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You are here: Home / 2015 / Archives for September 2015

Archives for September 2015

Ricoh GRII review or when my favorite travel camera gets (slightly) better !

21 September 2015 by Harold Glit

GR vs GRII

GR vs GRII

INTRODUCTION
This review will not cover every single aspect of the camera for a very simple reason : This new model is a very subtile evolution -too subtile many might argue- of the 2013 model, dubbed GR on which I published an detailed review here and here
While this new model is aimed to replace the first one, the first model remains scarcely available until the remaining stock is sold. If you have no use for the Wifi AND  do not really need the larger buffer capacity, the GR is probably a better deal (here) than the GRII (here) although the GRII went already down compared to its $799 introduction price. At the time of this article, the difference amounts to  a difference of $126 which one could use  to get some accessories like the very useful Gh3 hood (here)  or even, the very good GW-3 Ricoh lens converter which will turn on your GR or GRII the 28mm FOV into a very broad 21mm (here).

The GR II was announced back in June and most Ricoh users, including yours truly, were expecting several improvements like : a sensor with a higher megapixel count, some kind of EVF option, wifi… only to list the most realistic expectations. In the end, we only got WIFI/ NFC options, additional special-effect filters, & a larger buffer (the latter being for me the most useful addition). For sure, this was disappointing for most. The idea of having to wait two full years (an eternity in the digital age) was to have some real improvements over the previous model. Indeed, it is difficult to fathom why Ricoh could not at least add some contacts on the hot shoe for an external EVF and why they could not use the 24mp sony APS sensor which has already been used on Pentax cameras (a company now owned by Ricoh) for over a year now 🙁 [Read more…]

Filed Under: Photo, Photo equipment review

A great light rain jacket for the traveling photographer (Bargain ahead !)

12 September 2015 by Harold Glit

Travel & street photographers are not reputed for their smart dressing habits. Truth be told, there are probably several reasons for that but one of the most obvious is the need for practicality and comfort when photographing in the streets. There is also a need for blending into the crowds and not being too conspicuous. There are several ways of attracting unwanted attention in such instances by carrying too much equipment or looking too much like a pro photographer. I,for one never understood the fascination for photo vests which are often ugly,impractical (try walking fast with all of those pockets filled of heavy and/or heavy bulky items of equipment). But I guess for those photographers who are already carrying one (or more) heavy dslrs around their neck or on their shoulder it may not matter that much.

Using small cameras like I do and recommend on this site does not eliminate the need for many pockets. You might use the pockets to store the camera when not in use and you want to have immediate access to vital accessories like digital cards, extra batteries, lens hoods (or a place to store the hoods & rear caps) not to mention things you may want to have on you outside camera equipment ( cell phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses…)
Most light jackets that you can find in outdoor stores for instance do not feature enough pockets (especially inside pockets) for the traveling photographers. After extensive research I found one that really ticks all right boxes being comfortable, practical, light and easy to store in your photo bag when not in use. Yet, this jacket is way more discrete and elegant than your photo jacket so that you can wear it in more formal environments when not shooting.
The jacket is made by Ex-officio a reputable  maker of  outdoor clothing and is called the Rain logic jacket.

Inside pockets on the left side

Inside pockets on the left side

This jacket features 4 zippered pockets on the outside and four more inside the jacket ( 3 zippered ones and one with a velcro-snap).The jacket has a built in cap which can be rolled inwards when not in use and can easily be worn over a cap or a very small helmet. Fortunately, this jacket also comes in XXL size, which is not always the case for this kind of outdoor clothing. This jacket did actually got a editor’s choice award by Fish Alaska magazine which is a good testimony of its high reliability in the elements. I have used the jacket extensively over the last 2 months (most notably during his very rainy north Scotland summer on skye) and I am very impressed with how it performs. The jacket is light (around 16oz), can stand heavy rains and does not exhibit the typical low breathability of many jackets on the market thanks to its highly breathable material and the two-way zip pits under the arms.The jacket can be rolled up into its own hood to be easily carried in a small bag.

The rain logic jacket is I believe a great choice (and at the currently discounted price a bargain not to be missed) for both photographers and smart travelers who want to travel light while still getting a great and light jacket for windy and rainy situations.

The jacket comes only in three colors. I normally do not get black clothing but I got the black which in real life looks more like a very very dark bluish gray. The moss color is under $90 here  the black is currently around $125  here.
As always if you are interested in this product buying this product through the link will help support this site at NO extra cost to you.

Filed Under: Photo, Tips of the month, Travel, Travel gear

Summer in Brittany : Pleucadeuc

9 September 2015 by Harold Glit

Petite bretonne

Petite bretonne

Each year, France is one of the countries which attract the most visitors  and for good reasons. Cities like Paris and Lyon for instance have lots of cultural and architectural wonders. Great countryside with charming villages, lots of places by the sea on the mediterranean side or on the Oceanside..
Among those many regions, Brittany is one of the most popular and is especially a point of tourist convergence in the summer months.
As many of you I am sure, there are MANY places in the north hemisphere I would avoid in the summer months. Such places are so crowded in July and August that I would rather go earlier (June) or later (september). In those months the weather is still warm and pleasing and this off-peak seasons also means lesser crowds and cheaper lodging options. However there is ONE advantage of going during the busiest season in such places. You get a chance to attend many local events organized to attract visitors. Those events vary greatly in terms of size, notoriety and interest but suffice to say that there are usually enough variety to satisfy the most demanding travelers. 🙂
This is the reason why I decided to  go to Morbihan (which is an area of South Brittany) to visit a outdoor photo festival in La Gacillie and the festival of twins, triplets and more organized in Pleucadeuc each year on August 15th.

Little "red flowers" twins

Little “red flowers” twins

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Travel

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