I found one for the iPad that fits perfect, is anti-glare (you can’t see a mirror of yourself) and the price is right. For how cheap it is, Might as well buy a couple just in case you screw up the first application. It DOES reduce the clarity of the screen a bit, obviously you need to if you want reduced glare, but I don’t even notice it. If you have ever used the PowerSupport Anti-glare film before, its pretty much exactly the same thing, but 1/4 the price.  The photos below are all with the screen protector on, and you can see how anti-glare it is for yourself.

Second you should get a protective case/cover.

I figured I’d want a leather case that can double up as a stand and a silicone case. I bought both, but really only use the leather case as the stand up feature is really useful.

The leather case that I bought is great quality. The flap at the rear flips around to the ribs on the front for an adjustable viewing angle, and is magnetized to keep it from flopping around. The actual front cover itself is also magnetized. The stitching and fit is good and for $12 bucks you can’t complain. The only issue is that it covers up the iPad’s light sensor (for brightness adjustment. Personally this doesn’t bother me, as I didnt even realise until about 2 weeks of having it on..)

The black silicone iPad case I got fits well, gives you much better grip but I don’t think I will use it often. The leather case fits my needs much better. But if you want something like this, then the one I’ve listed will be fine.

Last but not least, Car charging.

You’ll want to charge your iPad on the go, say when you are in the car..I bought this 12v stubby cigarette lighter adapter and it charges the iPad fine (i.e it doesn’t report NOT CHARGING). Its rated at 1000mA and happily charges my Blackberry Curve 8900 as well. Just BYO cable and you’re set.

So, here is your shopping list:

iPad anti-glare screen protector
Lleather iPad case with built in stand
iPad black silicone case
1000mA 12v iPad/USB Car Charger

Total cost:  Under $25 AUD (inc. shipping!)

Gotta love Deal Extreme. Check out their iPad stuff here.

While i’m riding the iPad post train, I’ll be putting up two more in the next week or so – One on tethering your iPad to iPhone/Blackberry/Android phone (Sucked in if you bought the 3G iPad) and another one on some applications. Stay tuned.

The Pow Wow Pond Ledges RollVic fundraiser was held down at Princes Park yesterday (another in Owen Parry’s line of World Mocking Series event names) and despite a gloomy looking Sunday (damn Melbourne) there was a great turnout. We also  learned about Danny’s frisbee skills, which happened to be aimed at Frenchman Zack DeBlaize for most of the day…

Finally got a chance to take some photos. Was good to get back into it and was the first outing since I got my camera back from repair. Owen should be doing a little writeup about the event shortly.

Thanks to Owen and RollVic for organising another chilled out event!

Update: The article’s been posted on emesce here.

Unfortunately my Canon copped the Err 99 issue has been sent off for repairs – for the past 2-3 weeks now. Tried everything to no avail – Cleaning lens contacts, (insert some other internet DIY fix here) and no luck. I had an extended warranty and they’re honoring that so it should be back in my hands soon. During that time I got to play with a Canon 5D MkII and loved it.

Also I bought a house, so have been doing a ton of work on that which has been taking away from skating time. Last thing I did with my camera before it died was some timelapse experiments. Using my 40D tethered to my laptop with a program called DSLR Pro, captured one frame every 30 seconds most of the day..put together with Quicktime Pro and then compressed with Handbrake.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Aussie Rolling Open is on this weekend in Adelaide, Will be keen to see what comes out of that event.

Update: Congrats to Danny Jensen for taking the title!

During this time we’ve also made some new international friends by the name of Dave (USA) and Zack (Europe) – So shout outs to those guys.

Last night a few of us went for a look down Southbank by the Yarra river, Unfortunately I didn’t have my sync cables fso was relying on the SB-26′s optical slave function..

Here’s a few simple snaps I ran off while we were there.

Dave – Soul
Canon 40D | Tokina 10-17mm(ƒ/3.5-4.5)@10mm | ƒ/3.5 | ISO 1600| 1/160s
Nikon SB-26 camera right, 1/8 @ 50mm

Brad – top porn
Canon 40D | Tokina 10-17mm(ƒ/3.5-4.5)@10mm | ƒ/3.5 | ISO 1600| 1/125s
Nikon SB-26 camera left, 1/8 @ 35mm

Kev, Dave, Brad and Zack
Canon 40D | Tokina 10-17mm(ƒ/3.5-4.5)@13mm | ƒ/4.0 | ISO 1600| 1/6s
available light, handheld

Danny Jensen – Sweatstance to 180 mute out
Canon 40D | Canon 50mm ƒ/1.8 | ƒ/8 | ISO 400| 1/800s

Melton Reservoir

Johnny Jensen – Back Royale

Chris Pullar – Stale Grab

Matt Caratelli – Soul grind

Chris Pullar – Superman

Valo CS!

The Jensen brothers thinking the worst…

Seb takes a fall on the roll in..
“Don’t worry your nipple’s still there…” – Hayden Watt

Me.

The above shot was from playing around with a white shoot-through umbrella. I’ve read a little bit about using them but decided to wing it. I shot it tethered to my laptop and used my mouse as a shutter trigger. Software is called DSLR Remote Pro.

It’s been a little while since I’ve taken any photos, Rampfest has been a boiler lately and as I haven’t rolled for awhile the camera’s had a rest. I had some new bits and pieces come from MidWest Photo Exchange (MPEX) in the USA too.

2x Westcott 43″ collapsible white umbrella with cover
2x Lumopro LP653 Super clamps
2x Lumopro LP633 umbrella swivels

Really happy with the Lumopro gear. For my photography hobby I think it’s great to start off with without having to shell out for expensive Manfrotto gear. They’re almost exactly the same but made in China and about 1/2 to 1/3 the price.  Definitely worth looking into, exclusive to MPEX. I also have their LP604 light stands too, and they’re awesome.

I must say, compared to the D.I.Y Clamps I made up earlier, the Super-clamps are great. Have tons of grip and with the umbrella swivel you can point the thing everywhere. The D.I.Y’s still come in useful though for other things, and when I need to whack a flash on something large.

During the warmups while it was dry still, Tim asked me to setup for this invert he wanted to do…Reeled off a bunch of shots and this was the result..Inverted fastplant, tapping the corner of the box too…oldschool tech!

Tim Ward – Inverted fastplant to revert
Canon 40D | Tokina 10-17mm(ƒ/3.5-4.5)@10mm | ƒ/4 | ISO 100| 1/500s