Black Friday Specials

[Run&Gun]

does anyone have experience with these peak design slings? the 5 liter version is 45% off - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...design_bsl_5_sg_1_everyday_sling_5l_sage.html

not sure if it's big enough for my purposes. the 10 liter version is 44% off, though maybe it's too big for what I need... https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...10_bk_1_everyday_sling_10l_black.html/reviews

I'm looking for a bag to wear while I gimbal and carry a couple prime lenses (maximum size samyang 85 fe + sigma 24-70 fe), mirrorless camera batteries, a filter case and lens tissues. or a zoom f6 and 2 sennheiser g3 receivers instead of the lenses

I want it to be small, hug close to the body, and not limit my maneuverability. a sling seems like what the doctor ordered, no? a small backpack could do but I think they're too bulky and I don't need that much space. a messenger bag hangs too loosely and can bump into doorframes etc

the lowepro passport sling is also half off - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1032319-REG/lowepro_lp36657_passport_sling_iii_black.html

not sure if it's as comfortable...certainly has less fashionable design but if that's the only difference, then it looks good

I bought this back in the summer(actually got it from Amazon, because it was cheaper and faster shipping, then). It’s well made and has MOLLE attachment points all over, so you can add/customize other pouches, etc.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1498608-REG/hazard_4_fto_flc_blk_freelance_photo_and_drone.html

 

[Jim Feeley]

does anyone have experience with these peak design slings? the 5 liter version is 45% off - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...design_bsl_5_sg_1_everyday_sling_5l_sage.html

Short version: I like sling bags, but make sure to choose one that naturally goes over the shoulder you want it to go over. Not all work on both shoulders.

Longer version: I don't have a Peak Design sling, but I have a couple of their camera straps for still cameras and they're well designed and made. So I think good things about the brand. And I find sling bags great for situations like you're considering... Easier (for me at least) than most backpacks to quickly grab another lens, batt, card, etc... There is a weight limit where a backpack (or an AC) is better, but I don't overload mine.

I have a Think Tank/MindShift photocross sling bag I like a lot. They have a few sizes (and a few more city-fied styles) Here's a link an picture of the model I have:
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/mindshift-gear-sling-shoulder-bags/products/photocross-13




But the key thing is, as I said, to make sure it's comfortable to you and sits on the shoulder you want it to sit on. A camera friend has used a PortaBrace sling bag for like 20+ years, but it's designed to best go over the right shoulder. It felt really weird on my left shoulder.

The deals you list seem really good. But I didn't find all the slings I tried, even those from good makers with happy users, to be equally as comfortable and functional for my body (I went to the Samy's store in San Francisco that had a good selection). If the seller and you are cool with returns, go for it. Otherwise, slings feel like a try-before-you-buy item to me.

But slings in general to me are useful items.

 

[ahalpert]

Thanks, Jim. Good Intel. How bad is it to use a sling on your non-favored shoulder? I'm trying to think why I couldn't work with it on either shoulder. I imagine I'd like it on my right shoulder. The peak design video shows it on the left shoulder every time.

 

[puredrifting]

Can't believe nobody has highlighted what a deal B&H and Adorama have on the Godox VL lights for Black Friday. I just picked up two more VL150s, Adorama had them in stock at $299.00!
I already have three of the VL300s but those are an even better deal than the VL150s at $499.00! $250.00 off. I can vouch the Godox lights are the best deal on the market, very nice build,
a LOT of output and a now a TON cheaper than the Aputures, which are also great lights but a lot more money for the name.

If you need lights, now is the time.

https://www.adorama.com/govl150.htm...nicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase-privatelabel

 

[Jim Feeley]

Ah man... You're making me think. ;-)

I'm left-handed, and perhaps that factors in. And maybe it's not the shoulder so much as where I like the weight. If I'm wearing a bookbag/backpack with two straps and am traveling a short distance (from car to office, or whatever), I have the right strap running over my right shoulder; perhaps because I want the weight on my right or maybe because that leaves my left hand freer. I don't really know.

