Overhyped Camera Gear To Avoid

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:52 Camera Bags
05:02 Pro Mist Filters
08:28 Video Sponsor
09:35 Cheap UV Filters
13:18 Gorilla Pod

[stillplana]

It's so refreshing to hear someone talk in Kilos. 🙂

[asok]

I enjoyed the talk about the camera gear, but I absolutely loved the photo walk with composition tips in between. Please keep on doing that!

[Richard-xjye]

A physiotherapist told me years ago that one of the easiest ways to a bad back is to carry a single shoulder-strap camera-bag with a camera and a couple of lenses for a day, She advised me to get a small rucksack and wear it properly. Unfortunately, by the time she told me this the damage had already been done.
Worst purchase ever--- a really strong camera bag with heavy-duty nylon fittings, D-rings and hooks, specifically for the once in a lifetime wildlife safari holiday. It's not until you get to the really eerily quiet, early mornings, when you can hear a pin drop and the smallest sound carries for miles, that you realise that a nylon D-ring and the strap's nylon hook squeak as they rub against each other with every step you take. It doesn't make you the most popular person with either the early-morning animals or the other photographers!!!
Excellent video with some new takes on old vantage points. I'll re-visit some of them now that the autumn brings a more realistic time for 'early-morning' sunrise photographs.

[urgon]

The whole point of a camera bag with huge logo on it is to make sure everyone knows you're a photographer. So I have a cheap, generic bag for my cheap, vintage lenses. I also bought a surplus backpack from Czech army - it's rubber-coated for weather proofing. It's on the heavy side, but I don't mind additional exercise...

[ArcanePath]

When it comes to filters, there's only 2 I use... Polarizing (can't edit out reflections in Photoshop) and ND filters. UV are a waste of money, even if you want to protect the lens, just put a hood on it. You will get better contrast in your images anyway in certain light and reduce flares.

[SivertAlmvik]

Camerabags. Been there, done that. Too many empty and unused bags in random closets or the attic.

I disagree regarding your UV-filter point. Everything that is THAT close to the lens opening, will not render unless it is an effect filter like a promist, or a polarizing filter.

Try to make a small dot on a UV-filter and see if you can see it. It won't render onto the censor. I've done tests to see if I can notice different quality UV-filters. I couldn't. There are several tests on the net that claim to see a colour shift, but online you can't see what they are talking about. Almost all tests I've seen haven't even shown a noticable shaprness decrease in the real world.

I find it better to regularly clean my UV-filter than it is to clean the lens element. Some of my fuji lenses are quite small, and I can't always get rid of all the oils that tend to get pushed to the sides.

[AstralLovelace]

The discussion about being crap for regular use is probably why I love the Peak Design messenger bag so much, the dividers just fold over and around to fit whatever I'm wanting to take that day. I didn't realize how useful that'd but I've yet to go "Darn the bag would be big enough to hold all this stuff I want but I just can't get them in". Much better than the other camera bags I've had in the past

[i-klaus]

I can agree with you 100%. Two drawers full of stuff are my witnesses. During the last stripping out, I built a macro stand out of flash rails, ball heads, magic arms, quick-release clamps and plates, L-rails, screws and a center column. But the drawers are still full.

[AllgoodthingsTv]

I like this channel, but this video would've benefited greatly from some pickup/insert shots of the various things discussed. As an example, when discussing the pro mist filters and the blooming, you should've shown a couple sample pics and likewise for the similar affect you can achieve in Photoshop. Same when discussing the tripods (e.g., should've shown the problems and the solutions tripods)

[Deetroiter]

One, of many, of the things I love about Roman’s channel is that he’s always direct, honest, and to the point through his EXPERIENCE…and never acts arrogant or hiding his knowledge from you. Not many people like him on YouTube/social media. Definitely a class act with the photo skills to back it all up!

[MikeLikesChannel]

I find the 1/8 and 1/4 pro mists invaluable. Love that look. I don’t see myself getting tired of it, been 15 years.

[williamcurwen]

Tupperware containers lined with closed cell foam inside an ergonomic rucksack - been doing it for over 30 years. Pro Mist filters are highly overated - try a Nikon Soft No 1, it’s really subtle, controllable and fantastic on skin tones. UV filters, I spend a fortune on them - run a pencil lead around the threads and they will never bind. Gorilla Pods - pointless.

[davidpachecogarcia]

As an amateur photographer and architecture background person I liked this video a lot. Reminds me of when I was in London 2 years ago photographing and framing the architecture there.
This channel has got me starting to look into street photography. Thanks!

[DieterVanHolder]

I really enjoy this mix of a walkaround combined with the content

[DCAMM]

I'm not sure I can agree with the bags section. Depends entirely on what you do of course but having a nice camera bag is essential for me personally. For local shoots that I may need a full kit with, I take a Tenba DNA Messenger 16 Pro. Fits 1-2 bodies and 2-3 larger lenses in it no problem. Can also take the insert out completely and it's just a nice large bag. I have a Lowepro 350 AW II that I took to Iceland with a full kit that I needed, which with its hard shell/padding and quick access to the waterproof cover helped me a great deal in weird weather. If it's just a day trip around town or something we're talking about, the Brevite bags can also be used as camera bags or just standard backpacks. Low profile and good quality. I just wish the camera pocket opened from the back instead of the front. I even have a sling for if I'm just walking around and want to carry a single camera/lens combo. A good bag should never be underestimated.

Similarly, a nice UV filter can cost 60-120 USD that WILL protect that front element. I've dropped a $2400 lens right on its front and the only reason the front element wasn't mangled in some rock/gravel is due to having a filter on the front. Quality ones don't impact IQ at all, either.

[mack_solo]

Camera bags - my pet peev is that majority of them are designed by marketing departments who make arbitrary guesses about what the compartments should be like. I like my DSLRs with vertical grips - good luck trying to find a backpack for that. Then once you loaded up your backpack while laid down, you'd find out that either everything collapses down on itself while in the upright carry position and/or you couldn't pull anything out of it without losing half your other things falling on the ground. And don't get me started on weather proof materials. There are few companies who address those issues but they charge a premium so high that it competes with other gear expenses and loses its value. My best experiences were with good'ol photographer's shoulder bag and a motorcycle backpack.
As for UV filters - it took me a looong time to figure out what those star ghosts were on the nightscape photos - a many lost times/locations never to be repeated again - hard lessons. I still use'em though, but now I am deliberate about the choices and it's only in crap weather/conditions, when i know i'll be wiping sh!t off many times without worrying what muck was there to start with. And yes, I killed one filter but saved the lens once. What i don't use UV filter for is to cut the UV light - that's the dumbest idea ever - unless you're using quartz lenses, in which case why are you complaning about UV 😄

[horrordudealma]

Monopod will forever be my favorite gear lol. No need to set up legs, and I always have a clean steady shot, and walking stick lol. Idk why more people don’t use them. Of course, it could never replace a tripod for astrophotography, self shots, etc.

[lelandsmith]

Use filter wrenches to remove stuck filters, a soft sided cooler as your camera bag and a monopod for walkaround fotos.

[Jixer]

Good honest points well made. No hype, no crap just truth based upon experience. You get my vote having been there too. Wish this video came out 4 years ago. Great job Roman. 👌

[Captain-Cosmo]

The Domke bags have been my favorites for many years exactly because of their light weight.