If you think that any lens is missed in the list please leave me comment below and I will add it.

Data is included only from Mamiya, Phase One and Schneider-Kreuznach Manufactured Lenses.

Table is updated up to September 2023.

Click on table header to sort it.

The post Mamiya an Phase one Lenses Full List 2023 with full specifications appeared first on Teo Totev London Photographer.

I created sortable Nikon F Mount Lenses list to help all fellow photographers who want to be able to choose right lens by focal length, aperture, minimum focal distance, filter size, size of lens and weight.

If you think that any lens is missed in the list please leave me comment below and I will add it.

Data is included only from Nikon Manufactured Lenses.

Table is updated up to September 2023.

Click on table header to sort it.

The post Nikon Nikon F Mount Lenses Full List 2023 with full specifications appeared first on Teo Totev London Photographer.

 

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How to secure phone and iPhone security

Topic of Android/iPhone security is always important for all of us, but it especially important for photo journalists and people which visit dangerous places and countries ruled by dictators.
So what can we do if we cannot buy 10 000$ phone and pay hefty monthly contract so all our communication is going only via VPN to encrypted servers?
Here are some advises how to move your security to next level.
Best security is nobody can hack your applications to listen to your conversations, read your messages or see your photos.
This may sound difficult but it is actually very easy:

Use two separate phones:

•     One only for calls, text messages and photos. Without installing ANY applications on it.
•     Other phone for Facebook and all apps which we are using daily.

If  you don’t want to carry separate photos continue reading below.

I would strongly recommend you to choose iPhone security instead of Android, as there times more hacks and bugs on Android. And fixes for them are usually taking much more time to get released. And if you get older phone you may never get them.

Iphones have filesystem encryption by default. Something which Android phones are lacking. Unfortunately there is no encryption for iCloud backups. So if someone get hold of your iCloud account or government is after you they will very easily get all your passwords, keys, contacts, emails from iClould backups.

Some advises for increasing your mobile phone security level:

