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Hands-On Review and Kickstarter info: PeakDesign’s Capture Pro, Slide, Clutch and Anchor Links

If you’ve seen me walking around with my gear over the last year or two, you will probably see my camera hanging off the left side of my chest, supported by a small metal object called the PeakDesign Capture Pro Camera Clip. I originally purchased the product, along with a DUALplate that works with both ARCA style and Manfrotto RC2 Quick Release (QR) Plates via the company’s first Kickstarter campaign, and I absolutely love it. It is very strong, easily supporting my Canon 6D and 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS lens (about 3 lb. combined), and I plan to test an 8 lb. lens soon to see how it fares. It is easy to attach my camera to the clip via the DUALplate, and it’s also very easy to release my camera from the Capture Clip using my opposite hand on the red button. That being said, I often keep the camera attached to me and take photos that way, which was a fantastic revelation when I tested it the first time. Turning the camera to a vertical orientation is a bit more difficult while it is attached, but I manage to make it work. The advantage is that I will never drop the camera this way–I can quickly take a photo and not waste a moment, and the stability of the images is definitely improved.

The company launched its third Kickstarter campaign in July of 2014. Until now, I’ve purchased all of their gear via their two other Kickstarter campaigns and at their booth at the PhotoPlus Expo, but I was very interested in testing their newest gear, so when I was asked if I was interested in reviewing each of their newest products: Slide, Clutch and Anchor Links, I said “definitely!.” I plan to do a more in-depth review of these products soon, but I wanted to make sure I posted this before their Kickstarter campaign ends. In general, you can save at least $10 by purchasing via the Kickstarter campaign, and if the campaign has ended when you read this, the estimated availability of the products can be found on Peak Design’s website.

Slide

Let’s start with the PeakDesign Slide. This is a camera strap that uses the company’s Anchor link system (the anchors look like a coin attached to a small rubber band, and fit into a metal fastening device), which is truly a fantastic way to attach gear via a one-finger release that is almost impossible to mistakingly open (unlike some other “plastic click lock” systems I’ve seen). The strap works almost like a camera sling because the material (similar to seat belt material), slides along most clothing very smoothly. The padded strap is extremely well made, easy to adjust and the wide strap makes it very comfortable, even with relatively heavy DSLR/lens combinations (this is user dependent of course, but I could hardly feel my 3 lb. lens/camera combo when using the strap and walking around a studio and outdoors for an hour or so). You have the option of attaching the anchor links to the traditional metal neck strap rings or to one of PeakDesign’s QR plates. I prefer using the metal neck strap rings so that I can leave the QR plate free for mounting on my Manfrotto RC2-compatible tripod heads or monopod with RC2 adapter.

One minor thing I would have liked to see with the Slide is a choice of PeakDesign QR plates (for the Kickstarter campaign, only their ARCAplate is included). It’s really not a big deal for me for two reasons: First, I am not attaching the Slide to a plate at all, so it is just a bonus item that is included. If I did want to attach the Slide to the bottom of my camera, I already have a DUALplate. For those who don’t have a PeakDesign Capture or Capture PRO, which come with a choice of plates, and if you then want to use the Slide and attach the anchor links to the bottom, you’ll just need to purchase a DUALplate (about $30).

Clutch

Clutch is a new hand strap designed for the side of a camera. It is very nicely designed, and I found it very comfortable to use. It attaches to the right-side metal camera strap ring as well as the bottom of the camera via an anchor link. What I like most about it is that it is easy to tighten by pulling down on the sturdy rubberized part located on the end of the strap. It is also easy to release by just pulling up on the metal ring that has a carabiner on one end.

Anchor Links

Until the announcement of this product. PeakDesign’s Anchor links could only be found integrated into some of their products, including Leash (a lighter-weight camera strap compared with the Slide (but also strong and well-made) and Cuff, a wrist strap (also very well made and a product I like a lot).

Anchor links now allow you to turn any camera strap (or even straps like Guitar Straps (hint, hint!)) into quick-release straps using the very strong, one-hand releasable anchor link system.

New Products Announced: Shell and Capture Bino

PeakDesign also just announced two products, called Shell (a rain and dust cover) and Capture Bino (a binocular holder). See the Kickstarter page for more information.

