Nikon News (Page 15) Report News & Deals  ►

If you're still pondering options for photographing the upcoming solar eclipse, B&H has a deal for you. Right now, you can get the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens Solar Eclipse Kit for $1,499.00 with free expedited shipping after $200.00 instant savings.
 
The Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens Solar Eclipse Kit comes with a Tamron Marumi 95mm DHG ND-100000 Solid Neutral Density 5.0 (16.5 Stops) Solar Eclipse Filter ($299.00 value) and five Lunt Solar Systems Solar / Solar Eclipse Viewing Glasses.

B&H has the Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander with FA-WRR1 Wireless Radio Receiver Kit available for $396.00 with free shipping. Regularly $546.00.
 
Product Highlights
 

• Commander and Receiver Kit
• For Select Sony Cameras and Flashes
• 2.4 GHz Radio Transmitter w/ 98.4' Range
• Works with up to 15 Radio Receivers
• 14 Channels and up to 5 Groups
• Remote Power Control from 1/1 to 1/256
• TTL and High-Speed Sync Support
• Manual Flash Triggering
• Multi Terminal for Triggering Camera
• Multi Interface Foot; PC Sync Terminal

Through midnight tonight Eastern Time, B&H has the YI Technology Action Camera available for $54.99 with free shipping. Regularly $99.99.
 
Product Highlights
 

• 1080p Video up to 60 fps
• 720p Video up to 120 fps
• 16MP Sony Exmor R Sensor
• Ultra-Wide 155° Lens
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity
• Mobile App for Remote Control & Sharing
• One-Button Operation
• Micro-HDMI Output

Adorama has the BlackRapid RS-L Sport Extreme Sport Strap available for $39.99 with free shipping. Regularly $73.95.
 
I use a right-handed version of this strap that's been converted for Arca-style plates. [Sean]
 
Product Highlights
 

• Designed for left-handed photographers
• Holds SLR camera with lens attached
• Under arm safety tether
• FR-3 fastener couples to connector-2
• BRAD MOD secures the strap during action shots

Through midnight tonight Eastern Time, B&H has the Davis & Sanford ProVista Airlift Tripod with FM18 Fluid Head available for $99.95 with free shipping. Regularly $179.95.
 
Note: The same tripod/ball head bundled with a dolly is only $20.00 more.

Through this weekend, Adorama has the 3 Legged Thing Albert Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod System with AirHed 360 Ball Head available for $339.99 with free shipping. Regularly $499.99.

For a limited time, Adorama has the G-Technology G-Drive Pro 2TB External Hard Drive available for $199.99 with free expedited shipping. Regularly $269.95.
 
Product Highlights
 

• Holds 2TB
• Ultra-fast, high-performance Thunderbolt interface technology
• Faster than USB 3.0 FireWire and eSATA
• 480MB/s sustained transfer rates, 7200 RPM
• Dual Thunderbolt ports
• Time Machine Compatible, plug-and-play setup on Mac OS
• All-aluminum case for ultimate durability
• Kensington Slot for added security

B&H has the Tokina AT-X 14-20mm f/2 PRO DX Lens for Canon/Nikon available for $599.00 with free expedited shipping. Regularly $799.00.
 
Product Highlights
 

• Aperture Range: f/2 to f/22
• One Plastic-Molded Aspherical Element
• Two Glass-Molded Aspherical SD Elements
• Two Super Low Dispersion Elements
• Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating
• Internal Focus; One-Touch Focus Clutch
• Nine-Blade Diaphragm

B&H has the Genaray LED-7100T 312 LED Variable-Color On-Camera Light available for $151.20 with free expedited shipping. Regularly $189.00.
 
Product Highlights
 

• Genaray Professional Series LED Light
• 3200-5600K Adjustable Color Temperature
• Up to 1400 Lux Brightness at 3 ft
• 100-10% Flicker Free Brightness Dimmer
• Smooth, Stepless Color/Brightness Dials
• Dual Sony L Series Battery Mount
• Hot-Swappable
• Batteries, Charger, AC Adapter Included
• Magnetic, Snap-On Diffuser Included
• Ball Head and Carry Case Included

Through midnight tonight Eastern Time, B&H has the Glidecam Ultra-Shot available for $299.00 with free shipping. Regularly $499.00.
 
