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The Lastolite Joe McNally Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 Plus is reliable gear for the photographer


In my world of portrait photography and what I call “object” photography, I frequently utilize my Canon Speedlite flash head along with a softbox to get that beautiful, wide, soft light I need to flood and enhance my subject. That kind of lighting also creates interest and enhances the detail.

Thus far, the problem that I have encountered with all of the softboxes that I own is the badly designed method that they all use to be attached to my flash. They attach via Velcro in some sort of way, and over time during a shoot, they either become detached on one side or in some cases, they fall off completely.

As I continued my search for a better designed softbox, I came across the Lastolite Joe McNally Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 Plus. This 8.7” x 8.7” softbox mounts to the flash with “a secure twist-lock silicone strap”. It has two built-in magnets for mounting accessories as needed, and it can also be used off-camera. By design, it is capable of producing a very soft light with the use of both interior and exterior diffusers. It folds flat for easy packing, and it even comes with its own carrying bag.

If you are like me and you have been looking for a softbox like this, you can pick one up at B&H Photo Video for $78.88.

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The Lastolite Joe McNally Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 Plus is reliable gear for the photographer originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 7, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Forget the knife – get yourself a Swiss Army axe!

You won’t be building a house or blazing a wilderness trail using just this multi-tool, but it could be a handy addition to your home or car toolbox or your hiking or camping kit.  This Wit Bird multitool with an axe is perfect for small jobs where you need a few tools but you don’t need a full mechanics toolbox.

The tool measures 6.88″ x 3.54″ x 1.18″ and weighs 14.5 ounces.  It’s made of ferritic stainless steel metal with a wood inlay handle.  It includes the following tools:

  • Hammer
  • Axe / hatchet
  • Knife
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Flat screwdriver
  • Fish fork
  • Saw
  • Allen wrench
  • Bottle opener
  • File
  • Locking plier
  • Flat nose pliers
  • Scale knife
  • Rasp
  • Wire cutter
  • Can opener
  • Wrench

At $12.88 each, you could get a couple of these Wit Bird multitool axes to throw in your car and your outdoor kits.  Get them at Amazon.

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Forget the knife – get yourself a Swiss Army axe! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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Mission Workshop Rhake Backpack review

If you spend time on a bike, you probably know about Mission Workshop and their amazing bags. Today we’re looking at their latest pack: The Rhake. Designed with tons of dedicated organization for your tech and gear, the Rhake is a true multitasker for cyclists, commuters, and travelers alike. It’s a good one, folks. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a burly weatherproof laptop backpack with all kinds of organization and enhancements for your tech gear and travel needs.

Hardware specs

  • External dimensions: 21” x 13” x 5”
  • Internal volume: 1,350 cu. in. (22 L)
  • Weight (empty): 3.1 lbs.
  • Body Fabric: Available in HT500 or MultiCam® Black Camo Cordura®.
  • Two-layer weatherproof construction and water-resistant zippers.
  • Arkiv® rails on the shoulder straps for easy addition of Mission Workshop Arkiv® accessories.
  • Perforated foam back panel.
  • Made in the USA from domestic and imported components.

Design and features

The Mission Workshop Rhake wears it’s heritage as a bike ready bag proudly. It’s a rugged looking bag, but a lean profile and sophisticated styling details give it a contemporary look. There’s no doubt that this is a bag made to work hard, but it will look good doing it.

The Rhake is built around Mission Workshop’s signature rolltop-style design for access to the main storage compartment. As opposed to a simple flap, the rolltop “hood” is an 8” extension of the bag that is secured by either a velcro flap or an adjustable strap that hooks into a loop on the bag. This setup gives you a flexible, cavernous space (22 liters) when rolled tight for a completely waterproof seal. Use the adjustable strap and that space expands to up to 28 liters for taller/larger loads. There’s also a deep zippered pocket on the rear panel of this chamber to keep documents flat and dry.

Your laptop rides behind the main compartment, closest to your back, in a padded laptop compartment that runs the height and width of the bag. Accessed by a full-height zipper on the rear seam, this compartment will easily accommodate a 15” laptop and some 17” laptops. You can also fit a laptop and a larger tablet here, depending on the size of your gear.

A collection of compartments on the front face of the bag are used to sort out your small stuff. Two 7” by 12” zippered organization panels unzip to reveal a set of zippered mesh compartments (and a key leash!) on the left panel, and an open pocket for quick grab stuff on the right panel. A pair of adjustable buckled straps in front of these panels can also be used to secure additional items like a tripod or a rolled-up jacket. A vertical tablet/notebook pocket sits behind the organization panels and is accessed by a horizontal zipper with its own rain flap. Below the organizational panel is a horizontal compartment intended for chargers, headphones, or other similar small chunky items. 

