Camera gear discussions

Start here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGEE7pGLuppQY4FOnAA25cNZn1fHYSIUh

Ted Forbes is awesome.

 

Not a glossary but may help you understand the basich
ttp://photo.net/learn/basic-photo-tips/aperture-shutterspeed-iso/

 

http://lifehacker.com/how-aperture-shutter-speed-and-iso-affect-pictures-sh-1699204484

Also I am sure people here are willing to answer whatever questions you have. People on SBAF love trying to prove how smart they are

 

That's people on the internet, not just SBAF

 

Nice graphic, hadn't seen that one before, though it's not as clear as others about the relationship between the three values... But it makes their general effect pretty clear.

<insert superior proof of intellect here>

BTW @BlueElephant I wasn't being dismissive when I suggested a good book (I can link some) rather than offering up some site links...

I actually found a couple books (ebooks) that helped a lot when I started, I'm sure there's plenty written directly online as well but going with a book helped me focus on understanding the core concepts rather than getting distracted with everything else.

The core concepts haven't really changed a lot since the film days decades ago (other than having ISO choice on the fly rather than thru a new roll of film), so there's volumes written about it either way.

 

M43 users, what bag do you like for carrying your gear?

 

https://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/turnstyle-10

I'm really liking the Thinktank Turnstyle 10 for carrying a lot of gear, tho lots of gear by my standards seems to be like a lot of people's daily loadout.

Anyway, I can easily pack 1 OM-D body & 1 smaller GM body + 4-6 lenses (tho some are pancakes) and it remains a fairly compact sling that A) isn't swinging around and bumping into stuff like a shoulder messenger and B) remains easier to access on the fly than a backpack.

Honestly, it's nearly perfect for my needs, only thing missing are some external straps to hang a tripod but one can rig something up for that regardless.

I only take that bag with me when I'm gonna be out all day shooting tho... If it's a social event or something where I wanna be more discrete I use a smaller waist pack like a shoulder sling and stuff just one body + 3-5 lenses in it (two always being pancakes, so more like 2-4 really).

I use waist packs from surfing apparel brands for this because they're plentiful here and people use them a lot for their phone/wallet/keys so they're inconspicuous.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0160WS5IK/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013QILSX0/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QILPQKO/

I have both of those (3rd link is just more color choices), albeit in different colors. The second is a touch smaller but also deeper (so it works out better with a body that has a center EVF protrusion) and more padded. Neither is sufficiently padded if you wanna smack them around but you could easily retrofit that.

I use the Optech neoprene lens pouches/sleeves when using those bags since there's no dividers either, if I'm gonna be taking gear in and out and swapping lenses often I just use the Thinktank instead.

When I travel I actually put most of my stuff in my regular travel messenger and I flatten these out (TT & one of the others) and throw them in my luggage or clothing duffel. Overall I like that in either case these bags don't scream "couple grand of camera gear in here, steal me!", but they also don't look dorky/fugly (I do that well enough on my own)...

Might change my old travel carry on/messenger (cheap Fossil one) for the Tenba Cooper eventually, but it'd still be just for the actual trip/flight and not daily use.

Edit: I can post loaded pics, but I essentially got into M4/3 in large part to the portability aspect, so even tho this might look extremely limited to some it suits me just fine. Heck at times I'll throw my camera on my shoulder, a pancake in my pocket, and that's it. Every DPR thread I see about the subject revolves around pretty large messenger/shoulder bags etc... Like everyone's carrying around a 100-300mm everywhere they go or something.

 

The Thinktank Turnstyle comes in three sizes btw, the smallest one is kinda cramped for what it is IMO but if you only have small lenses and one body then it still has an advantage over my random O'Neill/Quiksilver waist packs in that it's purpose built... So you get dividers, a rain cover, etc.

I pretty much never wear any of it on my waist, always around my shoulder and on my back... But all are usable as proper waist packs obviously which might come in handy for people with back issues and whatnot. If I needed a messenger bag for some reason (like larger lenses) I'd look at Tenba DNA/Cooper and TT Retrospective.

The uhh, Black Rapid SnapR (I think it's called) might be worth a look too for a really minimalist kit (1-2 lenses). The strap system on it is interesting, tho it's not much smaller than my rando surfer waist packs and it looks more like a gear bag. I haven't seen a lot of other similar concepts in sizes these small.

 

This new Olympus 25mm f1.8 sure is nice.

 

Not a M43 shooter, but as far as bags go, I just use a generic canvas messenger bag and toss in one of those foam insert things. Keeps it discreet and does a decent job of holding my gear. I'll typically carry my a7s, 2-3 lenses and a pair of speedlights in the main compartment if I'm going to shoot photos. For video, I swap the speedlights for a few wireless lavs, a shotgun mic and tripod mounting plates.

 

I use this bag: http://www.amazon.com/Focus-Deluxe-...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

It's not the most beautiful, but it holds my K-50 with a lens attached + my 55-300 and 35/2.8. I could fit my 18-55 on top of the 35, but I rarely use it. Eventually I'll upgrade to something that looks nicer, but for now this is pretty okay!

 

The Ape Case inserts on Amazon are pretty good and much cheaper than others, if anyone's going in that direction. I've bought a couple for my mother/sister who often stick their cameras in their purses. There's some with drawstring closures on the top which is handy.

 

For anyone with a mirrorless body, I can highly recommend the Custom SLR Slim Strap... I just got mine from the Kickstarter campaign, apparently they go on sale thru regular outlets a week from today. It's not on their site yet and the KS info page sucks tho...

