New ThinkTank Product Coming Our Way.

Photo by Dave Seah

All kinds of fun stuff head this way. ThinkTank Photo, a sponsor of this blog has some neat new gear.

First there is the Airport AirStream. This is a scaled down version of the other Airport bags ThinkTank makes. I use the Airport International and love it! So, a much smaller roller bag with all the domestic and international regulations met. Nice.


The not long ago ThinkTank released the Urban Disguise 35. Like the other Urban Disguise bags it is made not to look much like a camera bag. Again, this bag is a smaller version of the one I use the Urban Disguise 60, which by the way I love as well! So if you plan to do some travel or street photography and want to look less like a photographer with thousands of dollars worth of gear over your shoulder, you might give this bag a try. It holds up to a 13.3” laptop with a standard-size SLR or up to a 10” laptop with a Pro-size SLR with lens attached. It features a large opening for easy access to equipment and can be attached to a roller. It can be used as a backpack with the Shoulder Harness (sold separately).

And finally ThinkTank will be giving us a new bag scheduled to be released in December. Having not seen this bag nor even heard much about it till yesterday I can't say a lot outside of what my buddy Brian at ThinkTank has passed my way. So I will just quote you directly from the press release:

Shape Shifter™, the first backpack designed to expand and contract to fit DSLR equipment. By contracting down to 3 inches, the backpack keeps photographers from having to carry around a large foam box on their backs once their equipment is removed.

The Shape Shifter was designed for:
Photographers that want a lightweight solution with significantly less foam and padding than traditional photo backpacks;

Photographers that travel a great deal by airplane and public transportation that want to carry the maximum amount of equipment in the smallest package possible;

Photographers that want to reduce the size of the backpack after their gear is removed. (Note: some gear can remain in the front, like two strobes, and it can still be compressed to the smaller size with the zipper);

Photographers that use modular belt systems. After they remove most of their gear and put it on their belt, they then can then collapse the backpack;

Photographers on the run that must travel with up to 17” laptops and have the necessary accessories with them to transmit images.

Product Features

The Shape Shifter can be compressed to 3 inches in width once equipment is removed.

Once the majority of photo gear is removed, the bag can be collapsed and the photographer can still carry up to a 17” laptop and accessories, but in a much smaller package.

Rear compartment for up to 17” laptops has medium padding for protection and comfort.

Photographers can to wear their belt system, with components attached, and still support the weight of the backpack with the belt.

The inside compartment has neoprene pouches for:
2 Pro DSLR bodies
1 70-200 2.8 with hood reversed
1 24-70 2.8 or similar with hood reversed
1 16-35 2.8 or similar with hood reversed
Stretch pockets on the inside can also hold two strobes and other accessories

Includes a strap system to mount either a monopod or tripod on the front the backpack.

Padding on the back has an airflow system for breathability and comfort.


Technical Specifications

Outer Dimensions when COLLAPSED: 20 x 12.5 x 3” ( 51 x 32 x 8 cm)
Outer Dimensions when EXPANDED: 20 x 12.5 x 7” ( 51 x 32 x 18 cm)
Inner Dimensions of the LAPTOP CASE compartment: 19 x 12 x 1.5” (48 x 30.5 x 4 cm)
Inner Dimensions of the DSLR Camera compartment (Note that because there are neoprene pockets to hold the photo gear, the normal internal dimensions stated have less meaning): 19.5 x 12 x 4” (49.5 x 30.5 x 10 cm)
Estimated Base Weight (without any straps or accessories attached: 3 lbs, 13 oz (1729 grams)

This bag looks really exciting and quite frankly screams for a review by Fish over at Flying With Fish. He loves traveling with a backpack to carry his gear. Fish, this might just well replace your North Face Surge. I know I sure want to get my hands on it. A Oh, gear lust!

PhotoFlex A Super LiteDisc!

(Click image to make larger)
Photoflex 5'n1 MultiDiscs at work in the field.

An image from the shoot above.

