Keeping Your Photography Cables Organized

July 1, 2024June 18, 2013 by Dan Carr

Someone e-mailed me today with the simple question “how do you keep you cables organised?” My solution comes in two parts: 1. Buy the Et Cetera cases from Gura Gear. I prefer the ‘cases’ for organization when I travel and in the office/storage cupboards and then the ‘pouches’ are flatter so they work best to stash in my bag when I’m out shooting. 2. Use Pearstone Touch Fasteners from B&H. These things are super cheap and just awesome. You tie one to each cable and then there’s always a way to fasten it up into a neat little package. So …

Unboxing the Canon 200-400 F4 L IS 1.4 Ext

October 11, 2023June 13, 2013 by Dan Carr

Well the day finally came. Canon’s most anticipated professional lens is making its way into public hands and I was able to get one of the first few that landed in Canada. As I say in the video, every photographer should get the opportunity to experience the excitement of unwrapping one of Canon’s “Big Whites”. Gear porn? Yes indeed, but i know some of you love these kinds of videos. Now time to go and shoot! Buy your own Canon 200-400

Accessories For The Canon 200-400 F4 L IS

October 11, 2023May 18, 2013 by Dan Carr

I ordered the Canon 200-400 F4 L IS the minute it was finally announced and as soon as my local store confirmed that it would be arriving in just a couple of weeks I set about grabbing a few necessary accessories for it. Since it’s a $12,000 lens I don’t mind spending a few more dollars on a couple of things to protect it and ease its operations. Let’s take a look at what is available for this exciting new lens: Really Right Stuff LCF-53 This is a replacement foot for the lens that included the Arca Swiss standard dovetail …

Mindshift Gear’s New Rotation 180 Pro – Full Review

July 1, 2024April 5, 2013 by Dan Carr

Last year at Photo Plus Expo in New York I came across a surprise as I was walking across the show floor to the Think Tank Photo booth. Attached to the side of their booth was a small table and a new banner; Mindshift Gear. I’m a big fan of Think Tank’s stuff, you guys have probably read a review or three on here in the past but whilst they make the best roller bags and sports/event photography gear in the business they have never produced a bag that suits my main needs as an outdoor and adventure sports photographer. …

CalDigit AV Pro Review – Hot Swapable Single Drive Bay With USB3

July 1, 2024March 12, 2013 by Dan Carr

Ok guys listen up, today we’re going to be talking hard drives. Now I can already hear the collective groan from the bleachers but bare with me on this one because someone out there is finally doing something innovative in this space and whether we like it or not, as media professionals we come into contact with hard drives on a daily basis. Our livelihoods are often in their hands so whilst it isn’t as glamorous as a new lens or shiny camera it is a necessity and anyone that simply rolls into their local Best Buy and picks up …

Solving The Camera Strap Conundrum With The Carry Speed DS-2

July 2, 2024January 11, 2013 by Dan Carr

Like most people who usually have a camera with them on any given day, I have never been satisfied with the strap that comes packaged with the camera. For the last few years I’ve been using some much more comfortable straps provided to me as part of the Canon’s CPS membership which are simply Canon branded versions of the Optech Utility Strap with a different, more robust attachment system. The neoprene strap works well for easing the discomfort of a heavy camera on your shoulders but the traditional attachment points on the left and right sides of the camera still …

Canon’s 90EX Flash As Portable Macro Flash

October 11, 2023January 11, 2013 by Dan Carr

Here’s an interesting little setup which Many people haven’t considered. I’ve been shooting a lot with the little EOS-M , Canon’s mirrorless camera and it came packaged with the little Canon 90EX flash. It’s powered by just two AAA batteries and that means that it is decidedly pocket sized ! Whilst it’s marketed as a flash for the EOS-M , it works just fine with any Canon camera that has a hot shoe. If you use a 5D , a camera with no built-in flash, then it can also be a handy accessory for general shooting and at $150 it …

10 Christmas Gift Ideas For Photographers

July 2, 2024November 17, 2012 by Dan Carr

It’s getting close to that time of year again when snow is falling on the ground and Christmas is on its way. At least it’s snowing here in British Columbia anyway. Time for my annual Christmas gift list for your photography obsessed friends and loved ones. The list is in no particular order and prices vary but I’m sure you’ll find something suitable! 1 – Really Right Stuff MTX Tool – $50 Do you know someone who has a collection of tripods and camera support equipment ? Then chances are that they also have a draw full of bespoke tools …

Manfrotto Deluxe HDSLR Remote Review

July 2, 2024November 14, 2012 by Dan Carr

At NAB this year Manfrotto launched a couple of interesting new products to compliment their SYMPLA rig lineup, the Deluxe HDSLR Remote and the Clamp On HDSLR Remote. My interest piqued because there are relatively few other options out there that can accomplish the same thing and none from a company with Manfrotto’s experience. So what are we talking about here ? We’re talking remote control of your Canon HDSLR when shooting video. Not just simple record Start/Stop functionality but control of aperture, shutter speed, ISO and even focus. Sounds pretty cool right ? I immediately contacted my friends at …

Comparing Canon’s 300mm f2.8 Ls – MKI Vs MKII

July 30, 2025October 4, 2012 by Dan Carr

I’m a big fan of the original Canon 300mm f2.8 L IS, it has served me well from covers to ads I’ve packed this thing around the world with me shooting up mountains and around race tracks with frankly stunning results. I’ve never once caught myself wishing for anything more from the lens, I even shoot it regularly with extenders and produce more than useable images. When Canon announced its replacement last year I wondered how much of an improvement they could really make. In reading the various press releases for all of Canon’s new Super Telephotos it became clear …

Canon 6D Vs. Canon 5D Mark 3 & Making The Jump To Full Frame

July 4, 2024September 18, 2012 by Dan Carr

With Canon’s introduction of the new EOS 6D comes a question that many people are going to consider. 5D Vs 6D. For full frame Canon photography there has never been this choice before in this price bracket and it is exciting that people who have been using APS-C cameras for some time, now have the opportunity to upgrade. The invention of APS-C sized sensors was purely down to the manufacturing costs of CMOS sensors when digital DSLRs were developed. The cost of the sensor represented a huge proportion of the overall camera cost but now, as that cost has come …

Canon 6D Vs. Nikon D600 – Full Frame Wars

July 10, 2024September 17, 2012 by Dan Carr

The full frame wars are hotting up and what used to be a feature confined to the pro marketplace has now found its way into the prosumer marketplace simultaneously from the top two manufacturers. The high cost of CMOS sensor production was the catalyst for ‘crop’ frame APS-C cameras but now that these costs have reduced we can finally get back to the way things are meant to be, the way they always were with film cameras and a 35mm film. This is an exciting time in the industry and I’m happy to say that both Canon and Nikon appear …