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CES 2015 – Photo Accessories

26th January 2015

The Consumer Electronics Show – Accessories for Photographers

I’ve been attending the Consumer Electronics Show for more than 30 years. This huge expo is the premier showcase for new and innovative products that are slated for homes and businesses this year.

While walking the several miles of aisles at the Las Vegas Convention Center, a couple of areas especially caught my attention: 3D printers and drones. You can read my show reports here: 3D Printing Technology and Drones.

But as someone who also has a keen interest in photography, here are a few of the photo accessories that stood out at the show.

Hisy and Halo Remotes Here’s are two tiny little accessories for those of you who are fans of “selfies”.

Basically the Hisy and Halo are bluetooth shutter release for you smartphone. The Hisy is for iOS devices and the Halo is for Android devices. To the right is the “selfie” of Jackie and myself that we took with her Android smartphone. They also have the Wing – a selfie stick. The suggested price of the Hisy and Halo is $24.99. The suggested price of the Wing is $29.95.
For more information, please visit HisyPix.
Nanuk Camera Cases
If you’re rough on your camera equipment, you may want to look at Nanuk’s cases. PlastiCase makes some very durable protective cases. Below is one of their smaller cases. It’s made of a impact resistant plastic, has sure-lock latches, soft-grip handle and is waterproof. This 903 model easily accommodates one of my mirrorless cameras with an 18-200mm lens attached. I’ve removed the foam padding to show the spacing. The Model 903 has a very affordable suggested price of $25.

PlastiCase makes about two dozen different cases in various sizes. For more info, please visit PlastiCase.
EnerPlex Solar
EnerPlex is a manufacturer of a variety of solar chargers. If you’re shooting out in the field for any length of time and run out of juice, these solar chargers may prove invaluable. They are compact, foldable and ruggedized. On the right, you can see solar chargers built into backpacks. EnerPlex has two backpack models: Packr Executive $130 and Packr Commuter $100.
Kickr IV+ on left produces 6 watts nx Kickr II in center produces 33 watts	Commander-XII produces 19 watts for laptops and tablets
For more info, please visit EnerPlex.
Thule Camera Bags Thule is probably best known as the maker of the well-built and ergonomic car top carriers. This Swedish company also has a stylish line of camera bags and backpacks.
I found their line of bags to be both attractive and practical.
Their new Legend GoPro Backpack was introduced at the show. Designed and built for rugged outdoor use, you can mount two GoPro cameras directly to the backpack – one forward-facing the other backward-facing. The outermost compartment has die-cut foam insert for GoPro accessories. It’s lightweight and crushproof (EVA shell) and has several other padded compartments for safe transport of camera accessories, hydration reservoir and smartphone. Thule tells me that the Legend GoPro Backpack will be available in May. Suggested price is $199.
For more info, please visit Thule.
Meikon Diving Equipment
For divers and shooters needing protection against water, Meikon had a large array of waterproof housings and accessories for many popular camera models. On display were housings for Sony mirrorless, Nikon D7000, Canon 5D, Canon M, Canon T2i, T3i, T4i, T5i, Panasonic GF2, GF3, GF5 and GF6. Meikon also has a nice selection lighting equipment and brackets.
For more info, please visit Meikon.

This concludes my reports from CES.

As usual, I’m excited when I return home from CES. Maybe a few of my finds will get added to my wish list for this year.

Written by: Arnie Lee
Updated 02/20/2015

Post tags: 2015, accessories, CES, Consumer Electronics Show, EnerPlex, Las Vegas, Meikon, Nanuk, photography, PlastiCase, Thule

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CES 2015 – The Drones

24th January 2015

The Consumer Electronics Show – Drones

For more than 30 years, I’ve started the New Year with a trip to the Consumer Electronics Show. CES is the premier showcase for new and innovative techie products that are in line to hit the store shelves.

This year I notice the proliferation of 3D printers and picture-taking drones at the show.

Earlier, I wrote a short article about 3D Printing Technology that I saw at CES.

There’s plenty of controversy surrounding the use drones for commercial purposes, manufacturers from around the world are gearing up for battle as they try to outdo each other on features, price, and speed to market. This article presents several of the picture-taking drones that I saw at the show.

