Photography Gear

ThinkTank Photo Street Walker HardDrive Backpack Review

photos by Kevin Stanford We have already looked at a number of offerings from Think Tank Photo. We reviewed the ThinkTank Retrospective 7 Camera Bag. (Read the review.) We also reviewed the ThinkTank Photo StreetWalker Camera Backpack that has now taken up residence with Judie. (Read the review.) And finally we reviewed the Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 35 V2.0. (Read the review.) As I was finishing this initial series of reviews I commented that I wish I had something that would carry all my gear AND my 15″ MacBook Pro Retina. A short time later the ThinkTank Photo Street Walker…

Reviews

olloclip Review

The camera on the last two generations of iPhone is pretty amazing. The iPhone 4S upped the photographic game in a big way. And while the camera on the iPhone 5 doesn’t look that much better on paper, when you actually shoot with it, the improvements are clear. One of the best ways to get the most out of your iPhone camera is to use one of the many available after-market lens systems. We looked at one such system over the summer. (It comes from our newsletter underwriter USBFever and you can read the full post here.) Another, more compact,…

Reviews

Lowepro S&F Lens Exchange Case 100 AW, Video Review

I’m quite happy with the lens that came with my Canon T3i Kit. The EFS 18-55mm lens works great and really falls well into the “all-purpose” category. Still, there are times when a more powerful telephoto lens comes in handy. After all, I would never have been able to get this shot without it back in August… What this means is that, at times, I will want to have both the kit lens and the telephoto lens with me. For that I need a safe and convenient way to not only carry the extra lens but to also swap lenses…

Reviews

JOBY 3-Way Camera Strap Review

I’m a big fan of JOBY’s products and have been since I reviewed their very first GorillaMobile Tripod. That review sample is still going strong, and in the years since the company has added numerous other products to their portfolio. One thing that did come as a bit of a surprise to me was their move into the camera strap market. They currently have three camera straps available, and each brings their same commitment to rethinking familiar products and adding flexibility and value to them in the process. In this video review, we take a look at their most unusual…

Reviews

Carry Speed DS-Slim Camera Sling Strap with D-1 Wide Platform Ballhead Review

Now that I have finally figured out a good approach to capturing audio when using my Canon T3i to shoot video, I absolutely love the camera. Sure, I’m still a novice, but I am learning and, in the process, I am having a blast. The more I shoot with it however, the more I find myself needing specific accessories to improve the experience of using the camera. Case in point- while I love my camera, I absolutely HATE the Canon shoulder strap that comes with it. The strap feels cheesy, isn’t comfortable when hanging on my next and it connects to…

News

Skooba Design Offers New Products for Camera, Laptops and Cables; Pre-Order Now, Reviews Are Coming Soon!

Drawing on the same design cues we’ve seen in recent products, Skooba Design has just announced three new upcoming ways to carry, protect and organize your gear. It will, of course, come as no small surprise that we are looking forward to getting our hands on each. So what HAS Skooba rolled out? There’s the Photo/Tablet Traveler V.3. I’ve been doing a series of camera bag and case reviews and this looks like a great solution for carrying a lot of gear even when you want to travel light. Think of it as the amazing Laptop Weekender we’ve reviewed shrunk…

News

CVS Mobile App Update Brings Same-Day Photo Printing

Since last year when Walgreens (the pharmacy closest to my house) and my company’s health insurance provider failed to reach an agreement on prescription medication prices, I’ve found myself in a CVS pharmacy a lot more frequently. And you know, they’re pretty good places. I haven’t used them for much other than pharmacy purposes and picking up the odd item or two, but given the improvements they’ve just made to their mobile app, I may just start using them for photo printing. CVS’ updated mobile app will allow customers to print photos directly from their smartphone camera or their CVSphoto.com…

Reviews, Travel

Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 35 V2.0 Review

Over the last few months we’ve looked at numerous ways to carry and protect your camera and gear and today we are looking at yet another! This time out we have the Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 35 V2.0. It has an MSRP of $159.75 and what you get for the money is rather impressive. Yet again the bag “comes in any color you want so long as you want black”. That isn’t an issue to my mind, especially since this is a bag that is intended to carry a ton of gear without calling too much attention to itself….

Gear Bits

5 Questions with Michael Hess of Skooba Design

Skooba Design was Gear Diary’s first advertiser back when Judie first launched the site. They were also the first company to become a Newsletter Underwriter. We tell you that in the interest of full disclosure, but what’s more important is that we really love AND use their stuff. Most recently, we were both taken by the new Skooba Design Laptop Weekender V.3, and are already getting a lot of use out of them. (Read the review here.) Skooba makes great products, and now comes outside confirmation of something that we’ve known for some time: they provide great customer service. Skooba…

Reviews

Zoom Microphone and Accessory Pack Review

I purchased the Canon T3i after speaking to a number of friends and reading a great deal on the web by way of reviews. There were a number of excellent options available in my price range but the T3i seemed to best fit the bill. I ordered through Amazon and got a good price on a Canon T3i kit (body and lens) and an additional telephoto lens. I’m happy with the decision. No, I’m very happy with the decision. In fact, I like everything about the camera… except the audio when shooting movies. That, in a word, stinks. The audio…

News

Flipside Sport 10LAW Camera Backpack Review

This review is a continuation of our series of camera bag reviews. Thus far we’ve taken a look at two bags from Think Tank Photo (the Streetwalker Backpack and the Retrospective 7), one from Lowepro (the Urban Sling), and another from Tenba (the Photo/Laptop Messenger). This time out we are looking at the Lowepro Flipside Sport 10L AW. This backpack-style camera case is one of the more “activity-specific” bags we have seen. It is intended for photographers who lead an active life and are looking for a bag that is good for carrying just enough camera gear, a water bottle…

