As I Xi It

While shooting in Valencia last year, I somehow managed to knock the AF/MF switch off on my 10-20mm. It’d spent the last year or so being held together with tape, I had suspected that it would set me back an arm and a leg to repair but when I finally got round to enquiring about it last week, I was plesantly surprised to find that Sigma would send me a replacement switch for £13 (incl. p&p). Paid yesterday, arrived this morning. My previous dealings with them a few years ago were positive. I’d dropped the 10-20mm face forward into the concrete somewhere out in rural China, sent it in upon my return and it was repaired and back in my hands within two weeks. Can’t fault  Sigma for service.

Before and after

My brand spanking new tripod is pretty cool. Lightweight and virtually infinitely manouverable while also being extremely steady. The only issue I have is how to conveniently carry it while scrabbling around out in the wild. My Lowepro Primus has a tripod holder built in, but it kinda puts you off balance when you’ve got a tripod strapped in and can be a bit awkward. If I’m using a monopod, I tend to strap it to the side and stick one end in the water bottle holder. For tripod carrying, I prefer to use a strap. I didn’t fancy springing £20 for a dedicated tripod strap and Amazon had the Lowepro Transporter camera strap on sale (£10) so I figured I’d do something with that.

Why the Lowepro Transporter? Well, it’s got a slidey shoulder pad. I initially used a knock-off Optech weight reducing strap I had lying around, but since the neoprene was in a fixed position and too far from the end, I took it off. It was way too long as well, even at its shortest length. It’s not compulsory to use Lowepro Transporter, but I found that it worked best for me. I guess you could substitute it with whatever strap works for you.

For this mod, you’ll need the following items:

• 1x Lowepro Transporter camera strap (or equivalent)
• 1x racket grip tape (or bicycle handlebar grip tape)
• 1x small cable tie
• 1x dog collar with quick release
• 1x rubber band style bracelet (for some reason they became very popular at one point in recent years)

Illustrated instructions below.

At some point in the near future, I’ll make some tripod leg pads.

It was another Lee Valley afternoon yesterday. We went to some of the private hides and well, it was slim pickings. We put food out in the hope of getting some birds, but it just attracted the squirrels. A few birds did pop along for an afternoon snack, but I think the hides are over untill the autumn/winter. I really wanted a pic of a blue Jay. Anyway, there’s a montage of some of the squirrel shots.

Also a few stills. In the last photo, we trialed our floating camera platform. There are still some logistical issues to work out.

Everyone should learn how to do some knots, you never know when they might come in useful!

Click here!