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The Ruggard Alpine 600 Lens Backpack for DSLR and 600/800mm lens is a winner!


Every Photographer and Cinematographer I have ever met seems to have the same major issue that I struggle with. I am referring to the ongoing challenge of finding the right camera bag to carry the desired equipment for each specific shoot. Like many of my counterparts, I have surrendered and accepted that I need multiple bags to meet my needs. The decision to surrender also meant that I would be forever buying bags and forever trying new ideas. Some time ago, I was on a shoot and carrying my Sigma 70-200mm and Canon 24-105mm along with 2 full-sized camera bodies, both with extended battery grips attached. It was during that shoot that I decided I would soon purchase the Sigma 150-600mm lens. The thought of carrying an even larger lens was immediately daunting. Anyone who knows the Sigma lenses knows that they are inherently large, and since I actually like to shoot more frequently with a crop sensor camera, the use of the lens with the lens hood and the lens hood extension for the APS-C sensor, meant that the footprint would be very long. It would be a very inefficient process if I had to assemble the gear each time I wanted to switch to a different lens and/or camera body.

I went in search of a bag that I could easily carry any combination of these lenses and multiple camera bodies, and my search led me to the Ruggard Alpine 600 Lens Backpack for DSLR and up to 600/800mm lens. This is quite a large bag, but its ability as a backpack makes it a doable option. The bag is well built and very strong, and it is fully adjustable to carry a full-sized DSLR body with the extended battery grip and the lens with hood extension attached. It also has multiple external pockets and compartments that are roomy enough to hold lens filters, lens caps, batteries, flash, etc.

While I absolutely love this large bag, I must admit that its size does limit when I carry it, as opposed to using it as a daily “go to” bag.

If you are struggling with similar circumstances and looking for a large camera bag that will allow you to quickly switch between full camera setups, then I would highly recommend the Ruggard Alpine 600 Lens Backpack. You can purchase it at B&H Photo Video for $139.95.

The post The Ruggard Alpine 600 Lens Backpack for DSLR and 600/800mm lens is a winner! appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

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The Ruggard Alpine 600 Lens Backpack for DSLR and 600/800mm lens is a winner! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 11, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Sigma 105mm macro lens review

Photography professionals and enthusiasts are always looking for an opportunity to enhance their photography skills and to take better pictures. Those interested in macro photography seem to be involved in an ongoing search for the best lens to ultimately allow them to produce the most amazing pictures. Macro photography lenses have the ability to take really close-up photos with a nice depth of field and great bokeh (Bokeh is the blur produced in the parts of an image that are not in focus). I have a Canon EOS camera, and I recently purchased the Sigma 105mm Macro Lens for myself.

What is it?

The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon EOS Cameras is a mid-level lens specifically designed for macro photography (This lens is also available for Nikon, Sony and Sigma DSLR Cameras). Like many macro lenses, it is able to focus from infinity all the way into a 1:1 ratio which ensures a life-size reproduction of the image, from the lens to the sensor inside of the camera. This lens produces very clear images and its autofocus capability makes it much easier for even the entry-level photographer to take pictures that are sharp, in-focus and free of distortion.

What’s in the box?

In the box, there is a very nice lens case and carrying strap. The case is well padded and will very likely protect the lens in the event that it is dropped a few feet. Sigma also includes a lens hood, a hood extension for cameras with APS-C sensors, and protective lens caps for both sides of the lens. Of course, the warranty brochure and an instruction leaflet are included as well. This lens comes with a limited 1-year warranty for North and South America and a 3-year extended warranty if it remains within the USA.

Design and features

As with all macro lenses, this Sigma lens is quite heavy for its size. This is due to the additional glass inside that is necessary for the lens to be able to take macro images. The body is metal and it feels very solid overall. With an Aperture of f/2.8, this lens is capable of taking great pictures in low light conditions. The aperture and focus rings are nice and smooth and rotate freely without any binding. On the side of the lens, there are switches to select manual or auto focus, 2 types of Optical stabilization and a distance switch which is helpful with autofocus, by pre-defining the distance range between the subject and the lens. The Optical Stabilization is Sigma’s proprietary stabilization feature and does a great job at stabilizing when shooting hand-held. The “focus-Free” mechanical design creates a separation between the autofocus function and the mechanical focus ring which is great, since it allows you to hold the focus ring for support and still utilize autofocus without affecting the function. The lens can focus as close as 12.2” away from the subject and with the dual focus capability is easy to use without a tripod. The Hyper Sonic Motor makes focusing very fast and is relatively quiet.

What I like

After using the lens for a week or so, I can truly say that I am enjoying it. I like the build quality and how solid it feels. I also like the sharpness of the pictures it produces and the versatility of being able to use it for macro photography as well as portrait photography, and always get sharp photos with a great depth of field. The Bokeh it produces for my macro shots is very good, and my friends seem to love the photos.

What needs to be improved?

