Expert Recommendations from the B&H Product Specialists, 2018

0Share

Great customer service reigns supreme at B&H as our knowledgeable product specialists help you navigate a vast sea of available options to pick the right gear for your needs. Their product knowledge and passion for practical solutions shine through in every interaction, whether it’s via online chat, by phone, or in person, at our midtown Manhattan store. We recently asked some of our photo, video, lighting, mobile, and surveillance experts for top product suggestions. Here are a few of their favorites.

Above Photograph: Portraits of B&H product specialists Khalid Telesford, Diana Huerta, Georgina Diaz, Joseph Weichbrod, and Brian Friedman, made with a Fujifilm Instax SQ6

The Sony a7 III: Professional-Caliber Performance at an Affordable Price

Mirrorless cameras have steadily gained favor as a welcome alternative to the bulk of a DSLR. Within this growing product category, pro photo specialist Khalid Telesford names the Sony a7 III as a favorite, saying, “While this camera is positioned as an entry-level model to the Sony a7 full frame series, it has features that no entry-level camera can match at a comparable price.”

The camera’s 24.2MP full-frame sensor is paired with a BIONZ X image processor to produce vibrant stills and video while minimizing noise and improving speed, and an evolved 4D FOCUS system combines 693 phase-detection points with 425 contrast-detection areas for quick and reliable autofocus and subject tracking.

Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera

As Telesford points out, “The 24MP sensor allows you to have an easier workflow. You still have the same dynamic range, but you don’t need the larger-capacity storage space that a higher-resolution sensor requires,” he explains.

“And with a well-rounded balance of megapixels, excellent focusing speed, and great low-light performance, the Sony a7 III allows its user to shoot in just about every situation,” Telesford adds. “Sony has ignited the idea that you don’t need to break the bank for a professional option.”

Get Instant Gratification with the Fujifilm instax SQUARE SQ6

“Young people live in a state of instant everything, so obviously they love Fujifilm Instax products,” says photo specialist Diana Huerta. When it comes to recommending a camera to fill this niche, Huerta’s favorite is the Fujifilm Instax SQUARE SQ6, as well as the hot new Instax SQUARE SQ6 Taylor Swift edition.

FUJIFILM INSTAX SQUARE SQ6 Instant Film Camera
FUJIFILM INSTAX SQUARE SQ6 Instant Film Camera
FUJIFILM INSTAX SQUARE SQ6 Taylor Swift Edition Instant Film Camera
FUJIFILM INSTAX SQUARE SQ6 Taylor Swift Edition Instant Film Camera

This purely analog camera produces 2.4 x 2.4" prints using Instax SQUARE film, which means you won’t waste time deciding between a horizontal or vertical shot. It’s ideal for taking and sharing photos among friends, aided by a small selfie mirror on one side of the lens to help you frame self-portraits accurately, while the dedicated Selfie Mode optimizes focus and exposure. Five other shooting modes include Macro Mode for close-ups. There’s a Landscape Mode for distance shots, Automatic Exposure Control to brighten your subject and background, Lighten & Darken Modes for +/- 2/3-stop of exposure compensation, and Double Exposure Mode, which lets you blend two exposures onto the same frame. A built-in flash helps illuminate low-light scenes, while three colored flash gels—orange, purple, and green—let you bathe subjects in a creative wash of color. “Kids love that stuff,” says Huerta. “It allows them to be more creative.”

Yet, perhaps the best part of using this camera is watching the picture develop in your hands immediately after you’ve taken a shot. “You can wave your photo in the air and watch the image slowly appear,” Huerta explains. “Instax cameras let you participate in the magic of film development.”

Form and Function Align in Tenba DNA Messenger Bags

The ultimate carryall for quick access, with a history dating back to ancient foot couriers and the Pony Express, the ubiquitous messenger bag is feted today as an icon of urban fashion and utility.

“Most photographers need both features for maximum functionality,” says B&H pro bag specialist Tehilah Fettman. “Tenba answered the call and produced the DNA series. It’s one of the best-selling shoulder bags we have, and the size options are really great.”

Made in six different sizes—8, 10, 11, 13, 15, and 15" slim—as well as in graphite, copper, olive, and cobalt color options—plus a special edition black bag in 8 and 15" slim—Tenba’s DNA series bags boast a host of unique attributes, including anti-theft magnetic latches, quick-access zippers, and a quiet hook-and-loop closure to minimize disruption in the midst of a formal event.

