^{photo byjacoblund via iStock}

I’ve noticed even more young photographers getting into classic film shooting this year. It could be thanks to the fact that everyone has more time now thanks to the pandemic, but it’s also likely that the pattern we’ve seen over the past few years just hasn’t stopped.

Film is a huge trend. But, when photographers start shooting on film for the first time in 2020, they run into a lot of problems they wouldn’t have had if they had been doing so back in the 1980s. One of the biggest problems is that very few people own film to digital converters, which won’t work if you want your film photographs to last a lifetime.

This list is a film to digital converter comparison. I’ve chosen my top five film to digital converters. Each of the film to digital converters I’ve chosen are relatively inexpensive, so they’ll work for just about any photographer’s budget, and are accessible.

2020 Top Film to Digital Converters: Wolverine Data F2D Titan

Some of the film to digital converters that I have in this 2020 top film to digital converters article are actually repeats. The Wolverine Data F2D Titan is one example. It actually topped last year’s list as well. Let me tell you why. 

The Wolverine Data F2D Titan is one of my favorite film to digital converters because it works with 8 different mediums. It works with slides, 8mm movies, and Super 8 movies, but it also works with 35mm, 110, 126, 127 and APS film. 

Now, obviously not every photographer needs a converter that works with all of these types of film. But, it is just slightly more expensive than some of the other film to digital converters on this list, which means it is more than worth the price if you even have an inkling you could eventually branch out into one of these film types.

It comes with a 20MP sensor, so your old film can become high-definition digital files with the click of a button.

Each slide or negative takes just 3 seconds to scan, which means you can scan a ton of old family photos in under an hour.

This converter also comes with a 4.3” color LCD, which is plenty of space for me personally. But, you can also connect this converter to your laptop or TV if you need more.

You can either use the internal memory on this converter to save your images or you can use an SD card. The best part of this converter is that you just need access to a power source and it’s ready to use. 

Learn more about the Wolverine Data F2D Titan

2020 Top Film to Digital Converters: Ivation High Resolution Film Scanner

The Ivation High Resolution Film Scanner was actually one of the top film to digital converters sold on Amazon this year thanks to its 23MP sensor.

This converter works with 35mm, 126, and 110 film. It’s display is slightly smaller than the Wolverine Data’s display at 3.5”. 

When you unbox it, you will notice that it comes with all of the film inserts and adapters you will need and easy-to-use instructions.

You can save your images on a micro-SD card when using the Ivation. 

My favorite part about the Ivation is that it allows you to browse through your gallery of images and that every image is a great resolution. 

Learn more about the Ivation High Resolution Film Scanner

2020 Top Film to Digital Converters: Kodak Scanza Digital Film & Slide Scanner 

We definitely can’t talk about film to digital converters without mentioning any products by Kodak, who practically invented film in the first place.

The Kodak Scanza Digital Film & Slide Scanner is a 22MP scanner that works with 35mm, 126, 110, super 8 and 8mm negatives and slides. It features a 3.5” LCD screen, just like the Ivation. But, unlike the Ivation, you can tilt the screen so you can view your images better, which is a feature I haven’t found in many other film to digital converters. 

The biggest reason I would suggest purchasing this converter, though, is if you aren’t great with technology. It has a large one-touch button and is incredibly easy to operate, even for someone not typically comfortable with computers.

This converter comes with a micro-SD card slot and is compatible with either a Mac or Windows computer. 

Learn more about the Kodak Scanza Digital Film & Slide Scanner

Learn More:

• Top Cameras for Street Photography
• Best Used Cameras for 2020

2020 Top Film to Digital Converters: Epson Perfection V600

The Epson Perfection V600 may not technically belong on this film to digital converters comparison list because it isn’t strictly a film to digital converter.

While you certainly can use it as such, you can also scan receipts and other documents using this scanner, which makes it excellent for photographers who run their own businesses because it can act as a 2-for-1.

This converter also allows you to create enlarged images at up to 17-inches by 22-inches. 

This converter is also the most technologically advanced of any of the film to digital converters on this list. For instance, it has a one-touch color restoration that allows you to revitalize old images and it has another feature that allows you to reduce the appearance of tears or creases in old photos. 

Learn more about the Epson Perfection V600

2020 Top Film to Digital Converters: DIGITNOW!

For each one of these articles that I create I have to include at least one example of a converter that is incredibly simplistic. In this article, I’ve chosen two. 

The DIGITNOW! Converter features an adjustable rapid slide feeder, a small 2.4” LCD screen, and a few buttons stationed around that screen. That’s it. The entire converter is 3.5 x 3.5 x 4.5 inches.  It’s small and compact so you can easily take it with you wherever you want to go.

You can also use this converter to view your newly scanned images on your television for your next family reunion. 

The converter works with an SD card and can only process 35mm film. If you only work with 35mm film, this could be a great, cheap option for you.

It cannot create high resolution digital images (it can only create 5 or 10MP images) and for this reason I wouldn’t recommend it to a professional photographer. But, its ease of use makes it a top contender for amateur photographers. 

This converter also works with both Mac and Windows computers. 

It always helps to be incredibly cheap, as the DIGITNOW! is. 

Learn more about DIGITNOW! 

