Leica Launches The M-Monochrom – Black & White Only M9-P

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Leica have released another variation of camera based on the old M9 platform.  Last year we saw the M9-P and for Spring 2012 we now have the M-Monochrom, an M9-P that only allows shooting in black and white.  It forgoes the usual anti-aliasing filters and color array filters found on nearly every digital camera and as a result, no demosaicing is required at all on the final image.  This is not simply a color camera that has B&W mode permanently turned on!  It should be able to resolve much higher detail and be much more accurate in terms of subtle …

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Leica Unveils The X2 – 16MP APS-C Fixed Lens Compact

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Today Leica has unveiled their new X2 compact, fixed lens camera.  On the outside there appears to be very little different apart from a socket to attach an optional EVF.  Very sadly this camera has the same 230,000 dot LCD screen as it’s predecessor. The problem that I have with this screen is that it was a bad screen two and a half years ago.  Nearly every single review complained about it at the time and Leica has simply ignored this fact.  Two and a half years is eons in today’s world, which sees many technological advancements ever couple of …

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Aquatech Launches Canon 5D Mark 3 Water Housing

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Aquatcech have unveiled their new housing for the Canon 5D Mark 3 today, the DCV-V3.  Essentially the design remains unchanged from previous versions but of course updated to account for the new button layout of the 5DMK3.  You can also purchase an upgrade kit to convert both your previous DCV-v2 5D MK2 housing, or your 7D housing. Price looks to be $1895

Canon’s Spring/Summer Rebate Programs Goes Live

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Now is the perfect time to pick up that new camera or lens that you have always wanted for your summer adventures and vacations!  Canon’s Double Rebate program is live at B&H which means that regular lens rebates get doubled if you purchase them with a new camera! Head on over to B&H where they have a dedicated page to help you figure out how much you can save.

Think Tank Launches New Airport Backpack Series

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Santa Rosa, Calif. – Think Tank Photo announced today that in May it will release the Airport™ series, a new line of travel-specific, high-capacity camera backpacks designed with maneuvering through airports quickly in mind. The three backpacks – the Airport Accelerator, Airport Commuter, and Airport Essentials —  integrate quick access pockets for both laptops and iPad, a top pocket for boarding passes, and three robust handles to ensure easy placement and retrieval from overhead bins.
The Airport™ series makes life easier for the traveling photographer. All meet international carry on size requirements.  The two smaller bags, the Airport Commuter and the Airport Essentials, are designed to fit under-seat in regional commuter planes.
Their light, adjustable, contoured harness provides comfort along with lumbar support.  The air mesh paneling keeps backs cool. The height-adjustable sternum strap allows for the perfect fit.  A removable waist belt, side water bottle pocket, tripod/ monopod mounting system and seam sealed rain cover extend their versatility. Adding even more functionality, these backpacks can be used with Think Tank’s Pro Speed Belts for additional support and capacity by adding component pouches and cases from the company’s Modular Rotation Component System.  For photographers who travel by air, these bags deliver on the three “C’s”:  Carry-on size, Comfort, Capacity,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank’s co-founder and lead designer.  “Their design, build quality and functionality are second to none.”

The three sizes allow photographers to select the best fit for their needs.

  1. Airport Accelerator accommodates two pro size DSLRs, six to eight standard zooms, a 500 f/4.0, iPad, and up to a 17” laptop. The largest of the three, this one has a padded removable waist belt.
  2. Airport Commuter accommodates a pro size DSLR, four to six standard zooms, (increased depth holds a 400 f/2.8), iPad and 15” laptop .
  3. Airport Essentials accommodates a standard DSLR, four to six standard zooms, iPad, and up to 13” laptop.

Features include:

  • Bottom hinge opens bag completely for quick and unencumbered access.
  • Cable lock and locking YKK zipper sliders for added security.
  • Laptop and iPad stored in a separate locking zippered compartment.
  •  Light, comfortable and contoured harness system.
  • Tripod/monopod mounting system.
  • Top zippered pocket for boarding pass.
  • Removable waist belt for additional stability when walking, running, etc.
  • Easily accessible front organizer pocket.
  • Seam sealed rain cover included.

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Think Tank Special – FREE Laptop Bag With Every Roller

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For the month of May, Think Tank are giving away a FREE Artificial Intelligence laptop bag (worth $59) with every roller bag that you purchase.  All you have to do is click on on of my links below and when you come to check out you’ll get the option to add the laptop bag!  Think Tank’s roller bags are the rollers that all other rollers are judged by, simple as that.  Walk into any press room at any sporting event and all you will see is Think Tank rollers as far as the eye can see, I kid you not.  …

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Another Great Memory Card Deal Day At B&H

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This is definitely the time of year to be stocking up on memory cards!  I picked up some great 32GB Extreme Pro cards last week in B&H’s sale.  This week they have some different cards on sale and there are savings up to $135 to be had for TODAY ONLY!  Get in quick. B&H One Day Memory Card Sale

Affordable Stuido Gear From Impact

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The fine folks at B&H Photo were kind enough to send me some of their studio gear from the house brand Impact.  I’ve written a little review about each individual piece and this post is designed to be the index. If the prices of studio support equipment usually makes you wince then you should definitely take a look at the Impact brand.  Please do take a look at the reviews as there are some caveats with some products but over all I’ve been pretty impressed.

Impact Super Collapsible Background 8×16′

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Not everyone has the luxury of a proper dedicated studio space so what do you do when you need to set up a quick backdrop for a shoot ?  The answer could be to use a pop up backdrop similar to the reflectors that most of us have probably used, only MUCH bigger!  Impact makes what they call an 8×16′ background which is actually an 8×8 popup square with an 8×16′ fabric extension sewn onto it to use as your ‘infinite’ background. When you are done your shoot, the whole thing folds flat into a bag for easy storage in …

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Impact Multiboom Lightstand & Reflector Holder

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There’s a reason that this Impact product has a long name, it’s designed to do a lot of stuff! To begin with, it looks like a light stand and of course, you can use it in this way but, to be honest, its strengths are in other areas and there are better light stands.  The spigot on the top seemed to be an odd sizing when I tested it with my Einstein strobe, there was a lot of play in it and the metal was very soft and easily damaged with the screw clamp.  More so than other stands that …

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Impact Air Cushioned Heavy Duty Light Stand 13′ (4m)

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The first thing of note about the Impact 13′ light stand is that it’s actually not that heavy.  Heavy-duty yes, but not that heavy.  Sounds odd right?  Well, all I can say is that when compared to some of my small light stands it’s a comparable weight BUT it extends to a much larger height!  I was so happy to see this that I immediately threw it in a bag and flew off to a photo competition taking place in Austria.  Weight is important when you are trying to fit all your gear within the requisite baggage limits but I …

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Impact XL Digital Light Shed Review

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If you ever shoot a lot of still life or product photos then chances are you have looked at buying some sort of light tent or shed before.  They offer a quick solution for softening you strobes or continuous lights and they tend to pack down small enough that storage is no issue.  I was sent the Impact XL Digital Light Shed to take a look at and I’ve used similar products in the past to shoot images for product reviews or small products for catalogs. This particular Light Shed has a lot of options and accessories to get you …

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