What's In My Camera Bag Along with My D600 (and using iCloud)

It's been awhile since I've done a post of what's in my camera bag.  Equipment and bag has definitely changed.  When I'm doing a photo shoot for an event, I now carry two lens, my flash, lens blower, extra batteries, extra media cards, and my personal stuff.  This all goes into my Tamrac Aria 6 bag.

When I'm just "out and about" or traveling to a local place, I will have my 24-85mm lens and personal stuff.  This goes into my Tamrac Aria 3 bag.  Note:  This is one compact bag.

I love the Tamrac Aria bags.  They are lightweight bags and comfortable to wear over my shoulder.  In order to use the Aria 3 bag, I have to gut it out (remove the divider) and place my camera in sideways. Initially, it was a snug fit.  Over time and several uses, it has loosened up a bit.  Maybe it's conformed to my D600 with 24-85mm lens.  I'm hoping that Tamrac will come out with an Aria 4 or 5 model, so I can take along my compact SB-400 flash as well.

My brother has mentioned to me that it looks like I'm carrying a purse.  I like that.

My big guns Aria 6 bag can handle anything I throw into it.  At any given time, it will have my 24-85mm and 85mm lens or 24-85mm and 60mm micro lens.  I will also take along my SB-700 flash for the just in case difficult lighting moment.  A few times, I've thrown in my iPad.  Yes, at this point the bag can get a bit heavy and the bag will flex a bit under all that weight.

My primary use for the iPad (besides retrieving email, surfing, eReader, news reader, and some games) is to keep a portfolio of my pictures.  That way I can show potential clients my photography experience.  Has this helped?  Yes!  Anything is better than showing a 4x6 picture.  Plus, I can carry all my photos on a digital device versus carrying around a heavy or bulky photo album.  

How do I get my pictures onto my iPad?  Easy!  I use iCloud.  Right now, my workflow starts with a ultraportable Windows 7 laptop.  It was easy to install iCloud on the Windows laptop.  I copy my edited/copyrighted pictures into a folder.  iCloud will detect new pictures and upload them to this mysterious storage cloud.  I can then go to my iPad and wait for my pictures to download.  It's automatic (after you change an iCloud setting).

Ooops!  I ventured off topic.  I will be back to post more technology stuff later.  Back to the bags....

Both bags are black.  When I was looking at purchasing the Aria 3, I had every intention of getting it in the beautiful brown color.  The logic side of my brain overruled the creative side and so I ended up with another black bag.  I will definitely get a different color when (hopefully) Tamrac comes out with an in between model.

My Favorite Bag: Tamrac Aria 6 for Photographing Events

A few months ago when I was visiting my local camera shop, I came across this bag in person.  I originally saw this bag advertised on Amazon and then immediately went over to Tamrac's website to check out the specifications.  The bag is new this year and comes in two versions:  Aria 3 and Aria 6.  The Aria 3 bag is so adorable, but I knew it would be too small for all the camera equipment I wanted to carry with me (just in case).  I was on the fence with the Aria 6 bag.  I wasn't too sure that it would be huge and bulky for me to carry around.  

At my local camera shop, they carried both models plus the three colors:  black, brown and moss.  All three colors were beautiful!  I had a hard time choosing the color, but naturally opted to get the safe color...black.  I think my second choice would be brown.  I know, I shouldn't choose the camera bag color based on my wardrobe!  If I didn't play it safe, my first choice would have been moss green.  It was that pretty!

Back to my bag choice.  The Aria 3 is quite small and would fit a D40 or a D5000 camera with a short lens without any problems.  It's an adorable sized bag.  Very fashionable.  I chose the Aria 6 for its size and capability to hold all the camera equipment I would need to carry with me.  

Aria 6: Front

The bag is made of lightweight water-resistant nylon fabric.  Yes, the bag is amazingly light.  I thought I would wear this bag as a messenger bag, across the body.  I haven't had the need to.  It works perfectly as a shoulder bag.  That's how comfortable it sits on my shoulder.

