Can you believe it?? This year went by so fast and so much has happened in this year for HighKey! Well, anyway… enough sentimental reminiscence… I will just get to the point of this post .

We’re proud to introduce our two newest camera straps:

Urban Explorer Red and Sharkstooth!

Check out our new camera straps!

Wow. I can’t begin to describe what a bad idea this is for carrying a camera. If I catch any photojournalism students using one of these I will take your camera and make you shoot weather features for a month. I see a lot of angry reviews and broken cameras coming from the design of this holster. You will drop and break your DSLR while using this. I almost guarantee it. But don’t take my word for it, make sure you know where to send your camera for repair and get ready to whip out that credit card instead of your camera.

I recommend using a Domke strap or a Think Tank Strap. Solid design and sturdy as hell. I have used these for years and have NEVER had a problem.

Now that I have this beautiful new camera, I need some nice photography gear to go along with it! I thought about what types of photography interest me the most (based on what I have photographed in the past and what I am most drawn to), and then read blogs and reviews about the most useful equipment to help me do that. The list of 11 things I have come up with is a mix of basic functional items most photography kits need and items I feel would be most useful to me. This wishlist for photographic equipment is also influenced by my small budget and the fact that I am still new to DSLR photography and have no intention of becoming a professional photographer (so pros and people with money would have a very different list!).

Hopefully you will find this list helpful too. Here is my current equipment wishlist, in no particular order:

1. Camera Bag

My camera is currently housed in my old padded camera bag that I got from kmart in my late teens. It does the job, but it doesn’t hold anything other than the camera with a lens attached. Plus, it looks pretty daggy. I want something that won’t look too much like a camera bag, will hold my camera plus a spare lens or two and other accessories, and is easy to carry and access. I have been considering the Tamrac Express 7 or the Tamrac Adventure Messenger 4, but I think the Express range looks a bit fancier for a girl  

Tamrac Express 7 (left) and Tamrac Adventure Messenger 4 (right)

2. New Camera Strap

I want one that:
i) Is comfortable on my neck with better connected loops. The one that came with my camera scratches and digs into my neck and the loops that connect it to the camera are very awkward and often poke in front of the viewfinder.
ii) DOESN’T advertise the fact that I have a Canon DSLR. I don’t want my strap screaming out to everyone BEHIND me that I have a Canon DSLR!

3. A Spare Battery and/or Battery Grip

My camera takes the LP-E5 battery pack. I am also thinking the Battery Grip could also be very helpful for the portrait shots and extra battery power, but that is extra money so I will wait awhile for that. My camera requires the BG-E5 battery grip, which holds two battery packs (you can use it with just one though) or 6 AA batteries. 

Canon BG-E5 Battery Grip

4. Lens Hood/s

Shame on you Canon for not supplying them with your kit lens! I am not sure how often I would actually use them, but if I can find some third party ones for cheap I can experiment. The lens hood for both my Canon 18-55mm and 55-250mm lens is the EW-60C – which is pretty puny. Some reviews have said that the recommended hood is only useful at the wide angle end of my 18-55mm lens, so I’ll have to find a more useful hood for each.

5. Tripod

I love the Gorillapod I have for my little digital point and shoot, so I was thinking of getting another that is the right size for my DSLR. It would be handy to travel with and utilise in different places, and not too expensive. I also want another good tripod, but will need the moola for a nice quality one so it will have to wait (last thing I want is a cheap flimsy tripod falling over with a small gust of wind!).

6. Shutter Release Cable with Timer

A remote one would be nice, but alas no infrared receiver in my camera for the remote (unless I want a bulky attachment chucked on the hot shoe!). For my camera I need to get a third party brand to get the timer functions, but that makes it cheaper anyway. 

Third-party timer remote shutter release cables

7. Good Camera Cleaning Kit

Not to clean the inside obviously (me try to clean the sensor? Ohh that would be a bad idea!), but just to clean the outside body and lenses. Nice cleaning cloth, brush, air blower, and possibly some gentle lens cleaner fluid.

Okay so those were the camera essentials for the general wellbeing of my camera. Now for the fun items!

8. A Nifty-Fifty: Canon 50mm Prime Lens

Ooh I hear so many good things about nifty-fifty lenses! The photos are always so gorgeous: beautiful quality and the great wide aperture for shallow depth of field creativity. Ideally I want the Canon 50mm f1.4 USM, but that is pricey (for me at this time of my life) considering all the other stuff I want too. So I might have to settle for the Canon 50mm f1.8 II – still great image quality apparently, although bokeh not quite as snazzy and it doesn’t have the fancy USM for focusing, but it will be fine for my amateur needs. One final bonus: it promotes exercise hahah. Need to zoom? Use your legs! 