We were fortunate to have a new sponsor of Lumen Dei at the last minute. The fine folks at Photoflex were kind enough to give us a whole suitcase full of 5'n1 MultiDiscs and a couple of Black LiteDiscs. (thanks Rosane for hauling these from the US to India!) Photoflex wanted to see how they would work in the field.

What is a 5'n1 you might ask? The MultiDisc 5'n1 offers five reflector surfaces; translucent, white, silver, gold, and soft gold; all zipped up into one small package. We were given the 42" MultiDisc . These are really rather large, but collapsed quite small and once distributed they were very easy to carry or pack. In fact some of us used a carabiner and just clipped them onto our Think Tank belts.

Using the translucent disc to defuse the light and give soft shadows.

Everyone got a chance to shoot.

Using them in the street was not easy. We did use them in one village setting without much trouble. But they did draw a lot of attention, so we were quite content to use them on models. Now, let me say here that people do use reflectors in street photography. But with 9 photographers prowling the streets of a small village, it was just too much. Our job was to capture life in our cameras not make the local news.

Here I used the Black Disc as a backdrop to give the feel of shooting in a doorway and the soft gold on the models face.

We managed to arrange a cultural show for our group. We then paid four of the dancers to stick around and model for us. It was great! Already in local clothing these models, being performers really knew of to work a camera. We divided the team into four groups of two and had each of the four performers make a modeling station. We then gave each group 10 minutes to shoot each model. David DuChemin and I floated between stations and helped show the team members how to use the MultiDisc. Sometimes the gold was just too harsh, yet other times it bathed the subject with just the right amount of light. We showed the group how to flag and defuse light as well as use the black reflector as a backdrop.

Even local our guides found a use for the LiteDiscs. Super Photoflex Man!

The team learned that lighting doesn't have to be complicated nor costly. Over all the MultiDisc 5'n1 and the Black LiteDiscs performed as well as the dancers, flawless.

The destructible, indestructible North Face Base Camp Duffle.

North Face Base Camp Duffle

The Base Camp Duffle after two trips.

I have wanted a North Face Base Camp Duffle for a long, long time. Almost since they came out. One reason is they just looked cool. The other and the main reason was they seemed indestructible. The PVC coated nylon looked as if it would be water proof and be, as we say completely "bomber". So finally I shelled out the mulla and picked out a bright yellow XL. I took it to Indonesia and then here to Penang. The first time it was not very full. The second it was packed to the hilt. After arriving into Malaysia I noticed a big whole forming in the lower end near the seam. In fact the seam is coming un-stitched as well. I could not believe it, This was the indestructible North Face Base Camp Duffle how could it have a hole in it! Well, all I have to do is call The North Face and tell them and they will surely say, "Send it on back, we'll replace it!" So I called them, long distance from Malaysia all the way to the USA. I, to their credit got warranty repair service right away. So I told the nice young man on the line the situation and waited for his response. Dead air... Finally the awkward silence was broken by his, "So, what do you want us to do about it?" Huh? I want you to say "So sorry, please send it back to us and we will replace it." But, what I got was "Oh, well we don't warranty against holes." Well, then why do you make the think look like a tank! I thought the whole idea was it is tough, indestructible, bomb proof! Sorry, North Face you dropped a couple of notches in my book today. Fortunately I bought it through REI and they warranty everything, workmanship, holes even your dislike of the color once you get it home. Too bad The North Face doesn't cover their technical gear like it is going to be used in technical environments!

The 50D Is Here!

Take a deep breath and read the stats, they are nice, very nice. This little guy sports a 15.10 megapixel image, faster DIGIC 4 processor, 3.0" VGA LCD monitor with Live View mode offering 3 AF modes, ISO sensitivity expandable to 12800 and an HDMI connection for high Quality Image viewing. And all packed into a Magnesium alloy body, with environmental protection. So what is the price, only $1,400 when it ships in October. This is the same layout of the buttons and grip as the 40D. It is virtually the same as the 5D. So if you are a 5D shooter and can't fork out the dough for the new 7D (aka 5D mkII) then this might just be your next camera. Read all the details HERE and HERE.

OK, so now where is the 7D?

