Just got the 2 head kit, looks like a great piece of gear. Full review forthcoming as soon as I get a couple of shoots down with it. Initial impressions are *wow* It puts out an amazing amount of *quality* light for such a tiny package.
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Bag and accessory manufacturer Hex has shared its latest pair of bags as part of its 2018 lineup, the Ranger Collection. The collection consists of a clamshell backpack and a sling backpack that are “designed to be discrete and street-ready for the modern photographer.”
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The Clamshell Backpack is constructed of water-resistant 500D Cordura nylon and uses what Hex says is a patent-pending clamshell design. It features a typical internal foam divider system that can be arranged to fit your equipment and uses YKK zippers with metal pulls to access the compartments.
According to Hex, you can expect to fit one or two DSLRs and a few lenses, ranging from small primes to telephoto zoom lenses. There are also dedicated pockets for your phone and laptops up to 15 inches. A hidden rain cover is also included for when the weather takes a turn for the worst.
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Like the Clamshell Backpack, the DSLR Sling is constructed of water-resistant 500D Cordura nylon and YKK zippers with custom metal pulls. One of the most interesting details about the DSLR Sling is its ability to pack down flat when the bottom panel is removed, making it easier to travel with as an auxiliary bag.
The DSLR Sling can carry a non-gripped camera body and a lens or two, depending on what glass you’re using. It’s not large enough to fit a laptop, but there are dedicated faux-fur lined pockets for smartphones and even smaller tablets.
The Hex Clamshell Backpack and DSLR Sling are available through Hex’s online shop. They retail for $ 199.95 and $ 99.95, respectively. Both bags come in black and camo colorways.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Ask most photographers and they will tell you that one of the hardest things to find with respect to photography gear is the perfect camera bag. One that will suit your every need. We search and search, but in the end, we all come to the realization there isn’t one bag that will be great for every situation. Though, sometimes you can find one that comes close, for me it was the Benro Ranger 400 Pro backpack.
One of the things to look for in a bag is one that gives you lots of options when using it. One that can handle most photographic situations that you might encounter.
I was looking for a bag that would hold my camera, my filters and holder, plus up to three lenses. Also ideally one that would take my laptop from time to time. It was also very important that it would hold my tripod.
The Benro 400 Pro backpack is lightweight and has a lot of protective elements. The outside of it measures 14 in (35cm) wide, by 19 in (50cm) high, and 8 in (20cm) in depth. It isn’t a large bag, but it’s big enough for most people. The inside is 12(W) x 17(H)x 6(D) inches, or 30(W) x 42(H) x 15(D) cm.
Sitting next to the Benro Tripod.
The bag has three separate ways to enter it. The main zipper, that allows full access to the inside of the bag. There is a side zipper to allow easy removal of the camera with the lens attached. There is also a small zipper on the back near the top to help you get to your lenses faster for quick changes.
The side entrance to get your camera.
Inside the bag, you can move the dividers around to suit your needs. It is like most camera bags in that respect. It will take the camera, and more importantly large cameras fit easily. There are plenty of sections for your lenses, and it will also allow you to take up to three others (besides the one on the camera), filters, and other smaller accessories you may need for your trip. You do need to be careful that you don’t carry too much, think of your back.
The inside of the bag.
The bag is deep and you can put your lenses in length ways, unlike other bags where they need to lay down and take up more room. For most lenses you can put them in this way.
There are also places to keep memory cards and batteries. If you want to carry your laptop it will take up to a 14-inch one. A 13-inch Wacom MobileStudio Pro also fits into it fine.
The area at the back so you can easily reach your lenses.
The Benro 400 Pro backpack is made with a black water-resistant nylon. It has a hard bottom, so for a backpack it will stands up really well when you put it down. When moving around you can just place it down and not worry about it falling over as many other bags do. It is very hard and gives the bag a lot of support with the structure of the bag as well.
It is very comfortable to wear and the smaller size makes it a good bag for most people. The straps are thick and provide a lot of padding which make it good to carry on your shoulders. When the bag is full of gear you can carry it with ease.
The bag sits well on the back and is comfortable.
It does come with a waist strap that you cannot remove from the bag. The sides that come around your waist to sit on your hips also have small compartments with zips. When you get the bag, one of the pockets holds the strap for the tripod and the other side has the rain cover. You can remove both and use them as pockets for easy access. I use one to store my car keys. The zip means they will be safe there.
The strap that is found in the side waist strap pocket is used to put across the front of the bag, and another pocket from down the bottom at the front pulls out so you can attach your tripod. The strap is fiddly and can take a bit to put your tripod on it. I found it frustrating, and instead, choose to attach it a different way.