Canon 50mm f1.8 lens

9. A Super-Wide Angle Lens

Ideally the Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 lens, but oh dear the money! I was considering the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 but I am not sure about the limited range, and the price is still very close to the canon. I am thinking that the cheaper Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 lens will do the job just fine. I love the creativity of the super wide shots, and already find myself wishing my lens went a bit wider.

10. Fun filters

I have UV filters on my lens for protection, but I want to play around with both a polarising filter and a neutral density filter (not both at the same time obviously) I think they will be lots of fun especially when doing photography along the coast. My current lenses rotate when focusing, so adjusting the polarising filter to the correct angle for each shot will be…interesting. But I would love to see the improved effect of a polarising filter on the sky and ocean in photos. And I want to play around with the cool water movement shots along the coast, and apparently a neutral density filter will help stop the overexposure of long shutter times during the day.

11. External Flash

I have not really used my flash at all just yet, but I know there will be plenty of times in future when I will use it – and will benefit from the improved quality of an external flash. I am thinking the Speedlite 430 EX II would be just the thing for me – more features than the 270EX but not too expensive. If I do get it and choose to upgrade to the 580 EX II sometime further into the future, the 430 can act as a slave to the 580 master. 

Canon Speedlite Flash 430EX II

Finally: Wishlist item #12 – Lots of money to afford all of this equipment!

Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for my gear list? Feel free to pop them in the comments below!

You may have heard about a camera strap but most of you might be unaware about the camera harness strap. The result is terrible accidents involving your camera falling flat on the ground. Dropping your beloved equipment on ground can be a very hard to thing to get over considering the expense of getting a replacement one.

Camera harness straps are easy, inexpensive and convenient accessories for your camera. They become a necessity considering the cost of your camera. Even if you are a normal, person who loves to click photographs or a professional photographer, a good strapping system for your camera is necessary.

Most of the people have the tendency to hold cameras in their hands so that they can quickly access them. You must understand that doing this involves a good deal of inconvenience and risk. The most important benefit offered by a strapping system is the level of comfort they offer. It offers great safety and convenience too.

The camera harness straps are capable of evenly distributing weight of the camera from your neck to the back and shoulders unless the normal straps. This will let you take a huge load off the neck. The camera harness strap will help you to keep the device close to your chest area and thereby offers easy access to the device.

This will enable the photographer to have a quick picture taking capability. The strapping system will be made up of quality, durable material so that the safety of your camera cannot be your concern anymore. The quality will be so high that you do not have to worry about tearing and ripping too.

The camera harness straps will take care of many issues, letting you focus on taking great quality pictures. This can tremendously improve the quality of the pictures by offering stability and shake free frames. Investing on a harness camera strap is not at all a bad idea considering the level of protection it offers.

camera bags

]]> http://camera47.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/review-blackrapid-rs-4-camera-strap/ Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:32:25 +0000 jonesoliver http://camera47.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/review-blackrapid-rs-4-camera-strap/

Bottom line: This is a great camera strap.

For the last two weekends – that included over +13,000 shots – I’ve only had the Blackrapid RS-4 strap on my camera.

In that time, there were 4 days of rodeo, a Worldwide Photo Walk in Corvallis, kinetic sculptures mired in mud, small electric cars zooming in circles, and 5 bands on the main stage at the daVinci Days festival.

The strap was comfortable and it was easier-than-advertised to go from camera-at-my-side to shooting – in one motion.  And to be honest – I was partly less-than-impressed with the “quick draw” feature of the strap before I bought it.  But after wearing it for a few days – I dig it.

And I really like the fact that between shoots – the camera is either pointing down my side or even behind me.  It’s very comfortable.

The strap’s zippered compartment has held up to 4 compact flash cards in the protective cases (it’s only advertised to hold 2) – but it’s not going to hold an extra battery or filter.

The locking mechanism is solid (Connect R-2) – as is the rubber interface on the quarter-twenty connection (Fasten R-2).

Quibbles?  OK – but their pretty minor.

First – I think I’d like a rubber sort of no-slip something-or-another on the under-side of the shoulder pad.  It did occasionally slip down my shoulder onto my chest.  Maybe with more use it will mold to my shoulder.

Second – I added a little hook-and-loop strap around the loose webbing at the end (like the ones to bundle cables) – just to keep it from flapping around – and one around the shoulder strap’s plastic clasp – not because it opened up on me – but mostly because I had an extra one on hand.