Tenba DNA 10 Messenger Bag

The bag’s padded removable insert uses two standing dividers and three shelf dividers to coddle valuable gear, while the reversible WeatherWrap cover features reflective silver on one side as a heat shield, and black on the other for maximum stealth in the rain.

The DNA 8 can hold a mirrorless or rangefinder camera with two to three lenses, plus up to an 8" tablet in the internal padded slot, while the DNA 15 slim can tote a professional DSLR with three to four lenses, or a mirrorless with four to six lenses, plus a 15-inch laptop and a tablet.

“The DNA 15 is one of the only messenger bags that can hold a full-size body and battery grip, with a 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens mounted, while still being low-profile,” Fettman notes. “And If the bag gets uncomfortable on one shoulder, you can change it into a sling, or further secure it at the waist for more support.”

Zhiyun-Tech Crane Gimbals Put Steady Shots in the Palm of Your Hand

Accessories for video are in high demand, as image makers flock to add motion to their creative output. One handy tool for fluid movement when tracking through all angles of view is the gimbal, and product specialist Georgina Diaz recommends a series of three handheld models by Zhiyun-Tech for varied levels of functionality when shooting with cameras of different weights.

“Pretty much everyone is moving toward video, so a lot of enthusiasts are trying out the Zhiyun-Tech Crane v2,” she says. “It’s also a great choice for people doing music videos, and wedding photographers seeking to expand their coverage.”

Featuring a 12-hour run time, this entry-level option can support small DSLRs and mirrorless cameras up to 3.9 pounds. It offers 360° rotation along all three axes, with a four-way stepless joystick to facilitate continuous rotation along the pan axis, and manual non-stop circular rotation along tilt and roll axes.

Zhiyun-Tech Crane v2 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer

For added functionality, and support of cameras weighing up to 5.5 pounds, the Zhiyun-Tech Crane Plus offers MotionMemory, which lets you create, save, and repeat custom moves with the touch of a button. “The Plus is really unique, because it also has a time-lapse feature and an Intelligent Object Tracking mode,” Diaz points out.

At the top of the line, the Zhiyun-Tech Crane-2 supports payloads of up to 7 pounds, and features integrated three-level follow focus control for select Canon cameras, enabling users to fine-tune focusing based on the lens used, and the shot itself. An LED screen above the controls lets you monitor your settings efficiently, while increased motor torque, response speed, and image stabilization help guarantee smooth, reliable moves throughout an 18-hour run time.

All three models can be controlled wirelessly via a downloadable iOS/Android app, “which allows you to control the gimbal’s pans, tilts, and rolls, as well as change the speed at which the joystick works,” Diaz says.

Bathe Your World in Color and Light with the Luxli Viola On-Camera RGB LED Light Kit

Continuous lighting with small on-camera LEDs is a boon to image makers in all creative fields. A favorite pick of pro video specialist Kai Miedendorp is the Luxli Viola 5" On-Camera RGB LED Light Kit, which includes the Luxli Softbox with Diffusion Filter. “This is ideal for anyone who wants full creative freedom in a small compact light, and it’s perfect to use for soft fill, on-camera or on a stand.” he says.

Luxli Viola 5" On-Camera RGB LED Light

This multi-function light features two color settings—a variable light output of 3000 to 10000K and a 0 to 360° RGB scale—as well as a flicker-free brightness range, adjustable from 0 to 100%. Color and brightness can be manually controlled by separate knobs on the unit or adjusted via the Luxli Conductor app for more precise control. Bluetooth capability also allows you to link and control up to six different lights from the Luxli Orchestra line, which currently also includes the Luxli Cello and Luxli Timpani.

“The Viola is very color accurate,” says Miedendorp, “which allows you pure creativity in shaping different moods with color, or in adjusting the light to pre-existing color moods.” What’s more, the Conductor app allows you to explore a wide range of additional lighting options. Choose from a library of built-in effects, use the eyedropper feature to match any color within an image or video, or sample video effects from existing content stored on your phone.

Soft Lighting is a Snap with the Westcott Rapid Box 26" Octa Speedlite Kit

“Photography is my passion,” says pro photo specialist Rafael David. As a portrait and food shooter, lighting is essential, and David needed a solution that was portable, of lasting quality, and quick to assemble and take down—all at an affordable price. During a search for the best lighting option to fit these requirements, he discovered the Westcott Rapid Box 26" Octa Speedlight Kit.