1. Install VPN application and use it for all connections to internet. As always free is never truly free so some of free VPN services are selling user data around. If you want totally secure VPN you will have to pay few dollars per month.
2. Use password manager with dual authentication like LastPass and use unique password for each website and application. When generating new passwords ensure that they are 16+ symbols including digits and special symbols.
3. Change all old passwords which you have used until now. It may take some time but it will be worth it.
4. Turn off WiFi when leaving home as it is relatively easy for dedicated enemies to make you cyber trap with fake website, fake application or fake update for mobile app, and push it to you when you use not secured WiFi Networks.
5. Check for fake apps. Click on App in App Store, check Developer name, Age /shouldn’t be less 1 year old/ and ratings numbers. If there is anything suspicious don’t install it. Best way is to go to vendor website and follow lik to App from there instead of searching in App store. Read app reviews especially negative ones.
6. Add PIN code /not four zeroes!/ so SIM card cannot be easily cloned if someone get physical access to your phone
7. Don’t use public chargers and USB ports in coffee shops, airports, trains, train station and so on. As it is very often used attack vector virus to be inserted via USB drive covert at charger. Also use only your own USB charger and don’t loan one from colleagues. Best to have good signature on your charger so it cannot be easily replaced without your knowledge.
8. Disable usage of USB when screen of your mobile device is locked. Turn on USB restricted mode with Settings -> Touch ID & Passcode -> “USB Accessories are not permitted on the lock screen”
9. Set up settings for auto erase of phone content after 10 wrong password attempts. But of course be careful not to give your phone to small kid/baby which can press 10 times code and lead to loss of all your data.
10. Regularly do OS update and update all applications. It is best to set this to automatic updates, as otherwise you might have unsecured app for weeks until you decide to update it.
11. Set up complex password instead 4-6 digit code for unlocking your phone. Go to Settings -> Touch ID & Passcode and enter your newer complex passcode
12. Set up double authentication for both your iCloud and Apple IDs.
13. Disable all cookies saving in mobile phone browser. This may seems a bit draconian, but it is one of most important things. As it is extremely easy for websites to follow you around based on cookies.
14. Disable access to microphone and contacts apart from phone app. And check regularly if anything have changed.
15. Some people would also recommend against usage of SMS as second authentication method. As someone can temporary take your SIM card and receive needed message. But this should be concern only if you leave your mobile phone away you.
16. If you loose your phone wipe it clean remotely. Also wipe completely your phone before selling it and remove it from your iCloud account
17. Don’t jailbreak your phone and don’t install applications from outside app store. Any application downloaded from outside is inviting viruses, hackers and breaching your security.
18. Never apply network settings or phone configurations received by message or over email.
19. Keep only apps which you use and delete rest.
20. Disable bluetooth. Maybe you are not aware but London Underground is tracking all passengers by bluetooth and WiFi addresses of their phones. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/london-underground-wifi-tracking
21. Enable Fingerprint scans and face recognition. Password can be seen by cameras or over your shoulder but fooling biometric data scan is very very difficult. This can be done via Settings -> Face ID & Passcode
22. Use privacy screen protector for mobile so other people cannot see screen of your phone. This is standard across many big corporations for notebooks, and easy and cheap measure which you can take with your mobile phone
23. Don’t use Facebook messenger or WhatsApp for your communications. Facebook is always reading, analysing and saving your communication there.
24. Better use open source encrypted end to end service like Signal
25. Disable Siri, Alexa or Google voice assistant your mobile phone. You don’t want your microphone to listen and record you.
26. Set Safari default search engine to be DuckDuckGo. This might look problematic at first, but there are search engines like DuckDuckGo which are not tracking your searches and selling your data. Google is paying Apple billions per year to keep being default Search Engine.
27. Choose your email provider wisely. In Gmail all your emails are scanned and analysed by company. And you agree to this when you sign for service.
28. Disable load remote images in email settings. Many senders are tracking active users if image is loaded. Sometimes it can be only 1×1 pixel size
29.  Activate “Find my iPhone” service. 
30. Avoid opening unknown links from emails or messages. iPhone security is most often breached by following unknown links.
31. Avoid opening unknown documents from websites or emails. Keep in mind that every document send via Facebook Messenger is kept there forever!
32. Disable location data in images. One can easily track where you were and where you are living with tracking location data of your publicly uploaded images
33. Don’t use Apple auto-fill feature in Safari or Keychain stores website logins. For Safari: Go to “Settings” –> “Safari” –> “General” section –> “Passwords & AutoFill”
34. Never ever save your credit and debit card information anywhere. Not in browser, text file or keystore. Only secure location is your physical wallet.
35. Disable Facebook tracking across other companies apps and websites
36. Disable sharing of data for Vendor Analysis. This shouldn’t be allowed for Apple, Google, Facebook or anyone else.
37. Disable lock screen notifications. Everyone will be able to check them when you went to other room or toilet leaving your phone vulnerable on desk
38. Turn off automatic Sync to iCloud. Many celebrities were hacked because they stupidly saved all photos in iCloud instead keeping their spicy snaps locked at home. iPhone security is good overall but we shouldn’t trust it too much.
39. Reduce screen timeout time to minimum. This will prevent someone snapping your phone when you are not keeping eye on it. I know people in London which got their phone stolen while unlocked, so they lost a lot – photos, emails, messages. Everything was accessed by criminals. So change this via Settings -> General button -> Auto-Lock. Most secure option is Require password code immediately. With this everyone who pick up your phone will be asked for password.
40. Avoid third party keyboard apps. Many of them are snooping your data and passwords
41. Set messages to auto-delete. You may have send password, code or valuable information over message, but you can easily forget after few weeks. And by default this information is kept forever. So set autodelete by Settings -> Messages ->Keep Messages
42. Install Application which identify spam callers. Good one is TrueCaller. Even more draconian way is to silence unknown callers which can be done via Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers
43. If you are scared that police can take your phone and force unlock it with your face you can enable following. Settings ->Emergency SOS -> “Call with Side Button”. In this way when you press five times side button and this will disable biometric unlock. Only way for unlocking phone will be with your passcode.
44. Check iPhone security privacy settings regularly by going to Settings -> Privacy

The post How to secure phone and iphone security appeared first on Teo Totev London Photographer.

