Shoe-mounted flashes are handy tools. Where space or weight is a concern, a kit with two or three shoe-mounted flashes is much easier to carry than even the smallest power pack/head combo or a low-output monolight, and more versatile.

Case in point, on two separate photography assignments I employed no more than two shoe-mount strobes to light-paint the huge blue whale model exhibited at New York’s American Museum of Natural History (in collaboration with museum photo staff). In fact, there is an entire subculture among pros that favors shoe-mount strobes – aka “strobists” – over bulky and expensive studio lighting gear for location work and even in the studio.

The dedication to the shoe-mounted flash for other than run-and-gun photography is largely centered on finding portable lighting gear that will reliably deliver the kind of results we expect of larger strobes.

Among the “third party” shoe-mount strobes I’ve come to trust is the Metz brand. Reliable German engineering and a long-standing reputation reinforce that trust. And the company’s new flagship Mecablitz 64 AF-1 digital flash promises to keep that reputation intact. Metz also makes my favorite ring flash, the wireless and ultra-compact Mecablitz 15 MS-1, which also played a part in this review.

The Mecablitz 64 AF-1 retails for $449 and is available in versions for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, and Pentax cameras. I tested the Nikon version of the flash. READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW.

Posted Dec. 12, 2014 on Shutterbug.com.

I’ve worked with DxO's OpticsPro imaging software for several years and have watched this program evolve and make great strides as a Raw image converter. What the new DxO Optics Pro 10 version of the software brings to the table is a cadre of new features and improvements. But are these enough to catapult this software into the top tier, or is it still playing catch-up? READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW.

My go-to photo backpack of late, when on the streets of Chicago, has been the ThinkTank StreetWalker Pro. The bag is compact and lightweight, yet holds just the right amount of gear securely. But it’s not the best pack for nature outings. For the hiking trails, you need a backpack with hiker savvy: fully protective, carries what you need, and comfortable. Translation: something more robust than the StreetWalker is needed—a backpack that moves with you and which seemingly bends to your will. Something like the MindShift Gear rotation180° Professional. This bag is, in my view, the ultimate hiking/backpacking photo pack, with practically all the accouterments. But it’s big and somewhat heavy. We don’t always need something of that caliber designed for a tortuous journey into the woods or over rocky or watery terrain. Often, we need something smaller and lighter. And that’s where MindShift Gear’s rotation180° Panorama comes into play.

Getting Familiar with the rotation180° Panorama
Available in blue or charcoal, the backpack has two sections. The one that justifiably gets the most attention is the rotating waist, or belt, pack that is securely attached to the backpack at the bottom. Release a magnetic latch and pull to the front to reveal this pack. Unzip the lid, and voilà!

Before releasing the small pack, first make sure to firmly secure the waistbelt end to end. Otherwise, you’ll pull the small pack free, with only a lightweight tether to keep it from dropping to the ground. This action might be enough to destabilize you and the pack on rough or uneven terrain, so exercise the proper precautions.

Accessed via a zippered panel at the top is the upper section. This is where you stow personal stuff, like a change of clothing, insect repellants, and anything of a bulky nature, including some light camping gear. Or, if you splurge for the optional r180º Panorama Photo Insert, you can stow a camera body with attached lens, a couple of other lenses, and a shoe-mount flash in this fully padded and adjustable insert. However, be aware that this occupies the entire upper section, leaving no room for your other stuff.

There are sadly few pockets, but I’ve managed to make do.

The Panorama features the full complement of straps: fully padded, contoured shoulder harness with compression straps up top; adjustable chest strap; contoured and padded waist belt (which is part of the rotating waist pack). And it has an internal frame.

In the Field
Working with the waist pack takes a little getting used to. There’s a special bungee cord that’s designed to make the flap fly more easily out of the way, but I still seem to have problems. For some reason, I found this procedure—from releasing (and relocking) the magnetic buckle to freeing and rotating the small pack—easier on the Pro version than here. But I’m sure that will work itself out in time, as it did with this bag’s big brother.

This design’s key advantage lies in that rotating belt pack. When you’re surrounded by water, snow, mud, or heavy vegetation, with no place to set the bag, the rotating pack is a lifesaver. It also works well on city streets and in public parks, where you don’t really want to turn your back on the scene in order to retrieve the camera.

There’s really only enough room for a D-SLR, such as my Nikon D610, with an attached lens, such as my Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC or Tamron 70-300mm VC. You can store more, individually on end (upright), if you don’t mind putting all the pieces together in the field. My problem with that is this: What if it suddenly starts to rain? Not so easy to get everything safely put away, is it?

To allow me to carry more stuff for quick access, I use a photographer’s vest (using these pockets to hold a white balance test target, cell phone, lens tissue/blower, and lens cap when not in use). And I’ll wear MindShift Gear’s Lens Switch Case on my belt (or attach it to the pack). I usually keep a flash in this belt pouch, which was originally designed for a spare lens, or, more to the point, to make it easier to switch lenses on the fly.

The r180º rain cover is optional and strongly recommended for heavy downpours and dusty environments.

Evaluation
I would have preferred more pockets, especially a pleated outside pocket for a light jacket since the camera insert took up the entire interior, and a roomier mesh water bottle pocket. But by and large, I was very happy working with the rotation180º Panorama. I took it on a nature hike for openers. I even found it useful in the city, so I wouldn’t have to put the pack down and watch my back when accessing my gear. Especially at a busy skate park. And I managed to fit a sling strap in the waist pack by refashioning the included dividers around the camera with attached lens (the trick is to create a “basement” level out of the dividers and slide the strap in here). Still, if I did need to get at more gear, I found removing and donning the Panorama easy enough. OK, I’m still getting used to the rotating belt pack, but that hasn’t interfered with me getting at my gear in an efficient manner when I needed it.  And wearing summer or winter garb, I was always comfy wearing this photo backpack.

Pros
Comfy & wears well; stabilizes load on your back; breathable airflow back padding with internal frame; rotating (and removable) belt pack facilitates use of camera with attached lens in mucky, wet surroundings and on crowded streets; protective of camera gear; roomy (if you don’t add the optional camera insert); built tough; largely weather-resistant (but benefits from optional rain cover); hydration sleeve; carries tripod; numerous lash points.

Cons
Serious scarcity of pockets makes it necessary to use optional pouches; rotating belt pack takes a little getting used to.

Best Use
Serious or casual hikes over any terrain; nature, wildlife, and landscape photography; macro & close-up photography (keep straps secured while bending over); street photography. D-SLR system (full-size or compact).

Worst Use
None really, but I wouldn’t use it for wedding or portrait photography.

Where can I get more info?
www.mindshiftgear.com

Manufacturer:
MindShift Gear,
1105 N. Dutton Ave. Suite C
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Toll Free: 855-757-2727
International: 707-284-9999

How much is it?
Direct: $199.99 ($199.99 at B&H or Adorama). 

Technical Specifications
Overall size & weight: 9.8 W x 19.7 H x 8.3” L (25 x 50 x 21 cm); 3 lb (1.3 kg)
Construction: coated nylon (durable & weather-resistant); 3-ply bonded nylon thread (keeps seems weather-tight), YKK zippers (you can’t do better than this); polyester lining; closed-cell foam (anti-shock).

Does It Reach pixelPERFEXION? (100 pixels is best):
r180º Panorama photo backpack: 95 pixels, practical, protective, comfortable.