Induro Carbon 8x CT113

I recently replaced my trusty Gitzo Mountaineer G1228 MK2 with an Induro Carbon 8x CT113. I've been using the Gitzo for about 10 years with 35mm, medium format, large format 4x5, and most recently DSLRs. It has traveled around the world and many, many miles of backcountry trails and has never let me (or my camera) down. But the twist locks have started to get a little stiff and are the old style which allows the leg to spin and spin... Ug. And the I began to tire of the 4 section tripod setup time - 3 legs, 3 twist locks each... Ug. So I began to look at all those sexy new legs out there. ;-)

Being a hiker, backpacker, traveler, photographer, here were my requirements.

1. Light, Light, Light! Carbon fiber, for sure.
2. Sturdy and rigid enough for my Canon 5D Mark II and my selection of (smallish) lenses.
3. 20-22" folded length - better for strapping to backpacks and fitting in suitcases.
4. 3-section non-rotating twist locks - for reasons stated above and I like the twist locks because they tend not to snag on tree branches and brush when hiking.
5. Built-in bubble level - convenience.
6. Hook at the bottom of the center column - don't use it much, but surely nice to have when the wind is howling or when shooting in deep, powdery snow.
7. 50" height without center column extended - expedites setup with DSLR and works great with a 4x5 field camera.
8. Padded grips on legs - just a "nice to have" - not really a requirement, I guess.
9. Reasonably priced - I don't mind spending on high quality gear, but I'm not going to pay for just a name when other alternatives of equal quality exist.

During my research I found that there are many more options in the world of carbon fiber tripods than there was 10 or 12 years ago! Of course, some of those products are made well and some... not so much. I read reviews and perused forums and decided on the Induro.

First impressions of the Induro Carbon 8x CT113 from a discerning photographer:

1. Impressive! Very light, sturdy, and operates smoothly - love the non-rotating legs!!
2. Bubble level is cool.
3. Perfect integration with my RRS BH-40 ball head - nicely balanced.
4. Includes nice carrying case, spiked feet and small tool kit.
5. Question about durability... Will this tripod last 10 years like the Gitzo? Only time will tell, I guess. I can foresee deterioration of the foam pads on the legs - no big deal - replaceable. And I wonder about the same of the rubber on the twist locks - could be a bigger deal.

I'm quite happy with the Induro and I can't wait to hit the trail and put it to work!

Lightroom 2 Book

I've been working my way through Nat Coalson's Lightroom 2: Streamlining your Digital Photography Process. I was quite familiar with Lightroom prior to purchasing the book, but I knew that Nat was a real expert and that I'd likely learn some new tricks and techniques. And how!

My rather large photo library is very organized. But tips from the book helped me better integrate 1000s of digitized 35mm, 645, and 4x5 transparencies with all my new digital images. Now my entire digital library is right at my fingertips - searchable and filter-able via Lightroom.

Another cool tip that I just learned is the use of the O key with the crop tool to change the overlay. There are a number of different overlays, all based on well known principles of design - the rule of thirds, golden ratio, diagonal lines, triangles, golden mean, and a grid. These can be very helpful in creating pleasing (cropped) compositions.

I'm only into Chapter 7, so I'll post more of these great tips as I happen upon them.

I highly recommend this book.

Canon 5D Mark II First Impressions

I took delivery of a Canon EOS 5D Mark II yesterday. Throughout the day, in between work and family, I played with the camera and read through the manual. Here are some first impressions, likes, and dislikes...

• I'm pleased with the overall build and ergonomics. Much of the button, wheel, dial layout is familiar (coming from the 30D).
• The viewfinder is large and bright and the LCD is quite nice.
• The menu redesign is much improved.
• Live view is cool (coming from large format) and the grid, info and histogram overlays are fantastic. But you can't shoot with mirror lock-up from live view? Bummer. Although, its easy enough to compose in live view, then switch off and shoot with mirror lock-up.
• The customizable mode dial settings (C1, C2, C3) and "my menu" are great features that I will use a lot. It will be great to be able to jump from one type of shooting situation to another with the flick of the dial. Here's how I've configured them (for now)...
• C1 - Landscape from tripod: Aperture priority starting @ f/16, ISO 100, mirror lock-up, 2 sec. self timer, etc. I'll likely often use live view with this setting.
• C2 - Trail and Travel hand-held: Aperture priority starting @ f/11, Auto ISO, single shot
• C3 - Wildlife and quick grab: Shutter priority startting @ 250th, Auto ISO, AIServo, multiple shot.
• My Menu - Exposure bracketing, format card, mirror lock-up, date and time (I set this often to sync with GPS), long exposure noise reduction.
• Image quality - wow! I haven't made any prints, yet. But on screen pixel peeping shows lots and lots of details. I post more on this after I do some printing.
• Video - fun! I probably won't use the video for more than casual, documentary. But my kids thought it was cool that we shot video, plugged the camera directly into our HD TV and watched "movies."
  

I ventured out early this morning for a sunrise shoot. The light was less than stellar, in fact boring, and the few clouds did not light up. But I shot a few frames anyway and processed them in Lightroom. It will take a bit more practice to get the best out of the 5D II files, but here's a preview...

Lowepro CompuPrimus Mini Review

My new Lowepro CompuPrimus AW arrived today. I've got it packed with gear and it looks like this will be a keeper. If you know me, you know I've said this before... :-)

I've been using the original Primus AW for a little over a year and it is the first Lowepro backpack that I can say I've been truly happy with. Now, this is really saying something considering my premier status as a certified bag-a-holic. It is comfortable, even fully loaded for all-day hiking and its features are perfect for trail use - quick, side access, top compartment for gear, hydration bladder pocket, tripod attachment, etc. I've tried many, many bags and backpacks over the years and Lowepro is finally creating products for serious hiker/photographers. Kudos to them!

