If you go out in the woods today - Think-Tank Photo Digital Holster V2.0

Great Grey Owl Winter (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone) Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 100-400mm @ 400mm. ISO 800, F8 1/400s Manual Exposure. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION. Image presented with both a visible, and invisible digital watermark by Digimarc.

Let’s face it: digital cameras are responsible for more people being more successful at making great images than ever before. The instant feedback from the image and histogram displayed on digital camera's LCD screens has revolutionized how we take picture and is responsible for the astronomical volume of pictures captured every day – many of them great images.
The gap between the professional and amateur has narrowed. The biggest difference between a professional and amateur today, is their ability to edit down the number of similar images, and a professional's ability to leave some gear behind. If you head out into the woods to look for owls, consider packing less for speed, ease of movement, comfort and your back. You really don't need to lug around every lens you own in the biggest of camera backpacks. I’ve seen it countless times out in the field: great images missed while the photographer was selecting which lens and camera to use from the arsenal they had just hauled through waist deep snow into the woods. Imageless, out of breath, dripping sweat, shaking from the physical exertion, they are left to pack-up their photographic assets, while I quickly chimp through the images, stow my single camera and lens and carry-on looking through the woods for owls.

Nature Photographer Christopher Dodds with Think-Tank Photo's new Digital Holster 50 V2.0 and Digital Holster Harness V2.0 looking for owls December, 2010, Rockburn, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright and courtesy ©Julie Morrison All Rights Reserved. Image from my Canon S-95.

Think-Tank Photo Digital Holster 50 V2.0

My friends over at Think-Tank Photo are at it again. This time, they have redesigned their Digital Holster line. I was thrilled to receive the new Digital Holster 50 V2.0 with a Digital Holster Harness V2.0 and put them to the test recently while out in the recent Canadian winter looking for owls.
I threw my 70-200mm F2.8 IS II onto my Canon 1D Mark IV, extended the hood and slid it into my new Digital Holster 50 V2.0 after un-zipping the “pop down” lens compartment extension on the case – a terrific design that reduces the holster’s size when you travel with the lens hood reversed. Next, I quickly installed and adjusted the Holster Harness (they have even found a simple way to stash the left-over ends of straps so they don’t get in the way or blow around in the wind) and quickly loaded the rig over my huge coat and onto my chest. I threw an extra battery and some extra memory cards into the built-in side pocket and was off to try my luck at finding any owls that may have been out in the fresh snow. The new version even has a built-in side attachment system compatible with modular Think-Tank Photo pouches if you need a little more room. Built materials and quality are first rate, as expected from Think-Tank Photo and there is even a built-in padded flap to cover and protect the camera’s LCD screen.
The Digital Holster 50 V2.0 and the new Digital Holster Harness V2.0 worked flawlessly and proved to be the key to mobility and agility while safely protecting my camera as I navigated around the forest in the fresh snow. As mentioned, the material is durable and it’s built well, I only wish the fine folks over at Think-Tank Photo would stop including waterproof covers that take away storage space when stowed in the bag, get in the way and then become lost, and instead produced a weatherproof line of gear for the outdoor crowd – don’t get me wrong, they are almost weatherproof now and I have yet to find a better alternative. I am just hopeful we will see an “adventurer” line from them in the future; a line designed by and for the outdoor photographer.
Order yours now and get a free bag HERE while helping to support this site.

Great FREE Gear Giveaway Continues

Sign-up for my newsletter before Dec. 15th, 2010 and you will automatically be entered to win some amazing prizes. Simply fill-in your name and email address in the form in the column to the right of this post and you are entered automatically (only sign-up once please). Tweet, Like or Share this blog entry on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a meaningful comment here for additional chances to win. Don't forget to tell your friends or fellow camera club members about the prizes.

