Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Spider Holster's Black Widow DSLR / camera belt holster review]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/27/spider-holsters-black-widow-dslr-camera-belt-holster-review/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/27/spider-holsters-black-widow-dslr-camera-belt-holster-review/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/27/spider-holsters-black-widow-dslr-camera-belt-holster-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

spider holster
There aren't too many new camera peripherals that do something truly new. Sure, quite a few of them complete a familiar task with more ease and less clutter, but the Black Widow by Spider Holster is an entirely new way to manage your primary or secondary camera. What's unique about this device is that it can be used by both professional photographers as well as vacationers who simply wish to keep a camera at their hip at all times. Those afraid of missing "that moment" can probably relate. The concept here is really simple: it's a belt that's attached around you via a wide Velcro band, and there's a small 'catching' mechanism on the side that sits right beside your leg. You screw in a small, silver knob into the bottom of any camera that accepts a traditional tripod thread screw. The knob then slides down into the socket on your waist, and there it hangs until you need it. A small red thumb switch unlocks the slide, allowing you to easily release the camera with one hand and pull it out for use. When you've got the shots you want, just drop it back in the holster. Read on for my full review, as well as a quick video showing exactly how the system works.

Gallery: Black Widow DSLR / camera belt holster

Continue reading Spider Holster's Black Widow DSLR / camera belt holster review

Spider Holster's Black Widow DSLR / camera belt holster review originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessorybeltbelt holsterBeltHolsterblack widowBlackWidowcameradslrholsterperipheralphotographyphotosreviewreviewedspider holsterSpider Holster Black WidowSpiderHolsterSpiderHolsterBlackWidowtooltravel photographyTravelPhotographySun, 27 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xcom Global's MiFi rental service: why you shouldn't leave the US without one]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/23/xcom-globals-mifi-rental-service-why-you-shouldnt-leave-the-u/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/23/xcom-globals-mifi-rental-service-why-you-shouldnt-leave-the-u/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/23/xcom-globals-mifi-rental-service-why-you-shouldnt-leave-the-u/#commentsFiled under: ,

The goal here was to utilize Xcom Global's MiFi rental service to stay connected and work while traveling. The trip? Four days in England, followed by three in France. I was scheduled to shoot my first international wedding in Paris, and was spending a few days in England beforehand -- partly to enjoy the country, and partly to ensure that no weather problems in the US delayed my flight over. Xcom Global provides a service that every US-based international traveler should consider: they rent MiFi devices for a host of nations (a list that seems to grow each month), and if you aren't familiar with a MiFi, the concept is pretty simple: it's a battery-powered pebble with a country-specific SIM card in it. Just press a button, and within a few seconds, you'll have a WiFi signal that connects up to five devices to a country's 3G network.

For example, a French MiFi gives you unlimited 3G data with Orange. So long as you keep a charged battery in there, you can leave your smartphone in airplane mode and still use Google Maps to get around a foreign city -- just connect your phone to the MiFi over Wi-Fi. If you aren't familiar with what it costs to use data internationally, it's around $5 per megabyte. What does that mean? Downloading the emails you missed on the flight over could easily cost $20, and if you maintained that connection for a whole day? It's easy to rack up $300 or more in data roaming charges. No US carrier offers a decent international plan (at least not anymore), so you're really left with two options: struggle to find Wi-Fi, or use Xcom Global. These guys will rent you a MiFi for under $20 per day, with return shipping included. That means unlimited Wi-Fi for around $17 a day in a foreign country, and it's a connection that multiple people can use at once. If your hotel wants to ding you 10 Euros per day for Internet, just use this -- problem solved. It's an awesome way to stay connected while abroad, but honestly, it's more than that. For mobile professionals, it's a necessity.

I love my husband very much, I really do. But even he was kicking himself when we took off from the US and realized our MiFis were still in their shipping bag in our vehicle, safely parked at the airport, slipping further and further from Manchester. This piece was slated to be a review of Xcom's services; instead, it has morphed into a thesis on just how frustrating it is to visit a foreign country without their services. You never know what you've got until it's gone -- isn't that what they say? Read on for more.