Learn More:

• Top Cameras for Street Photography
• Best Used Cameras for 2020

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 ^{photo byjacoblund via iStock}

Although there is hopefully some light at the end of the pandemic tunnel now that vaccines are being distributed, there is no mistaking that many of us will continue to be spending a lot of time at home in the coming weeks and months.

But as I’ve said before, the time we’re spending at home shouldn’t be viewed as time wasted. Instead, for photographers like you and I, there are plenty of tasks that can be undertaken to both utilize the extra time we have and to help streamline our working lives.

Below is a quick list of some easy tasks you can undertake while you’re under stay-at-home orders. In some cases, these tasks are intended to spark your creativity. In others, they’re intended to help you preserve your old work. There’s plenty of recommendations in between as well!

Digitize Old Negatives and Slides

 ^{photo by Solovyova via iStock}

If you’re like me, you might have a good number of boxes in your attic with old negatives and slides.

Rather than letting those precious memories continue to decay, why not take some of the extra time you have during lockdown to digitize them?

If it sounds like a laborious undertaking, you’re wrong…

In fact, digitizing old negatives and slides can be done quickly, easily, and with the push of a button.

I’ve used the Wolverine Data F2D Titan to digitize my negatives and slides, and it has been a breeze to use.

This film-to-digital converter is an 8-in-1 device that allows you to digitize 35mm, 110, 126, 127, and APS film, as well as slide, 8mm movies, and Super 8 movies.

It has a 20-megapixel sensor that turns your analog files into high-definition images at up to 5472 x 3648 pixels. The best part is that it takes just three seconds to scan the slides or negatives!

After the slides or negatives have been scanned, you can view the results on the 4.3-inch color LCD. You can also connect the F2D Titan to your computer or TV for viewing on a larger screen. 

With internal memory, an SD card slot, and controls for brightness and color balance, this device is totally self-contained and will help you make the most of your time in quarantine. Check out my review of the Wolverine Data F2D Titan to learn more!

Try Food Photography

 ^{photo byolgakr via iStock}

Food photography is a great way to hone your photography skills while you’re in quarantine. 

Like any other kind of photography, food photography requires you to harness your creative skills, compose a great shot, work on lighting, dial in the right camera settings, and so forth, in order to get a quality photo. 

Whether you create a still life of a bowl of fruit, a mouth-watering photo of your dinner, or something in between, practicing your food photography skills can help you become a better all-around photographer.

Highlight the Objects in Your Home in Product Photos

 ^{photo byRawpixel via iStock}

Like food photography, product photography is an activity that’s perfectly suited for photographers under stay-at-home orders. 

Product photography is all about highlighting the features of the product. This requires finesse on your part to make the product shine. 

You don’t need fancy gear to do product photography, either. Though things like a light box or tent would be helpful, they aren’t required. Simply practicing your photography skills by photographing items in your home will help you tap into your creativity and learn new skills.

Learn More:

• Things You Can Do at Home to Pass the Time During the Pandemic
• Tips for Working From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Digitize Old Movies Too

 ^{photo bymphillips007 via iStock}

You’ve already digitized your slides and film, so why not do the same with your old home movies as well?

My parents passed down dozens of 8mm film reels and some Super 8 film reels as well. And after years and years of hanging out in boxes in my house, I finally digitized them to bring those old memories to life. 

Much like Wolverine Data made digitizing old slides and negatives a breeze, they’ve done the same with 8mm and Super 8 film reels.

Take, for instance, their MovieMaker-PRO…

This device is fully automated and turns those film reels into 1080p MP4 videos. The digitizing process is done frame-by-frame so you get the highest-quality digital conversion possible.

This machine is a stand-alone device, so you don’t need a computer, software, or drivers to make it work. The machine is compatible with all Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems.

It scans and directly saves the digitized movies to an SD card for easy sharing as well.

Those old movie reels are so incredibly fragile, and they contain memories that you surely don't want to lose. There’s no better time to save those movies - and do so quickly and efficiently with the MovieMaker-Pro! Alternatively, if you want a less expensive, yet still a great option, you can opt for the Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Digitizer.

This rig is $100 less than the MovieMaker-Pro, yet still gives you the ability to convert your 8mm and Super 8 videos quickly and efficiently.

This rig converts your films to 720p digital files. It can accommodate 5-inch reels whereas the MovieMaker-PRO can handle reels up to 9-inches.

Other than that, this device works just like its bigger brother - it’s a stand-alone device that’s compatible with various operating systems and has the ability to save the files to an SD card.

Start a 365-Day Project

 ^{photo bynimis69 via iStock}

f you want a long-term photography project that will help you sustain your creativity throughout the year, you might try a 365-day photography project.

These projects can be found all over the internet. Essentially, you get a daily photography assignment like “photograph something blue” or “recreate a favorite photo” for each day of the year.

What’s great about this kind of photography project is that it challenges you to use many different kinds of photography skills while also keeping you engaged in photography.

 ^{photo bymartin-dm via iStock}

While it’s obviously important to develop new photography skills, it’s equally as important to simply stay engaged with photography on a daily basis.

Some 365-day projects might have assignments that aren’t quarantine friendly, so you might need to make some adjustments. However, that’s just one more way that you can challenge your creativity - to devise ways to make each daily challenge workable for staying at home.

