People & other Strange Creatures

light and mass

2011-08-11T11:36:00.000+10:00

I guess it's what photography is about - the moment when light and mass collide...

Lake Pedder in Tasmania's Southwest.

Panasonic GH2 and SMC Pentax M50/f1.4

in the dark

2011-08-11T11:34:00.000+10:00

UTas Seismic Research Station, Lake Pedder, Southwest Tasmania.

Panasonic GH2 and 14/f2.5 ASPH - 60" @ f2.5 and 400ISO

MONA

2011-08-11T11:30:00.002+10:00

The Museum of Old and New Art - Hobart

Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic 7-14/f4 ASPH

Sunrise

2011-08-11T11:29:00.003+10:00

Sunrise over the Tink Valley in Tasmania's Southwest.

Panasonic GH2 and Olympus m.ZD 40-150 MSC.

Sunset

2011-08-11T11:29:00.001+10:00

Sunset over the Mt Barrow comm-station, North-east Tasmania.

Panasonic GH2 and SMC Pentax M50/f1.4 - I took this before I had my tripod set up, so the exposure was less than ideal: 1/40" @ f4 and 1600iso.

Self-portrait

2011-08-11T11:28:00.003+10:00

Me...

GH2 and Voigtlander Nokton 25mm

Floods and stars

2011-08-11T11:28:00.001+10:00

Tamar River basin in flood.

GH2 and 20/f1.7 ASPH @ 20" and f6.3

Slow...

2011-08-11T11:27:00.003+10:00

Long exposure in Pine Valley, Tasmania.

GH2 and 7-14/f4 ASPH - it's for shots like these that the lack of a filter thread on the 7-14 is frustrating; to get movement in the water the lens had to be stopped down to f13, which is borderline diffraction territory on m43... Still, the UWA continues to amaze, especially as a tripod weapon.

Cold!

2011-08-11T11:27:00.001+10:00

Pine Tarn in the Central Plateau Conservation Area - Tasmania.

GH2 and the increasingly delightful 14/f2.5 ASPH

Stars

2011-08-11T11:26:00.005+10:00

And unexpected talent of the already multi-talented Nokton 25mm - when stopped down to about f5.6, it produces gorgeously defined 10-point starbursts.

Inverse

2011-08-11T11:26:00.003+10:00

An inverted view of an image I posted before - The Minotaur reflected in a tarn, Pine Valley, Tasmania.

GH2 and m.ZD 40-150 MSC.

The 'other' landscape lens

2011-08-11T11:26:00.001+10:00

The Minotaur - Cradle Mt/Lake St Clair National Park. Tasmania.

GH2 and m.ZD 40-150 MSC

Fly like the wind...

2011-08-11T11:25:00.003+10:00

There's nothing like skating in Finland for the first time to put you in your place... There were 8 year olds who skated better than I walk.

EP1 and 14-42 MkI - this was the first time I used Micro Four Thirds extensively.

Down the alley

2011-08-11T11:25:00.001+10:00

My 'local', Teresa, down an alley in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia.

EP1 and 17/f2.8 @ f2/8 and 1600iso.

Foggy night in Launceston

2011-08-11T11:24:00.002+10:00

Playing around near Seaport in Launceston.

GH2 and Lumix G 20/f1.7 ASPH

15" @ f5.6

20" @ f5.6

A day at the beach

2011-08-11T11:23:00.002+10:00

Life guard's tower at a beach to the west of Helsinki, Finland. Yes, that is a beach...

EP1 and 17/f2.8

autumn

2010-11-15T06:36:00.000+11:00

Stirling and Edinburgh. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD.

Stonehaven

2010-11-15T06:31:00.000+11:00

Stonehaven, Scotland, UK. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD.

Glasgow

2010-11-15T06:25:00.000+11:00

Glasgow City, Scotland, UK. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 8mm f3.5 Fisheye & Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD.

up high

2010-11-15T06:21:00.000+11:00

Loch Muick and Lochnagar. Scottish Highlands, UK. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD.

back home

2010-11-15T06:17:00.000+11:00

Unknown, Bicheno, Tasmania. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD.

BUCS

2010-11-15T06:12:00.000+11:00

British University Championship of Surfing. North Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall, UK. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD.

Kirkwall and Stromness

2010-11-15T06:10:00.000+11:00

Kirkwall and Stromness. Orkney Island, Scotland, UK. Olympus-E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD & Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-2.5 SWD.

Inverness

2010-11-15T06:02:00.000+11:00

Out toward the Loch and Culloden, the last battlefield. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD.

