Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens (Sony E)

On October 22, 2022 By arcoleoIn Photo & Video, TravelLeave a comment

The 75% Lens

This is by far my most useful lens outside. The focal range covers small landscapes, street shots, group shots, body shots, head shots, and really flattened out head shots. Will you get amazing soft backgrounds? No, but neither does it cost $4k.

IMO, once you have a reason to buy your first lens after the 50mm, get this. Easily the most affordable for the range and quality. You can absolutely own just this lens and impress 99% of people. With the exception of ultra wide-angle, macro, and super far distance objects, most everything else is just style.

If you’re traveling on vacation, for most people, this is the only lens you need. If you can’t articulate why you need something else, and why it’s compelling, this will do the job.

Coleman Coastal Xtreme Series Marine Portable Cooler 70L

On November 6, 2021 By arcoleoIn Beach, Food Storage, Outdoors, Travel, TripLeave a comment

For the money, this really can’t be beat. I did a bunch of research and this cooler held food cold for 3.5 days in 80 degree days, whereas the Yeti, at 10x the price, lasted only 4 days. Scientific? No, but close enough. At under $40, you just can’t beat it. Is it large? Yes. It’s useful only for car camping, picnics, having beer cold when everyone is over for a bbq, etc. I sometimes wish I had gotten a 50L because this holds far more food than I care to carry and takes up valuable bed space in the truck. Ah well, I don’t feel like buying another.

Make sure you get the Marine version – the hinges are metal instead of plastic. It should last longer. It’s also white so it doesn’t get bleached by the sun.

New Daypack: Gregory MiWok 24

On April 10, 2020 By arcoleoIn Backpacks, TravelLeave a comment

Gregory_MiWok_24

So this is my what, third Gregory pack? Really, I love them.

I bought the 2019 Radial 34, but returned it before I left the store. It was just much thinner than I expected and the wire rim didn’t click with me. I couldn’t really understand it. It got a lot of love online, but didn’t click for me, certainly not at $170.

The MiWok 12 and 24 were on sale for 50% off, so I took a chance. I’m glad I did. It’s light, yea thin, doesn’t feel super substantial, but feels sturdy enough for my two laptops, some gym clothes, and bag gloves.

I haven’t gotten to use it much yet, but still, I’m very happy with it.

Looking for new daypack

On February 28, 2020April 10, 2020 By arcoleoIn Backpacks, Day, TravelLeave a comment

Wants

- prevents a sweaty back

good for walking to work
ok for biking to work
ok for airline travel
normally will hold one laptop and one large tablet
sometimes will hold two laptops and two tablets
on flights will hold four laptops, three tablets, two kindles, and lots of wires

So far, only Osprey has a mesh panel to keep the back cool.

All the models I’m considering have a 25-ish and 35-ish size option. The larger size compresses down to the smaller one so there is little advantage in the smaller one considering when I do pack a jacket, it takes a lot of space.

Options

Osprey
- Radial 34 (2019)
- Radial 34 (2018)
- Escapist
- Nebula
- Tropos

Pack	Pro	Con
Radial 34 (2019)	Hopefully fixed kickstand digging into back	$50 more expensive
Radial 34 (2018)	$50 cheaper	kickstand sometimes digs into back
Escapist		Non removable waist strap
Nebula
Tropos