And even with these quibbles – there’s a reason photographers are scooping these up – the Blackrapid RS-4 is a great product .  I highly recommend it.

—-

Update 27 July 2009: As it goes – what seems like just hours after I posted this review – Blackrapid announced their brand new RS-5.  This looks to have all of the DNA of the RS-4 – but with the ability to carry a lot more on your strap (cell phone, etc.).

I think I’m glad I already have the RS-4 – as it would have been very difficult to choose between the two straps.

｢新しい服が欲しい〜」と私の愛用カメラは言った。

だから、私からカメラにプレセントをあげた。

それは、私の手作りカメラ用ストライプ。

＊＊

この布は、たまたま見つけました。

私の好きな中目黒の焼き鳥屋「串若丸」で待っていた時、時間があったので、隣のかわいい雑貨屋「Garu」に立ち寄りました。

その雑貨屋には、素敵な手作りものがいっぱいある。

その中で、この布を見つけた。

最初に見たときに、すぐに気に入ってしまいました。

何を作るかなー、まだイデアはわからないけど、買った。

数日後、カメラからのメッセージ来ました。

私「あー、あの布は合うかもしれない。」サイズを合わせてみると、ぴったり。

「はい、これです！」

一度目に作ったときは、間違った所があったので、次の日に最初から作り直した。

二度目のトライは素敵な仕上がり。

このカメラのストライプは、今まで一番自慢の手作りのものと思います。

＊＊＊＊＊

Design*Sponge is a really great blog that I stumbled on a few weeks ago. I have to say, I am absolutely obsessed with their before-and-after feature. It’s incredible to see how people find an old chair at a yard sale or a beat-up dresser at a consignment shop and completely turn the thing around into a gorgeous, usable piece of furniture. A little paint and new fabric and a bit of hard work and creativity can go a loooong way, my friends. But today I want to point you to another one of their features: DIY. Yesterday the super-talented blogger duo of Derek and Lauren posted a DIY project that any hipster loving photographer is going to swoon for: a camera strap cover. All you need is a long strip of fabric, a sewing machine, and a few minutes of your time. I don’t have a sewing machine, but this weekend I might borrow my Mom’s so I can make one of these!
Photo courtesy Derek and Lauren. Instructions here!

A camera strap is pretty much one of the photography accessories that everyone owns. Most likely the one on your camera came with it – whether it is a point and shoot with a wristlet strap or a DSLR with a strap that bears the name of the manufacturer. There are also the padded straps that are offered by a few companies.

But we’ve found a cool new company – Trendy Camera Straps www.trendycamerastraps.com that offer the coolest handmade camera straps in a wide variety of designs for P&S and DSLR cameras, in styles that will appeal to both ladies and guys. The company even offers custom branding designs. Straps are available in wristlet and neck strap styles. DSLR straps are wider than the P&S styles, but whichever cameras you own, you’ll want to adorn each with its own Trendy Camera Strap.

If you want your camera – and its strap – to be an extension of your fashion sense and style, then you need to give Trendy Camera Straps a try. Trendy Camera Straps give your camera style.

— Diane Berkenfeld

As I sit here at my desk researching information on Credit Unions for another Blog of mine, I hear the crunch of footsteps through the dry decaying desert weeds.  Could it be?  I jump up with childlike excitement on Christmas morning and race to the door to meet my Santa Claus for the day.  I anxiously wait for him to draw closer, eyeing the package in his arms.  He scans the package with his handy technology then requests my signature.  Oh ow the anticipation is building as he finishes his task and then hands me my package.  The excitement bubbles within me threatening to burst at any moment.  ”Bless you for delivering my package and have a great weekend!” I shout to the man dressed in purple and black.

SLAM! goes the door.

I flick on the lights as I race into my office.  “Quick, where’s the scissors.” Turning I reach for the weapon of choice and gingerly slice through the brown tape.  Glorious things have been known to arrive in brown wrapping and today is no different.  Quietly it waits to be lifted out of its dark cocoon.  The Rebel box emerges into the light of day for the very first time Like a Virgin.

With kid like gloves I begin to unravel the parts within, handling each and every piece as if I were a surgeon transplanting a heart.  First, the source of all power must be energized.  While waiting for the rejuventing process to be complete…STOP!

How the frell do I insert the memory card?  Ah, that is how it is done demonstrates the instructor manual.  OK, time to attach the lens.  Cool beans, that was easy.  Battery charged yet?  Nope!  Ok, guess I can look like I am learning from the instructor skimming the manual as I place the security device around my neck strap.  Hold on a minute, I paid how much for this camera and the strap is cutting into my neck less than a minute in.  I don’t think so.  Quickly I race through my favorites on Etsy, there she is, my Shutter Sister Jessie, who makes custom camera strap covers.