As you may have read in my previous blog post here: https://t-e-o.net/nikon-reliability/ I have problems with my Nikon SB-5000 Flash.
After receiving quote of 221GBP for repair by Nikon, I decided to go-ahead and do flash xenon tube replacement by myself.

Below you can see full repair procedure which I have done on my Nikon SB-5000 flash to replace its Xenon Flash Tube.

Here it is flash before repair.

And the Flash Tube part itself. Part number is 1211Y and I have purchased it from ebay for 49.99$.
In old flashes Nikon SB-900 and Nikon SB-910 it was possible to replace only xenon tube for few dolars, but in SB-5000 whole assembly have to be replaced with genuine part.

Pots Which I used for collecting small parts and bolts during disassembly process.

After you rotate flash head at 90 degrees first step is to remove rubber seals on both sides covering set of bolts.
Do not afraid how you will glue them later, they were with sticky substance themselves so no glue was necessary.
For removal I used flat head screwdriver.

Removing Flash Rubber Seal on other side of the flash.

4 Bolts for removal from one side.

And 4 screws from other side.

I used tweezers to remove screws not to loose them as they were very tiny.

Spring button for flash tilting. You have to be careful with this one when you are disassembling and assembling back.

Side view of speedlight with screws removed.

Special three pongs / 3 wings screws which Nikon have put make SB 5000 disassembly difficult for average DIY.

Tools used so far for repair.

Wiha Molybdan Screwdrivers
Bergeon N4932 Knife
Dumont Hi-Tech Tweezers

Using quality screwdrivers is essentials as one damaged screw can bring big troubles.

Closeup on 3 Pong Screw on Nikon Flash

Zacro screwdriver which I used to unscrew 3 pong screws with size 3.0 tip.

Opening of flash with watch knife with blunt edge.

Keep special attention to orientation of freshnel glass /2 parts/ and also rear black divider. There are also 4 screws /2 on each side/.

A bit more closeup photo.

Be careful not to loose this metal plate which is spring loaded and act as release mechanism for tilting the flash.

Here you can see side screws which are quite hidden inside the flash.

Other two on other side of flash.

Keep attention to way barrier in middle of flash is put. Cables are passing where is red circle in photo above.

Next step is to remove sticky tape holding this isolation part around flash head and PCB.

In Lower end of photo you see sticky tape holding insulation part and and on left side are two screws holding motor of flash.

Top PCB of Nikon SB-5000 and marked screw which is holding it.

Take note where cabling are going from each side of flash tube.
There are total of 6 cables, 3 from each side.

Top view of assembly. In centre is motor and on right side are cables soldiered and glued on top. And this is next to very tiny chip.
Really bad news for re-soldiering and repair.

You can see motor assembly here with top screw already removed and removing second screw carefully with tweezers after unscrewing it.

These are screws and parts which I have in my part pot so far. Not a lot but it took me good time to reach this point.

In top center you see where motor is pulling xenon tube assembly. Don’t forget to set it in same way with new tube assembly.
On right there is small sensor which is very fragile so be extra carefull with it.
On bottom are 0.6mm e-clips which were very difficult for removal.
I used very small watch screwdriver to pull them, but unfortunately one of them become bend.
While I was trying to straighten it, it fly away and with its microscopic size it wasn’t possible to found.
So I was put between two choices:

– to wait few weeks for replacement
– to fix it in another way
I choose second option for which you can read below.

Here are these extra special 0.6mm e-clips #047 /part number BS810-047/ if you want to order them.

You can see how tiny is the e-clip compared to bolts and flash rubber seal.

Here you can see drive shafts and place where e-clips were placed preventing shafts from any moving or slipping.

I took a photo so I can see later which was place where cables connect to PCB from flash tube.

Again, there are 3 cables on each side.

Already installed cables and comparison with ones in new flash xenon tube.

As you can see in middle of photo cables were soldered and glued next to very small chip.
So I decide not to solder them on PCB, but to strip cables and solder them on the side.
As if I damage this chip with heat it will be expensive to replace PCB also.

I used cable stripping tool to strip cables.

After I put new Xenon tube assembly on drive shafts I have left cables on side to connect.
This was most difficult part of Nikon Flash Tube Replacement.

To have secure connections I did first cable twisting with tweezers.

