TheWinners
AWARDS 2020
Accessories
BEST PHOTO BACKPACK
BEST ROLLER/HARD CASE
BEST FILTER SYSTEM
BESTVIDEOACCESSORY
WINNER LEE85
Lee Filters set out to reinvent its creative filter system for smaller format cameras, and the LEE85 system was the result. It’s great to use, beautifully engineered and employs Lee Filters’ esteemed optical quality. The LEE85 is just the ticket for Micro Four Thirds, APS-C and smaller, full-frame cameras. The brand offers plenty of popular filters for its system, including a circular polariser, neutral density graduates and the Stoppers: Little, Big and Super.
WINNER Shimoda Explore 40
WINNER Think Tank Essentials Convertible Rolling Backpack In truth, Think Tank has a carrying solution to suit photographers and content creators of every persuasion. Its Essentials Convertible Rolling Backpack delivers something very special because of its dual personality. On smooth terrain, it serves as a quality roller, yet as soon as the going gets tougher, it transitions very quickly into a backpack. And, most importantly, this versatility comes in a high-quality case with plenty of storage space.
Shimoda produces camera bags for real-world adventures. It applies a modular concept – with core units sold separately – so you can customise the perfect bag for your needs, experience and environment. Our winner, the Explore 40, provides various access points to kit, boasts an adjustable torso height for added comfort, and comprises a rear panel that maintains air flow between the bag and your back.
SHORTLISTED • Benro 100mm • Breakthrough X100
Rode VideoMic Pro+ microphone
• Formatt Hitech Firecrest 100mm • H&Y Revoring Variable ND+CPL • Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular • Marumi Magnetic Filter M100
SHORTLISTED • Evoc Photop 22
SHORTLISTED: l Atomos Ninja V monitor recorder l Manfrotto Nitrotech 612 fluid video head with 635 fast single leg carbon-fibre tripod l Rotolight NEO 2 LED light l Sennheiser MKE 200 microphone l Syrp Genie Mini II motion control device The VideoMic Pro+ is Rode’s flagship on-camera microphone. It’s a shotgun-style mic, operating on a highly directional basis. It employs a two-stage, high-pass filter to cut down low frequencies, while there’s also a three-stage gain control and high-frequency boost to enhance detail and clarity. Its power is supplied by a rechargeable battery, two AAs or a Micro USB, serving as a further nod to the device’s versatility.
• Lowepro ProTactic BP 300 AW II • Mind Shift Gear FirstLight 30L • Peak Design Everyday 20L v2 • Think Tank Backstory 15 • Vanguard VEO Select 46 BR BK
SHORTLISTED • Lowepro Whistler RL 400 AW II • Panzer Conqueror 31P • Peli 1600 Protector • Tenba Roadie Hybrid Roller 21 • Vanguard VEO Select 55BT BK
BEST EXTERNAL STORAGE DEVICE
BEST SHOULDER/ SLING BAG
WINNER G-Technology ArmorATD
WINNER Billingham Hadley Pro 2020
Editor’s Choice: Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular
A reliable external storage drive is an important part of every photographer and content creator’s arsenal. For that very reason, G-Technology’s ArmorATD has proved so popular. Housed in a solid aluminium enclosure, it is protected against rain and dust. It also features three layers of shock resistance. Sizes range from 1TB to a massive 5TB, while there’s also USB-C connectivity and transfer rates that reach 140MB/s. SHORTLISTED • LaCie Rugged SSD Pro • Lexar SL200 Pro SSD • PNY Pro Elite USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C Portable SSD • Samsung Portable SSD T7 Touch • SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD • Western Digital My Passport SSD
Billingham bags have graced the shoulders of photographers for nearly 50 years. Not only do these bags have a unique, desirable look and feel, they’re great to use and prove very practical. Each Billingham bag boasts impressive storage capacity, while enabling swift access to contents. The Hadley Pro 2020 is the brand’s latest offering and happily stores a two-lens DSLR or mirrorless outfit. SHORTLISTED • Lowepro Slingshot SL 250 AW III • Lowepro ProTactic MG 160 AW II • Mind Shift Gear Exposure 13 • Think Tank Spectral 8 • Think Tank Retrospective 30 V2.0
Sennheiser MKE 200 microphone
For its sheer speed and convenience, I reckon
Kase’s system is hard to beat. I use a magnetic adapter ring on each of my medium format lenses, with a magnetic lens cap attached in the bag. When the creative urge arises, it’s super quick to pop on a filter and there’s no risk of crossed threads at all. Plus, the optical quality is simply superb.”
On-camera microphones aren’t that great if you want decent audio, but I found the Sennheiser MKE 200 microphone a very user-friendly alternative that works well and captures quality recordings. It doesn’t take up much space in my bag and just slips on to the camera accessory shoe. It’s also directional, so it picks up well when you’re talking to the camera while minimising background noise. Sound quality is further assured with a built-in windscreen and shock mount, and a furry windshield is included, too.” Will Cheung–Editor
Will Cheung–Editor
Issue 86 | Photography News 23
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