Category Archives: Commentary

Commentary, Equipment

A Question About the Lowepro Slingshot 200AW

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Wendy asks:

I am writing you because I saw your rave about the LowePro Slingshot. Since you use one and I cannot find the answer online could you tell me if my gear would fit in the 200? I have a Canon XTi with grip, Canon 70-200 f/4 which I would like to leave attached (w or w-o the hood), Sigma 17-70, Canon 60mm, 18-55mm and Canon 350xt body. Throw in the battery charger, disk reader and if necessary I will carry my underwater Inon strobe just in case I am unable to carry my pelican case on the plane. If you don’t mind 1 more question. I would like to get a monopod-so many brands-anything in particular I should look for. Weight is a consideration, cost-would like to keep it under $100, would I need a ball head? Manfrotto, Slik? Currently I have been using my Taylormade driver as a monopod on the golf course to shoot a pair of eagles and their baby! A tripod is more than I want to carry.

Yes, I am a big fan of the Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW. It is relatively small for a bag that will carry a basic kit, the single shoulder strap design is very flexible, and it has a waterproof cover. That said, I’m not sure that the 200 is going to be the right bag for you.

While it might be just barely possible to squeeze all that equipment into the Slingshot 200 AW, I think that accessing it would be a real problem – you’ d have to pack the bag very carefully and very tightly. I certainly recommend that you try this out at a photography store before you buy, both to make sure that the gear will fit and to make sure that once you load it up you’ll still be able to access the equipment.

When I shot with the 350D(XT) I found my 200 AW would just barely carry the camera with the EF 24-105mm f/4 L attached (hood reversed) plus with the EF 17-40mm f/4 L (no hood – I used the 24-105 hood on it with the crop sensor body), the EF 70-200mm f/4 L (hood reversed), and the EF 50mm f/1.4. I carried a few other odds and ends (batteries, filters, etc.) in the small outer pocket and the upper pocket. (The upper pocket is large enough that it could carry a prime lens, though it isn’t padded.)

There is a larger version of the Slingshot, the 300 AW. I haven’t used it, but I’ve heard that it is a fine bag – though if you really load it up it may be too heavy for the single shoulder strap suspension, and a real backpack model may be more appropriate.

(One final note on the Slingshot. I’ve used mine heavily for a year and a half or so and it has generally performed well. However, last week I discovered that one of the main zippers is coming apart where it curves around the “top” of the bag. I’ll have to reserved final judgment until I find out what Lowepro has to say about replacement or repair when I contact them later this month. UPDATE 8/29/07: Lowepro really came through on this. Today I received a brand new Slingshot 200 AW from the Lowepro customer service center – only two business days after I sent my damaged bag to them. I’m very impressed!)

I’m afraid I can’t offer any really good monopod advice since I don’t own one. I sometimes do use a tripod as a monopod (leaving the legs pushed together) but that’s about it. I do like using the ball head when I use the tripod this way since I can adjust the shooting angle of the camera independent of the leg angle – this is useful if you are shooting down (from a balcony at a concert or theatrical event, for example) or up (photographing birds, for example.)

Post that monopod question at one or more of the photo discussion web sites: DP Review, photo.net, Fred Miranda, etc.

Good luck,

Dan

Commentary, Shows

Exhibit focuses on early photos of Yosemite

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An article in one of my local papers informs me of an interesting show at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford: ” Yosemite: Structures and Textures: Photographs by Eadweard Muybridge, Carleton Watkins, Ansel Adams, and Others.” The show runs from now (July 25, actually) until October 28 and includes a number of other interesting artifacts in addition to the photography.

Apparently a series of films about Yosemite will also be screened during the exhibit. More information at museum.stanford.edu or 650-725-4657.

Commentary, Locations

Visiting the Racetrack Playa

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Three Rocks and Moonlight, Racetrack Playa.

Three Rocks, Moonlight – Racetrack Playa. Death Valley National Park. March 2, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.