The back of the bag with pocket

One of the key selling points for me was the side pockets.  It can hold my iPhone.  I can slip it in the pocket with any problems.  Now, how many camera bags do you know that have small phone pockets that can hold an iPhone-size smartphone?

Side view

The interior is very roomy and holds all the camera gear I want to take with me:  D7000 with my 18-200 attached, SB-700 speed light, an additional lens (one of my primes), a small lens blower, extra batteries, extra media cards, my keys, my wallet, my pens and notepad for taking notes, and of course my iPhone.

The removeable padded interior dividers flexes quite a bit.  It hasn't been an issue with me.  I just wanted to point it out as other bags come with a firmer padded dividers.

Inside the bag with my D7000

Inside, there's a back padded pocket for an iPad.  With all the camera equipment I have to carry, adding an iPad does weigh the bag down a bit.  Still, it's a handy addition in case I need to use it.

Interior:  additional pockets for storage

Under the front flap is a pleated zippered pocket.

Under the front flap:  another pocket for storage

The Aria 6 bag is very stylish, lightweight, and very functional.  Isn't it cute?

The adjustable strap with movable padding

While I use my Aria 6 bag for taking pictures of local events, I still have my favorite camera backpack,  the Tamrac Evolution 6 that I use for long distance travel.




Just like purses and wallets, a girl can't have too many camera bags.  Yes, I'm a Tamrac gal at heart!

Backdrop/Background Support System

Since I tend to be a DIYer with my hobbies, I thought about building my own background/backdrop support system for portrait photography.  After much research, I decided against it.  I'm not handy with electric tools and overall it would have been a lot of work.

My brother sent me a link to Cowboy Studios.  I looked around and saw some pretty good support systems.  I knew the main bars that holds the fabric had to be strong.  I've read where other manufacturer's mid section would sag under the weight of the muslin or paper.  I decided on their 10 foot Premium Heavy Duty System (901).  I searched my favorite site and was able to apply my rewards points.  Another great deal.

Way before purchasing this support system, I had already purchased the fabric.  I was at my local G-Street Fabric store and rummaging through their clearance tables when I found this wonderful fabric:

The fabric is not close to being white, but for my use it will do for now.


Here's the Cowboy Premium Heavy Duty (901) Support System:

Here's where the top bar sits on top of one of the adjustable stands:

The two top bars connected (slide one bar into the other and turn 90 degrees):

The logo on one of the stand's leg:

One of the sturdy stand legs:

The storage bag.  The two outer pockets hold the two stands and the inner holds the 4 support bars:  

The bag zipped up and ready to go:

My temporary studio setup with fabric draped over the bar (only have two support bars put together):

For the first few sample pictures I've taken with a fairly wide open aperture, the creases and wrinkles from the fabric don't show.  I will have to invest in a portable steamer later.

I went with a portable system as I do not have the space to setup a permanent studio.  Setup of this portable background system doesn't take too long to install or take down.  Basically, I setup and open the two stands and adjust for height.  I take two, three or all four bars and connect them.  I move my stands apart to fit the length of two, three, or four bar widths.  I lift the bar and place it on top of the stands.  I place and screw down the wing nuts on the pole/stand.  That's it!

My New Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G AF-S Fixed Lens

I couldn't wait.  I had some rewards points that I converted to gift cards and applied them towards my new lens. Yes, it was a great deal as we ended up paying 40% of the cost.  What a nice early present!  Thank you hubby!

Here's the packaging the lens came in:

Nicely packaged from the vendor

Inside the Nikon box:  plastic container, manual, and warranty card

The plastic container containing the lens and hood  pulled out of the box

The plastic container opened:  hood and lens

Nikkor 85mm f1.8G AF-S lens with B&W filter

I will be "playing" with this FX lens this weekend and report back my findings!

