Photography News Issue 35

Photography News | Issue 35 | absolutephoto.com

51 Accessories test

NEST Falconer EB600 Pro Backpack

£1800

Stand 2, Optics Marquee

Stand 7,8,9, Marquee 4

£130

£770

£750

KOWA TSN 601 Angled Scope and TE-9Z 20-60x Zoom eyepiece

CANON EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM

Stand 14, Outdoor Display

SIGMA 150-600mm f/5- 6.3Contemporary DGOS HSM

£330

VANGUARD Endeavor ED II 8420 binoculars 7

MANFROTTO XPROPrimemonopod and Heavy Telephoto Lens Support

Stand 1,2,3, Marquee 4

£280

Kowa TSN 601 Angled Scope and TE-9Z 20-60x

replaces the 694CX in Manfrotto’s line-up) is very light and rigid thanks toitscarbon-fibredesignandfeatures new Quick Power Lock levers for an extremely strong grip; their lever designmeans they can be easily used one handed even in gloves. Onto the upper disc you can mount a camera or lens bracket directly, but we’d recommend going for a versatile head like the Heavy Telephoto Lens Support (£130); this cradle-style approach, where the midpoint of the lens is attached in line with the tilt axis means movement is free and easy, even with very heavy glass. Panning is achieved via a built-in pan base and the height of the lens is adjustable. The head also comes with a 357 quick-release assembly allowing you to attach the plate to a tripod collar, then slide it for perfect 50/50weight distribution. manfrotto.co.uk Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 C DGOS HSM£750 Successor to the legendary 150- 500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM, Sigma’s 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM, certainly has big (or possibly long?) shoes to fill. But filled they are with a lens that improves on 9

its predecessor in a host of ways. The 150-600mm balances an incredible amount of reach with versatility; its 4x zoom range taking you from medium telephoto for large subjects, groups of animals or environmental studies to extreme close-ups and the most detailed animal portraits. Throughout the zoom range the latest generation of Sigma’s intelligent Optical Stabilizer guarantees sharper shots at shutter speeds which would normally fill images with camera shake and the lens is dust- and splash proof to allow shooting in harsh conditions. A detachable tripod socket allows fitting to a support to take the weight of the lens, and provide extra stability, but at 1.93kg, you should be able to handhold it with ease. As part of Sigma’s Contemporary (C) range, it’s lighter and smaller than the Sport version, available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts, and presents excellent value at £750. It’s also part of Sigma’s Global Vision system and therefore features a USB dock for upgrading firmware and tweaking OS and AF settings. And it’s compatible with Sigma’s range of teleconverters for evenmore reach. sigma-imaging-uk.com

Park Cameras Visit Park Cameras at Birdfair 2016 and you’ll find not only some incredible special offers, but also benefit from the technical experts on the stand from the likes of Canon, Sony, Tamron, Sigma, Tamrac, Manfrotto, Gitzo, Wimberley and more. On top of that, you can join Park at Stand 11, at the Outdoor Display at various times on Friday 19 August where professional wildlife photographer and Park Cameras Ambassador, Andy Rouse, will be available to offer advice on your wildlife photography, and to showcase the incredible Canon EOS-1D X Mark II (which will also be in stock to purchase at Birdfair). Park Cameras will also have the Nikon D500 with the AF-S 200- 500mm f/5.6E ED VR at an amazingly low price – cheaper than anywhere else in the UK! Take advantage of its fast frame rate, 153 focus points, low-light capabilities and cinematic 4K video function, all in a tough and durable body to help you get the perfect shot, whatever environment you’re in. parkcameras.com

Zoomeyepiece £770 A spotting scope is the next step from binoculars and affords several advantages. Firstly, a scope’s range can go longer and they’re more adaptable because, similar to telescopes, different eyepieces can be used. With the right attachments you can also use a scope as a super- telephoto lens, achieving impressive reachand results thatwould cost a lot more via aDSLRand traditional lens. The Kowa TSN 601 (£450) is a great option, employing an angled design for easier use at low level (there’s also a straight version for the same price, as part of 600 series if you prefer). The scope has an impressive build and a low weight (745g minus eyepiece), making it easy to transport and handle, while the assembly is durable; it’s waterproof and filled with nitrogen gas to prevent fogging. Its lenses and prisms aremulticoated for a superbly sharp view and this is matched by the TE-9Z 20-60x Zoom eyepiece (£320) with its versatile zoom magnification allowing you to quickly adapt to many different wildlife subjects. kowaproducts.com

Stand 11, Outdoor Display