“This product soon became the perfect answer,” David says. The Rapid Box works with each of my speedlights, and the diffuser is easy to operate. It’s just like opening and closing an umbrella, without struggling with rods for a typical softbox.”

Westcott Rapid Box 26" Octa Speedlite Kit

When shooting food and table-top subjects, the Rapid Box delivers a very soft light straightaway, while installing the included deflector plate provides an even softer light for portraits or fashion. “There is even a separate grid available for more control and dramatic lighting,” David adds.

He often uses the Rapid Box on location, noting, “It fits in most standard backpacks when closed, with space to spare for other gear.” Given all these advantages, David asserts, “I never leave home without it.”

Sport Wearable Tunes with the Bose® Soundwear™ Companion Speaker

While the name Bose® is synonymous with smart and stylish audio gear, the Bose® Soundwear™ Companion Speaker breaks new ground in combining the sound quality of a speaker with the portability of headset. “It’s opening a whole new category as a way to have portable music without wearing earbuds,” says mobile products specialist Joseph Weichbrod.

An around-the-neck speaker that connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth, the SoundWear Companion directs music toward your ears using a pair of angled speakers. Thus attired, users can enjoy their music and chat on the phone while keeping their hands and ears free for other important tasks. The unit’s flexible construction allows you to adjust the neckband for a comfortable fit, and the integrated lithium-ion battery lasts up to 12 hours on a charge.

Bose® SoundWear™ Companion Speaker

As Weichbrod tells it, this device is well suited to users who work from home, spend a lot of time driving, or simply want to take their music for a spin when out walking the dog in a suburban locale.

“It’s water resistant, so you can also use it for tasks like cooking, watering the garden, or when outside walking in the rain,” he says. “People have never seen anything like it before. It’s perfect for anyone who is on their own in a situation where they want to be a little mobile.”

Safeguard Your Home or Office with a Swann Surveillance System

Surveillance systems for the home or office are a burgeoning trend, and B&H has you covered with a wide selection, from consumer kits straight out of the box to more targeted systems, customized to your specifications by one of B&H’s Surveillance Czars. “We can help you design a surveillance solution that’s unique to the setup,” says product expert Brian Friedman. “That’s where B&H shines.”

Yet, when it comes to plug-and-play surveillance options for the standard-size home, Friedman recommends the Swann product line. These systems fall into two basic types: DVR, in which analog cameras connect to a digital video recorder using coax cables, and NVR, in which IP cameras connect to a network video recorder through a single Ethernet cable. While DVR systems costs less, the newer technology of an NVR system is easier to install and maintain.

Swann 8-Channel 1080p DVR with 1TB HDD & 8 1080p Outdoor Night Vision Bullet Cameras

According to Friedman, a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor sets Swann systems apart from other comparable products. This True Detect heat and motion-sensing technology will alert you to cars, people, animals, and other large heat-generating or moving objects in a range of up to 32'. “The camera will start recording when it senses heat, as well as when the pixels change due to motion, giving you fewer false alerts,” Friedman points out.

Providing options to fit a wide range of applications and prices, Swann offers packages containing from 2 to 16 cameras, at recording resolutions of 720p to 4K per camera, while its newest system features a 16-channel 4K UHD DVR, with a 2TB HDD and eight 4K Outdoor Night Vision bullet cameras, as well as a new NVR version with matching specs. Separate Dome cameras are also available to fit within a smaller form factor or for mounting within hands’ reach. And, for added security, Swann’s free HomeSafe View app makes it easy to monitor your valuable property from afar via iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac OS platforms.

This is but a sampling of the memorable items shortlisted by our B&H product experts. To learn more about our Photo Mavens, Computer Crackerjacks, Pro Video Virtuosos, Lighting Leaders, Pro Audio Aces, Mobile Maestros, Entertainment All-Stars, Camcorder Connoisseurs,Surveillance Czars, Optics Evangelists and A/V Intelligentsia, visit these links to read their profiles. And, for your own personalized session with a member of our team, pay us a visit in our New York City SuperStore, or simply log onto your computer, or pick up the phone for an inspiring chat!

0 Comments