Showing posts with label what is a slr digital camera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label what is a slr digital camera. Show all posts

Friday, February 13, 2015

Buy Matin All Weather DSLR Digital SLR Camera Protection Cover (Black)

Matin All Weather DSLR Digital SLR Camera Protection Cover
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
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This is a good product, like the Velcro so do not have to fool around with zippers, lens is nice and snug, and can see through viewfinder and just enough room to shoot without exposing camera to elements.

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This item is made well and does its job. It is hard to work with and hard to put on the camera but like i said, it does its job. Limits vision and ability to react quickly in shooting situations but does allow you to get what you need in bad weather.

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Saturday, January 3, 2015

Tenba 637-302 Discovery Shoulder Bag Sage/Khaki Review

Tenba 637-302 Discovery Shoulder Bag Sage/Khaki
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I had read on various photographer's blogs that Tenbas were high quality bags. After purchasing this bag. I would have to agree. I loved everything about the bags build, accessability and design. But the description of the bag's size is inaccurate in my opinion. I currently have two full body size Canon DSLR cameras, two lenses, one Canon 580EX II flash head, CF card pouch, a light meter, some AA batteries and this bag is stuffed tight. I was expecting a bag that would "easily" fit two DSLR. I have a 50mm attached to one of the cameras, and the other packed without a lense attached, then I have 24mm-70mm, and an 85mm packed tightly. I really like this back and decided to keep it for when I need to pack light. But I would not use it as a my main compartment for toting my camera about.

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I was looking for something to hold my camera body (Canon Rebel T3) with a zoom lens attached, at least 4 additional lens and my other accessories. This bag comes with 6 dedicated lens pockets with 2 thinner slots to hold additional items such as filters, chargers, etc.

Inside the bag:

The inner compartments are all separate velcro walls so you can move them into different layouts. Two of the walls are a little longer so you can have them reordered to suit the size of your camera /lens to really place things where ever you want. I don't have a battery grip, but I am pretty sure it would fit just fine if you had it attached to the camera. The bag is long enough and deep enough that you can put 6 or 7 lens and put two camera bodies facing each other on top of the compartments (you would have to have no lens or very short ones attached for 2 bodies). The top cover has an inner pouch in which you can store cables or a filter pouch...anything flat. The only thing is that I have an extender eyepiece so I need to put very flat items like cables so that the top of the bag doesn't push on the eyepiece.

Outside the bag Side pouches:

There are two side compartments which zipper along the top (as in from front to the back along the side with a single flap). The pouches are lightly padded so you can't put a lens there. I do wish they had put more padding there because they are perfect size to put a lens. I guess you could probably put in your own padding if you really wanted to carry additional lens. However, you can put so many things there like cables, chargers and you can temporarily put a lens there if necessary. You can fit lens hoods in them as well or anything you know isn't extremely delicate.

Outside the bag Front pouches:

There are two front zippered pouches. One opens out (2 zippers that can meet in the middle). This one has an additional zippered pouch with netting. So it is great for smaller items such as memory cards or flat items like cables, batteries or items for which there is no dedicated area. There are 2 holders for pens...although a lens pen fits extremely tightly it just isn't worth using for the lens pen (I like being able to just take my pen out quickly if I want to and wouldn't be able to do that with either pen holder). Personally I think that is a flaw, but you can put the pen in the thin pockets or in the outside side pouches or on the thin inside slots. There are 4 thin pockets that for papers, cables, and other items about the size of cellphone. There is an "if item found" card holder along with a clip (I would assume for keys).

The 2nd front pouch has 2 thin pockets again for papers, cables and cellphone sized items and one larger pouch/pocket. It is about 10" so I was hoping to fit my tablet there, but I have an Acer A500 in a carrying case which is one of the wider tablets out there. I would guess you could fit an ipad or any other tablet less than 10". Mine will fit but I can't close the zipper...again though you can fit a variety of items here.

Misc:

The strap is big and really comfortable. It is designed so the strap won't twist and it is very nicely padded. There is an additional strap to use an a handle so you can just lift it up. The part that lays against you is padded really nicely also so it feels comfortable despite being kinda big. It is also amazingly light even with my gear in it which was another big selling point for me.

The top opens out completely and opens away from you so you can grab your camera quickly.

The bottom is ok, but I wish it was a hard bottom like the case logic bags. I would have also liked to see a little more padding on the bottom just to give me that extra level of mental comfort.

It comes with a rain-cover which covers the bag completely and has snaps to hold it in place (it is not attached to the bag though).

Overall I like the bag because you can hold a lot of items, it has a good amount of internal padding and I think it is perfect for storing or transporting all your stuff with you. What I really like is that you can reconfigure the bag in different ways and store so many different items. It took me a few hours to feel comfortable with how and where I wanted to store my items, but now I feel that my items have their own dedicated spots which I really like.

