Category: Accessories

STC Showcase New Accessories at Photokina

Press release issued by Sense-Tech Innovation Company:

STC to Showcase a Host of New Products During Photokina 2018

Following the recent announcement of STC’s award-winning products becoming available across Europe via InfinityX Distribution, we are pleased to announce a number of new products to be showcased during Photokina 2018

Sense-Tech Innovation Company, (STC), the Taiwanese optical manufacturer with an enviable heritage of producing precision optical products for serious image-makers and content creators, since 2010.

STC Introduce World’s First Sapphire UV Filter

Award-winning Taiwanese manufacturer of optical products, Sense-Tech Innovation Company, (STC) is proud to introduce a brand-new filter series during Photokina 2018.

Visitors to the pan-European imaging event, which takes place between Wednesday 25th to Saturday 29th September, will witness the world premiere of STC’s Sapphire UV Filter.

This innovative Sapphire UV Filter from STC offers users the benefit of the minimum optical path difference, reducing diffraction in the glass and therefore reducing flare and ghosting. The superior optical coating technology also corrects colour casting by suppressing ultraviolet light before 380nm, and the transmittance of visible light registers at a staggering 99.5%.

STC has adopted the use of the world’s thinnest single-crystal Taiwan-made semiconductor glass, which is naturally strong and structured by the chemically strengthened 800Mpa glass, which will provide users with the most reliable protection for both lens and images.

World Leaders in Compatible Clip-in Filters

As the world-leading brand of clip-in filters, STC presents new and patented clip-filters for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Fujifilm full-frame and APS-C DSLRs and Olympus micro-four-thirds cameras.

Along with these, visitors to Photokina 2018 can also expect to see a number of new customised clip-in filters for use with drones, including ND, and clip-in filters for use with Panasonic camera models, along with colour-correction coated gelatin filter for a number of Canon and Sigma lenses.

STC’s filter series ranges from Astro to Infrared, Infrared Cut and Neutral Density.

Astrophotography

For enthusiasts of astrophotography, STC will also present the brand’s Nightscape Filter, which cuts light pollution, retaining original colour of cityscapes and landscapes.

Designed for simple use, even for beginners, STC’s Nightscape Filter utilises the same superior colour coating design as the brand’s Astro Multispectra Filter but with the allowance of 40% mercury and sodium light transmittance for optimum results.

STC’s excellent Astro Duo-Narrowband Filter captures the specific wavelengths of gaseous and planetary nebulae, Hα and OIII, realising the vision of many deep-sky astrophotographers, allowing users to shoot with less time, whilst still achieving detailed, superior images.

Olympus PEN-F Grip

Not only do STC produce world-leading optical products, as outlined above, but the brand also manufactures a number of exceptional accessories for brands, such as Nintendo, Hasbro, Garmin and Fisher Price, as well as many well-known imaging brands.

Adding to this long list of successful partnerships, STC present a brand new hand grip for the popular Olympus PEN-F camera.

  • Solid and comfortable holding vertical hand grip for Olympus PEN-F camera
  • Aluminium alloy metal with retro silver-anodized, yet 107g light to carry
  • No Disassembly Necessity: battery and SD card can be freely taken out without removing the grip
  • Standard 1/4″ stainless screw can mount on tripod directly
  • Flat Slotted screw: Easy to assemble with just one random coin
  • Rubber cushion better protect your camera from vibration.

Mobile Phone Filters

During Photokina 2018, STC will present its new filter kit for use with mobile phones. These exceptional new products remove unwanted reflection light, reducing the brightness for motion blur and changing colour temperature without lowering the image resolution.

Photokina 2018

STC will be present during Photokina 2018 in Hall 3.1, stand C60, where visitors can see a broad range of products from the brand.

On their stand throughout Photokina 2018, STC will have a spectrometer to hand, to demonstrate the optical excellence of their wide range of filters.

STC

Lexar NS100 and NS200 SSDs

Press release issued by Lexar:

Lexar Announces New NS100 and NS200 2.5” SATA III (6GB/s) Solid-State Drive (SSD)

The Easy Upgrade to Boost Your Computers Performance

San Jose, CA, September 18, 2018 – Lexar, a leading global brand of flash memory solutions, today announced two new internal solid-state drive solutions to rejuvenate old laptops or PCs. The new Lexar® NS100 2.5” SATA III (6GB/s) solid-state drive (SSD) and Lexar® NS200 2.5” SATA III (6GB/s) solid-state drive (SSD).