AIPO Dry Box

I am now officially back online. After a lot of blood sweat and even some tears, we have internet in our home (and thus my office). So, I hope to get back up to speed and be a little more regular in blogging again. Please forgive the decreased number of entries. It has been many days of trips to Starbucks just to check email. Our new setup should prove a little more convenient.

A few people have emailed me in the past about how to take care of your photo gear in a wet, damp tropical region. Until now, I had no real answer as it was not a real concern of mine. When you travel and shoot for two weeks in Indonesia it isn't really a big deal. You stay in hotels that are air conditioned and thus dry. But living in Penang, the weather is warm and very humid (around 85% today) and no one lives with the AC on all the time. Not sure why, it must be too costly, so we don't do it either. So what to do now about a lot of costly camera gear in a place that is a mildew nightmare? Enter AIPO Dry Boxes. (no website for these folks. Go figure!)

AIPO Dry Box AP-68EX

This is a Taiwanese company that, until last week, I had never heard of. I dropped into my friendly local camera shop "Click n Snap" and asked them the same question I just asked you. Salesman Matthew Chuah pulls out a Dry Box. It is a really slick looking cabinet, all black enameled and glass. It is basically a thermidor for your camera and electronic equipment. Quite frankly, it is a pretty simple box in one way but rather complicated in another. So rather than sit here and try to write all the theory on how it manages temperature and humidity, I will pass on a nice review I found that does a much better job at explaining how this little black box works. You can access the sales description/review HERE. at Sha Shin Ki I took home the AIPO Dry Box AP-68EX. It is 15"X15" square and 20" tall. I bought mine for around $200 USD. The space is tight and I probably should have gotten a larger one, but they would have had to order it and that could have taken weeks. So to save on cost, I got the largest they had and it all fits in fine. In fact I have room for the new 5D that Canon may never release, sigh. It has two removable and adjustable shelves and thus gives you three areas to stack your equipment. I have my 5D body with the battery grip, most of my lenses including my 70- 200 2.8 on the bottom shelf. The in the middle shelf my H4 Zoom digital recorder, my 50mm 1.8, two Pocket Wizards and two flashes. On the top shelf there is not much room left so I have two WD Passport Drives and my Pocket Rocket full of CF cards just to be safe. I keep the relative humidity set at 43. I wish I could tell you where to purchase this in the States but with AC running in every home, I don't think there is a big need. So I hope this is the answer to the humidity problem. I'll let you know.

Vista Print vs Overnight Prints

I made a great investment just before leaving the USA. I bought 500 business cards with a whole new look and my contact info for Penang. I had a buddy in Penang buy a sim chip for my phone so I could get a cell number before I left the States. In this way, I was able to have the number for my business cards. While David Duchemin was visiting me in Texas, I managed to get the guy to design a new card for me (thanks David!). I used two different printers to make the cards; Vista Print and Overnight Prints. Both are very good quality. Vista was cheaper, but not by much. Overnight Prints offered something that most printers charge an arm and a leg for: rounded corners. The rounded corners make a huge difference in the over all look of the card. It sets it apart from other cards and that is what you want on a crowded desk top. These companies give you all kinds of discounts and deals, so just get on thier mailing list and be ready for a flood of mail, but some great deals.

Here was the cost breakdown:

Overnight Prints:
250 double sided business cards
Rounded corners.
Side 1 is Glossy Finish.
Side 2 is not.
Item Cost : $34.95
Shipping :$14.77 (UPS 30-Day Select)
Discount : ($10.00) I found a coupon on the net somewhere.
Total price : $39.72

Vista Print:
250 double sided business cards
Item Cost : $7.99
Color Back Side $6.49
Glossy Finish $4.99
Total $19.47
Product Total Before Discounts: $42.97
Product Total After Discounts: $19.47
Shipping & Processing (Slow 21 Days): $5.72
Total: $25.19

Vlog Review

Here is some links to the product reviewed:

Find the Keen Newport H2 on sale at REI for $90.00 HERE.

You can find the Keen La Jolla on sale for only $59.95 HERE.

Find the Freeplay USB travel charger HERE for $12.00.