NOTE:  Photos taken with my 40mm micro lens and SB-400 compact flash

Trying Out a New Filter by B+W

To use a filter or not to use a filter.  That's the topic I've been reading at a photography forum recently.  There seems to be an equal divide amongst those who do and those who don't.  I prefer to use a filter on all my lenses.  I use it to protect my lens from dust, moisture, and scratches.  For the last few years, my choice has been the Hoya Pro Digital UV filters.  Until now.

As I've been researching and reading reviews for my future 85mm prime lens, I've been seeing B+W filters popping up as recommendations.  I've never heard of that brand.  I found a lot of photographers who gave that brand a high rating.  I thought I would give it a try.  After all, I'm a gadget gal at heart.

Here's a picture I took in the early evening with the new filter attached to my 40mm micro lens.  The only editing I've done is to crop, add my copyright, and resize the picture for the web.

Here's the box the filter came in.  I guess I should have taken a picture of the filter before I attached it to my lens.  See what happens when I get a new toy?  Excitement overrides reasonable thoughts.

B+W Clear UV Haze Filter with Multi-Resistant Coating

The quality of this filter is much nicer than my Hoya.  The B+W is a black brass filter ring and constructed with a high quality Schott glass.  It definitely feels sturdier.  The coating on the filter lens has Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC) which causes water to bead up and slide off the filter.  Not that I have any plans to get water on  my lens.  The filter absorbs UV light and reduces the bluish cast of daylight.  The B+W filter is suppose to combat flare and ghosting and doesn't need to be cleaned as often.  We'll see how it performs and I'll be sure to report back the results.  I can tell you that I'm really liking it.  

**  Update 06/22/12  **
I took a picture of the B+W 67mm filter that I received to go with my 85mm fixed lens:

B+W 67mm filter inside its case

It's a thin filter that threads nicely on my lens.  I highly recommend this filter as it protects my lens and doesn't hinder the clarity and color of my photos.  

Gadget: ExpoDisc...a True Winner

I received a new toy...an ExpoDisc by ExpoImaging.  It's a White Balance (WB) incident tool that eliminates the need for post-production color or WB adjustments.  With the ExpoDisc I can set a custom WB in my camera, shoot a WB reference frame to be used later in my photo editing software, or I can use it to set the exposure.

My 77mm ExpoDisc with the outside facing up

There's two sides to this ExpoDisc.  On what I consider the inside is a flat plain white filter.

Plain side of the ExpoDisc with included lanyard

I put this side against my lens.  I then set my camera to WB Pre-Set (or custom) and take a picture at my light source with the ExpoDisc covering the lens.  Basically, I'm taking an "incident reading" of the light source.  After the WB shot is taken, my camera is ready to take a picture.  

ExpoDisc place against the lens (picture from ExpoImaging site)

I took the following picture before setting up my custom WB:

WB set to Auto (without ExpoDisc)

Here's the results after using this nifty WB ExpoDisc gadget:

WB set to Pre-Set or custom (with ExpoDisc)

More test shots:

ExpoDisc with WB set to Auto 

ExpoDisc with WB set to custom using the ExpoDisc

Can you see the difference?  This device is so easy to use and so far, I think it's the best WB tool.  Each ExpoDisc is hand calibrated and certified for neutrality.  Included in the box was a quality control card.  My ExpoDisc was certified at 17.85% light transmission (close enough to the 18% neutrality).  Also in the box was a nylon case (storage) and a woven lanyard (wear the disc around my neck).

The disc comes in several different lens sizes.  I purchased one of the larger sizes (77mm) to accommodate my largest lens or future lens.  When I use my smaller lens, I just place and hold the ExpoDisc against the lens and take a picture.

Note:  the only post production I did was to crop the photos and add my copyright.  Pictures were taken without flash and in a room with incandescent lighting.

Here's a link to the ExpoImagining site.  Here you will find a few videos on how to use the ExpoDisc.  It's pretty cool!