The entry-level NS100 SSD is an affordable upgrade for casual users who want more performance than their hard-disk drives (HDD) can provide. It provides faster boot-ups, application load times, and data transfers – turning your old computer from dinosaur to dynamo with sequential read speeds of up to 550MB/s. 1 The NS200 SSD is ready for gamers and professionals looking to refresh their system with a quicker internal drive solution, giving the speed needed to take multitasking on an old PC or laptop to the next level. Users will be able to power through the day with sequential read speed of up to 550MB/sand sequential read of up to 510MB/s1, faster app response times and better overall performance for gaming, photo, and video editing, or other multimedia applications. Both Lexar NS100 and NS200 are shock and vibration resistant4, making them more reliable and durable than typical HDD, plus they also feature SSD Dash management so the user can monitor their drive and make sure their applications maintain exceptional performance. 3

“The outlook for the solid-state drive industry remains strong and continues on a path to become more broadly used. We’re excited about adding an internal SSD category to our product portfolio as we continue our commitment on delivering innovative and fast-performing storage solutions. The NS100 and NS200 SSD delivers Lexar quality to accelerate your computer’s performance with optimized speed and reliability,” said Joel Boquiren, Director of Global Marketing.

The Lexar NS100 2.5” SATA III (6GB/s) solid-state drive will be offered in 120GB, 240GB, 480GB capacities, and the Lexar NS200 2.5” SATA III (6GB/s) solid-state drive in 240GB, 480GB capacities, with a three-year limited warranty. The new NS100 is available mid-September at MSRP $29.99 USD (120GB), $49.99 USD (240GB), $89.99 USD (480GB), and the NS200 is available mid-September at MSRP $79.99 USD (240GB), $109.99 USD (480GB). For more information visit www.lexar.com

This product announcement confirms that Lexar is returning to the high-performance storage market, and will continue to produce, develop, and strengthen the portfolio of memory solutions centered on performance, quality, and reliability.

Lexar will be exhibiting at this year’s Photokina, in Cologne, Germany September 26th – 29th, with new product announcements, focused around one of the most exciting shows in the professional photographers’ calendar.

Billingham introduces the Hadley Small Pro

New addition to Billingham Hadley photographic bag range provides outstanding protection for compact system cameras

14 March 2018: Billingham has added the Hadley Small Pro to its renowned Hadley camera bag range, offering exceptional protection for small mirrorless system cameras, rangefinders and mid-sized DSLRs. Precision-engineered at Billingham’s manufacturing facility in the West Midlands, the Hadley Small Pro builds upon the successful Hadley Small – one of the company’s most popular bags – with the addition of several practical new features designed for professional photographers.

Rugged, weather-resistant yet extremely compact and light, the Hadley Small Pro is perfect for travelling, or for carrying smaller equipment on location shoots or daily photographic work. The new bag will be available in six classic colour combinations from the end of March 2018 from authorised Billingham stockists and www.billingham.co.uk, and will have a suggested retail price of £200 including VAT.

Colour combinations available from launch:

– Khaki Canvas/Tan Leather
– Khaki FibreNyte/Chocolate Leather
– Sage FibreNyte/Chocolate Leather
– Burgundy Canvas/Chocolate Leather
– Black Canvas/Tan Leather
– Black FibreNyte/Black Leather

As with all Billingham products, the Hadley Small Pro is made in England, and crafted from the company’s highly durable canvas or colour-fast FibreNyte material. These hard-wearing textiles are bonded to Stormblock material: two layers of fabric fused with butyl rubber for ultimate weather resistance. Due to its special composition, Stormblock never requires ‘reproofing’, remaining water-resistant for its entire life.

Following feedback from Billingham customers, the bag has been enhanced with a number of new features. A strong, padded, leather-reinforced handle has been added to the top cover to provide extra comfort and a secure grip. The adjustable, shuttle woven polyester shoulder strap is now detachable, transforming the Hadley Small Pro into a stylish, compact messenger bag when removed, ideal for photographers wishing to use it as carry-on luggage. A handy rear pocket, featuring a water-repellent zip for protection against adverse conditions, allows owners to stow important documents such as passports or tickets for quick and easy access when on the move.

A durable rear luggage strap enables the bag to be conveniently retained on a trolley suitcase handle for fuss-free transportation.

The Hadley Small Pro’s premium quality fittings and buckles have been manufactured from solid brass, while the trims and straps are made from the finest full-grain leather. Each bag has been carefully finished and numbered by an individual Billingham team member and carries a unique serial code, and the signature Billingham logo has been embossed into leather on the front main flap.

