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Monday, August 28, 2017

THINK TANK PHOTO: New Spectral Shoulder Bags Feature One-Handed Gear Access and Increased Protection






Our friends at Think Tank Photo have just announced a new line of shoulder bags for DSLR and mirrorless systems.  The new Spectral shoulder bags feature a Fidlock clasp that enables one-handed access to gear and then locks automatically when closing the flap. An additional zippered closure gives peace of mind while traveling and can be tucked away when actively shooting. Constructed with durable yet stylish materials, the Spectral Shoulder Bag offers Think Tank quality and ingenuity at a reasonable price.  And don’t forget that when you use my URL you will receive free gear and free shipping with your order of all Think Tank gear, including the Spectrals.




Santa Rosa, Calif. – With Think Tank Photo’s new Spectral shoulder bags, photographers can remain inconspicuous while shooting, knowing their valuable cameras and lenses are safer from theft and the elements. A magnetic Fidlock clasp enables quiet, one-handed access to gear — and then locks automatically when closing the flap. An additional zippered closure gives peace of mind while traveling and can be tucked away when actively shooting. Constructed with durable yet stylish materials, the Spectral Shoulder Bag offers Think Tank quality and ingenuity at a reasonable price.
            TheSpectral 8 fits one standard size DSLR body with a wide or short zoom, a 24–70mm f/2.8 detached, plus one to two small extra lens, and an eight-inch tablet. Or, it fits a Mirrorless kit with three to four lenses, including the 50–140mm.  The Spectral 10 fits one standard size DSLR body with 24–70mm attached, a 70–200mm detached, one to three extra lenses, and a 10” tablet. The Spectral 15 fits one standard size DSLR body with 24–70mm attached, a 70–200mm detached, two to four extra lenses, flash, a 10” tablet, and a 15” laptop.
“For pro and serious amateur photographers who want to upgrade their camera bodies and lenses, selecting an appropriate shoulder bag is not a light decision. While they may be taking their first forays into professional-level glass, they also are monitoring their funds,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo’s CEO and lead designer.  “We designed the Spectral series with them in mind. It integrates our history of innovation and dedication to sourcing the highest quality materials, while being sensitive to a photographer’s budget.”
KEY ADDITIONAL FEATURES
·      15” Laptop compartment (Spectral 15 only)
·      Tablet pocket (Spectral 8: 8”, Spectral 10 & 15: 10”)
·      Phone pocket sized for today’s large phones
·      Tripod attachment points and straps
·      Highest quality materials (metal hardware, YKK RC Fuse zippers, 420D velocity nylon) and the highest quality construction
·      Luggage handle pass-through
·      Comfortably padded non-slip shoulder strap for all day comfort
·      Customizable divider layout with dividers for stacking short lenses
·      Internal pockets to hold batteries, card wallets and other accessories
·      Water bottle pocket
·      Seam-sealed rain cover included

MATERIALS

Exterior: All fabric exterior treated with durable water resistant coating while fabric underside is coated with polyurethane for superior water resistance. The bag also has YKK® RC Fuse (abrasion resistant) zippers, 420D velocity nylon, double PU coated P600D, heavy-duty nylon tarpaulin, UltraMesh pockets, antique plated metal hardware, Fidlock® mangetic buckle, 350G 3D air mesh, 3-ply bonded nylon thread

Interior: PE board reinforced removable closed cell foam dividers, 200D liner, PU backed nylex liner, 2x PU coated nylon 210T seam-sealed taffeta rain cover, 3-ply bonded nylon thread

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Spectral 8
·       Internal Dimensions: 10.2” W x 7.5” H x 4.9” D (26 x 19 x 12.5 cm)
·       Exterior Dimensions: 11” W x 8.3” H x 6.1” D (28 x 21.2 x 15.5 cm)
·       Tablet Compartment: 8.3” W x 5.5” H x 0.6” D (21 x 14 x 1.5 cm)
·       Weight: 1.7 lbs (0.8 kg)

Spectral 10
·       Internal Dimensions: 13” W x 9.1” H x 4.9” D (33 x 23 x 12.5 cm)
·       Exterior Dimensions: 13.8” W x 10” H x 6.1” D (35 x 25.5 x 15.5 cm)
·       Tablet Compartment: 10.4” W x 7.6” H x 0.6” D (26.5 x 19.2 x 1.5 cm)
·       Weight: 2.2 lbs (1.1 kg)

Spectral 15
·       Internal Dimensions: 15.3” W x 9.8” H x 5.1” D (39 x 25 x 13 cm)
·       Exterior Dimensions: 16.1” W x 12.6” H x 6.3” D (41 x 32 x 16 cm)
·       Tablet Compartment: 12.6” W x 7.6” H x 0.8” D (32 x 19.2 x 2 cm)
·       Laptop Compartment: 14.1” W x 9.6” H x 1” D (36 x 24.5 x 2.5 cm)
·       Weight: 2.5 lbs (1.2 kg)

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ABOUT THINK TANK PHOTO
Headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, Think Tank Photo is a group of designers and professional photographers focused on studying how photographers work and developing inventive new carrying solutions that meet their needs. They are dedicated to using only the highest quality materials and design principles, and employing materials that are environmentally benign.
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Monday, August 14, 2017

PHOTOS: For Haitians in U.S., the road to refuge runs straight to Canada — and arrest

AUGUST 12, 2017 8:13 PM

CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. 

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Largest Rolling Lighting Case Named Professional Photographer Magazine 2017 "Hot Ones"

Largest Rolling Lighting Case 

Named Professional Photographer Magazine 2017
"Hot Ones"

Production Manager 50

Think Tank Photo's Production Manager 50 rolling lighting case was just given a 2017 "Hot Ones" designation by
Professional Photographer Magazine.

