Posts Tagged ‘gear’
Lens Loop Tokyo Field Test
Lens Loop is a relatively new product which started its life as a Kickstarter project. It’s a simple camera strap made from seatbelt webbing designed as a budget alternative to similar solutions on the market. I received my Lens Loop just before our trip to Tokyo, so I had an excellent opportunity to field test the strap.
Lens Loop is a very simple product which consists of two components: an adjustable strap and a mount screw. But its simplicity, along with the low price, makes Lens Loop an ideal solution for photographers who don’t feel like forking out for more expensive alternatives like BlackRapid straps. I used Lens Loop with my Nikon D5000, and the combo served me well during the entire trip. The only niggle is that the strap is slightly too wide for my shoulders, so I had to adjust it regularly, so it didn’t rub on my neck. With Lens Loop you can have your camera resting on your hip, or you can sling it on your back. In both cases, the camera remains easily accessible, which allowed me to bag several shots that I would have otherwise missed. In fact, I was surprised how handy this seemingly simple solution actually was. If you shoot mostly indoors, Lens Loop is not a product for you, but it can come in rather useful for those practising the art of street photography.
Disclaimer: I was the project’s backer on Kickstarter, but I’m not affiliated with Lens Loop in any way.
Lightweight Budget Macro Combo
Macro lenses are expensive. This probably explains the popularity of low-cost alternatives like extension tubes and macro filters. I’ve been using Kenko extension tubes for quite a while. And while it’s a cheap way to get into the world of macro photography, it’s not the most practical one. Constantly adding and removing tubes quickly becomes a nuisance, especially if you are shooting on location. The Raynox DCR-250 macro conversion lens is not only a cheaper alternative to extension tubes, it’s also a much more practical one. It comes with a snap-on adapter which you can use to fit the Raynox DCR-250 on virtually any lens. Before I splashed out on a proper macro lens, I’ve been using DCR-250 for several years, and I can’t praise it enough.
Nikon D5000 with Raynox DCR-250
In fact, even though I’m now the proud owner of a Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP macro lens
So whether you are getting starting with macro photography and you can’t justify buying a proper macro lens, or if you are looking for a lighter and more portable alternative, the described setup is a good solution, indeed. You might wonder why use Raynox DCR-250 with precisely the 50mm lens. For starters, this is one of the most versatile lenses out there, and it’s also one of the cheapest. Its lightweight and compact design makes the lens a perfect travel companion. In addition to that, the lens features an aperture ring, so you can adjust f-stops manually. This means that the lens is suited for use with a reverse ring macro adapter.
Buy from Amazon:
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens
