Topaz Labs Plug-Ins Review

Topaz plug-ins allow the user to quickly apply any of an included collection of visual effect presets to an image, and to tweak those effects via additional adjustment controls. For this review, I will be focusing on how I use the Topaz plug-ins within my post processing workflow.

Topaz Clean Topaz Clean

Wall Mounted DIY Digital Photo Frame

In search of DIY excellence, Rob Will takes us through the process of building a large, wall mounted digital photo frame, using an old laptop and LCD monitor.

Wall Mounted Digital Photo Frame Wall Mounted Digital Photo Frame

Review of the Kata R-102 Photo Rucksack

Enough is enough - time for a new bag. After about 6 weeks of research, I decided on the Kata R-102 Photo Rucksack to meet my needs for organization, storage, transportation, security, and protection of my photographic gear. Rob Will takes us through the ins and outs of the Kata R-102 Photo Rucksack.

Front and Side Profile Front and Side Profile

DIY Flash Bracket for Under Five Dollars

Flash brackets allow flashguns to be placed off-camera and help eliminate the dreaded deer-in-headlights look. Here's how to make your own Flash Bracket for under $5.

Flash Bracket Fully Attached Flash Bracket Fully Attached

BlackRapid SnapR20 3-in-1 Camera Bag/Strap Review

Billed as a 3-in-1 bag / sling strap / hand strap combo, the BlackRapid SnapR20 is a cleverly designed bag and strap system catering towards compact camera users. The main drawcard with this bag is the ability to use it in three different configurations - as a strap and bag combo, a sling strap alone, or just as a wrist strap if you're really travelling light.

BlackRapid SnapR20 BlackRapid SnapR20

Review of the Kata Auxiliary Pouch (AP) System

The Kata Auxiliary Pouch (AP) System uses a military-type webbing and pouch system to hold camera equipment in a versatile and modular manner. Rob Will takes us through a detailed review of the system.

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Sensor Cleaning with the VisibleDust Arctic Butterfly 724

Sensor cleaning is one of the necessities with Digital SLRs, if one is interested in blemish-free photos. In this article, we look at dry sensor cleaning in general, as well how the Arctic Butterfly 724 sensor brush from VisibleDust performs this task.

The VisibleDust Arctic Butterfly 724 The VisibleDust Arctic Butterfly 724

LensCapTrap Review

Simple problems deserve simple solutions. One such problem that many photographers face is where to put that pesky lens cap, without leaving it behind or forgetting which pocket it in. LensCapTrap offers one solution, allowing lens caps to be attached via velcro to the camera strap.

LensCapTrap LensCapTrap

BlackRapid RS-7 Camera Strap and BRAD Review

The BlackRapid RS-7 is a modular camera strap featuring a unique upside-down design, as well as the BRAD, an optional attachment that secures the RS-7 and makes sure it stays in place. Read on for a review by Julian Tan.

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Going Mobile: Review of the Kata T-214 Torso Pack

After having the pleasure of reviewing the Kata T-212 Torso Pack, we couldn't resist the opportunity of taking a look at the updated version - the Kata T-214. Combined with the R-103 photo backpack, it forms a complete storage solution for mobile photographers.

Essential Gear Essential Gear

Gordy’s Camera Straps Review

Gordy's Camera Straps are a fine example of what camera straps could be - natural, stylish, unique looking, and a far cry from the common nylon and faux leather variety emblazoned with the usual manufacturer names. In this review, we take a detailed look at the wrist straps and the neck straps.

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Hand-Colouring Black and White Images with Photoshop CS

Just before Christmas I scanned a heap of old family photos, including many black and white ones in need of some restoration. In this tutorial, Adrian Broughton takes us through a step by step on hand colouring photos in Adobe Photoshop CS.

Original vs Hand-Coloured Image Original vs Hand-Coloured Image

Vosonic VP8870 Photo Storage Review

The Vosonic VP8870 is the flagship portable photo storage and multimedia device, for backing up and viewing photos and videos on the go. Julian Tan takes the unit through its paces in this review.

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Review of the Kata T-212 Torso Pack and the W-92 Waist Pack

This review by Rob Will covers the Kata T-212 Torso Pack and W-92 Waist Pack, two storage solutions which compliment a traditional backpack style system for carring your valuable photo gear.

The Kata T-212 Torso Pack The Kata T-212 Torso Pack

Putting Together a Budget DIY Lighting System

A lighting system in photography seems to be a fairly expensive area to get into. Thankfully, this article will show you how to put together a flexible and robust lighting system that is both useful and relatively easy on the hip pocket, for under US$75.