Continue reading Xcom Global's MiFi rental service: why you shouldn't leave the US without one

Xcom Global's MiFi rental service: why you shouldn't leave the US without one originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gdatainternetmifirentalreviewroamingservicetravelwireless internetWirelessInternetwwanxcom globalXcomGlobalWed, 23 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tutorial: how to properly shoot / photograph the Northern Lights]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/04/tutorial-how-to-properly-shoot-photograph-the-northern-lights/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/04/tutorial-how-to-properly-shoot-photograph-the-northern-lights/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/04/tutorial-how-to-properly-shoot-photograph-the-northern-lights/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In the spirit of journeying during periods less traveled, I've embarked to Alaska this winter. Follow the adventures here, and prepare to have your preconceived notions destroyed along the way.

northern lights
Ah, the Northern Lights. Aurora Borealis. Pure magic. Regardless of what you call them, these mysteries of our universe are truly impossible to forget once you see them, and now that I have, I totally understand why people plan entire trips around the sliver of a chance to witness them with their own eyes. The Northern Lights don't come out for humans to see that often, but February and March are considered prime viewing months in the frigid wilds of Fairbanks. The northern half of Alaska is one of the only places in America where you stand a chance at seeing this phenomenon yourself, and it's yet another incredible reason to visit The Last Frontier in the winter. Seeing these colored swirls dance across a starry Alaskan sky stirs the soul like few other experiences can, and if there's one thing you'll want to do when spotting them, it's capturing the moment for years to come. Photographing the Northern Lights is no easy task; it's more like a science, but it's far from impossible. Read on to learn how I was able to capture the images seen here in the gallery on one bone-chillingly cold night north of Fairbanks.

Gallery: Northern Lights as seen from Fox, Alaska

Continue reading Tutorial: how to properly shoot / photograph the Northern Lights

Tutorial: how to properly shoot / photograph the Northern Lights originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gallery: Snowshoe softball match at Alaska's 2011 Fur Rondy



Gallery: Dog mushing and weight pull at Alaska's 2011 Fur Rondy



Gallery: Alaska's 2011 Fur Rondy in pictures



Gallery: Bert the Conqueror in World's Largest Outhouse Races



Gallery: Yukigassen brings team snowball fighting to Fur Rondy



Gallery: Girdwood to Anchorage Scenic Drive: Turnagain Arm



Gallery: Glacier City Snowmobile Tours in Girdwood, Alaska



Gallery: Alyeska Ski Resort & Hotel and Seven Glaciers



Gallery: Ireland's west coast: Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Doolin



Gallery: Dublin, Ireland: U2's old studio, Temple Bar and O'Connell Street



Gallery: Powerscourt House and Gardens in County Wicklow, Ireland



Gallery: The River Walk at the Powerscourt Estate in Ireland


















Feb. feature media originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Delta SkyMiles Medallion parking lot coming to Braves' Turner Field]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/23/skymiles-medallion-parking-lot-coming-to-braves-turner-field/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/23/skymiles-medallion-parking-lot-coming-to-braves-turner-field/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/23/skymiles-medallion-parking-lot-coming-to-braves-turner-field/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

braves medallionDelta's been Atlanta's hometown airline for decades, and it looks like the bond between the two is getting a little stronger with the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season. Delta Air Lines and the Atlanta Braves have announced a partnership that will lead to the opening of a new lot at Turner Field. Or, at least a re-branded portion of a lot. The current Green Park Lot -- which is located directly across from the main entrance to Turner Field at the corner of Hank Aaron Drive and Ralph D. Abernathy Drive -- will have 500 spots converted into dedicated spots for SkyMiles Medallion members. The upside here is the location; this is one of the closest places to park for the game, and should prove a perfect spot for tailgating activities. The downside is that you'll still be required to pay the normal rate ($12 as of today) for parking.

In our opinion, Delta could've cut those who are Gold, Platinum or Diamond a break -- possibly a free or discounted spot in return for their loyalty. As it stands, any Medallion member can show up and occupy the spot so long as they bring along their Medallion card, but there doesn't look to be any price breaks in the cards. Still, it's a nice (if minor) perk for being loyal to Delta, particularly for Atlanta-based Braves fans, and hopefully those with higher statuses will see a discount in their future. Hint, hint, Delta.

If you're looking to take advantage, the SkyMiles Medallion Lot will available starting with the Braves scheduled exhibition games at Turner Field on March 29th and 30th. Their home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies is set for 7:35 p.m. ET, Friday, April 8, 2011.

Delta SkyMiles Medallion parking lot coming to Braves' Turner Field originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantaatlanta bravesAtlantaBravesbaseballbravesdeltageorgiamedallionparkingskymilesskymiles medallionSkymilesMedallionsportsportsWed, 23 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[5 things to do in Barcelona, Spain: from Sagrada Familia to Barceloneta Beach]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/22/5-things-to-do-in-barcelona-spain-from-sagrada-familia-to-barc/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/22/5-things-to-do-in-barcelona-spain-from-sagrada-familia-to-barc/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/22/5-things-to-do-in-barcelona-spain-from-sagrada-familia-to-barc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Barcelona
It may not be the capital of Spain, but Barcelona is most certainly the capital of Catalonia, and it's one of the more bustling, thriving and varied cities that Europe has to offer. You might say it's equipped with the perfect mix of old and new, and given its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, it also boasts something that most other major cities do not: a beach! Of course, figuring out things to do in this town isn't quite as easy as deciding to come here, so we're here to help. Read on for five incredible things to see and do while in Barcy, be it for business or pleasure.

Gallery: Sights and more sights from Barcelona, Spain

Continue reading 5 things to do in Barcelona, Spain: from Sagrada Familia to Barceloneta Beach

5 things to do in Barcelona, Spain: from Sagrada Familia to Barceloneta Beach originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelAntoni GaudiAntoniGaudiartBarcelonaBarcelonetaBarceloneta beachBarcelonetaBeachbeachchurchdesigneuropegaudiguellla ramblaLaRamblamuseumparkpark guellParkGuellplaya BarcelonetaPlayaBarcelonetaSagrada FamiliaSagradaFamiliaSpainthings to doThingsToDotipstravelTue, 22 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel Photo Tips: using a 50mm F1.4 lens to redefine low-light shooting]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/15/travel-photo-tips-using-a-50mm-f1-4-lens-to-redefine-low-light/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/15/travel-photo-tips-using-a-50mm-f1-4-lens-to-redefine-low-light/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/15/travel-photo-tips-using-a-50mm-f1-4-lens-to-redefine-low-light/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

50mm f1.4
If there's one question I'm asked more than any other when it comes to DSLRs, it's usually one dealing with low-light shooting. Being able to effectively capture a scene in dimly lit situations (or at night altogether) is one of the toughest things to do in photography. Even if you have a flash, you have to be careful when firing it if you don't want to simply blow everything out and ruin the "mood" and "feel" of a night shot. The most common problems with night images are this: too much blur, too dark of a shot overall or too much noise in the shot. How do you solve those issues? It obviously depends on the camera and accessories you're using, but one surefire way to make your existing DSLR entirely more capable at night is the purchase of one single lens. The 50mm F1.4 is as close to a magic bullet as there is in the photography world, and if you travel, you can bet you'll end up wanting to take photographs after sunset.

The 50mm F1.4 has a lot of things going for it. For one, it's available for nearly every DSLR out there. You can find dedicated versions (either first-party such as Nikkor or third-party like Sigma) for Nikon, Canon, Sony and Olympus DSLRs, with plenty of aftermarket solutions out there for even more brands. Secondly, it's incredibly small. My D3S camera body dwarfs the 50mm F1.4, and when I'm trying to conceal my camera and get it into concert venues and the like, having a "stub-nose" lens like this makes it much easier to get through. Thirdly, it's relatively cheap by FX (or full-frame) standards. And finally, the shots you can get from this lens are truly amazing, and they can enable you to capture memories of a trip that you'd otherwise never be able to. Read on for a few examples and suggestions on how to best make use of this low-light masterpiece.

Gallery: Photography using 50mm F1.4 prime lens

Continue reading Travel Photo Tips: using a 50mm F1.4 lens to redefine low-light shooting

Travel Photo Tips: using a 50mm F1.4 lens to redefine low-light shooting originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50mm f1.450mm lens50mmF1.450mmLensaperturecameracanondslrfujifilmlenslightlightinglow lightlow light photographylow-light photographyLow-lightPhotographyLowLightLowLightPhotographynight photographyNightPhotographynikkornikonolympusphotographyphotosprime lensPrimeLenssonytravel photo tipsTravelPhotoTipsTue, 15 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Touring Dallas Cowboys Stadium during Super Bowl XLV Media Day]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/14/touring-dallas-cowboys-stadium-during-super-bowl-xlv-media-day/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/14/touring-dallas-cowboys-stadium-during-super-bowl-xlv-media-day/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/14/touring-dallas-cowboys-stadium-during-super-bowl-xlv-media-day/#commentsFiled under: , ,

cowboys stadium
Super Bowl XLV. It was most certainly one for the record books. Well over 100,000 people flowed into Cowboys Stadium in the heart of North Texas to watch two of the NFL's most storied teams do battle. The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers put on an amazing spectacle, and I was able to take part in one small way. I made my way into Arlington for Super Bowl Media Day -- a frenzied event that saw over 1,000 credentialed media crowd the field for their chance to interview their favorite players and coaches. Two of the league's most historic teams, both on the field of the newest, most awe-inspiring stadium in the NFL. It was a spectacular scene, and a journey I won't ever forget. The good news for you is that even though the Super Bowl is over, Cowboys Stadium remains open for business.

How so, you ask? The team has set up a program for tourists, locals and curious fans alike to actually take a tour of the new Cowboys Stadium. Tours are given seven days a week, with two primary options for entry. Of course, a general tour won't involve speaking to players of the Packers or Steelers, but it will involve a thorough walkthrough of the NFL's most astounding and technologically advanced venue. Read on to catch a glimpse of what you'll see should you make the trip down (or up!).

Gallery: Super Bowl XLV: a look at Cowboys Stadium

Continue reading Touring Dallas Cowboys Stadium during Super Bowl XLV Media Day

Touring Dallas Cowboys Stadium during Super Bowl XLV Media Day originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arlingtoncowboyscowboys stadiumCowboysStadiumdallasfootballmedia dayMediaDaynflnorth texasNorthTexaspackerssportsportingsporting eventSportingEventsportsstadiumstadium tourStadiumToursteelerssuper bowlsuper bowl xlvsuper bowl xlv media daySuperBowlSuperBowlXlvSuperBowlXlvMediaDaytexastourMon, 14 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[5 incredible, adventurous things to do in Kauai, Hawaii]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/09/5-incredible-adventurous-things-to-do-in-kauai-hawaii/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/09/5-incredible-adventurous-things-to-do-in-kauai-hawaii/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/09/5-incredible-adventurous-things-to-do-in-kauai-hawaii/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

kauai
Kauai. Just the mere mention of the word brings a million amazing memories rushing back, and immediately makes those who have been wish they were kicked back on Poipu beach without a care in the world. It's one of America's wonders, and while the Garden Isle is far from being the biggest, most populated or easiest of the Hawaiian islands to get to, it's unquestionably worth the trip. Particularly so if you're the adventurous type. If there's any island in the Hawaiian chain that begs for you to plop down in one spot for the week, Kauai most certainly isn't it. This place abounds with things to do, and those who aren't afraid to climb, jump, sweat and dive right into the wild will have no shortage of fun. I've compiled five of my favorite Kauai adventures here in hopes that you too will find certain thrills while visiting, so grab your untouched itinerary and read on!

Gallery: Adventures in Kauai, Hawaii

Continue reading 5 incredible, adventurous things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

5 incredible, adventurous things to do in Kauai, Hawaii originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activitiesadventureadventure traveladventure-travelAdventureTravelbeachcaptain joeCaptainJoecliff jumpingCliffJumpinghawaiihikehikingKauaikauai hawaiiKauaiHawaiina palina pali coastNaPaliNaPaliCoastnorth americaNorthAmericasnorkelsnorkelingsurfingtourismtunnels beachTunnelsBeachususaWed, 09 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel How-to: Road trip through Glacier National Park in the winter]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/30/travel-how-to-road-trip-through-glacier-national-park-in-the-wi/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/30/travel-how-to-road-trip-through-glacier-national-park-in-the-wi/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/30/travel-how-to-road-trip-through-glacier-national-park-in-the-wi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

road trip glacier

Here at Gadling, we're big fans of visiting National Parks in the off-season. There are fewer crowds, less headaches and more chances to enjoy the natural aspects that made these magnificent places so spectacular to begin with. The only trouble is the weather. Generally speaking, many of the United States' National Parks partially shut down when Old Man Winter shows up, driving away a good deal of would-be tourists and also limiting how much of the park you can see. The famed Tioga Pass through Yosemite National Park is drowned in snow from October to April, and the majority of Yellowstone's roadways are closed to automobiles during Wyoming's lengthy winter. And when it comes to one of America's true gems -- Glacier National Park -- the star attraction is completely off limits to even 4WD vehicles for three-quarters of the year.

With the Going to the Sun road shut down, is there even a reason to travel to northwest Montana to give this majestic place a look? Without a doubt, yes. It's true that Glacier, even in her 101st year as a National Park, is most open to exploration in the regrettably short summer season, but there are massive benefits to going in the winter. For one, hardly anyone else is there. You'll be lucky to see a dozen others exploring the park on a given winter day, giving you ample opportunity to get lost inside this truly gigantic place. But there's something else that few people consider when pondering a visit to Glacier in the winter: Highway 2. Read on to hear our secrets on making the most of an off-season visit to Montana's largest National Park.

Gallery: Enjoying Montana's Glacier National Park in winter

Continue reading Travel How-to: Road trip through Glacier National Park in the winter

Travel How-to: Road trip through Glacier National Park in the winter originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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geotagging your travels

Even casual travelers know the wonders of GPS. It's hard to imagine how we functioned on the road just a few years back without a satnav at our disposal, and now that our smartphones are also well equipped to guide us from point A to point Z (and everywhere in between), having a true sense of direction isn't quite as necessary as it once was. But GPS satellites are useful for quite a bit more than just routing us. In the photography world, geotagging is becoming an increasingly attractive way to effectively track ones travels in a unique, refreshing visual fashion.

If you aren't familiar with the term, geotagging refers to embedded GPS data on each image, which can then be read by various photo applications and mapping software. When you take a photo using any existing DSLR, a great deal of "metadata" is embedded onto each image; this data enables individuals to see what aperture, shutter speed, white balance setting and focal length (among other things) were used when a particular shot was composed. These pieces of information are remarkably useful when comparing shots after the fact, and geotagging adds one more vital bit of data to the mix: coordinates. Read on to find out how you can start adding GPS data to your images, and why you should make the effort to do so.

Gallery: Geotagging your travels: a lesson from Montana

Continue reading Geotagging your travels: why you should, and how to do it

Geotagging your travels: why you should, and how to do it originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameracasiogeotaggeotaggedgeotagginggpsphotographytipstraveltravel photo tipstravel photographyTravelPhotographyTravelPhotoTipswinterSat, 29 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel Photo Tips: Taking photos while skiing / snowmobiling, and keeping your camera dry]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/28/travel-photo-tips-taking-photos-while-skiing-snowmobiling-an/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/28/travel-photo-tips-taking-photos-while-skiing-snowmobiling-an/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/28/travel-photo-tips-taking-photos-while-skiing-snowmobiling-an/#commentsFiled under: , ,

photos while skiing

I recently embarked on a trip to Montana's northwestern corner, primarily concerned with a couple of things: enjoying a few days of skiing and snowmobiling, and keeping my shutter going all the while. Truth be told, it's harder than you might think. Managing to capture photos -- let alone ones that you'd be proud to show off -- in wintry conditions is certainly a challenge, but it's not completely impossible if you prepare well and allow a bit of extra composing time out on the hill.

Being the family photographer while out on the slopes (or on the trails) requires extra effort, but I've got a few tips to make things as painless as possible. If you've splurged on a winter vacation, you won't want to return home without any images to prove it. Read on to see how I pulled off a few clutch shots while skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort and covering the trails in nearby Olney, MT.

Gallery: Skiing / snowboarding at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Continue reading Travel Photo Tips: Taking photos while skiing / snowmobiling, and keeping your camera dry

Travel Photo Tips: Taking photos while skiing / snowmobiling, and keeping your camera dry originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameradryextreme sportsExtremeSportsmontanaskiskiingsnowboardsnowboardingsportsportstipstravel photo tripstravel photographyTravelPhotographyTravelPhotoTripsweatherwhitefishwhitefish mountain resortWhitefishMountainResortwinterwinter sportsWinterSportsFri, 28 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Columbia Omni-Heat Circuit Breaker Softshell electric / heated ski jacket review]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/27/columbia-omni-heat-circuit-breaker-electric-heated-ski-jacket/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/27/columbia-omni-heat-circuit-breaker-electric-heated-ski-jacket/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/27/columbia-omni-heat-circuit-breaker-electric-heated-ski-jacket/#commentsFiled under: , ,

columbia circuit breaker

It's a mouthful of a name, but Columbia's new Circuit Breaker Softshell heated jacket is exactly the kind of hardware that avid winter adventurists and residents of frigid locales have been clamoring for. Heated gear has been around for awhile, but older implementations have generally been prohibitively expensive, extremely bulky and short on life. Reviews have generally been mixed, and the cold weather world at large has really been waiting for battery and charging technologies to advance to a point where a heated jacket could be taken seriously. The Omni-Heat Circuit Breaker is it.

This coat is one of three new launches from Columbia for next ski season (it's slated to go on sale to the public on October of 2011), accompanied by a pair of Omni-Heat electric boots and a set of electric gloves. For this review, we're going to focus on the most sophisticated of the three: the Circuit Breaker Softshell jacket, albeit a pre-production version that may be altered ever-so-slightly prior to October. Was a jacket filled with heating elements able to keep our core satisfactorily warm during a frigid snowmobile trip through northwestern Montana and during a near-blizzard at Whitefish Mountain Resort? Read on to find out.

Continue reading Columbia Omni-Heat Circuit Breaker Softshell electric / heated ski jacket review

Columbia Omni-Heat Circuit Breaker Softshell electric / heated ski jacket review originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>circuit breakerCircuit Breaker SoftshellCircuitBreakerCircuitBreakerSoftshellcoatcolumbiaelectric jacketElectricJacketgearheatheatedheated jacketHeatedJacketjacketomni heatomni-heatOmniHeatouterwearpre productionPreProductionreviewreviewedskiski coatski jacketSkiCoatskiingSkiJacketThu, 27 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubiquisys Attocell could enable roaming-free international cellphone calls]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/26/ubiquisys-attocell-could-enable-roaming-free-international-cellp/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/26/ubiquisys-attocell-could-enable-roaming-free-international-cellp/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/26/ubiquisys-attocell-could-enable-roaming-free-international-cellp/#commentsFiled under: , ,

cheap international calls

Femtocells aren't new. For the past few years, they have trickled out onto Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint using various names, and while they're perfect for those who have subpar cellphone coverage in their own home, they aren't great for avid travelers dealing with international roaming. If you're unfamiliar with the technology, it works as such: a femtocell is a miniature cell tower, of sorts, which connects to your home broadband Internet connection. This basically creates a cell tower in your home, and it routes your calls out through the Internet instead of via the nearest "real" tower.

Unfortunately, all of the US carriers have locked their femtocells to work only in America, and even when you change locations domestically, most require you to update your address in your online profile before it can work elsewhere. There's a GPS beacon attached to all of them, which works as the ball-and-chain for travelers. The ultimate femtocell would be the one that you could take anywhere, and plug into any Internet connection, in order to have five bars of local cell service anywhere in the world. It would all but eliminate roaming fees while you were chatting in your overseas office or hotel room. But wouldn't it be even nicer if you could take that idea, and make it mobile? That's exactly what Ubiquisys is doing with its newest product, the Attocell. Read on for more details.

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Ubiquisys Attocell could enable roaming-free international cellphone calls originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attocellcallingallcarsfeefeestFemtocellsgoogle mapsGoogleMapsinternational calling serviceInternationalCallingServicepersonal femtocellPersonalFemtocellrange boosterrange extenderRangeBoosterRangeExtenderroamroaming feesRoamingChargesRoamingFeesUbiquisysWed, 26 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NHL All-Star Game travel advice: what to do in Raleigh, NC]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/26/nhl-all-star-game-travel-advice-what-to-do-in-raleigh-nc/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/26/nhl-all-star-game-travel-advice-what-to-do-in-raleigh-nc/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/26/nhl-all-star-game-travel-advice-what-to-do-in-raleigh-nc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

nhl raleigh

It's shaping up to be a busy, busy weekend for sports. The NFL's Pro Bowl is set to take place Sunday night, and a few hours prior, the NHL's All-Star Game will kick off in North Carolina's capital city. This weekend will be the first that Raleigh has hosted the All-Star Game, with the Carolina Hurricanes being the host team and their RBC Center being the host facility. Those living here (like me!) will be quick to point out that Raleigh brought home a major national championship before the more populated Charlotte, with the Stanley Cup coming to NC during the 2005 - 2006 season.

The city has been doing an awful lot of planning since it found out it would be this year's host in April of 2010, including the finalization of RDU's sophisticated Terminal 2 this past week. We're still no closer to having a legitimate public transportation system (outside of a few sporadic bus routes), but there's plenty of southern hospitality to go around for those coming to town. If you're planning a trip down below the Mason-Dixon Line in order to attend this year's NHL All-Star Game, read on to discover five can't-miss places to visit (and eat at) while in Raleigh.

Continue reading NHL All-Star Game travel advice: what to do in Raleigh, NC

NHL All-Star Game travel advice: what to do in Raleigh, NC originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airportall-star gameAll-starGamearrowhead innArrowheadInnb and bBAndBbed and breakfastBedAndBreakfastcarolina hurricanesCarolinaHurricanescook outcook-outCookOutdiningdurhamhockeyhurricanesncnc stateNcStatenhlnhl all-star gameNhlAll-starGamenorth carolinaNorthCarolinaraleighraleigh north carolinaRaleighNorthCarolinarbc centerRbcCenterRDUsecond empireSecondEmpirethe pitThePittipstraveluncvelocityWed, 26 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel Photo Tips: What is metering, and how does it affect my pictures?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/21/travel-photo-tips-what-is-metering-and-how-does-it-affect-my-p/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/21/travel-photo-tips-what-is-metering-and-how-does-it-affect-my-p/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/21/travel-photo-tips-what-is-metering-and-how-does-it-affect-my-p/#commentsFiled under: , ,

what is metering

Up until now, we've covered three of the more basic, essential aspects of understanding the minutiae that goes into composing a photograph. While traveling, it's easy to run into vastly different scenes from hour to hour, making it all the more important to understand how and why your camera reacts the way it does. The goal here is to get you more comfortable with manually controlling your camera so you can accurately capture whatever it is you've traveled to see, and while it's not nearly as simple to grasp as ISO, aperture or shutter speed, getting a basic understanding of metering is essential to understanding how exposure works.

When you think about exposure in general, you think about how brightly lit or how dark an image is. We've all seen the wedding rehearsal pictures that were so underexposed that everyone looks like a silhouette, and we've all seen the sunrise shot from the beach where everything looks white -- a telltale sign of overexposure. In this guide, we'll provide you with the knowledge you need to know in order to grasp metering and how it affects the exposure (darkness / brightness) of your travel shots. And we'll also refrain from drowning you in technical knowledge that you have no time to ingest. Read on to get one step closer to mastering metering.

Continue reading Travel Photo Tips: What is metering, and how does it affect my pictures?

Travel Photo Tips: What is metering, and how does it affect my pictures? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brightnesscamerasDSLRexposurematrix meteringMatrixMeteringmeteringphotographyphotosspot meteringSpotMeteringtipstravel photo tipstravel photographtravel photosTravelPhotographTravelPhotosTravelPhotoTipstricksFri, 21 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel Photo Tips: What is aperture, and how does it affect my pictures?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/14/travel-photo-tips-what-is-aperture-and-how-does-it-affect-my-p/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/14/travel-photo-tips-what-is-aperture-and-how-does-it-affect-my-p/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/14/travel-photo-tips-what-is-aperture-and-how-does-it-affect-my-p/#commentsFiled under: , ,

what is aperture

You've schooled yourself on ISO, and you're starting to get a handle on shutter speed. Next stop? Aperture. This particular setting is exceedingly important when trying to wrap your head around the basics of manually controlling a camera, but it's also one of the more confusing. For starters, not every camera and lens can achieve the same f/stops (in case you couldn't guess, aperture levels are measured as f/[number]), and similar to shutter speed, changing the f/stop does more than just one thing.

Tweaking the aperture can change the outcome of your photo in a drastic way. But before you go cranking that number beside the "f" on your camera screen, let's break down the basics on what aperture is, what it affects and why you should care. Read on for a few pointers that every shooter should know.

Continue reading Travel Photo Tips: What is aperture, and how does it affect my pictures?

Travel Photo Tips: What is aperture, and how does it affect my pictures? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apertureblurbokehcameradslrphotophotographphotographsphotographyphotosstyletipstravel photo tipstravel photographyTravelPhotographyTravelPhotoTipstricksFri, 14 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel Photo Tips: What is shutter speed, and how does it affect my pictures?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/06/travel-photo-tips-what-is-shutter-speed-and-how-does-it-affect/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/06/travel-photo-tips-what-is-shutter-speed-and-how-does-it-affect/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/06/travel-photo-tips-what-is-shutter-speed-and-how-does-it-affect/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

what is shutter speed

Now that you've got a grip on ISO, it's time to talk about shutter speed as it relates to light. What is it, and how can it be tweaked to better the photographs that you'll take on the run? A great question, and we're glad you asked. Simply put, shutter speed refers to the length of time that the shutter stays open while snapping a photograph. In general, the longer a shutter remains open, the more light is allowed in. And the more light that is allowed in, the brighter a picture becomes.

There's a fine line that is walked with shutter speed. If you don't leave the shutter open long enough, your images will turn out too dark to be useful. Having a shot that's too dark can spoil an otherwise great vacation memory, and it's nearly impossible to brighten an overly dark photograph using Photoshop (or a similar editing application) without adding a lot of noise and grain. On the flip side, leaving the shutter open too long can result in a couple of negative outcomes.

We'll discuss these and walk you through an example after the break, so grab your advanced point-and-shoot, interchangeable lens camera or DSLR and read on get a better feel of how changing the shutter speed can change the outcome of your snapshots.

Continue reading Travel Photo Tips: What is shutter speed, and how does it affect my pictures?

Travel Photo Tips: What is shutter speed, and how does it affect my pictures? originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameradslrhow tohow-toHowTolightphotophotographyphotosshutter speedShutterSpeedtipstravel photo tipstravel photographytravel photos tipsTravelPhotographyTravelPhotosTipsTravelPhotoTipsThu, 06 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kata 3N1-33 professional camera backpack review]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/05/kata-3n1-33-professional-camera-backpack-review/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/05/kata-3n1-33-professional-camera-backpack-review/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/05/kata-3n1-33-professional-camera-backpack-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kata 3n1-33 professional camera bag

Selecting a camera bag can be a daunting process. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of options, and even bags that aren't specifically designed with cameras in mind can be altered and repurposed for use with your setup. Kata is a respected name in the bag industry, offering quite a few travel packs and a handful of dedicated camera packs. Where they stand out is their rigidity and flexibility. The company's packs are stronger, stiffer and more rugged than the average bag, and the prices show it.

The Kata 3N1-33 is its highest-end sling / torso pack that's designed for hauling around a robust DSLR rig. It's not nearly as bulky as some of the backpacks we've seen, but the internal compartments are arranged in a way so that you can carry around a 15.4-inch (or smaller) laptop, a DSLR (with or without battery grip), a long-range zoom lens, five or six other lenses, a camera flash and a handful of chargers, batteries, pens, keys, business cards and any other small essentials that you typically would carry on a business or travel shoot.

But what truly sets this bag apart in our mind is the handling capabilities. You can wear this pack a half-dozen different ways: as a standard backpack, as a left or right-handed torso pack, or in a x-strap configuration that's a hybrid of the two.

Wondering how this bag fares against the competition, and if it's really worth the $130 or so that it's selling for? Read on for our full review.

Gallery: Kata 3n1-33 professional camera bag / backpack

Continue reading Kata 3N1-33 professional camera backpack review

Kata 3N1-33 professional camera backpack review originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3n1-33backpackbagcamera bagCameraBaggadling gear reviewGadlingGearReviewgear reviewGearReviewkatakata 3n1-33Kata3n1-33messenger bagMessengerBagpackphotographyprofessional camera bagProfessionalCameraBagreviewreviewedtravel photo tipstravel photographyTravelPhotographyTravelPhotoTipsWed, 05 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel Photo Tips: What is ISO, and how does it affect my pictures?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/30/travel-photo-tips-what-is-iso-and-how-does-it-affect-my-pictur/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/30/travel-photo-tips-what-is-iso-and-how-does-it-affect-my-pictur/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/30/travel-photo-tips-what-is-iso-and-how-does-it-affect-my-pictur/#commentsFiled under: , ,

what is iso

ISO. Three little letters which stand for International Organization for Standardization (not exactly thrilling) and make a monumental difference in the outcome of images, particularly in low-light scenarios. It's one of the most prominently featured specifications of any modern digital camera, and it's one single aspect that can make a night-and-day difference in the outcome of your shots. If you're on the road, on vacation or just galavanting about with your new camera, there are a few key pointers you need to know about how ISO works, and how it can affect the snapshots your take. We'll spare you the behind-the-scenes, science-y explanation on ISO though and get right to the heart of the matter.

While film and photography purists may balk at the assumption, the average photographer really only needs to know a couple of things about ISO -- particularly the novice who simply needs their vacation photos to look at least somewhat like how they remember the scene looking.

FIn general, if a camera has a wide ISO range then it can capture faster moving action in low-light settings. Also, higher ISO ranges enable handheld shots to be taken further into the evening (and without blur). The gallery below highlights every single ISO stop between 200 and 104,200 on a Nikon D3s. Few cameras will offer an ISO range similar to this, but walking through it shot-by-shot gives you a great view of how a boosted ISO alters the outcome of a shot. Pictures are worth a thousand words, as they say. All of the other settings were kept constant for these shots (Shutter Speed: 1/8 of a second; f/5.0; 50mm focal length, no flash fired; auto white balance; tripod-mounted shot). Click the 'Read More' link here for a deeper dive into ISO, along with loads of pointers on how and when to tweak the value when shooting.

Gallery: ISO comparison gallery: 200 through 102,400

Continue reading Travel Photo Tips: What is ISO, and how does it affect my pictures?

Travel Photo Tips: What is ISO, and how does it affect my pictures? originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brightnesscameracamerascanondigicamdigital cameraDigitalCameraDSLRISOnikonphotographyphotosTravel Photo Tipstravel photographytravel photosTravelPhotographyTravelPhotosTravelPhotoTipsThu, 30 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST