I've always packed meals for my roadtrips. I like the flexibility of being able to stop anywhere for lunch. I eat healthier. And now that I'm exploring the world in an EV, I can fuel up my body while I charge the car.

What I wasn't as crazy about was dealing with melting ice sloshing around in the cooler. Anyone who camps or roadtrips knows exactly what I'm talking about. Draining the cooler, keeping food separated from the melting ice, and constantly drying things off took a lot of the fun out of the project.

All of that changed with the BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Freezer. I have the 9-quart model that fits easily in the boot of my VW and is easy to carry around to a picnic table or campsite.

The unit is cooled by a compressor positioned in the bottom that's powered by one of three ways: 1) 12V car outlet, 2) portable power station such as a Jackery 300 Plus, or 3) an AC adapter that you plug into a wall outlet. In normal cooling mode (Eco) it draws only 35 watts.

The temperature can be set on the unit itself or via the Bluetooth Smart Car Fridge app that enables you to monitor all cooler functions. The ideal temperature via my testing is 38 degrees F. Drinks are icy-cold and food stays fresh.

The BODEGAcooler Mini also includes a custom ice pack that fits in the lid. This helps reduce energy draw. The handle is sturdy making the unit easy to carry. And overall it's quite durable. I keep it in the back of the VW ID.4 and it's always ready to go when I plug it into the 12V car outlet in the boot area.

Note to ID.4 Owners: By default, the 12V outlet in the boot is only energized when the car is turned on. This isn't ideal for refrigerators that like constant flow of juice. VW engineers did design the option to send continuous power to the 12V outlet. You just have to reposition the fuse for that circuit from the top position to the bottom position. Here's a video that shows you how.

The capacity of the 9 quart is surprisingly big enough for two people for a day, or for a solo weekend trip. I keep drinks, sandwich fixin's, and other items that require refrigeration in the cooler, and then the bread and related staples in a separate food bag. If you need more storage, there are bigger coolers available. But they do become more cumbersome to lug around.

Bottom Line

The BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Freezer is amazingly powerful for the little electricity it draws. I'm very impressed. And the fact that I no longer have to mess with ice for my roadtrips is a bonus. And if I do want to make ice, I can in the Bodega. It gets that cold! Highly recommended.

Use Coupon Code: DERRICKSTORY for a 10 percent discount.

Other Articles in This Series

The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Review - Power Your Roadtrips.

Note: The affiliate links in this article help support my research and writing. There is no additional charge to you the customer. Thank you for using those links.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #944, April 23, 2024. Today's theme is "Nikon 28-400mm Lens Review - Does It Measure Up?" I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

The specs seem almost too good to be true. The Nikon zoom has a focal length range of 28-400mm, yet it's compact and light. On the Z8, Z9, and Zf, it features Synchro VR, enabling 5.5 stops of stabilization. It has weather-sealed construction and close focusing. And it costs $1,296. How does it perform? Tune in to today's TDS Photography Podcast to find out. Plus an OM System Warning and ON1 Photo Raw 2024. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Nikon 28-400mm Lens Review - Does It Measure Up?

When I mounted the brand new NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens on the Nikon Zf with SmallRig grip, I was surprised at how balanced the zoom felt on the camera. I could easily hold and shoot with one hand. The lack of bulk seemed unimaginable when considering that the focal range goes from a wide 28mm to a very long 400mm. If you're outside exploring the world, it's the only lens you would need that day.

Let's start by taking a look at the specs.

• Full-Frame Coverage | f/4-8 to f/22-45
• STM Autofocus Stepping Motor
• 5.5-Stop VR Image Stabilization with Synchro VR on Zf, Z8, and Z9; 5 stops with other Nikon cameras.
• Zoom lock switch prevents unintentional lens extension
• 21 Elements in 15 Groups
• 9-bladed diaphragm creates flattering bokeh
• Weather-Sealed Construction
• 77mm Filter Thread
• Compact square lens hood (included) reduces ghosting and allows zooming operation when inverted
• 7.9" minimum focusing distance at 28mm
• 5.6" long at wide angle and weighs just 1.6 pounds

Focusing

The STM stepping motor is very quiet and focuses quickly in good light. In low light, it's a tad slower. But this is not by any stretch of the imagination a low light lens.

Build and Handling

Amazing well balanced on a full-frame camera. When racking out the telephoto, lens extends to double its original length at 400mm.

The Zoom Ring is nicely damped and large making it easy to grip. It's so large in fact that when the lens hood is reversed, there's still plenty of operating room.

I really like the lock switch that prevents accidental extension of the lens barrel. The metal mount and weather sealing are excellent. The Control Ring is easy to find without having to look, and it can be programmed for a variety of functions including manual focusing, exposure compensation and aperture control.

Image Quality

Again, surprisingly good for a lens of this range. I tested at f/8 with settings of 28, 35, 50, 70, 105, 200, 300, and 400mm. I then viewed the Jpegs and RAWs at 100 percent in Capture One Pro.

Center sharpness was excellent at all focal lengths. Some corner softness a extreme telephoto settings. Mild vignetting appeared at 105mm for the RAW files, but was not present in the Jpegs. There was no noticable CA. Overall, very strong performance.

Bottom Line

The NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens is a very good value at $1,296. If you're traveling and working outdoors, it can replace every lens in your bag dramatically lightening your load.

You can keep the NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 pancake in your pocket just in case you run into a low light situation. And quite honestly, be in great shape with those two optics.

I think the 28-400mm looks great on the Zf. It's easy to operate. And if you're in good light, it's hard to beat. Highly recommended.

OM System Warns macOS Changes May Prevent You From Updating Your Camera

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

Infrared Photography Workshop - Online - June 2024

Do you feel like the world is looking like "the same old same old" through your camera's viewfinder? Have you felt your enthusiasm for photography waning? Then it's time for you to consider exploring infrared imaging.

Suddenly walks you've taken a hundred times look completely different as you see them through your camera. Old familiar subjects burst to life with new vibrancy. IR photography can energize your creativity, not only for this medium, but for all of your artistry.

Beginning June 5, 2024, join us for this 4-week exploration into the world of IR. During this event, you will learn:

• The best IR filter to start with.
• How to test your existing digital camera for infrared sensitivity.
• Learn about the different types of IR conversions for digital cameras.
• See how different IR filters produce wildly different results.
• Learn how to fine-tune your images with software you already own.
• Discover advanced techniques to take your images to the next level.
• And much, much more.

This online workshop (Zoom) begins on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, with both morning (9am PST) and evening sessions (4pm PST) available. We will convene weekly thereafter via Zoom for more training sessions (AM and PM), Q&A, and to compare notes. You can attend morning, evening, or both sessions. It's essentially the same content, just different participants.

It is so much fun.

Plus, you will have unlimited access to our online workshop community, DerrickStoryOnline. Here, you can mingle with other workshop participants (past and present), share images for comment, exchange tips and techniques, and enjoy the fellowship of other creatives who share your passion for image-making.

You can reserve your spot for the Infrared Online Workshop here.

ON1 Photo Raw 2024 Is a Doozy and Gets Another Interim Update

You can read the entire article on FStoppers.com

A Few Notes from the Spring in Sedona Photography Workshop

What a great time! I discuss the event in this segment of the podcast.

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.