Covering The Photo Beat; Camera & Lens Wraps, Light Shaper, And More
Stowaway Case: Stackable & Shippable
The new Stowaway 20-20 Wheeled case from Porter Case is designed to be part
of a total travel system as it mates with all Porter carryon cases having a
cart. Male channels on the bottom fit into channels in the lid of other Porter
cases while female channels on the Stowaway lid permit other Stowaway cases
to stack and nest on top. It measures about 20x20x12.5" deep. The construction
is tough polyethylene plastic with an aluminum valance and lid stays. It comes
cloth lined with layered foam or can be used with an adjustable divider system.
The corners are ATA style, bumped out so they protect the heavy-duty twist latches,
steel hinges, ball-bearing wheels, and extension handle. There are padded spring-loaded
side loop handles and it weighs just 18 lbs. The size easily accommodates a
projector with computer and accessories, photographic lights, or sales samples.
The MSRP is $319. Contact: Porter Case, Inc., 3718 W Western Ave., South Bend,
IN 46619; (800) 356-8348, (574) 289-2616; fax: (574) 289-2747; www.portercase.com.
LiteShaper Modifies Softbox Output
LiteShaper is the appropriately named new device that is easily attached either
to a softbox or to another LiteShaper by the touch fastener lining. They easily
fold, collapse, and bend to create most any light-forming shape such as barn
doors, strips, snoots, and similar light-shaping designs both on and off the
softbox. Currently LiteShapers are offered for 24x32", 36x48", and
54x72" softboxes. They are intended for photographers who desire a more
developed lighting tool as they can mimic many different light-modifying devices.
No MSRP was available at press time. Contact: XP Innovations, 1716 Lake Shore
Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76103; phone/fax: (817) 534-9737; www.liteshaper.com.
Leitz M Classic Bag For Rangefinder Cameras
Photographers using Leica M and similar sized rangefinder camera gear often
do rapid journalistic shooting for events, weddings, and general street photography.
For these purposes a well-designed, easy-to-grab bag is essential. The new Leitz
M Classic Bag holds a lot of gear but presents a very narrow profile so the
user can more easily move about at crowded events or in other tight places.
The shoulder strap is attached at the rear of the bag, instead of the customary
side attachment, so it hangs more comfortably and there is no strap to reach
around when accessing the gear inside. In addition, the strap can be adjusted
for length at both ends so it can be shortened to carry the bag higher under
the arm. A speed pocket inside holds the camera on its side in a convenient,
ready-to-grab position. There is no cumbersome foam padding, it simply uses
the speed pocket plus a movable cloth divider to separate the gear. These bags
are bench made by hand in New England from the same waterproof and colorfast
Cabriolet fabric used for the convertible tops of imported automobiles. The
MSRP is $219. This bag is available at Leica dealers or directly from M Classics,
30 Kirkwood Rd., Brighton, MA 02135; (617) 787-2105; fax: (617) 787-2424; www.mclassics.com.
Second-Generation Lensbaby
A new, second-generation version of the selective focus 35mm SLR camera lens
called the Lensbaby 2.0 is said to offer brighter, sharper, and considerably
faster speed selective focus capability for creative photographers. The new
version features a coated, high refractive index, low dispersion optical glass
lens rather than the single element uncoated glass element found in the Original
Lensbaby. This is said to give the user a sweeter spot of critically sharp focus.
This sweet spot is surrounded by graduated blur plus subtle prismatic distortions.
The user can manipulate the sharp area around the image area by bending the
flexible, accordion-like lens tubing using a finger on each hand to adjust the
lens angle and focus point. Another major improvement is the new version has
three shielded magnets embedded inside the optics cup, which suspends metallicized
plastic aperture disks just above the lens. Inserting and removing the disk
to change the aperture is much easier now. It's now offered in lens mounts
compatible with virtually all SLR camera bodies at an MSRP of $150. For individuals
who prefer a soft focus, diffused image, the Original Lensbaby is still offered
at $96. Contact: Lensbabies LLC, 135 SE Main St., Ste. 201, Portland, OR 97214;
(971) 223-5662; fax: (971) 223-5301; www.lensbabies.com.
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