to 3008 x 2008 and a wide range of auto and manual modes. Priced at $799.99, the *istDL (03-0243) includes the Pentax DA 18-55mm zoom lens. (Many other D-SLRs at this price are for the body-only.) See the Pentax *istDL on page 2 and online at http://www.porters.com.
OLYMPUS D-630 DIGITAL CAMERA
Only about the size of a wallet, Olympus somehow found room to fit in a 5 megapixel CCD, a 3X optical zoom lens, a 2.0” LCD monitor/viewfinder and an in-camera help guide that gives you assistance when you need it. Learn more about the Olympus D-630 (03-0233, $299.99) on page 8 and online at http://www.porters.com.

PORTER'S DIGIPRINT WEB PRINTING SERVICE

You have some great pictures taken with a digital camera. Don't let them be forgotten, hidden away in your computer and seldom viewed. Have them printed on REAL photo paper, suitable for framing or adding to your photo album. No need to send us your camera memory card,
http://www.porters.com.
• Sizes from 3-1/2 x 5 to 8 x 12"
• Choice of glossy or matte surface
• Pictures burned to CDs
• Very reasonably priced
• Invite some of your friends and family to view your uploaded images and order their own prints
• Easy step-by-step ordering with clear instructions
• Printed on conventional Kodak color paper for vivid colors that will look great for decades
• Full details at http://www.porters.com.
Click on "Print Digital Photos" on the home page to learn more about this exciting way to improve your digital photography.

REBATES AND PROMOTIONS TO $AVE YOU MONEY!
Application forms will be included with purchases for all applicable items.Instant rebates are deducted from your purchase price. All other offers are direct to you from the manufacturer after the time of purchase.
Item
Order Number
Rebate Amount
Purchase By
Canon ZR100 MiniDV Camcorder 19-1071 $20 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Canon ZR200 MiniDV Camcorder 19-1072 $50 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Canon ZR300 MiniDV Camcorder 19-1073 $50 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Canon Elura 85 MiniDV Camcorder 19-1074 3 FREE Software Packages by mail.
Download Rebate Form		 Sept. 30, 2005
Canon PIXMA iP6000D Inkjet Printer 31-0695 $20 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Canon PIXMA iP6000D Inkjet Printer + Canon Elura 85 MiniDV Camcorder 31-0695+
19-1074		 $70 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Canon PIXMA iP6000D Inkjet Printer + any Canon Powershot Digital Camera listed on the same receipt. 31-0695+
03-0165
03-0166
03-0186
03-0195
03-0196
03-0235
03-0236		 $70 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Canon Pixma MP760 Photo All-In-One Printer + any Canon Powershot Digital Camera listed on the same receipt. 31-0792+
03-0165
03-0166
03-0186
03-0195
03-0196
03-0235
03-0236		 $50 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Epson Stylus Photo R800 Inkjet Printer + any 3 megapixel or larger digital camera on the same receipt. 31-0619
$50 Rebate Download Rebate Form		 Sept. 30, 2005
Epson PictureMate Portable 4x6 in.Printer + any 3 megapixel or larger digital camera on the same receipt. 31-0628
$50 Rebate Download Rebate Form		 Sept. 30, 2005
Epson Stylus C200 Inkjet Printer + any 3 megapixel or larger digital camera on the same receipt. 31-0725
$50 Rebate Download Rebate Form		 Sept. 30, 2005
Epson Stylus Photo R320 Inkjet Printer + any 3 megapixel or larger digital camera on the same receipt. 31-0744 $50 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Epson Stylus Photo R1800 Inkjet Printer + any 3 megapixel or larger digital camera on the same receipt. 31-0746 $50 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Epson PictureMate Deluxe Printer + any 3 megapixel or larger digital camera on the same receipt. 31-0797 $50 Rebate Download Rebate Form Sept. 30, 2005
Epson PictureMate Deluxe Printer 31-0797 $50 Rebate Download Rebate Form Oct. 1, 2005
Hewlett Packard Photosmart 7760 Printer 31-0614
$50 Rebate when purchased with any digital camera over $129.00.
Download Rebate Form		 Oct. 1, 2005
Hewlett Packard Photosmart 375 Printer 31-0716
$50 Rebate when purchased with any digital camera over $129.00.
Download Rebate Form		 Oct. 1, 2005
Hitachi Microdrive, 2GB 31-0634 $20 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 Sept. 30, 2005
Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera 03-0201 $50 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6D ED Zoom Lens 09-0899 $50 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Metz 44 AF-4 Flash 12-0487 $15 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 Dec. 31, 2005
Metz 44 AF-4 Flash 12-0488 $15 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 Dec. 31, 2005
Metz 44 AF-4 Flash 12-0489 $15 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 Dec. 31, 2005
Metz 54 AF-1 Flash 12-0490 $20 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 Dec. 31, 2005
Metz 54 AF-1 Flash 12-0491 $20 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 Dec. 31, 2005
Metz 54 AF-1 Flash 12-0492 $20 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 Dec. 31, 2005
Metz 54 MZ-4 Flash 12-0478 $40 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 Dec. 31, 2005
Metz 54 MZ-4 Flash 12-0479 $40 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 Dec. 31, 2005
Nikon N80 Autofocus SLR Body only 01-0546 $50 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Nikon N75 body only 01-0575 $30 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Nikon Coolpix 8700 Digital Camera 03-0136 $50 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Nikon D70 Outfit with AF-S DX 18-70mm f3.5-4.5G Zoom Nikkor Lens 03-0135 $100 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f2.8D ED-IF Lens 09-0864 $100 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f2.8D ED-IF Lens 09-0865 $100 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8D Lens 09-0866 $100 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8D ED Lens 09-0867 $100 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Nikon 24-85mm f3.5-4.5G AF Zoom Nikkor Lens 09-0875 $50 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Nikon SB-800 Speedlight 12-0458 $25 Rebate
Download Rebate Form		 August 31, 2005
Pentax Optio 750Z Digital Camera 03-0190 $50 Visa Gift Card
Download Rebate Form		 January 31, 2006
Pentax Optio S45 Digital Camera 03-0242 $30 Visa Gift Card
Download Rebate Form		 January 31, 2006
Tamron AF 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR Super Zoom
Aug. 31, 2005
Tamron AF28-300mm Di XR Lens


$30 Rebate and Free Camera Bag. Download Rebate Form
Aug. 31, 2005
Tamron AF28-75mm f2.8 Di Zoom Lens 09-0871
09-0872
09-0873
09-0874
$30 Rebate Download Rebate Form		 Aug. 31, 2005
Tamron AF200-500mm Di Zoom Lens 09-0907
09-0908
09-0909
$30 Rebate Download Rebate Form		 Aug. 31, 2005
Tamron F17-35mm f2.8-4 Di Zoom Lens 09-0887
09-0888
09-0889
09-0890
$20 Rebate Download Rebate Form		 Aug. 31, 2005
Tokina AF 19-35mm EMZ Zoom Lens 09-0760
09-0761
09-0762
09-0816		 $20 Rebate Download Rebate Form Oct. 31, 2005
Tokina AF80-400mm Telephoto Zoom Lens 09-0846
09-0847
09-0848
09-0849		 $40 Rebate Download Rebate Form Oct. 31, 2005
Tokina AF28-70mm f2.8 High Speed Lens 09-0842
09-0843
09-0844
09-0845		 $30 Rebate Download Rebate Form Oct. 31, 2005

Copyright 2005
Porter's Camera Store
P.O. Box 628
Cedar Falls, IA 50613-0028
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