CAPTURE NEW HORIZONS

So here we are again and well into 2016. With the recent launch of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 I thought I would review what is in my camera bag before the overseas trips begin and to make sure it all fits. Because I have added the X-Pro2 and 100-400mm I wanted to see if everything would fit into the Lowepro 350AW backpack that I use for travelling.  As you can see from the picture above, everything did go in and when I weighed the bag it came out at 11.1kg fully loaded. The other point is this is the MAXIMUM amount of gear I can take, I can go lighter if I want, it just depends on the job in hand.   I also do a lot of flying - 82 flights in 2015 - and it is important that I can fit everything into one piece of carry on luggage rather than taking hard cases and trusting expensive gear to the cargo hold. So what is in the bag going into 2016? 2 x Fujifilm X-T1 bodies + one vertical battery grip 1 x Fujifilm X-Pro2 1x XF100-400mm f4....

In February I posted on this blog that I was going to have a spring clean of my Fujifilm kit ( CLICK HERE ).  Since then I have become and X-Photographer and have had the opportunity to test some of the new products that have appeared in the Fujifilm line up and even some that won't be appearing until 2016. One of the main reasons that photographers swap from a DSLR system to a CSC is to save weight.  Now for me the primary reason is the image quality and the ease a camera system allows me to work, but after taking 87 flights in 2014 and having already taken 62 in 2015, weight has to be a consideration.  I recently flew to Tokyo with Qatar Airways and they do have a carry on limit, even for Business Class, so my bag had to be weighed.  Carrying everything photographed above, plus a second XF50-140mm f2.8 to test the 1.4x converter that has now been launched, the total weight of my Lowepro backpack was 11.7kg - and that ladies and gentlemen is amazing. So wha...

I have another confession - I seem to do a lot of that here - I have a thing for camera bags.  If you are serious about your photography, you will spend a fair amount of money on camera gear (I do anyway) and then you need something to carry it around in.  You've just invested a good proportion of your disposable income on equipment, so why skimp on the thing that it going to protect said investment?  Over the years I've been a photographer I have found that Lowepro make some of the best camera bags on the market and I currently have three of varying sizes.  'Three?' I hear you ask, yes I have three for different occasions - well actually I have five, because I have a black Nikon shoulder bag and a 20-year-old CCS SLR pouch system as well. Let's start at the top with my Lowepro Pro Runner 350AW back pack.  This bag will take my entire Nikon kit (two bodies both with battery grips, six lenses, 1.4x converter, flash gun) plus laptop, f...