Deal: Lowepro Echelon Attache

As one of its daily deals, B&H Photo Video offers the Lowepro Echelon Attache for $89.95 with free shipping. It holds one pro DSLR, up to three lenses, and a 13" laptop. Deal ends today.

The Echelon features a zippered main compartment and numerous dividers for organizing your pro DSLR camera and 2-3 lenses, flash unit, and other accessories. It will even accommodate a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens. Inside the Echelon is a slip-in pocket for storing up to a 13" laptop. An exterior, zippered, front pocket features an organizational panel with pockets for your passport, ID, pens, memory cards, and other small items.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• Holds 1 Pro DSLR, 2-3 Lenses & More
• Slip-In Pocket for up to a 13" Laptop
• MaxFit Touch-Fastening Divider System
• Organizational Panel with Pockets
• Dual, Leather, Top Grab Handles
• Removable Shoulder Strap with Pad
• YKK Zippers with a TSA-Approved Lock
• Trolley Handle Pass-Through
• All-Weather Cover & Pouch Included

Deal: Oben Aluminum Tripod w/Ball Head

As one of its daily deals, B&H Photo Video offers the Oben Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head for $79.95 with free shipping. It features a 13.2-lb load capacity, height adjustment from 9" to 65.3", and a removable head. Deal ends today.

Deal: FotodioX CraftMaster LenzCoaster Lens Replica Coaster Set

Everyone has seen or own one those Canon look-a-like coffee lens mug. What if you had a coaster to put your mug on them? Well FotodioX recently launched a new line of drink coasters called the LenzCoaster. Each set of 5 coasters stacks to form a look alike 85mm f/1.2L camera lens.

There are hidden magnets inside the coasters to hold them together to form the shape of a lens when it is not in use. On the top and bottom of each coaster is a pad of non-slip silicone to keep not only the drink from moving but the coaster as well.

The LenzCoaster are $24.95 each and is available at Amazon and B&H Photo. The coasters come in three different colors: black on black, red on black and black on white.

Product Description
LenzCoaster Coaster Set from FotodioX is a distinctive accessory for a photography enthusiast. This seemingly innocuous replica of an 85mm lens is composed of five coasters held together by magnets. The coasters can be easily split apart for use, and them brought back together to rebuild the disguise. Silicone pads on the top and bottom of each piece help absorb moisture and keep your drink from sliding.

• Replica lens separates into five drink coasters
• Hidden magnets hold the pieces together when not in use
• Silicone top and bottom prevent drink and coaster from sliding

Press Release: Canon Announces the Macro Twin-Lite MT-26EX-RT Flash

Canon announced the Macro Twin-Lite MT-26EX-RT, a dual Speedlite rig for macro photographers. The detachable twin lights can be rotated 60 degrees and provide a maximum guide number of 26m at ISO 100 (the existing MT-24EX is rated to 22m). It supports Canon's radio-based wireless control system in addition to the traditional optical setup. Flash power can be adjusted all the way down to 1/512 and recycle times range from 3.3 seconds in "quick" mode to 5 sec for a full recharge.

The Canon Macro Twin-Lite MT-26EX-RT Flash will be available in November for $990.

Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-26EX RT $990: Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama

Continue reading for full press release.

Press Release: Canon Announces Three New Tilt-Shift Lenses

Canon has introduced three new tilt-shift lenses: the TS-E 50mm F2.8L Macro, TS-E 90mm F2.8L Macro and 135mm F4L Macro. Canon says that all three offer improved image quality compared to previous TS-E lenses, with enhancements such as molded aspherical glass and UD lenses. SubWaveLength Structure Coating (SWC) is used in the TS-E 50mm F2.8L and 135mm F4L to reduce ghosting and flare, and a new anti-reflective Air-Sphere Coating (ASC) is used in the TS-E 50mm F2.8L and TS-E 90mm F2.8L. Each lens comes with usability improvements including a larger tilt range, shift-and-lock knobs and a mechanism to lock the lens at its zero-tilt position.

The new TS-E lenses will be available in November, each with a $2200 price tag.

Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro $2200: Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro $2200: Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama
Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro $2200: Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama

Continue reading for full press release.

Press Release: Canon Announces the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

Canon has announced the EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM stabilized portrait prime. It's the company's first f1.4 offering at that focal length, joining its current EF 85mm F1.8 USM and EF 85mm F1.2L II USM lenses. The EF 85mm F1.4L provides up to four stops of stabilization, uses a nine-blade aperture and offers a dust and weather-resistant build.

The Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM is expected to ship in November for $1600.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS $1600: Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama

Continue reading for full press release.

Press Release: Think Tank Photo Announces Spectral Shoulder Bags

Our friends at Think Tank Photo have just announced a new line of shoulder bags for DSLR and mirrorless systems. The new Spectral shoulder bags feature a Fidlock clasp that enables one-handed access to gear and then locks automatically when closing the flap. An additional zippered closure gives peace of mind while traveling and can be tucked away when actively shooting. Constructed with durable yet stylish materials, the Spectral Shoulder Bag offers Think Tank quality and ingenuity at a reasonable price.