Basically, it's a strap that you can easily shorten or lengthen on the fly, with one hand even while holding or going for your camera with the other. Why would you want that? Well, it makes it equally useful as a cross body sling, or neck strap, or shoulder strap.

Also, if you're riding a bike, kneeling to play with a kid, hiking, or doing anything else remotely active it's pretty darn useful to be able to cinch the camera tightly to your body; yet still be able to loosen the strap quickly to actually take photos.

There's other similar straps out there, in fact I think I still slightly prefer my Artisan & Artist ACAM-E25... So why am I high on the Custom SLR Slim Strap? Simple, it's easily the next best I've tried after my A&A and it's 2-3x cheaper than everything else, and I've tried a whole bunch...

 

Nice to see some fellow Micro 4/3 shooters here . I also use Sony, Fuji, Leica, and some film, but Micro 4/3 has been my main system since 2009.

 

Here's a bunch of other easily adjustable straps I've tried:

• The Joby Ultrafits are alright but they secure to the camera via the tripod mount which I'm not a fan of.

• The popular Black Rapids (and previous Custom SLR) are just a ring that attaches to your tripod mount (again, yuck) and glides along a strap, I could probably DIY one tbh, I don't get their fame at all.

• The Peak Slide and Slide Lite are pretty darn nice but even the Lite is kind of over built for smaller cameras, metal latches that can scratch gear, and a 2 slider arrangement with central padding that's just gonna throw the padding out of alignment under many scenarios. If I used a DSLR or really large lenses I'd go for these tho. They're not cheap tho.

• The Luma Cinch is just as expensive as the Peaks and just as over built, but fuglier, only one on this list I haven't personally bought and used FWIW.

• My Artisan & Artist ACAM-E25 (and it's variations) is just about perfect (light, supple, big adjustment range), tho it has no padding, but the mounting options are better than the Custom SLR's, and there's more color choices so that's probably why I'm sticking with it. It's pretty darn expensive tho ($70+) and not easy to return since you have to get it from Japanese sellers on eBay, occasionally available on Amazon with Prime.

• The most clever part about the Custom SLR Slim Strap is the leather shoulder pad that very seamlessly slides along the strap, it's more like the strap slides along it while it hugs your shoulder or neck. Why didn't anyone think of that before? Only comes in black, the quick releases don't look as hefty as the Peak Anchor Links I prefer. If they keep the $30 price it's a no brainer tho.

• The Joby 3-Way camera strap has a very interesting/unusual design, I used this the longest after the A&A... It's like a coiler with thin paracord that attaches to your tripod mount, has a shoulder/wrist strap on the end. By itself it looks like a gadget that belongs on Batman's belt, but on the camera or yourself it disappeared better than anything else.

That last Joby is one of the few I haven't given away nor am I looking/scheming to give away as a gift. It's too short for cross body use tho, and it takes up the tripod mount. I don't even like how small cameras hang when suspended by the tripod mount. It's unnecessary, works well for DSLR with large lenses but not mirrorless with primes and smaller lenses.

I'm probably forgetting some... And I've probably gotten carried away trying straps, but stock single length straps just seemed like an abomination to me.

For a while there Black Rapid got in the habit of suing any company with a sliding/adjustable strap, even when they featured totally different (and more elegant designs). Not quite sure how they got away with it, or why it took so long for something like the Slim Strap to be available for a reasonable price.

Edit: As far as non-adjustable straps I've also had or gifted the Joby Convertible (not to be confused with either of the above mentioned Joby), the Domke Gripper, and the Crumpler Popular Disgrace. The Domke is the better shoulder strap (grip lives up to the name), the Crumpler the better neck strap (neoprene pad), and the Joby is neat if you just want a wrist strap and regular strap in one.

 

And finally, promise I'll stop with the spam after this, here's a video of the A&A ACAM-E25 in action which shows why I like this kinda strap soooo much. I think a ton of people would if they were more readily available, the Custom SLR Slim Strap might change that despite the awfully generic name.



The Slim Strap works works exactly the same, essentially, except it has a shoulder strap that doesn't interfere at all with the on-the-fly adjustment. It's a pretty cheap leather pad but it's something, if it were a $60+ strap like most of that list I'd complain about it, but it's fine for the price, no worse than stock straps.

The Slim Strap also has a 1" leather pull on the sliding buckle which makes it slightly easier to adjust, but they're both easily lengthened/shortened as you can see in the clip with the eerily chipper Japanese folk.

I use my ACAM-E25 (non ring version) with Peak Anchor Link quick releases, mostly because sometimes I'll switch it over from my OM-D to my GM1. Most of the time on the GM1 I have a Joby wrist strap (very cheap on Amazon) also with a Peak QR.

I like that wrist strap because it's way thicker than usual but it's not an ungainly band on my wrist, nor a hand/grip strap that's hard to get in and out of. Plus it ends on a slim tapered strap so it's easy to put a QR on it. The self cinching Y that's supposed to tighten it if you drop the camera looks gimmicky but actually works.

 

I only just discovered that Artisan and Artist is a real brand, as in, not some complete unknown riding on the positive perception of "made in Japan". I'm actually using one of their cloth wrist straps--secure and padded, but I do regret not forking out for one of their thinner straps that would have taken up less space.

 

Not exactly a M4/3 shooter but I do have mirrorless (A6000) and found the that Domke F-5XB to work great. Can fit my A6000 w/ 24 1.8z, 50 1.8, 16-50, and F32M flash in the bag along with extra batteries, cards, etc.

 

Dang $35...Gonna check Amazon because eBay can f**k off.