The new camera is a 5D Mk III. It makes a nice complement to my other camera, a 7D. The 7D has some features the Mk III is missing, and vice versa. A couple that come quickly to mind are the faster frame rate of the 7D (great for action shots) and wireless control of remote flashes (the other cameras in the Canon line require a several hundred dollar adapter or an even more expensive master flash). The Mk III is full frame and has built-in HDR. I'm a rather traditional shooter in some respects--having learned to shoot with color slide film (long live the memory of Kodachrome!), it was critical to capture the image in the camera. I've always shot that way, and my post-shoot editing is limited to cropping, leveling, curves (contrast and brightness tool), and maybe a touch of sharpening. Rarely do I use other tools (okay, maybe some cloning to get rid of a dust particle, or open someone's eyes in a group shot). It's just the way I shoot and have been shooting for over 50 years. Not trying to be critical of what other's may do with their shots post-shoot. Anyway, I always said I wasn't really interested in HDR until it was built into the cameras. Well, now it is and so I'm going to enjoy taking some shots with it.

As for the polycarbonate rock guards, here's the KC website page for it ...

kchilites.com/store/products/Clear-Light-Shield-6%22-Stone-Guard-KC-%237207.html

 

What size and model is the tent?
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Can you (with help) still bend the rack back to take down the top?
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Can you remove the rack & top all as one? I'm thinking it might be nice to be able to remove the rack / tent for daily use and then throw it back on when I need it..

 

Mark thank you for the information.

 

Just curious, did you ever consider running one of those tow hitch storage things? I was thinking about getting one instead of a roof rack for PRECISELY that reason....as I too haul a heap of camera gear on my trips.

 

No, not really. While they would be okay on the highway, off-road on some of the places I get it's going to drag across the rocks quite a bit, I should think (loss of departure angle). My tow hitch (stock) already shows quite a bit of damage because it's the first thing to hit on sharp departures. Bending the tabs for the safety chain hooks back straight and touching up the paint is routine maintenance for me. LOL.

 

X2 if you get on any rocks, you'll tear it off.

 

I have dragged mine all across the desert. It is all bent and is a pain to get stuff out of back of the Jeep.

 

Hadn't thought of that, but it's a good point: Working at the back of the Jeep, which is my kitchen area, would be a problem unless that rack were removed when camped.

 

It's nice when making a sandwich and everything was is in the cooler on the rack. But at camp needed to unload to get into Jeep.

 

I got my new Kentrol hood latches and Offroad Elements limb risers. The AEV gen 2 snorkel is going on Friday. Just thought I would share some pics. I made a custom bracket for the gobi rack so the limb risers would fit. The Offroad Elements kit is fantastic, all stainless and powder coated a very well made kit. For those who don't know limb risers do what they are called, they help branches and debris from damaging either the windshield or snorkel