But for a messenger bag or attache with strap, I have the strap over my left shoulder...and weight pretty much in the center of my back when moving...maybe slightly more to the right side. For me, having the bag on the left shoulder works great when I need to access the contents of whatever I'm wearing.

Even with a sound bag (though I usually use a harness), strap over left shoulder....If I need to adjust something on the mixer, boom in my left hand, tweak levels with my right...bag slightly to the right).

All of those --messenger bag, attache, sound bag, on my right shoulder feel REALLY weird to me...especially if it's for an extended period of time. Again, maybe it's because I want to have my left hand free.

Slings I like over my left shoulder, more like a messenger bag.

Also, a couple of the nice slings I tried I just couldn't adjust to fit my body (I'm 6'1", 190lbs...kinda standard). But maybe I'm persnickety.

So bottom line: If you ever wear a messenger bag or sound bag over one shoulder, is there a shoulder you prefer to have the strap over? And are you OK accessing the contents of that bag when it's on either shoulder or is there one you prefer?

If one particular sling bag looks like it'll work, it probably will. And if you can return it if needed, you're golden.

Let us know what you end up getting!

 

[groveChuck]

DJI is having some some substantial sales on their Ronins and drones.
Pros of buy at a discount NOW:
-You get a discount
-Tax policy may change (I don't know if DJI is charging tax. Adorama was not last year, but started this year)
-You have time in the pandemic to test the crap out of your gear.
-The US dollar is projected to drop against most currencies over the next 5 years.
-You feel like you're doing something "artistic".

Cons of Gear Acq Syndrome during a Pandemic:
-After you're done testing, it just sits on a shelf.
-Your warranty runs out before you even use it on a real shoot. It breaks on the first day.
-You muse how you never buy anything that appreciates in value. Like a house.
-That hole in your soul is still there when you look down at your chest.
-There's a reasonable chance you could die if not from the virus, then from the debt, and your kin folk will have no idea how much your gear is worth, nor do they give a rat's ass, so they just dump it off to a bulk Ebay seller.

Sticky this...

 

[ReelFilmGeek]

Can't believe nobody has highlighted what a deal B&H and Adorama have on the Godox VL lights for Black Friday. I just picked up two more VL150s, Adorama had them in stock at $299.00!
I already have three of the VL300s but those are an even better deal than the VL150s at $499.00! $250.00 off. I can vouch the Godox lights are the best deal on the market, very nice build,
a LOT of output and a now a TON cheaper than the Aputures, which are also great lights but a lot more money for the name.

If you need lights, now is the time.

https://www.adorama.com/govl150.htm...nicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase-privatelabel

Hows the build quality compare to the newer aputure stuff? Also it doesn't offer an app control like sidius does it? Otherwise for per output thats not a bad price if the quality is there and you don't rent your lights out to others. I didn't already spend my budget for the year I'd consider getting a few for tabletop work with the laowa probe lens.

 

[QuickHitRecord]

Hows the build quality compare to the newer aputure stuff?

I don't know have any experience with these lights myself but there was another thread that had a lot of useful information about the current crop of Aputure competitors.

 

[Vik Kamenicky]

Can't believe nobody has highlighted what a deal B&H and Adorama have on the Godox VL lights for Black Friday. I just picked up two more VL150s, Adorama had them in stock at $299.00!
I already have three of the VL300s but those are an even better deal than the VL150s at $499.00! $250.00 off. I can vouch the Godox lights are the best deal on the market, very nice build,
a LOT of output and a now a TON cheaper than the Aputures, which are also great lights but a lot more money for the name.

If you need lights, now is the time.

https://www.adorama.com/govl150.htm...nicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase-privatelabel

I'm sad, that I'm not in the US now :/

 

[puredrifting]

Hows the build quality compare to the newer aputure stuff? Also it doesn't offer an app control like sidius does it? Otherwise for per output thats not a bad price if the quality is there and you don't rent your lights out to others. I didn't already spend my budget for the year I'd consider getting a few for tabletop work with the laowa probe lens.

