Photography Bay

Sony Cyber-shot TX7 Review

Eric Reagan — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:37:11 +0000

The Sony Cyber-shot TX7 is an ultra-compact point and shoot camera that is packed full of powerful features. To find out if the stellar feature list and spec sheet makes for a worthwhile camera, check out the review below.

Sony TX7 Key Features

10.2MP Exmor R CMOS Sensor
3.5″ Touchscreen LCD
4x Optical Zoom
1080i Full HD Video in AVCHD Format
ISO 125-3200
Optical SteadyShot
iSweep Panorama Mode
10 fps Burst Mode

Sony TX7 Handling, Ergonomics and Control

The Sony TX7 is small. It’s definitely a pocket camera. And, it’s not the kind of pocket camera that fits tight in your pocket and makes it awkward to walk around. It’s a “which pocket did I put my camera in?” kind of small.

There’s a sliding panel that covers the lens when not in use. The panel also covers the AF illuminator, which aids with focusing in low light, along with the built-in flash and stereo microphones. And, when you slide the panel down, the TX7 powers on automatically.

Buttons for the TX7 are few. You get an On/Off button, shutter release, zoom rocker, a quick preview button and a button for switching quickly between photos and video.

The main interface with camera settings is through the rear 3.5″ LCD panel. The 921,000 dot resolution screen is very pretty. Better yet, the touchscreen interface is awesome. Some touchscreens have hiccups and poor response; however, Sony nails it with the TX7 for a totally seamless interface.

In the below video you can get a little idea of how well the touchscreen interface works and how you navigate around some of the shooting modes in the Sony TX7.

Let me note that I misspoke regarding the High ISO mode. The TX7’s max ISO setting is ISO 3200, which is available in all shooting modes. What the High ISO mode appears to do is give you a higher ISO setting in favor of a faster shutter speed.

One thing that annoys me about the TX7’s design is how dust and lint accumulates around the edges of the front panel. If you carry the camera in a pocket, every time you open the front cover, you’ll be wiping away a line of dust from the top edge of the camera. That said, this quirk never interfered with shooting.

Other than the minor dust issue, I don’t really have any bad marks for the TX7’s design. It even comes with a wrist strap attached, which saved it from more than one drop by yours truly.

Shooting With the Sony TX7

Just last month, I talked about how much I enjoyed shooting with the Canon S90. Well, it didn’t stay on the top of my list for too long, because I like shooting with the Sony TX7 even more.

While the touchscreen interface is great and all, the image quality and available shooting modes make the TX7 a phenomenal carry-around camera. I wore out the Backlight Correction HDR mode while gathering shots of all the cameras and other photo gear at PMA earlier this month. Other modes like the Handheld Twilight and iSweep Panorama make the TX7 a blast to carry.

The close up macro focusing on the TX7 lets you put the camera practically up against your subject to snap a shot.

With the powerful low-light capabilities in the TX7, I found myself using flash a lot less than other point and shoot cameras. However, when necessary the TX7’s flash performance was admirable. Sony has been doing a great job with balancing the flash output and ambient light on their point and shoot cameras that I’ve used over the past couple of release cycles. The TX7 continues this trend with a pretty smart use of its flash.

While the camera can do a lot for you in Intelligent Auto mode, you would be doing yourself an injustice not to explore other modes of the camera. For run of the mill shooting, I kept the camera in P mode; however, once you go low light, the Anti-Motion Blur or Hand-held Twilight can really help you out. By blending multiple exposures together, these modes help you get shots that most other point and shoot cameras would miss.

Check out the below example of Hand-held Twilight. The top image was shot in P mode, while the bottom image was captured with Hand-held Twilight mode.

It wouldn’t be a Sony point and shoot review here without commenting on the iSweep Panorama mode. This is for everyone that’s ever wanted to take a bunch of photos and stitch them together in Photoshop, but never will. It’s just plain fun, and it’s so easy to use. Just hold the camera up, press the shutter and pan it from one side to the other.

Click here for full size version of panoramic shot.

