Tag Archives: PeakDesign

WILLOW RIVER STATE PARK – Willow Falls #Wisconsin

Willow River State Park

Willow River State Park is a 2,891-acre Wisconsin state park located five miles north of Hudson. The centerpiece of the park is Willow Falls, a powerful cascade in a 200-foot deep gorge. Another popular feature is Little Falls Lake, a shallow reservoir on the Willow River. Because of its proximity to Minneapolis-St. Paul it is one of the most visited state parks in Wisconsin. Trilobite fossils found in the lower layers of the gorge indicate the rock is around 600 million years old.

History

Settlers moved in, and by 1830 logging and wheat farming were common in the Willow River Valley. The river was invaluable for the former, as logs were floated downstream to the St. Croix.

Power

A German immigrant, Christian Burkhardt, realized the river could also be harnessed for the latter industry; he built a grist mill there in 1868. Burkhardt became a wealthy landowner and followed developments in water-powered industry. He traveled home to Germany to examine hydroelectric power plants and returned in 1891 to build his own on the Willow River. Burkhardt eventually built four power plants and dams on the river, which provided electricity to Hudson. Northern States Power purchased Burkhardt’s power company in 1945 and operated its sites until 1963, when damage to one of the plants from a lightning strike prompted the company to liquidate their Willow River holdings.

In 1967 Northern States Power sold the land to the Wisconsin Conservation Commission for a state park, and stabilized the dams at a financial loss. The state park opened in 1971.   All but one of the dams were removed in the 1990s to improve the scenery and trout fishery.  The last dam was removed in 2015. ~wikipedia

I feel absolutely fortunate to live among the lakes, rivers and bluff land right on the boarder between Minnesota and Wisconsin approximately an hour south of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.  Willow River State Park is another example of the natural resources and beauty right in my back yard so-to-speak.

Willow Falls Hill Trail MapThere are a few different trails that you can hike to access Willow Falls.  The most direct route is from Willow Falls Parking Lot just a wee bit north of the park main entrance.  The Willow Falls Hill Trail is only a .4 miles long, but the first leg of the trail once you meet the woods is steep.  Having just had knee replacement surgery in January, the downhill part was a bit challenging.  A week ago there was 4″-6″ of slippery solid ice on the paved trail.  That attempt to hike to the Willow Falls was aborted immediate in favor of exploring other areas of the park.  I would recommend the mile long Willow Falls Trail from the campground to avoid the hill if that is a concern.

Little Falls

Little Falls Lake is no more as the dam was breached in 2015.  There is a small water fall where the dam once was, a rapids is a more accurate description I suppose.  The former lake basin was teaming with migratory birds that early Spring day.  Ducks, geese and Sandhill cranes milled about in the tall grasses where the water once stood.

Willow Falls

A week in the Spring time can bring about change quickly.  Mid 50 degree days made short work of the ice on the Willow Falls Hill Trail.  All of the runoff made for a magnificent display of water raging over the cascades.

The woods and falls area is still pretty devoid of color although some grasses were sprouting up and the mosses providing for some contrast in the blah brown hold over from Winter.  As did the bright purple hammock that a young lady hung between two trees for some R&R right next to the falls.  A wonderful spot to kick back and lounge.

 

Gear

In case anyone is wondering, I’ll share what works for me.  There are several ways to achieve desired results; this is my experience with the gear I’ve chosen.  You don’t have to buy the highest-end gear to achieve great results.

The sun was high and bright when I arrived at the falls.  I did several 20-30 second exposures made possible by a 10-stop ND filter listed below.  I purchased the Zomei tripod for our travels to Ireland in 2016.  It is compact and light; I’ve used it quite a bit since and like its features.  I am referencing the Osprey backpack because the Zomei tripod fits perfectly in the outer flap.  I don’t like to carry a heavy camera bag while hiking; this one is perfect – especially when coupled with PeakDesign Capture Camera Clip on the backpack should strap.  My camera is securely in place – freeing up both hands – and readily accessible.  If anyone has any questions about these items, I’d be happy to answer any questions.  You can click on the images below for links to these items on Amazon.com.