Robotix Ghost+
This is the Ghost+ quadcopter. Its payload is a GoPro camera mounted on a controllable gimbal and has a GPS receiver, gyroscopic controller for smooth flight, retractable landing skids and can stay airborne for 18 minutes. The WiFi module lets you stream the video remotely to a smartphone and/or tablet. The suggested price of the Ghost+ is $1300.

For more information about the Ghost+, please visit Thunder Tiger Group.
DJI Inspire 1 This is DJI’s newest model – Inspire 1. It has a bult-in gimbal-mounted 4K video camera that can be remotely positioned, real-time feed to the controller and automatic takeoff and landing.
while in the air, the landing pods fold into the “up” position for obstruction-free video recording

Price is $3400 with dual remotes – one for flight control and the other for camera control. For more info, please visit DJI.
Proto-X FPV
The FPV quadcopter is equipped with a 1280 x 720p video camera. Notice that the controller has a built-in video screen that displays the captured video in real time. It is gyro stabilized for steady movie. The suggested price is $350. For more info, please contact Hobbico
Zano – the nano drone
Zano calls itself a “sophisticated nano drone”. It’s so small that it fits in the palm of your hand. Your smartphone or tablet is the controller. Simply tilt your phone left, right, forward or backward and the Zano follows. Other onscreen icons control the altitude, rotation, capture, etc. This is a prototype model and Zano tells me that production begins in July 2015. Price in UK Pounds £170. For more information, please visit Zano.

As a former participant in the flight simulation industry, I’m in awe of the drone “landscape”.

As I watch these new models flying at CES, I am amazed at how quickly the technology surrounding drones has progressed. In addition to highly competitive prices, these devices are much easier to fly – many with auto takeoff and auto landing capability – and features such as gimbals, streaming and navigation are truly impressive.

Written by: Arnie Lee

Post tags: CES, Consumer Electronics Show, DJI, Drones, Las Vegas, LV, LVCC, Proto X, quadcopter, Thunder Tiger, video, Zano

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CES 2015 – 3D Printers

22nd January 2015

The Consumer Electronics Show – 3D Tech

As I mentioned previously, I started this New Year flying from the cold and snowy Midwest to a warm and sunny Las Vegas to attend the CES 2015 industry event as I have been doing for thirty-something years.

I’ve participated at CES on both sides of the aisle. For many years we exhibited our computer software products. For the past several years, I’ve been attending as an industry member. Now I have the opportunity to find out what new gadgets are coming down the tech turnpike. All things 3D have been progressing at an amazing clip for the past three or four years. An entire section of South Hall was devoted to the 3D technology. Here’s a few of the neat items that I found at this year’s expo.
Artec Eva 3D Scanner
The 3D scanner is mounted next to a rotating disk on which the subject is standing. The lights fully illuminate the subject.	A couple of minutes later, the completed 3D scan of the subject is displayed on the monitor for everyone to admire. The result is a full body digitized model.
As I was asking the Artec representative questions about how the scanner works, he picks up the scanner and proceeds to give me a “face-on” demonstration. As I stand in place, he walks completely around me, all the time pointing the hand-held device at my head. About 90 seconds later, my face pops up on the monitor. This scanner is a high-end model with a high end price – $19,800 to be exact. For more information, please visit The Artec Group.

Innovative Printers from 3D Systems
3D Systems “invented” 3D printing in 1989. Their large booth had several remarkable and innovative products.
perhaps “on demand” shoes are in the near future	a full size handbag, 3D produced
Modeling a lengthy 3D garment	One of the 3D chefs
deserts “baked” with 3D printer	making music – guitar and drums made with 3D printer
To find out more about their many different 3D printing devices, please visit 3D Systems.
Several New and Lower Priced 3D Printers
MakerBot Replcator Mini – a smaller version of their well-known Replicator printer. This unit sell for $1375.	This model was produced with the Makerbot. For more info, please contact MakerBot

This is the Robo 3D. Maximum object size is 10″x9″x8″. Sells for $799.	Dave holding a model produced with the Robo. For more info, please visit Robo 3D.

New Matter Mod-t is scheduled for Q3 release with suggested price of $400. For more info, please visit New Matter.	For those who believe that 3D printers are for plastic products, here I spotted a few “wooden” 3D objects.