Roberts Raw! Camera News, Advice, And Learning » 70-200 2.8

New Product: ThinkTank Urban Disguise 70

Nick — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:46:58 +0000

Well, what an inconspicuous piece of luggage.

In an effort to conceal your pro-sized D-SLR and attached 70-200 2.8, ThinkTank has developed another iteration of their successful Urban Disguise line -this the UD70. Bask in it’s disguised urbanity…

Think Tank StreetWalker series

Phil — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:02:41 +0000

The folks at Think Tank Photo have released three very usable photo backpacks called the StreetWalker series. With the three new backpacks’ slim vertical profile, photographers can navigate crowded places and public transportation while still being able to access professional photographic equipment. They come with a handy card showing layouts for both Nikon Digital SLR camera and Canon Digital SLR camera layouts.

The three new StreetWalker backpacks are:

StreetWalker — This slim, lightweight backpack will hold a Pro Size DSLR with 70-200 2.8 attached and hood in position. It includes a monopod/tripod mounting system, a contoured harness and air channel for increased comfort, and lots of pockets and organizers for customization.

StreetWalker Pro — This backpack is designed for a Pro Size DSLR with up to a 400 2.8 attached, or a 70-200 2.8 attached and hood in position. It also includes the monopod/tripod mounting system, the contoured harness and air channel, and lots of pockets and organizers.

StreetWalker HardDrive — This backpack will hold most 15″ laptops and a Pro Size DSLR with 70-200 2.8 attached and hood in position. It also includes the monopod/tripod mounting system, the contoured harness and air channel, and lots of pockets and organizers.

Tamron 70-200 2.8 DI; Fast Lens, Great Price

Phil — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:17:08 +0000

The key to low light, fast action shooting, is usually found in the glass mounted on the front of your digital camera. The big hurdle for a lot of folks is the price point. Plunking down $1500 + on a lens is tough deal for most. There are alternatives to those expensive Canon lenses and Nikon lenses that you need to get the job done.

Tamron has recently come out with a new 70-200 2.8 lens that is great answer to the big glass from the big three. The only gripe I can really come up with on the new lens might be the speed of the auto focus. Nikon lenses have silent wave motors and Canon lenses have USM motors to give them a little speed advantage over the Tamron.

But the image quality is what most people are really concerned about. That is where the Tamron shines. When you consider that the Tamron is half the price of the competition, it really becomes an attractive lens to add to your arsenal. Come in to Roberts Imaging and check one out today. We have them available in Nikon, Canon, and Sony/Minolta mounts. They are priced at $699.97.

Help Wanted

Chuck — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:04:09 +0000

Today I had another blast from the past. Renowned Indiana photographer Darryl Jones, who has published 14 photography books to date and has 3 more in the offing came to me for a little help. Darryl was my first photo teacher at Herron all those years ago, and is a Roberts Imaging regular. Today he needed a little help replacing the standard focusing screen with on his Flagship D3 Nikon Digital SLR. I have swapped many focusing screens over the years and was happy to assist. The E type screen I installed has a grid which is used for aligning horizons and such. Next he needed my help with sensor cleaning. After removing one of the premier Nikon lenses, the AF-S 70-200 2.8 VR, I set to work there too. Afterwords co-worker James Willis, a Nikon Digital SLR shooter as well, jumped in as I was shooting Darryl with my own Nikon Coolpix camera. Now I don’t know if you or James can be the next Darryl Jones, but you can shoot the same Nikon Lenses and Digital Cameras. We even have good supply of both on hand and ready for your first book!

Classified Information

Chuck — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:50:59 +0000

Coming soon to a camera store near you. Lowe-Pro is bringing out a new series of bags designed for the on the go photojournalist style of shooting. Our Lowe-Pro rep was in on Thursday and told us about the new Classified series which will be shipping soon. Lowe-Pro has also introduced a second generation Lens-Trekker AW backpack style bag for your long glass. The Lens Trekker 600AW.

