I've been making pictures for ten years, and I've tried most of the camera carrying systems on the market. However, the one system I've chosen to invest in is the Spider Holster. It's certainly not the least costly option, but it is the most secure and most comfortable. Spider Holsters take all the weight of your camera and put it on your hips, not your shoulders. When I use neck straps with a camera, I get a kink in my neck immediately — cameras are heavy! I last a few minutes longer if I use a sliding shoulder strap, but I can go for days … [Read more...] about Gear review: Spider Holster’s camera carry system
sling
New, Revamped Peak Design Slide Offers Comfort and Gear Security
I've been a user of Peak Design products for the last few years, mostly with their Peak Design Slide camera strap. It's been the most comfortable strap I use, offering me the ability to use it as a sling and hold my heavy camera gear at my side, rather than in front of me. Now, they've introduced version 3 of the strap. The newest Slide strap debuted in December, and I immediately ordered one! While the adjustments are small, the difference is mighty. Increase in Comfort and Adjustability If you've never seen or used the Slide strap, think … [Read more...] about New, Revamped Peak Design Slide Offers Comfort and Gear Security
A Hands-On Review of the Ruggard Triumph 45 Bag
There comes a time in every photographer's life when it's time to upgrade to a new bag. As we accumulate common photography paraphernalia (camera bodies, lenses, speedlights, and the list goes on), it becomes increasingly difficult to fit these toys into smaller bags. This was certainly the case for me. Enter the Ruggard Triumph 45 Sling Bag. This bag was a game changer for me and made me more efficient as a photographer. To say that it was an upgrade from my former, smaller bag is an understatement. Let's dive into the details of this … [Read more...] about A Hands-On Review of the Ruggard Triumph 45 Bag
Gear Review: Vanguard Veo Discover 42 Backpack
I've long been a fan of Vanguard's bag offerings, as I'm the owner of The Heralder 38 messenger bag as well as The Heralder 46 backpack. Both have long offered me suitable room for my Nikon DSLR body and lenses. But when I switched to a Panasonic mirrorless system earlier this year, I knew I needed something smaller. When Vanguard's new Veo2 series of products came out, I knew that this could potentially be the solution I was looking for — something small and lightweight, but that would still hold my gear. The Vanguard Veo Discover 42 is … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Vanguard Veo Discover 42 Backpack
Using the Platypod Ultra from a Car, “The Sling Mount”
Given the opportunity to test out the new Platypod Ultra, I started with the same question I ask with all new gear, "Do I really need this?" After all, my camera bag is already large enough to qualify for its own zip code. Is this going to join the pile of photographic stuff I don’t often use? Or, will it become an indispensable part of my photographic armory. I admit, at first glance, my reaction was "What is it? Some type of fancy bottle opener?" This was quickly replaced with the realization, “I can use this to put cameras and flashes … [Read more...] about Using the Platypod Ultra from a Car, “The Sling Mount”
Aurora HDR Professional Review. Trey and Friends Bring the Fun.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is like Taylor Swifts music; a lot of people claim to hate it, but truth be told everyone likes it. Some people, like Trey Ratcliff, fully embrace the dreamy glow and punched-up shadows of HDR while others openly bash the technique but dabble in it secretly. Theres no question that the process of creating HDR images has been abused, weve all seen the Velvet Elvis images. Hyper-saturated colors, noisy shadows and smudgy haloes have festooned many shots, but beyond the horrors of over-cooked HDR lie … [Read more...] about Aurora HDR Professional Review. Trey and Friends Bring the Fun.
Save Your Neck and Lose That Strap
You know that neck strap that came with your camera? Yes, the one that has the big Nikon/Canon/Sony/Fuji/Panasonic/Olympus logo on it. That thing should stay tightly locked in the box your camera came in. Neck straps, especially the stock ones, are much more trouble than they are worth. Lose the strap and not only will your photography look better, you will look better doing it! Do You Even Need a Strap? If you spend most of your photo time shooting from a tripod, you definitely don't need a neck strap. In fact, during long exposures, that … [Read more...] about Save Your Neck and Lose That Strap