The Spectral 8 fits one standard size DSLR body with a wide or short zoom, a 24–70mm f/2.8 detached, plus one to two small extra lens, and an eight-inch tablet. Or, it fits a Mirrorless kit with three to four lenses, including the 50–140mm. The Spectral 10 fits one standard size DSLR body with 24–70mm attached, a 70–200mm detached, one to three extra lenses, and a 10” tablet. The Spectral 15 fits one standard size DSLR body with 24–70mm attached, a 70–200mm detached, two to four extra lenses, flash, a 10” tablet, and a 15” laptop.

Spectral 8 is $99.75, Spectral 10 is $119.75 and Spectral 15 is $139.75. Spectrals come in two different colors: Vintage and Technical Black. And don’t forget that when you use our URL you will receive free gear and free shipping with your order of all Think Tank gear, including the Spectrals.

Continue reading for full press release.

Deal: Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash

As one of its daily deals, B&H Photo Video offers the Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash for $259 with free shipping. It features a 360-watt output, 262-foot guide number at ISO 100, optical slave mode with 33-range range, stroboscopic mode, -15° to 90° tilt, and 135° right and 180° left rotation. Deal ends today.

Deal: Feiyu G5 Handheld Gimbal for GoPro

As one of its daily deals, B&H Photo Video offers the Feiyu G5 Handheld Gimbal for GoPro Hero5/Hero4 for $179 with free shipping. It features a 4-way gimbal control joystick, splash-proof design, and brushless motors. Deal ends today.

Review: Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap (2017)

Overview : Total peace of mind in a tiny, low-profile package. Cuff is the most elegant, unobtrusive way to protect your camera from accidental drops. Quickly and securely connects to any camera, binoculars, or other device using our unique Anchor Link system. Wrist loop magnetically locks in the open position (new!), or comfortably cinches down on your wrist for added security. New all-custom aluminum hardware. When not in use, Cuff stores as a bracelet for quick accessibility.

New/Improved

• New all aluminum anodized hardware
• New 1-handed adjusting design
• Adjuster locks in open wrist loop position
• Magnetic wrist lock for storing as bracelet
• Anchor connectors revamped - more secure, fast, and lower profile than ever
• New canted/angled Anchors for effortless 1-handed connection
• New thin Anchor cords fit through more camera strap loops/eyelets
• 25% slimmer Anchor housing hardware
• Anchors still hold 200+ lbs (90+kg)
• New ultra-smooth nylon webbing with tighter weave
• Premium materials and refined aesthetics
• Choose from new Black and Ash color-ways

Additional Features

• Ultra-minimalist, ultra-strong camera drop protection
• Works with all cameras, binoculars
• Fits almost all hand and wrist sizes
• Comfortably cinches on wrist for added security

Review: Peak Design Leash Camera Strap (2017)

Overview : The most versatile and quick-connecting camera strap in the world, Leash packs thoughtful functionality and endless adaptability into a an ultra-portable package. Configurable as a sling strap, neck strap, safety tether, and more. Easily adjust length with dual aluminum and Hypalon quick-adjusters, designed to operated with just 1 finger. Connects and disconnects quickly using our unique Anchor Link system, and stows easily in your pocket or bag.

New/Improved

• New all-aluminum anodized hardware
• New low-profile dual aluminum/Hypalon quick-adjustment system
• Anchor connectors revamped - more secure, fast, and lower profile than ever
• New canted/angled Anchors for effortless 1-handed connection
• New thin Anchor cords fit through more camera strap loops/eyelets
• 25% slimmer Anchor housing hardware
• Anchors still hold 200+ lbs (90+kg)
• New low-profile Anchor Mount for varying your strap configuration
• New ultra-smooth twist-resistant nylon webbing with tighter, more durable weave
• Premium materials and refined aesthetics for touch/stress points
• Choose from new Black and Ash color-ways

Additional Features

• Ultralight, ultra-strong design fits in your pocket
• Highly stable camera carry via 2 configurable points of connection
• Quickly convert to 4+ strap configurations
• Works with all cameras, binoculars
• Huge range of length adjustment
• Webbing glides over clothing for quick camera access
• Connects to strap loops or camera tripod mount
• Easily stores in a pocket or camera bag

Peak Design Relaunches Leash Ultralight Camera Strap and Cuff Wrist Strap

Our good friends over at Peak Design has just relaunched the Leash, Cuff and Anchor Links. The Leash and Cuff not only come in black but it now comes in Ash as well. They also look a lot more stylish and higher quality (slightly more thicker and tighter weave). The predecessors functioned well but didn't fit well with Peak Designs current product line.

The Leash has new hardware, Hypalon quick-adjuster and slides much smoother.

The Cuff also has new hardware, a magnetic clasp and adjuster system. There's three modes:

1. Open Mode - the loop just stays open so you can easily slide your hand in and out quickly and easily.
2. Cinched Mode - if you pull on the wrist strap, it will cinch and tighten around your wrist for added security.
3. Bracelet Mode - there is a magnetic clasp that lets you wear the Cuff like a bracelet. There is a magnet inside the strap that you can slide and adjust accordingly.