ZOMEi Z668C Lightweight Travel Carbon Fiber TripodZomei Ultra Slim HD 18 Layer Super Multi-Coated SCHOTT Glass PRO 10-stop ND3.0
Osprey Packs Daylite Plus DaypackPeak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 (Black with Plate)

Other

Photos from previous trip to Willow River State Park in the Winter.

The Perfect Camera Strap – Part Deux

A follow-up post to  The Perfect Camera Strap (02/12/14).

SUPPORT

I have watched what Peak Design has been up to for numerous months now.  I was initially impressed with their crowd-sourcing approach through KICKSTARTER.  With each new idea they put forth sufficient backers were on board to move their projects forward.  All four project were funded well over 100% (819% – 3,646%)  Those are astonishing rates; that says a lot.

KS_Capture KS_Leash & Cuff
KS_Capture v2 KS_Clutch & Slide

INNOVATIVE DESIGN

I think PeakDesign hit the proverbial nail on the head with their Slide product.  In my estimation this is very close to perfection.  The only thing missing for me is a D ring to attach accessories or a safety strap.  Slide solves the issues I have with their Leash product (narrow strap and no padding).  I think the Leash still has its place as a minimalist-type strap for those that like to keep it simple.  I was [and continued to be] enamored with their anchor link connection systm – how the camera attached to their strap-type products.  It is so simple.  I’ve not read about any issues with it yet.  Each anchor is rated for over 200 lbs*, they are light weight, will not scratch your camera body and are warranted for life.  If anyone can think of any drawbacks here, by all means enlighten me with your insight.

*You will find reference to 100 lbs and 150 lbs on their site, but the official value appears to be 200 lbs.

PATENTS/LITIGATION

I researching the Slide strap when I ran across the Caden Camera Clip System on Amazon.  Hmmmm…looks not similar, but pretty exactly like the Caden Clip.  Perhaps the Caden Clip evolved into the PeakDesign Capture**.  I wasn’t able to search out anything to support that theory.  For now, I will assume all is right and well in the world of patents and there isn’t any litigation from what I can see at this point.  I would have never thought to search out this type of information, but after my experience with CarrySpeed, I try to do a bit more in-depth research before moving forward.

**See comment below from Adam Saraceno of Peak Design.  It is actually the other way around, Caden is a knock off of the original Capture from Peak Design.

Caden Camera Clip Systerm
Caden Camera Clip System

Peak Design Capture2
Peak Design Capture

COMPATIBILITY

PeakDesign was thoughtful when consider the design of their plate for their Capture Camera Clip & Pro Pad system.  I don’t plan on buying Capture Camera Clip, but I can see why someone would.  I am not sure how I would like my camera hanging on my hip (w/Pro Pad setup) and I don’t typically wear a backpack.  The Standard Plate comes with the Slide strap.  I was initially disappointing that my tripod head was not listed among those compatible (Vanguard SBH series).  Such is my luck.  All is not lost though.  Rather than switch out the head for a potentially more expensive/different one, an cheap ($30) and easy solution is only a few clicks away.  Simply attach a Arca-Swiss compatible clamp to the my existing tripod plate and viola, problem solved.  PeakDesign did a great job of explaining what kinds of tripods work with their systems.

SBH-250
SBH-250

clamp
Arca-Swiss compatible clamp

IN CLOSING

If I were buying my first camera strap today, it would be a Slide.  I will own one soon enough.  I am also a fan of their Cuff wrist strap.  I will also own one of these soon as well.  I will slowly but surely transition all cameras the Mrs. and I have over to this system.  No more huge plates (CarrySpeed) on the bottom of the cameras and no worries of broken clips (BlackRapid).  I will place my faith in their braided Kevlar® cord overmolded with Delrin® thermoplastic Anchor Links.

SLIDE
Slide

Cuff
Cuff

I welcome any insights and/or opinions you might have on PeakDesign or their systems or camera straps in general.