Another great feature is the touch-to-focus ability on the LCD. If you’ve framed up the scene the way you want it, you can touch the person or part in your scene that you want in focus and the TX7 takes care of it. And, no matter where your chosen focus point is at, the auto focus speed is almost instantaneous, which is followed up by a very quick shutter response to capture the moment you intended to capture.

I also think the video from the TX7 looks great. I actually found myself using the TX7’s video capture more than my Flip video camera – and I’m very fond of my Flip camera. The TX7 will capture 1080i HD video in AVCHD format and will also capture 1080, 720 and 480 resolutions in MP4 format.

While the AVCHD video is stunning and there’s a clear difference from the MP4 format, I generally found myself using the MP4 format due to the hassle of working with AVCHD. Sony’s included software isn’t quite user-friendly (and that’s putting it nicely) for working with AVCHD and iMovie doesn’t support this format natively. As a result, I’m afraid that many TX7 owners will also sacrifice the quality of the AVCHD format for the convenience of using the familiar, well-supported MP4 video capture.

Speaking of the Sony software . . . if the TX7 has any major faults, it’s the poor software and documentation in the box. I have to dock Sony a several kudos for not including a user manual in the box. While there is a quick-start manual, it doesn’t come close to providing answers that more curious enthusiasts will ask. The full manual is included on a CD in the box, which must be installed. And, since I couldn’t get the program to install the manual on my Vista computer, I had to dig through the file tree on the CD to find the PDF version of the manual. One of the main points for having a manual is to be able to refer to it while you are shooting and learning your camera; however, you can’t put a PDF in your camera bag.

Even if you manage to get the manual on your computer, the software documentation for working with photos, and particularly videos, is very poor. The help menus in the programs themselves are not much more helpful either. While it’s likely that you will get by without needing additional editing software for the JPEG image files given the widespread availability of image editing programs that are either included with your operating system or available for free download, the poor video file handling is a rather embarrassing point for the TX7.

I’m not even going to try to explain the voodoo that I worked on the Sony PMB software program to get the AVCHD file exported to YouTube, and I’m not sure I could repeat the process anyway. That said, I’ve embedded a short video shot with the TX7 in AVCHD format. Obviously, there has been some file conversion performed at the point of export and upload.

Sony TX7 Image Quality

As noted above, I was very pleased with the images produced by the Sony TX7. Sony does a good job with its in-camera processing, which makes for sharp and low-noise images throughout the ISO range.

Obviously, the 10MP sensor is a lower resolution than many other point and shoot cameras touting 14MP sensors these days. Rather than criticize this point though, I applaud it. The Exmor R CMOS technology that Sony is throwing into its upper-end point and shoot cameras lately is stellar. This very sensitive image sensor allows for solid performance throughout the ISO range. While you will encounter a lot of noise at the upper-end of the ISO range, the TX7 packs quite a punch for a compact point and shoot.

I’ve made several images available for download via the links below. Feel free to download these images for personal inspection by right-clicking and choosing “Save link as…”

ISO 125

Full-res ISO 125 Image

ISO 200

Full-res ISO 200 Image

ISO 400

Full-res ISO 400 Image

ISO 800

Full-res ISO 800 Image

ISO 1600

Full-res ISO 1600 Image

ISO 3200

Full-res ISO 3200 Image

So, at these low resolutions, I think that it’s safe to assume family album shots are going to work at 4×6 sizes no matter what the ISO is set at on the camera.

Finally, I’ve included a couple of images that show the power of the Backlight Correction HDR mode. The normal exposure is on the left and the Backlight Correction HDR exposure is on the right.

Note the differences in the trees and grass in particular, as well as the shadowy area under and behind the chair. There is also more detail in the clouds in the top right corner in the HDR version.

Sony TX7 Accessories

Sony NP-BN1 Battery – The Sony TX7 comes with one of these rechargeable lithium-ion batteries; however, if you’re going to be away from power for an extended period, you can pick up spares.

Memory cards – I’ve used the basic Kingston SD cards in the Sony TX7, which worked well so long as you aren’t shooting AVCHD video. If you’re shooting AVCHD with the TX7, you’ll need to step up to at least a Class 6 card in order to handle the data rate transfer. SanDisk Extreme III and Lexar Professional 133x cards are both Class 6 SDHC cards. The TX7 is compatible with all SD and SDHC cards – but not SDXC cards.