New Anchor mounts are included with the Leash and Cuff. It screws directly to the tripod mount on the bottom of the camera but unlike the other Peak Design plates, you can not mount it onto a ball head. It's simply a discreet looking attachment point to attach the Anchor Links.

The new Anchor Links are just as strong as the predecessor but is half the thickness which can fit through the eyelets of smaller cameras. The "pucks" are also slightly more angled for easy connecting. But don't worry, these new Anchors are backwards compatible with all your current Peak Design straps.

The 2017 Leash, Cuff and Anchor Links are available for purchase starting August 15 from any of these retailers:

Leash ($34.95) - Peak Design | Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama
Cuff ($19.95) - Peak Design | Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama
Anchor Link ($19.95) - Peak Design | Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama

In the meantime, you can check out our full review on the new Leash [review] and Cuff [review].

Don't forget, if you purchase directly from Peak Design using our link, you're eligible to get a FREE gift with purchase of $65 or more.

Continue reading for more information.

Deal: Joby Men's UltraFit Camera Sling Strap

As one of its daily deals, B&H Photo Video offers the Joby Men's UltraFit Camera Sling Strap in Charcoal for $14.99 with free shipping. It's adjustable from M to XL, has a pivot ring, is fiber-glass reinforced, and lockable. Deal ends today.

Deal: Slik Lite Tripod with LED Flashlight

As one of its daily deals, B&H Photo Video offers the Slik Lite Tripod with LED Center Column Flashlight for $199.95 with free shipping. It features a 6.6-lb. load capacity, maximum height of 70", and includes a case. Deal ends today.

Photobucket Image Hosting Alternatives

A few weeks ago, we posted that Photobucket is no longer allowing users to do 3rd party hosting and hotlinking unless the users purchased an outrageous $399.99/year package or $39.99/month — essentially holding everyones images as "ransom". This has caused an uproar on the internet because images will not be shown on forums and sites unless people paid the "ransom".

Photographers and just users in general have been looking for alternatives to Photobucket. Below, we'll list out a few options and routes you can go with.

1. SmugMug (PAID) - We have an advertising relationship with SmugMug
   SmugMug is polished, clean, professional and has a modern looking interface. It is filled with photo uploading/sharing features and even supports video hosting. Tons of customization as well as organization options are equally present but they don’t come free.
   
   SmugMug requires you to purchase one of their monthly or yearly plans to be able to use their services.
   
   • Basic: $47.88/year ($3.99/month) or $5.99/month
   • Power: $71.88/month ($5.99/month) or $8.99/month
   • Portfolio: $150/month ($12.50/month) or $20/month
   • Business: $300/month ($25/month) or $35/month
2. Flickr (FREE/PAID)
   To upload an image or a video, you must have an account. It offers three types of account: Free, Flickrpro and Flickrpro+. If you have a free-type account, you are able to get 1TB cloud storage for free, but each photo you upload is limited to 200 MB and each video up to 1GB and no longer than 3 minutes. The Flickrpro and Flickrpro+ account frees you from any ads. With Flickrpro+, instead of paying monthly you save some money by paying for the year upfront.
   
   • Flickrpro: $5.99/month
   • Flickrpro+: $49.99/year
3. ImageShack (FREE)
   ImageShack is a platform dedicated for image hosting and sharing. There is a 30 day free trial and after that, you have to pay $2/month to continue using it. You can use it to upload your photos fast and effectively, send it to social networking sites, create direct links to embed images and send pictures via email. But just like Photobucket, it is filled with advertisements and the number of images you can upload per day is limited.
4. Imgur (FREE)
   Whether you’ve logged in or not, you can always upload pictures as you like. It offers four ways to upload pictures: browse you computer, enter image URLs, drag and drop and paste from your clipboard. Once a picture is uploaded, you will get multiple links to it, which enable you to insert the picture to any forums and blogs.
5. TinyPic (FREE)
   TinyPic is owned by Photobucket, but you will find it much better to use. You don’t need to have an account to access its uploading function. It provides three file type options for you: Image, Video and Url. But you are only allowed to upload one image or video at a time or in a batch of up to five (5). Image shall not be larger than 1600 pixels, and video not be longer than 15 minutes. Once uploaded, the link to the image will have its own unique link. So the filename is not preserved.
6. UltraIMG (FREE)
   UltraIMG is a free image hosting platform. UltraIMG supports almost all image formats that are currently operation in the photography industry including JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG and much more. However, UltraIMG only supports of the uploading image of up to 2 MB only.
7. Web hosting (PAID)
   If you are knowledgeable or prefer more freedom and customizability, web hosting (ie. GoDaddy, 1&1, etc.) is an option. Price depends on the package that you choose. You will also need to purchase a domain (ie. .com, .photography). Both web hosting and domain names are purchased per year. So purchasing both, it will more than likely cost more than all the other options listed but you have the ability to create your own website, sub-domains, your email address and not have to worry about transferring images if the free site stops 3rd party hosting or jacks up the price.

If there are any sites or services that you think can help other photographers, feel free to contact us or leave a comment.