I've said it before, and I'll say it again...
I think we're living in the golden age of photography.
There have been so many incredible advancements in recent years in camera and lens technology that we now have more powerful gear at our disposal than ever before.
Add to that an incredible array of photography accessories that stretch the capabilities of our cameras, and you have the recipe for being able to take some pretty amazing photos.
With that in mind, I thought I'd put together a quick list of some of the best gadgets you can find for your DSLR and mirrorless cameras, as well as your smartphone.
Let's get to it!
Pulse by Alpine Labs
Honestly, Pulse is far and away one of my favorite photography gadgets of all time.
I don't necessarily mean to gush about it, but it's worthy of such praise, believe me!
For starters, Pulse is a tiny thing at just 60mm x 40mm x 17.5mm and a mere 1.5 ounces. It literally fits in your pocket!
But packed inside is a wealth of powerful features, including Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port for connecting to your camera (and for charging its batteries), and a 12-hour battery life.
That's just the tip of the iceberg, though.
Pulse is like a camera remote from the future, only it's here right now!
This thing plugs into your camera, mounts to the hot-shoe, and gives you wireless control over your camera for taking still photos, long exposures, real-time videos, and timelapses.
In other words, it doesn't just pack a punch for still photography - it will help you expand your creative horizons well beyond that into the world of long exposure and timelapse video.
That's because you can control everything from exposure settings to HDR, dial in timelapse settings or use presets, and do all that right from your phone.
And because it's Bluetooth enabled, you don't have to stand there next to your camera for Pulse to get its job done. In fact, you can work from up to 100 feet away!
In actuality, once you dial in the desired settings, your phone doesn't have to stay connected to Pulse. That means you can go for a hike, take a nap, or plop down on the ground and watch the stars while Pulse executes the instructions you've given it.
Not bad, eh?
With image previews and histogram views right on your phone, it packs an awfully big punch to help you create some truly epic photos and videos.
But don't take my word for it...
Check out the video above to see some timelapse samples taken with Pulse!
Learn More:
- Get the Specs and Pricing Details on Pulse by Alpine Labs
- 4 Situations in Which You Needed a Camera Remote (But Didn't Realize It)
Piuma QR Strap by 4V Design
When it comes to the most underrated photography accessories, I think camera straps have to be at the top of the list.
Unfortunately, a lot of photographers simply keep slogging through their day with a bad strap that's uncomfortable and makes it harder to get the shots they want.
But not me...
I have a Piuma QR camera strap, and to say that it's amazing is a huge understatement.
Even before attaching it to my camera and actually using it, I could tell it was going to revolutionize my camera-carrying experience.
The contoured design of the strap means it conforms to my neck and shoulder in a way that no camera strap had managed to do before.
And since it's highly adjustable, the Piuma can be extended to fit my tall frame. Likewise, if my wife (who's much shorter than I am) wants to take it for a spin, she can quickly adjust its length to fit her petite frame.
Add in a memory foam pad that makes the strap soft as a pillow and High-Grip Technology that keeps the strap in place, and you've got a recipe for one comfortable camera-carrying experience.
The Piuma QR has a quick release attachment, too, making it super easy for me to attach it to my camera and remove it when I need to.
In other words, if you're still using that flimsy, thin strap that came with your camera, you're doing it all wrong!
Learn More:
- Get the Specs and Pricing Details on the Piuma QR Strap by 4V Design
- What You Can Do To Look Like a Pro Photographer in 3 Steps
BLIPS Microscopy Lenses
There's plenty of macro lenses out there for mobile phones - that's old news...
The new kid on the block is the gadget shown above, an ultra thin microscopy lens for smartphones and tablets.
It doesn't even look like a lens, does it?!
Made by BLIPS, the lens gives you incredible detail that even your own eyes can't achieve.
The lenses come in four variants - macro plus, macro, micro, and ultra - each giving you a more close-up and detailed view than the one before.
Just attach the lens to your smartphone or tablet with a reusable sticker for repeated use on different devices. And because the lenses are so thin, you don't even have to remove them to put your phone in your pocket.
But don't think that because it's a stick-on lens that it can't produce high-quality shots...
Images taken with BLIPS are high-resolution and gorgeously detailed, giving you an ultra up-close view of flowers, insects, and everyday objects.
Learn More:
- Get the Specs and Pricing on BLIPS Smartphone Microscopy Lenses
- See Sample Images Taken With BLIPS Lenses
With that, you have three awesome photography accessories to add to your wish list for your next birthday or holiday.
No matter if you shoot with a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or your smartphone, there's certainly no shortage of awesome accessories you can buy.
But the best part is that these aren't just flash-in-the-pan gadgets that don't do much to help you improve your photography. Instead, you can see real improvement in the quality of your images with any of the accessories I've outlined here.