Note that the TX7 will also accept Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick format cards; however, I find these to be more expensive for the same quality of product as you get out of SD cards. As a result, I personally stick with SD cards due to the price and universal compatibility.

Sony TX7 Conclusions

As I said earlier, the Sony TX7 has become my new favorite point and shoot camera, pushing the S90 off its throne. I feel like I can take the TX7 on any casual outing and trust it to perform as well as just about any other point and shoot. And, while it won’t replace my DSLRs, I’m happy to have a pocketable compact alternative when the occasion fits.

The intuitive and effective touchscreen interface is almost magical on the TX7. The powerful and creative shooting modes provide a versatility not commonly found in such a small camera. Sony has put all the pieces together in the right place to make the TX7 an outstanding compact camera.

Aside from my quibbles about the included software and documentation, the TX7 easily earns a highly recommended mark.

The Sony TX7 is available from Photography Bay’s trusted retail partner, B&H Photo, at the following link:

Sony TX7 at B&H Photo

By making your photography purchases at B&H Photo through these links, you are helping Photography Bay to continue bring quality camera tests, news and reviews. Thanks for your continued support.

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Fast Track Photographer – Book Review

Eric Reagan — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:28:46 +0000

I read Dane Sanders’ book, Fast Track Photographer, several months ago. Reading it changed the way I perceived the wedding and portrait photography industry, and really the way I look at photography services in general.

I recently learned that a new, “revised and expanded” edition of the book is due out in May, which is available for pre-order.

There are a handful of books that have made a real impact in my life. Most are faith-oriented books. None were photography books. That is, until I read Fast Track Photographer.

Calling it a photography book isn’t quite fair either, because it’s more a photographer book. It’s about you and discovering what kind of photographer and business owner that you are. Yeah, business owner. If you get paid for your photography (or want to get paid someday), then that’s being a business owner.

A lot of photographers know who they are as a photographer and business owner, who they want to be and where they want to go. There are so many, however, who feel lost with what they want to do with their photography.

Those who are toying with the idea of starting a photography business definitely need to give this book a read. Those who are burnt out, need to read it as well. And, even if you’ve got it all figured out, I think Dane can still give you something worthwhile to take to your business and life as a photographer.

What the book is not:

You won’t learn photography techniques from this book.
No flash settings. (There’s Strobist for that.)
No wedding pose check list.
And there’s no list of gear you should use to be a pro.

It’s not even very helpful for “how to start your business.” It’s got some big picture stuff in there, but that’s not what the book is about.

This book is about you.

What you will take away from it is a little perspective on the photography industry and how you fit into it. The pDNA self-assessment test that’s included with the book will give you an idea of where you stand from a personal point of risk/reward and what “type” of photographer you are. Now that’s not to say it’s going to lock you into some category that you can’t escape from. Rather, it’s a useful self-reflective exercise aimed at helping you discover how to be a better you.

If you are thinking about “going pro” (especially in the wedding industry), this book is a must read. If you’ve gone pro or semi-pro, but feel a little lost about your fit in the industry, this book is a must read. If you’re a photographer of any sort, Fast Track Photographer is worth picking up. Check it out on Amazon.com.

Jill-e Clutch

Eric Reagan — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:46:11 +0000

Alright ladies, here’s a sneak peek at the upcoming Jill-e ‘Clutch’ for toting your compact camera with a little more style. I don’t pretend to understand the female fashion world, but I’m told that this camera clutch is to die for.

It’s got room for a small camera, and the side cushions are secured with velcro, which means you can pull them out to make room for a tube of lipstick or whatever else you girls carry around. The final version of the Clutch will feature credit card slots on the inside of the top cover to make it easier to just carry the Clutch when you go out.

The Clutch will be available this Summer direct from Jill-e for $24.99. Amazon also tends to carry several Jill-e bags, so keep your eyes peeled for it there as well.