Its sculpted top cover protects the contents from the elements, while inside the bag, a generously padded full-sized insert delivers excellent impact protection for valuable equipment, which can be unclipped and removed if required, to convert the Hadley Small Pro to a work bag, compact travel holdall or day bag for personal belongings.

For additional flexibility, within the insert are two removable, repositionable padded vertical dividers that run the height of the bag, plus two smaller dividers for stacking lenses. The top of the insert features a padded flap, further safeguarding possessions from rain, and delivering added protection in the event of a fall or knock.

Two spacious, expanding front pockets provide extra capacity for storing lenses or accessories, and incorporate studs that can be unfastened or closed for increased versatility. The leather front straps with Quick Release System ensure fast and discreet access to the equipment inside the bag, and can be effortlessly opened or secured with one hand. Two high quality brass buckles allow the photographer to adjust the leather straps to fit snugly around the front pockets and their contents.

The Billingham Hadley Small Pro comes with a five year manufacturer’s guarantee.

Billingham Hadley Small Pro specifications

External dimensions (W x D x H)

Internal dimensions (W x D x H)

 330mm x 140mm x 260mm

260mm x 80mm x 190mm
Weight (inc shoulder sling and padded insert) 0.9kg
Main compartment capacity 3.5 litres
Front pockets (x2) capacity 0.5 to 0.75 litres each
Included accessories Removable full insert

Divider set (2 x small and 2 x large dividers)

Front straps

Removable shoulder sling
Optional accessories Fine leather shoulder pad (SP40)

Fine leather luggage tally

Replacement insert, dividers and straps as above

 

Harry Billingham, director, said, “Once again, we have listened to the feedback and specific requests from our loyal customers, and have integrated the most-wanted features into this newly-designed model. Created with mid-sized DSLRs and CSCs in mind, the Hadley Small Pro is deceptively spacious and versatile, and can be configured with the supplied accessories and inserts to suit the individual photographer’s needs. We believe users will welcome the additional functionality, comfort and convenience of the Hadley Small Pro, which has been painstakingly engineered for ultimate portability and protection.”

A family business, Billingham thoroughly sources and tests all materials, ensuring that every bag is built for maximum strength and reliability, using the most innovative, durable and authentic components. Manufacturing is carried out to meticulous standards of technical precision, and once the product passes the company’s rigorous quality checks, an individual laser-engraved woven label containing a unique 10-digit barcoded serial number is applied. This represents the Billingham seal of excellence, and allows the bag to be registered, identified and tracked throughout its life.

More information on the Billingham range can be found at www.billingham.co.uk.

Availability

The Billingham Hadley Small Pro will be available from www.billingham.co.uk and authorised Billingham stockists from the end of March 2018. Price includes VAT.

Snap-Grip aims at Smartphone and Action Camera photographers

INTRODUCING THE SNAP-GRIP: A LIGHTWEIGHT AND VERSATILE MOUNTING SOLUTION FOR DYNAMIC SHOOTING

Key Features:

• The Multi-mount clamp has three mounting options allowing for various setups to suit your style of image making
• Modular construction with PICA-POD components for ultimate versatility
• Available soon in a range of materials to suit your lifestyle

With mobile photography and filmmaking on the rise (and rise), mounting and accessory solutions are becoming more crucial for mobile journalists, vloggers and consumers alike.

Ultimate versatility

Supplied exclusively by specialist distributor, InfinityX, the brand-new Snap-Grip from Pica-Gear is built from the very same modular components as the popular Pica-Pod. Demonstrating the same tough qualities and versatility as its big brother, the Snap-Grip comes complete with three camera screw points, which means that it can be extended, giving ultimate flexibility in a wide range of shooting situations.

• Snap Grip is an extendable system supporting both action cameras and smartphones
• Configure digital devices around your action cam to improve image quality or connectivity into social media
• Handle mode: creates steadier blur-free images

Whilst other mounting solutions in the market incorporate a handle, the Snap-Grip’s handle adapts to form a mini tripod. Complete with solid brass screw inserts and aluminium anodised tripod legs, the Snap-Grip is perfect for use in the following scenarios:

Whilst other mounting solutions in the market incorporate a handle, the Snap-Grip’s handle adapts to form a mini tripod. Complete with solid brass screw inserts and aluminium anodised tripod legs, the Snap-Grip is perfect for use in the following scenarios:

• With tripod: Capturing group shots
• Take a break and set your device down for convenient Image playback/browsing with smartphones
• The multi-mount clamp has a wide reach to support even the larger smartphones

Steve Cumbers, Managing Director, InfinityX, said: “The Snap-Grip represents a giant leap in possibilities for photographers and filmmakers shooting with mobile devices and action cameras. The product is exceptional in terms of its versatility and its build quality will reassure users that they will be able to trust the Snap-Grip for many years to come.”