I wouldn't use it as a walking around bag as it is bit obvious that it is a camera bag but if you are buying a bag that holds this much it is probably more for storing or travel anyway.

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Discount Tenba Transport 400mm 2.8 Long Lens Bags

Tenba 631-812 Long Lens Bag for LL400 II
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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My third purchase of this series of bags. I will purchase more when I get additional lenses.

The strap for a mono-pod could be improved by adding a lower "cap" to avoid gravity extension.

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Saturday, December 6, 2014

ZAGG invisibleSHIELD for Olympus SP-570UZ Screen Reviews

ZAGG invisibleSHIELD for Olympus SP-570UZ Screen
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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I am very pleased with this screen protector. I bought it back in June and so far so good. I was able to easily apply it and it is crystal clear, you really can't even tell it is there!

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Sunday, October 12, 2014

Discount EveCase Camera Carrying Pouch Case Bag with Strap- Black/Blue

EveCase Camera Carrying Pouch Case Bag with Strap- Black/Blue
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $39.99
Sale Price: $16.99
Today's Bonus: 58% Off
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This is a wonderful case for a very low price. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is simple. Since I didn't go to the store to purchase this camera bag I didn't know exactly how it was laid out. I had to go by the description that was given. It has my camera listed and my camera does fit inside, but with the camera in the bag there isn't any room for anything else. The bag comes with a divider that can be moved and velcro'ed into place anywhere inside the bag, a nice feature to keep your camera secure and separate from other things (like sd cards and extra batteries). with my Kodak camera inside the case there isn't enough room for the divider itself, little lone an extra battery. There is a small zippered holder inside the lid that will hold a some battery's though. The case is exactly what they say it is and will tightly hold your camera safely inside. Just don't plan on being able to carry along a charger or many batteries to get you through a extended trip.

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bought this case for my new digital camera,which is a small kodak, it has plenty of room for accessories also

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It is an excellent camera bag. It is a little larger than I thought from the on line photos but a very good product.

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It is quality construction and for a smaller camera this bag would work great for any accessories you may have for it. I bought it for my D3200 and it fits but it is TIGHT. If your looking for something snug, this works great. I wanted something to put extra batteries and stuff in and this just won't even come close to fitting another lens or a charger. My own fault for not looking closely at the dimensions.

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well made, looks good and it holds alot more then u would think, good padding to protect ur camera, can carry extra batterys and chargers, lenses so forth, for the money cant go wrong.

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Friday, September 26, 2014

Best incase DSLR Pro Backpack - 1586cu in Deals

Incase DSLR Pro Pack - Dune Metric Camo - CL58062
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I purchased this bag directly from Incase during their 45% off percent promotion, however it does not fit my needs so I will be returning it. I don't believe that this bag should really be marketed as a 'pro' camera bag as it most likely will not fit the gear that pro photographers would generally use. Lenses and accessories fit fine but the problem comes in when you put in a body with a grip, or a larger camera body such as the Nikon D3. The bag is not deep enough and the prism of the camera sticks out, and it will be pushing into your back as you're walking around. I'm not sure how this went through the design stage if it can't hold a gripped camera (which is easier to work around than for those who have large bodies). In addition to this, there is no rain cover included. For some reason the DSLR Sling does provide a cover and this bag does not. I would say if you have a camera without a grip and a large assortment of lenses, this would be an okay option. For those with pro-level gear, avoid!

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I'm a newspaper photojournalist and needed a backpack to hold two cameras plus audio video gear, mikes and laptops. This is perfect. I've had it two months, use all day every day, and it's incredibly comfortable, balanced and durable. I did a lot of research and this was the only one that had everything I needed:

full length zipper opening, instead of separate/awkward compartments

laptop sleeve

chest buckle for stability

tripod straps

slim, neat, profile

I have in the main compartment:

5D MK II body with 24-70 f/2.8L attached (hood reversed)

7D body with 70-200 f/2.8L attached (hood reversed)

2x extender for the 70-200

EX 600 RT flash w softbox

Tascam DR-40

Sennheiser evo wireless body pack & transmitter

small bag with lavelier mic and XLR cable

plus in the front pouches a charger, card reader, IDs, and so on.

great bag.

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Hi,

I got this backpack in Black-Limited version directly from Incase Website as it's not available anywhere else or at least not at the right price. My backpack arrived very fast and thankfully no custom-vat related charges were applied (shipping to Ireland) to my order. I have to say that I did the right thing selling my Lowepro Flipside 300 bag as it was getting too small for my new lenses. The main reason I got this backpack is because of its rear access. I get easily distracted by what is happening around me, especially when it involves zipping, locking, clipping etc. I even forget to zip up my pants when I go out :D. I was afraid that if I had a different bag with front or side access, one day, I'd have ended up dropping everything on the floor and loosing few k-Euro worth of equipment which is not something funny to experience or even think about.