Work on Self-Portraits

 ^{photo byIgor Alecsander via iStock}

As photographers we obviously spend far more time behind the lens than in front of it. But I think the pandemic offers us a good opportunity to get in front of the lens more often.

Not only will an exercise in taking self-portraits help you keep your portraiture skills sharp, but it can also help you develop a better understanding of what the models you work with feel like as you take their photo.

There’s a self-love aspect to this as well - I know plenty of photographers that hate being photographed, which is a shame because we’re all worthy of being the subject of a beautiful portrait.

So, set your personal feelings about self-portraits aside, hop in front of your camera, and see what kind of gorgeous portraits you can create!

Organize Your Image Files

 ^{photo byevgenyatamanenko via iStock}

Hey, organizing anything is never much fun, at least in my opinion. But it’s hard to argue against organizing your image files as being a great use of your time while you’re at home. 

I’m terrible about naming my files and keeping them in much of an organized fashion, so I’ve been diligently working through the many different folders and subfolders on my computer to get things cleaned up.

In addition to making it much easier to find images I want, it’s also an opportunity to ensure I have proper backups of my images as well.

 ^{photo byAnchiy via iStock}

Additionally, why not take an afternoon to get your home office spruced up? A cluttered desk leads to a cluttered mind, right? So take some of your quarantine time to get your workspace neat and tidy. 

I find that when I come into my office and everything is in its place that I have a much easier time getting my day started. It’s like a clean slate - instead of wringing my hands over the chaos on my desk, I can sit down, get to work, and be much more productive. 

Of course, there are many other things you can do while you’re staying at home, but this list will get you going in the right direction. A little productivity never hurt anyone, right?!

Learn More:

• 12 Photo Projects You Can Do From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Photography Business Tip: Things Photographers Can Do During Stay-at-Home Orders

 

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Growing up, I remember watching old 8mm and Super 8 home movies of my parents and grandparents.

I was always fascinated by the way people looked all those years ago - seeing how they dressed, what their homes looked like, and how they interacted with one another.

It was a great way for me to feel like I knew my family just a little bit better.

Of course, as time has marched on, so have the ways in which we record memories.

That's certainly true of the cameras we use for photography as well as how we record videos, too.

 

If you're like me, you probably have a collection of old family films in the attic or basement.

And, again, if you're like me, up to this point you've probably not had any idea what to do with them. After all, it's not like many of us have reel-to-reel projectors to watch old films.

That's why I was excited to find the gadget shown above - the Wolverine Data 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker.

This thing is fully automated, so you can digitize old family movies into videos that you can enjoy on today's technology.

The MovieMaker supports up to 9-inch reels, and will digitize them to 1080p video (no sound) at 20fps in just a few steps.

Just mount the film reel, insert a memory card into the MovieMaker, press a few buttons, and the device will take care of the rest, from scanning the film frame-by-frame to saving it as an MP4 file. The machine is self-contained, too, so you don't need any additional software or drivers of any kind. You can see how easy it is to use this and other Wolverine Data devices in the video below:

And since the video is saved in MP4 format, you can watch it on any computer (Windows, Mac or Linux-based), burn it to a DVD, and save it to a thumb drive or cloud service. There's even an included TV cable that allows you to connect the MovieMaker to your TV for watching your newly digitized films.

 

It's one thing to record memories. It's another to preserve them and enjoy them for years and years to come.

All those old family films from decades ago will only deteriorate even more with the passage of time.

Before they're gone forever, get yourself a Wolverine Data 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker, turn all those movies into digital files, and preserve your precious memories for the coming generations of your family.

---

One of the things I love about digital photography and videography is that it's so much easier to document life's events.

It's easy to preserve those memories, too. By that, I mean that I can backup my image and video files to the cloud and have easy access to them all.

And since I can access the cloud from everything from my computer to my tablet, my phone to my TV, I get to enjoy all the photos and videos I've taken in the digital age whenever I want.

But the same can't be said for pre-digital memories, like the old reel-to-reel movies of family vacations, birthdays, and other events from my childhood.

For decades, I've been moving my family's 8mm movies from one house to the next, never getting them out of the same box they've been in for years and years.

Every time I see those boxes, I think that I should set up an old projector and relive some of the moments from back in the day.

But that never seems to get done, so the movies continue to sit in the box and rot away with time.

That is, until now.

I recently stumbled upon an awesome little gadget that makes the process of digitizing old 8mm and Super 8 films a breeze.

That gadget is the Wolverine Data 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker. See it in action in the video below:

This thing is completely automated, so it takes the hard work out of bringing new life into your old home movies.

The machine supports movie reels up to 9-inches - just mount the reel to the MovieMaker, insert a memory card, and press a few buttons to get the process going.

The MovieMaker will handle the rest, scanning your family films frame-by-frame, and saving them in a digital MP4 file (with no sound).

Just like any MP4, you can view the newly digitized video on your computer, and you can also edit the videos, burn them to DVDs or even upload them to YouTube to share with family and friends.

And since it's fully automated, the MovieMaker allows you to get the process started and then go about other tasks as it works its magic.

You don't even need additional software or a computer or anything! The MovieMaker is a standalone machine that does it all for you. With the included TV cable, you can even watch your digitized movies right from the MovieMaker.

When it comes to preserving old memories, I think most of us have good intentions.