Learning Something New...White Balance and Histogram

While I was visiting my local camera shop, the topic of White Balance came up in conversation.  I never thought too much about it as I leave my D7k on WB-Auto.  I have noticed that my pictures sometimes come out with a blue-ish tint and sometimes with a yellowish tint.  Different light sources have different "colors" or light temperatures.  Sometimes I can see it on my camera's LCD while I'm previewing my pictures...it's mostly the blue that I see.  Most of the time I see it on my computer screen.

My brother had at one time mentioned that I need to check my histogram on the pictures I take.  Something about the peaks of the bell-looking curve should be in the middle.  Most of my pictures come out with the peaks towards the left or somewhere in between.  I know the histogram represents the light and dark elements of my picture...the exposure.

After doing some research, I'm finding that the left side of the histogram represents or suggests that my pictures tend to have shadows and dark areas.  That is true.  I have learned that my D7k tends to overexpose in outdoor light.  So, I step down on my camera exposure setting.  Sometimes, I have to do some post-production processing to brighten my picture.  Better to do that than have an overexposed picture that I cannot fix.

In the histogram, the middle scale represents "gray" while the left represents "black" and "white" represents the right side.  Makes sense.  I need to work on getting my pictures' histogram reading towards the middle or mid-gray.

I believe learning about White Balance or WB will help me get there.  I purchased an inexpensive Lastolite Ezybalance Color Calibration card.  It's a 12" flexible screen that is white on one side and 18% gray on the other side.  I set my D7K to a "custom" WB mode and take a picture of the white calibration card in the light setting where I'll be taking a picture.  My camera stores the WB picture and settings.  It's that simple.  My camera is ready to take a picture with the new custom WB setting I just created.  If my lighting changes, I'll need to redo my WB setting.  My camera remembers the last WB setting I created.  If I want to void the setting, I just switch my camera back to WB-Auto.

I'm still in practice mode.  I'll be back to post the results of my test shots.

In the Bag...Manfrotto

This evening, I found my new Manfrotto tripod and ball head waiting for me.  I pulled out the tripod and noticed right away the quality and how sturdy it was.  It weighs slightly under 4 lbs.

Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod legs

I opened the ball head box and immediately noticed the ball head weight.  I spent a few minutes and played around with the locks and the rapid/quick release plate.  This ball head is well made.

Manfrotto 498RC2 Ball Head

This new Manfrotto system replaces my old SLIK all in one tripod that I've had for 30 years.  Yes, I can't believe I waited this long to get a quick release tripod.

After much research, I knew I would end up with the Manfrotto brand.  I had to decide between aluminum or carbon fiber and then to select what type of tripod head to get.  Price (budget) was a factor in deciding which model to get.

Based on past experience and habits, I don't plan on "carrying" a tripod with me everywhere I go.  It's the same with my flash.  So, I ended up getting the aluminum version.  I went with a bigger ball head just to make sure it could handle a bigger camera or a larger lens.    

This weekend, I will put the Manfrotto to the test.  Practice, practice, and more practice.  I'm looking forward to playing with my new toy.

Another Gadget in My Bag

I want to take a moment to thank my brother for bringing to my attention a cool toy that I added to my bag a few months ago.  It's an ultraportable laptop by Samsung.  I was able to get this for half price at my local Staples store.  It has an 11.6" matte screen, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD and has chicklet-type keys similar to the Mac Book Pro laptops.   It came with Windows 7 Home Premium edition as well as MS Office 2010 Student edition.  What a deal!

It's not like a "netbook" at all.  It's much more powerful and weighs less than 4 pounds.  It's truly ultraportable!

A built-in SDHC reader is located underneath the front/bottom of the laptop

Two USB ports and an SVGA connection

Power connector, NIC, a third USB port, HDMI connector, and output audio jack

I primarily use this as a travel device for photo editing, posting to my blogs, writing reviews, checking my emails, and doing research on the Internet.  It also has an SDHC reader built into the laptop and I take this with me on photo shoots.