 
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The Perfect Camera Strap

I suspect the search for the perfect camera strap is not unlike the search for the perfect anything.  Just as the quest for the perfect pair of casual shoes or the most comfortable jeans may go, so also goes my quest for the perfect camera strap.  Does it exist?

My preference is not the standard strap that comes with the camera or even that style.  I don’t care for the way the camera flops about.  I prefer the over-the-shoulder type sling strap.  It is more comfortable in my opinion and a real neck saver to extended hours of shooting.

I will try to keep this as brief as possible.  You may want to refill your beverage before proceeding.  For an extra long experience you can read the lengthy posts at DP Review about this product.  I have monitored it periodically for updates on CarrySpeed products.

I was certain I had found the perfect camera strap when I discovered CarrySpeed.  Two to three years ago they were the only game in town that allowed for a tripod foot to attached to the camera and still be able to use the strap simultaneously.  This is accomplished by the plate’s ability to accept the mounting screw of the tripod foot and have an offset ball for the strap to attach to.

The very first version of CarrySpeed’s strap I bought was very similar to what BlackRapid offered.  It had a small plate with a ring that the clip fastened to(Image 1).  The one addition I liked was the backup secondary strap (third item pictured below – to the right of the mounting plate).  This secondary strap attached to the side of the camera and then to another point on the strap so if the clip or plate failed there would be a mechanism to prevent disaster (or lessen it).  I don’t know why this feature was not included in later versions.  I suspect that it may have been available at an extra cost.  This was not a perfect strap.  I did not like the mounting plate at all as your camera would not sit flat (unless you removed it) and I also did not like the locking clip design.

http://www.tangentphoto.com/reviews/carryspeed/carryspeedcamerastrapreview.html
1

CarrySpeed went on to make some improvements.  The all nylon strap was changed to a nylon/neoprene combination.  The neoprene helps hold the strap in place on your shoulder.  I heard some chatter about the build quality; there were some reports of failure where the nylon and neoprene were stitched together.  I’ve yet to experience this issue and our straps have been used a lot.  I see in later versions that the nylon strap is continuous and feeds through loops of a neoprene pad (Image 2).

http://global.rakuten.com/
2

With any equipment YOU SHOULD INSPECT IT BEFORE EVERY USE.  This is especially true for a $50-70 bit of equipment that is holding potentially a few thousand dollars worth of the gear.  Complacency may very well lend itself to disaster.

The second generation plate was a good idea, but poorly executed with a weak set screw (I swear if you looked at the wrong the screw threads would strip out; they did just that)  Finding a replacement at a hardware store while on the road was not an easy task.  This plate featured a ball (attached to plate) to fasten the strap to.  I very much liked this over the clip design.  It reminded me of a ball and hitch for a vehicle and trailer (Image 3).  This design appeared better than the locking clip setup.  I will say that I do see a difference in the material used for the “hitch”  from earlier to later versions that I own (the earlier versions where heavier duty metal).  I’ve read accounts of the hitch failing as it is softer metal than the stainless steel ball.  It is too bad the quality of metal was lessened; hopefully they will revisit that decision.  Here again, I think this is worth repeating:  YOU SHOULD INSPECT OUR EQUIPMENT BEFORE EVERY USE.

http://www.photogizmos.com/2012/02/20/introducing-carry-speed-camera-strap-system/
3

The third generation plate design was better still.  It has more options for mounting the tripod foot (5 vs 2 holes) and a standard screw-head for the mounting bolt (Image 4).  This plate was flat and black – the earlier version had different levels and did not necessarily fit tight against your camera body.  The black blended into the bottom of my camera grip nicely (It wasn’t something that bothered me, but I like it better black).

http://www.jvwphoto.com/carry-speed.html
4

The right angle attachment of this ball sometimes gets in the way when mounting the camera to the tripod ball head.  I made it work by positioning the plate differently on the camera and the tripod foot on the plate.  This was a minor issue for me.  The other thing to note is that the ball can be a catching point when stowing you camera in your bag.

