March 28, 2012

New Hejnar PHOTO Modular Lens Support Bracket

Hejnar photo modular Long Lens Support Bracket with F60 clamp and G13-80 rail
With the new modular Long Lens Support Bracket (LLSB), Chris Hejnar has raised the design of long lens support to a new level.
The principle of an Arca Swiss® compatible vertical rail that can support the front end of along lens, as described in my article Ideas for a Long Lens Support Bracket (Part 1), remains quite the same.

March 27, 2012

New Hejnar PHOTO E051 Nodal / Macro Rail

Hejnar PHOTO E51 nodal/macro rail & F61b QR clamp overview


Another 5/8" thick rail, following the design pattern of the new G15 and G16 series of 6 and 8 inch rails, is out. Hejnar PHOTO has released a 5/8" alternative for the E033 6.5" Nodal /Macro Rail, which is actually the shorter brother of the E050 Nodal /Macro Rail released earlier this March.
The new E051 rail although based on the E33 principle has been redesigned to great extend with some added features.

March 20, 2012

Sunwayfoto DLC-42 Duo Lever/Knob Quick Release Clamp Review

Sunwayfoto DLC-42 Duo Lever/Knob QR Clamp in transport foam
Soon after my Sunwayfoto DB-36TRLR Traveler Ball Head Review, where I expressed a little disappointment with the operation of the ball head's DDC-42 Lever release clamp, I was contacted by Mr. John Simmonds of OEC Camera Accessories, a Sunwayfoto US dealer, who offered me to try the recently released and improved DLC-42 duo Lever/knob clamp at a special discount price.

March 10, 2012

New Hejnar PHOTO E050 Nodal / Macro Rail

Hejnar PHOTO E050 Nodal / Macro Rail + F61b QR Clamp overview

After the recent release of the new 5/8" thick G15 and G16 series of 6 and 8 inch rails, Hejnar PHOTO has also released an 5/8" thick alternative for the E034 8" Nodal /Macro Rail, following the G15/16 design pattern.
The new E050 rail although based on the E034 principle has been redesigned to great extend with some added features.

March 7, 2012

Fotomate V-Pod-S Table Top Tripod Review

Fotomate V-Pod-S Table Top Tripod opened
If you are looking for a small lightweight tripod that you can always carry around in your bag, then the Fotomate V-Pod-S might be a nice solution.


The new Fotomate V-Pod-S table top follows the design principle of well known table top tripods as for example the discontinued Manfrotto 709B or it is maybe a little closer to Giottos U-Pod 305/405 idea, which has an extendable center column but it may not be considered a clone of either.


March 5, 2012

Sunwayfoto DB-36TRLR Traveler Ball Head Review

Sunwayfoto DB-36TRLR Traveler Ball Head unpacked closeup
The features that basically discriminate a Traveler type Ball head from a standard type ball head are the small size, light weight, knob placement and panning base diameter in order to be easily carried around and to fit unobtrusively between the reverse folding legs of a traveler tripod.