Review Digital Camera World 04-11-2013

Digital Camera World

Best camera strap: 6 top models tested and rated Apr 10th 2013, 23:01 The camera strap market is crammed with products tailored to every need. But which one is right for you? We test 6 of the top camera straps to find out. The humble camera strap has undergone some radical transformations in recent years, with an ever-impressive array of styles, fabrics, designs, features and technology being launched onto the market. For some of us, of course, the free strap provided with Nikon cameras will prove more than adequate. For others, meanwhile, something more specific may be required. Photographers travelling without a bag, for example, require increased protection and comfort. Strap design also becomes more crucial when working with large, heavy lenses. Fabrics such as neoprene will ensure the camera doesn't jump around with walking, and harness straps will help combat this problem. The strap you choose is dictated by the type of photographer you are. But whatever your needs, rest assured there's a strap out there to suit. Here's a selection of some of the best around… Best Camera Strap: Matin Neoprene Fast Access Strap Price: £40, $62 Buy it: www.cameraclean.co.uk This sling design has an 8mm-thick neoprene shoulder pad finished with an elasticated soft rubber coating, making it one of the most comfortable straps on test. Matin also includes a detachable under-shoulder strap for additional security, although the resulting harness can be fiddly to thread around the head and arms. The tripod mount attachment is a solid, all-metal design, but requires a coin or screwdriver to tighten. Overall though, this is a comfortable well-made strap, best suited to heavier cameras requiring greater support. Our verdict Pros… The 8mm-thick shoulder pad helps make this one of the most comfortable straps Cons… The harness can be rather fiddly to thread around the head and the arms Score: 4/5 PAGE 1: Best camera straps – Matin Neoprene Fast Access Strap PAGE 2: Best camera straps – Black Rapid RS-5 Cargo PAGE 3: Best camera straps – JJC Quick Release Neck Strap PAGE 4: Best camera straps – OP/TECH USA Pro Strap PAGE 5: Best camera straps – Matin Neoprene Joint Strap PAGE 6: Best camera straps – Tamrac Neoprene Boomerang Digital Strap PAGE 7: 5 things to look for in a camera strap READ MORE Best Budget Tripods: 6 top models tested and rated 10 common camera mistakes every photographer makes 9 secrets to using a tripod like a pro 10 things photographers can do to stop wasting pictures DIY Photography Hacks: make a softbox with cardboard for creative lighting effects Apr 10th 2013, 10:00 You don’t have to buy pricey flash accessories to get creative lighting effects. In our latest DIY Photography Hacks post we show you how to make a softbox out of cardboard. Flash, however handy, often produces harsh, high-contrast light. You can soften this by bouncing the flash off a nearby wall or ceiling, but these aren't always available, or convenient to use. There are loads of commercially available diffusers, bounce cards or softboxes that you can buy, but it's possible to make a softbox for almost nothing from items you've probably got around your house. All you need is a suitably sized cardboard box, some tin foil, some greaseproof paper and some tape. Planning your design, and marking it out carefully, will make your softbox a much better fit for your flash, and easier to build, so take your time during this stage. Our design is easy to follow, but for more detailed information watch our video on this issue's disc. The larger the softbox, the softer the light will be, but it will also reduce the light from the flash. You also won't want your softbox to be too big if you plan to use the flash on the top of the camera, so bear this in mind when choosing your cardboard box. How to make a softbox the DIY photography way 01 Measure and mark Measure your flashgun head and mark the four sides at one end of the open box so the flash will be positioned in the centre. Draw a line up to the fold, then leaving a 2-3cm gap from the fold at the opposite end, draw a diagonal line to meet the line marking the position of the flash.   02 Cut it out Carefully cut away the excess cardboard. Next, cut away the flaps at the opposite end of the box to make the main opening for the diffuser material. Score the cardboard so you can fold the sides down to fit together to make a pyramid shape for the flashgun head.   03 Added extras Before you finish off the softbox, cut out some tin foil to match the shape of the interior. Then glue it in position inside the softbox using a glue stick-type adhesive. This will ensure that you don't lose too much of the power of the flash when the light travels through the softbox.   04 Stick it together Now you can tape the softbox together using gaffer tape, remembering to tape both inside and outside of both openings to make it as solid as possible. Then cut out a piece of greaseproof paper the same size as the opening at the front of the softbox and tape this in place. READ MORE Flash photography tips: external flash techniques anyone can understand Flash photography made easy: master everything from pop-up flash to multiple flashguns Best studio flash kits: 6 models tested and rated Flash photography basics: every common question answered

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