The fourth generation plate is spot on in my estimation.  I don’t own any of these plates, but I wish I did.  The ball attachment point folds. The fold-able ball is a nice improvement that will fit into your camera bag better and slide into your tripod ball head easier as well (Image 5).  The ability to fold the ball is a good idea provided that doesn’t present a fail point.  You can garner some extra peace of mind by rigging your own secondary strap (more on that in a future post.)

http://blog.degreef-partner.nl/carry-speed-camerariemen
5

Currently we own and use two CS-1 Pro Mark II’s and have been happy with them.  Each CS-1 Pro came with some extra equipment that I have used extensively.  The other components (in the center of the image below) can be connected to create a wrist strap (this is very comfortable to use).  Or you can connect a different components for added support when carrying a heavy lens.

CS-1 Pro Mark II
CS-1 Pro Mark II

When touting a large lens the main attachment point is transferred to the lens foot and the secondary support strap connected to the camera body.  The extra straps helps to distribute the weight evenly.

CS-1 Pro Mark II w/lens
CS-1 Pro Mark II w/extra support strap

I’ve looked at BlackRapid many times.  I see they have answered the tripod foot issue and evened the advantage that CarrySpeed had over them, but only a bit.  If you do not use Manfrotto tripods, what BlackRapid offers in the form of an alternate FastenR Tripod (FR-T1) isn’t going to help you much.  They do have a FastenR Hitch which is their standard tripod attachment.  This is great if the fastener will fit under your tripod foot.  Manfrotto’s are nice, but pricy – especially for the carbon fiber models.

sbh-250
SBH-250

We use an aluminum alloy Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT.  It is still pretty light and affordable.  The foot  that is used on the Vanguard SBH-250 ball head does not seem to have enough room to fold down the FastenR Tripod (FR-T1).  It may, but it would be tight.  The last thing I want is something protruding from the bottom of the foot when I am trying to secure the camera body to the ball head.

Standard Manfrotto on the left and the Vanguard on the right
Standard Manfrotto on the left and the Vanguard on the right

Even if the fastener fit, BlackRapid still uses those clips that I despise.  Recently a friend of ours experienced a failure with that clip design.  Unfortunately she didn’t have a secondary strap either.  There is supposed to be a tip on the clip where they other part meets and locks in place; then the locking sleeve screws down around it (Image 6).  It is supposed to look like image 7.  Her brand new 5D Mark III hit the pavement.  Fortunately the camera and lens suffered only a few scuffs – but that could have been really bad.  I suppose I could live with the clip design with a secondary strap.  For now though, we’ll stick with our CarrySpeed straps.

clip design - failure
6
photo
7

The last I heard on CarrySpeed is that their website was down due to litigation over a potential patent issue with BlackRapid (DP Review forum).  That is unfortunate.  The mounting plate and ball used is amazingly similar to that of the Spider Pro Holster system.  It is a belt/holster setup vs. a strap and uses the same stainless steel ball to connect to the holster.  Perhaps they are part of the litigation as well.  The carryspeed.com website redirects to mogopod.com – world’s most versatile monopod.  This makes me very unhappy.  You can still buy CarrySpeed products through online retailers like Amazon – all is not lost.  I will anxiously await new developments.

I think the new concept/system to watch going forward is from Peak Designs.  The strap takes on a real minimalist approach, but coupled with all the other components, I think they have a solid offering either with each component or the professionals pack.  I am not sure how comfortable the camera strap is as it is a plain nylon strap with no padding at all.  I get the design – it is easily stowable without bulky padding.  I believe I could make this work.  If I could get back all the money I’ve spent on various types/designs of straps, I believe I would go this route.

Here are some of the major camera strap/holster brands:  CarrySpeed (via Amazon)| BlackRapid | Peak DesignJoby | Spider

I would love to hear any opinions you may have on camera straps, of CarrySpeed, or any other camera strap manufacturers/models you have experience with.