Digital Camera News and Reviews

Lowepro Magnum DV AW Series Bags

The camera bag maker Lowepro has announced the new Lowepro Magnum DV AW Series. The wide bags designed for videographers provide fast access to your gear. The bags also have extra security with double zippers, a quick-release buckle and a hook/loop closure.

For transportation the bags include a wrapped and padded centre grab handle, trolley sleeve and handcart straps.

Both the Magnum DV 4000 AW and the Magnum DV 6500 AW meet requirements from most airlines when you bring them with you inside the plane.

Press release:
Inspired by the classic Magnum AW camera bag, Lowepro unveils its new pro video series, designed for the videographer who needs to work right out of the bag: the Magnum DV AW series.

(Sebastopol, CA, November 4, 2009) – Lowepro, a product design company that builds protective gear for photography equipment and portable electronics, announces the launch of the Magnum DV AW series. Designed for video, super-accessible, ultra-portable and protective, the Magnum DV AW series offers the videographer a practical, hardworking solution.

“This series is designed to address the tasks and needs of today’s videographers,” said Tim Grimmer, Lowepro product manager. “Inside and out you’ll find design elements that speed their work, fit the unique shapes of their gear, make traveling hassle free and provide security for their equipment investments,” he added.

The Magnum DV AW bag is quick and easy to work out of. The wide, dual-winged lid opens from the center, providing fast access to gear plus extra security with double zippers, a quick-release buckle and a hook/loop closure. Two roomy side pockets and a fast-access front pocket provide plenty of space for accessories, props and personal items.

The internal dividing system of Magnum DV AW is designed to accommodate different sizes and shapes of gear. Adjustable padded dividers and spacers allow the videographer to easily arrange spaces to fit a variety of video kits. An extra-thick interior base offers protection from the sharp metal baseplate found on most video cameras. And the Magnum DV 6500 AW includes side cut-out padding to cradle and protect an eyepiece.

Magnum DV AW is purpose-built for hassle-free portability. A wrapped and padded center grab handle, trolley sleeve and handcart straps offer multiple ways to transport a heavy load. Each bag comes with Lowepro’s patent-pending Vertebral Tech™ Shoulder Strap. This inventive design features a spine-like structure imbedded in a double layer of EVA foam padding. The strap bends to conform to the shape of a shoulder, and no matter how it’s worn—left, right, facing up or down—provides long-lasting support and comfort.

The sturdy, premium-quality molded base of a Magnum DV AW bag is stackable and water resistant. Lowepro’s patented All Weather AW Cover™ serves as a raincoat for the entire bag, then zips away when not in use.

The Magnum DV 6500 AW offers a padded laptop compartment with adjustable dividers, allowing the professional to download video and edit on the spot.

Additional features include: 8 SlipLock™ attachment loops on the exterior; durable metal hardware and YKK zippers for strong and secure connections; and sturdy side grab handles (Magnum DV 6500 AW only).

The Magnum DV AW series includes the Magnum DV 4000 AW and the Magnum DV 6500 AW, both in Black.

All colors & sizes may not be available in all countries. Check with your local distributor for availability.

Design Highlights

* Internal dividing system features a long main compartment with a flexible structure to fit a variety of uniquely shaped video gear.
* Interior base crafted of durable, extra-thick padding to support and protect the metal baseplate of a video camera.
* Trolley sleeves and straps attach to luggage and most handcart systems for easy and secure transport.
* Includes Lowepro’s patent-pending Vertebral Tech™ Shoulder Strap, providing comfort and support no matter which way it’s worn.
* Magnum DV 4000 AW and Magnum DV 6500 AW bags meet most airline carry-on size requirements.

Dimensions

MAGNUM DV 4000 AW
INTERIOR:
15.9W x 11.8D x 11H in.
40.5 x 30 x 28 cm
EXTERIOR:
18.1W x 13.6D x 12.6H in.
46 x 34.5 x 32 cm
FITS:
Semi-professional, compact pro, hand-held HD camcorder (such as Sony EX-1 or Canon XH G1S); microphones; batteries; additional memory; external storage drives; lighting devices; charging devices; personal items.
Note: This bag meets most airline carry-on size requirements.

