Chris Christoff

Kata GDC Organizer Case OC-97 Review Round-Up

kata-gdc-organizer-case-oc-97 Kata calls this huge bag a light case, and it can certainly carry lights — several flash heads (or monolights) with lightstands, cables, and diffusers. But with a few more optional internal dividers, the OC-97 can also carry a ton of cameras and lenses for photography in a far-flung location.

And though it’s soft-sided, it’s rigid enough to stand on if you need a little extra elevation for a shot. A fully loaded bag this big is bound to be heavy, so it ships with Kata’s Inserttrolley so that you can roll all those lights and cameras to the shoot. READ FULL REVIEW AT POPPHOTO

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Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Kata OC-97 GDC Photo Organizer for Large Lighting Kits with Insertrolley

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Kata GDC Rucksack R-101 Review Round-Up

kata-gdc-rucksack-r-101 A slightly downsized version of Kata’s most popular backpack, the R103, this one is just as tough and well thought-out. Bright yellow internal dividers help you see your gear more easily; integrated camera clips on the shoulder harnesses take the weight off your neck. Despite its smaller space it can hold a pro D-SLR with an attached 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom, a few smaller lenses, and a 12-inch laptop — yet is small enough to carry on. A good choice for photographers of modest build. READ FULL REVIEW AT POPPHOTO

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Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Kata R-101 GDC Rucksack for DSLR Camera w/ 200mm Lens Attached or DV Camcorder

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Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S Nikkor Review Round-Up

nikon-24-70mm-f-28g-if-ed-af-s-nikkor

If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this lens from Amazon: Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens

Photo Zone:

The Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED exceeds the already very good performance of its predecessor. The center quality is nothing short of outstanding matching or beating the resolution of a 10mp APS-C sensor. The border quality is very good at large aperture increasing to excellent levels at f/5.6-8. However, you’ve to be careful with the curved focus field at 24mm which can result in out-of-focus corners! Distortions and vignetting are very low and not really field relevant. Chromatic aberrations are generally well controlled although they could have been somewhat more symmetrical (in the tested sample). The bokeh (out-of-focus blur) is unusually smooth and buttery for a zoom lens with aspherical elements. Please note, however, that 70mm f/2.8 isn’t terribly fast on an APS-C DSLR so you’ve to be fairly close to your main subject in order to produce a pronounced out-of-focus blur. The build quality of the lens is superb and it ´s a joy to handle it in the field despite its comparatively hefty size and weight. The high speed and low noise of the silent-wave AF drive is the cream on top of it all. The primary aspect which can spoil the game is, unsurprisingly, the high price point of around 1500â‚¬/US$. … READ FULL REVIEW

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Lightware z300 Review Round-Up

The Lightware z300 Case is very protective and attractive. The zippered and buckled top has a Velcro’d-in zippered pocket. I needed to remove this pocket to get my Canon 300mm f/2.8 Lens + pro body to fit. Even so, the fit is snug – exactly what I was looking for.

Quick release fastex buckle allows the lid to be closed without having to zip it up. Ballistics fabric is waterproof (case is water resistant). Comes with a permanent adjustable shoulder strap. Adjustable exterior straps for Monopod. Exterior pockets on 3 sides for press passes, pens & pencils and important papers, or detachable “Z” Pocket (patent pending). A shoulder strap and padded handle are provided for convenient transporting.

