10 Kooky, Crazy Accessories That Make Photography Easier
1. The otherworldly-looking Joby Gorillapod comes in four flexible-leg tripod products. Each leg is designed and built as a linked chain of nine ball-and-socket joints. This allows each leg to bend, curl and grip many objects and surfaces with great flexibility. A Gorillapod is so strong and secure that it supports a small compact camera as well as a full-size DSLR with a telephoto lens. Gorillapods are lightweight, take little space and are convenient to carry. The four Gorillapod models range in price from $24 to $64.
2. The Digital Concepts Ps-101 Portable Lighting Studio is a nifty, little accessory to use when photographing jewelry or other small products or objects. The kit includes two 20-watt lamps and light and dark backgrounds for improved color contrasts. When erected, this portable lighting studio is 17.3” x 17.4” x 3.6”. All the parts fold into a small portable package that weighs only 6.5 pounds. The Digital Concepts Ps-101 Portable Lighting Studio can be purchased for approximately $60.
3. When you have difficulty shooting pictures of your baby or small children, attach a ShutterBuddy to your camera, including compacts. It looks like a small umbrella with an inside surface in a black-and-white checkerboard pattern. It was developed according to the science of infant vision development, proven to attract any baby’s attention and cause him or her to look straight at the camera. It folds easily for travel and storage. The ShutterBuddy retails for $12.95.
4. Another unique, but useful, accessory to grab and hold your little tyke’s attention is Lens Pets. These colorful, loveable animals are 100% hand-sewn and available as a lion, crab or frog. Each slip around most lenses. For larger lenses and those with lens hoods, you can order larger versions of all three Lens Pets. The standard Lens Pet is only $3.00.
5. The Nano DSLR Rig is a versatile photo accessory for DSLR cameras. Attach your camera to the Stealth Grip model and it creates a brace against your chest. The Stealth V model adds an extended handgrip; so your second hand is free for an off-camera flash, for example, and still brace it against your chest. There are also shoulder-mounted and studio configurations. The Stealth Grip is available for $432.50 and the Stealth V is $608.
6. The Cloak Bag is a small, shoot-through camera bag that allows you to shoot without being noticed as you also protect your camera. The Cloak Bag opens and closes quickly and is very stylish, as it doesn’t look like a camera bag. The Cloak Bag retails for $49.
7. Lensbaby Lenses are a line of creative SLR lenses with a flexible barrel or a ball-and-socket configuration. For example, Control Freak® is designed for tabletop and macro photography, since you can bend it in any direction, lock the angle and then minutely adjust the tilt. You operate the Muse® Lensbaby Lens by squeezing it to focus, and then hold that position as you shoot. Lensbaby lenses are compatible with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and 4/3s-mount SLR cameras. Lensbaby Lenses are sold in kits, such as the Creative Effects System Kit for $540.
8. The Gigtube Instant Digital Screen Remote Viewfinder allows you to trip the shutter of your camera remotely while viewing through the separate wireless LCD screen. You can control the shutter with the cable or choose the wireless model to stand even farther from your camera. The Gigtube Instant Digital Screen Remote Viewfinder is a great, little tool to shoot from various angles or create self-portraits. This product costs approximately $180.
9. Expand the photographic possibilities of your iPhone and most other cell phones with the magnetic-mounted and detachable Fish Eye Lens. The Fish Eye sells for $19.99. You can also choose the Wide Angle & Macro Lens for $14.99 and the Super Macro Lens for $11.99.
10. The ZGrip iPhone Pro is an adjustable, quick-release handgrip to help you shoot very steady video with an iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4. The ZGrip comes as a kit for $295.
11. The Beamer is an iPhone case with a built-in LED flash for models earlier than the 4. The Beamer can be used to illuminate your photos or as a handy pocket flashlight. The Beamer retails for $38.
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