5 Gadgets Every Photographer Should Own
Although I always try to keep my camera bag as light as possible, there are a few items that I can't work without. These gadgets are definitely worth schlepping around, and even if you bring all of them, they don't add THAT much weight to your bag.
Epson Photo Viewers Great for storing, backing up, and even showing your photos to clients, these small devices are invaluable when shooting on location (even if it's just a family vacation). It's really easy to transfer your photos (or video) straight from the camera or card, freeing up space for more shots (and making sure they're not accidentally deleted from the camera). The viewers come in three capacities: 40GB (P-3000), 80GB (P-6000) and 160GB (P-7000), all have 4" screens, recheargable batteries, and A/V output. They all weigh 1lb (each), measure 3.5x5.9x1.3" and retail for $299-$699.
Gorillapods Tripods can be so bulky and heavy and impossible to fit into small spaces that I rarely used to bring one with me. That changed the day I found the Gorillapods by Joby. They are lightweight, totally flexible, yet sturdy, and fit into most camera bags. You can attach their bendable legs to almost anything (chairs, fences, branches, you name it), and they come with a camera clip, so you don't' have to affix the tripod in a dangerous spot with the camera attached to it. The 5 different sizes (to use with everything from cell phones to video cameras) weigh between 1.6 oz and 1.1 lbs (the Go-Go, for point and shoots, is 1.6 oz) and retail for $24.95 (the Go-Go) to $139.95 (the Focus).
Flash Diffusers If you have managed to get a great shot with your on camera flash, I congratulate you. It's very difficult to do, but carrying around (and learning) external flashes can be a pain too. Here are two homemade flash remedies that work really well (although an external flash is the way to go for professional results).
For popup flashes, use an old film canister (not the black ones obviously, the hazy white ones). Take the lid off, cut a strip out of it from top to bottom, just wide enough so that it fits snugly over your flash, and just slide it in place so that the flash is being fired through the canister. You'll have to play around with the camera settings a little bit to get the exposure to where you want it. If you don't have any old canisters lying about, ask at a photo printing shop if you can have one.
For on-body flashes (like on most point and shoots), I put a small piece of tape (Scotch Magic, the kind you can write on) right over the flash. Take a test picture and evaluate. If it needs even more softening, just put another piece of tape on top of the first one.
Foldable Reflector There are many different brands of these on the market, but I use Photoflex's 22" Silver/White disk for just about everything. They're inexpensive (around $25), weigh only 1.75 oz. and fold up into a small circle (like those laundry baskets), so they fit in just about every bag. And don't think they're just for SLR users - they work just as well when you use a point and shoot. Just place the reflector on the shaded side of a subject so that the light reflects back into the shadows, and you'll be amazed at the difference: a nicely balanced photo with details in both the highlights and shadows. No more scary Halloween-like portraits of Grandma by the window!
Rain Protection The Shutter Hat is like a raincoat for your camera (SLR) so you don't have to pass up shooting outside just because it's raining or snowing. It's held in place by Velcro and a rubber piece that fits into the flash hot shoe, and covers lenses up to 8" long. It also has two slits for the strap, so you can still carry it around your neck with the Hat on. It folds up really small, so you can carry it with you and have it on hand all the time in case of a sudden downpour. Weight: 2.28 oz. Cost: $39.95 For point and shoot cameras, your best bet is to invest in a waterproof case such as Aquapac or DiCAPac. Not only will they protect your camera in the rain, you can also take it snorkeling or diving. 2.7oz, $29.95-$49.95. For a land-only low cost alternative, use a shower cap or a Ziploc bag with a hole cut out for the lens.
For total waterproofing (and for compact cameras), Aquapac cases are another great choice. They come in tons of different sizes for a huge variety of electronics (and other stuff), and are waterproof to 15 feet. They are great for protecting your camera in any above sea level situation too, like on the beach, on a whale watch, kayaking. Retail price for the camera cases is $35-$130.
Epson Photo Viewers Great for storing, backing up, and even showing your photos to clients, these small devices are invaluable when shooting on location (even if it's just a family vacation). It's really easy to transfer your photos (or video) straight from the camera or card, freeing up space for more shots (and making sure they're not accidentally deleted from the camera). The viewers come in three capacities: 40GB (P-3000), 80GB (P-6000) and 160GB (P-7000), all have 4" screens, recheargable batteries, and A/V output. They all weigh 1lb (each), measure 3.5x5.9x1.3" and retail for $299-$699.
Gorillapods Tripods can be so bulky and heavy and impossible to fit into small spaces that I rarely used to bring one with me. That changed the day I found the Gorillapods by Joby. They are lightweight, totally flexible, yet sturdy, and fit into most camera bags. You can attach their bendable legs to almost anything (chairs, fences, branches, you name it), and they come with a camera clip, so you don't' have to affix the tripod in a dangerous spot with the camera attached to it. The 5 different sizes (to use with everything from cell phones to video cameras) weigh between 1.6 oz and 1.1 lbs (the Go-Go, for point and shoots, is 1.6 oz) and retail for $24.95 (the Go-Go) to $139.95 (the Focus).
Flash Diffusers If you have managed to get a great shot with your on camera flash, I congratulate you. It's very difficult to do, but carrying around (and learning) external flashes can be a pain too. Here are two homemade flash remedies that work really well (although an external flash is the way to go for professional results).
For popup flashes, use an old film canister (not the black ones obviously, the hazy white ones). Take the lid off, cut a strip out of it from top to bottom, just wide enough so that it fits snugly over your flash, and just slide it in place so that the flash is being fired through the canister. You'll have to play around with the camera settings a little bit to get the exposure to where you want it. If you don't have any old canisters lying about, ask at a photo printing shop if you can have one.
For on-body flashes (like on most point and shoots), I put a small piece of tape (Scotch Magic, the kind you can write on) right over the flash. Take a test picture and evaluate. If it needs even more softening, just put another piece of tape on top of the first one.
Foldable Reflector There are many different brands of these on the market, but I use Photoflex's 22" Silver/White disk for just about everything. They're inexpensive (around $25), weigh only 1.75 oz. and fold up into a small circle (like those laundry baskets), so they fit in just about every bag. And don't think they're just for SLR users - they work just as well when you use a point and shoot. Just place the reflector on the shaded side of a subject so that the light reflects back into the shadows, and you'll be amazed at the difference: a nicely balanced photo with details in both the highlights and shadows. No more scary Halloween-like portraits of Grandma by the window!
Rain Protection The Shutter Hat is like a raincoat for your camera (SLR) so you don't have to pass up shooting outside just because it's raining or snowing. It's held in place by Velcro and a rubber piece that fits into the flash hot shoe, and covers lenses up to 8" long. It also has two slits for the strap, so you can still carry it around your neck with the Hat on. It folds up really small, so you can carry it with you and have it on hand all the time in case of a sudden downpour. Weight: 2.28 oz. Cost: $39.95 For point and shoot cameras, your best bet is to invest in a waterproof case such as Aquapac or DiCAPac. Not only will they protect your camera in the rain, you can also take it snorkeling or diving. 2.7oz, $29.95-$49.95. For a land-only low cost alternative, use a shower cap or a Ziploc bag with a hole cut out for the lens.
For total waterproofing (and for compact cameras), Aquapac cases are another great choice. They come in tons of different sizes for a huge variety of electronics (and other stuff), and are waterproof to 15 feet. They are great for protecting your camera in any above sea level situation too, like on the beach, on a whale watch, kayaking. Retail price for the camera cases is $35-$130.
About the Author:
DeeDee Dobson adores the color pink. She blogs about stylish pink digital cameras and the gadgets that go along with them
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