Reviews

ThinkTank Photo StreetWalker Camera Backpack Review

We’ve already looked at a number of bags for carrying your camera, photographic accessories and, in some cases, a tablet or laptop. Those bags all fell into the category of shoulder bags or slings. This time out we are taking a look at a backpack-style system for carrying all your gear. The Think Tank Photo Streetwalker “holds a regular size DSLR with 70-200 2.8 attached and hood in position ready to shoot”. The company targets this bag as being a good fit for “all photographers, from pros to serious enthusiasts” and, having run it through its paces, I have to…

Reviews

Tenba Messenger: Small Photo/Laptop Bag Review

If I had to choose one style of bag as my personal favorite it would have to be the traditional messenger. I love the flexibility, the ability to “dress it up” or “dress it down” and I love the ability to carry “just enough” gear. Oh, and I just tend to like the way they look. That’s why I was so taken with the Tenba Small Photo/Laptop Messenger bag. It offers all of the flexibility of a traditional messenger in a bag that is well-made, roomy and looks great. At the same time, it doubles as a highly protective camera…

Reviews

USBFever Magnetic Lenses for the iPhone 4S (and other Smartphones) Review

I recently upgraded my camera to a Canon T3i from a Canon G11. The move from a point and shoot, albeit a good one, to a DSLR has been a long time coming and I am loving the process of learning how to use it. (Okay, to be honest, I’m also loving the opportunity to gather new accessories to use with it… that’s another series of posts.) In the past, I would use the G11 for product pictures and even for some video while my iPhone served as my “always with me” point and shoot. I briefly considered keeping the…

Reviews

ThinkTank Retrospective 7 Camera Bag Review

A few weeks back I wrote an initial post about upping my photographic game. After much thought and discussion I purchased a Canon G3i DSLR with an extra lens, and I have been accumulating additional accessories to go with it. (As a result there are a good many reviews on the way!!) Of course, I need a convenient and protective way to carry the camera. I shared an initial look at three different bags from ThinkTank Photo (check it out here). This post is the first of three in-depth looks at them. The Retrospective 7 is the smallest of the ThinkTank…

News

Think Tank Photo Lets You “Test Drive” Your Next Camera Bag

I’m enjoying the process of using and reviewing a number of different camera bags from Think Tank Photo. As we have previously noted, the bags are impressive in their design and flexibility. You can read and see our overview here. Think Tank just let us know that they have launched a new program- The Think Tank Test Drive. The Think Tank Test Drive program, which runs through the end of August, means you can try one of their Sling-O-Matic sling bags for free for 30 days. (This program is in place of the free gift Gear Diary readers get with Think…

Reviews

Satechi WTR-C Wireless Timer Remote Shutter for Canon T3i Review

The other day we took a look at the Satechi Bluetooth Media Remote. The little Bluetooth remote has numerous tricks up its sleeve, including being able to remotely fire the iPhone’s camera shutter; this is useful when you want to take a self-portrait or place the iPhone in a stand, thus making sure there is no shake when the camera fires. After all, vibration at the moment a picture is taken can ruin an otherwise awesome image. But what if you are using something like the Canon T3i I am now using as my main camera? For that Satechi has…

News, Reviews

Portrait Professional Studio v10 Review

Let’s be honest here. If you’re over 40 years old, there’s a good chance you’re not looking your best. I’m not saying that you’re a hideous monster or anything like that, but it’s certainly possible you could use a little work. If you’re much older than 40, you could definitely use some work. That’s where the Portrait Professional Studio software enters the picture. Portrait Professional Studio is capable of “airbrushing,” a technique of photographic retouching and enhancing that removes imperfections and similar surface-level “problems.” Usually reserved for models in the glamor and fashion industries, Anthropics Technology has created an intelligent,…

Editorials

Upping My Photographic Game, Part 1

I recently decided that after years of writing for various websites and, as a result, taking tons of pictures, it was past time for me to do something about my photographic skills. I’ve been shopping for gear that would really make a difference but not break the bank, and I wanted to invite you along for the journey – especially since my new camera and lenses arrive tomorrow. Before we get into that, let’s take a quick look back at my “photographic history”. When digital photography first became popular I picked up a simple, inexpensive point and shoot. Over…

Crowdfunding, Reviews

SlingShot Smartphone Accessory Review, Kickstart This!

We get a lot of gear sent to us in my household. Most of it disappears into my office/gear cave, and occasionally I ask Sarah for help with reviewing it. She rarely, if ever, comments on the items, but the SlingShot caught her attention. We used it on a few hikes to take video and photos, and today Sarah declared that it’s the first item I’ve ever reviewed that she would buy without hesitation. What triggered such high praise? Read on to find out more about this great Kickstarter project! Project title: SlingShot Status: In progress Closing date for funding:…

News

Stylishly Protect and Carry Your Gear with Lowepro’s New Camera Bags

When we were at CES in January I had the opportunity to stop by the Lowepro booth and see some of the awesome camera bags they have to offer. At the time I was interested, but didn’t find the gear personally relevant since I was content using my iPhone and Canon G11 for photos, and neither requires a good camera bag. Fast forward a few months, and I am actually looking for a good camera bag. You see, I thought the SonyDSLR we posted on a number of weeks back looked amazing, and I plan to pick one up as…

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