 

Rounding out the organization is a brilliant 10” by 6” “hidden” pocket on the opposite rear seam from the laptop zip. This pocket contains an elastic mesh pouch you pull out to sling your water bottle, including oversized bottles. Tuck the pouch away and you can use this pocket for valuables like a wallet or cell phone since it sits close to your back. Very clever.

The harness configurations is completely adjustable. The shoulder straps are wide, well-padded, and curve slightly at the hips for a contoured fit. Adjustment points at the top and bottom of the shoulder straps and an adjustable sternum strap enable you to dial in the perfect fit for your body type. Generous back pads provide additional comfort, with a lower lumbar panel designed as a pass-through for your luggage handle. A wrapped foam top handle completes the rig for three different carry options.

The shoulder straps also feature Mission Workshop’s proprietary Arkiv rail system, designed to work with MW’s modular accessories. Open the locking tabs and you can slide accessories (like a cell phone holder) onto the straps for additional organization. You can read more about the Arkiv system here. 

The build on the Rhake is extraordinary. The primary material is MW’s exclusive HT500 high-tenacity fabric, a sophisticated upgrade over Cordura (read more about it here). Dual layer construction is used throughout, providing an additional layer of smooth waterproof material for extra element protection. Duraflex buckles are standard (some options offer Cobra buckles!) along with water-resistant zips throughout. Every seam and corner is overbuilt for durability, and little enhancements like zipper garages and a blinky light loop on the bottom of the bag show the attention to detail. It’s all made in the USA, and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Performance

If you’re a commuter or traveler that carries your life on your back everywhere you go, the Rhake is your new best friend. It’s a great design that makes life easier on the road.

For extended carry, the Rhake may be the most comfortable pack I’ve carried. The harness setup is much chunkier than most business-style packs, but you’ll appreciate all of that padding and the ability to adjust the rigging when you’re running through an airport or train station (or hitting your two-wheeled commuter).

If you’re a smaller framed person, you should be aware that the Rhake is quite wide and tall (21″ by 13″). But at a mere 5″ deep, it’s lean profile hugs tight to your back for active maneuvering. I’m 5’10” and 190 pounds, and tend to favor slightly shorter packs based on my body type. I don’t have any comfort issues with this pack, because I can adjust all of the strapping to get to a comfortable fit. I’m thinking that this bag won’t fit under an airline seat, but I plan to test that on an upcoming trip.

When you are living out of your bag for extended periods of time, the multi-zone organization of the Rhake is brilliant. Since every storage area is accessed independently, you can organize your gear based on size and frequency of use. The main compartment is waterproofed inside and out, which is ideal for the safe transport of gym stuff or groceries (or a six pack, shown below) without risking that your electronics could get hit with an accidental leak. At 22 liter plus capacity, you could easily get a couple of days worth of clothes in there as well.

Mission Workshop has clearly put some time into thinking about user needs, and how you might sort out the rest of your kit. Laptop, tablet, and notebooks have dedicated spaces. That left organization panel, with its different sized mesh sub-pockets, is perfect for sorting out all of those little business or travel bits. The quick grab right pocket is flexible enough to handle everything from travel documents to sunglasses, while chargers and power bricks have their own garage so they don’t ensnare everything else. Hydration is optional. It all adds up to a well sorted, flexible system that doesn’t require any additional organization add-ons to work. I will probably add the Arkiv cell phone holder to the rig so I have a dedicated phone holster, but that’s about it.

I have zero concerns about durability with the Rhake. I’m very picky about quality in my bags, and the Rhake is among the best that I’ve tested. Every aspect of the bag is overbuilt to take a lifetime of beatings. If you’re looking for a travel bag that will log a lot of miles, you’ll be happy with this little monster.

My final comments are related to style. It should be noted that the Rhake is not a streamlined fancy business bag. It’s a technical pack that has lots of straps, and there’s a chunky rugged look to the whole package. I don’t know that I would wear it with a suit. But I think that the contemporary style looks great in business casual environments.

What I like

  • Outstanding build and material quality
  • Built to handle the elements, on or off a bike
  • Brilliant  multi-zone organization for your big stuff, small stuff, and technology
  • Extremely comfortable, adjustable fit for all-day carry
  • Dedicated key leash
  • Brilliant water bottle pocket that tucks away when not in use

What needs to be improved

  • Wide, tall form may not work for smaller-framed people
  • Lots of straps
  • May not fit under an airplane seat (something I will be testing shortly)

Final thoughts

While I have handled MW products in the past, Mission Workshop Rhake is the first of their products that I have had the opportunity to put through an extended test. It’s fantastic. The flexible organization for your tech and gear is really well thought out. Carry comfort is excellent. You’re going a pay a premium for the Rhake, but I think the quality and craftsmanship is in alignment with the pricing here. It’s an investment piece that will last a lifetime.

