On the last day of PhotoPlus Expo 2011, a storm blew into NYC like none since 1952 at least. The slushy sleet was filling the streets outside the Javits Center.

It didn’t stop the photographers who came to see the latest gear.
This year saw a seemingly larger show, with more exhibitors, and higher quality across the board. Most booths had a solid product offering, and the folks manning those booths were knowledgeable for the most part.
Kudos to Scott Heath and his team for putting this event together with all of it’s many moving parts.

The attendees were rewarded as some key new products were within handling range.
Like the Canon 1DX:

And the Nikon 1 series of cameras, PLUS the all weather/underwater compact, the AW100.

More Photos After The Jump

You were invited to shoot with the Sony AX77, and we did.

Some new entries into the field of preservation from Sandisk. Meant as a storage device for a limited, edited quantity of digital files, it uses USB. They say the device will last 100 years. Will USB? Hmmm…now if I could just find my cassette player, I could record the memories as well.

Revised camera bag systems from ThinkTank using their speed belt (love these folks). We’ll be posting a vid from photographer and partner Deanne Fitzmaurice, demonstrating just how she uses these. A company that has designs based on real world use is what we look for.

New products from Black Rapid, the best of the sling camera straps around, the Sport Strap.

Polaroid showed us a very exciting LED lighting setup that we are going to immediately buy 2 of. No kidding.
(they also shared a secret, but we can’t tell you til Jan.)

Speaking of continuous, and people are speaking about that a lot more as motion is shot alongside stills as part of your normal shooting day, Westcott had a very good solution with this rig. Get 2, plus softboxes, stands carrying case, for about $1600.

BorrowLenses.com showed up, and unfortunately, were rained on (inside) but it didn’t dampen their spirits. These folks currently own the rental space and do it right. We’re about to rent some gear from them ourselves.

The people who brought you the Rogue Flashbenders have added a very cool addition to the product with a second panel that easily attaches, and creates a softbox for your speedlight, that will fold flat for carrying.

No Olympus this time (hmmmmm..) and Pentax showed off their wee tiny camera with interchangeable lenses, not in a booth, but a large table with a hanging sign on top of it.

The economy is taking its toll on some manufacturers.

How about an inflatable studio? E.P.S Studios, priced from $1800-$2100, these could be your stowaway solution. Made of 10mm polyproplyne , this air filled room comes complete with the blower fan to make it stand. Not sure if you can put a heater in there for those shooting in inclimate weather. Also, not sure about the durability on non-smooth surfaces.They said they’ve done 45 set-ups and shoots, with minor patching.

Gary Fong wasn’t there in person this year. Kinda missed the years of his demonstrating his latest innovation and the lines of folks waiting to buy.
He did send this item, which lets you shoot vid with your iPhone in a steadier manner and has a ton of features in a small package. Video of this coming soon.

Less baseball card, photomug, throw pillow, type of manufacturers, and honestly missed, a little, the backdrop folks.
There was this company that was doing skins for your 70-200mm lenses.
Really?

We highly recommend your attendance at these events.
No matter how much you read online, nothing beats getting hands on advice,

Hearing from the pros,

You can even watch the pros shoot with the latest gear,

Who knows? you may see a piece of gear you’ve never seen before, that solves all kinds of photographic problem you’ve been working on. Like we did.

(know what it is? We blurred the name to see how many folks were familiar with this. An article coming using it. )

By the way, our ThinkTank Photo Airport International roller bag was dragged behind us in the sleet. An umbrella covered us but not the bag. Got back to the office and it was dry as a bone inside. Whew!.

Well, we came, we saw, we video’d a TON of these products and will be bringing them to you shortly.