Build quality is fine, I have two older Aputure LS-1S Lightstorms (actually one of the control units just went out so unless I can find a reasonable cost used control unit, I am down to one Aputure panel). Both are typically mid level Chinese, not the best I've seen but def not the worst either.

From the Godox manual, "2. Godox VLseries LEDlights can also be controlled by smartphone APP through Bluetooth with 6 groups and 16 channel.● Bluetooth connectionower the LEDlight on and long press the GR/CHbutton until a Bluetooth IDis displayed on the controller. Then, open the “GodoxPhoto”APP, click the Bluetooth and choose the corresponding Bluetooth IDof the controller. Finally, enter the password (the initial password is “000000”), and the Bluetooth is successfully connected.Note: The channels and groups of LEDcontroller and APP should be adjusted to the same.● LEDcontrol: please find more details in the “GodoxPhoto” APP of smartphone: Setting---Help---LED."

I have not bothered with the app, each unit comes with a dedicated wireless remote control although I usually just have our gaffer adjust it to give me what I want, I'm trying to NOT one man band anymore unless it's absolutely necessary.

I don't rent out my lights or any other gear to others, people do weird and dumb things with rental gear, no thanks.

I wouldn't get these for tabletop, overkill for size and output. Dedos are the preferred tabletop light for me, I rent them because they are expensive and I don't shoot
tabletop that often, not often enough to own a Dedo kit. These are solid, reliable lights for a LOT less than the Aputures. I've used the Aputures, I don't think they are
any better, about equal and these are a lot less money, especially on sale.

 

[puredrifting]

I don't know have any experience with these lights myself but there was another thread that had a lot of useful information about the current crop of Aputure competitors.

I bought a VL300 when they first shipped, used it on a few jobs and liked it. Bought a couple more. Now I'll have a total of five, they are a solid lower cost option. They aren't Arris or Creamsource, but they cost just a fraction of high end lights like those.
At the end of the day, as long as your lights color temp isn't too wonky, the output is good for what you are trying to do and the light is pleasant to use while working, it's all good. I just find the value equation, especially when budgets and money are tight,
to be very good. There are definitely better lights, but not for this money or anywhere close. These compete with the Aputures that tend to cost 2x as much. The Nanlites look like a good deal too but with LED COBs, you need to have matching brands if you
are lighting people IMHO. I don't like mixing different brand LEDs on skin tones. On BGs and for effects, mix away. But for shooting people, I like to stick to one brand/model lineup.

 

[Run&Gun]

Thanks, Jim. Good Intel. How bad is it to use a sling on your non-favored shoulder? I'm trying to think why I couldn't work with it on either shoulder. I imagine I'd like it on my right shoulder. The peak design video shows it on the left shoulder every time.

It depends on how you work(shoot). I shoot a lot of handheld(on my shoulder), so I had to have a sling that was for my left shoulder. I bought a stills photo backpack/sling many years ago, that could operate as a backpack or sling and on either your left or right shoulder when used as a sling and I didn't like it. I think you need to get a pack specifically designed for the shoulder that you want to wear it one for maximum comfort and optimum "feel".

 

[Run&Gun]

Can't believe nobody has highlighted what a deal B&H and Adorama have on the Godox VL lights for Black Friday. I just picked up two more VL150s, Adorama had them in stock at $299.00!
I already have three of the VL300s but those are an even better deal than the VL150s at $499.00! $250.00 off. I can vouch the Godox lights are the best deal on the market, very nice build,
a LOT of output and a now a TON cheaper than the Aputures, which are also great lights but a lot more money for the name.

If you need lights, now is the time.

https://www.adorama.com/govl150.htm...nicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase-privatelabel

Isn't it kind of funny that Aputure is considered a premium brand, now?

 

[DLD]

Isn't it kind of funny that Aputure is considered a premium brand, now?

Historically, brands that begin as "cheap" have a superior longevity record than brands that travel in the opposite direction. And this goes beyond the Japanese cars and the South Korean and the Chinese electronics.