There's always an afternoon here or a weekend there that we pencil in to sort through old photos and watch old home movies, but life tends to get in the way of such laborious tasks.

But with this awesome gadget, you can breathe new life into your old memories in a quick and easy fashion and enjoy seeing your family as it was decades ago!

Don't let your family memories deteriorate in a box in the attic - enjoy them once again by digitizing them and bringing them into the 21st Century with the Wolverine Data 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker.

---

^{Photo by anyaberkut via iStock}

Not happy with the gifts you got for Christmas?

Or did you get a little money from Santa to spend on new photography gear?

Either way, there's no lack of awesome photography gifts to buy yourself in the new year.

Here's a few of my favorite photography accessories that I've enjoyed using over the course of the last year.

Holdfast MoneyMaker Solo

One of the best photography accessories I bought this year was hands-down the Holdfast MoneyMaker Solo.

I've been a Holdfast customer for a long, long time, and I have their original MoneyMaker dual camera strap.

The "problem" - if you can call it that - with the original MoneyMaker is that it was purpose-built for two-camera shooters. I'm not always a two-camera shooter, though.

So imagine my excitement when Holdfast unveiled the MoneyMaker Solo, which is specifically designed for single-camera shooters.

It's made of the same impeccable materials as the original MoneyMaker, with gorgeous full-grain leathers and high-quality metal components.

That makes it a durable (and beautiful!) addition to any photography kit.

It's also functional, too, with an innovative Belt Anchor that keeps your camera right next to your body. When you're ready to shoot, you can release the Belt Anchor with one hand for taking a quick shot. You can reattach it one-handed as well!

The comfort level of the MoneyMaker solo is next-level, too.

The shoulder strap is nice and large, which helps distribute the weight of your gear evenly across your shoulder.

The stabilizer strap helps keep the shoulder pad in place as well, so you don't have to worry about constantly adjusting it as you work.

This camera strap really is the pinnacle of form, function, and comfort. I highly recommend spoiling yourself a little bit by giving one a try!

Learn More:

• The Worst Mistake You Can Make With a New Camera
• Practical Tips That Will Make Photography Easier

CanvasHQ Prints

 

As with Holdfast, I've been a customer of CanvasHQ for years now, and I keep coming back over and over again because the quality of their canvas prints is simply outstanding.

What I like about canvas is that it gives my photos a little more depth and character thanks to the texture of the canvas.

And since CanvasHQ is at the top of their game and uses only the finest canvas, inks, and wood for the frames, I know that when I order a print, it'll look spectacular.

Heck, even if there's something wrong with the print, I don't have to worry...

That's because CanvasHQ has a 30-day money-back guarantee. I've never had to utilize that guarantee, but if I did, it would be as simple as returning the print and getting my money back (or getting a new print sent to me).

On top of that, CanvasHQ has a lifetime guarantee against cracking, bubbling, or fading. Talk about peace of mind!

The process of getting a print is easy, too.

Just upload your image and CanvasHQ will give you tips for sizing, color adjustments, and so forth. You even get free proofs emailed to you before your image is printed.

Once it's printed, you'll get your artwork in a jiff - current turnaround time is just two days!

In other words, you can really treat yourself to something nice in the new year by getting a gorgeous, handcrafted print made of your favorite photo. And since it'll have a prominent place on the wall in your home, it's a gift that will keep on giving!

Learn More:

• Why Your Photos are Bad - and How to Fix Them
• Reignite Your Love of Photography With These Simple Tips

Wolverine Data F2D Titan

What I like about the Wolverine Data F2D Titan is that it's an 8-in-1 rig that converts my slides, 8mm movies, and Super 8 movies, as well as 35mm, 110, 126, 127, and APS film to digital.

And the digital copies are beautiful thanks to the Titan's 20-megapixel high-resolution sensor.

You can use the F2D Titan to scan, too - it takes a mere three seconds to complete the process thanks to the Titan's innovative speed-load adapters that are sized just right for each format of slide or negative you're scanning.

Not only is this thing easy to use, but you can also see the digitized images on the 4.3-inch color LCD. You can also connect the unit to a computer or TV to view the results on a larger screen.

There's internal memory for storing images or you can use your own SD/SDHC memory card for more storage capacity.

Best of all, the F2D Titan is fully self-contained. You don't need a computer or monitor or software of any kind.

Just plug it into a power source and you'll be ready to preserve your memories!

Learn More:

• Wolverine Data Titan Review
• 2019 Top Film to Digital Converters

Inexpensive Lenses are a Great Gift for Yourself

^{Photo by yanik88 via iStock}

As we all know, photography can be one heck of an expensive hobby or profession.

That's why I've started to buy used lenses to help stretch my budget a bit further.

Think about it - if you can find good-quality lenses for a fraction of the price, that's a lot of money you can save over the long haul.

What's more, when you buy used lenses, you might even be able to buy a couple of them for the price of one new one. That's a deal if you ask me!

Though I've tried buying used lenses on places like Craigslist before, it was usually a shady deal that made me uncomfortable.

Then I found Lensfinder, and those troubles have gone away completely.

Lensfinder was built by photographers, for photographers, which makes it the ideal place to find great used glass.

There's no sifting through a million unrelated items on eBay, no creepy sellers on Craigslist to deal with, either.