1. This is the kind of kit you should be able to scrape together for around US$75 1. This is the kind of kit you should be able to scrape together for around US$75

Review of The Sinking Barge Photo Backpack from Crumpler

I had the opportunity to take The Sinking Barge from Crumpler - a backpack style camera bag that also accommodates a laptop and other gadgets - on a recent 4WD adventure to the country. Throughout the trip, even though the bag was bouncing around in the cargo area due to the uneven terrain, I had no reservations about the safety of my gear.

The Crumpler Sinking Barge The Crumpler Sinking Barge
Canon-PowerShot-SX260

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Review

Date Posted September 24th, 2012 Author Contributer
The PowerShot SX260 HS is Canon’s latest compact travel zoom camera, replacing the SX230. The SX260 offers a number of impressive improvements including a new zoom lens that is wider and more powerful than its predecessor. The SX260 features the same 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor as its predecessor
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Review of Nikon Coolpix P310

Date Posted September 23rd, 2012 Author Contributer
The Nikon Coolpix P310 is almost the same as its predecessor the P300 apart from the added and customisable function button which can be found at the front. Easily portable, without the bulk of a DSLR, and measuring only 103.0 x 58.3 x 32.0 mm with a weight of less than 200g, it is an ideal lightweight pocket compact camera perfectly suited to a keen amateur,
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D800

Nikon D800 Review

Date Posted September 18th, 2012 Author Contributer
D800 uses numerous features from the D4 except, it is in a smaller body and at a more reasonable price. In addition, it has a densely populated sensor with 36.3MP. Other similar features to D4 include Multi-Cam 3500 FX Auto Focus system, EXPEED 3 processor that provides over 50 A/F points, and at a 91k pixel metering system.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Review

Date Posted September 14th, 2012 Author Contributer
Photographers that travel frequently and want a powerful camera with advanced GPS geo-tagging abilities are well served to check out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30. The Lumix DMC-ZS30 is a smallish travel camera that takes over where the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 left off. The ZS-30 is equipped with a whopping 20x zoom lens that gives field of views that almost rival full size DSLR cameras.
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Pentax K-01

Pentax K-01 Review

Date Posted September 12th, 2012 Author Contributer
Pentax comes to the "mini" DSLR market with its K-01 camera. The K-01 competes with the Nikon One series, as well as the Panasonic Lumix GX1, Sony NEX-5N and Olympus PEN E-P3. With a street price of approximately $799, it is slightly more than the Nikon and Olympus offerings. The question is, does the price of the K-01 come with features that merit the additional cost?
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Canon EOS-1D X Review

Date Posted September 9th, 2012 Author Contributer
Canon seems to be going against popular thought with its EOS-1D X full frame DSLR. Instead of building on the sensor power of the predecessor Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and its 21 megapixels, Canon instead goes to a lower megapixel sensor of 18 mp for the EOS 1D-X. The company’s reason behind this is two-fold: the handling and menus are much more intuitive; the fps (frames per second) is a bold and impressive 12 fps.
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Nikon Coolpix S9300 Review

Date Posted September 8th, 2012 Author Contributer
If power, function and a little bit of fashion is what you require out of your digital camera then the very fashionable and functional Nikon Coolpix S9300 is the ticket. Sitting securely among the elite in the point and shoot camera category, the Coolpix S9300 builds on the success Nikon has found with the entire Coolpix line. Nikon goes the distance with the S9300,
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Review of Samsung NX210

Date Posted September 7th, 2012 Author Contributer
The Samsung NX210 falls into the "mini" DSLR category and competes with the Nikon One series along with the Sony Alpha line. The Samsung NX210 is interesting because it was announced only seven months after the Samsung NX200 hit the shelves. The Samsung NX210 hit the retail shelves at the end of April 2012 and builds off the success of the NX200.
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!Mo Camera Straps

Photo Challenge September 2012: Photojournalism/Photo Story

Date Posted September 6th, 2012 Author Julian Tan
Another month, another challenge! For September, we're doing something different. Photographers are invited to submit a short photo story or journalistic piece consisting of a series of images and accompanying writeup. The theme is open, and the style can be anything from a news reportage piece to a personal holiday story - it's up to you.
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Review of Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15

Date Posted September 4th, 2012 Author Contributer
As far as budget-saving, consumer-friendly cameras go, Panasonic has been putting out a wide range of cameras that have great appeal to the amateur audience. The Lumix DMC-ZS15 falls into this same category. It has a 12 megapixel sensor, 16X zoom lens, a very simplistic movie mode, and no GPS capabilities.
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