Gigapan EPIC Pro Now Available

Eric Reagan — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:38:50 +0000

Earlier this week, Gigapan announced the upcoming availability of the new EPIC Pro robotic panoramic mount for DSLRs with an expected release date of next month. I just got word from Gigapan that the EPIC is already available and in stock.

You can head on over to the Gigapan store if you’ve got one of these on your shopping list.

Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens for Sony and Pentax

Eric Reagan — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:12:13 +0000

Sigma has announced the availability of its APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens for Sony and Pentax DSLRs. The lens has previously been available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts for around $1000.

More details in the press release below.

Sigma Press Release

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM for Sony and Pentax.

This ultra-telephoto zoom lens covers a telephoto range up to 500mm and allows photographers to bring the subject close and short perspective. This lens has an equivalent field of view of a 225-750mm when used on digital SLR cameras with an APS-C size image sensor. Sigma’s original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower. As compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder, the photographer can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subject movement.It is ideal for sports, wildlife and landscape photography with handheld shooting. Three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction for chromatic aberration. This lens is equipped with a rear focus system that minimizes fluctuation of aberration caused by focusing. The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focusing capability. The addition of the (optional) 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters produce a 210-700mm F7-9 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens or a 300-1000mm F10-13 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens respectively (For Sony fitting only). A removable tripod socket (TS-31) is included as a standard component.

THE SPECIFICATIONS

Lens Construction : 15 Groups 21 Elements

Angle of View :16.4°-5°

Number of blades : 9pcs

Minimum Aperture(W) : F22

Minimum Focusing Distance : 220cm / 86.6in.

Maximum Magnification : 1:5.2

Filter Size : Ø86mm

Lens Hood : Bayonet type

Dimensions : Ø94.7mm×251.5mm/ 3.7in. × 9.9in.

Weight : 1,810g /63.8oz.

* The Pentax mount Tele Converter is not compatible with this particular lens.

* It is not possible to use AF and the stabilizer function (OS) when attaching to film SLR, Pentax ist* series and K100D DSLR cameras.

Sigma DP2 Firmware Update Version 1.04

Eric Reagan — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:06:34 +0000

Sigma has announced a firmware update for the Sigma DP2 to Version 1.04. The new firmware speeds up auto focusing and should be available for DP2 owners to download on March 26.

[via Sigma]

Canon 5D Mark II Firmware Version 2.0.4 Available

Eric Reagan — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:33:51 +0000

After posting firmware version 2.0.3 earlier this week, a problem with the 5D Mark II video recording capabilities was apparent. As a result, Canon has posted firmware version 2.0.4 for the 5D Mark II, which aims to address that issue.

Release notes on the new firmware are as follows:

“There was a phenomenon in which the manual recording settings made in C1/C2/C3 were changed and sound could not be recorded if manual sound recording was used in the C1/C2/C3 settings and the camera was subsequently turned off (or if Auto Power Off was activated). This does not occur in modes other than C1/C2/C3.”

The firmware still includes the video recording enhancements made available via version 2.0.3.

To download the latest firmware version 2.0.4, visit Canon’s website.

[via 1001 nc]

Canon 5D Mark II Firmware Version 2.0.3 Problems Surface

Eric Reagan — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:12:50 +0000

[UPDATE: Canon has posted Firmware Version 2.0.4, which is intended to address the below-described issues.]

Canon has released a statement on the 5D Mark II Firmware Version 2.0.3 info page describing problems caused for some users by the firmware update.

“We have learned that some users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera are experiencing issues with Firmware Update Version 2.0.3.

We are working on a new firmware update to address these phenomena, which will be available soon. If you have not registered your EOS 5D Mark II, please register so we will be able to notify you via e-mail when future firmware updates become available for download.

Canon always strives to provide the highest quality products to our customers. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience these phenomena may have caused. We appreciate your kind patronage and support.”

The problems appear to be tied to the lack of audio recording capabilities in Custom modes.

[via CR]

Clik Elite Camera Bags for Adventure Photographers

Eric Reagan — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:51:41 +0000

Calling Clik Elite’s products ‘camera bags’ is a bit of an understatement. So, consider the keyword in the title to be ‘adventure’ instead.