I also like the fact that they included additional pockets inside and in front for camera accessories, touchscreen devices, cleaning kit, side straps for a tripod/mono-pod, even a small pocket for a point-and-shoot camera. Any dividers that you're left with, you can use as an extra padding for your lenses or DSLR body/-ies. The other important thing for me was the overall size of it. I have to be able to take my gear on a plane and this bag passes EU airlines requirements. BTW, if size doesn't matter to you, I also recommend looking at Fancier Hologon backpack model: FB-6003. It's bigger and offers more compartments + according to manufacturer's spec., its weatherproofness is much better than this Incase backpack.

Now the downsides. What I liked about the Flipside back pack was its ability to twist it around your waist and having full access to your gear at any time.

Fabric that these Incase bags are made out of (PRO heathered fabric, LIMITED EDITION durable cotton canvas) isn't waterproof. You need to buy a good rain cover for this backpack (up to 35L), if you're going to regions where it rains quite often. Also remember to get rain cover in a different color than BLACK or any dark color that absorbs heat quickly. Backpack cover in a light color will serve as a heat shield bouncing off the light when you're i.e. on a vacation in hot & sunny Italy. This will not only help you to protect your gear from rain but also reduce the temperature inside of your backpack which effectively will keep your gear cooler. It'll also have a positive impact on your portable power sources such as rechargeable and alkaline batteries used with cameras, flashguns. I'm not sure how the dark grey version of this bag absorbs the heat when carried in bright and sunny day.

Last but not least, the bottom part should have some kind of rubbery legs/patches or reinforced plastic/aluminium frame that would protect it against any wearing and tearing happening during outside escapades.

In overall, I couldn't be happier with this back pack. I really recommend it.

That's all.

Regards

Honest reviews on incase DSLR Pro Backpack - 1586cu in

This was my 4th attempt at a travel camera bag that was comfortable, had no waist straps (hate those things) and fit everything I need while flying. I'm kind of a big guy (6'2" 230), so finding bags that are comfortable is a bit of a challenge.

It easily fit a D700 with 70-200 and bulky shoulder strap attached, into the quick access area (MB-D10 battery grip would not fit with a lens attached). There was still more than enough room for five additional lenses (which I'll probably never travel with) and an SB800 flash.

In the front section it fit the 15" MacBook, iPad mini and a regular iPad (in two different pockets), PLUS there was still room for a large headphone case which was really important to me (noise canceling headphones for flying see images). All this stuff with room to spare for the phone, extra cables, chargers and other do-dads.

While the material isn't "waterproof," it does feel somewhat weather resistant. I don't care that it doesn't come with an attached rain cover. Those things typically add bulk in the wrong places and I've never actually needed one in practice.

My one and only complaint is that the bag will not stand up by itself not a deal-breaker.

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I ended up buying this bag in Bangkok after searching high-n-low for it in Australia.

I'm currently travelling... and thanks to this bag getting my gear around is now so much easier now that I can store all my devices including my 15" Macbook Pro, my iPad and my Canon DSLR in the one pack & I know its 100% safe.

I looked at a ton of bags... and non offered this amount of storage (with room for personal items) or the refined look of the incase DSLR Pro Pack

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Thursday, September 11, 2014

Best Tamrac 5515 Adventure Zoom 5 (Red/Black) Deals

Tamrac 5515 Adventure Zoom 5
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $38.95
Sale Price: $32.95
Today's Bonus: 15% Off
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this bag is just what i was looking for. i already own a Think Tank professional camera bag that holds several lenses, camera bodies, and my laptop. when i ordered this bag i was looking for something that would work for walking around a city. fits body and lenses up to 4 1/2 inches. side pockets will NOT fit a wallet but you can hide an id and a couple credit cards behind the memory card in the front pouch. side pockets would be good for cell phone, ipod, etc. all in all, i love this bag. i'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for something simple to take on photowalks.

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this bag is super. Holds the Canon 40D w/ Tamron 28-300 lens w/o a problem. Super efficient with pockets in the right places to offer easy access to extra battery, cards, filters, etc. Comfy shoulder strap. Good zippers to seal it shut, very convenient for travel when the big camera bag is just too much.

The price is sweet, I looked at a lot of these on ebay and elsewhere, this purchase cant be beat. And you get the Amazon warranty so there is no down side I see

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I run with a Canon XTI and a mid range telephoto lens. This bag has every attribute going for it.

1Extremely well made. All seams and zippers very well made and sewn. It's not at all likely this bag will open or fail, dropping your equipment to the ground.

2Stylish.

3Carry handle is the right size for a mid size hand. Sometimes you want to take the bag off your shoulder and just carry it. Very comfortable and again, well sewn.

4Carry strap is nice and wide and comfortable. Again, well sewn.

5Belt loop I don't forsee myself carrying the bag in this fashion, so not much I can tell you here.

