Hi!  Everyone of us photographers will always be looking for the best camera backpack that will meet all the requirements during travelling as well as everyday use.  I've had quite a few camera backpacks in the past, among others Mindshift Gear Backlight 26L, SONY LCSBP2, SONY LCSBP3, FStop Gear Loka UL (Ultralight), Thinktank Streetwalker Harddrive, Lowepro Fastpack 250 & 350, to name a few...all of which I have sold off to in the search for my perfect and most ideal camera backpack.

​The backpack I'm referring to is Manfrotto Pro Light Camera Backpack RedBee-210 for DSLR/Camcorder (Model No.: MB PL-BP-R). Overall outside dimension is 50.8cm x 34.0cm x 24.9cm and the bag weighs relatively light at 1.6kg. inclusive of the adjustable padding.

Generally, I've come to love this bag due to the following reasons:

1. The side access to the bag is what I really love most. This means that I can swing the bag to the side (whichever side you need) to take out your camera, without taking off the backpack.  This also acts  as a safety feature where your backpack is always with you;
2. The bag is spacious where I can carry my SONY A7RII with SEL1635GM attached, SEL70200G, SEL1224G, SEL24105G, SONY A6000 with SEL1018 attached, Genie Mini, Mindshift Gear Filter Hive, Think Tank Photo DSLR Battery Holder 4, raincover, 15" notebook computer compartment, iPad Pro 9.7" compartment, and media card wallet, all within the allowable cabin size baggage requirements;
3. The main access to the camera compartment can only be opened on the side that rests on your back i.e. reverse access.  This means that nobody can open the zipper to steal your gears;
4. There is also a safety netting covering the main compartment of the camera bag;
5. The padded top handle, and the comfortable, padded and adjustable shoulder straps;
6. Rain Protector is included fold out protector which when installed creates a barrier between the wet outside and dry inside of your bag.
7. Cushioned back panel for comfort and to help wick-away moisture. The bag also has a water repellent feature where a specially applied coating to the fabric which keeps resistant to moisture; and
8. The attractive black with red trimmings and inside padding, gives it an exclusive look.

The only thing that I don't like about the bag is the waist strap is thin and not padded.  I would love if the bag comes with the padded waist strap like the one on Mindshift Gear Backlight or the F-Stop Loka Ultralight.

This Manfrotto Pro Light Camera Backpack RedBee-210 retails for RM800, although, if you look around, you can get the same bag for a lot less. Just make sure you buy the bag from a reliable retailer.  

Kuala Lumpur was blessed once more with a glorious fiery skies on 30 January 2018. So, I grabbed the opportunity to photograph the Petronas Twin Towers from the Skybar at Traders Hotel.  This image was captured with my SONY A7RII and the SONY FE 12-24mm f/4 G (SEL1224G).  Blended in Photomatix 6.0.3, post-processed in Adoba Photoshop CC 2018 with Google NikSoftware plugin.

We started out early today for a short 32-km drive to Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest, in Hulu Langat, Selangor. Arrived there by 9:00am and there were only a few visitors around the area.  Took the opportunity to shoot the stream before the crowd comes in.  Here, I used the SONY A7RII with the SEL1635GM lens and NiSi V5 CPL filter.  Here goes...

Earlier today, I accompanied a friend from Penang, Ah Chua to take some Kuala Lumpur skyline during sunset from the Skybar on Level 33, Traders Hotel.  Good opportunity for Ah Chua to try out his brand new Nikon D850.

Here, I've got two setups running, one being 2 sets of timelapse on my SONY A6000 + SEL1018 lens.  The other setup is my SONY A7RII + SEL1635GM lens. I love the corner-to-corner sharpness and the  starburst created by this GM lens and you can still have them at f/8 aperture!  The SONY FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM is definitely a must-have lens in a landscape photographers' camera bag. It's a worthy investment.

This image was generated from 9-exposure bracketing, blended in Photomatix 6.0.3 and processed in Adobe Photoshop CC 2018.  EXIF:  16mm, f/8, ISO 400.  Click on the image for full high resolution on Flickr.

I've also taken the shot of the Petronas Twin Towers using my A7RII + SEL1224G lens.  Again, I was astonished to corner-to-corner sharpness of this super wide angle lens.  The starburst is not as good as the SEL1635GM.

​This image was also generated from 9-exposure bracketing, blended in Photomatix 6.0.3 and processed in Adobe Photoshop CC 2018.  EXIF:  12mm, f/8, ISO 400.  Click on the image for full high resolution on Flickr.​

From the two images, one can see the difference on the lens coverage between 12mm and 16mm lenses.

#SONY #SONYMalaysia #ILCE-7RM2 #A7RII #Alpha #SEL1635GM #SEL1224G #NurIsmailPhotography #Landscape #Frozenlite #VisitMalaysiaYear #PetronasTwinTowers #KualaLumpur

Today, I was invited by SONY Malaysia to attend their first FCI on the high performance SONY G Master (GM) lenses. The interview session was carried out at the SONY Center at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara.  The 2-hour event was moderated by Mr. Chiou Bing Han, Head of Department - Digital Imaging Dept, Marketing Division of SONY (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, assisted by Ms. Elizabeth Lee.  The interview session is a means for SONY Malaysia to gauge the acceptance and comments on their SONY G Master lens lineup.  If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time that SONY Malaysia holds this FCI session for their G Master lens line up.

Apart from myself, the other participants to the FCI are Mr. Azman Karib Ibrahim, Mr, Abu Azfar Azriff Reza, Mr. Foo Chee Yeong and Mr. MK (didn't get a chance to get his details).  All of us have at least one SONY G Master lens to share our experiences.  I've got only one GM lens, in the form of the SEL1635GM.  The questionnaires  were based in our awareness and understanding on what the SONY G Master lens is, how happy we are with the performance of these G Master lenses, competitors' recognition, pride and experiances of owning one and our feedback on SONY store / online / social media marketing and advertising, as well as SONY customer service & service centers. 

When asked what would be my next GM lens, I would have to say it will most probably be the SEL85F14GM.

I would like to commend SONY Malaysia for reaching out to their loyal consumers to know more about the strengths and weaknesses of the G Master lenses.  I would like to take this opportunity also to thank SONY Malaysia for giving us the opportunity to share our experiences with the G Master lenses and look forward to possible collaborations with SONY Malaysia in the future.  

​Thank you.