I ran into the guys from Clik Elite at PMA 2010, and they were kind enough to give me a rundown of their product line. As they showed me some of the features of the camera bags, I spent most of my time commentating with words like ‘cool’ and ‘oh, wow’.

Clik Elite bags are designed first and foremost for active photographers. If you just need to tote cameras and lenses from your typical point ‘A’ to your typical point ‘B’, then the Clik Elite gear is going to be way overkill for you. However, if point ‘A’ happens to be at the top of a snow-covered mountain, you have skis on your feet, and you intend to reach point ‘B’ at the bottom of the mountain via those skis, then you’ll probably dig these bags.

All of the Clik Elite bags are made of tough materials and have durable zippers. My initial impressions of these bags are that they are definitely high quality.

So, let’s talk about some of the main bags in the Clik Elite line.

Clik Elite Chestpack Series

The Chestpack series lets you keep your camera in front of you by strapping to you chest. These bags can be used alone, or in conjunction with Clik Elite backpacks. The bags also double as a shoulder/sling bag.

Small Chestpack

The Small Chestpack is designed for use with large point and shoot, rangefinder and small video cameras. When you open the bag’s zipper, you find an internal cradle that will keep the camera from falling out, along with an internal memory card organizer. There is also an external pocket for small accessories and batteries.

SLR Chestpack

As the name implies the SLR Chestpacks are designed to carry a DSLR with a lens attached. These bags look a lot like the Lowepro Toploader series; however, the 4-point chest harness system sets them apart. The Medium-size SLR Chestpack can carry a standard DSLR, while the Large-size SLR Chestpack can carry a pro-DSLR or standard DSLR with battery grip attached. Both models will carry the camera with up to a 5.5″ lens attached. The top flap on the SLR Chestpack contains an external compartment for memory cards, batteries and other accessories.

Telephoto SLR Chestpack

Again, the name of Telephoto SLR Chestpack tells you what it does. This bag is basically the same as the SLR Chestpack; however, it’s designed to hold up to a pro-DSLR body with 70-200mm f/2.8 lens attached. It also adds a side pocket for lens caps or more accessories.

Clik Elite Outdoor Sports Series

The Outdoor Sports series lets you carry more gear than the basic camera lens combo found in the Chestpack series. Ranging from the small waistpack design to larger backpacks for multiple lenses and non-photo gear, the Outdoor Sports series covers most of the bases.

Trekker Waistpack

The Trekker Waistpack can be worn on the waist or converted to a shoulder bag. It will hold a standard DSLR with a kit lens attached, as well as another lens or flash. The Trekker Waistpack has movable dividers to arrange as you see fit for toting gear. As with the other Clik Elite bags, the main compartment opens away from you so that you can get easy access to your gear while you are wearing the bag. It also has plenty of accessory compartment and pouches. Another nice touch is the grab handle at the top so you can pick it up without fumbling with the strap while you are carrying to your car or whatever.

Escape

The Escape is a multipurpose backpack that is clearly an outdoors pack. While it can hold a pro-DSLR, along with several lenses, accessories and personal gear, the Escape also offers a hydration compartment that fits a 100 oz. bladder for serious trekkers, mountain bikers, and so on. Additionally, it has a tuck-away tripod attachment if you need to bring one along.

The Escape features built-in ChestPorts, which are used to attach the Chestpacks described above. As a result, this bag can become two-in-one, and handle some serious gear. The bag opens with one large compartment; however, the top can be flipped up to reveal just the camera, which can be removed from the bag without opening up the rest of it. The Escape has several outer and inner pockets and pouches for stowing photo accessories and other gear.

Compact Sport

The Compact Sport is geared to the light-carry DSLR crowd. It has enough room for a DSLR with attached lens, and maybe an extra lens or flash. The camera compartment is a side-entry compartment, and is separate from the personal gear compartment, so you can toss in bike tools or other outdoor gear without worry of damaging your camera. The Compact Sport also has a tripod attachment, several external pockets and pouches, and a compartment for a 100 oz. bladder. Like the Escape, you can attach a Chestpack with the built-in Chestport.