6Outside compartments are roomy for the items you'd want to carry such as spare memory, batteries, and maybe your cell.

Overall, the entire Amazon process was amazing, and I was able to save about $20 off the retail prices.

I will be looking into other products they make for my larger bag requirements.

Ohby the way, you can choose to zip the inner compartment, making the bag more secure and I would think rain resistant. That's how I start my day with the inner zip zipped. Once I take the camera out, I don't rezip, just close it with a well designed, and easy to use clasp.

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Smaller, but can fit my Nikon D90 with extra 2 batteries, 2 filters plus SD cards. Good for me to take out.

The edge of top cover is a little overlap and zipping is not very convenient.

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This bag is the perfect size for my Canon Rebel XSi with 18-55mm kit lens attached. When I get more lenses, I will need a bigger bag, as there is not extra room for additional lenses, but for now, it meets my needs perfectly. It is comfortable to wear over my shoulder when I am on the go, and easy to put my camera in and take out of--though still snug enough that my camera stays protected. Side pockets are perfect for cell phones, keys, power cords, memory cards, extra batteries, etc.

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Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Buy Black Rapid FastenR-3

Black Rapid FastenR-3
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I've been using my Black Rapid straps for a couple months now with the included FastenR-2's. I actually liked the design and didn't have any problems with it, at least not with the appearance.

There is, however, a problem with the construction it's multiple pieces thrown together, and thats not something you want when dealing with holding thousands of dollars of gear. While it didn't happen to me, I've seen the flaws of the FastenR-2 design in that the "hook" piece that you connect the R-Strap to, can come off!

That's all it took for me to consider upgrading to the FastenR-3.

Right off the bat, I love that it's a single piece of metal (from the screw to the top that you connect to). There is still a rubber insert to provide a tighter lock, but it's now about 1/2 the size of the FastenR-2's (it also has grooves on it I think this is to give it a tigher "lock", but I could be wrong).

The design is OK. Nothing incredible, pretty basic. I like the looks of the FastenR-2 more (I don't care for the odd color of the FastenR-3 it changes colors from silver to black to green, depending on the light you look at it in, but thats not a big deal).

My big concern was using the FastenR-3 with a DSLR and a battery grip (shooting vertical). The F-2 had a swinging hook, so it would hide itself and not bother your hand when using it in vertical-mode. I was worried the F-3's solid hook would dig into your hand when using it vertical fortunately it doesn't!

One problem with it is that the hook part now has a big "bump" (the part with the "R" logo on the picture). This makes it odd to sit the camera down on a flat surface (the F-2 had a flat surface and the hook swung out of the way).

The only reason I see it worth upgrading is for the security/peace of mind the solid-piece connector brings. I definitely prefer the look of the F-2, but apparently it's flawed -I just didn't want to take the chance.

As a bonus, buying the FR-3 allows you to use your existing FR-2s for other objects (like a flash most of which now have an adapter with tripod threading that will work great! or a point & shoot)

One note about this after using it for a week getting the ConnectR (carabiner) into and out of the FastenR-3 is more difficult than the FastenR-2 I think this is actually a good thing as it practically eliminates the possibility of it falling off the carabiner if it were to open (with the screw-in lock it shouldn't, but if you forgot to screw it in, for example) the fastenR-2 is much easier to connect/disconnect. Depending how often you do this, it could be a good thing (more secure) or a bad thing (harder to attach/detach).

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As title, this is well made little thing that give you the confidence to hang your expensive equipments on the single tripod screw. However, it is so over priced due to a lake of competition. Since they're the only one avaliable here, I just pay for this little screw for my single sling solution to be complete.

FYI: For the strap, I went to the tactial sling section. The pricing is way more reasonable and the one I got (A Tac(tm) Single Point Tactical Sling) is well built with quality materials.

Summary:

Pro: good quality and made.

Con: overpriced.

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This design is greatly improved from the earlier ones sturdier. But it makes it even more difficult to lay the camera flat with this attached. Nevertheless, still feels good and sturdy to use this rather than the earlier FastenR. I keep one permanently attached to my 70-200 tripod attachment so that when I mount that lens, I move the black rapid attachment to attach to the lens and not the camera body,

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I was a Black Rapid Straps RS4 owner once. I found a cheaper alternative to that with this device added to the RainbowImaging Innovative Neck Strap. Those two combined is 25 dollar less then the similar RS4.

Saving money is a good thing in this economy. I think the quality is very good, but could have been a little cheaper.

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I have one of these fastened to my Manfrotto RC4 platewhen i need to mount the camera to my tripod, i have to unscrew this studwhen i did recently, i realized that it had started unscrewing itself over time was a mere millimeters (in my case, it was about within 30 minutes more for me) from completely unscrewingwhich would have caused my Canon 5D 3 and 24-70 L lens to drop onto solid cement. Black Rapid acknowledged their fastener stud will come loose and said i "needed to check to make sure it's fastened tightly every time i use the camera"... a poor excuse.