My only want when using the Primus AW was a little more space and a convenient way to carry a laptop computer when traveling/flying (Although this was definitely a lower priority, and I have a barely used Lowepro Fastpack 350 for travel). Enter the CompuPrimus AW!

If the Primus was a medium, the CompuPrimus is a large. Both interior and exterior dimensions are larger. The harness and hip belt are also thicker and wider. Just like the Primus, this is a comfortable pack! Yea! The side access zippered flap is also larger. And the rear hatch is now large enough to carry a 15" laptop in the provided padded case. When hiking this will be perfect for a hydration bladder along with rain or extra cold gear. The top section of the pack is considerably larger and will be great for extra lenses in their individual padded cases (70-200 f/4 L and lots more room) and/or plenty more hiking gear (lunch, survival kit, etc.). The lower padded section houses my Canon 30D nicely and has room to spare. This is convenient, since my Canon 30D will soon be replaced with a Canon 5D mkII. Also stored in the lower section is a Canon 24mm f/3.5 L TS-E, a Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX, a few filters, remote switch, bubble level and extra battery. And this leaves a slot big enough for another lens (Hmmm, I wonder what I can find to fill that? A 45mm TS-E perhaps?).

I'm very happy with my purchase. It looks like the CompuPrimus will fit my needs perfectly (for now). :-) I'm excited to get this on the trail for a real test drive. I'll report back when I do...

Really Right Stuff BH-40 LR II - Wow!

I've used, and been very happy with my Kirk BH-3 ballhead since it's initial release. It's seen action with various camera systems, from 35mm SLR, to medium format, to DSLR, to 4x5 field camera. And it has traveled the world and many a backcountry site with me. It is one of the best photo-related investments I've ever made. So why would I part with it??

About a month ago I was IM'ing with a photographer friend and he pointed me to the Really Right Stuff website. He was looking at upgrading his ballhead with the RRS LR II quick release. It's cool. A patented lever clamp that adds even more speed to the quick release system. The quick release also has a small spirit level - convenient. I started poking around the RRS website and found the BH-40 ballhead. Again, it's cool - sleek finish, stylish knobs, low profile (a full 1 inch shorter than my BH-3), and even lighter weight. I searched around the internet for some reviews, pinged some fellow photographers that have been using the BH-40 and everyone raved about it. It turns out that since I was perfectly, perhaps ignorantly, happy with my older BH-3, I had just not paid any attention to ballhead discussions when they came up on the internet. I placed an order with RRS and 4 days later the BH-40 arrived.

Wow. Initial quality, fit and finish is amazing. This is really a superior product. The BH-40 is an upgrade to the BH-3 in every way. Well only time will prove out longevity and reliability... The ball action is very smooth and it locks securely with a nice lever knob. The tension knob is numbered, making it simple to return to a particular tension level. After a short time I found 2 different settings that worked well for me in different situations and the numbers make it ridiculously simple to switch back and forth. No more guessing. And the lever clamp was everything I'd hoped it would be. I've been using the BH-40 for a couple weeks with my Canon 30D and I couldn't be more pleased. It is a perfect match to my trusty Gitzo G1228. And with the Gitzo short column, the combination weighs only 4.5 lbs.

If you're in the market for a medium weight ballhead, the RRS BH-40 certainly warrants your consideration.

Lowepro Primus

As you can tell by the lack of activity here, I've been quite busy - mostly with a new day-job. But I recently responded to an all too common question about photo backpacks in a discussion forum and I thought I'd elaborate here on some of my experiences with photo backpacks.

I do a lot of hiking and backpacking. As much as time allows. I love it. And I love photographing the backcountry. I've been doing so for many years and I've tried (and been frustrated with) many, many photo backpacks. I've also tried modifying hiking backpacks for my photo gear. This didn't always work well either. But Lowepro finally answered some of my wishes with their new Primus model. I got a pre-production model early in the summer of 2007 and after 100+ trail miles I'm still quite happy with the pack - something I've never been able to say before.

What I like about the Lowepro Primus:

• Carries a nice compliment of gear. Mine is a Canon EOS 30D w/ 24-105mm L attached, Tokina 12-24mm, Canon 24mm TS-E, and Canon 70-200mm f/4 L. Plus a Gitzo G1228 tripod.
  
• Easy "on-the-trail" camera access. The side access zipper is a little awkward at first, but after just a little practice, it works great! Hand-held trail shots are now quick and the camera is stored safely inside the pack.
• The pack itself is light. My complaint with the photo trekker series was always the weight. The pack alone weighed 8+ lbs. - ridiculous. The Primus is under 5 lbs. and it is comfortable all day. We're talking 10 hours, 15 miles, 4000 ft. vertical, all day...
• Extra storage for extra gear - food, water, clothes, survival gear. Space is spare but adequate for a day's hike.
• The exterior pocket/flap is great for storing a water bladder and rain gear.
  
• Easy tripod storage on the back of the pack with the designed tripod holder, or on the side utilizing the water bottle holder.
• Access to gear from the suspension side of the pack. This alleviates setting the suspension down in dirt, mud and/or snow to get to gear and then putting gunky straps and waistbelt back on your body to hit the trail. You can also access gear by unshouldering the straps, loosening the waistbelt, but leaving it buckled, and swiveling the pack around to your front. This sounds a bit weird, and I was skeptical when looking at the promos demonstrating this, but it actually works quite well.

So there you have it. If you're looking for a day-hiking photo backpack, this just may work for you too. :-)