Recently I had the opportunity to test and review the newly released Gitzo Ocean Traveler tripod. Here is a short video review.
The Ocean Traveler is an extremely compact and lightweight tripod specifically made for use in the ocean and in harsh conditions. Tripod is made from Gitzo's 6X Carbon fiber and a specially treated stainless steel that repels any corroding agents, truly making this a durable tripod.
The tripod is pretty pricey, but when you need your equipment to survive harsh conditions, there is no substitute.
If you are interested in one of these tripods, check out the product detail page for the Gitzo Ocean Traveler
Think back to when you were a kid, heading to school in the snow or rain.
Your mom dressed you up to look like that poor little kid in Christmas Story, including horrendous, floppy black galoshes. You just knew that the other kids would make fun of your big floppy rubber boots.
Things have changed dramatically today. Galoshes, renamed overshoes, have gone hi-tech. Gone are the slippery soles, the big ugly buckles and the floppy rubber. Modern material, grippy soles and a tight fit take their place. New overshoes fit like shoes, are easy to walk in, and most importantly, keep your feet warm and dry.
The best overshoes we’ve seen are made by NEOS, a company that makes both consumer and industrial footwear. Their “uppers” are made from waterproofed Denier nylon (think high-end backpacks) and their soles are lugged just like your favorite hiking boot. They are pretty snazzy-looking too!
NEOS come in insulated and non-insulated styles. The non-insulated overshoes at 20º of warmth to your feet and the insulated styles add 40º. The NEOS Navigator even has a 5” gaiter you can extend out of top of the boot for deep snow.
These new NEOS overshoes are high-tech and dare we say, even fashionable. You won’t have the big kids teasing you anymore with these.
You can check out the NEOS overshoe line in the Store here: NEOS
Juan Pons brings you the features of the AquaTech SportShield Rain Covers, Collapsible Lens Hoods and the AquaTech Soft Cap lens protectors in this informative video.
You can see the entire AquaTech lineup here: AquaTech
I feel like a gunslinger. Draw, pardner! Only instead of a six-shooter, I have my spanking new Canon 7D by my hip. Up comes the camera, fast and ready to shoot.
For events, parties or photo walks, the Black Rapid camera straps give you instant access to your camera, and keep weight strain off of your neck. Black Rapid straps are worn across your body like a sling, and attach to your camera via the tripod socket.
Sound unique? It is. The Black Rapids are comfortable and adjustable, and will have you saying “why didn’t I think of that!” With the camera at your hip or behind your back, you can maneuver easily through a crowd, carry a tripod or other gear, or simply have both hands free. When you’re ready to take the shot, the camera quickly glides up the strap into shooting position.
The Black Rapids are made of ripstop nylon and have nice mesh cushioned shoulder pads with various pockets. The straps come in two models with different sized pads and pockets. A double model is available for a camera at each hip. You can also get extra camera attachments to change gear quickly. Black Rapid has also come out with new "MODS" such as extra pouches.
The Black Rapids just may become the strap of choice for mobile photographers.
You can get more information and purchase the Black Rapids in the OPG store.
Here is a quick video I shot with Rick recently on the Black Rapid camera straps.
Andy Biggs, the designer and manufacturer of the Kiboko Bag, has produced a video detailing the features of his revolutionary travel backpack. Well worth watching!
You can see more about the Kiboko in the store here: Kiboko
Yes, it's that time of year again, where gift idea lists multiply like holiday bunnies. We're no exception. We've tried to make this gift idea list simple--nothing requiring sizing or items for specific equipment. That way, you can print this article out and give it to your favorite gift giver (a yellow highlighter would help) or heck, just buy the stuff for yourself.
