DigitalCameraReview’s Ben has written a brief review of the Lowepro CompuDaypack, a lightweight yet spacious backpack for a notebook model (fits most 17″models) and a digital SLR with lens attached up to a 105mm f/2.8), plus 2-3 additional lenses or flash units.

“The Lowepro CompuDaypack handles all of that extremely well. It’s by no means a light load, but the backpack handles it very well. I don’t have to walk far or leave it on my back very long, but I have worn it for a couple hours at a time with a similar load. The backpack remained very comfortable. PROS: Excellent quality, Holds a lot, but is not too bulky, Good padding for notebook and camera equipment. CONS: Single zipper on top compartment, No extra sleeve to secure smaller notebooks in the larger notebook compartment”

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LowePro Dryzone Rover, the world’s first backpack designed to safely carry both a hydration system and camera gear all inside the same bag, has been reviewed at wyldfires.com

“This is a very good pack. It’s a nice design overall, and it fits me fairly well. The waist belt could do with a little more redesign, but as LowePro doesn’t make multiple sizes to fit multiple people, the waist belt is about as good as it’s going to get. The waist belt fits me “well enough”, although I would have liked for it to fit more, but it’s doubtful that will happen with a one-size-fits-all camera bag.

Switching out lenses quickly is not exactly an option with this bag, but what you sacrifice in quickness, you do get in waterproofing. For hikes where I know things aren’t going to get wet, I will probably pick up something that can attach to the waist belt or to the pack for lenses that I want to interchange quickly.

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Joe Farace has published his review on Gitzo’s Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber Tripod in the Professional Photographer Magazine February 2006 Bonus Content

“Unlike previous Gitzo heads I’ve used, this one features ergonomically designed pan and tilt handles with triangular shaped rubber grips. The handles can be positioned on either the right or the left hand side of the head for southpaws. When shooting vertical images, the G2270M’s mounting plate spots anti-rotation pins that ensure the camera remains stable. The pins are stored in pre-drilled holes under the head when not in use. A large hexagonal locking screw makes it relatively easy to attach and remove equipment. If you need a QR, the $249.95 G2272M model has a quick-release locking system for just $10 more. The 6X Mountaineer Reporter is the best tripod I’ve used in a long, long time. Is it really 6X better? Yes, it is.”

Lowepro has announced a new line of camera bags designed for reporters, photo journalists, travelers, and students;

Stealth Reporter AW Digital Series

The Stealth Reporter AW series are designed for reporters and photo journalist in mind. The bag is waterproof with water-resistant zopper allowing easy and quick access to your equipments. The heavy-duty shoulder strap can be worn sling-style and a stabilizer distributes weight and holds the bag still. The bag also comes with a built-in weather cover to protect it in bad weather.

The Stealth Reporter line ranges from $103-$193 and will be available in March 2006.

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Jamie Loriman has posted a review on a Pocket Wizard, a remote control which allow wireless control over your camera from a distance. The Pocket Wizard has been used extensively mainly by press photographers and nature photographers who may not be able to get close enough to the action/subject themselves.

“Wildlife isn’t really my thing but I can think of a number of ways in which you could use these in such environments. I’m sure a bird, fox, etc is more likely to approach a camera than it is a person. They can also be used to fire flash remotely in much the same way as an ST-E2 would but with more reliability and control. Personally, I love these little gadgets and would buy a pair straight away… however I might have to save up for a little while longer as a sat of these will cost you £260 + vat + the cost of the cable at £82(canon) and £115(Nikon). However I can almost guarantee that at some stage I will end up buying a pair of these magnificent tools, I have sent them back now but my brain is still doing overtime thinking of all the other ways I could use them…from the rafters at an indoor circuit, above a basketball net, on a kart (properly this time), on a motorbike, in the kitchens of EPZ towers at dinner time… the possibilities are endless.”

>> Pocket Wizard Best Price

Fantasea Line, diving and underwater photographic equipment manufacturer, has recently announced the upcoming release of the F350D housing for the Canon Rebel XT digital DSLR. The F350D housing features a unique o-ring and gasket seal and is rated to a depth of 200 feet (60m).

The F350 will be available on February 20th for US$999

We’ve been receiving some e-mails lately complaining about the Sensor Brush, a CCD/CMOS cleaning product by Visible Dust. It’s reported that the brush is too large for the sensor and therefore the brush smeared the sensor with grease from the mirror box.

Here’s one of emails from our readers sent to us about a week ago:

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Jack Neubart wrote an interesting Studio Flash Lighting Tips article at Shutterbug. He explained that it’s not necessary to buy everything at once. In fact, many pros succesfully work with only one or two lights. Moreover, he also wrote tips on matching your lights and lighting accessories to your needs:

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Lowepro, the worldwide leader of protective cases and backpacks for imaging products, is introducing a new line of camera bags designed for sports photographers, photojournalists or anyone who wants to capture life’s once-in-a-lifetime moments and needs quick and easy access to their cameras and accessories.

The unique design of the new SlingShot 100 AW and 200 AW camera bags allow photographers to go from “carry mode” to “ready mode” in seconds. Without removing the bag, simply rotate or “sling” the bag toward the front of the body. The SlingShot AW then provides complete access to cameras, lenses, memory cards and other accessories. The Full Access Lid with reverse open design allows photographers to safely and easily work out of the bag and zip stop buckles keep equipment from falling out.

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Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the Speedlite 430EX flash unit, replacing the popular Speedlite 420EX. The Speedlite 430EX improves on many specifications of its predecessor, and includes new features to maximise digital image quality when using a flash. These include automatic selection of camera white balance settings, and auto-adjustment of the zoom flash position to match the sensor size of the camera to which the unit is attached. The Speedlite 430EX has increased its guide number to 43 (m/ISO 100 at 105mm), and has approximately 40% faster recycling time than the Speedlite 420EX.

An ultra-bright 2-LED configuration focus assist-beam has been designed to be compatible with all focus points within the frame of all EOS AF systems, up to 9-point AF.

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