Author Archives: Roy Bertalotto

Diy Sand Bag Camera Support

I find that as I’m driving around in my truck and spot wildlife to shoot, they tend to stay still as long as I don’t leave the vehicle. Some type of window mounted support was in order. A quick Google search found a number of commercially available sandbags just for this purpose. It also found this article on DIY “Butterfly Bean Bag”.  This article is on Fred Hurteau’s fantastic web site on Nature Photography. I highly recommend you spend a few hours over there.

The directions Fred gives are very easy to understand and he even has down-loadable patterns to cut out the material. A couple hours at the sewing machine and you have an extremely serviceable Photography Bean Bag.

I used some heavy duty nylon material that I purchased at the local fabric store, but just about anything would work. Even an old bath towel would do the trick.

I loaded my bags with wild bird food. Sand was just too heavy. My bags weight exactly 11 pounds.

Simply follow the directions and have at it!

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Kata 3n1-22 Photographers Backpack Review

After a few years away from the hobby (passion) of photography, I recently rejoined the ranks. Years ago I had a couple of Nikon and Canon 35mm cameras with a bunch of different lenses and other accessories most photographers find themselves with. A simple “Camera Bag” sufficed. A couple years ago I moved to digital photography. Sold all the 35mm stuff for about 10 cents on the dollar, ugh! And I bought a Nikon D70 with two lenses. Again a simple over the shoulder, top opening camera bag was all that was needed.

When I returned to photography a couple months ago, my goal was wildlife photography. I sold the D70 and bought a Nikon D90 and my lens collection now numbers over 10. Lens addiction is a heavy burden. I also acquired a very good tripod and ball head mount. All of this gear will need to be portable and easily carried. The wildlife will not come to you in most cases. you have to go find them.

Wildlife photography would require hiking over some difficult terrain and an over the shoulder camera bag wouldn’t do. I started researching various backpacks designed specifically for photographers. The descriptions available from the various online vendors are lacking. So I decided to drive the three hours to New York City and see and handle them for myself.  I decided I wanted a side entry bag so I could actually access the camera and lenses without actually removing the bag from my body. A number of companies make an “over the shoulder” backpack. But I focused on one brand in particular that seemed well made and had a few features I likes KATA

 

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Nova Scotia On Two Wheels

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Nova Scotia. Never been there! My wife was going away for five days on a business trip and not wanting to stay home and “watch the farm”, I decided a road trip was in order. It came down to two destinations. Hudson River Valley or Nova Scotia. The weather forecast called for heat in the 90 in the HRV and in the mid 70s to low 80s in Nova Scotia. Plus Nova Scotia “required” at least two ferry crossings, one of them on the high speed CAT! It was a no brainer. Canada here we come!

 

I left work in Canton Massachusetts at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, July 12. My goal was Bar Harbor, Maine. I figured I’d get to Bar Harbor on Tuesday, get a room, and on Wednesday make it across the Canadian border to St. John, New Brunswick. Once in St. John, I’d take a three hour ferry ride to Digby, Nova Scotia.

 

The roads were just about vacant once I cleared Boston, the weather was perfect, the bike was running very well, and I felt good. I passed Bar Harbor and made it to the Canadian border, stopping inCalais Me for the night. From Bangor I took Rt9, also know as the “airline” or the “whales back”, depending on who you talk to. I used to hunt extensively in this area as I have access to a trappers cabin in Aurora ME., right off the airline, but I’ve not been here in twenty years. Nothing’s changed. Like time stood still. Two deer and one moose is the animal count so far.

 

I awoke on Wednesday at 4AM (Eastern Time), crossed the border at about 5AM ET, and high tailed it to St. John for a 9AM (Atlantic Time) ferry departure. A distance of about 100 miles.

 

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Diy Photography Studio Lights

(Houston…We have a problem…Updated 12-22-09 see Below)

I recently got back into the hobby of photography. With six grandkids, the need for portrait works would soon be needed. I researched a set of studio lights and found them to be either extremely poorly made or very expensive. I figured I could easily build a set myself.

Before you start. Be aware you are dealing with 120Volt AC house current with this project. If you don’t know what you are doing, it WILL kill you. If you are not comfortable playing with electricity, have an electrician do the final wiring.

OK, with that out of the way. Here is what you’ll need.

Electric Drill with a drill bit selection
Hack Saw
Screw Driver
Wire Strippers
Epoxy

The parts you will need are all available from Lowes Home Improvement. I didn’t check, but I’d bet Home Depot and ACE Hardware would have what you need also.

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October 2009

EGG SHOOT RESULTS October 4,2009     My lord! What a day!   The weather called for terrible conditions with downpours and high winds. What we got were beautiful sunny skies and light winds. So much for billions of dollars in weather forecasting.     This shoot had the pleasure of hosting Steve Christiansen from

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Bmw G650x Challenge Oil Change Proceedure

How to change the Oil on a BMW G650X Challenge:

First step is to get the engine up to operating temperature. A quick ride or let the bike idle until the fan turns on and then let it run for one minute more.
Shut the engine off. If possible, have the bike supported in an upright position, but you can perform the oil change with the bike on the sidestand.

You can purchase an Oil Change Kit from your BMW dealer. The kit includes the oil filter, an oil filter cover O-Ring and various crush washers.
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September 2009

September 12, 2009 We’ll it rained! But we were nice and cozy under our tents and tarps. In fact, it was just about the best shooting conditions we have ever shot under. No sun, so no mirage and absolutely zero wind! Because of the conditions, a record was set at the 200 yard custom rifle

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My Old ‘classic’ Web Site

Way back when, I designed my first web page having to do with motorcycles and the riding and owning of such. Some of the articles might still be interesting to some. Hope you like it! http://members.tripod.com/roy_bertalotto/index.htm Hsbc Car Loan What Student Loans Do I Have Quick Cash Unsecured Loan Ocwen Loan Servicing Payment Hard Money

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