From time to time, polarizing, neutral density (ND), or other filters all need to be screwed onto a lens barrel. One common trait of the screw threads on lenses is that they are a pain to work with, making it difficult to avoid cross-threads. Additionally, ND and polarizing filters pose their own positioning problems.

All these troubles may be solved by the Xume Quick-Release Adapters and exchange system. Xume’s brilliant idea is based on magnetic lens adapter rings and filter holders. The Xume system requires the user to only go through the threading nightmare once for every filter. When the lens adapter ring is in place, each filter can be attached by simply placing it onto the lens adapter ring. This way, Xume also solves the problem with ND or polarizing filters, as you can rotate filters easily without loosening them.

I tested with a 24–105mm and a 16–70mm lens (77mm thread, currently the only one available). The magnetic force was strong enough to keep my filters firmly attached to the lens adapter ring, even when I accidentally bumped the camera into a pile of user guides on my table. The only disadvantage I found to the Xume system was that it will create vignetting with wide-angle lenses below 24mm. You also need to mount your lens cap on a filter or a filter holder, as the lens adapters are slightly larger than conventional holders.

A single filter holder costs $11.95 and a lens adapter ring costs $32.95. A Starter Kit with one lens adapter and two filter holders is available for $53.95, and a Pro Kit with two lens adapter rings and four filter holders is available for $104.95.

Company: Xume
Price: $104.95 (Pro Kit)
Web: http://xumeadapters1.gostorego.com
Rating: 4.5
Hot: No more cross-threading; mounts fast
Not: Wide-angles below 24mm suffer from vignetting

In addition to calibrating displays, X-Rite’s i1Display Pro also calibrates projectors, measures ambient light, and corrects for glare (for displays lacking a hood). The i1Display Pro comes with X-Rite’s new i1Profiler software.

The i1Display Pro instrument is faster and with better quality than the i1Display 2 or any other colorimeter in the same price range. It has a lens sitting in front of the sensor (like X-Rite’s multi-thousand dollar Hubble system) and a moveable arm that holds the ambient diffuser. The bottom reveals a tripod thread for calibrating projectors. When measuring, a blue LED flashes.

The i1Profiler software auto-detects any type of LCD screen or projector in Basic mode. The user can overrule the software’s choice in Advanced mode, which also enables more features, such as quality control, automatic ambient light adjustment, and testing uniformity of your display.

Our test in Basic mode resulted in calibration settings that were too bright. (Apparently, this is done to open up shadows but happens at the cost of overexposing bright areas.) Using the largest patch number in Advanced mode, the calibration and profile were much better—delta-E of less than 4 (in Basic it was less than 6); however, it took more time (10 minutes instead of 4) to finish calibration. The software erroneously detected Automatic Display Control (ADC) support on my system.

With i1Profiler software, the user enjoys automatic correction (or notification) of luminance levels to changing ambient light at three different time intervals. The ADC support and compensation for glare can be enabled during calibration. For quality checks, you can use a color target, an image, or a Pantone color swatch.

Company: X-Rite, Inc.
Price: $269
Web: www.xrite.com
Rating: 4
Hot: Ease-of-use; speed; flexibility; accuracy
Not: Not terribly accurate in Basic mode

There are many flash modifiers to choose from these days, giving the end user a variety of options with which to customize their flash photography and match their style. With the bigger-is-better mantra when it comes to light, getting that big light source from a small flash provides a challenge that Graslon, Inc. has tackled head on and done a fine job in the process. The Graslon Insight (and Prodigy, its big brother) Dome Flash Diffuser Model 4300D incorporates highly reflective silver baffles inside the base to help intensify the light before it passes through the domed diffuser onto your subject. This design helps you gain back the loss of light caused by shooting through a diffuser. The result is similar to that of a larger light source with a diffused, soft quality in a lightweight, portable package.

I found the setup to be very easy, with four moveable rubberized grips and an adjustable strap—one size fits all and very nicely, I might add, with no sticky Velcro pieces on the flash head.

Also available to fit the Insight is a flat diffuser lens for more directional light as well as Amber lenses in both flat and dome for shooting in tungsten light (the additional lenses cost $19.95 each). An oversize stand ($14.95) allows you to set up your flash remotely using your camera’s TTL system.

I found the Graslon Insight Dome Flash Diffuser very easy to use and was very impressed with the wraparound quality of light it produced. Its light weight makes it a no-brainer as an addition to a travel photographer’s bag.

Company: Graslon, Inc.
Price: $69.95
Web: http://graslon.com
Rating: 4
Hot: Fits most hot shoe flashes without additional adapters
Not: A bit bulky for travel

X-Rite’s i1PhotoPro is a comprehensive package that calibrates and profiles your camera, display, printer, and projector. It’s aimed at professionals whose work demands accurate and consistent colors, from camera to print.

The heart of the package is its spectrophotometer and new i1 Profiler software, which has basic and advanced modes for monitor profiling/calibration and paper profiling. The workflow for both is guided and each step is accompanied by excellent onscreen Help. And, you can save all essential settings and measured data.

