Lowepro Compurover AW - Review @ Photozone
Photozone has reviewed the Lowepro Compurover AW, a three compartment backpack which will carry a digital pro SLR with lens attached, 2-4 additional lenses (up to 80-200 mm), a 17” notebook computer, digital accessories and personal gear.
“Unlike for most other products the verdict for the Lowepro Compurover AW is quite simple - it promises many things but it just isn’t up to the job it was designed to. The harness system is dismal (in my book at least), the zippers are imperfect at best and the notebook compartment allows too much pressure on the notebook chassis risking damages. That’s three no-goes for a 180€ bag with a brilliant concept but simply a very bad implementation - definitely NOT recommended!”
Nikon Introduces Speedlight SB-400
The SB-400 gives photographers the opportunity to enjoy brighter and more natural lighting for images taken using a flash. It is designed to suit entry-level digital SLR users yet it is also suitable for more experienced users. Those who have a camera within the D2 series will also benefit from the convenient portable flash unit. The SB-400 offers a guide number of 30 (ISO 200, m), and effortless bounce flash function and is controlled in i-TTL and the D40’s M (manual) mode.
Due to its compatibility with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System, entry level users are able to experience a sophisticated wireless lighting system that is easy to use. Its flash head can be tilted in 4 steps, horizontal, 60, 75 and 90 degrees, and has a flash shooting distance range from 0.6m to 20m (depending on the ISO setting). Slow Sync, Red-eye Reduction and other flash modes can also be set on the camera body.
Lowepro Introduces the Apex Collection
The Apex shoulder bags combine rugged, durable construction with a moulded rubber bumper - positioned at the front of the bags to act as an additional protective barrier - to protect gear against knocks and falls when carrying equipment across rough terrain. The shoulder bags are made from water-resistant nylon with reversed silent zippers, as well as an All Weather Cover™ which can be pulled over the bag to protect against rain, dust and sand. The shoulder bags also feature Lowepro’s ‘designed for digital’ soft tricot lining to ensure equipment is protected from dust and scratches too.
Check out other Lowepro collections
Available in five sizes - Apex 100, 110, 120 and 140 - the shoulder bags are fitted with adjustable, padded dividers and inner pockets to accommodate a digital SLR camera plus accessories.
JP Distribution Announces Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe
JP Distribution announce the new Ezybox Hotshoe from award winning manufacturer Lastolite.
A new addition to their ever popular range of portable softboxes, the Ezybox Hotshoe is purpose built to work with shoe mount flashguns. It converts your battery operated tilt head flash gun from a harsh directional light into a soft light that can be mounted onto either a light stand or a camera bracket. It comes complete with Ezybox 15” x 15”, speedring and flash shoe bracket.
The Ezybox Hotshoe expands in the same way any Lastolite product will do. Simply tuck the metal speedring into the back of the softbox and attach the flash gun! The Ezybox (38cm x 38cm), speedring and multi adjustable flash shoe bracket all come supplied in a small Lastolite bag! Perfect for the photographer on the go.
Lastolite CubeLight Review at ThinkCamera
ThinkCamera have recently reviewed the Lastolite CubeLight, a portable studio which the photographer to control the lighting of products, minimizing shadows and isolating the subject from the background.
They rate the cubelight 7/10 and write;
“It does the job very well - but that’s all it does. If you want to build a mini studio that allows you to use soft beautiful lighting then this is almost a no brainer. There are plenty of home brew sites on the web that will show you how to make your own light tent but they won’t give you anything like the flexibility of the Cubelite. The E-Photomaker is a little easier to get on with if you have a compact camera but if you want to take softly lit pictures of big things then a Cubelite should do you nicely. “
Pelican 1600 Case Reviewed
ThinkCamera have recently reviewed the Pelican 1600 Case where they rate the case 8/10 and write;
“If you want to fly with a lot of gear or take cameras into the great outdoors then just get a Peli. It’s that simple - there’s nothing that will give your gear more protection whether you are putting it in an aircraft hold or throwing it in the back of a 4X4 or taking it out in wind rain and storms. However, these cases are not for casual use - they are tough and tough means heavy. I really wouldn’t want to carry a 1600 full of gear more than a dozen yards to a waiting 4X4…”
CBL Professional White Balance Lens
October 5, 2006 — U.K. Distributor Intro 2020 has published information regarding the new CBL Professional White Balance Lenses. CBL White Balance Lenses are a new range of 3 double sided hand held discs which facilitate the accurate measurement of neutral colour balance by reflecting the light falling onto your subject into your lens in order to take a white balance reading.
This system differs from many available products in that it is allowing you to take an “Incident” reading from the light source itself to calculate colour balance, giving highly accurate results in all situations, even where the subject has a particular dominant colour. The product materials are also waterproof and the colour characteristics will not change over time giving consistent and accurate results.
Metz Introduces 58-AF-1 Flashgun
Metz announce the worlds first USB TTL Flashgun - 58-AF-1. The new Metz 58 AF-1 has a maximum guide number of 58 and boasts a number of new features, the most revolutionary of which is the inclusion of a USB port for future upgrading as Camera flash technology changes and new models are released. The new 58 AF-1 also includes Metz unique second reflector which can now be used in Full TTL mode with varying output to ¼ power in order to add a fill light to your subject when “bouncing” the main flash head. The main head of the flashgun also has both tilt and swivel facilities with a reflector card and wide angle diffuser giving unparalleled control together with a zoom head range of 24-105mm. Suggested retail price £309.99.
For photographers requiring a remote facility the 58 AF-1 is compatible with either the Nikon or Canon remote flash system. The flashgun can be set to operate in both Command and Remote modes depending whether it is used as the main flash or as the off camera flash, and it is fully compatible with the Manufacturers own flashguns.
Think Tank Photo New Air Travel Bag Lineup
For photographers, having to check their gear before boarding an airline exposes them to one of their greatest fears: the theft of their equipment and possibly their livelihood. Think Tank Photos (http://www.thinktankphoto.com) newest additions to their air travel line the Airport Check In briefcase and the Airport Antidote Airport Acceleration, and Glass Taxi backpacks allow photographers to carry their bodies, lenses, and accessories onto planes with different carry on requirements and legally store them in overhead bins or under the seat. Being able to travel through airports with the least amount of hassle is of utmost importance to photographers.
When combined with Think Tank Photos breakthrough large backpack, the Airport Addicted, and revolutionary roller, the Airport Security, these new bags provide photographers with a complete menu of options for complying with airline requirements for bag size and weight, as well as the maximum number of bags allowed they can carry onto the plane.
Nikon D80 Underwater Case
The new DX-D80 compact housing is aimed squarely at professionals, but is easy enough to use for photographers at any level. It’s packed with sophisticated features that include a leak sensor, a shutter lever that detects halfway presses, and an ergonomic grip for a comfortable hold. It accepts an interchangeable pickup viewfinder (optional) for vision correction, and its carefully designed controls make it easy for anyone to use the camera intuitively underwater.
The DX-D80 comes standard with two N-type connectors (one 2-pin and one 5-pin connector). The 2-pin connector is compatible with SEA& SEA YS series strobes. The 5-pin connector accepts the optional TTL converter that enables automatic TTL strobe photography. This housing works with NX ports designed for the NX housing series to provide maximum flexibility for the lenses you choose to shoot.
