Not a person, but a sweet new bag in a workable size.
Sure they make our favorite camera bags. From the City walker, which is my daily bag, to the Airport International for every travel photo assignment, they just know how to make the best.
Why?
How about because pro shooters own the company and know exactly what we are looking for. High quality, extra features we all want,and as i just found out, washable, as while sitting in an edit suite, the garlic chicken fell all over my City Walker. Some dishwashing liquid and a good air dry, and all was good.
But I digress.

Think Tank Photo just released the Production Manager 40, a professional-strength, high-capacity rolling gear case designed to safely transport a large amount of lighting equipment, including room for multiple flash heads, power packs, monoblocks, softboxes, and light-stands. It features a spacious gusseted front pocket that fits reflectors, umbrellas, cables and more. You can roll into your next production fully equipped and secure with added features like the integrated cable and lock, lockable zippers, and wide set wheels that minimize tipping. It also has reinforced honeycomb panels wrapped in ballistic nylon with full-length exterior slide rails for protection in transport.
And don’t forget that by using this link you receive free gear with your orders from Think Tank.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to introduce the EOS 7D Mark II Digital SLR camera, incorporating professional features and quality in an affordable DSLR. Building upon the proven success of the EOS 7D camera, this new EOS model features a range of “EOS firsts” such as Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors for superb image quality and rapid burst shooting up to 10 frames per second (fps), as well as Canon’s first 65-Point* All Cross Type autofocus (AF) system for compositional freedom and accurate, spot-on fast focus. Great for shooting indoor activities such as sporting events, concerts, or weddings, the camera’s impressive low-light shooting capabilities along with its up-to-10 fps high-speed shooting can capture a fast-break basketball dunk, a band’s encore performance, a bird in flight or wildlife in exceptional quality. In addition, the EOS 7D Mark II is the second EOS DSLR camera to incorporate Canon’s innovative Dual Pixel CMOS AF system for rapid and precise focusing of video as well as still images.
Continue Reading »

Big day in Photokina today. Samsung, on it’s second big launch in a short stretch, announces the new NX1 Smart Camera.
Shooting 28 MP, at a blazing 15FPS, They are looking to leverage the legacy of Samsung products communicating not only with each other, but now all NFC phones (like the new iPhone 6).
ISO from 100-51,200, and an articulated LCD tilting up 90º and down 45º, workable fro Over the head or low angles shots, but skip the selfies.
You’ve got a phone for that.

It has a Scene features mode and they are: Action Freeze, Beauty Face, Fireworks, Landscape, Light Trace, Multi-Exposure, Night, Panorama (Live), Rich Tone (HDR), Samsung Auto Shutter, Silhouette, Sunset, Waterfall.
Using the DRIMe V Image Processor and an advanced algorithm, the NX1 will track a baseball as it travels to a player, allowing photographers take crisp images of the moment a ball connects with a bat. While these shots can often be difficult to take, the NX1 removes any concern by accurately predicting the right time to trigger the shutter and capture a full-resolution image.
And if you make your NX1 and a smartphone or tablet kiss, The Photo Beam feature allows the transfer of images or videos without any configuration.
Want to share with up to 4 friends at the same time?
MobileLink lets users select multiple images to send to four distinct smart devices at one time, so everyone can treasure photos without the need to take repetitive shots on each individual device

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), announces today the launch of the NX1 SMART Camera. This new flagship model combines professional image quality with cinema quality Ultra High Definition (UHD) / 4K resolution video recording and industry-leading SMART connectivity. Samsung also expands its line of professional-grade “S” lenses with the introduction of a new telephoto lens, the NX 50-150mm F2.8 S OIS lens.
Here’s what you have:
*28MP
*Articulated screen
*Wi-fi sharing like crazy
*15FPS
*APS-C sized sensor
oh, yeah: 4K video
Only $1500., body only.

The Official word:
Continue Reading »

My Nikon D700 has been a good friend for years. Then along came the D800: incredible video specs, 36mp, crazy great body construction.

Of course, the d800 beget the D810 bringing it all to a new level.

But being greedy, there were things I really wanted and had missed. The just announced Nikon D750 took care of those.

With all of the D810 video features, which are total pro, the D750 delivers some very similar photo specs.