One of our best sellers this cold season. Holes in the neoprene tips of your thumb and forefinger let you operate your camera (and iPhone!) in cold weather while keeping your gloves on. $49.95
From colored filters to snoots to grids, the stuff from Honl takes your flash to another level. If you don't know what a "snoot" is, you should at least check it out so you can use it in everyday conversation. $9.95 to $29.95
Hands down the best lightweight portable seating around. So light and compact you can hang it from your belt. You'll find so many uses for this stool you'll keep it in your vehicle permanently. $69.95 to $79.95
A lightweight personal blind that really works. Covers you and your gear. We keep asking them to make a blind that looks like our couch so we can watch football games in peace. $99.95
Ultimate Photo Gifts You May Have To Buy For Yourself
We can't say enough about this bag in a short amount of space. The best photo backpack on the market: lightweight (only 4 lbs), unique, spacious and essential for international travel. A must have. $399
We just picked up the Travel Angel tripod line, and it is impressive. Folds 180 back for incredible pack-ability. Several models to choose from, each with a ballhead. $249.95 to $481.95
If you shoot with long lenses a gimbal head makes pointing your lens a breeze. A new entry to the market, Induro saves over $100, is a better performing gimbal head, has more features and and shows an incredible fit and finish. We are selling our existing heads and switching to this one. $488.95
A stainless steel and carbon fiber tripod that lives for salt water. Expensive, but if you shoot in salt, you will find this tripod indispensable. $1050
OK, we said we would stay away from products with sizes, but we just cant resisit this one. Available in fleece and in goretex, these are the ultimate photography jackets. More nooks and crannies than any vest, padded shoulders and so warm you can't put them on inside. An incredible luxury gift for yourself. $349.95 to $449.95
Outdoor Photo Gear is proud to have David duChemin as a supporter and as a provider of fantastic ebooks!
David duChemin is a world & humanitarian photographer, best-selling author, and international workshop leader. David uses his powers for good and not for evil.
Based in Vancouver, David has extensive international experience on 5 continents.
He specializes in creating compelling images that are both aesthetically and emotionally moving. David is also the best-selling author the of hard copy books Within the Frame and Vision Mongers.
David brings his world view and experience into beautiful, thought-provoking ebooks. Reasonably priced (only $5!) they are a must-read for any photographer.
To celebrate the addition of David’s wonderful e-books to our line, David has graciously allowed us to offer his collection of iPhone wallpaper for Free!
(NOTE: All photos in this review are Copyright Scott Bourne 2009 – All Rights Reserved. All images made with Ray Flash)
There’s only one thing I can say that described the Ray Flash Ring Flash adapter: Cool.
The Ray flash is not a genuine ring flash. Rather, it’s an adapter that turns your speedlight into a ring flash. I tested the Ray Flash on my Nikon SB-900.
The Ray Flash is an un-tethered device that uses a system of internal prisms, reflectors and light-shapers (the company also calls them light channels) to guide the light from your speedlight down and around the lens in an even matter. Note, it’s not as even as it would be were this an actual flash unit itself, but it’s close enough for government work.
it contains no electronics, no flash tubes and requires no batteries or cables.
The advantage of this unit is that it’s lightweight, (weighs just one pound) more portable and less expensive than an actual ring flash. I own other devices like this that work on my studio lights, including one from Bowens. But the Ray Flash is lighter, easier to mount and cheaper to buy.
The simplest application of this device is to throw your subject next to any wall, put the flash in i-TTL (Nikon) E-TTL (Canon), point and shoot. That’s right, you can still use your flash’s automatic and TTL features when employing the Ray Flash.
The light from the unit will be somewhat flat, but you’ll have a cool circular catchlight in the eyes. You might have to experiment with some flash compensation. I typically took off about a half stop, but then again I am very conservative when it comes to flash. I usually just want a kiss of light when I’m the one making the light, i.e., using flash. Your mileage may vary.
The Ray Flash is also great for use in macro and close-up applications. The only thing I’d note is that it seems to lead to lots more red eye than usual, but that can be easily fixed in post.
The un-retouched image below shows off the effect of the unit pretty well. Note the red eye. Also note the slight halo around the subject. This is normal when you use a ring flash. You need to practice with subject-to-background distance to decide how much or little of this halo effect you want.
The unit is plastic but it’s sturdy and feels well made. The company includes a spacer that allows you to make sure the fit on your camera is snug.
The unit shipped to me in a box marked “Fragile” and I don’t want to break it, so the only negative is that it’s not something that will fit easily in your camera bag. I’m keeping it in the original box which I’ll store in my grip bag. It’s a small price to pay to have a simple, go-to light modifier that will really help me if I get into one of those situations where I have to make a perfect shot with less than two minutes prep.
I’m also looking forward to experimenting with it in the future, trying to gel it or take it off camera to see what sort of impact that will have. This is an unconventional accessory and it’s just begging to be used in an unconventional way.
For the $199, you can’t go wrong. Highly recommended.
For more information and to purchase a Ray Flash head to the OPG Store.
Pelican Memory Card Case
OPG LED Lighted Cap
LensCoat FlashKeeper
AquaTech Sensory Gloves
Jobu Design Triple Axis Bubble Level
