News

We just got Leeside Windscrim ! Rent cost: $35/day

Please see "Product Review" on this blog for detail.

TREC Digital continues to update and upgrade both hardware and software. Leading the way is the highly requested Canon 5D mkII, its' predecessor the 5D was already popular for it's high image quality in low light situations and small body size. The new model features higher ISO range (ISO 100 - 6400 standard), a bump to 21.1 megapixels, live view, 3" LCD screen, HDMI output and the ability to shoot 1080P video. High quality stills and video from the same body plus the ability to use all the Canon lenses from fisheye to super telephotos.

There are many software updates as well since the programs and workflow is as important as the gear itself. Capture One Pro has been upgraded to version 4 (C4) and features the ability to capture tethered with the Canon 1Ds MkIII. C4 training is coming soon, contact TREC Digital for info. Capture One Pro version 3.79 will continue to be available to those who prefer that iteration. Next up is Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, upgraded to PS CS4 and LR2 respectively. They offer the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw and the ability to work with current RAW formats. The popular CD/DVD authoring software Toast 10 Titanium Pro is another recent addition.

The new software are available today on all towers and laptops.

Call for entry ! TREC ASSISTANTS BI-MONTHLY PHOTO CONTEST.
Please send your info (Name, email address, phone number) to orders@trecrental.com for detail. ***subject line: photo contest****

TREC is now open Saturdays for your convenience. Hours are 9:00AM to 4:00PM

TREC has New Profoto Pro 8A Air available.
We have 24 Pro 8A Air Packs for your needs.

Product Review / Leeside Windscrim

The Leeside Windscrim is designed as a portable and easy-to-assemble control for wind and light.

Measuring 6.5' x 8.2'. Weight 4.6 lbs. The scrim will reduce wind to a workable level and will diffuse light by a neutral one stop. The scrim is constructed on an aluminum pop-up frame with a shock cord running through enabling each pole to fold into three sections. The vented fabric has been coated with PVC layer, making the scrim durable, weatherproof and light. 

Funny / Strange Episode

This is a excerpt from an article published in 1996 on PDN.

TREC rents out nearly every kind of equipment a photographer may use. Many fashion photographers arrange for TREC to deliver every piece of equipment needed for a shoot, including cameras to rental studio. The photographer can simply show up for the shoot, then submit a single all encompassing bill to the client..... In addition to their working with individual photographers, the company also sells and supplies equipment to major studios in New York such as Industria and Studio One. Sharanevych says his individual customers include top names in fashion photography and a following of photographers in all areas who have been turning to him for technical advice for the past 15 years."I have a relationship with my customers," he says. "If they call me before or during a shoot when they are having a lighting problem, I troubleshoot and help them find a way to make it work".

One particularly memorable S.O.S. came to Sharanevych from a fashion photographer, who mid shoot, called complaining that his rented strobes were firing by themselves. Sharanevych asked him to describe the setup; the photographer explained that he had placed three genarators in a inner tube, which he was floating in the middle of a swimming pool while his assistant stood  in the water holding flash heads.  Sharanevych remembers his advice. "I said to him in slow, measured tones, ' This is very important. First, I want you to get everyone out of the pool. Then I want you to unplug the power.' If power had been discharged into the water, it would have killed everyone...instantly. Fortunately, most lighting problems are not so dramatic."

Expert Column / Canon 1DS Mk3 vs 5D Mk2 - by Doug Williams

First off let me just point out that the 5D mark 2 is NOT  a video camera it is a still camera with the option of video.  It seems since its birth the camera has stirred up talk about why one should spend 8 grand on a 1ds mark 3 when they can get the same size file and get video for much less.  In this article I will touch of some of the things that makes the price difference worth it or maybe in your opinion not worth it.

     The major difference between the two systems is their image processor which is the heart of any system.  The 5D MK2 uses the latest processor from canon the DIGIC 4.  DIGIC by the way stands for digital image core. The major improvements to this processor from the previous ones are noise reduction in the higher iso’s, faster image processing and of coarse the ability to shoot HD1080p video. Now the for the 1DS MK 3, this system uses a Dual DIGIC III image processor, which gives you faster capture speeds and better detail and overall image quality.  Both image processors are full frame CMOS chips

     Now the minor stuff or maybe these will be the major stuff to you.  The next thing that’s on peoples mind is speed, the 1DS mark 3  (don’t confuse it with the 1D mark 3 which is twice as fast but half the file size) has a capture rate at 5 frames per second with a burst rate of approx. 12 raw frames before it has to yell at you to stop, the 5D MK 2 has a capture rate of 3.9 frames per sec with a burst rate of approx. 13 raw frames before buffering. After speed I would say the camera companies are really focusing on  ISOs. It seems with every new digital camera their files are really holding up more in the high-end ranges and this is especially the case with these two cameras.  Now both cameras hold up great the 5D MK2 really pushes the range with in a range of  100-6400 with the option to expand with custom functions to (L)50, (H1)12800, (H2)25600 while the 1Ds MK 3 range between 100-1600 with the option of expanding to 50 and 3200. 

     Other differences, 5D MK 2 syncs at 200, has 25 custom functions, 9 AF points +6 AF assist points, and weighs 28.6 oz (body only) versus the 1DS MK 3 syncs at 250^th, has 57 custom functions, 45 AF points + 26 assist AF points, and weighs 42.5 oz (body only).

    So to say that these cameras are equals because they have the same file size, is not really a true statement, the 1DS MK 3 clearly has more bells and whistles and has better image detail.  So the question you need to ask yourself is, are all the extras worth it for what works with your budget.  If you have the budget for a 1DS MK 3, which rents for 345.00 a day, then that camera is clearly the choice, but if the budget is tight or you want to shoot HD video then go with the 5D mark 2 which rents for 195.00 a day.  Both cameras will give you amazing results, now it’s just up to you to make those photographs happen.  

Artist Showcase / Kana Okada

Kana Okada is one of our clients at TREC.

*Please click each image to enlarge

Comment from Kana : 

I get excited most when I shoot overhead. It is just more fun to play with the composition.

These images are from recent editorial works. 

Two of them (risotto and clam) weren't actually selected.

They chose other variations.

She is represented by Michele Karpe. 

www.michelekarpe.com/artists/kana_okada.html