If you do buy this, make sure you purchase the Op/Tech Connector Uniloop for 7 bucks, which fastens to your BlackRapid strap and loops around the little silver camera strap pin that is on the bottom of your camerathis will provide a secondary fail-safe.... if the fastener ever comes loose and separates from the camera, the Connector strap will catch the camera and save your gear. Found the info on forums regarding BlackRapid and works very well. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010HA6A6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

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Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Discount Kata S-312 Sling Case

Kata S-312 Sling Case
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $56.00
Sale Price: $46.50
Today's Bonus: 17% Off
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I just received this Kata Sling bag/case today from Amazon, so obviously I cannot speak for the product's long-term durability. HOWEVER, it does seem extremely sturdy and very well designed. I bought this to carry my Canon HV30 and although it's a hair tight, I prefer it that way since I was looking for something small yet "trustworthy" to carry my new camera while vacationing. I particularly like the ribbed external shell, which will avoid damage to the camera should I bump into something or somebody. And despite the tight fit, there is plenty of room in the auxiliary pockets for an extra battery, tape and perhaps one other small object.

Note to the macho men: All the photos you will see of this product in use show a woman using it, which initially turned me off, but never fear; it looks fine on guys. One way or another, you will be won over by its practicality and comfort.

I will be returning from a Disney vacation before the end of the month. If I experience ANY issues whatsoever, I promise everyone out there that I will post another review.

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This will do what we're after, which is a sling bag to carry a small camera, small bottle of bug spray, ID, smartphone and keys while doing a one hour hike at the local park. We like to wear either shorts or warm ups while fast walking and waist bags aren't fun and using pockets not an option for that much stuff. This does it.

BUT, it is quite small. The model they used for this picture must have been quite petite.

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It is clearly well made, substantial, and protective. But not practical why have such big bag overall when only a pocket size camera will fit in the compartment? Does not fit fugi x10 with lens hood, which is not big at all. Also, it is black based on the picture, I thought it would be lighter. Disappointed it is going back.

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I could live in Colombia clothing, with Kata Bags carrying all my stuff.

Wanted to get this for shooting stills and video on two cameras on a media mission trip. Needed a bag to do quick swaps between the two smaller cameras. A Sony Handycam, fitting in my palm, and a mid size mega zoom point and shoot.

This bag is very well made, with several handy pockets and could work as a waist bag just as well, but only big enough for a larger rectangular point and shoot, nothing with a lens sticking out. The girl they show wearing the bag must be about 4foot tall...

Great bag, but a bit too small...

I have two of their other bags, one that will hold a 13" laptop, and another for a 19", both great!

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i bought this to make it possible to carry about a small videocam while leaving my hands free when necessary while out walking my dog. it's very well built, has small pockets for extras such as an sd card or battery and has served its purpose very well. glad i bought it and would buy it again.

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Friday, June 13, 2014

Review of Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack

Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $349.99
Sale Price: $299.99
Today's Bonus: 14% Off
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I bought this pack a couple days before my trip to Turkey. I had a 15" MacBookPro, Canon 30d, 17-55/2.8 attached, 70-200/4, 30 1.4, battery chargers/power adapters, Gorillapod SLR, filter cases, cleaning clothes and solution, etc. All the stuff photo enthusiasts take on long trips. Overall this pack performed fantastically.

Pros: Despite the previous reviewers comments, I found the Vertex 200 to be very comfortable when it was completely adjusted. But to adjust it for maximum comfort I tightened all the straps very tight. Between the waist strap, shoulder straps and the chest strap, I thought it was about as comfortable as any other way for me to carry that much gear without being a roll-bag. I like that the zippers are water-proof even though I never had to test that feature. The top handle is sturdy and comfortable when the bag is off.

It's well padded and comes with many re-configureable velcro compartment walls for the interior. Shoulder straps are also very padded and comfortable when the waist and chest strap are fastened.

Cons: The laptop shouldn't be in the front flap. I'm not sure I understand the design decision of putting one of the heavier items in the whole pack on the front flap that requires lifting to get to the contents. Then when you want to fully open the pack, you have to make sure your laptop encased in the flap has a flat surface to rest upon. You certainly can't fling it open with reckless abandon.

I agree with the previous reviewer that the laptop placement also tends to make the bag tippy. Luckily my MBP doesn't weigh very much, but I can imagine if my wife's hp 15" laptop were in there it would be more of a problem. On top of that, it levers the weight of the computer further away from the body's center of gravity when being worn.

Conclusion:

The laptop placement and the somewhat useless expandable pockets on the side are the only things preventing me from giving this bag 5 stars. It is obviously very sturdy and protective. It performed great and I walked quite far with it without pain. A considerable feat for someone with bad knees like me.

If I were making the choice again I might look at the Kata backpack more closely as they decided to put the laptop closest to the body of the wearer. But I also preferred the subdued look of this bag.

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Bottom line: a sturdy well-built pack that could use some design improvements.

After obsessing over camera packs I chose the Lowepro Vertex 200 and brought it to Boston for a 5 day photoshoot. It was loaded down with a Canon Rebel body, 17-40 lens, 50mm lens, small tripod, flash, 14 inch laptop and various accessories. Total weight 25.6 lbs (according to airport scale)

For reference, I'm an avid backpacker and have tried on and purchased many high-end packs before.

What I like: It's stylish and built like a tank. (but weighs as much as one) Feel confident your gear will be safe inside. There are dozens of pockets and it is very customizable. Sealed zippers are a nice touch, usually found only on high-end technical packs.

Complaints: The accessory pockets on the front and inside are not wide enough for the manuals. The outer side pockets are not good for much either, I normally stick a water bottle in there. The laptop sleeve is positioned at the front of the bag, which makes the pack very tippy. It would be more stable tucked next to your back.

My biggest complaint is the harness. Due to excessive flight delays at Boston Logan, I wore this pack for 3 or 4 hours walked a mile or two. By the end of the day, my shoulders and back were killing me. Lowe makes some excellent packs for backpackers, which is why I was so surprised at the crappy suspension. It just hangs on your back.

Maybe I'm spoiled by my Atmos 50 by Osprey Packs. I've packed 35 pounds and it feels great. At $229, I expect more.

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I bought this pack just before a 3 week trip to Patagonia. It had no problem carrying all my photo gear and laptop for the trip. Overall it's a good pack, can use a lot of improvement in the comfort area.

This pack, as all backpacks do, suffers from the "take off the pack, put it on the ground, get out your stuff" problem, but that's unavoidable with a backpack. On the other hand, the nice thing about the pack is that the quick access zipper pouches are very nice. All of your batteries, memory cards and filters are very accessible. This is about as good as it gets with a backpack.

The major drawback to this pack I found was that it's not comfortable to wear, particularly on longer hikes. Lowepro is known to make solid, comfortable packs but this is not one of them. A friend and I both had the pack and despite all the adjustment straps we couldn't get the load to distribute comfortably. In fact, in both of our cases, the shoulder straps buckled right where they met the backpack. The pack just didn't fit correctly.

Honest reviews on Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack

I won't go in to too much of a review of the useful aspects of the 200 other than to say for my needs it's great. I love the organizational possibilities, the high level of protection and the weather proof zippers and rain cover. A lot of great attention to detail with this pack.

What I want to focus on is being 6'4" tall and needing a pack that carries well on my back. I tried the Vertex 100 and with the shoulder straps fully extended the waistband still hit me above my naval, by several inches! All I needed was a pair of PeeWee Herman pants and I'm ready to go cover a golf tournament!

The added two inches in length of the 200 made all the difference. The 300 would probably be perfect for fit but the 200 is better for travel as a carry on piece and also to hold my current photo kit. The shoulder straps are well padded and comfortable as is the waist belt. There is a sternum strap to hold the should straps in place and when properly adjusted the pounds disappear as I carry it.

One other feature I really like is the tripod carrying possibilities. The best is down the middle in the back but you can also carry it on either side to maintain easier access to the main compartments but depending on your tripod this may make the load off balanced too much.

From a tall guy, I love this pack.

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First, the good:

It's plenty of room to accommodate most of your gear. I particularly fit the following equipment:

1 Pentax K10D with the battery grip attached

1 Pentax SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 with the hood on (attached to camera)

1 Sigma 400mm 5.6

1 Pentax SMC-M 50mm f/2

1 Pentax DA SMC 18-55mm

1 Pentax DA SMC 50-200mm

1 Vivitar 2X Teleconverter

3 UV/PL filters (67mm)

1 Sakar flash

And there's space for more; however, I consider that there's room for improvement:

Laptop compartment is in the front of the backpack. Meaning that if you lay down the backpack to access your camera and have a laptop in it, you'll have to deal with the "heavy" top as your laptop is in the front flap. Many manufacturers place this compartment in the back (the part that is against you when using the backpack)

I wish the pockets meant as filter holder in the front/left part of the backpack would have been elastic. I have a couple of 67mm filters in their cases and even though the pockets are big, they are not big enough to fit the cases.

-I wish the top part of the backpack would have had a "quick access" system (with zippers or Velcro) to access your camera. This is just a personal observation!

I wish it would have more external pockets, as there's space to incorporate those.

Overall, I like this backpack really much. It is very comfortable and feels very well constructed. My gear feels very safe in it. Its "all weather" construction is a plus.