How the tripod fits to the front of the bag.
You can also attach it on the side of the bag as well, There is a strap at the bottom of the side that doesn’t seem to have much purpose, and then the strap that is used to keep the front section to the back section, extra security at the top of the side. You can use them to hold the tripod onto the bag. It is, in some ways, a much easier way to attach it. It is nice that you get a couple of choices.
The tripod attached to the side.
Since getting the Benro Ranger 400 Pro Backpack I’ve used it continuously. The only time I change bags is when I want to use one on wheels. It has been to many places and has not let me down so far. It has been comfortable to wear for hours and the tripod is easy to get on and off. For me it is almost the perfect camera bag.
The post Review of the Benro Ranger 400 Pro Backpack by Leanne Cole appeared first on Digital Photography School.
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Camera clamp manufacturer Takeway has announced a miniature version of its T1 Clampod that it is aiming at the action cam market. The R1 Mini Ranger Clampod features a screw-close clamping jaw that can be adjusted for gripping on to flat surfaces or around cylindrical poles. The jaw offers a choice of three clamping ‘teeth’ so users can select the most appropriate for the type of surface the clamp is being attached to.
The head features a quick release plate that allows cameras to be attached and detached easily – Takeway claims the R1 can cope with a maximum load of 300g. Its load capacity makes it suitable for small to medium sized flash units too, such as the Canon Speedlite 430EX RT, though not top-of-the-range models. The aluminum clamp itself weighs 73g, and the jaw can attach to tubes of between 10-32mm in diameter and flat surfaces of between 5-32mm thick.
The Takeway R1 Mini Ranger Clampod will cost £29.94/€39.95. For more information visit the Takeway website.
Press release:
Kenro Ltd, the specialist photo & video distributor, has expanded its range of Takeway camera clamps with the introduction of the new R1 Mini Ranger Clampod, together with an expanded range of Clampod accessories.
Kenro is the UK and Ireland’s exclusive distributor of the versatile Takeway Clampod mini tripod and clamping system.
Following hot on the heels of its ingenious larger brother – the T1 Clampod introduced last year – the new R1 Mini Ranger version is aimed at action cameras, mobile phones and GPS devices. SRP is just £29.94.
It is ideal for fixing onto cycle or motorcycle handlebars for filming outdoor adventure activities, but it will actually clamp onto anything 5-32mm thick so the applications are numerous. The R1 Mini Ranger has a quick release plate so an action camera or other device can be quickly loaded into place.
It can be used as a camera support aid in inaccessible places where handheld or tripod use is not possible, plus it can also be used with a flex neck for precise positioning in even more difficult places.
Clampod accessories, also recently launched, include:
Tablet Holder (TY102)
The optional tablet holder is compatible with tablets from 7” to 10.2” – such as iPad, Note 10.1 etc. The stored holder is only 15 cm x 6.4 cm, the max opening for tablet width is 20cm. SRP is £17.94.
Smartphone Holder for Sports (TY103)
This is a smartphone holder for dynamic use – such as motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, skateboarding etc. Even with violent shaking, a smartphone will not easily fall out. It is designed for smartphones from 4” to 5.7” in size. SRP is £15.54.
G1 Mini Tripod (TYG1)
The G1 is a table-top device which fits direct to cameras etc, via its 1/4” screw thread. It is designed to be used with the TYB01 Ball Head and T1 Clampod. Size folded: 15 x 11 x 7cm. Size extended: 9.5 x 4 x 2.4cm. SRP is £17.34.
Flex Neck (TYFN01)
The Flex Neck is 11cm long and fits the camera plate of the T1 or R1 Takeway Clamps along with the TYB01 Ball Head. Its bending action enables the user, in conjunction with a Takeway Clamp, to operate at more extreme angles. SRP is £22.14.
Ball Head (TYB01)
This mini Ball Head is designed mainly for use with the Takeway R1 Ranger, G1 Tripod or Flex Neck. It has a load capacity of 3kg and features a Quick Release Plate. SRP is £22.74.
Paul Kench, Kenro’s managing director, says: “When we introduced the original T1 Clampod, it provided users with a great looking, excellent quality and very handy device to clamp digital cameras to virtually anything and it has been very well received.
“This success led Takeway to design a smaller clamp aimed at the action cam and handheld device user, and the R1 Mini Ranger Clampod fits the bill perfectly. With its extended range of accessories, Takeway now has an extremely versatile and cost-effective device clamping system.”
All quoted prices are SRP guide, including VAT.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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