Camera Obscura

Mainline Christmas Holidays.

Scott — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:50:16 +0000

Just a quick post to thank you all for your support and business during 2011. We are off for our annual holidays from the 23rd of Dec until the 18th of January.

Merry Christmas and Happy New year from all of us at Mainlinephoto!

Gift ideas for photographers. The Australian Photography and Gallery Compendium.

Scott — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:36:33 +0000

Looking for cool gift ideas for the photographer that has well you know has almost everything. Here is a really good recommendation.

The Australian Photography and Gallery Compendium is a perfect gift for any person with an interest in photography. At $55 plus postage this beautifully hardbound book contains a collection of treasured images from a wide range of Australian photographers. To see more information click on the image below.

This books is a real work of art and a credit to the photographers and edtiors!

This large coffee table book is a photographic book that you will pick up again and again.

New Expert Shield Screen protectors for Fuji X100.

Scott — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 04:08:06 +0000

We were looking for a good quality screen protector for our X100 cameras as Rene found out to his dismay the plastic is pretty soft and marks easily. So we got hold of some of these and we liked them so much we approched Expert Shield to become the Australian Agents. We are proud to annouce they are available in two versions now in our webshop.

There are two models one is the anti glare which is pictured on my X100 below and the standard gloss version. I love the Anti glare one as while a little grainy I rarely use the screen and this cuts down on reflections coming off the gloss screen. Rene on the other hand prefers the gloss as he can see every detail.

These Screen protectors are of the highest quality for more details see our website here.

A great night out. The Genesian Theatre Kent St Sydney.

Scott — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:25:57 +0000

Last month Monica and I were invited to attend the first non professional performance of Agatha Christe’s The Mousetrap at the Genesian Theatre. What a delightful experience it was the old church that has been converted into a theatre is a perfect place to spend a sunday afternoon. If you live in Sydney and enjoy the performing arts then do yourself a favour and check it out. The Genesian Theatre.

With it’s rustic interior that seats only 120 the theatre has real atmosphere.

Airline strikes are not new. 50 years of historical photographs.

Scott — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:03:03 +0000

TWA planes stand idle during the 1961 Strike in the US

Photography has the amazing ability to freeze moments in time, as we are a reminded in this stunning collection of images. Scrolling through these 50 images from 1961 is like taking a walk through history – from the inauguration of John F. Kennedy as the 35th president of the United States to the construction of the Berlin Wall.

Sirui wins German FOTO Magazine award. Best Carbon Fibre Tripod 5 stars!

Scott — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:16:32 +0000

Well the folks at Sirui are right chuffed at the moment and so they should be. When one of the world’s most authoritative Photographic magazines pits your carbon fibre tripod against all other major brands including Gitzo in a best of shootout and you win by quite a margin you would have to be happy.

The Sirui tripods have been flying off the shelves here and no wonder, at the price they are for the quality and design there is no need to look further for your dream tripod. Looking for the perfect christmas present for the photographer take a look at our hot picks below. Or if you want one for christmas? then be quick put it on your wish list now to make sure Santa gets it before they sell out.

Here is a few of our picks:

Ultra light travel tripod setup.

Perfect for the uber lightweight traveller as you usually leave the tripod at home and regret it when you need one.

We recommend the Best selling T-025 ( inc c10 head) 800 grams of carbon magic folds to 30cm! Only $195.00

Something that is still lightweight but with increased stability.

Perfect for the gentleman style traveller who still carries a carpet-bag but needs to have room to spare for other goodies. Or maybe a your an outdoor adventurer into photography who wants to be able to strap it on a pack?

Too easy the choice is the T-1204X $249.00 for you combined with a KX10 head $109.00 it weighs 1.1 kg.

The all rounder!

Ok so your tripod needs to be a jack of all trades ,your photography takes you far and wide, like a chameleon, one day it will be your Leica M9 on it the next your 617 Linhof and the day after your 5d at the racetrack.

We have got you covered the N-2204 just 1.3kg without head and with a height of 1.650 mt is the perfect all rounder comes with retractable spikes and a leg that removes to become a monopod. All this goodness for only $375.00! We recommend the KX 20 or KX 30 ballheads for this tripod. Wins our top pick for a Landsacape/Nature tripod.

Tip: Using a tripod even when it is not totally necessary I find slows me down and gives me more focus on the image I am trying to capture. A tripod is an important tool that many of us too often overlook.

Or you can browse the Sirui website right here at Sirui Tripods.

No words needed….

Scott — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:25:58 +0000

How to focus a Rangefinder camera.

Scott — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:20:13 +0000

Neat and simple video by Freelance Photographer ( and Mainline customer) Kristian Dowling.

Kristian has also started a new Photographic news website called Photohub. Hop on over to catch all the latest news and gossip.

Photographing Ferrets… not recommended with your phone.

Scott — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:02:44 +0000

This weekend we had our grand day out at the Ferret Fun day. This one is always particularly enjoyable for the ferrets as the hosts have turned part of their backyard into a ferret heaven with tunnels dug under the turf all over the place. Our ferrets had a ball and returned home needing a good bath.

Ruby on guard duty… this tunnel is mine!

I thought about which camera to take with me and settled on my smartphone… everyone is taking about how good/cool the phones are for taking pictures. Well maybe they are but don’t expect your phone to be perfect in daylight with fast moving objects. No wonder I was the only one using a phone. Doh! Umm…. yup that was the best shot I got.

Recycle your old cameras at Mainlinephoto.

Scott — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:49:02 +0000

We are now part of the national camera recycling network so bring in ( or send them in) those old cameras hanging around gathering dust. Why recycle them here is the good oil here.