I’ve longed for a simple, small (emphasize small), protective bag for my mirrorless kit and have tried a bunch and found my winner in the Think Tank Urban Access 13 (they do make larger 15). The features I was looking for is small (it’s 12x19x9) with one zip access to all my gear while holding all my mirrorless gear while providing full protection. As you can see, the UA13 easily holds my mirrorless kit easily (Z1.4x & Z2x are in the top compartment not pictured). The UA13 also provides two side zippered compartments making it easy to get to particular pieces of gear on the fly. I wanted a bag I could keep my gear in that I could grab and run out the door (or go to a job) and know I have everything I need in it and the UA13 accomplishes just that. At the same time, it stands up vertically no matter what is or isn’t in the bag and while not looking like a camera bag. I love this bag!

Like all Think Tank bags, it came with plenty of dividers and rain shield. It took me a few moments to decide how I wanted to pack the UA13 with my kit. The Z 9 / Z40f2 lie the way they do so they are easier to grab out of the side flap. The Z70-200f2.8 & Z14-24f2.8 are the two lenses I would probably grab on the fly the most which are why they are on the outside of the bag. The flap can accept a 13″ notebook but I have no need to carry that in my camera bag. There are plenty of little pockets in the side pocket doors, top compartment and the front for extra “stuff.” There are two expanding outside pouches I’ve used for my SB-5000. Going lighter is just so much fun and the Urban Access makes it real simple!

The Z 9 has been an incredibly positive influence on my photography. With the shooting experience, the shooting results, and the desire to shoot, the Z 9 has brought so much fun back to the click. This is by no means a review of the camera, it is not a complete “how to use” the Z 9, it is as titled a fireside chat talking about just the key aspects of the camera that get me excited every moment I’m shooting with it. I hope it helps you understand it a tad more and bring a little excitement to your Z 9 experience.

Here is my latest Z 9 Settings

It’s a great question I constantly get, “How do I travel with my gear?” I do it literally with photopacks I designed and Think Tank manufactured for years (now out of production. Last three weeks I’ve been working traveling with and working out of the MP-3 v2 you see above that holds:

Z 9 x2
180-400VR
Z70-200f2.8
Z24-70f2.8
Z14-24f2.8
Z1.4x
Z2x

I’ve flown on 767, 737, 175 & CRJ with this photopack going into the overhead of each and everyone with ease. As you might imagine, I love these bags. Here’s a bigger post on the whole line. I hope this answers this important question simply.

Subject size in the frame is often an important criterion in photography. Wildlife photography tends to want that subject frame filling. And there are times when you can’t get close physically so you depend on glass. That’s where often the teleconverter steps in. Nikon just released their new Z100-400 which is a gorgeous lens! Incredibly well balanced, built like a tank, and features a new, anti-creep technology that works brilliantly. I recently spent time with a lovely lady who owns a Z100-400 and is very generous and shares it. I spent time with it with the Z2x attached photographing birds at Big Sable State Park (great feeders there attracting birds). Shooting handheld from around the corner of the warming hut, the effective 800 f/11 performed brilliantly! The AutoFocus even in the low, dark light was spot on keeping up with the activity of the birds and the resulting images, beautifully sharp. It’s easy for me to recommend this great lens and teleconverter combo to you. I had a lot of fun shooting with it, thanks Carol!

It’s been quite the ride but my Gear Locker landscape has changed a whole bunch in the last few months. In fact, this photo I just took this morning is already obsolete as I just ordered a Z2x from Bedfords … but that’s the fun! You’ll find my Gear Locker page completely redone, remodeled, and updated. Besides gear, all gear videos and settings can be found there quickly and easily. Hope it helps give you some ideas and direction!

“How’s the battery life?” is a common question this week. The Z 9 EN-EL18d battery is basically a 2021 version of the D6, D5 & D4 battery and like that tradition, is a powerhouse! Personally, I figure the battery is going to receive the greatest amount of abuse when the body is brand new. That’s when in test and experiment mode, I pound the camera shutter, menus, and LCD while I chimp and learn. My warmest shoot so far with the Z 9 was 21 degrees. Even cold temps aren’t making a dent in its power. Both of my Z 9s EN-EL18d have performed just like their predecessors, working with tons of power to spare. I have not even ordered a spare EN-EL18d and I doubt I will.

My EN-EL18ds started off by being in the charger (which is new for the Z 9) charging up until the charger said it was full and then left in the charger for an additional minimum of fifteen minutes. While they were charging, I used the EN-EL18c from the D6 to start inputting settings. Yes, the older EN-EL18 batteries can be used but can’t do one thing I’ll cover in a moment. Then, for the first few charges, I wait until the battery is on its last breath before I put them back in the charger. Old habits I still follow. What’s really cool is what the Z 9 can do with external power!

The Z 9 has the ability to accept power via its USB c port (pictured above). For example, you could plug the Z 9 into your MacBook Pro and charge the battery while you work. That’s why you need the EN-EL18d battery, can’t charge via the USB c port other batteries. You can charge the battery right in the camera. This opens up a whole bunch of possibilities. You can power the Z 9 via 120v with the EP-6a (the older unit for D6/5/4 doesn’t fit in the slot). I’ve always had 120v power for my bodies for doing my 12-hour time-lapse shoots. But with the Z 9 USBc power option, at this point I’ve not ordered one. Instead, I got a soluser solar-charged USB power block. Talking with my power expert (Thanks Eric!) I was able to determine the power out needed to operate the Z 9 (18watts). The Omni 20+ also powers the Z 9 via the USB c port. What’s the point? The soluser can be charged from the sun, it then powers the Z 9 (battery must be inserted to work). You can charge the Z 9 (camera turned off) with the soluser which brought the EN-EL18d from 18% to 100% in 59 minutes! It only weighs 13oz so when I head up to AK for Kodiak Bears in May where there is NO 120v, I can charge the Z 9s at night with the soluser (with power left over for iPhone/iPad charging), and then I can set it out in the sun during the day to recharge. I’m waiting for clear skies to do a 12 hour time-lapse for my final power test of the soluser and USB c port.

The bottom line, the EN-EL18d powers the Z 9 all day long and now with the USB c option, running or charging it when there is no 120v power is not an issue. I really appreciate how well the Z 9 power has been thought through. One less thing to think about!