This looks like a Camelbak made for mountain biking photographers. I usually wear a Camelbak M.U.L.E. when I ride. I like it for the 100 oz. bladder and the extra storage space for tubes, tools and Clif bars. Occasionally, I’ll take along an old point and shoot camera; however, I hate mix anything nice in there because of the lack of protection. The Clik Elite Compact Sport may be my next camera bag.

Pro-Body Sport

The Pro-Body Sport is a lot like the Compact Sport, but bigger. It will hold a pro-DSLR with lens attached in a similar side-entry camera compartment. It also includes a larger top compartment for other gear. Like the Compact Sport, it has a compartment for a 100 oz. bladder, tripod attachment, and built-in Chestport for attaching a Chestpack.

Nature

The Nature bag is more of an ordinary (relatively speaking) backpack with compartment on the bottom for your camera gear, which will fit a pro-DSLR, along with a a few lenses or flashes. It unzips normally, with no side entry like the sport versions above. However, the Nature backpack also has a compartment for a 70 oz. bladder if you’re taking a hike on a hot day. Additionally, the top compartment is generous in size for more outdoor gear, jackets, etc.

The Nature has an external media pouch for quick access to memory cards, hard drives and batteries. Like the other backpacks, there is also the built-in Chestport for attaching Chestpacks. Additionally, there are a number of external pockets and pouches for water bottles, sunglasses and more gear.

Hiker

The Clik Elite Hiker is a pretty large backpack design for extended hikes where you need to tote in a lot more than just a camera and a couple of other items. The Hiker has an internal aluminum frame for supporting heavy loads. The top non-camera compartment has a 1400 cubic inch capacity, as well as a hydration sleeve for a 70 oz. bladder.

The camera compartment is situated in a similar manner as the Nature backpack and will accommodate a pro-DSLR and a few lenses or flashes. There is an external camera accessory pouch for memory cards, hard drives and batteries. Additionally, there are a number of external pouches for other gear and strap points for a tent, sleeping bag or tripod.

Clik Elite Pro Series

The Pro series is streamlined backpack series designed to only hold photo gear (unlike the Outdoor Sport series above).

BodyLink Telephoto Pack

The BodyLink Telephoto Pack is a compact bag designed to carry a single lens and flash. You can see it worn by one of the guys at the Clik Elite booth in the photos at the top of this post. It will carry up to a pro-DSLR with a 70-200 f/2.8 lens attached. What makes the BodyLink Telephoto Pack unique is that it is designed to be worn as a backpack or as a chestpack, and the inclusion of the BodyLink frame. This telescoping frame features a tripod mount for attaching a ball head.

When wearing the BodyLink Telephoto Pack on your chest, you can mount a camera on the ball head and let your body act as your stabilizer. When using a video camera, this can act as a steady-cam as you pan your body. You can also adjust the angle of the frame and point the camera back at you for a SnorriCam effect.

Pro Express

The Pro Express is one of the more ’standard’ backpacks in the Clik Elite’s line. It offers the ruggedness that is apparent on all the other bags; however, the storage area holds the gaggle of gear we are accustomed to in camera backpacks. With several dividers, you can mix and match the arrangement of your lenses, flashes and other gear, along with the ability to carry a pro-DSLR.

The Pro Express also has the built-in ChestPorts for attaching ChestPacks to the front while the Pro Express is on your back. A number of accessory pouchs, pockets, a tripod strap and a laptop compartment round out the key features on the Pro Express.

Pro Elite

The Pro Elite is essentially a larger version of the Pro Express backpack. It can hold a whole lot of gear, including a pro-DSLR, multiple lenses and flashes, a large tripod, laptop computer and a ton of other accessories and gadgets. As with the other backpacks, the Pro Elite features the ChestPorts for attaching ChestPacks to it.