Ok, so the camera strap is ordered.  Probably will take a few days.  Battery is still not charged.  Damn! Guess I am stuck listening reading to the instructor manual until the battery is charged, all the while reading and commenting on all the blogs of friends that I subscribe to.

More updates photographs to follow as they happen!

I’m slowly building my collection of gear!  Key word is slowly.  In March, I bought my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (precisely 1 week afer I set it as my March goal) and 2 weeks ago I finally bought a Shootsac.   Tonight, I bought a strap for my camera for a little pop of color and personality to all of my black gear!  Not just any camera strap, but a pretty camera strap with padding.  Ta-da!

I bought it at Shealynn’s shop on Etsy which I found through Drew B’s blog.  It was only $20.50 including shipping.  This design is actually only $18.50, but I added the padding for an extra $2.  Get one!

(I couldn’t decide: the the depths are in different spots.  I like them both and they each make me feel differently)

My friend (pictured) and I are going to NYC for a week.  She’s leaving me (Chicago) and going to attend an MSW program at NYU.  I’m very excited for her.  She’s so smart and has one of the kindest souls I know.  It’ll be good to have a legit, solid person in the social work world to leave things a little better.

So before her “permanent” move, we’re hoping to have a good time and walk around while taking pictures and eating pickles on sticks.  So last night she helped me sew a cover for my camera strap.  It’s pretty sweet.  And so that’s her above putting it together like the “cute upgrade” queen she is to this world.

Chicago, IL.

Prepping for NYC.

We are getting ready for a trip to Michigan, and I had a couple of projects to finish to take with me.

A Nursing Cover-baby gift

Margaret Bag

Wallet

Wallet Insides

inside view 2

dressed up camera strap

..When you’re procrastinating.

The last few weeks I’ve spent thinking about things I need to buy for going to NZ, debating whether to take a backpack or suitcase, which padlocks to buy.. the list goes on. Unfortunately, on Monday someone at work wanted to confirm that I was off from next Friday. It scared the bejebus out of me to find out that she was right; this holiday has snuck up on me too quickly.

So, the past couple of nights I have started looking at my plans. I have most of the things I need booked, I have lists of what I’d like to see/do while I’m there and have decided to take a suitcase due to my neck being a bit temperamental recently (and the problem of not owning a backpack).

I managed to get to Ted’s camera shop today and bought a new camera strap that’s softer on my neck, a small camera bag to fit in my daypack and a small light tripod which I can carry around while I’m there. The tripod was a big debate for me. I don’t shoot very much night stuff, but I knew if I didn’t take one I’d regret it. However, I didn’t want to take my bigger, heavier one because it would be a pain to carry around if I didn’t use it. Now that I have something new, I’m determined to use it while I’m there!

I’m really quite excited about this trip – it’s my first holiday on my own which means I can do what I want when I want. I’m doing it on the cheap in a couple of hostels, which gives me a social aspect if I need it, but I think I’ll value the independence and ability to explore on my own – especially the Impressionists’ exhibition at Te Papa which I found out about yesterday! I’ve always had a weakness for Monet, and to find out there is going to be a huge collection there is thrilling.

You asked for it and after much consideration and trial and error I am pleased to present the Mity Mini- the attachment solution for compact digital and film “point and shoot” cameras for use with the Y Strap and Wrist Wonder!

For more information please click on the logo or visit www.mitymini.com

I have always hated wearing my camera strap around my neck because I just find the length weird and the camera just hangs really awkwardly so I’ve been on the lookout for longer camera straps.  I found some longer Camera Straps but they were just so meh….I wanted something that was full of pizzaz and functionality.  I looked and looked and then came across Trendy Camera Straps….went on their site and fell in love with this design. Isn’t it the happiest pattern and colour EVER??? It took me no time to order one for myself and finally after 5 days which felt like an eternity….I got my strap in the mail. OMG OMG OMG it’s nothing but PERFECT! It’s soft, the quality is amazing the fabric is gorgeous and its justttttt PERFECT!! (did I already say that?) haha 

I am soo happy with my Trendy Camera Strap and would recommend it to anyone.  They have Designs for Women and for Men! And for those of you who don’t have an SLR….they have the cutest straps for little point and shoots! Do have a look at their site!  

I’m going to enjoy me some Yellow Polka Dot Happiness!! 

By popular demand!! This promotion has received such a terrific response we felt it our moral and civic duty to extend it… so allow us to (re) introduce …drumroll please… The Figital Revolution Economic Stimulus Package for photographers everywhere!!