Home away

2010-10-04T04:25:00.000+11:00

First impressions, Aberdeen City, Scotland, United Kingdom. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD

King's Bridge

2010-09-09T16:22:00.000+10:00

Launceston, Tasmania. Pentax LX + SMC Pentax-M 50/f1.4 with Ilford FP4+ 125iso

by the window

2010-09-07T13:05:00.000+10:00

Hobart, Tasmania. Pentax LX + SMC Pentax-M 35/f2

hang me out to dry

2010-08-30T10:10:00.000+10:00

Inveresk, Launceston. Pentax MX + SMC Pentax-K 24/f2.8 on Ilford HP5+ (developed in my kitchen)

Grandma

2010-08-29T12:58:00.002+10:00

Burnie, Tasmania. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD

Duncan + Kate

2010-08-29T12:57:00.000+10:00

Burnie, Tasmania. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD

fuck Leica.

2010-08-27T23:37:00.000+10:00

You may have heard that Leica recently announced that they've discontinued the production of the 35mm M7 and MP models, the last of their film offerings. Well fuck you Leica, and we'll do it anyway...

Pentax MX + SMC Pentax-K 24/f2.8 & SMC Pentax-M 50/f1.7 + Fujifilm Provia 100F

the lost ones

2010-08-27T01:14:00.000+10:00

Behind the old RollerWorld sheds, Launceston. Pentax K-7 + SMC Pentax-M 50/f1.4

Through the mist

2010-08-24T15:36:00.000+10:00

Tamar River, dawn. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD

Tell me a story...

2010-08-22T18:41:00.001+10:00

Cataract Gorge, Launceston. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD

Empty

2010-08-22T12:16:00.001+10:00

Somewhere in the wilderness, Tasmania. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD.

Pentax MX + Winder + M50/f1.7

2010-08-22T12:13:00.002+10:00

For sale as a kit :-) Msg me if interested.

Home

2010-08-20T13:17:00.002+10:00

Native Point, Tamar River. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD

all the Boids.

2010-08-18T01:29:00.000+10:00

Tamar Valley. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD

Age & youth

2010-08-16T16:30:00.001+10:00

Launceston. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD

Floods #2

2010-08-15T19:39:00.000+10:00

Trevallyn Dam, Launceston. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD

Rage + fury

2010-08-14T19:12:00.001+10:00

Cataract Gorge in full flight, Launceston, Tasmania. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD

Home sweet home

2010-08-14T19:09:00.000+10:00

King's Bridge, Launceston. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 8mm f3.5 Fisheye

Tamar River Basin

2010-08-14T19:06:00.000+10:00

Tamar River, Launceston, Tasmania. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD

REVIEW: ThinkTankPhoto StreetWalker HardDrive

2010-08-14T02:24:00.005+10:00

Here's a brief review on my newly purchased TTP StreetWalker HardDrive camera bag.

What I wanted:
I'm soon heading overseas for my second extended trip in the last 12 months, and I decided it was time to get a proper carry-on bag for all the stuff I didn't want airport ground-crew throwing about... Specifically I needed something to take my 15" Macbook, all my camera gear (digital and film), cables & chargers, spare batteries & cards and Rocket Blower, as well a few Moleskine's and a spare shirt for transit. I needed something durable enough to take a beating and comfortable enough to wear for a whole days shooting around town.

I looked at all the usual suspects (Kata, Lowepro, Tamrac, Domke, Billingham etc.) and eventually narrowed it down to the TTP StreetWalker HardDrive and ShapeShifter, settling on the StreetWalker HD due to the price and ability to carry bodies with the lens attached. During the decision process, all I read were emphatically positive reviews about ThinkTank products, and TTP themselves were very helpful via their a official flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/thinktankphoto/

Design + layout:

Layout it quite simple; there is a full-length cavity in the back of the bag that opens externally for a laptop, then a large main compartment with a collection of dividers that takes up virtually the entire bag. Outside there's a scattering of small pockets, as well as a pull-out pouch for tripod legs to be attached (removable straps are included for securing the upper section of a tripod). There's also a removable rain-cover that you have to stow somewhere in the bag when not in use.

Build + durability:
The build quality of this bag is amazing, period. The ballistic nylon material feels very durable, the stitching is faultless and the zips and Tough As (YKK claims that the main zip is the 'world's most durable'...). The internal dividers are of excellent quality, as is the whole harness assemble. TTP also offers a lifetime guarantee on workmanship and materials for the original purchaser :-)

Performance:

I'll get the negatives out of the way first... To begin with, a rant about removable rain-covers. This is more a criticism of bag manufacturer in general, not just TTP, but when is someone going to come out with a sealed bag? These are not cheap, entry-level bags, and photographers aren't using them to protect cheap, entry-level gear... Removable covers are annoying to put on, annoying to store, and eventually you're going to lose them... Rucksack manufacturer like Arc-Teryx have been doing waterproof packs for years, o we know it can be done. That said, the cover supplied with the StreetWalker HD is well made with taped seams, and fits well.

Secondly, and this isn't really a criticism of the bag's design, just my actual needs; it's too big... Not by much, but for my gear it's overkill. Unfortunately, this is basically the industry standard size for a backpack that can fit a large laptop... Thing is, this one is actually big enough for a 17" MacBook, and takes my 15" with rather a lot of room to spare... Note to ThinkTank: re-brand this model as the StreetWalker HD 'PRO', and release a new 'standard' StreetWalker HD with 3" chopped off the top. It means that you won't be able to carry 'Pro' dSLR bodies, or standard bodies with a battery-grip, but for a lot of people (like me) it'd be perfect ;-).

Now, the good stuff, and there's a lot! The layout of the bag works very very well. The zips for the main compartment open all the way, making it nice and easy to get at all your gear. The laptop compartment is also easily accessed, although I had a small issue here; why isn't the laptop compartment lockable? There's wonderful big lockable zips for the main compartment, but nothing to secure your $2000 laptop? Odd...

To see tags of what I've got in the bag, go to the flickr page here.

The outer pockets work well to store your 'daily use' stuff when travelling. Eg. iPod, notebook, pens etc... There''s also two big clear pockets for cables/cards/batteries in the inside of the main flap, which make it easy to see what you're looking for.

The tripod system works well, and the pull-out pocket allows you to attach larger legs as well, while folding away neatly when not in use.

The harness is very comfortable, and allows you to carry the bag fully loaded up for quite a while. In this sense the bag is the perfect size (despite what I said earlier), in that fully loaded with gear it's pretty much at the limit of how much you can carry and still be effectively mobile. The quality of hardware used here is easily equal to my Osprey expedition rucksack, which is saying something! It's also well aerated, which is great for use in hotter climates.

The harness also works really well with the TTP Camera Strap and Camera Support Straps (sold separately), allowing you to suspend the camera you're using from the bag harness, rather than around your neck. I bought both these products with the StreetWalker and generally speaking they're very good quality and work well.

**Note** For any hikers out there, I also tested the Camera Support Straps on my Osprey Argon 85 rucksack and they work perfectly!

The bag is a nice square shape, which means that it sits up vertically without falling over when placed on the ground (seemingly unimportant, but a nice touch), and makes it easier to stow in overhead compartments when flying. It also has quite a clean exterior aesthetic, meaning that there's less stuff to get caught up in xray machines and so on. On that point, its worth mentioning that the bag complies with international carry-on standards.

Visually, I like the StreetWalker. Of course, this is purely subjective, but the bag has the typical purposeful TTP aesthetic, that avoids the techno Kata-ness, 'I-wish-it-was-the-50's' Billingham or sheer boredom of Lowepro. Simple, clean, mature and sexy (and doesn't look like a camera bag, which seems to be all the rage these days...).

Pros:
- Outstanding build quality, both material and workmanship.
- Thoughtful, well executed design.
- Very comfortable harness that works well with TTP camera support system.

Cons:
- Slightly too big (for me... Purely subjective)
- Laptop compartment isn't lockable.

Conclusion:
It is genuinely hard to fault this bag, it really is perfect in almost every way... Considering what the bag was designed for, the only criticism I can realistically apply is the lack of a lockable zip on the laptop compartment; peculiar on a bag designed for use in urban areas. Everything else demonstrates a very mature, subtle style of design that shows that this gear is designed for photogs, by photogs. If you need a versatile, bulletproof bag to last you a lifetime and keep your gear safe while you're on the move, look no further.

9.5/10

**Note** I have no affiliation whatsoever with TTP. I do not receive any gifts and so on from them. I paid for this gear out of my own pocket...

Lost in the desert

2010-08-13T18:15:00.008+10:00

Somewhere up around Exmouth & Kalbarri, North-west Western Australia. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-3.5 SWD & Zuiko Digital 50-200/f2.8-3.5 SWD

New lens :-)

2010-08-13T16:59:00.005+10:00

Launceston waterfront. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 8mm f3/5 Fisheye

Overland Track, June '10

2010-08-12T23:21:00.012+10:00

Cradle Mt/Lake St Clair NP, Tasmanian Highlands. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD

Frenchman's Cap Feb '10

2010-08-10T18:37:00.010+10:00

Franklin/Gordon Wild Rivers NP, South-West Tasmanian Wilderness. Olympus E-3 + Zuiko Digital 12-60/f2.8-4 SWD

Painting with light

2009-10-07T22:40:00.015+11:00

Pentax K20D + SMC Pentax DA Limited 35/f2.8 Macro

Overland Track, June 09

2009-07-12T21:42:00.012+10:00

Cradle Mt/Lake St Clair NP, Tasmanian Highlands. Pentax K20D + SMC Pentax DA* 16-50/f2.8 SDM