In Focus: November 2015

HOYA HD3 CIRCULAR POLARIZER
Control reflections and eliminate surface glare with HOYA’s HD3 Circular Polarizer. Designed for today’s ultrahigh-resolution cameras, it features a new nano-coating that’s 200% harder than the previous generation for extreme durability, repelling water and oil, and providing excellent scratch and stain resistance. Estimated Street Price: From $85. Contact: HOYA (Kenko Tokina), kenkotokinausa.com.

TAMRON 16-300MM F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO
If you can only carry one lens with your APS-C DSLR, the incredible range and versatility of Tamron’s 18.8x 16-300mm ultrazoom can handle practically any photo opportunity from wide to telephoto, plus 1:2.9 magnification close-ups, with a 35mm-equivalent focal range of approximately 24.8mm to 465mm. Available in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts. Estimated Street Price: $629. Contact: Tamron, tamron-usa.com.

EPSON SURECOLOR P600
Create gallery-quality, wide-format prints from your desktop with the Epson SureColor P600. Capable of producing borderless prints up to 13×19 inches or panoramas over 10 feet long, the P600 employs a new 9-color UltraChrome HD inkset, with three levels of black ink for exceptional color and black-and-white output. List Price: $799. Contact: Epson, epson.com.

SONY DSC-RX100 IV
The fourth generation of Sony’s popular compact camera incorporates a new, 1-inch, 20-megapixel sensor and the same versatile zoom as its predecessor, offering a 35mm-equivalent range of 24-70mm and a fast, variable maximum aperture of ƒ/1.8-2.8. The RX100 IV can capture stills at speeds of up to 16 fps, plus slow-motion and 4K video, too. Estimated Street Price: $949. Contact: store.sony.com.

MOAB JUNIPER BARYTA RAG
Your best works deserve to be printed. Fine-art papers like Juniper Baryta Rag 305 elevate your images to frame-worthy showpieces. Made of 100% cotton fiber, the paper is optimized to retain details in the deepest shadows, with a slightly glossy surface. Available in a variety of cut-sheet and roll sizes. List Price: From $18.98. Contact: Moab by Legion Paper, moabpaper.com.

CANON EF 35MM F/1.4L II USM
An ideal addition to your Canon full-frame system, the new EF 35mm ƒ/1.4L II USM is a fast prime for low-light landscapes and features a minimum focusing distance of just 11 inches for compositions with prominent foreground elements. It also can be used with Canon APS-C DSLRs, providing a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 56mm. Estimated Street Price: $1,799. Contact: Canon, usa.canon.com.

BRUNTON SERVO 120
Keep your camera and laptop charged when away from power with a portable power pack like the Brunton Servo 120. With 120-watt capacity, a built-in inverter and a universal AC outlet, it can provide multiple recharges for your camera or up to two full recharges for your laptop before needing to be recharged itself. List Price: $399. Contact: Brunton, brunton.com.

G-Tech G-DRIVE ev ATC
Perfect for backups in the field, the G-DRIVE ev ATC from G-Technology is a watertight case for G-DRIVE ev and G-DRIVE ev SSD drives that floats in water and can shield your drive from the elements. The G-DRIVE ev ATC can be used as a standalone drive, and is also compatible with the G-DOCK ev two-bay, swappable drive system. List Price: $49.95 (ev All Terrain Case only); $179.95 (with 1 TB G-DRIVE). Contact: G-Technology, g-technology.com.

LENSPEN DSLR PRO KIT
Keep your lenses clean for spotless images with the LensPen DSLR Pro Kit. Simple and easy to use, LensPen requires no liquids, blowers or lens cloths, using a unique carbon compound to safely remove dust and fingerprints. The DSLR Pro Kit includes the LensPen for DSLR lenses, FilterKlear for lens filters and MicroPro for viewfinders, plus a carrying case. List Price: $34.95. Contact: LensPen, lenspen.com.

BLACKRAPID R-STRAP SPORT
Designed with an under-the-arm tether to keep your camera secure while traversing the landscape, the BlackRapid R-Strap Sport is available in models for both right-and left-handed shooters. The stainless-steel FastenR screws into your camera’s tripod mount and attaches securely to the ConnectR locking carabiner on the strap. List Price: $73.95. Contact: BlackRapid, blackrapid.com.

TAMRAC CORONA
The newest photo backpacks from Tamrac feature three access panels, making it easy to organize and get to your gear quickly. The smallest, Corona 14, is designed for mirrorless and compact DSLR systems, while the largest, Corona 26, has room for pro systems with battery grips and multiple lenses. All sizes also accommodate a laptop. List Price: From $169.95. Contact: Tamrac, tamrac.com.