Creating custom paper profiles is straightforward. The software generates a printed target of color and black-and-white patches (the user determines the number of patches and I found 400 patches built excellent profiles). The spectrophotometer, which scans and reads the patches to build the profile, sits on a device that smoothly glides over the patches. X-Rite provides a backboard to hold the printed target. The process is quick and easy and the software notifies you if you make a mistake. The glossy and matte prints I made with the X-Rite profiles were spot on, matching the display that I calibrated and profiled with the spectrophotometer. Colors were accurate, with smooth transitions, and full of detail in both shadow and highlights.

Included with the i1PhotoPro package is an effective way to create a custom camera profile: a 24-patch color checker that fits in a shirt pocket—perfect for location work. Photograph the checker in the same light as your subject, drop the file into X-Rite’s color-checker software, and it builds the profile and automatically places it under camera calibration in Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom. It works beautifully. For those who demand complete critical color management of their work, i1PhotoPro won’t disappoint.

Company: X-Rite, Incorporated
Price: $1,399
Web: www.xrite.com
Rating: 5
Hot: Comprehensive precision package; good tech support
Not:

X-Rite’s new version of the ColorMunki Display not only calibrates your display, but it will also calibrate projectors, measure ambient light, and correct for display surface glare. Designed for simplicity, the ColorMunki Display comes with its own wizard-driven software or presets.

Except for the color of the unit, the ColorMunki Display looks identical to the new i1Display Pro. Just like the i1Display Pro, it has a lens sitting in front of the sensor, with a movable arm holding the ambient diffuser. The bottom has a tripod thread for calibrating projectors, and a blue LED flashes when the instrument is measuring. Although the ColorMunki Display looks identical to the i1Display Pro, it’s about five times slower.

The ColorMunki Display software auto-detects any type of LCD screen or projector, and it lets users match display settings on multiple displays connected to the same computer; however, ColorMunki Display lacks extensive quality control and it doesn’t test the uniformity of your display. The software gives users only basic control over profile settings, but it can measure both standard and wide-gamut displays equipped with either fluorescent (CCFL) or LED backlights. ColorMunki Display creates profiles through an iterative measurement process.

At three different time intervals, the ColorMunki Display software automatically corrects for or notifies the user of luminance levels when ambient light changes—but this comes at the expense of accuracy. This can be enabled during calibration, as well as compensation for screen glare.

Calibration results were identical to those created with the more professional i1Profiler Basic mode. Iterative measurement somewhat improved on these, but not by much. The software is easy to use, and makes most difficult decisions by itself.

Company: X-Rite, Incorporated
Price: $169
Web: www.xritephoto.com
Rating: 3.5
Hot: Ease-of-use; accuracy
Not: No extensive quality control

A big difference between the digital and traditional darkroom is the wider variety of paper surfaces available for the digital darkroom and the probability you’ll find a paper that best matches your vision. Epson just released three new inkjet canvas papers from their high-end Signature Worthy paper collection. They come in three different finishes: satin, matte, and gloss.

If you’re a wedding or fine arts photographer and selling prints is part of your income, the distinct canvas surface might be a perfect fit. The surface texture is like traditional painter’s canvas with its distinct tactile feel, and by convention, meant to be stretched, framed, and displayed without glass. All three contain elastic polymers to provide flexibility and to resist cracking when stretched. All three papers are also water resistant and made from an acid-free, lignin-free cotton-polyester blend. The white point is quite bright, especially on the Exhibition Canvas Gloss, and I was able to confirm with Epson that optical brightener agents (OBAs) are used on the papers. The issue is that OBAs deteriorate with time, resulting in a change in the appearance of the original print.

I printed using Epson’s UltraChrome HDR ink set. Dye inks aren’t recommended. Epson says that either matte or photo black ink can be used on canvas, but that matte black ink gives a higher Dmax. Epson posted ICC profiles for all three papers on their website. All three showed a surprisingly wide color gamut, contrast, and the ability to reproduce rich colors with accuracy. Gloss and Satin worked particularly well printing black-and-white images with good tonal gradation and deep blacks. (I don’t know how other manufacturers’ inks would work with these papers.) All three papers are available in roll widths of 13, 17, 24, 36, 44, and 60″ with limited availability of 17×22″ cut sheets.

Choosing the right paper is highly personal. These papers might change the way you see your work and serve as a welcomed addition to your paper arsenal.

Company: Epson America, Inc.

Price: Varies with stock and size

Web: www.proimaging.epson.com

Rating: 4.5

Matte: 4

Hot: Wide color gamut; Dmax

Not: Use of OBAs

With airline travel getting harder and harder these days, I needed an alternative for my camera gear in the event I was forced to gate check it—something I don’t like doing unless absolutely necessary. I decided that a case that would still fit in the overhead of the larger planes was important, so I only had to gate check on the smaller commuter planes.

Enter Porter Case with their line of hard-sided, injection-molded polypropylene, wheeled cases. I chose the PCi Deluxe Camera Divider Case with CART, as it looked like it would carry everything I needed, while providing protection when the bag was taken out of my control, and the wheels would take the stress off my back. Plus, the case configures to work as a dolly allowing me to stack other cases on top of it while wheeling my luggage to and from the car—a very cool feature for us overburdened travelers.

