Listen Up Dummies!

Those photographers who wish to listen to their clients...and listen in stereo...will be pleased to see the new microphones and recorder that have come into the store.

The Røde microphones are made in Australia. Here. Where you live. Buy one and the money stays in the country. ANZAC, meat pies, kangaroos, beer. Wave the flag and go all tearey-eyed. Now that we have gotten that out of our systems, the microphones are good quality and good value for money. The one you see mounted on the Cullmann Copter tabletop tripod is stereo and intended generally for the top of a DSLR - a wedding show or a school concert would be perfect for this one. it is not heavy, despite the size. It is adaptable to most DSLR's directly or you can go the super-professional route by connecting it to....

The Tascam DR-60D Linear PCM recorder. The device records sound onto SDHC cards - in stereo normally or in up to four separate channels. Input connectors for regular small jacks as may be found on the cameras are on the left hand side of the box. There are also the big plug and cannon plug inputs there as well - you can feed it from a variety of microphones.

On the right hand side is the card slot as well as headphone, line, and USB output. Joy of joys - the battery compartment in the back is accessible without dismantling the rig and it only takes 4 AA batteries!

Note that there is a camera attachment on the top and a tripod attachment on the bottom - you can bundle the lot up and then run, gun, or sit on a tripod just as the occasion presents. Please note the little bars on the sides of the front fascia. I was initially afraid that they were just an attempt at fake rack handles to make for cosmetics but I've decided that they are for attaching straps to let you hang it off your shoulder. Cool.

Peak display on the front, Three sets of channels coming in. Easy start and finish buttons. Retire the dear old Nagra field recorder and give your Revox A77 to the Sally Ann. This one looks like a winner.

Please note: The purple tripod is completely professional. It's just a different profession...

Now Hear This....Think Tank

With the advent of audio and video recording on modern digital cameras ( as opposed to the old cylnder gramophones we used to use with the dageurreotypes ) a whole new species of gear needs to be taken along; microphones, windshields,cables, mixers, headphones, etc. When the etc. starts to overwhelm you, please remember that Think Tank make a whole dedicated series of cases and bags for these new bits.

We've placed the audio-orientated products at the end of out Think Tank rack but don't think that you are restricted to just these - as you brows the TT rack you'll see that they have a case or pouch for nearly any piece of professional gear - if you work in the rain there are dedicated covers for cameras, lenses, and flashes. If you run round mountains with heavy lenses there are belt packs to evenly distribute the crushing weight that you will regret as soon as you are half-way up the slope... There are dedicated pouches for sandwiches and water bottles filled with brandy for the trip down.

Should you wish to carry your laptop through the airport there are dedicated pouches that will protect it in the overhead locker - your bigger gear can go into a rolling case with walls thick enough to stand the attention of the baggage handlers. If your arguing skills are up to it, there are deceptively small camera cases that might let you get your apparatus into the overhead locker without raising suspicion. Smile sweetly and try not to sweat.

Do I use Think Tank? Yes I do - a 17" laptop case and it is just excellent for travel.