#black rapid

[graypixllc]

Hunting for images with me is bout all the Luc can do these days. Patapsco Woods, Maryland. Photo: Paul G.

[johnnymartyr]

Domke F1-X filled with Nikon FM series bodies & classic Nikkor primes capped with Black Rapid LensBling rear caps!  Ready to shoot!

[ggtakespics]

Strap yourself in

Ok, so you've got your bag(s) all sorted. How do you keep your camera(s) safe and secure while actually shooting? I guess you could just hold it and work lens changes etc. from a shoulder bag...could work...but at some point you are likely to need two free hands. Bring on the strap.

 Usually when you buy a camera the manufacturer will supply a camera strap. I know lots of professional shooters who are perfectly happy running their cameras with the maker's strap. I personally have had issues with this...just from a functionality perspective. There are lots of times when I don't want a strap on my camera, an example being on a tripod in the wind. The purpose of the tripod is to prevent camera shake...pretty difficult when the attached strap is working like a windsock and flapping all around the place. The procedure of correctly fitting a strap to a camera is quite fiddly...so taking the strap on and off is just not practical.

At one point in my career at the newspaper I made a system where I had metal rings attached to the camera and dog-lead-type clips on the ends of a manufacturer's strap so I could take it on and off easily...not particularly pretty...and not very camera body friendly. I just couldn't find the materials to refine my idea. Fast forward about 10 years and the clever guys at Peak Design have nailed it (I could have been rich).

 Another issue I find with a standard strap is that they have a tendency to slide off your shoulder (my Peak Design strap is very prone to this being made of slippery, seat belt-type material. It has rubberised strips on one side to prevent this, but I tend to run it diagonally across my body...it can't fall off and the slipperiness is purposefully there to let the strap slide with the movement of the camera).

My Black Rapid sling strap also runs diagonally, but the connection to the camera is via the tripod socket. The camera slides up and down the strap on a specially designed clip. This design allows for fast access to the camera for on the run shooting. A disadvantage of mounting via the tripod socket is that you need to completely remove the mount to use a tripod.

My usual preference is to run two cameras. The most comfortable and user-friendly way I have found to do this is via a harness. I use a modified Carry Speed system. I replaced the cumbersome mounting system (the mounting system has been upgraded since I purchased mine) with the Black Rapid clip and ring system. There were very few manufacturers producing harnesses when I purchased mine, but now there is quite a range available including very stylish leather models. The design of the harness means there is no way the cameras can slip off and they are readily accessible to capture all the action. The shoulders are padded to make carrying the weight of camera and lenses more bearable...mind you the back knows about it after a few hours covering a wedding. The issue of mounting via the tripod socket still applies (the new Carry Speed system overcomes this issue).

To streamline my ability to "gun and run" I have just added a few pieces from the Think Tank modular system to my armoury...the Pro Speed belt, two Lens Changer 35's and a 75 Pop Down. This should allow me to carry most of the essentials without worrying if someone is about to help themselves to my bag...it is virtually impossible to watch your bag when you are concentrating on capturing the moment (another benefit of having an assistant).

As mentioned in last week's blog, I also use the Peak Design Capture Pro clip. This system uses a plate that is fitted to the camera via the tripod mount, but unlike the Black Rapid system, the plate is interchangeable with the Arca-Swiss style tripod... meaning it does not have to be removed to fit the camera to a tripod. The clip can be mounted on any existing strap or belt. The camera then clicks into the clip and can only be removed by pressing a spring-loaded button (the button can also be locked to prevent accidental release). I run one on my backback strap and have another that I sometimes use on my belt or on my Peak Design Everyday Messenger bag. I think the belt mount works best with my lighter Fuji mirrorless camera.

So, there you have it. I mix and match my strap systems according to the type of work I am doing...just like I do with my bags. There is no one perfect solution.

Until next week...happy shooting.

[fanofmickey]

Blue Hour with the Columbia - Disneyland, CA by Eddison Esteban Via Flickr: Taken at 6:01:51 PM on a cool Saturday Night, the blue hour was well upon us. I was ecstatic that the crowds were low in this area, giving me the run of the place and the ability to take loads of shots in a very short amount of time. I was mesmerized by being this close to the Sailing Ship Columbia, what a treat to be able to take in all the detail of this magnificent ship.

[fiercelygentle]

Black Rapid Camera Sling

Anyone have any reviews on black rapid products? I'm looking at getting a quality single sling for under $120 I'll be shooting at large outdoor events mostly. Any reviews on any products would be much appreciated ✌🏻️

[fanofmickey]

Blue Hour with the Columbia - Disneyland, CA by Eddison Esteban on Flickr.