  • WH-200 Wimberley Head version II (retail value of US$595.00)
  • Think-Tank Photo Urban Disguise 50 (retail value US$169.00)
  • Nik Software Viveza 2 (retail value US$199.95)
  • Digimarc for Images Professional Edition 1 year subscription (US$99.00)
  • One of eight Canon Long Lens Rain Covers (US$125.00 each)

Dec. 15th PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY

I'm hosting my first annual PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY at the ROCKBURN PUB 2461 Mtee Rockburn, Hinchinbrook, Quebec J0S 1E0 (450) 264-2239. All amateurs and hobbyists welcome! It's an à la carte menu and there is no fee (other than paying for your own food & drinks) - John Zimmerman (President, Montreal Camera Club) has graciously agreed to pass the hat for Missing Children's Network / Enfant-Retour Québec; donations are optional but encouraged (Tax receipts will be issued for contributions greater than $15.00). Come on out and meet me, my friends and make new contacts while networking and showing off a few of your favorite images from 2010. Feel free to bring prints, iPads or laptops with your favorite images. RSVP required - email me at chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com (please type PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY in the subject line) to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve soon. I will be drawing some great prizes for the Great Gear Giveaway Contest and you get another name in the hat @ the party. Special thanks to Joann for opening the pub just for us!

Getting the most from your flash batteries & Think-Tank Photo Urban Disguise 50 Give Away

American Bald Eagle HOLD TIGHT (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche) Homer, AK Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4 IS, flash, tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 800, F4 1/1000s Manual Exposure. Full Frame. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.

Getting the most from your flash batteries

Weather your choice is flash as fill light, or flash as main light, you most likely don't pay a lot of attention to your flash batteries and charger. With today's cameras capable of a 10 frame per second capture rate; you should.

I boost the battery capacity and recycle rate with Canon CP-E4 Compact Battery pack. The CP-E4 is powered by 8 AA batteries and attaches to the flash with an integrated cable. You still need a separate set of batteries in the flash unit itself, and I use Custom Function 12-1(for the Speedlite, not the camera) to set the 580EX II to draw recycle power from the battery pack only, as opposed to the default setting of drawing power from both the flash batteries and those in the CP-E4. That way I still have a fully-charged set of internal batteries available if the pack runs low on power after a big day of shooting action.

What kind of batteries? I use rechargeable Ultra high capacity PowerEx 2700mAh NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydrate). They cost more than alkaline batteries, but save money in the long run because they can be used hundreds of times (often more than 1,000 times). NiMH batteries preform well in cold weather, but they gradually loose power when they are not in use. I always carry a full set of spares and because they have no memory, I can charge them any time without affecting their capacity.

What kind of charger? Maximizing battery life is not only about buying the highest-capacity batteries, it's got a lot to do with the charger you choose. Buying the wrong charger can result in under, or overcharging your precious batteries; resulting in lower capacity and a shorter life. I use the PowerEx MH-C801D battery charger which holds eight AA or AAA batteries and provides a dedicated circuit to charge each cell. It can also independently condition each cell through a charge - discharge - recharge cycle (which is recommended every 10th charge). Known as a smart charger, the MH-C801D initially charges with a hight rate once the batteries are inserted, then slowly reduces the current to a trickle charge once peak current is reached. Be sure to install the batteries in sequence from left, to right, without leaving an empty bay.

Think-Tank Photo Urban Disguise 50 Give Away!

We've teamed-up with Think-Tank Photo to give away an awesome camera bag. Sign-up for my free newsletter before December 15th and be automatically entered for a chance to win! It's easy; simply fill-in the sign-up form in the column to the right of this post. Tweet, Like or Share this blog entry on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a meaningful comment here for additional chances to win. Don't forget to tell your friends or fellow camera club members about the prizes.

Coastal Brown Bear (Ursus arctos or grizzly) wrestling. HYDROPHOBIA; the Ultimate Rain Cover & Trip Report Part III

Coastal Brown Bear males (boars) Wrestling in rain (Ursus arctos) Kukak Bay, Katmai National Park, AK Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS with 2X Teleconverter II, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600. ISO 1250, F8 @1/800s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Bear Fight

Though struggles between two juvenile bears might seem mortal, it is in fact just playful combat, designed to hone the animals skills. In later life, however, in teritorial disputes between two males, real fights can result in serious injury to the combatants, or even have a fatal outcome. Brown bears also fight to establish hierarchy and rights to prime fishing spots.

Trip Report

We had a blast watching, and photographing, four males (boar) fighting and wrestling with each other for what seemed like hours during the second afternoon of the Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop/Safari. We carefully added out 2X tele-extenders to our 500mm Lenses for maximum reach, to fill the frame and to keep a safe distance between us and the battling giants. It rained much of the day, and we all put our Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia rain covers to good use.