Here are all cables on one side ready for soldering.

Soldered Cables on one side.

Soldered cables on other side.

All soldering was done with Kester SN60PB40 solder. Good quality solder is making work very easy.
For audio connections I usually use solder with silver /Ag/ but it require high temperature to work so not best for sensitive electronics.

And my Weller EC2002M soldering station.

Here you can see most of tools which I used during repair of Nikon SB-5000.

Next step after soldering was to put heat shrinking tube on top of cable connections.
It is easy to be done if you hold tube/cables with big tweezers.

I forget to show this picture earlier, but this is why I choose to solder cable outside of board.
First there was glue on top of cables, and over really small chip.
So damaging it while removing glue and soldering was real danger.

Here are heat shrinking tubes which I have pug on 3 of the cables connections.

And 3 cables from other side after soldering and covering with tube.

To fix drive shaft without missing 0.6mm e-clip I used hot glue.

I have applied it with Dremel 930 Dual Temperature hot glue gun.
I used lower temperature glue sticks and gun set at lower temperature.
Before I was using no-name Chinese glue gun, but it was very hard to make any precision put of glue with it, and Dremel 930 make a big difference.

Closeup of silicone /hot glue/ which I have put.

Next step was to use cable tie to hold cables together.

Here it is size of cable tie which I user for repair.

Don’t forget to cut cable tie to shortest possible length.

Assembly further was much easier.
Screw 2 screws on each side.
Put black metal divider behind flash.

These are special tweezers which I used for holding screws to put them in tight places.

Before putting back glass fresnel see which is correct way.
As even it looks same on top/bottom, side shapes are different and there is only one correct way you can assemble it.

So here it is glass fresnel slided in, back divider also in place and black plastic protector put on.

So from here there were only to put two screws on top, and 8 screws on side and flash was fully assembled back.

With this Nikon Flash Tube Replacement of my Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight have completed.

If you would like to find more and to see more of my photography work, please visit main part of my Website. For any queries and bookings please contact me. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

The post Nikon SB-5000 Flash Repair appeared first on Teo Totev London Photographer.

After I get shutter count of my NikonD100 /my first DSLR/ to over 100 000, one of shutter blades bend.
I was able to bend it back in correct shape and it continue working without any problems.

Also my old Wide Angle Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f2.8 was sometime not auto-focusing in cold weather.
Especially in Swedish winters.

And these were only Nikon reliability problems which I have faced in 10+ years.

But in 2020 I started having problems.

With my old Nikon D800 Camera outdoors I was using camera as master flash and had as 2xSlave Flashes Nikon SB-600

This setup was working perfectly fine and I never had problems with it.
Of course sometimes slaves are not triggered by optical trigger but this was on less than 10% of photos.

And it is just how optical triggering work, not problem of flashes.

So when I bought 2 years ago my Nikon D850 I had to change my Nikon Master Slave outdoor Flash setup as camera no longer had integrated flash

And I bought Nikon SB-5000. Newest flash from Nikon.

First one which allow wireless triggering, but unfortunately not directly from Nikon D850 Camera.

Unfortunately it is also first Nikon flagship flash made in China.
All previous top flashes like Nikon SB-800, SB-900,SB-910 were made in Japan.

But one would think, with so many things made with big reliability in China, Nikon camera flash reliability should not be a problem at all.

But it turn out that this was not the case.
During shoot with customers outdoors my SB-5000 flash stop firing completely. And as it was master flash, I couldn’t continue my Master/Slave setup anymore.
I tried to change batteries of flash this changed nothing.
Even flash test button was not activating flash.
Only loading noise was heard but no light coming at all from flash bulb.

Really pity part was that this flash was not so much used. Probably less than 3000 flash cycles in total.
Never dropped or hit.
And on the day I have made only 30 flash cycles before it burn out.
These were also not in fast sequence as I was changing poses of customers with each shot.

From what I read around forums other people also had same problem, and it looks that there is problem with design of flash system board and flash tube.
Third party companies here in UK charge 120GBP for change of flash bulb, but I send my flash to Nikon and still waiting for quote of work.
As they may change both flash bulb and system board of my faulty Nikon SB-5000.

