are not cheap, we much prefer them to the previous
model’s 14-milliliter ink cartridges, which were always
running out too soon. The chroma optimizer cartridge
is slightly cheaper than the other inks—$30 versus
$36—and we felt it did a good job keeping print glossiness even without degrading the color gamut or density of the blacks.
Some added good news about the printer’s large
size is you don’t need to factor in extra space at the
rear of the printer for manual feed. The bad news is
that, although there’s a manual front feed for individual sheets up to 14 x 17 inches, it’s not straight through
and the thickest media that can be run through the
printer is 0.6mm (or a weight of about 350 gsm).
The rear tray can handle up to 150 sheets at a time
and a maximum weight of about 300 gsm. Like the
Pro9500 Mark II, though, the Pro- 1 does not print borderless on fine-art paper, leaving up to a 35mm border.
THE BOT TOM LINE
Though the Canon PIXMA Pro- 1 is bigger and heavier
than competing 13-inch pro printers out there, it offers
something those models don’t: superior printing skills
via an innovative tubular 12-ink delivery system. Our
color and black-and-white 13 x 19 prints came out of
the Pro- 1 in a hurry and they were gorgeous. If it seems
a bit overkill to make such a large printer that can only
output up to 13 inches wide, with no roll feed option,
we’d have to assume Canon has other larger format
printers—including, potentially, a 17-incher—in the
pipeline. If they’re as high quality as the Pro- 1, we could
be in for something big, both literally and figuratively.
HoldFast Camera Leash
Hit the streets with this stylish wrist strap.
I review a lot of complicated products so it’s nice
when something comes along that doesn’t need a
lot of explaining. It’s also nice when it’s something
that’s useful.
That’s how I feel about the HoldFast Camera Leash,
a stylish yet unflashy wrist strap that makes it easy to
securely hold your camera without getting tangled up.
I have a love-hate relationship with camera straps.
Actually, it’s mostly just hate. Yes, there are lots of very
good new straps on the market—put BlackRapid’s and
Custom SLR’s offerings in the good pile—but there
are some that make me insane. Someone should do a
study on how many photo gear designers sideline in
the S&M trade. I’m sure there’s some major overlap.
But, perhaps, I digress.
Back to the HoldFast Camera Leash. It’s a handsome
leather strap that loops over your wrist and attaches
securely to the tripod mount on the bottom of your
camera via a connector called the Camera Holdfast
(sold separately). When I’m out on a shoot, I typically
don’t like putting the included camera strap over my
shoulder and, instead, wind it around my wrist so I can
carry my DSLR casually and securely at my side.
The problem is, the shoulder strap is not designed
for this type of usage and ends up getting so tangled
This handsome leather strap loops over your wrist and attaches
to the tripod mount on the bottom of your camera.
up that it blocks the viewfinder of the camera. The
Camera Leash is a good solution to this problem. It’s so
subtle you’ll forget you’re attached to your camera. But
if your DSLR or pricey Leica rangefinder accidentally
slips from your hand, you’ll be glad for the attachment.
If you want to quickly untether yourself from your
camera, there’s no need to unscrew the tripod mount
connector; just open the secured clip, and you’re free.
No, this is probably not the sort of thing you’ll want
to use while humping it for long distances with your
camera. But if you’re out shooting street photography
or working loosely in the studio with a model, it’s a
nice, secure solution.
Though it might make it more comfortable to add
some padding to the strap, I like the Camera Leash’s
simplicity. The version I tried came in tasty brown
leather with a nifty silver star on top, which made me
feel like a real cowboy.
THE BOT TOM LINE
If you’re tired of getting tangled up in traditional camera straps, try the simple but chic HoldFast Camera
Leash and feel free and secure on your next shoot.
HoldFast Camera Leash
www.holdfastgear.com
Pros: A simple but secure solution for
tethering your camera to your wrist
Cons: Gets a little uncomfortable for long
shoots
PriCe: $44 (Camera Holdfast connector sold
separately for $22)
GERMANY
PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING
WITH JIm JORdAN
FREE VIdEO >
AWESOmE American Photographer Jim
Jordan demonstrates his lighting set-up
at the stormy Pacific coast at a marie
Claire Production.
suNbouNcE.com
SUN SNIPER
GERMANY
THEORIGINAL
SNIPERSTRAP
The most Complete
SNIPER-STRAP Sytem Ever
THE “PRO“ STEEL & BEAR
The High-End solution - for
heavier DSLRs with thick, soft,
comfortable, cushioning shoul-
der pad. (The COMPACT Strap has a
small shoulder pad only)
THE “STRAP-SURFER“
Turns your regular
messenger-bag into a cool
SUN-SNIPER Strap/ Bag combo.
suN-sNipER.com