Steve added: “With various extension kits and accessories in the pipeline, users can be assured that the Snap-Grip ecosystem will only continue to grow, ensuring users a reassuring and increasingly capable range of compatible products.”

About Pica-Gear

Designed and produced to military standard, Pica-Gear products offer image-makers the most versatile, reliable and robust products currently in the specialist imaging market.

Pica-Gear products have designed specifically for ‘run & gun’ filmmakers, photojournalists and vloggers, but with the ability to adapt to any situation for both videographers and photographers. They have been meticulously engineered for professional and durable use; offering limitless options for setting up all kinds of cameras, monitors, power and audio solutions; giving the user a distinct advantage in their ability to adapt to any given shooting situation and from hand-grip to mini tripod in seconds.

About InfinityX

InfinityX is a brand-new, dynamic, UK-based distributor, serving the specialist imaging and sports markets. Carving a niche in the growing action and mobile image-making markets, InfinityX stand alone in offering exceptional products, coupled with UK support and warranties.

Three Legged Think and the Return of Brian

Award-winning British tripod maker, 3 Legged Thing announces the return of their iconic, hero, travel tripod, Brian, with new and refined features.

STAGSDEN, BEFORDSHIRE – 12th March 2018
He’s back! 3 Legged Thing’s most iconic tripod has been given an extensive facelift, and now joins 3LT’s Punks range of tripods. Thoroughly refined and improved, the new Punks Brian is a true travel tripod – lightweight for portability at only 1.45 kg / 3.1 lb, and compact for transportation, folding to just 41 cm / 16.5 “. Brian’s travel pedigree does not forsake any capability as his 2 column sections and 5 leg sections offer ultimate versatility, as well as a maximum height of 1.87 m / 74 “.

Danny Lenihan, 3 Legged Thing’s Founder & CEO explains the return: “Brian was our first ever tripod, and the catalyst for our naming trend, and inspiration for all the brands that have followed suit. We retired Brian after four incarnations – 1st Gen, 2nd Gen, Evo 2 and Evo 3, back in 2015, with a heavy heart. At the time we felt we needed a fresh angle. We’ve missed him every day since, and so I am so excited to announce his return, but this time as part of our iconic Punks range.”

The brand new Punks Brian will be unveiled at The Photography Show, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from 17-20th March 2018, and can be viewed at 3 Legged Thing’s exhibition stand no E71 throughout the show.

Designed and engineered in Stagsden, England, Punks Brian is made from eight layers of 100% pure pre-preg carbon fibre, and includes all the premium features users expect from 3 Legged Thing tripods. These include a detachable monopod leg; patented Tri-mount plate which allows the attachment of accessories; removable and reversible centre column; ultra-low-level shooting using the widest 80 ̊ leg angle; and ergonomic, water-dispersing bubble-grips which provide better leverage, even in damp conditions.

Like 3 Legged Thing’s other tripods, Brian includes modular functionality, enabling users to remove, attach and reconfigure elements of the tripod allowing a multitude of uses. This includes the removable centre column which allows use of the tripod as low as 11 cm / 4.3”, and can also be added to the detachable monopod leg to create an ultra-tall monopod that extends to 1.92 m / 75.5”.

Available in two colourways – grey and blue with copper accents; and matte black with accents of British Racing Green – Punks Brian additionally includes an AirHed Neo ballhead which incorporates two spirit level bubbles; a tough nylon drawstring carry bag; and rubber Bootz footwear which grip a variety of surfaces. Brian’s footwear can be changed to suit different terrains, and 3 Legged Thing offers Heelz, Clawz, and Stilettoz for sale separately.

Brian is available to pre-order from 12th March, and will be available online and via camera retailers worldwide from 2nd April 2018.

# # #

Headquartered in a converted chicken shed (The Chicken Shed) on Kinsbourne Farm, in Stagsden, Bedfordshire, 3 Legged Thing is a small, British company of passionate people, creating and innovating camera support systems for photographers and videographers. 3 Legged Thing is the Winner of the Lucie Technical Award’s 2017 Tripod of the Year.