While this is obviously a great lens, I do think that there are a couple of things that can be improved. Despite its nice Hyper Sonic Motor, it is not as quiet as some of the other lens I have used. This would not usually be a problem for photography, but would be for videography, and would require the use of an external audio recorder for clean audio. I would also like to see 62mm ring adapters included with the lens, which is the size that is required for use with any lens filter or a ring flash. This size of ring adapter is not normally a part of most ring adapter kits, and must be purchased separately.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Sigma 105mm macro lens does a very good job of producing clean and clear images, and has the versatility to do so both for macro and portrait photography. It can also be used for other types of photography as along as the distance to the subject can be managed.  In my opinion, when compared to a revered lens like the Canon 100mm macro lens, the Sigma comes in at a very close second. If overall quality and price are the main considerations, it would be a better purchase than the Canon, since it is now available at a newly discounted price.

Price: $569
Where to buy: bhphotovideo.com and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was purchased with my own funds.

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Sigma 105mm macro lens review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 9, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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The Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set is another cost effective option for macro photography


In the world of macro photography, getting as close as possible to an object to be able to shoot a detailed photo is a very important and enjoyable aspect. Extension tubes are a great way to give non-macro lens the ability to get in closer. They connect between the lens and the camera and work by simply increasing the distance between the lens and the camera sensor. There are many manufacturers of extension tubes which are available in various specifications but ultimately do the same job. What is also important is the build quality, and how well they are threaded to match the lens they are designed to fit, without binding or creating difficulty when putting them on or taking them off.

While many people tend to use tubes manufactured by the same company as their camera, I tend to look for others that are well made and just as efficient, but cost-effective. As a Canon fan, I have one Canon extension tube, but I also have a 3-piece set of Kenko Auto Extension Tubes. The Kenko tubes are well built and work flawlessly. I chose the Kenko set based on the build quality, reviews by other buyers and because the 3 tubes came in the lengths that allowed me to obtain my desired magnification. It is important to understand that extension tubes do not contain any optics. What is also great is that these tubes generally retain the autofocus capability even with my Canon lens. The tube set can be combined in any order to increase the length.

If you would like to give them a try, you can head over to B&H Photo Video or Amazon to pick them up for $124.

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The Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set is another cost effective option for macro photography originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 8, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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The Dracast LED180Halo Ring Light – A real gem.

Many photographers use ring lights both in the studio and on location to help produce wide, even, and flattering light that eliminates almost all shadows, and is very good for highlighting beautiful skin tones. As a photographer, I have also tried a few ring lights, and most recently I purchased the Dracast LED180 Halo Daylight Ring Light in the 19” size, and in the Daylight version. This light is offered in both 13.5” and 19” sizes, and in color temperatures of Bi-Color or Daylight.

The LED180 features 252 surface-mounted LEDS in a 360-degree light that works great. The lens of the camera can be placed in the middle so that the light surrounds the lens and provides even light over the entire subject. It also has 10 to 100% dimming, and a CRI – color rendering index of 96. The CRI is the measure on a scale of 0 to 100 of how accurately the light can illuminate objects in “true colors”.

The light also comes with a nice case, AC adapter, an extra diffusion filter and a base that allows it to rotate 180 degrees when securely attached to a light stand.

I have also used this light on the side on a light stand to provide beautiful lighting from angles, and to create interesting shadows. It is important to note that it is made entirely of plastic, so while it is well made, care should be used when handling it.

The Dracast LED180 light is a real gem, and you can purchase one at B&H Photo Video for $199.

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The Dracast LED180Halo Ring Light – A real gem. originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 7, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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The 27″ Angler Port-a-Cube LED Light Tent should be on your camera gear wish list

One of the most technical challenges that photographers and filmmakers face, is the perfect lighting for their scenes. This is especially the case when there are environmental effects that are uncontrollable.

In the world of studio photography, where lighting can be controlled, the challenge of perfect, even, and flattering lighting still exists. While uneven light and shadows are sometimes useful for portrait photography to create interest and different looks, they are not much help when shooting product photography or even controlled object photography where even and “full” lighting is desired for the object.

In my pursuit of the perfect lighting for product photography, I have tried numerous lights and flashes, and even a photo box with external LED lamps. One day I decided to take a trip to B&H Photo Video to get a first-hand look at what was available to meet my needs and to possibly get to try them out in the store to help me to decide. Luckily, it was not so busy in that section on the day I visited, and I was able to get personal attention from a sales person, and I got to try multiple photo boxes.

The one that I loved and eventually purchased was the 27” Angler Port-a-Cube LED Light Tent. It checked all the boxes of size, portability, and stunning 5400K daylight from the 150 built-in LED lights. The internal panels are reflective, and it comes with 4 inserts; black, gray, white and chroma green. Since buying this light tent, I have retired all my previous contraptions and setups for product and object photography. This is my “go to” in-studio box and I could not be happier.

If you are in the neighborhood, you can head over to the B&H Photo Video store and check it out. It is available for purchase for a great deal at just $99.95.

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The 27″ Angler Port-a-Cube LED Light Tent should be on your camera gear wish list originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 6, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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