Price: $365 – $455 depending on options
Where to buy: Mission Workshop and some bags are available on Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by company Mission Workshop.

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Mission Workshop Rhake Backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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The Datacolor SpyderCUBE RAW Calibration Tool keeps your photos true to color


After many years of working in the photography and videography/filmmaking industry, there are many occasions when I still find myself editing photos where dialing in the “true” color is an issue, and I have to spend extra time editing to achieve satisfactory results. Realistically, this is quite unnecessary, since there are many products that are available to help with or solve the color challenge.

The Datacolor SpyderCUBE RAW Calibration Tool is one of the available products. It is a digital color balancing tool that allows you to correct the color temperature, exposure, brightness, blacks, and whites of your photographs. It makes editing and adjusting your RAW photographs in post-production much easier. To use it, you simply place the spider cube in the area of light of the environment where you are planning to take pictures. This can be done by hanging it or having someone hold it. It can also be mounted on a tripod or light stand. The grey, white, chrome, and black surfaces, and black trap for Shadow Detail Control, must be visible to your camera and in the frame of the picture.

When used in the same lighting conditions as your photographs, it provides enough information for your editing software for optimal color adjustment. While I have not yet tried it, it seems to be a helpful tool for photographers at any level.

You can purchase the Datacolor SpyderCUBE RAW Calibration Tool at Amazon or B&H Photo Video for $49.

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This tracker keeps hikers from getting lost

Compared to the general population, serious hikers are often better than average at understanding environmental factors and keeping themselves safe. Part of the planning process associated with upcoming excursions almost always involves studying maps and routes.

However, as new technologies become available, hikers often invest in tracking devices that make it easier for rescuers to locate them in times of trouble. One particularly worth knowing about is the SPOT Gen3.

Helping friends and family track your route

The often-rugged conditions associated with hiking trips mean friends and relatives probably can’t depend on communicating via phone. However, this tracker sends updates as frequently as every five minutes up to every hour, revealing your location with help from satellites.

The Gen3 also has a vibration sensor that detects when you’re moving and sends tracking information continually. However, it stops when you do to prevent wasting the battery. You don’t need to reset your Gen3 daily or do anything else to keep it in the tracking mode, other than making sure it’s turned on.

Providing a one-way communication method

This device goes beyond telling people where you are and lets you send messages to them. People who’ve used the Gen3 for extended periods point out SPOT is the market leader in one-way communication devices.

In addition to sending a pre-programmed message that says “OK,” you can set up a custom, personalized message before leaving on a hike that reaches up to 10 designated contacts. One set of lithium batteries provides enough power to send 1,250 check-in or custom messages.

Giving you access to emergency responders in the U.S. and Europe

Although there are various ways to send visual and audible distress signals, the Gen3 has an SOS button you can use to get in touch with emergency personnel while hiking throughout the United States and Europe. That feature gives your GPS coordinates and other information to professionals, so they can find you in dire situations.

Informing contacts you need non-emergency help

The Gen3 gadget is useful for scenarios that require outside assistance, but aren’t life-threatening. Its Save Our Vehicle capability sends a message to your contacts, giving them location details and letting them call for help or come to you themselves. Besides wearing the Gen3 on your backpack, you can use it in an automobile, which is probably how the feature got its name.

Other things to know

The SPOT Gen3 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $169.95, but some retailers sell it for $149.99. That cost is for the device itself. The functions described above require a supplementary service subscription. When using more than one Gen3 device, you’ll have to buy a subscription for each of them.

The basic tier costs $19.99 per month for 12 months, or $199.99 if you pay for the whole year at once.

You can also add the Extreme Tracking upgrade, which enables sending updates in two-and-a-half-minute intervals and costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

You also have the option of buying the GEOS Search and Rescue addition. No matter what, the Gen3 has an active SOS button. However, this extra provides up to $100,000 worth of coverage for search-and-rescue-related expenses, including the use of a private contractor to bring you to safety. It costs $17.95 per year.

Hiking can be dangerous, especially with a lack of preparedness. However, the Gen3 gives the people you care about your location and summons help in emergencies. Visit findmespot.com for more info.

Image by Oziel Gómez

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This tracker keeps hikers from getting lost originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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