Overnight at Joshua Tree National Park. I was up all night. Amazing Place.

That's a real Rattle Snake looking at me and ready to pounce on me.

Joshua tree with a stacked rock formation behind.

 

Joshua tree making an arch like an entrance to the park.

 

Although not all of my night sky shots came out as I has wished, the sky was amazing and undisturbed by city lights.

We grilled porterhouse steaks and kept warm with a nice fire.

These two crows looked like they owned the place!

The morning after, looking at my images on my iPad 2. Decisions, decisions...

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer  friends,

We spent last night at Joshua Tree National Park, me and my stepson Donovan. I have been wanting to take some pictures, especially night skies images, for a long time. The sky is incredible there as it is not polluted by city lights.

I didn't sleep but for a few hours, so I'm very tired tonight and will not go through all of my images just yet. I will post more on Joshua Tree this coming week with more pictures. I just wanted to upload some images so that you could have an idea of what this wonderful park has to offer for photographers, campers, climbers and nature people.

Good night,

Yvon Bourque

Beep ! Beep ! Vroommm. My brother and I were there to see the road runner in action with our Pentax DSLRs.

  

email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer friends,

My brother and I were visiting the Anza Borrego Desert State Park about a month ago. We were there mostly to take pictures of the California wild flowers. However, a strange bird met us near the entrance of the park. My brother had his Pentax K-x with the 50-200mm kit lens. I had my Pentax K-5 and the K-7 as a backup. I had dropped the K-5 a few days before but all seemed to be okay, until I tried to shoot the road runner. The camera would not get in focus, even in manual mode. There was too much back focusing. Lucky for me, I had the K-7 and exchanged the camera quickly. I was only able to take about 10 shots before I heard Beep! Beep! and it was gone.

The truth of the matter is that I wasn't able to capture that wild bird as much as I would have liked to. As for the K-5, Pentax fixed it, but I don't recommend dropping it from eye level to a concrete floor.

So I credit my brother Roland  for most of the images below. I shot No. 2 and 6, the rest are his images. I used the Tokina 400mm lens and I wish the K-5 would have been used with my now "new" Pentax DA* 300mm".  What can one do...like they say, the best camera is the one you have with you.



Admit it, we all would have like for Wile Coyote to get him at some point.



There is definitely a resemblance.

P.S. Maybe an "Acme Corporation" camera and lens would have been better for taking pictures of the road runner...according to Wile Coyote.

Thank you for visiting,

Yvon Bourque

Using the Pentax K-5 and K-7 with my new DA* 300mm and the AlettA Stabilizer. Terrific combination.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentax friends,

I spent the afternoon trying my new Pentax DA* 300mm with the Pentax K-5 and the Pentax K-7.  Most of the pictures were taken with the K-5 while I was using the K-7 with the DA 16-45mm lens to take picture of the way I was shooting the images.  As you can see below, The stability of the camera was important, as shooting "hand held" with a large telephoto is difficult. I didn't have a tripod on purpose since I also wanted to test my stabilizer as well.

Both performed very well. The DA* 300mm lens is a dream lens. Before getting it, I was using an older Tokina 400mm (soon to be on EBay or you can email me if you want it) which is good enough, but not comparable to the new Pentax DA*  300mm. The 300mm is a bit faster, with a maximum aperture of f/4, and the glass is optimized for today's DSLRs. If you look at the images below, you will see the water droplets very clearly. Of course, the images are small for this blogsite, but the full size images are stunning.  I will certainly have one or two enlarged for display and for selling.

The stabilizer was also instrumental in getting the right shots. It held both, the camera and the heavy lens, motionless like a brick, all without using a heavy and cumbersome tripod. The camera was atop the hood of my truck and some pictures were taken from the roof of the truck.  I even took some pictures with the camera sitting on an old rusty mailbox.

Today, I toot two horns...the Pentax horn for producing such a good lens...and my own horn for coming up with the idea for the stabilizer. I just love it, and if someone else would have designed it, I would have purchase one from them. Actually, it would have been much cheaper. Thus far, until I sell enough of my gizmo, I am in the hole for  thousands of dollars. Go ahead and check how much attorneys charge for a patent, a name registration and a trademark, not to mention forming an LLC company for my own protection. The first few units had to be custom made by a machine shop...just for me. These shops charge about $250.00 to enter the coordinates in the CNC machine the first time, and $75.00 per hour for actually machining the part. I had to rework the design four times before getting it right, but that's okay, because in the end, I got what I wanted. I just paid too much.

All the images of the Sprinklers were taken with the stabilizer set on either the hood or the roof of my truck. The shutter was released using the 2 second timer.

The image below was taken from this old mailbox position.

All four legs set at a different elevation.  It does a lot more that just keeping the DSLR / lens combination from tipping over when resting on a flat surface.

If you are lucky enough to own a K-5...you're lucky enough! As a bonus, the camera has an electronic level indicator which renders the task even simpler.

Thank you for visiting. Please come again,

Yvon Bourque

We may have the AlettA Stabilizer for your DSLR in stock and ready to ship. Check out for Pentax, Nikon and Canon DSLRs.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

I received a lot of emails asking if the current AlettA Stabilizer would fit several or all DSLRs. Not having all cameras brands and models on hand, it would just be guessing from my part to tell you if the current Stabilizer would fit under your camera or battery grip with certainty. I know for sure that it fits perfectly under the Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-7. I visited Sammy's Camera in Pasadena last week and traced templates for the Nikon D-7000, D-700 and D300s, as well as the Canon 5D and 7D. Upon close analysis, I found that the differences between all of these cameras, in terms of footprint, were negligible and that the current Stabilizer would indeed work just fine.

