Art on Art – Composition: Point of View

FREE WEBINAR

For Photographers

Review: Lowepro Pro Roller x200

By Curtis Joe Walker

Roller bags are all about maximum capacity, since there’s no concern about breaking the user’s back. The primary design challenge is making the bag small enough to use as a carry-on, yet large enough to hold everything while maintaining enough padding to keep things secure while traveling. The Lowepro Pro Roller x200 manages to meet every requirment. The new Pro Roller x-Series features x100, x200 and x300 sizes, with the x100 and x200 being small enough to meet carry-on restrictions.

This bag sports a number of innovative features, but the most interesting is the ability to zip out the entire camera organization compartment for use as a backpack. The Reserve Pack is convenient not only for lugging gear on location, but also for making the outer case available to use as a normal piece of luggage. Of course, the backpack is only a backpack in the barest sense of the word. Ergonomics are limited, and the straps are quite thin. It’s not meant to replace a dedicated backpack, but to add some functionality in a pinch or for hiking to a location where a roller bag would be inconvenient or impossible to use. It also allows for a second suitcase to magically appear should souvenirs unexpectedly overwhelm the rest of your luggage.

A TSA-approved Lock & Go System combination cable lock ensures that the contents of the bag won’t be swiped by a quick-fingered zipper maestro, but doesn’t have enough slack to chain the bag to a luggage cart or other suitcase.

On the extending handle grip, there’s a set of hidden threads for the impromptu tripod mount to attach to. Using the handle as a tripod isn’t ideal, but it’s a nice touch that might save the day. It also has potential for use as a light stand.

On the back of the bag is a kickstand so the contents can be accessed in a semi vertical position. This saves space and eliminates a tripping hazard in poorly lit areas.

The bag has two ways to attach a tripod to it. The first, and most secure, is by using the SlipLock tie downs on the side of the bag. Alternately, you can attach it to the front of the bag using the hideaway tripod attachment point (below the external pocket) and the attachment loop inside the roller handle compartment. The attachment lanyard is just long enough to wrap around the neck of a medium sized tripod, but doesn’t hold it as securely as possible. By attaching it to the side, this problem is eliminated. Small tripods and extra large ones probably won’t work at all.

Empty, the bag weighs in at 12.8 lbs. This grew to 50lbs by the time it was fully loaded with 2 bodies, a host of lenses, tripod, 15-inch laptop and accessories. Pushing or exceeding the limits for checking, but possible to sneak by as a carry-on in my experience. The bag is deep enough to accommodate pro DSLRs and medium-format bodies. Stacking three small 5-section light stands like the Bogen Nanos was possible too, at the cost of lens storage space. The interior is infinitely configurable with the plentiful Velcro dividers. Overall build quality is quite good, and the bag is built to survive the rigors of travel. Its wheels are replaceable, the handles are well padded with neoprene, the zippers are robust, and the roller handle is appropriately sturdy.

Another nice feature of the bag is that it doesn’t scream “steal me.” Yes, it has a Lowepro logo on it, but other than that, it’s a fairly nondescript black wheelie bag. Unless there’s a tripod mounted on it, it’s virtually identical to the myriad other bags rolling around the airport.

The bag does have some downsides though. For instance, the laptop compartment is only lightly padded, and the interior nylon may be abrasive to the finish of some notebooks. It’s also a bit tight to get the computer in and out of the pocket and might slow things down at the security checkpoint, depending on which notebook you have. Another point to consider is that when the bag is in backpack mode, the built-in security lock system stays with the roller portion.

The LowePro Pro Roller x200 is available now and sells for $299.99 at resellers like Adorama and B&H Photo.

Test load included:
Mamiya RB67 w/120back and 3 lenses
Sekonic L558 light meter
Nikon D80 w/4 lenses and three flashes
16 AA batteries
Holga 120
15-inch Laptop w/charger
5 rolls of 120 film with room for more
Manfrotto 190xprob tripod w/head
Accessories (flash cards, spare batteries, filters, etc.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER MAG

Using the built-in densitometer for highly-customized color control.

You can’t trust your eyes. You may think you can, but when it comes to determining the accuracy of subtle variations in color temperature, your eyes definitely do not have it.

Thankfully there are countless ways technology can help you make sure your white balance is actually as neutral as it’s supposed to be. Setting a custom white balance as you shoot is a great start to accurate color rendition. And yes, shooting in Raw for easy adjustments to white balance after capture is a smart thing to do. But those are approaches for setting white balance—not for keeping tabs on the results.

Read more at DP PHOTO

Working with Lightroom

Reason #5 to Attend Imaging USA: Imaging EXPO

If you’ve been to Imaging USA, you know that the fun and education (yes, those two words do go together) extend from the classrooms to the Imaging EXPO floor. If you’ve never been…well, come and see for yourself!

Imaging EXPO, Phoenix, Arizona

Imaging EXPO goes beyond what you might expect. It’s not just great deals and amazing new products (in 196 product categories) that you can see and touch–it also includes live, in-booth demos by experts. In fact, GraphiStudio Theater dedicates an entire theater-style space to their demonstrations!

Have you been wondering if a camera or lens is the right choice for you? What about that new background you’ve been hearing about? Come to the Imaging EXPO to see for yourself how these (and many, many more) products look and feel in person–and start a relationship with your photographic vendors. Who knows, you might discover something new that will change the way you do business.

Take advantage of this first chance in the U.S. to get up close and personal with the industry’s latest products, tools, and technology. Isn’t that music to your ears?

Tips of the Week (An exclusive for our newsletter subscribers) Find your landscape

Find your landscape

Best are broad—with lines, patterns, textures, or shapes that draw the eye, plus points of interest throughout the scene. They should be evenly lit, without broad areas of dense shadow or bright highlights. Time of day is important. Panoramas captured around sunrise or sunset, when the quality and quantity of light changes rapidly and exposures times are long, often have different color balances and brightness levels from image to image—not good for beginners.

Reason #4 to Attend Imaging USA: Photographic Rockstars!

You simply can’t learn everything based on your own experience–that’s another reason why Imaging USA is so handy. You can come to one place and hear from dozens of professional photographers who’ve found success in their art and their businesses, the true photographic rockstars!

From trusted voices like Yervant, Tony Corbell, and Ann Monteith, to newer faces like Jose Villa, Scott and Adina Hayne, and Alycia Alvarez…these photographers will share their experiences, helping you gather ideas and innovations to try back home. And that’s really the key. Take what these photographers share and tweak it to make it work for you.

As you anticipate the www.ImagingUSA.org for the latest instructor additions, and we’ll see you in Nashville soon!

Your Imaging USA Team

Registration for Super Monday Fall 2009 is now open.

On October 26, nearly 100 of your colleagues across the country are opening their studio doors to share their knowledge with fellow photographers.

From Maine to Oregon, Wisconsin down to Florida, there’ll be classes dedicated to babies and seniors, posing and lighting, retouching and digital workflow, marketing and sales strategies. It’s a chance you won’t want to miss-a full day of instruction, inspiration and networking brought to you by fellow professional photographers.

Join in this unique PPA tradition of peer-to-peer education. Proceeds support PPA’s ongoing education programs, serving our membership and strengthening the photographic community.

And there’s more! For the first time, attendees will also receive a Bonus Pack with hundreds of dollars in valued coupons, including exclusive, free access to a PPA webinar, “5 Rules for Successful Photo-Blogging.”

Discount Modeling Session

We are seeking models as we adjust our studio lighting setup.  Anyone who responds to this offer and completes booking will receive a Discount Session rate $50 which includes an image CD and online gallery.  This offer expires September 30.