[travelingactor-blog-blog-blog]

From my experience, the best intro and semi pro digital SLR Camera is in the Canon Rebel family. There’s many models to chose from in the Rebel series – from the more intro models like the ‘Rebel XS’ to the semi pro ‘T4i, T5i’ models- you’ll be sure to find the camera that fits you perfect and at a VERY reasonable price.  All of these cameras have many settings that can seem overwhelming for the beginner photographer. Don’t be discouraged as it’s very easy to set the camera on fully automatic and still capture professional quality pictures. These cameras are very smart and measure the proper settings very well. For the more semi-pro photographer, the manual mode is very user friendly. Change the shutter speed with the move of your index finger, or easily change the aperture to make your subject the center of attention.

So which one is for you?

The Big Differences

Megapixels — The XS model having a 10.1 MP sensor, and the T3i having an 18 MP sensor. This is very important if you plan to enlarge your photos and frame them. Believe me, your photo on the Spanish Steps at sunrise is going to be breath taking for years to come. The XS series will still leave you with an unbelievable shot to share on Facebook or to print out 5×7′s to show your grandma, but if you’re wanting a photo that can be framed in your living room you might want to consider a higher model. Video — The XS does not have the option to record video, nor does it have a ‘live-view’ mode. The T3i, however, has the option to record full HD 1920×1080 at 24 frames per second (Hollywood industry standard for film), 1920×1080 at 30 fps, 1280×720 at 60 fps. Shooting video, however, does take up a TON of space. If you need to conserve because Paris is at the end of the week you can easily lower the quality to 640×480 at 30 fps. Those with the XS model are left relying on iPhone videos, actually still not all that bad with today’s technologies, just is really going to depend on what kind of footage you’d like to be left with when you return home. Flip out screen — A feature I use all of the time. Whether I’m recording video, or mounting the camera on a Gorillapod 3 feet above my head; the flip-out screen is a very useful tool. This is feature is not included on the XS models.

In the end it’s about how much you’re willing to spend. The T3i is an over-all better camera, but the XS still does a fine job at documenting your travels. Either way, by choosing any model of the Rebel series you will ensure that your trip will be well documented.

•WALK AROUND LENS•

A ‘Walk Around Lens’ is basically you’re ‘Go-To’ lens for the trip. If you were to chose any one lens to document you’re vacation, this is the one you chose.

Currently, my walk around lens of choice is the Canon 24-105mm f/4 L Series.

This one is my favorite because of the wide focal length and the amount it can zoom without the aperture changing. If you’re looking to spend much less on a great lens that’ll capture a very wide angle to a very close zoom, the Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS STM is a great choice. I owned this lens for a while and captured exceptional photos. You can easily find this lens on Amazon for just over $200.  The 18-55mm Kit Lens really isn’t a bad choice either. I’ve captured flawless photos on the kit lens with some editing and have had solid results. Remember, before purchasing, check all possible resources for the best deal – Amazon, eBay, etc… I purchased my T3i on Craigslist from a student who had the full warranty, the box and all of the goods. Brand new – I closed the first shutter myself. There’s deals everywhere. As always, be careful when buying used.

•MY CAMERA SET-UP FOR TRAVEL•

Canon T3i 24-105mm Lens Black Rapid Metro Strap — Sling strap for easy on-the-go photography. None of that hanging around your neck, causing strain business. Lens Hood — Prevents glares in the photo, increasing natural contrast and exposure, all while protecting the glass on your lens ;) Joby Gorillapod — Very versatile travel tri-pod. My main use is for long exposure night photography. Shutter Remote — Also for long exposure night photography. This helps to keep the camera steady as you take the photo – keeps the camera from doing the ‘Jiggle’ at the beginning of the photo. Very cheap and useful item to add to your collection. •IN MY BACKPACK• 1 to 2 extra SD Cards — I keep a big one in my camera for just about the whole trip; but in the small chance it decides not to work anymore, I’ll have a backup. One extra battery Battery Charger

I hope this helped anyone who had unanswered questions about what camera to purchase. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message on the contact page.

See you abroad!! -Myke

DSLR Travel for the Beginner and Semi-Pro From my experience, the best intro and semi pro digital SLR Camera is in the Canon Rebel family.

[anne-vornbrock]

New Gear~

I just published a post that I thought I had already published. Fail on my part. So now this is going to seem a little weird. Three maybe four posts right in a row!

I have been bringing my camera with me more often. Not as often as I like, but more than usual. So I have been getting more shots and have also gotten a few new pieces of gear to go along with it. So I thought I would share the…

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