When my brother came to visit me last year, we went window shopping at Staples.  He said the key words..."check this out" and pointed to this laptop.  After a few minutes of playing, I was hooked.  I waited and waited for a few weeks and finally Staples put it on sale.

It is quick to start up and shut down.  I've installed the latest version of PhotoShop Elements and it runs beautifully.  I've been extremely happy with this purchase.  I'm enjoying the portability and light weight feature of this new toy.

To my brother...a big thank you!

A New Small Gadget

As I was seeing hubby off to work early this morning, I looked up in the sky and saw the moon.  I saw a photo opportunity.

The moon at 8:30am EST (200mm, f5.6, 1/1000, ISO 100)

I ran inside to get my camera, tripod, and my new gadget...a corded remote.  I've had this remote for about 3 months, but never got around to trying it out until this morning.  It was pretty simple to use.  I plugged it into the left side of the D7k and turned the camera on and just started clicking away.

Nikon corded remote control (50mm, f1.4, 1/125, ISO 720)

I bought this nifty gadget right after taking pictures of fireworks on the 4th of July.  No more wiggly fireworks pictures for me.

New Gadget...A Kindle

I've been looking at ebook readers for a few months.  I spent an hour at my local B&N store checking out the Nook.  I went to Staples and got a chance to play with the Kindle.  Interesting that the Kindle is popping up all over the place.  I believe I saw an AT&T ad where they will be carrying Kindles as well.

As you can see, I recently purchased a Kindle.  I bought the 3G/WiFi version with special offers or what I call advertisements.  The ads show up at the bottom of the screen and to me it hasn't been a nuisance at all.  If WiFi is not available, I can still download books via 3G.  The 3G service is free.  FREE.  There are some limitations to the free 3G service, but if all I'm doing is downloading books...it's a free service.

The WiFi was easy to setup.  I do have the capability to turn on and turn off the 3G/WiFi service when not in use.

While I still enjoy holding a paperback book and feeling the real paper in my hand, I have to admit that an ebook reader has some advantages.  For me, I downloaded David Busch's Nikon D7000 Guide.  It's well over 500+ pages.  I can't imagine carrying a book with that many pages with me.

I purchased M-Edge GO! ebook cover along with an M-Edge e-Luminator Kindle booklight.  The booklight slides right into the cover and I can swing it up and down along the side.  A light source is definitely need during the evening and late night hours.  

The booklight has three settings:  low, medium, and high.  As you can see I've setup the light, but forgot to turn it on when I was taking a picture.  

My personal categories that I've configured on my Kindle.  It's readable during the day, inside my house.  Notice the "special offers" at the bottom of the screen

Yes, the Kindle works brilliantly outside in bright sunshine and also inside with normal daylight.  Once I encounter limited light source, I do have to turn on my booklight.

From the previous picture you can see that I have a few PDF that I transferred over to my Kindle.  I can open and read my PDF files, but the Kindle is not a PDF-native reader.  Meaning, I can't adjust my fonts like I can with a Kindle-native book.  The Kindle does have the ability to zoom in and I end up using the navigator button to move around within the PDF file.

When I first played with the Kindle at my local Staples store, I kept swiping the screen.  Duh!  It's not an Apple gadget!  After a few minutes, I was able to manipulate and maneuver my way around the Kindle using the buttons without any problems.  That's pretty much an intuitive gadget for me.

So, why didn't I purchase a Nook?  When I was at my local B&N store, the units they had on display weren't working for me.  Their e-ink technology still needs some work.  I noticed there was a problem with the screen not being able to keep up with where I wanted to go or switching between books.

I didn't need a color ebook reader as I already have an iPad which does an amazing job with the color and graphics.  I needed an ebook reader that I could use during the day without any glare.

I'm happy with my new gadget.  I can take it with me wherever I go.  It fits in my purse, backpack, or in my camera bag.