^{Photo by FatCamera via iStock}

Instead, you just enter what you're looking for, and Lensfinder will present you with lenses that match your criteria.

Better still, it's an all-in-one platform, so once you sign up for a free account, you can buy all the lenses you want, pay for them via PayPal, communicate with the seller, and leave feedback without having to leave the site.

Not bad, right?!

If you're in the market for a new lens, pop over to Lensfinder and see what you can find. You might be surprised at just how much you can save versus buying new!

Learn More:

• Cheap Nikon Lenses That Offer Amazing Image Quality
• 4 Ways You Can Improve Your Photos This Weekend

Make Editing Videos Simpler and Faster in the New Year

It's become apparent over the last couple of years that photography and videography are merging more and more.

That being the case, many photographers aren't just creating beautiful photos, but they're also creating compelling video content.

Given that video production is taking a much more important role in the lives of photographers, in the new year, I'd suggest investing in one of the best video platforms available - Kizoa.

What I appreciate about Kizoa most is how easy it is to use.

Whether I'm using their cloud-based platform online or using their free iOS app, I can edit my videos and turn them into professional-looking creations in short order.

Kizoa has a huge suite of tools that make the process of editing so much easier. That includes the ability to add transitions and special effects as well as music and text overlays.

There's even a collection of pre-made video templates to help you get started. Naturally, basic tools for straightening, cropping, and rotating, among others, are also available.

Once I'm done editing my videos, sharing them couldn't be more streamlined.

I can share the video via the built-in YouTube or Facebook integrations, download it in various file formats, burn it to a DVD, or even email it.

And since Kizoa starts at just $29.99 for a lifetime premium membership, it's a gift you can get yourself without breaking the bank!

Learn More:

• Must-Have Gear for New Videographers
• Avoid These Common Beginner Videography Mistakes

Kenko Nyumon Circular Polarizing Filter

If you're like me and you shoot a lot of landscapes, a circular polarizing filter is a must-have.

Not only do they help minimize glare off non-metallic surfaces like water, but they also reduce atmospheric haze and boost contrast in the sky.

The result of all that is a landscape photo that's cleaner, crisper, and has more drama. What's not to like about that?!

Buying a lens filter is a lot like buying a lens - you get what you pay for.

But that doesn't mean that you have to spend an arm and a leg to get a great polarizer.

I've used a Kenko Nyumon Polarizing Filter for a while now, and it has performed beautifully.

Its optical-grade class is polished and coated to aid in resisting water and oil from your skin.

On top of that, these filters have a SLIM mounting ring, which minimizes vignetting when you're shooting with a wide-angle lens.

Kenko offers these filters in various sizes from 37mm to 82mm, and also offers models that fit Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fuji, and many other brands of lenses.

If you invest in one filter in 2021, make it a circular polarizer. It simply offers too many benefits not to have one in your bag!

 

Editor's Tip: Get Kenko’s latest updates and access to promos for discounted gear. Click here to sign up.

 

Learn More:

• Landscape Photography Tricks You Should Be Using
• 4 Ways You Can Improve Your Photos This Weekend

Syrp Genie II Linear

One of my New Year's resolutions for 2021 is to shoot more timelapse videos. To do that, I'll be using the Syrp Genie II Linear.

I haven't used this rig yet, but I've used its predecessor many times and to say that I've been impressed with it is an understatement.

Syrp really has made making timelapse videos so much easier thanks to the innovative features they've packed into their little motion control device.

And when I say little, I mean it - the Genie II Linear is every bit as small as the original Genie, so you can pop it in your camera bag and you'd never know it was there.

This little guy can attach to any slider on the market and can even work with cable cam systems up to 328' in length.

That means you can quickly and easily upgrade your timelapse setup to get beautiful timelapse videos and real-time videos as well.

On top of that, you can control the Genie II with your smartphone and tackle tasks like key-framing, shooting interviews, creating timelapses, and shooting B-roll as well. Syrp is working on future features that include live view and camera control for ramping exposure, among others.

It really doesn't get much easier than that to create a timelapse video!

Learn More:

• Top Timelapse Rigs and Accessories for 2019
• How to Set Up and Shoot a 360-Degree Photo

The Vest Guy Colorado Vest

Even though I've only had my Colorado Vest from The Vest Guy for a couple of weeks, I'm already at the point of being so happy with it that I had to include it on this list.

Seriously - if you don't have a photography vest, you need one!

I never thought I would ditch my camera bag in favor of a photography vest, but now that I've experienced how much easier it is to carry gear on me instead of in a bag, I'll never go back.

For starters, these vests are designed and made in the U.S., which as a veteran of the armed forces, I really appreciate.

The design of the vest makes shooting photos so much easier with large cargo pockets on the front where you can carry a couple of lenses up to 400mm in length.

The integrated camera strap is highly adjustable for a custom carrying experience, and keeps your camera right at your fingertips for quick shots.

There's even a scratch-proof pocket for filters as well as optional accessories like padded shoulders, an additional camera strap, a hydration pack, and custom name tags, just to name a few.

Why not make 2021 the year you step up your game, streamline your workflow, and shoot in greater comfort?! You can do that with a photography vest from The Vest Guy!

Learn More:

• The Best of 2018

Luminar 3

As someone that's used Photoshop and Lightroom for years and years, I understand how difficult it is to switch to a new editor.

