Tamrac's new camera bag!

Over the past few weeks I have been having a go at a new camera bag on the market and it’s impressive!

The bag being put through its paces here at Bluedog Photography is the Tamrac Evolution 8, Model 5788.

What I like:
After using it exclusively on our Fraser Island Photography Tour last week I liked how I could easily convert it from a back pack to sling shot or even wear it over one shoulder effortlessly and quickly. Fraser Island is all sand and happens to be the largest sand island in the world. Sand is a killer on photography gear and this bag allowed me to access my gear without putting the bag down.

It’s large enough to hold my Nikon D3, another lens or two, flash and accessories plus carry a computer which means it should be perfect for carryon luggage on planes.

It’s light and the adjustable wide straps are comfortable!

The padded top foam compartment is great – while travelling I can have personal gear in there and while working it can store my jacket, other accessories, food etc.

The tripod attachment keeps the tripod centered and balanced – important when out and moving about.

Two side pockets create extra storage and are the correct size for iPods and phones while one houses the removable rain cover.

What I don’t like:
Not much! I wish the inside was a lighter grey and closer to 18%.

What I’m interested to test:
How it goes in a crowded street – I like a pack I can wear on the front as well as on the back for the security of my gear.

Specs:
Weight: 2165g
Internal Top: 25 x 15 x 19cm
Internal Bottom: 28 x 15 x 25cm
External Dimensions: 32 x 22 x 48cm
Colour: Black and Brown/Tan
RRP: AUS $169.00
Distributed in Australia by C. R. Kennedy & Company Pty Ltd
Phone: 61 3 9823 1555
Fax: 61 3 9827 7213
Website: http://www.crkennedy.com.au/
Email: sales@crkennedy.com.au
For more info: http://www.tamrac.com/



Image by Kim Stevens (C)
Danielle with pack in use on the Fraser Island Bluedog Photography Kingfisher Bay Resort.


Tamrac’s new Evolution 8, Model 5788

The essentials in my photography kit.

Guest post by Sheryn Ellis after her trip to Lake Eyre, outback Australia.

“It was soon apparent what I could and could not live without while travelling and photographing the outback…

The essentials in order of use:
• Canon 5D MII with battery grip;
• 24mm-70mm f2.8L lens: my favourite lens, I took at least 95% of my photos with this lens;
• Circular polariser: used at all hours of the day, only came off for star trails and when I didn’t want to ‘stack’ filters;
• Cleaning cloths: I always had one or two in my pockets at all time and every few shots was checking to see if dust and/or sand had blown onto my lens;
• Blower: used constantly to blow dust and/or sand off both the camera and the lens (used first to avoid scratching when wiping with a cloth). The blower was used every single time a lens change was made.
• Tripod: my Vanguard tripod was my first choice this trip, it’s lighter than my Manfrotto, easier to change from vertical to horizontal positions and I’m comfortable with the ball head. I’ve got to say I used my tripod more on this 8 day trip than in the previous 4 months.
• Lockable cable release: generally it was plugged in so that as soon as I put my camera on a tripod I was ‘good to go’! Definitely a must for star trails.
• LED Cap Light: a gift before my trip from another avid photographer. This is an awesome little light and should take off with photographers as it makes life so much easier once that sun starts to set.
• Second camera: Canon 20D – taken along for Michael to ‘play’ with but I did pinch it a couple of times rather than change lenses in the windy, dusty landscape.
• Lowepro camera bag: plenty of storage room, well padded and zips securely to keep out 99% of dust and debris.

After this trip I have promised myself that I WILL ‘practice what I preach’ – it is truly essential to keep all your kit clean and well maintained – I discovered on day one that my Manfrotto tripod, which has been floating in the back of my car for the last 5 months, had just enough sand in the head for it to have ‘fused’ itself on and it took several hours of frustration, WD40 and a screwdriver to get the tripod back in working condition.

My final tip is for ‘downloading’ on the go: ALWAYS check the number of files that you are downloading from your card to ensure it matches the number of files that actually download to your external hard-drive.

Photograph by Michael Ellis.
Birdsville Track, Cooper Creek detour road.
Sheryn standing on top of the ‘Pathy’ – anything to get that ‘shot’

Photograph by Sheryn Ellis.
Taken during a Wrightsair 2 hour scenic flight over Lake Eyre.
Canon 5D MII 24-70mm lens with circular polariser