(Note:  pictures taken with 50mm lens)

It’s Cold Outside…Fingerless Gloves!

You’ve heard me mention before that I use photography to capture and record my other hobbies like knitting.  Well, I’ve managed to use my knitting skills to knit up a pair of fingerless gloves.  These gloves come in handy during the times I’m outside taking pictures in the cold weather.  With the gloves being fingerless, I can still grip my camera and access all the buttons and take a picture without having to worry that the camera will slip through my hand. 

My new gloves will keep my hands warm while I’m capturing my Kodak moments. 

Oh, I can also use them at work while I’m typing in my cold office. 

My Favorite Backpack

It's only fitting that I'm a bag collector. Afterall, I'm a female. I have a tendency to look at function first and then cuteness. Sometimes, it's the other way around. Sometimes, a bag will not work for me at all. Usually, I can tell at first glance or within 5 minutes of wearing. Since I'm petite, I prefer to use small bags. There are times, I have to go bigger. That's when functionality is key. Color plays a role as well. My preference is black. A lot of you know that black makes things look smaller. It's true. Also, black doesn't stand out like bright/bold colors do.

I finally found the right camera backpack for traveling and for local trips. I stumbled upon it while at my local camera shop. There is a reason to go to a store and "try before you buy". It's the Tamrac Evolution 6. Perfect size and perfect for my smaller DSLR camera, like the Nikon D5000 with the 18-200mm lens and some accessories.

This backpack comes in two colors. Black and brown. If I could afford it, I would have bought both colors. That's how good the brown version looked.

While in the shop, the salesperson proceeded to pull out all the velcro sections from inside the bag. I was a bit miffed as I wanted to keep the default configuration/sections in place. As it turned out, I uncovered that going with the default configuration prevents one from looking outside the box. The velcro is STRONG in this bag. Rip, rip, rip and more ripping...as the salesperson was trying to show me different ways to configure the bag. You could rip out all the velcro pieces and come up with an empty backpack shell. That was pretty cool to see.


Here's my review of my favorite backpack (pictures taken without flash):

There are a lot of zippered pockets/areas of this backpack. The front contains a buckled strap in the mid-section along with a small pocket at the bottom. This is where a tripod can be attached





Here the backpack straps are configured to be worn as a real backpack. Notice that I folded and tucked in the long straps into the elastic straps.





It comes with waist straps that can be buckled in the front for added balance. If you prefer not to use, you can tuck them away in this built-in pocket.





This backpack can be worn also as a sling bag. Here, you can see where I've crossed over one strap and partially tucked in the unused strap into the built-in pocket. Cool, huh?





Here is the right side of the backpack with the closed pockets





Here is the right side opened. The top pocket can hold small accessories. The bottom zipper area is where the camera is placed.




Here is the left side with the pockets closed.



The top pocket contains the rain cover that can be pulled out and cover the whole backpack. I've used this type of cover on another Tamrac bag and it really works! The bottom section contains an opening where you can store camera accessories (e.g. flash, blower, etc). I can fit my SB-600 flash and diffuser in here.




In this top zippered area, I have my 35mm, a case for my AA batteries, my spare Nikon batteries and pens.




One can also carry extra small lens, P&S camera, and even an small flash can fit inside here or a lightweight jacket can be folded and tucked into this pocket.



The lower front zippered area gives access to the main camera compartment. The velcro strap keeps the camera in place when this compartment is zipped open. There is also a zippered compartment in the flap to hold additional accessories.




Here is the bottom of the bag. Appears that you can hook or attach some straps to carry other things that you may need.




Overall, this is a very functional bag for me. When I place my D5000 w/18-200mm lens, extra 35mm lens, SB600 flash, diffuser, S90 P&S, spare batteries, air blower, extra SD cards, business cards, pens, etc...the total weight of the bag comes to 8 lbs. It's a comfortable bag to wear as a backpack and I do not notice the weight.