I just got a “Flickr Mail” from John:

Noticed you had some recent photos of The Racetrack in Death Valley. I was in the area and tried to get there from the south, but the road was too rough for my rental car. Was wondering if you got there via the dirt path from the north, or from the south? Wondering if the north road is any better…

Thanks for writing, John. Yes, the Racetrack is an amazing and very beautiful place!

All access to the Racetrack is via some pretty rough dirt/gravel roads. The most popular approach comes in from more or less the north. From near Scotty’s Castle, take the short paved road to the Ubehebe Crater area. Near the Crater there is an intersection where the gravel road heads off towards Teakettle Junction and eventually the Racetrack.

The distance to the playa via this approach is something like 27 miles. Every time I have driven there portions of the road have been very badly washboarded. While a few (maniacal?) drivers simply go faster in these conditions, I slow down. So it takes me a couple hours to work my way out to the south end of the playa.

About this road, I believe that the official Park Service recommendation says something along the lines of “recommended for four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles.” As long as the weather is good – and you don’t try to drive too fast – I think that the “clearance” part of this is more important than the 4WD part. I’ve driven it in a 4WD Dodge Durango and my current AWD Subaru Outback. Although I wouldn’t want to try it and I certainly don’t recommend it, I have seen minivans and even sedans out there.

I have not driven in from the south approach that I think you are describing. I have heard that portions of that road are more difficult than the standard approach, though this past season one visitor told me (though I cannot verify it) that it isn’t as bad as it used to be – supposedly it is wider now that Park staff are driving Hummers (the macho military version) on the back country roads. Count this as a mere rumor.

There is a small official camping area a mile or two south of the playa, though it is little more than a couple turn-outs and a crude pit toilet. There is no drinking water here or anywhere else on or near the playa. I have camped there, though many people seem to sleep in their vehicles in one of the parking areas at the playa.

Most of the moving rock photos you have seen were likely shot at the south end of the playa. From the parking area walk perhaps 10-15 minutes out onto this end of the playa and you will begin to encounter the rocks, which seem to originate from a rocky hill at the south end of the playa.

The Source, Racetrack Playa - Death Valley National Park
The Source. Death Valley National Park, California. April 3, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.

There are other things to photograph on and around the playa. “The Grandstand” is a marvelous rock structure out in the middle of the playa – you’ll see it clearly as you approach. This can be an interesting feature to photograph in the late afternoon before the best light for photographing the moving rocks at the sound end.

The Grandstand Panorama, Racetrack Playa
The Grandstand, Racetrack Playa. Death Valley National Park. April 2, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.

The mountains around the playa are also quite beautiful in the early and late light, especially if you are fortunate enough to be there when there are clouds.

Crossing Tracks, Racetrack Playa
Crossing Tracks, Racetrack Playa. Death Valley National Park. April 4, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.

If you are going to the trouble of driving nearly 60 dirt road miles to the playa, do plan to be there for sunset and sunrise. I almost feel sorry for folks who spend 4 hours driving this road, only to spend an hour or two there in the harsh midday light. Another hint: if you are a night photographer, spend some time during the day locating interesting features and then return to the playa after dark on a full moon night.

Moving Rock, Moonlight, Racetrack Playa. Death Valley National Park
Moving Rock, Moonlight, Racetrack Playa. Death Valley National Park, California. April 2, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.

It probably goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway – this is not a place you’ll want to go in the summer. My visits have all been in early April and even then it can be quite hot and dry. On the other hand, I’ve seen light snow out there as well. Be prepared for a wide variety of possible conditions. I’d like to go earlier in the season sometime, and I hear that winter is also good.

Conditions can change quickly out there. Depending upon the time of year and the current situation you could see hot and dry weather, snow, high winds, or even flash floods. I urge all visitors to check on current conditions with Park Service personnel before heading out to the playa or any other back-country areas of Death Valley.

I hope you get out there soon and come back with great photographs!