Equipment Reviews

Editor’s Note: The Naneu K4L is a photo backpack “designed to function as a laptop backpack, camera bag, and travel backpack for the ultimate in professional convertibility, without looking like a photo/laptop backpack for security reasons” as described on Naneu’s website. NatureScapes member Marc Langille tested one of these bags for his landscape work and offers his impressions below.

One of my non-photographer friends once asked me why my lenses were covered in camo. “Surely it’s a waste of time and looks silly!” he said. Looks silly? Well ok, depending on the situation, he may have had a point. But waste of time, absolutely not! LensCoat lens covers are not so much about camouflage but rather about the extra protection and handling they offer photographers. And in any case, do you really think someone who likes to spend time crawling through grass and mud, in all weather conditions with a huge lens is worried about looking silly?

Whether you're a medium/large format photographer, a big lens shooter using lenses like a 600mm f4, 800 f5.6, or Sigma 300-800 zoom, or just after a solid base for landscapes and macro, one thing is certain - you need very sturdy support. Enter Gitzo's mighty GT5541LS.

Overview
Weight: 2.8kg (6.3lbs)
Max load support: 25kg (55.1lbs)
Min height: 5 inches (12.7cm)
Max height: 59 inches (149.9 cm)
Storage height: 23.5 inches (59.7cm)
Width at widest end: 6 inches (15.2cm)
Leg sections: 4 (3 of which are retractable)
Official GITZO website
Purchase at NSN: HERE

The NatureScapes Store recently provided me with a ThinkTank Urban Disguise 50 to test out and put through its paces. After unpacking it, my first impression was that the bag was too small to be useful as a small carry-on for traveling by plane – it didn’t look like it would be able to store much gear. Was I ever wrong. It’s diminutive size, no larger than a regular laptop case in appearance, is very deceiving. I was able to load up the bag with my D3x, a 17-35 f/2.8, a 24-70 f/2.8, and a 70-200 f/2.8, plus an SB900 flash, extra battery, filters and other small accessories with no problem at all. In addition, the laptop pocket still easily accepted my 13.3” MacBook Pro and a notebook. The front pocket was able to house the charger, my iPod Touch and other small items. My entire landscape travel kit, sans tripod, fit into the small bag with the velcro dividers removed. I do this with all camera bags, backpacks and rollers, as I prefer to pack my gear in neoprene pouches.