Product Highlights
 

• Load Capacity: 20 lb
• Maximum Height: 63.6"
• Closed Length: 23"
• Sections: 5
• Weight: 6 lb
• T6-6061 Aluminum Monopod with Flip Locks
• Tilting Back-and-Forth Head
• 6" Offset Quick Release Plate
• Positionable Motocross Grips
• Two 1/4"-20 Screws

by Sean Setters
 
As I mentioned earlier this week, I recently renovated an old workshop to serve as my new photography studio. Above you can see a 360-degree view of the studio. Note that the middle of the panorama shows the back wall of the studio while the edges show the curtain-covered french doors opposite the back wall.
 
Below are some organizational tools and techniques I used for optimizing the space.
 

Always Available 12' Background Support Crossbar
 
If you look closely at the panorama atop this post, you'll notice a 12' 4-section background support bar held up by the side walls. I purchased the support bar several years ago and it has served me well for larger backdrop needs. I had originally intended on hanging hooks from the rafters to hang the background support, but upon measuring the space, I realized that wasn't necessary. The walls of the studio are slightly less than 12' (3.66m), so it was relatively easy to add a couple of nails to the top of the walls to keep the background pole in place, while still being able to take the pole down when it's needed for on-location work.
 
Having the 12' background support semi-permanently installed has the benefits of freeing up storage space that would otherwise have been required for the collapsed set of poles while reducing setup time when the background support bar is actually needed.
 
For the shot above, I used (6) black lights to photograph Alexis in front of an 84x52" tapestry.
 

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Surfboard/Snowboard Rack for Light Stands/Tripods/Monopods
 
Want a great way store your light stands, tripods and monopods? Get a surfboard/snowboard rack! With 16" arms and a support rating of 100 lbs. (45.4kg), the surfboard rack can store a lot of gear neatly and efficiently.
 
Just how much lighting and photography gear can you support with a surfboard/snowboard rack? Well, right now, mine is holding:
 
(9) Light stands (of various sizes and weights)
(2) 40" Extension Arms
(2) Monopods (1 alloy, 1 carbon fiber)
(1) Avenger D600 Mini Boom
(1) Alloy Tripod
(1) Manfrotto 173B Mini Boom Arm
 
The above gear totals approximately 93 lbs (42.2kg).
 

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Pegboard for Misc. Supplies
 
I tried to make use of previously installed organizational items when possible, and the pegboard installed by the previous owner worked great for storing miscellaneous items such as the following:
 

• Avenger F600 Baby Offset Arm
• Spiffy Gear Light Blaster
• Giottos Rocket Blaster (Large)
• Giottos Rocket Blaster (Medium)
• Flashpoint Mini Light Stand - 3.3'
• Clipboard
• Impact Backlight Stand
• Impact Telescopic Collapsible Reflector Holder
• Feisol TT-15 Mini Carbon Fiber Tabletop Tripod
• Arca-Style Pano Rig
• Bag with 6" Spring Clamps

A pegboard hooks variety pack was all I needed to transform this otherwise unutilized area behind my post-processing computer's monitors into a convenient storage solution for often-used gear.
 

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Ball Bungees Keep Gear In Check
 
After placing a few soft boxes/octa boxes on one shelf and umbrellas on another, I quickly realized I needed something to contain the items while leaving them quickly accessible. My solution was to wrap a ball bungee around the top portion of shelf section and a no-damage hair elastic band to the bottom portion of the shelf. With the two fitted together, the gear stays in place yet can be accessed very easily.
 
Parting Thoughts
 
Optimizing your gear storage will help you get the most out of your studio space, whether it's a small room, a garage or a large commercial workspace. By utilizing techniques similar to the ones outlined above, you can maximize floor space while simultaneously allowing for quick access to often-needed tools and supplies.

B&H has the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens for Nikon in stock with free expedited shipping.

 
B&H has the Loupedeck Photo Editing Console for Lightroom 6 & CC available for preorder.
 
Product Highlights
 

• For Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 & CC
• Speeds Up Editing Workflow
• Dedicated Dials, Wheels, and Keys
• Access to Common Settings and Functions
• Programmable Preset Buttons
• USB 2.0 Connectivity

Adorama has the Domke Journalist Series Chronicle Cordura Camera Bag available for $99.95 with free shipping. Regularly $259.95.
 
Product Highlights
 

• Rear slide pocket
• Expandable zippered side pocket
• Secure luggage strap
• Custom antique steel hardware
• Numbered identity plate
• Side rain hood
• Padded zippered tablet sleeve fits up to 11x8
• "Quiet" system hook and loop silencer
• Holds DSLR Kit(3 Lenses)
• Made of Cordura