Summary

I’m very impressed by all of PeakDesign’s products that I’ve used so far including their Capture Pro, ProPad, (which acts as support for their Capture plates), DUALplate, Slide, Clutch, and P.O.V. kit. I expect to post at least one more review  in the near future, including a review with video to show how I use the products. If there is one thing I’d like to see changed, it would be having the option to choose between the company’s ARCAplate and DUALplate (or new plate called the PROplate). Hopefully, that will be an option when the products start being sold. I would also like to see even stronger anchor links (maybe reinforced with steel wire). The current material used is very strong (I’ve been using them for years on different cameras), but they can fray, so you need to keep an eye on them.

To visit the company’s Kickstarter page (campaign ends 8/15/2014), visit this page.

 

Full Disclosure: I received one PeakDesign Slide, Clutch and set of Anchor Links to do this review and to test the products. I  will be keeping them for further testing, reviews, etc. I have not been compensated in any way other than by the receipt of the products for testing.

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Two Upcoming Workshops in NJ on Image Management/Backup and Lightroom Printing – 12/13 and 12/15, 2013

There is a fantastic free event happening at Unique Photo in Fairfield, NJ from Fri. 12/13-12/15, 2013 called the NJ Camera Show. It’s a great opportunity to try out different lenses and other gear, and see a lot of speakers covering many topics, including how to use your DSLR more effectively (registration is generally $10 for most of the classes, and you then get that $10 back to use in the store, which is packed full of photo and video gear). Quick tip: bring a few extra SD or CF cards so that you can put them in different cameras and then take the cards home to see the cameras’ and lenses’ image quality.

ANDREW DARLOW’S UPCOMING WORKSHOP AT THE NJ CAMERA SHOW 

Date: Fri. Dec. 13, 2013
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm (during the NJ Camera Show) 
(Please register for the show before registering for this or any other workshop.)

In this one hour lecture, Andrew will cover these and other topics:

– How to avoid pop-up messages and applications that want to “help” you bring your images into your computer when you connect a media card or camera.
– How to set up a “bullet-proof” system for downloading and cataloging your files using the Apple OS and either Apple Aperture or Adobe Lightroom.
– Suggestions for a few affordable “set it and forget it” unlimited backup systems.
– An easy (and free) service that allows you to create auto backups of your Lightroom catalog(s) to “the Cloud.”
– Tips for easily transferring and selectively deleting still photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch while still being able to keep some of them to show friends and family.

PLEASE NOTE: This workshop was designed for and will be tailored to users of Mac OSX 10.7 (Lion), 10.8 (Mountain Lion), or 10.9 (Mavericks).

To register for the camera show, visit https://www.uniquephoto.com/njcamerashow. Then, to register for Andrew’s workshop, visit this page: https://www.uniquephoto.com/event/856

ANDREW DARLOW’S UPCOMING LIGHTROOM PRINTING WORKSHOP IN NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ

Date: Sun, Dec. 15, 2013
Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm

Whether you make prints on your own printer or use a lab, one thing always stays constant-to get great results, you’ve got to color manage your system and prepare your files properly. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom offers many powerful tools for organizing, editing printing and exporting images.

A partial list of what will be covered:

• How to make sure that your monitor and lighting are set up properly;
• How to determine and set the resolution of your images;
• How to quickly and inexpensively test the color & quality of any printer or photo lab; and
• Specific Lightroom Print Module Workflow tips.

A printed handout and links to more than 100 custom Print Module templates will also be provided to all attendees. Each participant will receive 40-50 sheets of letter-size fine-art papers valued at over $40. Readers of ImagingBuffet.com will also receive a follow-up 30 minute phone consultation with Andrew Darlow.

Workshop Fee: $89 per person

To see a full workshop description or to register, please visit https://lightroom15.eventbrite.com

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Some Upcoming Workshops and Cyber Monday 2013 Specials Worth A Look

I recently sent out a “Top 5” Newsletter to my subscribers (it’s free to sign up via the link at the bottom of this post, or on this page). I send it out about once a month, and it usually includes Lightroom, Photoshop and/or printing tips, information about upcoming workshops, books, etc., and links to special offers or other items of interest. With today, 12/2/2013 being Cyber Monday, I thought I’d share some special offers that have come across my e-mail in-box, and that I personally am offering. I receive no commission on any of these offers, except of course for my own offers (#5 and #6).