GOAL ZERO SHERPA 100 SOLAR KIT
For extended backcountry photo adventures, the Goal Zero Sherpa 100 Solar Kit will keep all of your devices powered by nature. The kit includes the Sherpa 100 battery to recharge laptops, DSLRs and more, plus the Nomad 20 solar panel, which can fully recharge the Sherpa 100 in 10 to 20 hours, depending on conditions. The Sherpa 100 also can be recharged by AC or using your car’s 12-volt adapter. List Price: $599.95. Contact: Goal Zero, goalzero.com.

REALLY RIGHT STUFF BC-18 POCKET ‘POD PACKAGE
Lightweight, compact and easy to take anywhere, the BC-18 Pocket ‘Pod Package from Really Right Stuff pairs the TFA-01 tripod with the BC-18 locking ballhead, offering a terrific solution for low-angle shooting and for supporting your camera in situations when a larger tripod isn’t practical. The TFA-01 tripod itself weighs just 5.1 ounces, but can support up to 100 pounds. List Price: $199. Contact: Really Right Stuff, reallyrightstuff.com.

SIGMA 24-35mm F/2 DG HSM | A
This fast Sigma 24-35mm wide zoom lens, which features a constant ƒ/2 aperture throughout the zoom range, is an excellent choice for both landscape and travel photography. Designed for use with full-frame cameras, it also can be paired with APS-C models, providing a moderately wide to standard focal range. Available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts. List Price: $999. Contact: Sigma, sigmaphoto.com.

SLINGER BIGBAG LIGHTSTAND & TRIPOD BAG
Protect and easily carry larger tripods, lightstands (up to 39″) and even umbrellas with the Slinger BigBag Lightstand & Tripod Bag. The inner pouch stores tools and extra quick-release plates. It has a soft outer shell, fully padded inside, weatherproof sealing, plus a shoulder strap. List Price: $39. Contact: Adorama, adorama.com.

ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD PHOTOGRAPHY PLAN SUBSCRIPTION
Get the ultimate software tools for photography in a convenient annual subscription that gives you instant access to the latest software updates and new features of both Adobe Photoshop CC and Lightroom CC, plus cloud services and mobile apps that allow you to work with your photos anywhere. The annual subscription can be paid monthly at $9.99 or yearly at $119.88. Contact: Adobe, adobe.com.

KARMA WIFI
With the pocket-sized Karma Go WiFi mobile broadband router, you can create a personal hotspot to connect all of your WiFi devices to 4G LTE mobile data nationwide, with no contracts or monthly fees. Buy data as you go, and use it when you need it. Purchased data never expires, and is currently available in 1 GB ($14), 5 GB ($59) and 10 GB ($99) bundles. List Price: $149 (Karma Go device). Contact: Karma Mobility, yourkarma.com.

VANGUARD VEO 265AB TRIPOD
Support your system with the lightweight, aluminum VEO 265AB tripod and ballhead kit from Vanguard. Fully collapsed, it’s just over 15 inches long, but can extend to a maximum height of 5 feet. It can support up to 17.6 pounds of gear, which will handle a pro DSLR, plus a telephoto lens. The ballhead features an Arca-Swiss-compatible quick-release plate. List Price: $179.99. Contact: Vanguard, vanguardworld.us.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500MM F/5.6E ED VR
A versatile lens for wildlife, sports and telephoto landscapes, the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm ƒ/5.6E ED VR can be used with both FX- and DX-format cameras, providing an equivalent focal range of 300-750mm when used with the latter. Focus as close as 7.2 feet away, with up to 4.5 stops of Vibration Reduction. List Price: $1,399.95. Contact: Nikon, nikonusa.com.

COTTON CARRIER ENDEAVOR BELT
Carry your camera with an extra measure of security with Cotton Carrier’s Endeavor Belt. The system includes a shoulder strap with an integrated Sliding Safety Tether and a quick-release Camera Hub that anchors your camera to the belt when not in use. There’s also an accessory pouch to keep an extra lens, GPS or mobile phone handy. List Price: $89. Contact: Cotton Carrier, cottoncarrier.com.

WORKSHOP TUITION
Treat yourself to unique travel and educational experiences as you explore destinations around the world with leading professional photography instructors. The programs featured in Outdoor Photographer’s Classes, Tours & Workshops are among the best experiences available, with year-round options for exciting photo adventures. See the Classes, Tours & Workshops section in this and every issue of OP, or go online for a complete directory, outdoorphotographer.com/classes-tours-and-workshops.

BLACKMAGIC MICRO CINEMA CAMERA
Capture wildlife and wild places from land and air in HD with stereo sound. The lightweight and compact Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera can be attached to quadcopters, ski helmets, automobiles or discreetly placed in the wilderness for wildlife encounters, with full remote control of the camera. Compatible with Micro Four Thirds lenses, your optical choices are expansive. List Price: $995. Contact: Blackmagic Design, blackmagicdesign.com.

ROGUE RAY FLASH 2
Transform your DSLR’s built-in flash into a ring light, perfect for illuminating macro subjects with the Rogue Ray Flash 2. An adjustable universal mount extends, as needed, to accommodate variations in camera and flash height. Two versions are available for a perfect fit with your camera system. List Price: $139.95. Contact: Rogue Photographic Design, rogueflash.com; Expo Imaging, expoimaging.com.

SKB iSERIES DSLR PRO CAMERA CASE II
Transport your essential camera gear with military-spec waterproof protection in the iSeries DSLR Pro Camera Case II from SKB. With custom spaces for your camera body, two lenses, plus hoods and accessories, the case has a gasketed, submersible, impact-resistant design that’s ready for just about anything in the wild. Estimated Streetrice: $119. Contact: SKB Cases, skbcases.com.

SAMYANG 100MM F2.8 ED UMC MACRO
Explore the world of macro details with the Samyang 100mm F2.8 ED UMC MACRO. This manual-focusing lens is a true macro with a magnification ratio of 1:1, and is available in a wide variety of camera mounts. The telephoto focal length allows you to get close perspectives while working at a comfortable distance from your subject, with a broad aperture range from ƒ/2.8 to ƒ/32 for depth-of-field control. Estimated Street Price: $549. Contact: Samyang, syopt.com.

LEE FILTERS 100MM STARTER KIT FOR DIGITAL
Unlike traditional screw-mount filters, the LEE 100mm system uses a unique holder with two guide rails that allows you to quickly swap any of LEE’s filters, which include neutral-density and graduated neutral-density filters, polarizers, warming filters and more. The 100mm Starter Kit For Digital Photography includes the filter holder, a ProGlass 0.6 standard ND, a 0.6 ND Hard Grad, plus a cleaning cloth and carrying pouch. Estimated Street Price: $325. Contact: LEE Filters, leefilters.com.

MANFROTTO DIGITAL DIRECTOR
Get a big view of your composition, with complete control of your Canon or Nikon DSLR from your iPad Air or Air 2, with Manfrotto’s Digital Director. Set focus, exposure and more, with real-time, live-view monitoring on your iPad. View histogram and camera data on screen, and rate and organize images as you shoot. Using your iPad’s networking capabilities, you even can share photos through a variety of services immediately. Estimated Street Price: $499. Contact: Manfrotto, manfrotto.us.

ZEISS BATIS 2/25
Designed for Sony’s E-mount cameras like the new full-frame a7R II, the Zeiss Batis 2/25 offers exceptional optical performance and a prime 25mm wide-angle perspective, with a fast ƒ/2 aperture. The lens is dustproof and weatherproof, ready for shooting in unpredictable outdoor conditions. An OLED display on the lens—easy to read in low-light conditions—shows focal distance. Estimated Street Price: $1,299. Contact: Zeiss, zeiss.com/camera-lenses.

LOWEPRO PRO RUNNER BP 350 AW II
Carry a complete pro system, including multiple bodies, lenses and accessories, in the Pro Runner BP 350 AW II from Lowepro. With dedicated space for your laptop and tablet, plus a tripod holder and additional room for personal effects and documents, this pack amazingly meets standard airline carry-on requirements. Plus, the entire bag can be protected from the elements with the All Weather AW Cover. List Price: $249.95. Contact: Lowepro, lowepro.com.

SIRUI S-2205-N TRIPOD
Sirui’s carbon-fiber S-2205-N tripod is ultralight at just 2.6 pounds, ideal for long treks on foot, but can support over 10 times its weight. Just 17.7 inches in length when fully collapsed, the tripod can extend to a maximum height of 55.5 inches. One leg of the tripod also can convert to a monopod, and an additional, shorter center column is included along with the standard column, allowing you to get down to just 7 inches off the ground. Estimated Street Price: $399. Contact: Argraph, argraph.com.

SUBSCRIPTION TO OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Naturally, we can’t think of a better gift for yourself or your favorite photographer than a new or renewal subscription to OP ! Your annual subscription includes 11 issues featuring stunning images and inspiration from top pros, how-to instruction to improve your technique and the latest gear that makes it all possible. To see our current subscription offers, visit outdoorphotographer.com/subscribe.