Created specifically for nature and sports photographers, the Lens Trekker 600 AW II backpack is designed to perform in any environment, from the rugged backcountry to a crowded sports stadium. It features the Lowepro Pack Jack Harness System—an ergonomic, removable and fully adjustable harness with contoured mesh straps, plus a padded waistbelt and back pad with lumbar support for added comfort.
A drop-down zipper provides full access to gear and features 6 memory card pockets on the inside lid. The built-in All Weather Cover protects large-sized gear from wind, rain and dust. The main compartment fits a professional DSLR with attached 600mm telephoto lens, or unattached 800mm lens, plus lens hood and tripod collar.

This brings us to the completely new series the Classified. Available in four different sizes including the 250AW which can accommodate up to a 15.4″ laptop computer.

Hardworking bags specifically designed for hardworking photojournalists. These nimble, fast-access bags have a modern, off-hours appeal. A slimmer profile, contoured to move easily with the body, helps the professional navigate a busy street or crowded subway. Soft edges, briefcase styling, leather details, and an embossed logo create a discreet aesthetic. The built-in All Weather Cover protects contents from the elements. Available in a range of sizes to accommodate cameras, lenses and accessories, including a notebook in the largest model.All four size bags have built in micro fiber lens cleaning cloths and come with a removable memory card wallet that will hold 6 Compact flash cards or SD memory cards.

The entry level Classified 140 AW will hold a standard sized DSLR like a Canon Digital Rebel and one of the standard sized Canon zoom lens or either of the higher end Canon Flashes. Of course an Olympus, Sony or Nikon Digital camera system is equally at home in that bag. The Classified 160 AW will hold a professional DSLR or a body with an accessory grip, and a 70-200 2.8 sized lens and up top 2 additional lenses and a flash. The Classified 200 AW will let you add and additional professional DSLR body. Then the big dog, the Classifed 250 AW with the laptop space and room for two DSLR’s and the 70-200 2.8 and up to three lenses plus flash. These bags are designed to stay close to the body and be low profile, and should be very popular when they start hitting the shelves.

Things are Looking Up!

Chuck — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:49:18 +0000

The Blue Angels do a high speed belly to belly pass. Chuck Pace 2007

Last year I worked Roberts Imaging’s first Indianapolis Air Show. I’ve got to tell you it was one of the best and most memorable events I have been involved with. Well this weekend is the 12th Annual Indianapolis Air Show, and I am working it again. Roberts Distributors is supplying a lucky 5 and a half score of our customers with a chalet on the flight line, as well as a catered lunch, bottled water and sodas. Several of our vendors are going to be on hand to assist the attendees with professional and amateur camera gear. Manfrotto, Gitzo and Induro will be there loaning tripods and mono-pods to the onlookers (up lookers). There will be Pros from Nikon, Canon and Sony loaning bodies and lenses as well and Roberts will be supplying CF & SD memory cards form Lexar, Sandisk and Kingston for a meager charge too.

Last year I borrowed a D200 Nikon Professional DSLR and a Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR and got dozens of rewarding shots including. If you have been visiting the Roberts Imaging web site in the past couple of months you have been seeing one of my shots, the B17 bomber with the smoke and bomb bay doors open is one of mine.

Last year the Blue Angels were the “Headliners” this year the U.S. Air Force will be showing off the latest in avionics and engineering with the F-22A Raptor Demonstration Team. I can hardly wait to see the mastery in the air and the defiance of gravity itself. My wife and I will both be carrying our Nikon Coolpix cameras all day and I hope to get may hands on a Sony A300 or 700 for some shots or one of the Canon DSLR’s or another Nikon, maybe a D300 this time.

In addition to the Raptors there will be the historical ‘War Birds’ again, and Bi-Plane stunt flyers like last year.
The photo to the left is of Team Oracle’s Sean Tucker cutting a ribbon with his wings less than 20 feet from the tarmac. I’ve provided a link to the Team Oracle site and Sean Tucker bio. If you didn’t sign up to attend this year we will most likely be doing next years I recommend it highly.