Thursday, August 22, 2024

New EDC Backpack from Wotancraft: EasyPack 15L


For the past couple of years, I've been asking Wotancraft to make an everyday backpack, and they told me it was in the works. Finally, I had a chance to see it in Taiwan a few months ago during my visit to their retail store and factory. Albert was testing it out as his everyday backpack, and I really liked it. I also asked if they could make optional camera inserts, for those of us who want to carry some gear, alongside our regular daily carry items. 

Introducing Wotancraft's new EasyPack 15L backpack in both khaki and charcoal black. It's a simple and clean design, perfect for the urban environment, either in the office or while you're out and about the city doing your thing. I used it as both a camera bag as well as my studio/office bag, and it worked out perfectly. I like the full-zip open design so I can organize the bag the way I want, and also so I can see exactly what's inside without having to dig through the bag from the top. This isn't a rigid design bag like many of Wotancraft's backpacks, so it might take some getting used to. 

I highly recommend the camera inserts, although you can easily use any of Wotancraft's other modules and attachments (links down below to other modules). In the video, I refer to the larger insert as Large, but Wotancraft decided to rename it Medium. I hope this means they plan to make a Large insert that can convert the entire main section into a camera cube. In addition, Albert is thinking about offering optional zipper pull sets. Stay tuned...

Wotancraft EasyPack 15L: https://bit.ly/3Mj9NPs
Wotancraft Pilot 10L: https://bit.ly/3BuwrMB
Medium (formally Large) Camera Insert: https://bit.ly/3TozGBp
Small Camera Insert: https://bit.ly/3Xf1Ukh
Interior Modules: https://bit.ly/37RkBmX
Exterior Modules: https://bit.ly/3ELOFP7
Parashooter Strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq
Large Camera Pouch: https://bit.ly/4c95wbX
Cordura Shopping Bag 18L: https://bit.ly/3jIoxt6
Cordura Shopping Bag 5L: https://bit.ly/3Y6xcIL
COOPH Official Leica Double Rope Strap: https://bit.ly/3ITpgE6

Check out my Hobolite Iris video: https://youtu.be/0DS9h1pDusI?si=_-xaYw6XE8fd9-HA

Thursday, July 18, 2024

My 3-Week Travel Gear for Italy 2024. Guess How Many Cameras?


This is my second year teaching for the British Columbia Institute of Technology's Summer Field School program in Italy, and I appreciate the opportunity to be an instructor for the BCIT Faculty of Business + Media. Since I would be gone for 3 weeks, I made sure I had the right amount of gear, as well as the right gear. Thanks to the many brands that partnered with me on this trip, including Leica, Camera West, Wotancraft, COOPH, Squarehood, Hobolight, Sigma Canada, VAER, and Bulova. I appreciate their support. Below are links to the gear mentioned in the video (in the order mentioned in the video):

Leica SL2 from Camera West: https://bit.ly/3T2pwoN
Sigma 24mm f/2 Contemporary: https://bhpho.to/3zP98Ck
COOPH Leica Double Rope Strap: https://bit.ly/3ITpgE6
Wotancraft 7L Pilot: https://bit.ly/3bjfjPh
Leica 35mm APO Summicron-M: https://bhpho.to/3xYE5Dv
DJI Osmo Pocket 3: https://bhpho.to/4bQBTMe
Ulanzi iPhone Stand: https://bit.ly/3SaHhm8
Hobolite Iris Creator Kit: https://bit.ly/3LtO7Q3 (BHT5 for 5% off)
Wotancraft Canteener 2L and 3.5L: https://bit.ly/3xsjC9Z
Wotancraft 5L + 18L Reusable shopping bag: https://bit.ly/3Y6xcIL
Wotancraft Parashooter strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq
Squarehood Mini Soft Shutter Button: https://bit.ly/4f4mQBf
COOPH Leica Parachord strap: https://bit.ly/3W6K5C9
COOPH duo tone strap: https://shorturl.at/pHZ0f
Bulova Oceanographer GMT Diver: https://www.bulova.com/ca/en/product/98B407.html

Friday, June 7, 2024

The Leica SL2 vs SL3. Why I Choose the SL2 in 2024


I had the opportunity to spend some time with the brand-new Leica SL3. It's a great all-in-one solution for Leica-centric professional content creators who need a camera to capture both video and stills. However, there is still a great value proposition in getting the SL2. Check out my latest video as I go over just some of the reasons why you would choose the SL2 over the new SL3. Thanks  @chrismeetschris  for helping me shoot this video, and  @CameraWestTV  for the loan on the SL2. It's a great camera! 

