Buyers’ guide
RiBL Solis 100 backpack › £59.90 › ukdigital.co.uk If you’re choosing a new camera backpack this Christmas, why not make it an eco-friendly one? The RiBL Solis 100 uses a 600D waterproof outer fabric, made from recycled plastic bottles. Aside from its green credentials, it’s a cleverly designed multi-purpose model, using a well-padded interchangeable cube unit (ICU) in its lower section – which can be removed, turning it into a regular bag. The top section can fit other accessories – a jacket or lunch – and it has an overall capacity of 16L, including space for a 15.6in laptop.
Whitewall CoffeeTable Book › from £34.95 › whitewall.com/uk
seated within hard-wearing 3mm thick covers. Maybe best of all, the process of making your book is headache free. It can be designed online, or using Whitewall’s own downloadable software, both of which feature simple, effect layouts. If you want to try your own design, you can make a PDF to the book’s specifications, and upload that.
In the middle of winter, when it’s harder to get out and shoot, what better time to collect your year’s work into a high-quality photo book? WhiteWall Coffee Table Books are available in sizes up to A3, in upright or horizontal format. They start at a basic 28 pages, but can be expanded to 200, depending on the thickness of paper you choose, and it’s all
Irix 11mmBlackstone f/4 › £629 › swains.co.uk
NovoMantisMP100 carbon fibremonopod › £99.90 › novo-photo.com A monopod blends stability and portability, which can really improve the sharpness of your long-lens images. Manufactured from carbon fibre and aerospace- grade aluminium, Novo’s Mantis MP100 is a great example. It weighs only 520g, but has an impressive maximum height of 1.8m, and can take loads of up to 20kg. Its strength comes from four sturdy leg sections, the top most of which is 32mm thick. Large rubber twist locks, a broad handgrip and removable strap, make it easy to handle, and its rubber foot screws off to reveal a spike – perfect for use on soft ground.
Whether you’re shooting in cramped interiors or in big landscapes, ultra- wide lenses can make all the difference. The 11mm Blackstone f/4 gives an exceptionally wide
view, with a huge 126º field of view, and focuses as close as 27cm – meaning dramatic foregrounds and textures are at your fingertips. It’s a manual focus lens, but that’s not a problem for landscapes. And while it doesn’t support filters on the front element, there’s a 30x30mm slot for gelatin filters at the rear. Coming in Canon EOS EF, Nikon F and Pentax K fits, it has a durable metal body, engraved fluorescent markings to aid low-light shooting, and full weather sealing.
VanguardVEO3T 265HCB › £269 › vanguardworld.co.uk Travel tripods often have to skimp on features and performance, but not the VEO 3T 265HCB. This carbon fibre model has an impressive working height of 166cm, but folds to 44cm and weighs 1.9kg. Its five- section legs support up to 12kg, more than enough for a heavyweight camera and lens. For additional scope, you can fit the included low-angle adapter, or remove the centre column and use it as a monopod. It comes with an Arca-compatible BP-120T ball head and removable pan handle, so you have the option for video work, too.
VanguardVEOSelect 36S shoulder bag › £89 › vanguardworld.co.uk
mirrorless cameras, four to six lenses, a flash and accessories – all organised into a great selection of internal and external pockets. There’s a discreet tripod holder. Its water-resistant exterior can take a shower, but there’s a seam-sealed rain cover for downpours. Available in black or green.
Whether it’s to replace a worn-out model, take advantage of new features or accommodate a growing collection of lenses, there’s always room for a new bag. Vanguard’s VEO Select 36S ranks high in lots of areas. Its padded interior is spacious enough to fit one or two pro-sized DSLR or
easyCover Lens Oak sleeve › £49.96 › cameraclean.co.uk Out on location, it’s easy to bump and scratch larger lenses. For protection, try easyCover’s Lens Oak, a neoprene cover that wraps neatly to the barrel and guards against everyday wear. Lens Oak covers are made of multiple individual pieces that are easy to fit, and each is cut to suit every part of the lens – ensuring the cover doesn’t impede movement or control. Available for a range of 15 various telephoto lenses, they come in four different styles, including low-profile black and three camouflage patterns to suit different environments.
Peli Memory Card Cases › from £25 › peliproducts.co.uk
SD, six Mini SD and 12 SD cards; the Peli 0945 fits six CF cards; and the 0965 holds six CFexpress or XQD cards. Foam inserts secure the cards in transit and offer protection against impact, while a water-resistant o-ring seal protects from drips and splashes. And they’re compact enough to fit easily in bags or pockets.
When you hear the name Peli, you instinctively think of large protective cases, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive, high-quality gift, there are small ones, too. These crushproof, water-resistant card cases keep your media safe from almost any accident – and well organised. The Peli 0915 stores up to six Micro
40 Photography News | Issue 94
photographynews.co.uk
Powered by FlippingBook