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
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SpiderLight Hand Strap Mini Review
Spider Holster has been innovating the way photographers carry cameras for years. Their line of holsters takes the burden of a heavy camera off your neck and puts it on your hips, where the largest bones and muscles in your body carry all the weight. Last year, they added the SpiderPro Hand Strap to the lineup. It takes the weight of the camera off your fingers and allows your whole arm to lend support. I've been using the hand strap for more than a year, and the holsters for more than three years and my body appreciates the way they shift the … [Read more...] about SpiderLight Hand Strap Mini Review
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
Spider Pro Hand Strap
I don't use neck straps, and I generally advise everyone against them. I think they're a poor design and dangerous to your body--with as much shooting as I do, carrying a camera was damaging my neck. You may have read my review of the Joby wrist strap when I said it's the only strap I'll use. Well, I've got to take those words back: the new Spider Pro Hand Strap is now with me all the time and it's truly the only strap I'll ever use. It's perfect because it's secure, and well designed. Safety First Neck straps let you keep a camera handy, but … [Read more...] about Spider Pro Hand Strap
Building Your Bag: Accessories | Part 2 – Functionality
Filters of all sorts, flashes, cards, readers, light-meters, remote triggers, straps, battery chargers, batteries, business cards, business card holders, lens bags, cases, cords, levels, tripods, lens cloths, blah, blah, blah. Do you need it all and does it have to be the best of the best? YES, GO BUY IT ALL RIGHT NOW-- but only if you've got a limitless income! Well, most of us can't go out and buy a car full of photography equipment, so I'd recommend that you start off slow and figure out what you need and want to use first. I always felt … [Read more...] about Building Your Bag: Accessories | Part 2 – Functionality
The Only Strap I Use: Joby DSLR Wrist Strap Review…and Rant
I just got a great camera strap...and I hate camera straps. Let me tell why I don't use camera straps, and why I'll be using this one from Joby everyday. I don't use a camera strap around my neck for three reasons. Firstly, it gives a me crick in the neck that won't go away for days (and since I shoot everyday, I'd have a sore neck forever). This literally keeps me up at night, and sends me running to the chiropractor. Straps on one shoulder with a sliding camera attachment are better, but in still can't wear them all day with a 70-200mm … [Read more...] about The Only Strap I Use: Joby DSLR Wrist Strap Review…and Rant
Product Review: MAKO HAUS Camera Straps
As photographers, we are always scoping out good camera straps and when you are around other photographers. It's a topic that usually comes up especially if someone has a decent strap they are sporting. A good camera strap can make having your camera on your body a much more comfortable experience. Camera straps have come a long way over the years. We have choices within styles, fabrics, comfort and even types of straps for the type of photography we are doing. Not only does this help protect our cameras but it can actually be beneficial for … [Read more...] about Product Review: MAKO HAUS Camera Straps
Vulture Equipment Works A4 Camera/Equipment Strap — Mini Review
You might be wondering why I'm about to spend so many words on a review for a camera strap. Some of you are perfectly content to use the small strap the manufacturer tosses in the box or pick up a slightly better one at your local camera store. Well, let me bring up an old adage... "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link." I get nervous hanging a few thousand dollars over my neck or shoulder. Especially since I'm the type of shooter who has to often juggle other things (additional gear, multiple bodies, small children). Toss in the … [Read more...] about Vulture Equipment Works A4 Camera/Equipment Strap — Mini Review
RuckStrap Camera Strap by HoldFast
There are a ton of camera straps out there and most of them are identical. Black, soulless, cheap and a burn on your neck. A company called HoldFast, LLC is out to change that. I recently procured one of their RuckStraps and I have to say right out of the box it's nothing like any other camera strap I've ever used. The company founder told me it came about because he didn't like carrying things in his pocket, so he designed a camera strap that could carry everything you might need for a day shoot, credit cards, ID, cash, memory cards, … [Read more...] about RuckStrap Camera Strap by HoldFast
Going Out To Photograph? Bring A Strap
Post & Photo by It may seem obvious to most of you but its a good idea to carry your camera by its neck strap, or hey, maybe even wear it around your neck or shoulder. In some parts of the world, shoulder carry makes the camera vulnerable to theft, so be aware of whats going on around you when you find yourself in dodgy surroundings. The neck strap is part of the cameras basic equipment and fulfills the important role of protecting the camera from being dropped. While you may protest, this would never happen to me, I saw it happen twice … [Read more...] about Going Out To Photograph? Bring A Strap
Cotton Carry-Lite
I have about 100 camera straps. I have a few I really like. But sometimes the straps aren't the best solution. Amongst some of the more innovative and unusual systems I've found is the Cotton Carrier Carry-Lite for Regular Cameras. It uses a holster on a waste-belt, secured by a camera leash and a shoulder strap. At first blush, I was very timid about hanging my $5000 Nikon D3s on a holster. I frankly thought it looked unsafe. But it's much sturdier than it looks. In fact, it feels rock solid. The feeling of security increases if you use the … [Read more...] about Cotton Carry-Lite
What Camera Should I Buy? – The Ultimate Answer
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This post is an updated compilation of several shorter posts I wrote in the past trying to answer the question, "What camera should I buy?" Its still the most popular question I am asked. What camera should I buy? Lately there's a new twist to the question..."Is this brand camera better than that brand camera?" No matter how hard I try to tell people that theres no perfect answer, they keep asking. So since I can't convince anyone otherwise, at least know the answers to THESE questions before you ask me YOUR question. 1 ) … [Read more...] about What Camera Should I Buy? – The Ultimate Answer
The BlackRapid Double Strap Mini Review
I couldn't help but feel like a gunfighter. As I loaded the BlackRapid RS DR-1 Double Strap with two Nikon D3 bodies, I felt equipped to take on any number bad guys - er I mean shooting situations. I was anxious to review this product. Those of you who have been long-time readers might remember my previous R-Strap experience wasn't that great. The original BlackRapid R Strap nearly cost me a Nikon D700 w/24-70mm F/2.8 lens on board. https://photofocus.com/2008/10/16/blackrapid-r-strap-review-twip/ Thankfully - it looks like many (if not all) … [Read more...] about The BlackRapid Double Strap Mini Review
BlackRapid R Strap Review
I'm always in search of the perfect camera strap. It's an obsession. I guess this obsession is based on the simple premise that I'm not satisfied with any of my current straps. When I first saw the BlackRapid R-Strap I was immediately interested. The notion of being able to carry a spare body and not have it get in the way of my primary camera has been the dream for most of my career. I ordered the RS-2 for $56. It's a ton of money for a camera strap. In fact, based on my research, it's the most expensive camera strap in the world. Is it … [Read more...] about BlackRapid R Strap Review