It clocks in at a very respectable 24 MP, using the same FX CMOS EXSPEED 4 processor simlar to the D810 and D4s.6.5 FPS at full resolution, newly designed body with a deeper grip. that felt good in the hands.
Here’s 2 of the main new deals : a Variable angle high end LCD AND built in wi-fi.
Finally, Nikon has come aboard the wi-fi train with no dongle! Discussed this with them a bit and it, and I understand why it took this long, but never happy about it. Glad that’s over with.
And a 3.2-inch variable angle with an Full Frame camera? And after having handled the LCD, the build is strong Nikon quality I’m gonna trust.

Double SD card slots,there is some slight changes on what you have been used on where things are on the body. Not controls so much as cards and batteries.

Speaking of batteries, it’s not a brand new size/shape it uses the EL-EN15.
The ISO is essentially 50-51,200. Not the insane goodness of the higher priced models in the line but what do you really need?
It’s a lighter, more powerful, video-licious, update to the D700 workhorse, and for abut $1000. less than the D810, you have a great choice compared to the 36MP D810.
I think I’ve made mine.
Here are the highlights:
*24mp
*6.5 FPS
*50-51,200 ISO
*VARI-ANGLE LCD !!!!
*BUILT IN WI-FI!!!!!

Is that enough? Hit my wish list!
Don’t want to forget the brand new 20mm 1.8. Another sweet addition to the Nikon line-up.

• 

  Yes it’s bigger than my old standby, but better.
  When shooting rock, a 20mm always goes in the bag, and it’s been a 20mm 2.8. Time for the upgrade.
  So..
  Here are the highlights:
  *24mp
  *6.5 FPS
  *50-51,200 ISO
  *VARI-ANGLE LCD !!!!
  *BUILT IN WI-FI!!!!!

  Is that enough? Hit my wish list!

  OK, one other item they introduced:

  The SB-500 with flash and LED for continuous fill on your video. Powered by 2 AA batts., it’s a small package that should get you through a short shoot. Carry those batteries always for a longer shoot.

  

  And now, the official word:

  Continue Reading »

I know exactly where I was, and what I was doing.
Sitting in the home office, very early on the West coast, prepping for calls to the East.
First cuppa joe, and turned on the tube.
The first tower had been struck.
The horrible events that followed will always be burned in my memory, along with the rest of the world .
That was 9/11/01.
The reactions were brutal and pervasive, as we all tried to contact loved ones who may have been in the area, and wondered what would happen next.

On that day, our lives changed in so many ways.

Seven years later we should all remember that day. Historic events fade from memory as time marches on, and we are left with emotional touchpoints to trigger that feeling we had in the moment, lest we forget.

The power of the still photograph comes into play in memory of this tragic day. We may not need to see video tape of the planes brutally slamming into the buildings, or the Tsunami of smoke as they came crashing down.

I think the still images allow you to slowly remember the day. Not peacefully, but introspectively.

A book of photographs that celebrates the heroes of that day is from photographer Joe McNally and Life magazine, called Faces of Ground Zero:Portraits of the Heroes of September 11,2001

Sure you’ve read about Joe running around with a ton of speed lights and creating lighting magic on the run.
But I will always know him from this collection.
Having seen this life size exhibit in person, you can look into their eyes and sense from their stature the horrors they saw. Many of them first responders, or survivors. You should seek out this book.

From the publisher:
“In a studio just blocks away from Ground Zero, longtime LIFE photographer Joe McNally, architect of some of the largest photographic productions ever attempted in the magazine industry, created a stunning series of portraits of the heroes of Ground Zero. In that studio, is a one-of-a-kind Polaroid camera, measuring 12 feet long by 16 feet high. The color photographs it takes-larger than life, at four feet by nine feet framed-are unforgettable in their striking immediacy and clarity. Over the course of two weeks, approximately 200 people came before McNally’s lens: survivors, firemen, policemen, volunteers, doctors, nurses, widows, children. Not, in a dignified tribute to the heroes and victims of Ground Zero, 150 of McNally’s compelling portraits are collected together in Faces Of Ground Zero, including those from the acclaimed touring exhibit and several portraits seen here for the first time.
This book features a foreword by Rudolph Giuliani and includes an original essay by McNally on the historic Ground Zero project. A portion of the proceeds will go to charity.”
Joe McNally on his Set

Perhaps these heroic portraits will let you relive the day a little easier.
Just never forget the event. At least, take a few moments to remember.

For more digital information on 9/11, you can click here.

As much chatter about the store at the 9/11 Memorial Museum hits the web, they have a stack of these books there.