Then just few days later I was doing walk in nature in one of national parks not very far from London.
Also this was very close to London Stansted Airport so good opportunity to take photos of planes so I took my Nikkor 200-400mm f4.0 VR lens.

Although still in winter season, outside temperature was around 10-11C.
So I take lens out of its soft case where I was keeping it while not in use.

Removed hood protector and cap /always recommend using third party caps on telephoto lenses for additional protection/.
Point camera to some dog in distance, press shutter and heard “sssssssssszzzzhhh” squeezing noise for one second and autofocus completely stopped
Switched camera off/on, unmounted/mounted lens again to camera body, changed camera battery, switched off/on VR and focus setting on lens, but still same result.
Lens have stopped autofocusing completely.
As you can imagine this have ruined my day, and also will ruin my wallet.
Nikon Auto Focus Motor are known for squeezing noise, but wasn’t expecting such problems on lens which is not seeing so much use.

From what I read in US change of autofocus motor on Nikon 200-400mm f4 lens is being charged by Nikon in range of $550.
So here in UK I would expect bill of 500GBP+.

Quite disappointing Nikon reliability with two serious failures in just two weeks

As I was out I tried taking photos with manual focus which was not fun at all with lens designed for auto-focus.
But still was able to catch Emirates Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-EQL taking off from London Stansted Airport.

I decided to update further this post with progress of my SB-5000 flash repair by Nikon.
I send it with https://www.myhermes.co.uk/ as they have nearest collection point to me and reasonable price. Although sending price was £3.66 , but insurance for parcel up to £200 was £6.84.

So here it how it goes by dates:

Travelling with Hermes

Wednesday 29 January – 21:44 – Parcel dropped to Hermes Collection Point
Thursday 30 January – 14:32 – Parcel Collected by Hermes from Parcel Shop
Thursday 30 January – 17:46 – Parcel Received at the sender’s local depot
Friday 31 January – 03:43 – Parcel Sorted at national hub
Friday 31 January – 21:48 – Parcel Received at recipient’s local depot
Saturday 01 February – 15:26 – Parcel Out with the recipient’s local courier to reattempt delivery
Monday 03 February – 06:33 – Parcel Out with the recipient’s local courier for delivery
Monday 03 February – 13:54 – Parcel Delivered to Nikon Repair Center

With Nikon Repair Center:

Monday 03 February – 13:54 – Parcel Delivered to Nikon Repair Center
Thursday 06 February – 13:00 – Email send that Flash was received on “6th of February” and “Awaiting technician estimate of required work“
Monday 10 February – 13:00 – Status with Nikon Repair Center is still “Awaiting technician estimate of required work”
Monday 17 February – 12:00 – Status with Nikon Repair Center is still “Awaiting technician estimate of required work“

At this point of time after waiting for 2 weeks since delivery to Nikon Repair Center, I give them a call. They said there is slight delay in processing repair and my flash should be with technician tomorrow. Also they said that usually it takes 5 to 10 working days to give initial quote for work, and another 5 to 10 working days for actual repair.

So far as you can see process of delivery and repair is painfully slow

Tuesday 17 February – 9:30 – Finally received repair quote from Nikon.

But I was shocked by repair quote.
Bear in mind that this was for “mint” flash with very little use.

Here are details of quote for Nikon SB-5000 repair by Nikon Service Center:
Labour:

Labour Billable (1.5h) 62.61GBP

Required Parts :

121NM-A08C3S FLASH PCB UNIT £ 39.30
11V5J-A08C7C WIRE £ 28.9
11V5B-A08C7B WIRE £ 22.34
1212A-A09RPL MAIN CONDENSER UNIT £ 51.95

Freight cost £ 5.46
Tax amount £ 36.91

Total: £221.46

It looks that Nikon what to change everything in my SB-5000 flash apart from Plastic shell.
But New SB-5000 /grey import/ in ebay is costing 329GBP!
So to pay 221GBP for repair is total non-sense. Unfortunately I had to wait more than two weeks to get this estimate.

When I receive my flash back I will decide to do one of two options:
– replace flash bulb myself
– send it to local camera service here in London which charged fixed 119GBP /including VAT/ for flash bulb replacement on SB-5000. Their website is: https://www.hlehmann.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d207172_Nikon-Speedlight-Repair.html . I haven’t used them yet, as I was hoping Nikon will provide better service at reasonable price, but obviously no.

