SANTA ROSA, CALIF – In December, Think Tank Photo will release the Shape Shifter™, the first backpack designed to expand and contract to fit DSLR equipment. By contracting down to 3 inches, the backpack keeps photographers from having to carry around a large foam box on their backs once their equipment is removed. To be alerted when the backpack is available, go to www.thinktankphoto.com/shapeshifter
The Shape Shifter was designed for: • Photographers that want a lightweight solution with significantly less foam and padding than traditional photo backpacks;
• Photographers that travel a great deal by airplane and public transportation that want to carry the maximum amount of equipment in the smallest package possible;
• Photographers that want to reduce the size of the backpack after their gear is removed. (Note: some gear can remain in the front, like two strobes, and it can still be compressed to the smaller size with the zipper);
• Photographers that use modular belt systems. After they remove most of their gear and put it on their belt, they then can then collapse the backpack;
• Photographers on the run that must travel with up to 17” laptops and have the necessary accessories with them to transmit images.
Product Features
• The Shape Shifter can be compressed to 3 inches in width once equipment is removed. • Once the majority of photo gear is removed, the bag can be collapsed and the photographer can still carry up to a 17” laptop and accessories, but in a much smaller package.
• Rear compartment for up to 17” laptops has medium padding for protection and comfort.
• Photographers can to wear their belt system, with components attached, and still support the weight of the backpack with the belt.
• The inside compartment has neoprene pouches for: o 2 Pro DSLR bodies o 1 70-200 2.8 with hood reversed o 1 24-70 2.8 or similar with hood reversed o 1 16-35 2.8 or similar with hood reversed o Stretch pockets on the inside can also hold two strobes and other accessories
• Includes a strap system to mount either a monopod or tripod on the front the backpack.
• Padding on the back has an airflow system for breathability and comfort.
Technical Specifications
• Outer Dimensions when COLLAPSED: 20 x 12.5 x 3” ( 51 x 32 x 8 cm) • Outer Dimensions when EXPANDED: 20 x 12.5 x 7” ( 51 x 32 x 18 cm) • Inner Dimensions of the LAPTOP CASE compartment: 19 x 12 x 1.5” (48 x 30.5 x 4 cm) • Inner Dimensions of the DSLR Camera compartment (Note that because there are neoprene pockets to hold the photo gear, the normal internal dimensions stated have less meaning): 19.5 x 12 x 4” (49.5 x 30.5 x 10 cm) • Estimated Base Weight (without any straps or accessories attached: 3 lbs, 13 oz (1729 grams)
Price: $249.00 (US)
Editor's note: the following is excerpted information from the news release for Leica's much anticipated upgrade to their M8 digital rangefinder camera.
The new LEICA M8.2 integrates a new extra-quiet, low-vibration metal blade focal plane shutter which allows the photographer to determine the right moment for cocking. This addition brings the digital LEICA M8.2 extremely close to the ideal of the famous rubber cloth focal plane shutter of its analog sisters. Responding to the request of many professional photographers, the new model has been given an even more inconspicuous design: the Leica dot and the accessory shoe now blend in with the color of the camera. The black version of the camera boasts a new extra durable high-quality deep black finish. The new snapshot mode will appeal to all who want exceptional results immediately without having a vast knowledge about photography. If the shutter speed dial is turned to the new “S“ setting, the camera controls all the key features automatically, such as automatic exposure (aperture priority), automatic ISO speed setting and automatic white balance. For the three most commonly used subject modes, the LEICA M8.2 gives suggestions on aperture and focus settings, which can be seen when the “INFO” button on the camera monitor is pressed. Portable information can be found on the new brief waterproof instructions which can be folded to the size of a credit card. The automatic ISO setting can be selected in all operation modes of the LEICA M8.2. Another new feature is a quick override setting: When the shutter release button is sustained as far as the first pressure point, a correction of +/- 3 stops in 1/3 steps can be made with the dial on the back of the camera. The setting is shown in the viewfinder. Further modifications include a more pronounced detent mechanism of the main switch of the camera to prevent inadvertent activation of the self-timer, and redesign of the bright line frames in the viewfinder to allow more precise determination of the picture frame for longer distances. The new LEICA M8.2 is the first professional digital camera to use an ultra scratch-resistant sapphire crystal as coverglass for the camera monitor. It is so hard that it is repaired exclusively with special diamond tools and is permanently resistant to all mechanical or abrasive stress. The camera also has a new easy-grip and specially robust “vulcanite“ finish. The new compact charger unit is designed to take up a minimum of space in the photograper’s bag, and charges the lithium ion battery to 80% in only an hour and a half. This is sufficient for an average of 400 exposures, so that recharging the camera in a very short time is possible, especially when the full 500 exposures is not utilized. The new LEICA M8.2 has inherited the superior image quality of the LEICA M8, resulting from the combination of the legendary M lenses with a CCD image sensor specially designed for the requirements of the Leica M system and high-performance image processing. The new Capture One 4 raw data converter of the Danish manufacturer Phase One ensures the best possible picture quality in the camera’s DNG mode. Unlike any other digital camera, the LEICA M8.2 is compatible with almost all Leica M system lenses produced since 1954 due to their high standard of performance. Like its predecessors, the new LEICA M8.2 continues in the tradition of easy operation, concentration on the essential, few controls and logical, easy-to-follow menus. The LEICA M8 launched in the fall of 2006 is still available as an alternative to the new LEICA M8.2. Following a tradition of the Leica company that is unique in the world of digital photography, many elements of the new LEICA M8.2 can even be integrated into the LEICA M8: the shutter, the sapphire coverglass or the new viewfinder frames can be retrofitted by Customer Service.
CNN's Paula Hancocks meets Israel's blind photographers. Interesting report. A few years ago in Cali, Colombia I was teaching a workshop on photojournalism at the main daily newspaper in that troubled city. Those were the days when the Cali drug cartel controlled the narcotics trade and virtually ran things in Cali. One of the photographers, who was blind in one eye, taught me a lesson about courage and perseverance. -Roger Richards
There are endless ways to think about photographs. We have to consider the intention of the photographer and the situation he or she is in. Then we must consider the photos that result, whether as a photojournalist covering news, one who takes pictures of weddings, or who uses his or her pictures to create a documentary. There are equally endless ways to think about writing, and the combination of words that make us reflect on what the writer wants to say, his or her style, and the effect the writer seeks to achieve as he or she puts one word after another to create a narrative. This essay is about photos and words, words and photos, their juxtaposition and interdependency. Sometimes each is nothing without the other. I refer here specifically to the pictures and words in the book, "I Thought I Could Fly" by Charlee Brodsky, a professor of photography at Carnegie Mellon University, who is a fine-art and documentary photographer. Continue reading this article at The Digital Journalist
©Ron Steinman
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