In honoring the case, they wrote: "We know you have enough on your plate and too much in your inbox, so this year's Hot Ones buyers guide focuses on innovative products."
ppmag hot-ones-2017The Production Manager 50 rolling case holds an immense amount of gear, including lighting equipment and large light modifiers. With this roller, one photographer can transport what it used to require at least two assistants. It is easy to move, carry, work out of, and stack among other gear.
This large rolling case features shock-absorbing wheels that roll smoothly and hold up under the toughest conditions. An included lock and cable provide the ability to lock the main compartment and secure the case to a solid object. And, a fully customizable interior includes dividers to protect both small and large lighting equipment, including C-stands and large modifiers.
KEY FEATURES
The Production Manager 50 stores and transports all types of gear to and from location.
Fully customizable interior includes a variety of dividers to protect small and large lighting equipment, including C-stands and large modifiers.
Large interior mesh pockets for organizing your pocket wizards, gels, cords, tape, batteries, and other accessories.
The Production Manager 50 is the most efficient way to safely transport a large amount of equipment. Professionals will appreciate the robust design of this large roller with room for C-stands, multiple flash heads, power packs, monoblocks, softboxes, and light-stands.
Large front zippered pocket for reflectors, umbrellas, extension cords, cables, etc.
Attachments for light stands or tripods on both sides (straps included).
Additional Features
  • Rigid shell and stiffened dividers ensures gear protection
  • Robust handles on four sides for easy loading and unloading by two people
  • Heavy-duty aluminum side-frame protects axle from impact
  • ID plate can be registered on the Think Tank website that may enable a lost or stolen bag to be returned
  • YKK RC Fuse zippers, 1680D ballistic nylon, and super-stick velex (interior) contribute to one of the most robust products on the market
  • And more!

Check Out the Think Tank Pro Team

Beginner Photography Workshop By Robert Sullivan with special guest: Miami Herald’s Al Diaz


  • Learn photography basics
  • Learn to use your camera in settings other than AUTO or SCENE MODE
  • Get introduced to advanced concepts and techniques to learn later

New photographers often don’t even know what they don’t know and are at a loss as to where to start. As with most photographers, Robert experienced this issue and spent money on the wrong equipment and software. He remembers, well, wanting to get off to a running start but not knowing which were the best choices or even what the options were. He knows how to get new photographers past this frustrating information hurdle and will do so in this workshop.
The intent of this workshop is to jumpstart the learning process for newer photographers by showing them how to get off of their automatic and/or scene settings. By the end of this workshop, attendees will know how to take control of their camera settings and intelligently capture scenes as they want to instead of how their camera thinks the scene should be captured. Attendees will learn basic photography fundamentals and they will be introduced to advanced techniques that they can look forward to exploring in future workshops (this will be the first in a series of workshops).
Recounting the stories behind many of his photographs and using them as examples, Robert will teach the basics of photography and illustrate photographic fundamentals, techniques, and rules (as well as when to break those rules). He will detail his workflow to include planning his shot (or entire photography trip), how to evaluate a scene considering many variables, what settings he uses, how to capture the scene, how he sometimes shoots tethered to his laptop computer, and how he post-processes his images to include his choice of software and why. He will have, on display, much of his photography gear such as cameras and lenses, external speedlights and remote triggers, studio flashes and light modifiers, equipment for macro photography such as extension tubes, as well as other gadgets that you may or may not have heard of such as the Camranger. While he will be following a general outline, he strongly encourages attendees to come with their questions and make this workshop, very much, a discussion to help them become better photographers. This is your chance to ask the questions that you haven’t yet had the opportunity to ask and delve into topics that you have wondered about.
This will be an information packed presentation which will be followed by an opportunity to break out into smaller groups so that brand specific settings can be discussed in detail. Robert will cover Nikon and Al Diaz of the Miami Herald will cover Canon. If a prospective attendee shoots another brand, please contact Robert Sullivan at robert@kendallcameraclub.org as soon as possible so that he can arrange to have someone knowledgeable in that brand on hand to lead that group.
This will be a workshop packed with an incredible amount of information: at first to teach the fundamentals, and then to introduce you to advanced techniques and concepts for you to explore in the future. Here are some of the points that Robert will cover:

  • What exactly is photography?
  • The only three factors necessary for a proper exposure (Only three?  Well, that simplifies things!)
  • How those three factors relate to each other
  • The effects throughout the range of each of those three factors and their pros and cons
  • The benefits to taking your camera off of automatic mode
  • How to purposefully and intelligently create the image you want instead of hoping your camera does it for you
  • Why he shoots in aperture priority 90% of the time
  • The "rules of photography" and when to break them
  • Composition tips for different types of photography
  • When to shoot wide angle and up close, and when to shoot telephoto from far away (either way, the frame can be filled with your subject, but the differences are huge!)
  • What he uses:  He will have his equipment on hand and explain what it is, why he uses it, and the purpose for each
  • What equipment you should upgrade first
  • How he evaluates a scene and the steps he takes to capture it
  • His workflow from image capture, through processing, to printing
  • Lightroom or Photoshop?  He'll explain why one is, hands down, his preference
  • What is a Plugin?  Hint: It's not an air freshener but it can speed up your post processing
  • What lies ahead for you as you learn more about how to create excellent imagery?
Cost: Free with Kendall Camera Club membership. Only $10 for non-members, to benefit Kendall Camera Club, and which may be applied toward a KCC membership at the workshop or at the first general membership meeting following the workshop.

Evelyn Greer Park
8200 SW 124th St, Miami, FL 33156 
August 05, 2017 10:00 am until 1:00 pm

View Robert Sullivan’s website here: www.robertsullivanphotography.com
View Al Diaz's work here: Al Diaz Profile