Clik Elite ClickStand Series

The ClikStand series consists of backpacks that have a built-in stand/frame that works like a tripod in terms of stabilizing your camera. The frame will prop the backpacks up thanks to a tip-out back panel. The legs will fold out to help stabilize the bag on uneven ground, and thanks to the weight of the bag and the gear within it, you get an anchored tripod in effect. The top bar of the ClikStand frame extends to nearly double the height of the backpack itself. There is a mount for a ballhead, flashes, etc. on the top bar for mounting whatever you need on location.

On of the guys from Clik Elite was telling me that he had used the ClikStand while the pack was on his back to shoot overhead video, which got me to thinking about all the creative possibilities that a backpack could afford you. The ClikStand makes for a potentially powerful mobile harness at a fraction of the cost of dedicated video rigs. Sure, it’s sort of a homegrown approach, but there’s a lot of creativity built in there.

Nature+ClikStand

The Nature+ClikStand is the Nature backpack with a ClikStand built into it. As a result, it’s the smallest of the three ClikStand models.

Hiker+ClikStand

The Hiker+ClikStand is the Hiker version of the ClikStand series. The medium size ClikStand backpack with the 70 oz. bladder compartment and all other features found in the normal Hiker backpack.

Pro Elite+ClikStand

And, if you haven’t figured out the naming scheme by now, the Pro Elite+ClikStand is the Pro Elite backpack with the ClikStand attached to it. The Pro Elite holds more camera gear than any other Clik Elite bag.

Clik Elite Explorer Series

The Explorer series is made up of smaller sling bags, shoulder bags and backpacks. These are geared toward more casual carry than the active carry design of the other Clik Elite series.

Traveler

The Traveler is a shoulder bag that just big enough to carry a standard DSLR with lens attached, along with another lens or two, or a flash mixed in there. It has a several exterior pockets for carrying a cell phone, compact camera, memory cards and accessories. The top flap use a magnetic closure instead of noisy velcro. It also has a grab handle on the top for quick carry, instead of fumbling with the long strap.

JetPack

The JetPack is a small backpack that can also be worn as a sling. The main compartment houses a place for a standard DSLR and lens, provides room for an extra lens and flash, has an integrated laptop sleeve, and has enough room left over for a change of clothes. The JetPack has both external and internal accessory pouches and pockets, as well as a tripod strap.

Impulse Sling

The Impulse Sling is worn across the back and, thanks the sling design, can slide around your body to provide immediate access to the camera compartment via a side-entry flap. The camera compartment will hold a pro-DSLR with lens attached. The Impulse Sling also includes a pouch for tripod legs and a tripod strap, along with additional exterior pockets and pouches. In addition to the camera compartment, there is a top compartment for carrying other items or gear.

Other Stuff

Clik Elite makes a number of accessory items that don’t fit into any specific bag series above. There are accessory pouches for memory cards, batteries etc. They’ve got lens pouches for small, medium and large lenses. There’s a filter organizer for 4 filters up to 77mm in size. Clik Elite also makes a wrist strap for DSLRs. Finally, a bag called the Camera Capsule (for pro-size and standard DSLRs) that can hold a DSLR and a couple of lenses. Finally, the Adrenaline Harness is a standalone hydration pack that holds a 100 oz. bladder, and features attachments for the ChestPack series.

There are plenty of cool features among the different Clik Elite bags; however, the ClikStand, BodyLink and Chestpack features were really the things to set these bags apart. For outdoor types, the Clik Elite bags deliver some unique features that you won’t find anywhere else.

Olympus Booth Tour at PMA 2010

Eric Reagan — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:42:05 +0000

If you missed out on making it to PMA 2010, but still want to catch almost everything in the Olympus booth, check out the video below.

Here’s a list of the cameras and accessories featured in the above tour:

Olympus T-100
Olympus FE-47
Olympus FE-4020
Olympus Stylus 5010
Olympus Stylus 7030
Olympus Stylus 7040
Olympus SP-600UZ
Olympus SP-800UZ
Olympus E-P1
Olympus E-P2
Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-620
Olympus E-3
Olympus E-30
Olympus Stylus Tough 3000
Olympus Stylus Tough 6020
Olympus PT-EP01 Underwater Housing
Olympus PT-048 Underwater Housing

You can also check out the Sony Booth Tour and the Samsung Booth Tour.