Outdoor Field Testing

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 McNamee & Gallagher get outside for a change

Taking up any excuse to get out into the wilds your editor willingly accepted an invitation from Paul Gallagher to meet up in the English Lakes for a day out. Paul was actually taking a one-to-one tuition with Doug Thompson (who's forbearance with our antics is gratefully acknowledged). Gallagher was dressed more or less head to toe in Paramo gear (we didn't look too closely) including trousers, a sweat top and a waterproof top. He was packing the new LowePro Trekker AW 400 sufficient to hold more 35mm gear than he actually possesses. Gear did, however, include the new Gitzo GT3541XLS, some Lee filters and an ACS-modified infrared Nikon D70. To complete the inventory of kit, McNamee was trying the Manfrotto 535 along with the VR 304 head but in particular the Manfrotto MBAG90P bag. The English weather provided a perfect mix of test environments; despite the fact that we got a slight touch of sunburn, we also endured rain, sleet and wind. The terrain provided some mild scrambling and sufficient walking distances to see if any of the bags had annoying itches when carried for extended periods. Ground conditions varied too, ranging from soft, steep ground, covered in boggy grass, true bog land, rock, scree and grass. Overall we were carrying a substantial load of gear, too much for a casual stroll or summit-bagging, but within the bounds of a normal day's low-level landscape photography. Typically the first thing we saw was a dipper fishing in the river, the one thing we did not have was a telephoto lens!



The Manfrotto MBAG90P
Carbon-fibre tripods are stable, light and expensive. The one thing they do not enjoy is being biffed into a rock face or (more likely) being knocked into each other in the boot of a Range Rover. A decent, protective bag is therefore a wise investment. The 535 Pro has quite long legs and so does not sit very comfortably on the back or side of a backpack, especially for the shorter photographer. The sling strap of the MBAG is therefore very useful although we found the middle handle also very comfortable for distances of half a mile or so. The opening, like an arrow quiver, is really simple to use, making access very straightforward – this can be particularly important on steep ground where the last thing you need is a tricky zip and snaggy fabrics. Overall then, the bag passed with flying colours but make sure that you look into the length of both your tripod and head when choosing the model.

The Manfrotto 535 MPRO and Manfrotto VR 305 Pan Head
Panorama photography requires a firm, stable and very level set-up. While most tripods will accomplish the task on firm level ground, things are more difficult in the field. We were standing on the slopes of Side Pike shooting the expanse of the head of Langdale Valley. The ground was steep, dry and coated with very springy grasses. It was distinctly unstable even with the spikes of the tripod feet extended. We therefore moved but could only find two large rocks, side by side. We settled for rubber feet onto the rocks with the third leg dug hard into the grasses. The problem with digging the tripod leg down like this is that you lose any pre-levelling you might have attempted. Changing the individual height of a legs can be perilous as you balance precariously on a steep slope. This is when the adjustable ball head of the Manfrotto really comes into its own. We were able to reset the pan head level without moving from our secure stance. Although the VR305 has micro adjusters we did not in fact have to use them, we were able to crack off a few panoramas right off with a minimum of fuss.

The LowePro Trekker AW 400 (PG)
As with many of the LowePro bags I have used in the past this lived up to its reputation. Firstly the new colour scheme of brown and black make a welcome change from all black and the construction has not been compromised at all with this new model. The bag is slightly deeper that other bags and the tripod-holding device on the back really does work, depending on the size of tripod you are carrying of course! The bag is comfortable and sits well on the back with a good waist band that takes the bulk of the weight, along with a chest strap to keep the bag snug and not floating around. Please bear in mind that if you do buy one you need to give the zips time to loosen. At first they are stiff and awkward but with some use they loosen up. The size of the bag is more than enough for the average DSLR kit and the supplementary pockets in the ‘lid’ serve well.

 

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