Recently, though, I made the move to Luminar 2018, and once the new Luminar 3 was released, I jumped on board with it. Talk about a great decision!

What sets Luminar apart from programs like Lightroom is that it's much, much easier to use.

There are a host of presets (called Looks) that you can apply to your images with just one click for quick editing, but you still have the option of making fine adjustments with a variety of slider controls.

Luminar 3 also has artificial intelligence-powered editing tools that make dozens of adjustments simultaneously to further speed up the editing process.

That includes AI tools for enhancing the sky as well as the Accent AI filter (shown above) that applies about a dozen changes to your image that improve the colors, detail, and tone of your image, among others.

With non-destructive editing, a new library for organizing and sorting your photos, customizable workspaces, precise adjustments without having to make selections, and a host of other innovative tools, Luminar isn't just powerful, but it's also easy to use and affordable!

Learn More:

• Get a Comprehensive Luminar Review
• Testing a New Affordable Lightroom Alternative

Click Props Backdrops

I know not everyone is a portrait photographer, but if you are, you can step up your game in 2021 with a high-quality backdrop from Click Props.

I've known the Click Props team for years, and I've even spent time with them at their Las Vegas studio. I've seen these backdrops up close and personal, and they're gorgeous!

These backdrops are made of 550gsm vinyl, so not only are they super strong, but they're also easy to clean when your shoot is wrapped up.

You can use and abuse these things without worry that they'll be trashed - they're that durable!

The backdrops come with reinforced grommets along the top, which makes it easier to hang them and swap them out between shoots. You can even order your backdrop without grommets and set it up on a roller system if you prefer.

Either way, the backdrop will hang straight and clean, so you don't have to worry about folds or creases causing a distraction in the background.

There's a huge selection of backdrops (and floors) to choose from as well - more than 200 unique designs that will help you fulfill your creative vision.

When you create portraits, the background might not be the star of the shot, but the background certainly matters when it comes to the quality of the photo.

Boost the appeal of your portraits in the new year with a gorgeous backdrop!

Learn More:

• How to Plan a Portrait Photo Shoot
• Key Tips for Using a Photography Backdrop

SIRUI SR-Series Tripod

I got my hands on SIRUI's new SR-3004 tripod a couple of months back, and this thing is an absolute beast.

I've used SIRUI tripods for the better part of a decade, and the quality of craftsmanship of these things is what has kept me a loyal customer over the years.

My old tripod - the SIRUI W-2204 - is a great tripod. But I got the SR-3004 because it's a bigger, beefier tripod that can extend to 80 inches in height with the optional two-stage center column and can hold up to 55 pounds of gear.

And even though it's not advertised as being waterproof, as you can see in the image above, my trip to the beach involved a lot of water. So long as I rinse the tripod off and dry it before I head home, I've experienced no problems whatsoever from sea water or sand.

SIRUI has loaded this thing for bear with features as well.

That includes a flat top plate with 3/8" mounting screw for maximum stability, a removable top plate for quickly converting the tripod into a video tripod, a multi-function hook with built-in adjustment tool, and a 1/4" socket built into the spider for quick and easy attachment of accessories.

Add to that simple 1/2 twist leg lock mechanisms and three-position leg angles, and you have the makings of a tripod that's the ultimate in functionality and ease of use.

What a great gift to buy yourself in 2021!

Learn More:

• It's Time to Buy Better Photography Gear
• There's a New Tripod Sheriff in Town

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I love this time of year… 

And I don’t mean just because of the holidays, either (though that’s nice!).

By this point in the year, I’ve had the opportunity to meet dozens and dozens of innovators in the photography industry, test out some awesome products, and get a glimpse at what the future holds for those of us that love photography.

And I have to say that the products and services I’ve found in 2017 have me more excited for the future of photography than ever before. I want to share that excitement with you in this article.

Below is a list of the top movers and shakers in the photography industry, and an overview of some of their top products. Some you’ve likely already heard of; others, you probably haven’t seen yet.

But trust me when I say that these companies will forever change the way we take photos, process photos, and even view photos.

Without further ado, let’s get to it!

Meural

Hands-down, the Meural Canvas is one of the best photography products of the year.

I first met the Meural team at Photo Plus earlier this year in New York City.

The expo was full of incredible photography gadgets and gizmos that was a veritable playland for photographers. But out of the hundreds of booths there, Meural’s caught my eye more than any other.

When I was standing at the booth looking at the Meural Canvas, a couple of things immediately impressed me.

First, the Canvas looks like any normal framed photo or piece of art, yet it’s digitized, allowing you to load your favorite images to enjoy them as a playlist. 

That alone was enough to impress.

However, the second thing that knocked my socks off was the fact that the images looked so darn real. I mean, this isn’t like viewing family photos on the old digital picture frame you gave grandma back in the early 2000s…

Instead, Meural uses TrueArt technology that renders the images lifelike. As I was standing there in the expo hall, I actually forgot I was looking at a digital Canvas instead of the real artwork. I literally felt like I could touch the Meural Canvas and that I would feel the texture of the artist’s brush strokes.

If that doesn’t explain the quality of this product and why it’s the best I encountered this year, consider this…

Not only does the Canvas automatically adjust its display to accommodate vertical or horizontal hanging, but it also has an ambient light sensor to adjust to the lighting in the room. That means you can hang it where you like and it will look like a million bucks.