If you would like to find more and to see more of my photography work, please visit main part of my Website. For any queries and bookings please contact me. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

The post Nikon Reliability appeared first on Teo Totev London Photographer.

Actor next to BAFTA symbol at Premiere.

One of movie stars with really impressive dress.

Did some photo shots during interviews which were going around.

Guests arriving at party.

Young actresses enjoying the party and photos by Party Photographer Based in London Teo Totev.

Actors have great expressions and are really good for party photos.

Another photo of London actor during interview.

Interview Photography by Teo Totev Photography.

Live on TV

As famous party photographer I have to capture all moments of party. So it was hard work but customers are happy with it.

Q & A with director and producer of movie Interneurs

Actors in light of projector.

Film crew group photo.

Interview with Director and Producer.

BAFTA Piccadilly club photo by Teo Totev

BAFTA Nominations

BAFTA Movie Premierre

London event photography by Teo Totev Photography.

Event photography in London available by me. For bookings please use contact form.

It was one great evening, lot of smiles and good photos!
If you would like to find more and to see more of my photography work, please visit main part of my Website. For any queries and bookings please contact me. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

The post BAFTA Movie Premiere by Party photographer based in London Teo Totev appeared first on Teo Totev London Photographer.

London Mayor Himself in classic horse carriage

Gold Carriage was amazingly beautiful. No wonder it is getting outside only once per year.

If you haven’t seen sailors marching on pavement holding rowing paddles.

Of course what is parade without marching troops.

And some leaders on horses.

Also minor royals in state car.

There was group of old mans dancing nearby, even I’m not 100% if this was special for the show day.

London Mayor Show in London is always great place to see dresses and uniforms outside of museums on real people.

There was also official I guess Royal Drummer on horse.

Royal marines travelling with their boat on truck.

It was great London Show with Soldiers from different eras.

Beautiful soldiers uniform in red.

There were soldiers waving real swords, so one could feel like going into war.

Marines marching on London Streets.

And of course properly dressed coachman.

More soldiers with swords.

UK Soldier Saluting to people

This UK Army Commando I guess from Engineering forces really impressed me. He was carrying automatic riffle, pistol, really big sledge hammer / demolition bar, big backpack, ladder, large bolt cutters. It is easy to estimate that all this was heavier than 40kg.

VIP Carriage in London

WWII Military Style soldier on horse.

There was lot of funny participants in parade like this smiling lady from Yorkshire tea in form of giant pot.

Drummer on top of this beautiful horse.

Coachman looking like coming out directly from Charles Dickens Book.

Coachman in bright red uniform with VIP passangers.

When you become high in army hierarchy it is easy to become overweight.

Fur Coated warriors also walked on streets of London as part of London Mayor Show.

There were also generals decorated with feathers.

Golden Horse Carriage of London City Mayor with 4 horses in front and soldiers marching next to it.

Happy horse riders in uniforms.

Pageantmaster of the Lord Mayor’s Show Dominic Reid

Horse Orchestra

London Horse Guards

London Policeman with moustaches

Lord City Mayor William Russell

This was end of Lord Mayor Parade London. One great event!

But very glamorous and must do for every Londoner or tourist who is in November in London.

Good bye and see you again on next year show!

If you would like to find more and to see more of my photography work, please visit main part of my Website. For any queries and bookings please contact me. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

The post Lord Mayor Show London appeared first on Teo Totev London Photographer.

But it turns out that with photography I have now much better view about correct colours and composition.
Of course painting is far from perfect, especially it was done in only 2 hours, but it will make me sing in paining class in 2020.

Here are two photos of paining.

One shot with iPhone immediately after I finish drawing:

And second one which I tried to capture better with DSLR camera.
But it turns out that creating a painting is easier than capture it correctly on photo.

For 2020 I plan to buy Oil Paints, bigger canvas. Try to paint again and even sign for Painting classes.

If you would like to find more and to see more of my photography work, please visit main part of my Website. For any queries and bookings please contact me. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

The post Eiffel tower painting appeared first on Teo Totev London Photographer.