Hmmm, maybe I should post this in the Red Komodo thread.

 

[ahalpert]

It depends on how you work(shoot). I shoot a lot of handheld(on my shoulder), so I had to have a sling that was for my left shoulder. I bought a stills photo backpack/sling many years ago, that could operate as a backpack or sling and on either your left or right shoulder when used as a sling and I didn't like it. I think you need to get a pack specifically designed for the shoulder that you want to wear it one for maximum comfort and optimum "feel".

Solid points. I'm dealing specifically with a situation where I'm flying gimbal and need to carry a couple lenses and batteries/cards. I'll be shooting while moving from place to place but can afford to set down and take a knee when I actually have to access the bag. So, both shoulders are free but I am worried about optimal "feel" and I dont need to access the bag while standing.

The other scenario is flying gimbal and carrying audio equipment that I need to monitor. again, I dont want the bag to get in my way but I wont need to access it unless the audio recording fails, in which case we'll have to stop and start over anyway.

So, I bought the peak design sling 5L, the small one. It looked like a great fit to the body. It looks like the smallest possible bag that will fit the specific pieces of gear I want to carry. And it is one of the narrowest bags I compared, protruding only about 4.3" from the body (as opposed to 7+ for most others).

It should come on Monday or Tuesday and hopefully, if I dont like it, the sale on other bags will still be going on.

 

[Peter C.]

Can't believe nobody has highlighted what a deal B&H and Adorama have on the Godox VL lights for Black Friday. I just picked up two more VL150s, Adorama had them in stock at $299.00!
I already have three of the VL300s but those are an even better deal than the VL150s at $499.00! $250.00 off. I can vouch the Godox lights are the best deal on the market, very nice build,
a LOT of output and a now a TON cheaper than the Aputures, which are also great lights but a lot more money for the name.

If you need lights, now is the time.

https://www.adorama.com/govl150.htm...nicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase-privatelabel

Fantastic sale! I own and love the VL150. I'd like to buy the VL300 especially at that price. I recently did a shoot where I could have used 2x VL300 unfortunately the client wouldn't have paid extra for the lighting. That's the problem with this type of gear.

 

[NorBro]

Fantastic sale! I own and love the VL150. I'd like to buy the VL300 especially at that price. I recently did a shoot where I could have used 2x VL300 unfortunately the client wouldn't have paid extra for the lighting. That's the problem with this type of gear.

The problem is that type of client, ha... :smile:

 

[ahalpert]

They've been $700 for a bit. Normal price is $999. I have one of the CLAR 500s and one of their 350s. They're stellar. I have no real problem with the fan noise and the setup is no more cumbersome than any other light with a control box like an Aputure. I do love that the control boxes are meant to sit on the ground like an old-school photo light kit power pack. The Aputures I had were meant to hang off of the stand or light itself and it was super awkward.

The 500 puts out a LOT of light. If anything, it doesn't get dim enough.

The 350 has two knobs to adjust the yoke angle, which kind of sucks but isn't a huge deal-breaker. I'd send it back and get another 500, but I like that it gets dimmer than the 500 for accent stuff.

I also have two of their S30 lights and one of the ellipsoidal lenses for them. They're plasticky, but they work great as a little accent or kicker light... or with a gobo to throw some texture on a plain background.

Has the 500 ever overheated and shut down on you? I'm considering grabbing one to outdo my 330w COB LED

 

[Peter C.]

The problem is that type of client, ha... :smile:

I know. It was for a dance studio, with a limited budget trying to get through the pandemic. I have lights for interviews but in order to light an entire studio for a dance number it needed 2-3 vl300. It's one of those situations where either you bring in a lot of expensive equipment to get a good result and not get paid extra or you don't and get sub par result but either way the client is happy. The client has no technical knowledge all they want is you to film a dance at at their studio.

 

[NorBro]

I call those 'Craigslist clients'...which are about 90% of interested parties today.

You pretty much described the situation perfectly.