Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 40 V2.0 Review

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Think Tank Photo’s new Urban Disguise series camera bags are a versatile line of shoulder-carry bags that make it possible to carry a lot of gear in a compact and inconspicuous manner.

Think Tank Photo offers several different versions of the Urban Disguise bags, which lets find a bag that serves your own needs. At the bottom end, you’ve got the Urban Disguise 10, which holds a DSLR with lens attached (along with some extra space in the front pocket), to the Urban Disguise 70, which holds 2 pro-sized DSLRs with up to 70-200 f/2.8 lenses attached, plus several lenses and a couple of additional bodies.  Additionally, the Urban Disguise series features bags like the Urban Disguise 60, which holds pro-sized DSLRs, lenses and offers a 17″ widescreen laptop compartment.

The Urban Disguise 40 V2.0 has been on my shoulder for the past few weeks with a number of different gear arrangements inside.  For a lot of folks, the Urban Disguise 40 V2.0 will serve as the perfect single-shoot bag.  It’s also a fantastic photo walk or day trip bag.

The Urban Disguise 40 V2.0 looks and feels like a professional briefcase.  It doesn’t stick out in a crowd and draw attention to you like “Hey, I’m carrying a few grand in camera gear.”  This is a camera bag that just lets you blend into the crowd, but still functions like a sexy camera bag. [Read more…]

 

Firmware Friday: Nikon P100 & S8100

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Camera Firmware Update

Below you will find this week’s firmware updates.  Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.

Nikon P100 version 1.1 – Numerous bug fixes [Nikon Website]

Nikon S8100 version 1.1 – “When Sequence display options was selected from the playback menu and Individual pictures then selected, pictures previously shot continuously were displayed one at a time, but only the key picture for a series shot after the setting was displayed. This issue has been resolved.” [Nikon Website]

Camera and Lens Rebates Roundup

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Canon 60D Rebate

There have been several photo-related rebate promotions announced recently.  Below a quick roundup of all the current rebates from Canon, Nikon, Olympus and the rest courtesy of B&H Photo.

Canon Double Instant Rebate Promotion – ends January 8

Canon 60D Instant Rebate – ends November 24

Nikon DSLR and Lens Kits Instant Rebates – ends November 20

Nikon S4000 $30 Instant Savings – ends November 20

Tamron Lens Rebates – ends November 31

SanDisk Memory Card Rebates – ends January 1

Olympus E-PL1 and Lens Instant Rebates – ends January 1

Canon DSLR & Printer Rebates – ends December 31

Firmware Friday: Pentax K-5 & PocketWizards

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Camera Firmware Update

Below you will find this week’s firmware updates.  Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.

Pentax K-5 new firmware version – Increases continuous shooting in RAW format and other bug fixes [coming mid-November]

PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 version 5.200 for Canon “offers optimized compatibility with the PowerST4 Receiver for Elinchrom and the AC9 AlienBees Adapter for Paul C. Buff flashes.” [PocketWizard Website]

Upgrading Your Used Cameras and Lenses

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If you’re really lusting after that new Nikon D7000 or Canon 60D, and you’re coming up short on cash to make the move, consider upgrading your current gear toward the purchase of the latest and greatest.

One of Photography Bay’s affiliates, Adorama, asked me to remind those of you who might be interested that they will buy your used photo and video gear for cash or trade.

Here’s how Adorama’s deal works:

“If you are ready to upgrade your system, or you have equipment that you would like to turn into cash, send us the equipment to have it evaluated and we will give you an honest and fair offer. If you accept the offer, we will send you a check right away or you can use it as a credit toward any purchase you would like to make.

If a deal is not made, we will return the merchandise to you, fully insured, at our expense.” –Adorama

To get more info on how to sell your used gear to Adorama, visit this page: Adorama Used Gear

Tether Tools JerkStopper Tethering Kit

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Tether Tools has launched a new line of JerkStopper cable retention devices to help you prevent cables from popping out of ports while shooting tethered.  The JerkStoppers work with any USB, FireWire or HDMI cables, along with a number of other types of cables.

Tether Tools JerkStoppers and other Tether Tools products are available at Adorama.com.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

HDSLR Audio and Shotgun Mic Shootout

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For those of you interested in the HDSLR scene, there’s a new post over at Tech Tilt covering HDSLR audio setups, along with a discussion of the below video that compares multiple mics and audio sources.

Audio sources covered in the video are listed below.

Canon 5D Mark II + Rode NTG-2

Canon 7D On-Camera Audio

Rode NTG-3 + PreSonus FireStudio

Audio Technica AT8015 + PreSonus FireStudio

Get the full coverage over at Tech Tilt: HDSLR Audio: Shotgun Mic Shootout

Firmware Friday: Panasonic FZ100, Ricoh GXR, Sigma DP1x

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Camera Firmware Update

Below you will find this week’s firmware updates.  Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.

Panasonic Lumix FZ100 version 1.1 – “Improvement of banding noise or shadow which may occur depending on the outdoor shooting condition” [Panasonic Website]

Ricoh GXR system multiple versions – Multiple bug fixes. [Ricoh Website]

Sigma DP1x version 1.01 – “Corrects the phenomenon that recording time is rather long. Shortens the time of turning on and off.” [Sigma Website]