3D Printers will soon be Commonplace

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, I spent some time scouting out 3D printers. These are devices that can build or construct a three-dimensional solid object. For a couple of months, I studied the literature and researched several models via the Internet.

A couple of months later while I was in New York City, I stopped by a store in downtown Manhattan. It’s not your usual store – it’s for “techies” like me. MakerBot, a manufacturer of 3D printers had opened a store right in Manhattan. If the staff could prove to me that using their Replicator 2 was simple, I’d buy one.
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Retro at a High Price

For much of the mid-20th century, the Leica name was synonymous with finely designed 35mm film cameras and superb optics. But as the industry moved from film to digital, the company seemed to have lost it footing and missed the opportunity to maintain its technological and engineering edge.

Leica hasn’t given up.

As I walked the aisles of PhotoPlus Expo, I couldn’t help but stop when I spotted these amazingly bright colors starring me in the face. This was the Leica’s booth and these are their X2 cameras.
Surprisingly, the cameras are available in ten different leather trims. If nothing else, this fact alone makes the X2 a statement in style. Notice the matching straps and protective case. It sports a 16MP APS-C sensor, a fixed 24mm f/2.8 Leica designed lens, 2.7″ LCD in a very compact package. Leica likes to say this is the only digital camera made entirely in Germany, stressing its handmade workmanship. For more information, see Leica X2
Above is my Leica M3 film camera from the 1950s

You can see that the X2 inherits a lot of its looks from the M3. Leica is betting that the “retro” look of the X2 will prove to be an attractive selling feature. I found the X2 to be very eye-catching.

If you’re a believer in the Leica pedigree, you may want to take a deeper look at the X2. Reviews of the X2 are mixed. While the camera is well built, it doesn’t have features which separate it from the competitors’ offerings. And the X2 significantly pricier than the other brands.

The X2 sells for about $1995. Accessories include matching leather strap, protective case and an electronic viewfinder.

 

 

Written by: Arnie Lee

 

 

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Hand Grip and Shoulder Strap Combo

For much of my shooting, I’m out in the field exploring and enjoying the outdoors, nature and landscapes: you get the picture. I like to travel light so I rarely use a camera bag or backpack. As I’m walking, hiking, climbing, bending, kneeling and at times crawling, my cameras get a mighty good workout from jostling around on my shoulder and banging against my side.

Occasionally, I’ve used various camera shoulder straps. While these provide ample padding to cushion the weight on my shoulder, they do little to prevent the camera from swinging back and forth as I’m moving. As I was wandering through PhotoPlus Expo recently, I stopped by the Joby booth where their rep Kate showed me a new hand grip/shoulder strap combo. The UltraFit Hand Strap lets you comfortably hold the camera without having to use any finger pressure. You can carry a heavy DSLR with minimal effort and without the fear of dropping it.

You can also see the shoulder strap that’s hanging below the hand grip that Kate is holding. Flip the camera over and you’ll see that the hand grip attaches to the camera body with a Swiss-Arca style flat plate. For times when you want a hands-off way of carrying the camera you can screw Joby’s Pro Sling Strap to the plate. A short but strong tethering line minimizes the swing of the camera as it hangs from your shoulder.

 

The UltraFit Hand Strap with Plate sells for about $35. The Pro Sling Strap sells for about $30.

After talking to Joby and seeing it in action, I’ve already placed a set of these on order.

 

 
Written by: Arnie Lee

 

 

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