Do consider joining me next year, for the ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Nature Photography Workshop / Photo Safari from July 24 to 30, 2011. MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORM HERE.

Think-Tank Photo HYDROPHOBIA Ultimate Camera Rain Cover

I promised a review of the Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia when I got back from Bonaventure Island in June; Turns out, there's no better way to get hot, sunny and dry weather, than bringing along the very best rain gear to protect your valuable camera gear. We had day, after day, of glorious and hot, sunny weather; In fact, I only recall breaking out the rain covers once. There are now tons of reviews out there that include all of the technical specifications and videos of people spraying garden hoses onto expensive cameras sporting these covers. What I wanted to do here is give you a short, sweet, real world review of these covers when used in the very toughest conditions.

Coastal Brown Bear males (boars) Fighting in rain (Ursus arctos) Kukak Bay, Katmai National Park, AK Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS with 2X Teleconverter II, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600. ISO 1250, F8 @1/800s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Think-Tank Photo HYDROPHOBIA 300-600

Rain protection for everything between the 300 F2.8 and the 600 F4 (this even works perfectly with the Canon 800 F5.6, as I discovered). It's designed to be pre-mounted around the lens hood for easy deployment, has a pocket to store the eyepiece (Eyepieces sold separately) and includes an extension for use with the longer glass. Simply put; it's the very best option I've found out there - and I’ve tried dozens. I would love a lower profile pocket at the lens hood end, so my line of sight is not disrupted while photographing birds in flight with the rain cover in the "stored" position and having more material between ends (one piece) would mean I could actually remove the cover in it's stowed position with the lens hood for packing; something I found impossible with my 500mm F4 IS Canon lens, when installed with enough room for my 2X Tele-converter and the Canon off-camera shoe cord slid into the hot shoe. Other improvements that I quickly wished for were more clear window around the eyepiece and a flap over the eyepiece to protect it from filling with raindrops when I wasn't shooting - both of which have been incorporated into the design of the newer Hydrophobia 70-200 & Hydrophobia 70-200 Flash. I do hope there is a re-design of this model, with an option for a removable rain cover for a flash with the Better Beamer Flash Extender attached. I was able to use this cover with the Wimberley tripod head (Version I or II), and I figured out how to use my flash bracket, flash and Better Beamer, but I feel there is more than enough nature photographers out there to warrant a special "nature" edition. In the mean time, this is, without doubt, the very best option on the market now.

Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 70-200

Essentially the 70-200 Flash, without the clear flash pocket - do yourself a favor and spend the extra $6.00 to get the Flash version (below)

Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 70-200 Flash

Oh, la-la, this is the newest addition to the Hyrophobia line, and Think-Tank Photo's rapid product evolution really shines here. The clear window has been re-designed with more clear space, there's a cover over the eyepiece that flips up and out of the way when shooting, a removable front lens cover, an ingenious built-in camera strap that keeps your camera securely attached to the cover, and horizontal when slung under your shoulder - fantastic for the long days a nature photographer carries a second, shorter lens / camera. This one is evolutionary perfection and I can't think of a single thing to make it better. The clear flash pouch stows out of the way when not used, and there's even room for flash modifiers.

PRO TIPS:

Real world shooting in the rain required me to frequently remove my hands from the cover, and I found that  my hands got wet and I transferred water inside the cover; this caused the clear windows to fog up. I simply wrapped a small towel around the barrel, where the lens meets the camera body, to dry my hands and absorb any excess moisture, preventing the condensation from forming.
Don’t just use it in the rain. I found the covers to be really useful to prevent saltwater from splashing my gear while photographing from a boat, they kept my gear free of sand while getting low on a beach and I even used them as sun protection for my hands during lengthy shoots in strong sunlight.
Maintenance: For a long life, be sure to rinse after use and hang to dry; I found it practical to leave my Hydrophobia covers hanging in my car to ensure they dried thoroughly before packing into the nylon mesh pouch for storage.

BE SURE TO ORDER YOUR THINK-TANK PHOTO HYDROPHOBIA BY CLICKING THIS LINK AND RECEIVE A FREE BAG WITH EVERY ORDER OVER $50.00

Coastal Brown Bear males (boars) BEAR HUG in rain (Ursus arctos) Kukak Bay, Katmai National Park, AK Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS with 2X Teleconverter II, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600. ISO 1250, F8 @1/800s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.