I have to admit to some trepidation on giving up my equipment for the first time, but the Porter Case came through with flying colors! The hard-sided case protected my gear from the impact of loading and unloading it from the cargo hold. The divider system allows me to adjust the slots to accommodate my equipment, with padded dividers between each item further protecting my precious equipment. The oversized wheels work smoothly on smooth, flat surfaces, as well as over rougher terrain making it a good location case, as well. The case has three latches with one built-in TSA lock giving me added insurance that my gear will not be tampered with while out of my control, and it has a gasket to seal against dust and moisture.

With the TSA lock, divider system, and an expandable accordion portfolio in the lid for miscellaneous items, the Porter Case is my case of choice when traveling these days.

Company: Porter Case
Price: $347
Web: www.portercase.com
Rating: 5
Hot: Great alternative for gate checking precious equipment
Not:

Pantone also added two new tools to the swatch books. At the end of each book is an index of colors by number that tells you the page and row where you’ll find each color. Also at the back is a swatch of color that lets you know if your current lighting conditions are suitable for judging color—if the top half isn’t identical to the bottom half, then the lighting is skewing the perception of color.

The swatch books are printed using current standards on coated and uncoated stock. Registering your swatch book online lets you download PANTONE COLOR MANAGER software, which automatically updates your design software with the newest Pantone colors and provides unique tools to work with colors. The COLOR MANAGER works with the Adobe Creative Suite applications, QuarkXPress, and Corel software. (The PLUS colors are already included with current versions of these apps so you can begin using them right away.)

The PLUS Series replaces the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM but uses the same 14 Basic Color Inks. It complements Pantone’s Goe System and uses a new set of base inks.

Swatch books and chip books are available individually and in sets. If your work involves specifying colors, both you and your clients will enjoy the new colors in the PLUS Series.

Company: Pantone LLC
Price: $69 and up
Web: www.pantone.com
Rating: 5
Hot: Hot new colors; logical color arrangement; ColorChecker
Not: Detracts attention from Pantone’s superior Goe System

The creative folks at Lensbaby have been busy coming up with more lenses for their innovative Optic Swap System. According to Lensbaby, the Soft Focus Optic “…creates a velvety soft image perfect for portraits, flowers, landscapes, or any subject that needs a soft touch.” So how does this offering fare? As a user of other Lensbaby products, I was eager to find out.

I mounted the Lensbaby Composer (sold separately for $270) and the Soft Focus Optic on my trusty Nikon and put it to the test. The Composer handles the pivot (to choose the selective focus area) and focusing tasks, while the Soft Focus Optic produces the effect. My test results yielded a mixed bag. For example, in most of my test shots, the highlights were blown out, which produced the soft focus effect. In a few shots where the lighting was even and the subject had some lighter areas, the soft focus effect was quite nice. If you like the blown-out look, then you’ll be happy with the Soft Focus Optic. If you’re not a fan, you can use the optic when photographing neutral colors and achieve the soft effect without the blown-out highlights. When using a flash, you’ll get a pretty cool light pattern coming off the highlights, which can be a lot of fun.

The Soft Focus Optic works well if you have complete control over lighting or if you’re capable of relinquishing control and having fun with the shoot. Either way, with some patience and experimentation, you’ll get something you like out of it.—Mike Mackenzie

Company: Lensbaby Inc.
Price: $89.95
Website: www.lensbaby.com
Rating: 3.5
Hot: Nice soft-focus effect; flash patterns in highlights
Not: Blown-out highlights and light areas are overkill

The Python blur by booq is a photo backpack designed to carry all of your digital camera gear plus up to a 17″ laptop with accessories. Booq is known for the quality construction of its bags, and the Python blur is no exception. The exterior is constructed of 1680 denier ballistic nylon with water-repellant coating. That means this bag has a rigid, tough exterior that protects everything you put into it.

As for storage, there’s plenty of room for all your gear. Two large zippered pockets on either side of the bag each contain two expanding neoprene slip pockets that can hold small lenses, hard drives, and more. There’s a large compartment at the top with room enough for a camera body with lens and a second lens. The floor of this top compartment can fold down and become part of the main compartment, which is accessed via the front zipper. With the floor folded down, there was plenty of room for my Nikon D80 with a Sigma 100–300mm f/4 lens attached. And there are lots of other pockets in this bag for your filters, Wacom tablets, flashes—you name it.

But once your gear’s loaded, the bag becomes quite heavy (even empty, this bag weighs 5.7 lbs—a tradeoff for the very solid construction). The strap system can be adjusted at the chest, shoulders, and waist to help distribute the weight for a more comfortable ride. But as with most packs, the weight still tends to rest on the lower back. Also keep in mind that this bag is big, so make sure you have plenty of room to maneuver with it on your back.

So would I recommend the Python blur? Yes. I loved having access to all my gear in one sleek-looking bag, along with the knowledge that everything was protected.—Chris Main

Company: booq
Price: $229.95
Web: www.booqbags.com
Rating: 4.5
Hot: Rugged; lots of room
Not: Bulky and heavy