Each Canvas frame is made of FSC-certified American hardwood, so it’s not only gorgeous, but it’s sustainably resourced as well. You can choose from a Leonora Black or White finish or if walnut is more your vibe, that’s an option on the Winslow frame.

Here’s the kicker…

You can control what the Canvas displays using the Meural website, the Meural mobile app or even by using hand gestures.

 

You can upload your own photos and create your own playlists or use Meural’s curated playlists to display incredible works of art in your own home.

Adding photos via the iOS app is a breeze, allowing you to upload and crop images, add filters, and immediately send them to your Canvas for display. You can even schedule what the Canvas displays and when with its scheduling feature.

That means when the in-laws come over, you can proudly display family photos. When your annual dinner party rolls around, you can schedule classic artworks to display on your Canvas. It’s versatile, incredibly well crafted, and a total joy to view.

Learn more about Meural.

Artbeat Studios HD Metal Prints

It often seems like when you see one metal print, you've seen them all.

But after I ordered two metal prints from Artbeat Studios, I realized that they produce prints that are far beyond what the other guys offer.

There is simply no comparison between the quality of my metal prints from Artbeat Studios and the quality of other metal prints I ordered elsewhere.

My Artbeat Studios prints are vibrant, colorful, full of contrast, and simply look like a million bucks.

Part of the reason for that is because Artbeat Studios makes their prints in-house. No outsourcing here!

That gives them much more control over the quality of the prints they create, so when your photos arrive at your doorstep, there's no mistaking their quality.

Something else that allows Artbeat Studios to create the best prints is that they will offer you feedback regarding the best medium on which to print your photo.

All you have to do is email them a low-resolution version of the image, and they'll work up the best options for you. That includes giving you sizing recommendations to maximize the impact of the photo. Talk about great customer service!

When Artbeat Studios makes a metal print, they heat infuse the image right into a specially-coated aluminum sheet.

What that means is that you get a print that's water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and UV-resistant.

On top of that, your print has incredibly bright, vibrant colors that make the image leap off the wall and give it tons of life.

Trust me - I look at my Artbeat Studios HD Metal Prints each and every day, and they continue to boggle my mind with their incredible quality.

You get tons of customization options, too, so you can truly make the image your own.

Learn more about Artbeat Studios HD Metal Prints.

Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories Maternity Gowns

Abba Color Photography

My son was born before I learned about Sew Trendy. That meant my wife struggled to find quality maternity gowns during her pregnancy.

Had I known about Sew Trendy, we'd have many more maternity photos to cherish because Sew Trendy's maternity gowns are simply gorgeous and nothing short of extraordinary.

This company redefines class. That goes for the products they make as well as their customer service experience.

Vic and Marie Photography

I've visited Sew Trendy's booths at various trade shows over the years, and I'm always astonished by how busy they are.

Their booth is always shoulder to shoulder with people interested in seeing and touching their products and learning more about this incredible company.

I've had the pleasure of getting to know the company's founder and CEO, Valerie Best, and I can assure you that there's a reason why Sew Trendy's garments are second-to-none.

That's because Valerie and her team value each and every gown that leaves the warehouse just as much as they value each and every customer. There's something to be said for companies in this day and age that take the level of customer service to new heights.

Foxy Photography

Something else that I appreciate about Sew Trendy is that they are always innovative, coming up with new designs that give maternity photographers fresh, new looks to feature in their photos.

Their fall and winter collection is no exception...

It features gorgeously handcrafted maternity gowns that run the gamut from on-the-shoulder, long-sleeve lace gowns to form-fitting, off-the-shoulder knit gowns, and just about anything else you can imagine.

No matter if you're a maternity photographer or an expecting mom yourself, Sew Trendy has a plentiful selection of beautiful gowns for any mom-to-be.

Learn more about Sew Trendy's collection of maternity gowns.

Arsenal Intelligent Camera Assistant

If you've ever been in a situation in which you aren't quite sure what camera settings to use, then Arsenal is for you.

In short, Arsenal utilizes Artificial Intelligence to find the ideal camera settings for you to use given the current shooting situation.

In other words, it takes all the guesswork out of trying to determine your camera settings, that way you can quickly dial in the correct ones and start shooting.

Arsenal is able to do this because it intelligently searches thousands and thousands of images in its database.

Once it's determined a baseline of suggested settings based on the sample images it's analyzed, it fine-tunes the suggested settings by using 18 different factors that influence camera settings, from diffraction to the motion of the subject to the dynamic range of the scene.

But don't think that Arsenal just does everything for you.

Instead, it's a fantastic learning tool that allows you to review the settings you used to get the shot. This review process will help you learn what camera settings to use in a given situation, including exposure settings, white balance, and so forth.

Once you develop the skills you need to control your camera settings manually, Arsenal makes it easy to do that - just use the Arsenal smartphone app to do so right from your phone.

Speaking of your phone, you can see live previews of your photos, easily share your images to social media, and make time-lapse videos.

If it sounds incredible, it is! That's why it's on our list of the Best of 2017!

Learn more about Arsenal

Holdfast Roamographer Bag

I've been in the photography business for a good, long while now, and I've encountered some truly top-notch companies that put out incredible gear.