Overall construction quality is very good. The rectangular shape of the Lightware z300 Case allows it to pack well with other rectangular cases. READ FULL REVIEW AT DIGITAL PICTURE

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Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon:Lightware Long Lens Case f/300 2.8

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Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG AF Review Round-Up

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Get information and user reviews for this lens from Amazon: Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG IF Aspherical Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras

Thom Hogan

A bit of barrel distortion, edge sharpness issues on 35mm bodies at the extremes, and contrast/flare control problems keep this from being a top-of-the-line lens. If you’re expecting this lens to be equivalent to a wider Nikkor 17-35mm AF-S, downgrade your expectations a bit. Performance is a mixed bag. From a sharpness and contrast standpoint, the lens does a quite fine job. For it’s price, this lens performs quite well. “¦ READ FULL REVIEW

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Lowepro CompuDaypack Review Round-Up

Lowepro CompuDaypack: ideal for a small camera outfit: an SLR and 2-3 lenses, flash and accessories, and up to a 17″ notebook computer. The CompuDaypack is good for urban work requiring transport of a small photography kit and a laptop. As a backpack, it’s reasonably comfortable and the shoulder straps are well-padded, although it lacks a waist belt. In my experience, it would be better suited as an urban or campus backpack than for long photography hikes. For carrying a larger, more complete SLR outfit and a laptop, I prefer the Lowepro CompuTrekker AW. Like all the Lowepro products I’ve owned and used, the CompuDaypack looks very well-built with high-quality materials and construction. READ FULL REVIEW AT PHOTO.NET

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Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Lowepro CompuDaypack Camera Bag (Slate Gray)

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Lowepro Fastpack 250 Review Round-Up

Combining backpack carrying qualities and roomy storage with sling-like bag accessibility to gear, the Lowepro Fastpack 250 ($119 MSRP) adds the modern necessity of a safe and padded laptop storage area as well. Lightweight yet sturdy, the bag has ample shoulder straps and side pockets, plus a back support belt and strap for added security and comfort.

Divided into two compartments, the upper has room for all sorts of items, including flapped memory card and battery compartments, chargers, wires, PDAs, and even an overnight kit, while the lower has padded, movable dividers for keeping camera, lens, and flash intact and ready to use. …

All told, the Fastpack 250 seems an excellent choice for travelers. Keeping gear safe yet readily accessible, with room for lots of other items in the kit that stay stowed until needed, seems to be the theme of this design. READ FULL REVIEW AT SHUTTERBUG.NET

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Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Lowepro Fastpack 250 (Black)

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Nikon 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5D AF Review Round-Up

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Photo Zone

The Nikkor AF 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5D is an old lens but surprisingly it performed really good on the Nikon D200. The resolution figures are on a very high level and pretty even across the APS-C image frame. Vignetting is pretty low and the level of CAs is quite moderate. Typical for most standard zooms there’s pronounced degree of barrel distortions at 28mm but otherwise it is a minor issue. The build quality is ok but some may not like the rotating front element. Unfortunately the zoom range (equivalent to 42-105mm) isn’t really all that attractive on an APS-C DSLR anymore. READ FULL REVIEW

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Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW Review Round-Up

The Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW is ideally suited to carry one large lens (up to a Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS) attached to a camera body. It is a high quality, well padded medium-weight case that does not cost a fortune. Like Lowepro’s other Trekker AW Series Camera Backpacks, the Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW features the Pack Jack adjusting shoulder harness system. Shaped like a large, flat arrow, the thin, stiff plastic Pack Jack slides down behind the shoulder strap harness to release the Velcro that holds it in place. If you have a large lens to pack, the Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW is a good (and popular) camera backpack for doing so. READ FULL REVIEW AT DIGITAL PICTURE

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Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW II Backpack with Fully Adjustable, Built-in Harness, Black

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Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC AF Review Round-Up

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Get information and user reviews for this lens from Amazon: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Photo Zone

The Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC is a very good standard zoom and a viable alternative to the Nikon offerings in this range. Generally it is capable to produce very sharp results although the corner performance leaves a bit to be desired at 17mm at large aperture settings. The vignetting level could also be a bit better here but most competitors don’t offer a f/2.8 settings anyway and from f/4 it follows the mainstream. The level of distortions is about typical for a standard zoom whereas chromatic aberrations (color shadows) are comparatively low. The build quality is very fine for a lens in this price league. “¦ READ FULL REVIEW

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