How does it work? Just order a Bare Bones Bag and you get your choice of a FREE Y Strap or FREE Wrist Wonder in your choice of RED or BLACK. What could be better??

My fellow photographers consider this product highly recommend! I am not a big fan of camera straps. Matter of fact I don’t use one on either body. Stephanie & I prefer hand straps but when you need to do something that requires you to free up your hand that the camera is in it gets tricky. You have to hand it off, set it down or put it way. These options are not good when covering an event.

In my travel around the vast Internet I stumbled upon BlackRapid’s R-Strap. I think I initially found it on Flickr and then on Scott Kelby’s blog. I kept reading up on it and did not find anything negative on it but I still was not convinced.

Finally after dealing with two cameras lately it became apparent I needed a solution for Stephanie & I. I bit the bullet and order two of the straps. They came in last week and they are great!

You wear the strap across your chest and the connector connects to your tripod mount on your camera body. The camera lays flush to your body.  I bought the RS-4 version which has a small pocket in the strap for memory cards or business cards.  The strap and connector are nice and sturdy.

We have yet to use them at an event but I’m sure we will be happy with them. I’ve been walking around the house with one and its very comfortable and the camera is reach when needed. I highly recommend the strap to anyone who carries two bodies (Wedding & Sports Photogs).

Here are a couple of photos I found around the web. Go to BlackRapid’s site for more info, videos and purchase.

That’s right! From now until January 2, 2009 if you buy a Bare Bones Bag you will receive a FREE Y Strap!… it’s the perfect holiday gift for any photographer on your list! 

NaBloPoMo 2008 – Day 23

I actually won something in the last Bloggy Giveaway, I was astonished! There are always about a million giveaways, and all but about five of them are usually US only, and so I only have a teeny tiny chance of ever winning any of the giveaways. But this time I did win! Hurrah

My gift arrived in the post this week, a fabulous Camera Strap from Susie’s Country Garden, she has lots of beautiful ones in her Etsy shop, I won the nicest one of them all, the Kaffe Fassett “pumpkin paperweight” print!

Ironically enough, my camera has misplaced itself, perhaps on purpose as it knows I am shopping for a new camera for Christmas. So I have borrowed a photo from Susie’s website so you can all see the lovely strap.

Thank you kindly, Susie

I purchased a Black Rapid RS-1 Camera strap based on the recommendation from my friend Sam.  After years of searching, this comes close to being the perfect strap.  I rarely carry my Canon 40D on my neck  opting to carry it by hand or slung over one shoulder. I usually bring a bag to hold the heavy camera and lens combination for some relief; making the camera less accessible. The RS-1 solves these problems with an ingenious solution.

Black Rapid RS-1 on Canon 40D

The Black Rapid is designed to take the weight off of your shoulder and neck while still conveniently keeping it accessible on your side.  Having the strap across your chest removes the strain of carrying around your fancy digital SLR and expensive L lenses.  The innovation of the strap is the ability to quickly bring the camera up into position to take a photo.  It hangs quietly tucked behind your hip, but quickly drawn up for shooting like a gunslinger.

FastenR

I was initially concerned about the ring mounting point.  It screws into the tripod mount, and uses a lock nut to ensure it doesn’t loosen as you bring the camera up and down.  After some experience, I feel the mount is secure and more importantly trust it with my camera. The only drawback is not being able to sit the camera flat with the ring mount on the bottom.

The strap is made in the USA by professional photographer Ronald Dean Henry. The quality of the strap is top notch and with the innovations it beats every other strap on the market.  My friend Sam recommended the strap to me; now, I’m recommending it to you.

RS-1 Style in the Bathroom

Make sure you watch the great videos on the Black Rapid website.

The Bare Bones Bag!

I’d like to announce the newest creation from my self-imposed sweat shop here in Vermont….The Bare Bones Bag. Finally a bag for the active working photographer! Built on decades of shooting experience and a careful look at historic carry solutions, the Bare Bones Bag is unlike any “camera bag” made. Each Bare Bones Bag is handmade in Vermont to my exact specifications. The Bare Bones Bag transcends just being a “camera bag” and affords an easy carry solution for your day-to-day needs and travel concerns! Each Bare Bones Bag is made out of top-quality materials and is designed to last a lifetime! So check out my Vanna White moment and watch the demonstration video above…

I will have a Y Strap, A Wrist Wonder and A Bare Bones Bag with me at the Show in NYC for those of you who haven’t seen these in person yet, so again don’t be shy- just say hi!

Viva la Revolution! Stephen Schaub