Check out Camera West's weekly pre-owned drop of high-quality used camera gear here (non-affiliate link): https://bit.ly/3T2pwoN

Featured products in the video:

Wotancraft Parashooter strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq
COOPH Double Rope strap: https://bit.ly/3ITpgE6
Wotancraft Lightning Rider sling bag: https://bit.ly/3Qow9RR

Saturday, June 1, 2024

My Favourite Camera Straps for The Leica SL2 / SL3


Since I switched to the mighty Leica SL2 as my main mirrorless camera, I had to figure out which camera strap system would work best for me and my workflow. I prefer to have cameras around my neck most of the time, so they have to be comfortable, but also sturdy. I also use my cameras on tripods and transport them back and forth between home and my studio. I don't really like doing camera strap reviews since it is very subject, but here are the two main camera straps that I've been using on the Leica SL2.

COOPH Double Rope Strap: https://bit.ly/3ITpgE6
Wotancraft Full Leather PD Strap: https://bit.ly/3ZmL95C

These are the other straps and bags mentioned in the video:

COOPH Adjustable Rope Strap: https://bit.ly/3PGNyF5
Wotancraft Parashooter Camera Strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq
Pilot Travel Camera Bag 7L: https://bit.ly/3bjfjPh
Pilot Travel Camera Bag 10L: https://bit.ly/3BuwrMB

Thanks to Camera West for the long term loan on the Leica SL2. Please check out their weekly pre-owned camera sales drop: https://bit.ly/3T2pwoN

I also featured the currently sold-out Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH 1966: https://lightlenslab.co/products/light-lens-lab-50mm-1-2-asph-1966-pre-order

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Awesome Retail Store For Camera + Lifestyle Products: Wotancraft in Taiwan


I had the opportunity to visit Taipei, Taiwan to spend a week with the Wotancraft team. I have always loved their bags and straps, but I also wanted to meet the team behind the brand. For my first video, I decided to check out their retail store in the Da'an District in Taipei, Taiwan. Rick let me into the store before opening so I could walk around without having to dodge customers or employees while recording. I purposely kept this video reasonably short, as I could have spent over an hour going through each product and reviewing it. If you ever have the opportunity, please visit their retail store in Taiwan. Below is the link to their address via Google Maps, as well as links to some of the products I  mentioned in the video. Thanks to the entire Wotancraft team for your hospitality. More videos to come soon so don't forget to subscribe, and thanks for watching!


Main Affiliate link to their official online store: https://bit.ly/3Gq63Y2

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Wotancraft's New Camera Pouches (for those who don't use camera bags)


Wotancraft has just released two new compact camera pouches in both small and medium sizes. Check out the video to see what cameras can fit inside. In addition, you can use these pouches as mini dopp kits, to hold your daily essentials. Affiliate links down below:

Wotancraft Camera Pouch Small: https://bit.ly/3UrvlOI
Wotancraft Camera Pouch Medium: https://bit.ly/3W6yQLu
Cordura foldable shopping bag: https://bit.ly/3Y6xcIL
Parashooter wrist strap: https://bit.ly/3RfGvVf
Parashooter neck strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq
Wotancraft Mini Rider sling bag: https://bit.ly/3yNnhMR
Wotancraft Internal modules: https://bit.ly/37RkBmX
Wotancraft add-on modules: https://bit.ly/3ELOFP7

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Talking Cameras at LEICA HQ in Wetzlar, Germany.


My latest Talking Cameras episode, this time at Leica HQ in Wetzlar, Germany. Enjoy the video!

Thursday, February 1, 2024

My Hong Kong Neon Project with CineStill 800T: Film Is Still Alive


Welcome to BHT Hong Kong Neon. If you've been following me for a while, you know of my many travels and film photography projects in Hong Kong. I was recently interviewed by  @TheCooph  talking about my Hong Kong Neon project, and I was featured as the cover article for Silvergrain Classics Magazine from Germany, again featuring my neon project. I shot it entirely on  @CineStillFilm  800T and various film cameras, but mostly with my  @LeicaCameraUSA  M7 and 28mm Summicron.

 Andreas from @RivianOfficial  Spaces Vancouver recently reached out and asked if I would be interested in exhibiting anything at their Brentwood location. I pitched my Hong Kong Neon project, and he was happy to help me showcase this project. Please join me on February 8th, 2024 from 6-9pm for my first solo exhibition featuring my project Hong Kong Neon. Please register here:

https://events.rivian.com/hongkongneon

Thanks to everyone who helped me over the years to make this project possible. Thanks to Camera Film Photo for processing, scanning, and storing all my film; and Cinestillfilm for providing me with the film for this project. Thanks to  @chrismeetschris  and Ryan Savella of Arcade Original for your video footage from Hong Kong. Finally, thank you Rivian Spaces Vancouver for sponsoring this project and exhibition. If this exhibition is successful, we may take it on the road. If you wish to be a sponsor or help in any way, please contact me directly. Thank you and happy shooting!

Check out my Film Is Still Alive documentary: 
Check out my interview with COOPH of Austria:
Check out my first interview with Joseph of Meteor Camera: 



#filmphotography #cinestill800t #believeinfilm 

Monday, January 29, 2024

Bigheadtaco's Best Gear of 2023. What Are My Favourite Things?


This video is long. In the description I've time stamped all the major topics so skip to where you're most interested. I talk about merch at the end of the video. Thanks for watching.