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Sunday, May 18, 2014

Cheap Hot Pink Limited Edition Camera Bag Carrying Case for Kodak

Hot Pink Limited Edition Camera Bag Carrying Case for Kodak EasyShare MINI, TOUCH, SLICE, SPORT Point and Shoot Digital Camera
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $39.95
Sale Price: $14.95
Today's Bonus: 63% Off
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I bought this case for my 7 year old daughter and it is perfect! She loves it and it is made very well and padded very well for accidental drops! :)

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I love my Camera Bag Carrying Case. When going on a long trips, I can take extra equipment along without the hassle.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Tamrac 3582 Express Case 2 (Pink) Review

Tamrac 3582 Express Case 2
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $14.95
Sale Price: $2.00
Today's Bonus: 87% Off
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This is my second case for my Canon PowerShot SD 750. The first was a little too bulky, but very protective (Canon PSC-55 Deluxe Leather Compact Case for SD430, SD500, SD550, SD600, SD630, SD700IS, SD800IS, SD850 IS, SD900,SD950IS & SD870IS Digital Cameras). I decided I needed something a little slimmer in order to easily get it in and out of my smallish purse. This is perfect! It fits tightly and is quite slim. It also has a narrow strap that clips on if you want to throw it over your shoulder. It has a magnetic snap on the front that catches easily, and it appears to be of good quality (there's also a belt loop on the back...). The only con is that the sides are not terribly protective; they are elastic, which keeps the camera snugly seated in the case, but a portion of the camera is exposed. I can't see this being a problem in most cases, and I decided to purchase a larger bag for the camera when I don't want it in my purse in order to keep it safe, and in order to keep all of the accessories together. It's also a really cute case, though the color is a little off from the picture (it's more of a light raspberry instead of a lipstick pink).

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I needed a slim fit case for my fuji fx200exr (3.8"x2.3"x0.9"). This case is skin tight on the camera. Its a good case to prevent damage when the camera is floating around in a backpack but I wouldn't try to fit any larger camera.

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This pink suede camera case is perfect for my canon elph SD770IS. The camera slides in easily due to the elastic sides. The neck/shoulder strap makes it convenient to remove the camera and take a shot without looking for a place to put the case. My only concern is the elastic sides do not completely cover the camera sides case in inclement weather. If user slides it in his pocket w/o strap, this is not an issue of concern.

I loved having this case in NYC at many tourist attractions.

Honest reviews on Tamrac 3582 Express Case 2 (Pink)

I bought this for my daughters little Casio EX-Z77. She will love it. It's small (the perfect size for the camera) and cute and well made. It will only hold the camera nothing else, but is great for sticking in her purse.

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Review of VanGoddy (Cardinal) Mini Laurel Small Camera Bag for Olympus Camera

VanGoddy Mini Laurel Small Camera Bag for Olympus Camera Models SZ20 TG320 TG810 TG610 TG310 VG110 VG160 VG140 VG120 VR330 VR320 VR310
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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My Olympus SZ 12 fits pefectly in one side and in the other I have the USB cable and adapter, extra sd cards and still have room for an extra battery. I can hook on my purse or use the shoulder strap. It is very convenient.

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I'm 'downsizing' in digital cameras, and bought an Olympus SZ-14 24X Zoom recently. (NOTE: same camera as the SZ-12, but with a metal body instead of plastic, so this review applies to either model.) I needed a case, of course, but one not too large, which would defeat the purpose of owning a smaller-sized camera. I tried the "Case Logic DCB-302 Compact Camera Case (Magenta)" from Amazon first; my camera BARELY fit in it it's kind of a struggle to get it in each time, though I end up with a very small case+camera package once the zipper is closed. However, since I travel internationally a lot, and hike in the Rockies, I was concerned this tight-fitting case wouldn't protect my camera from the inevitable bumps n' bangs which occur. I started searching for a SLIGHTLY roomier case, and discovered this little goody. My camera fits nicely in the front compartment in both orientations (horizontally, or vertically with thicker side 'down'), though vertically allows for slightly easier zipper closing. The back compartment is roomy enough for memory cards, 1-2 spare charged-up batteries, lens cleaning cloth, and more definitely more functional and useful than the very small, thin pocket on the front of the Case Logic case. The VanGoddy can be carried 4 different ways: strap adjusted for hanging from shoulder or from arm, handle on top to carry in hand, and a small loop on the back which is too small to put on a belt, but large enough for a carabiner, which in turn I hook into a belt loop on my jeans (the case+camera is lightweight enough to hang this way without pulling down my pants!). I liked the color choices I try to have all my electronics' cases/covers in red or similar color so they're easy to spot in a day bag, and helps prevent them from being accidentally left on a table or chair or bus seat. Great case for my purpose!

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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Cheap Olympus Fitted Camera Case for XZ-1 - Black

Olympus Fitted Camera Case for XZ-1 - Black
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $10.62
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I don't like this case, even though it does look like what I ordered. Problems:

1) It doesn't have a neck strap or hooks where you could elect to attach a neck strap of your own. Its short loop on one side is apparently so you can attach it to the neck strap on the camera itsef but that's not a practical solution; the camera case hangs down over/under/right next to the camera itself in that case, so you can't get to the camera in order to hold it properly (unless you have a third hand to hold the case out of the way).

2) It's too stiff, so stiff that the top flap that covers the front of the camera is hard to hold up to get the TIGHTLY FITTING camera out of what is a slightly too small case. (the camera is just shy of sitting all the way on the bottom of the case.) It's too hard to get the camera out of this case.

3) While you'd expect tight-fitting leather to take up scant room, the materials used in stiffening the leather also take up room, so there's more stuff surrounding the camera than you can imagine from the picture. I wanted something really minimal for fitting the camera into a pocket book but this camera case takes up too much room to work that way.

4) With all the space taken up, you'd think there might be a tiny space somewhere to fit an extra battery. There isn't.

5) No way I could use the camera still inside this case, regardless of prexisting settings or only needing to hit the shooting button. The too-stiff camera flap won't stay up and out of the front of the camera where the lens is.

There might not be a case available for this Olympus XZ-1 that functions just as I'd like, but I'm going to return this one and hope for something better.

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I love this case. It is nice and stiff, which is what I wanted, because I wanted a case that would protect my XZ-1 from bumps when it's jostling around in my backpack. The leather is substantial and well stitched. The design is simple and elegant. It doesn't come with a strap, in case anyone is wondering (I think maybe the camera did come with a strap; I forget, because I never used it if it did). It has a nice magnetic connector at the bottom that snaps into place so you don't have to press it closed. The inside is lined with a soft lint-free fuzz. The case feels great in your hands. It adds some bulk to the camera of course, but this camera is hardly pocketable unless you have cargo pant pockets or something like that, and this case would fit just fine into those.

You can shoot with the camera in the case in a pinch, but the case doesn't really feel designed for this. It blocks access to the main settings area (this could be a plus, preventing stray button presses) and to the screen. If your settings are OK you could shoot without taking it out, but normally I put the case away and shoot with only the camera in my hand.

I took off one star because if I were to design this case, there is one thing I would do to make it better. I would give it a bit more something to protect the camera from dust. This case has a fairly open design, with gaps at the sides of the top flap, and small openings in the bottom corners, so dust could come and go if you were foolish enough to expose your camera to dust. The inner lining will help in this respect somewhat, because it will trap most dust, but still it would be nice to see some cloth shrouding or lining that did something to close the gaps. However, that isn't really the main purpose of this case; the main purpose is to protect from bumps. And as such it does a great job.

UPDATE: It might protect from minor bumps, but I can report it does not protect the camera from getting SMASHED. I had my camera in my backpack and something happened that resulted in the camera getting smashed while it was in this case. I don't know when it happened. The backpack didn't get run over by a car or anything. It could have been placed on the wrong side of the pack under a heavy computer, or it might have fallen off the rear seat of the car when I had to brake hard, or something like that. The case did not help. The camera was completely ruined.. Lens smashed in, lens ring (ISO adjustment) unturnable, case smashed in on bottom and top, lens cap broken, tip of lens broken off and embedded into lens cap... fortunately I had a MACK warranty which covers abuse, even smashing, and they repaired the camera by replacing virtually every part (except the body)... They even replaced the sensor and the back screen, for some reason, although I didn't think the sensor could have been damaged, and the screen looked fine. Long story short, this case didn't help that much from a big bump.

Best Deals for Olympus Fitted Camera Case for XZ-1 - Black

This wasn't a cheap bargain case, but I bit the bullet and bought it anyway. It is, as described, designed to fit the Olympus XZ-1. I tried an inexpensive generic digicam case but it wasn't a good fit for the camera. The XZ-1 has a removable lens cover that could be easily dislodged if the camera were carried unprotected in a bag or backpack. Buying this camera was such a splurge for me that I cringe at the thought of damaging the lens.

This case appears to be well-made, and fits the camera nicely. As another reviewer pointed out, it won't keep dust out, but it protects against bumps and scratches. And keeps the lens cover in place. There's a snap-fastening fabric loop on one side of the case that can be attached to a camera strap, so that when the camera's pulled out of the case the case will just dangle. But I don't use it. I'm used to pulling a point-and-shoot camera totally out of a carry case when in use so that's no big deal for me with this camera and case.

Honest reviews on Olympus Fitted Camera Case for XZ-1 - Black

As of now, this case is clocking in at one-quarter of the price of the camera. For a while, Amazon was selling the same case for less than five dollars. And that one came bundled with a 4Gb card. In truth, that's all this case was ever worth.

Buyer beware of the price, lack of features, and availability of better cases for less.

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You know you want, it and non-OEM cases are never quite right. Runs 10% of the cost of the camera, which is high, but worthwhile considering the (lack of good) alternatives. 4 stars for being $20 too expensive.

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