D-Store San FranciscoThe Dainese presentation at the 2008 Legend of the Motorcycle show was impressive, so I decided to check out their new D-Store in San Francisco.

The store was easy to get to and there was ample parking available -- a pleasant surprise, and most unexpected in San Francisco. The store front resembles an old garage.

After meeting some of the staff I started checking out the store and product line. The store's layout and organization caught my attention right away -- there were tables with products in cages underneath. This provides shoppers a place to put their gear and lay out the items they like, allowing for more relaxed shopping. Overall, I think the store is nicely arranged, and there is adequate room to maneuver around the racks (unlike many motorcycle stores I've visited). Read  More...

Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash

Canon 430EX Speedlite - E-TTL II Shoe Mount Flash: The Canon 430EX Speedlite is a full featured E-TTL II flash designed for Canon EOS cameras. It can be used as an on-camera flash or part of a wireless flash system.The 430EX is compatible with all Canon EOS cameras and PowerShot cameras with a hot shoe. The 430EX is lighter and less expensive than the top of the line Speedlite 580EX II.

I have used this flash at a couple of holiday parties on a Canon XTi and it's performance indoors and out is dramatically better and more consistent than the popup camera flash. The 430EX can also be used as a reasonably priced slave flash fired by a Speedlite 580EX II.

Make sure you have the recipient open the 430EX first so all the Christmas photos will be their best. The flash takes 4 AA alkaline or Ni-MH batteries (not included). Read  More...

Canon EF 1.4x II Tele-Extender

Canon Extender EF 1.4X II - Telephoto Extender: The latest telephoto extender designed to work with Canon EOS cameras and and specific telephoto and zoom lenses.This latest version of the highly regarded 1.4x super telephoto extender is even better than its predecessor with weather sealing via new rubber gaskets at both ends.

Installation and removal is easy. Using the 1.4x will make the 70-200mm into a 98-280mm lens. There is a loss of one f-stop (so an f/2.8 lens becomes an f/4 and the 70-200 f/4 becomes an f/5.6). For outdoor sports or racing photography this is not really noticeable. Read  More...

Canon EF 70-200 f/4 L - Telephoto Zoom Lens: for Canon EOS cameras.

The Canon 70-200 f/4L Zoom Telephoto lens may be the best deal in the Canon Professional series.

I used this lens at several races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this year and it is a fantastic lens. The internal focus feature is one of the things I like most about it - the lens does not change length, and the front of the lens does not rotate - so use of a circular polarizing filter is possible.

The relatively light weight (1.56) lbs and size (about 7" in length with a UV filter and 3" in diameter) makes this lens an excellent choice for packing on a motorcycle trip or lugging around all day at the track. Read  More...

EF LENS WORK III, The Eyes of EOS (3rd.ed) author: Lens Group Canon Incorporated asin: B000NSPS3I