MAGNUM DV 6500 AW
INTERIOR:
20.1W x 9.8D x 10.6H in.
51 x 25 x 27 cm
EXTERIOR:
22.8W x 15D x 12H in.
58 x 38 x 30.5 cm
FITS:
Professional HD camcorders (such as Sony EX-3 or Canon XL H1); microphones; batteries; additional memory; external storage drives; lighting devices; charging devices; personal items; up to a 15.4” laptop in a padded laptop compartment with adjustable dividers
Note: This bag meets most airline carry-on size requirements.

View more information about the Magnum DV AW series

About Lowepro
It started with inventive spirit in a small Colorado garage over 40 years ago. Since then, Lowepro’s camera bags have been traveling the world, earning the loyalty and admiration of the best photographers, and setting the industry standard for inventive, purpose-built products. Our collections include professional-grade designs for cameras, notebooks, imaging accessories and portable consumer electronics. It is our passion and privilege to provide accessible, comfortable and protective designs for our customers. Lowepro products are available around the globe, for every climate, for every condition. Wherever you go, chances are you’ll find us there. To learn more about our inventive spirit, please visit http://www.lowepro.com.

Lowepro Photo Runner 100

Lowepro has announced a new carrying solution for your camera equipment. The bag can be used both as a shoulder bag and beltpack.

You can store a DSLR with attached standard zoom lens and an additional lens or accessory vertically. Horizontally you can store a DSLR with attached lens up to 80-200mm f/2.8.

The Lowepro Photo Runner 100 comes in black and mica colors.

Press release:
Lowepro unveils a carrying solution that combines the agility of a beltpack with the utility of a shoulder bag in a functional design that works equally well for the enthusiast or pro photographer.

(Sebastopol, CA, November 2, 2009) – Lowepro, a product design company that builds protective gear for photography equipment and portable electronics, announces the launch of the Photo Runner 100. Its lightweight, slim-profile design offers freedom of movement and a full set of practical features.

“We designed the Photo Runner 100 to work in multiple scenarios,” said Tim Grimmer, Lowepro product manager. “It’s an ideal everyday bag for the enthusiast, as well as a compact solution for the active photographer using it as an on-the-fly lens/accessory bag at an event or on a day trip,” he added.

The Photo Runner 100 features a fast-access, side-opening lid that opens wide, allowing the user to work right out of the roomy main compartment with ease. Adjustable, protective and padded dividers offer multiple ways to load gear into the Photo Runner 100—vertically with a DSLR with attached standard zoom lens and an additional lens or accessory—or, horizontally with a DSLR with attached lens up to 80-200mm f/2.8.

When worn as a beltpack, the Photo Runner 100 offers a lean, agile solution to maneuvering in a large crowd or at a fast-paced event. Compression straps on the waistbelt keep the weight of the camera gear on the hips and minimize movement.

To convert the beltpack to a shoulder bag, tuck away the waistbelt, attach the shoulder strap and adjust for a comfortable fit across the body or on the shoulder. A non-slip patch on the padded shoulder strap keeps it from slipping while in motion.

The design of the Photo Runner 100 responds to a busy shooter’s needs with convenient, well-constructed features that are right at hand: two memory card pockets are built into the inside lid; two gusseted front pockets (one with a “quiet” cord closure) provide quick-access to anything from cell phones, MP3 players and pens to filters, lens caps and larger accessories; compression straps at the bottom secure a compact tripod, monopod or light jacket to the bag; and SlipLock™ attachment loops expand the carrying capacity by adding compatible pouches and cases to the outside.

Additional features of the Photo Runner 100 include: oversized D-rings and snaphooks for easy connections; a quick-grab handle for an extra carrying option; vertical foam walls to provide an effective barrier against bumps, abrasion and moisture; and an OverLap Zipper™ to protect gear from dust, sand and moisture.

The Photo Runner 100 comes in Black and Mica.

All colors & sizes may not be available in all countries. Check with your local distributor for availability.

Design Highlights

* Lean, compact profile with a lightweight, minimalist design converts from a beltpack to a shoulder bag with ease.
* Fast-access, side-opening lid includes two built-in memory card pockets.
* OverLap Zipper™ protects gear from dust, sand and moisture.
* Two gusseted front pockets provide quick access to accessories and essentials
* Compression straps secure a light jacket, or a compact tripod or monopod to the bottom.

Dimensions

PHOTO RUNNER 100
INTERIOR:
10W x 4.5D x 7.7H in.
25.5 x 11.5 x 19.5 cm
EXTERIOR:
12.6 W x 6.3D x 8.8H in.
32 x 16.1 x 22.4 cm
FITS:
DSLR with attached standard zoom lens, plus one additional lens or flash—when loaded vertically; or DSLR with attached zoom lens (up to 80-200mm f/2.8)—when loaded horizontally; accessories and small personal items.

Click here for more information on Photo Runner™ 100
About Lowepro
It started with inventive spirit in a small Colorado garage over 40 years ago. Since then, Lowepro’s camera bags have been traveling the world, earning the loyalty and admiration of the best photographers, and setting the industry standard for inventive, purpose-built products. Our collections include professional-grade designs for cameras, notebooks, imaging accessories and portable consumer electronics. It is our passion and privilege to provide accessible, comfortable and protective designs for our customers. Lowepro products are available around the globe, for every climate, for every condition. Wherever you go, chances are you’ll find us there. To learn more about our inventive spirit, please visit http://www.lowepro.com.

Hama Canberra camera bags

Hama has released new Canberra camera bags with a colourful inside. The camera bags come in nine different sizes and are all black on the outside and have a coloured inside. Two of the models are for DSLR camera, while three are for compact and video cameras, and four models can hold medium sized cameras and equipment.

The prices for the Hama camera bags start at about €20.

Press release:
Black on the outside, colourful on the inside

At a superficial glance, the new Canberra camera bags from Hama are black with subtle colour accents. Upon closer look, you notice the colourful interior, practical equipment, and a lot of well-conceived details that support the notion of “fashion meets design”.
The nine different-sized models in the Canberra series offer something for every taste: three versions for compact cameras and video cameras, two practical colt cases for SLR cameras, and four models that can hold medium-sized camera equipment with varying amounts of equipment.

Soft handles, sturdy carrying straps with metal clip and soft shoulder padding, side mesh pockets, a document compartment on the back, rubberized feet, integrated rain cover, padded interior with coloured lining – the list of Canberra equipment goes on. Hama has also provided organisational features. Small pictograms show you where to find the empty batteries, where the charged batteries are, which compartment holds the memory card, and where the rain cover is stored. Everything is arranged so that you can access your equipment quickly and easily when you take pictures.

Pentax K-7

Nissin has announced a new flashgun for both Canon and Nikon cameras. The flashgun is called Nissin Di866 Professional Speedlite has an USB-port making it possible to upgrade its firmware. The Canon version works with DSLR cameras from Canon and Powershot cameras using ETTL and ETTL-2 systems. The Nikon version also works with Nikon DSLR cameras and Coolpix hotshoe cameras using i-TTL.

The Nissin Di866 Professional Speedlite will cost about £370.

Press release:
New Nissin flash gun available now

The new flash gun from Nissin, the Di866 Professional Speedlite, is now available to UK photographers, as first announced by Kenro at Focus on Imaging earlier this year.

The Di866 is available with either a Canon or Nikon fitting. The Canon version is compatible with Canon Digital SLR and Powershot hotshoe cameras using ETTL and ETTL-2 systems, while the Nikon model fits Nikon Digital SLR and Coolpix hotshoe cameras using i-TTL. The unit carries a SRP of £369.95 including VAT.

The Di866 has been specifically designed for use with digital SLR cameras and comes with many ‘world’s first’ features. This new clip-on type flash unit is simple to use and incorporates an easy to read rotating colour display, it can also be fired wirelessly where it can be used as a master or receiver.

With a guide number of 60m (ISO 100 @ 105mm) the Di866 features Nissin’s original ‘My TTL’ user adjustable TTL light output level and is firmware upgradable thanks to an onboard USB port.

The gun also features high speed synchronisation, allowing synchronisation for shutter speeds over 1/250th second and a recycling time of 3.5s which is able to offer up to 150 full-power flashes per set of batteries. Furthermore the Di866 features a fill in sub-flash (12m100 ISO), which is activated while the main flash is bounced and also a built-in wide angle diffuser and catch-light reflector.

“Nissin has been a world-class manufacturer of high quality electronic flash units for over 40 years and this latest addition to their range is a truly impressive piece of kit. A recent reviewer described the Di866 as ‘the most powerful hotshoe flashgun available,’ and I think everyone who uses the flash will agree with that statement.” says Kenro managing director, Paul Kench. “The technological advances contained in the Di866 make it the perfect choice for professional and advanced photographers.”

Kenro is the official UK distributor for the range of Nissin flash guns. See http://www.kenro.co.uk for details of your nearest stockist, or call Kenro on 01793 615836 for more detail.