1. Adobe’s very special offer of Photoshop and Lightroom for $9.99/month (even if you don’t own any version of any Adobe product).

This is a great offer from Adobe that expires Mon. 12/2/2013. For the last few months, anyone who owned Photoshop CS3 or later could sign up for a new “Photoshop Photography Program” for $9.99/month that includes access to current versions and updates of Photoshop and Lightroom, plus 20GB of online storage and an online portfolio on Behance.com. Now, Adobe is extending that offer to anyone. For more information or to sign up (an annual commitment is required), visit this page. This is for Mac and Windows users.

2. Peak Design Black Friday/Cyber Monday Special

Peak Design makes some innovative products that I use and highly recommend. I’ve purchased their PROpad, Leash, CapturePRO with DUALplate (that one plate works with Arca-Swiss style and Manfrotto RC-2 quick release plates (Manfrotto calls it the “Rapid Connect System”), and an extra DUALplate so that I use multiple cameras with their CapturePRO.

The company is having a very good Black Friday/Cyber Monday special that you can find here:
https://peakdesignltd.com/store/black-friday-bundle

Below is a photo and caption from Peak Design’s recent Kickstarter update that shows the products they are offering for the bundle:

3. Kolo.com’s 12 Days of Special Offers

For the next 12 days, Kolo.com is having a number of different special offers. If you don’t know their products, you should definitely take a look at their site. Their books, albums, boxes and other products are very high-end and elegant, but affordable.

The main site, which contains information about the 12 days of special offers is https://www.kolo.com

4. Athentech Imaging’s 50% off Black Friday/Cyber Monday Special Offer

If you like the idea of a “one-click” improvement solution, Athentech Imaging’s Perfectly Clear Plug-Ins are definitely worth a look. They even have a 30 day Money Back Guarantee, and you can download a 30 day trial as well.

My recommendation is to just purchase the Photoshop Plug-in if you own Lightroom and Photoshop. Then, for images you want to correct using the Plug-in, export your files from Lightroom, and then process them inside of Photoshop with the Plug-in. Then import the edited images you want to import into a Lightroom catalog. That will allow you to close Lightroom while you are working in Photoshop on your images. It’s a bit more time consuming, but you can more easily track your images, and it’s easier to give them unique names that way. Here’s the link to take advantage of the offer:

https://www.athentech.com/products/black-friday-plug-ins/

5. UPCOMING LIGHTROOM & FINE ART PAPER WORKSHOP

I’m very excited to be offering a three hour inkjet printing with Lightroom workshop in New York City on December 7, 2013. Anyone who mentioned this post and who signs up for the workshop by Wed. 12/4 will receive a free follow-up private 30 minute phone consultation with me ($100 value). I can also view your screen as we chat so that I can see exactly what you are seeing. It’s almost as good as working together in person.

I think the best part of the workshop will be seeing prints on a wide variety of fine-art papers from a number of manufacturers, including:

o Canson Infinity

o Hahnemühle

o HARMAN by Hahnemühle

o Moab Paper

o Museo Fine Art

o Premier Imaging Products, and

o Red River Paper

For more information or to register, please visit:

https://lightroom127.eventbrite.com

6. SPECIAL BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY CONSULTING OFFER

I have a special offer for those who would like to reserve a 3 hour session (or two 90 minute sessions) with me via phone. Instead of my normal rate of $199/hr, your investment is just $99/hr. This special offer is only available if you send me an e-mail through this page and mention this offer. We will then determine a day or two for the sessions, and payment will be due after each session (as long as you are very happy with the services I provide). Some common items that I’ve helped others with recently include: system and file setup, retouching and workflow using Lightroom, and screen to print matching with little effort. I look forward to working with you!

This special offer expires on 12/2/2013 at 11:59pm EST.

Here is the page to send me an e-mail to take advantage of this special offer:

https://imagingbuffet.com/contact-us/

And below is a form to sign up for the newsletter, which includes a link to a free one hour Lightroom and photo tips video.

First Name:
Email:

We respect your privacy. Your e-mail will never be shared or sold.

All the best, thanks for stopping by, and Happy Holidays!

Andrew