Although we are working on making dedicated Stabilizers for all of the most popular DSLRs, you may want to check the template below with your camera. I do have to say that the Stabilizer works better when installed under a battery grip for the simple reason that the distance between the lens and the Stabilizer is greater and allows for bigger lens (diameter wise).

Click on the image below to download a full size PDF image that you can print on your own printer. I included the dimensions so that you can check the accuracy of your printer. If not accurate, you can change the printer output in terms of percentage (up or down) until your print measurements are 1 to 1 when verified with a ruler. Note that you can also adjust the image size on your monitor until the dimensions are accurate, but you may risk scratching the screen.

To find out more about the AlettA Stabilizers, click on the links below:

AlettA Photographic

What is the Stabilizer?

Testimonies

P.S. If you have, or your friends have Nikon or Canon, or Sony or Olympus cameras, please let them know about the Stabilizers. It would be legitimate, for anyone but me, to post it's availability on any and all forums. I can't do it as it would be considered spamming.

Thank you for your visit,

Yvon Bourque

Testimonies from users of the Aletta Stabilizer.

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

 Hi  Pentaxian friends.

I sold about fifty of the AlettA Stabilizers this first Month and I am getting some testimonies about it's usability. I''m also getting some unexpected new ways to use the Stabilizer. I posted a few emails I received and will do so every week. I certainly don't want to abuse the priviledge of being your host.

*****************************************

From John T Gordon:

The Aletta Stabilizer that I recently purchased is proving to be a perfect companion for my new Pentax K5. It helps in many ways, notably for taking advantage of the live view feature. Never before could I so easily and with confidence place my camera right on the ground or in very awkward positions to take advantage of some unique point of view shots. I haven't removed it from my camera since I got it so there is no need too bring along something extra like a beanbag. The Stabilizer is a well made practical tool that can greatly enhance creativity, as I am now constantly looking for new shooting angle ideas. Stabilizer is a good name because the camera does not shake....period!

Another great use is for candid shots of people who might not really mind having their picture taken but freeze up in front of the camera. With the camera just sitting on the table (and not tipping forward) it doesn't appear to be ready for action...but with the remote you can fire away.

One last thing, it's extremely satisfying to be able to set your camera down and not worry about it tipping or getting bumped, just makes the whole unit feel very professional. It's kind of hard to explain until you have one.

Great product Sir ....keep up the good work John T Gordon.

Thank you so much for your comments John.

*****************************************

From Chip Garre:

I got my Stabilizer, WOW, very nice. It looks nice, is well made, and does all you said it would. It is well worth the money. I also like the name of the company, Aletta, has a nice international ring.

If I may, a couple of suggestions on the next round of manufacturing. I have and use both a K-7 and a K10D (as well as my WG-1, GPS)

The base of the Stabilizer fits the K-7 battery grip perfectly and looks good. However, with the battery grip removed, the slot for the attaching bolt is too short and makes the camera offset from the Stabilizer. Could you make the slot longer?(Following his suggestion, all Stabilizers will now have a slot from the left to right of the stabilizer. Although specifically made for the K-7 and K-5, there are chances that it will fit many other DSLR models.)It is nice to have two sets of legs. Is it possible to include a nut with finger tighting wings so that if the foot bolt is fully extended, it can be "locked" for added stability?(That can be done, however, if that's important to you, Home Depot carries wing nuts for about 10 cents each. The size is 8-32. I think you will find them annoying as the Stabilizer is likely going to be used at many different places with their own irregularities.)I also really like the bolt for attaching the Stabilizer to the battery grip. Is this custom made for you? Is so, could I buy a couple of additional ones to put on my tripods? The method of attachment is much better then using a quarter to turn the screw.(I sold four D-Screws to Chip.)Bottom line..... it is really great, works very well, has gotten good comments by those here who have seen it and it is very well made.

Thanks for your hard work and creativity.

Chip GarreNew Hampshire

Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions Chip.

*****************************************

From Henry Kisor:.

. . arrived yesterday (that was FAST) and I put it into use right away. I especially like it for handheld shooting -- I am of the right stature (short) to rest the stabilizer in my left palm and my elbow on my chest. Steady as a rock!

You asked for suggestions for improvement. I am not sure it can be done, but if you can find a way to put a small quick release on the handgrip so it can be easily removed from the camera along with the stabilizer and battery grip for "naked" shooting, that would be great. (The combination of camera, grip and stabilizer is kind of heavy to be worn around the neck all the time.)( I believe that it can be done using velcro sewed on the straps.I will work on that and offer it as an option a little later on.)Many thanks for this product.

Thank you so much for your comments and great practical suggestion Henry.

*****************************************

So far, I shipped the Stabilizers mostly to the U.S. and Canada but also to Germany, Russia, Luxembourg, Hungary, France, and Norway. I'm so excited.

Thank you all,

Yvon Bourque




Click on the logo above to return to AlettA Photo Blogsite.
http://alettaphoto.blogspot.com/

 http://alettaphoto.blogspot.com/