Photography News 96 - Newsletter

TheWinners

Lenses cont. BEST TELEPHOTO LENS

Accessories

BEST TRIPOD: CARBON FIBRE

BEST TRIPOD: ALLOY

BEST PHOTO BACKPACK

BEST ROLLER/HARD CASE

WINNER Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM We’ve seen many astonishing products in this category, hence our impressively long shortlist. Canon’s winning optic is a perfect example of the latest long zooms, yet it comes in a package that’s ideally suited to handheld shooting, even at the longest settings. It has an onboard image stabiliser with 5EV benefit, and its autofocus skills mesh perfectly with the latest EOS R3/5/6 cameras – giving face, animal and vehicle detection. • Fujifilm XF70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS • Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 • Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150 400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro • Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS S • Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS • Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD • Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD • Tokina atx-m 56mm f/1.4 X • Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 Reflex MF • Zeiss Otus 100mm f/1.4 SHORTLISTED • Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM • Fujifilm GF80mm f/1.7 R WR

WINNER Vanguard VEO Adaptor R48

WINNER Think Tank Essentials Convertible Rolling Backpack With travel on the agenda again, the Think Tank Essentials Convertible Rolling Backpack could be the quality outfit you’re after. It’s a large-capacity roller featuring top-quality fixtures and fittings, including high-performance 80mm wheels with quiet bearings, and a lockable YKK zip with security cable and lock supplied. The trick up this bag’s sleeve is its backpack straps, which are fast to deploy, meaning you can carry the case on your back when terrain gets rough.

WINNER Benro Bat 15A + VX20

Vanguard scooped this category with a backpack from its recently introduced VEO Adaptor range. The R48 has plenty of storage, and fits one or two cameras, plus several extra lenses. Its USP is a USB-A port on the outside; at the other end is a lead to plug in a power bank – charge your device on the move.

WINNER Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB

There is loads of choice for the tripod buyer, but it was the Benro Bat 15A + VX20 that emerged triumphant. The Bat 15A is ultra-compact, folding down to just 39cm – and lightweight at 1.61kg, complete with VX20 ball head. But it can extend to give 165.5cm working height, and has a maximum load rating of 14kg. It’s a very impressive pod.

Last year was a very busy one for Vanguard, with the brand introducing a new family of high-spec, top-performing tripods, including the VEO 3T+ 264CB. It is a first-class, travel-sized carbon tripod that weighs in at 2275g, complete with a dual-axis ball head – and folds down to 48cm.

SHORTLISTED • Lowepro Flipside BP300 • MindShift Gear FirstLight 30L • RiBL Solis 100 • Shimoda Explore 40L • Think Tank BackStory 15 • Vanguard VEO Range T 48

SHORTLISTED • 3LT Punks Patti

SHORTLISTED • 3LT Legends Nicky • Benro Tortoise TTOR34C+GX35 • Bexin BX285C • K&F Carbon Professional DSLR SA254C1 • Leofoto Poseidon LP-324C • Novo Mantis T3 • Peak Design travel tripod

• Kenro Karoo Ultimate Travel (Alu) • Manfrotto 190XPro Aluminium 4-sec • Slik Pro CF-734 • Vanguard VEO 3+ 263AT

SHORTLISTED • Lowepro Whistler RL 400 AW II

• Panzer Conqueror 31P • Tenba Roadie Roller 18 • Vanguard VEO Select 59T

BEST SHOULDER/ SLING BAG

EDITOR’S CHOICE

WINNER Lowepro Slingshot SL 250 AW III Lowepro’s bag range is massive, probably the biggest in the imaging industry. The Slingshot SL 250 AW III is perfect for photographers on the move, and is coated to guard against inclement weather and abrasion. Capacity is good, too, and it can accept a DSLR or mirrorless camera with standard zoom attached, leaving room for extra accessories. The 10L capacity is split 50/50, half for your photo kit and half for personal stuff – plus, there’s space for a 13in laptop or tablet.

Editor’s Choice: Peak Design Everyday V2 20L Backpack

Editor’s Choice: Peli 1600 Protector

Editor’s Choice: Manfrotto Befree GT XPro Carbon

Peak Design has a uniquely refreshing

Peli cases are renowned globally for

outlook when it comes to the aesthetic and functionality of its kit. The Everyday V2 20L Backpack has a low profile, perfect for the city, and it looks really smart. Access to the bag’s contents is excellent, too, with a large, zipped side panel protecting the main compartment. Inside, there’s ample storage for a DSLR or mirrorless camera, with two or three extra lenses, plus laptop.” Will Cheung–Editor

their robustness, capable of withstanding all manner of punishment. Made from ultra- tough structural copolymer with an O-ring seal, pressure equalisation valve and double throw latches, the Peli 1600 Protector is watertight, as well as corrosion, crush and dust proof. If you want the ultimate protection, this is the case for you, and Peli has a huge selection of alternative sizes.” Will Cheung–Editor

Editor’s Choice: Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE

The Manfrotto Befree GT XPro Carbon is a superb

carbon travel tripod, and a great solution when portability and versatility is needed, without sacrificing performance and slick handling. Among its many highlights is an ability to quickly realign the centre column at 90° for flatlay and macro shooting. That’s awesome.” Will Cheung–Editor

For shooting portraits, I want a lens like this –

fast in aperture and AF speed, but not at the expense of weight and handling. In PN tests, it also proved to be a cracker in terms of optical performance, and gives edge-to-edge sharpness.” Will Cheung–Editor

SHORTLISTED • Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 • MindShift Gear Exposure 13 • RiBL Solis 20 Cross Body bag • Think Tank Spectral 8 • Vanguard VEO Range 38 NV

18 Photography News | Issue 96

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