That's why no list of the best photography companies of the year would be complete without mentioning Holdfast.

The quality of their products is second-to-none. I know because I own some of their gear and have had the opportunity to check out other items at various trade shows over the years.

Without question, Holdfast's commitment to quality construction is second-to-none.

That's certainly true of their top-of-the-line bag, the Roamographer.

This thing exists at the intersection of form and function.

It's not only beautifully made with fine details that speak to its impeccable design and construction, but it's also the height of convenience, too.

I particularly like the removable camera insert that allows me to use the bag as both a camera bag and as a weekend getaway bag.

The insert itself is soft and padded, that way your gear is cradled safely in the bag. And when you're ready for a fun weekend away, it simply slides right out to give you a cavernous bag for all your stuff.

Holdfast really put thought into the design of the exterior of the bag as well.

There's carrier straps that allow you to easily carry your tripod. The shoulder strap is worth noting as well because it's thick, padded, and lined with shearling fleece to give you a super comfortable carrying experience.

You can even attach a small camera to the bag's shoulder strap, that way you don't miss any shots when you're traveling from Point A to Point B.

Learn more about the Holdfast Roamographer Bag.

Holdfast MoneyMaker

Holdfast doesn't just craft some of the best camera bags around...

They are also responsible for the excellent MoneyMaker multi-camera strap seen above.

To say that the MoneyMaker is one of the best purchases I've ever made is an understatement.

Not only is it incredibly comfortable to wear - the leather straps have conformed to my body over the years - but it's also unbelievably convenient to use when shooting.

Imagine not having to dig through your camera bag every time you want to switch cameras or lenses.

Instead, you can have two (or even three) cameras right there at your fingertips, ready and waiting to be used to take awesome shots.

The MoneyMaker does just that, giving you access to two camera bodies right at your hips and with an optional attachment, a third camera on your chest.

You can even carry lens pouches, cell phone pouches, and Holdfast bags with the MoneyMaker as well, making it an ultra convenient way to carry your gear.

And like everything Holdfast makes, the MoneyMaker is beautifully crafted with the finest materials.

That makes the MoneyMaker both durable and super easy on the eyes.

Comfort, convenience, functionality, beautiful design...that's the MoneyMaker in a nutshell!

Learn more about the Holdfast MoneyMaker.

Holdfast Sightseer Backpack

Well, Holdfast is simply so good that I had to include them on my best of 2017 list three times.

In addition to their camera bags and multi-camera straps, Holdfast also makes a camera backpack that's ideal for photographers that are on the go.

Called the Sightseer Backpack, it's specifically designed to carry a ton of gear, but do so in a way that maximizes comfort and functionality - just like Holdfast's other products.

And as you can see in the close-up shot below, the Sightseer Backpack is impeccably crafted, too.

Just look at the stitching detail on the shoulder straps and the quality of the metalwork if you need any convincing that this is a top-notch bag...

The bag is expandable as well.

You can add pockets and pouches to the exterior of the bag to carry everything from a prime or telephoto lens to your cell phone, all within easy reach.

The bag also has an integrated slider for carrying a small camera on the outside of the bag. That makes it nice for taking quick shots without having to take your bag off to grab your camera.

The waxed canvas and leather exterior looks great, and since both materials are weatherproof, you don't have to worry about your gear getting wet.

Inside the bag is Aztec flannel fleece to cradle your gear and keep it safe as you travel around.

You don't have to worry about your lenses or cameras banging around at all - the interior of the bag is soft and padded, and that Aztec fleece looks like a million bucks, too!

In other words, this is another example of how Holdfast brings form and function together in one gorgeous product.

Learn more about the Holdfast Sightseer Backpack.

CanvasHQ Canvas Prints

I've been a big fan of canvas photography prints for many, many years.

I like how the texture of the canvas comes through, giving the image improved depth and dimension.

Of course, not all canvases are made alike. I've tested dozens of canvas companies over the years, and so far, no one comes close to CanvasHQ. That's why they are on this list of the Best of 2017!

What makes CanvasHQ canvas prints so much better than the competition is the materials they use.

Just like using the finest ingredients will get you a better meal, using the best materials will get you a better canvas.

CanvasHQ does just that - they use commercial-grade inks that are water-resistant and UV-resistant. What's more, CanvasHQ backs its inks with a lifetime guarantee against fading.

Add to that archival-grade canvas, and you have the makings of a print that will look like a million bucks for generations to come.

Of course, what's behind the canvas matters too...

CanvasHQ crafts their frames from kiln-dried wood to protect against warping.

Each stretcher bar is made of precision-cut pine. After drying in the kiln, they're used to handmake the frames for the canvases.

The results are, not surprisingly, beautiful and durable.

I have a couple dozen CanvasHQ prints in my home, and I can tell you that the quality is absolutely top-notch.

Head over to CanvasHQ and get your canvas print in the works!

Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories Newborn Beanbag Wrap Sets

Purest Light Photography

As I noted earlier, Sew Trendy is one of the top photography accessory companies around.

But that's not just due to the gorgeous handcrafted gowns they produce...

Sew Trendy also has a complete line of newborn photography props, accessories, and outfits that help you elevate the quality of your newborn photography.

Susy Martinez Photography

And just like their gowns, Sew Trendy's newborn products are gorgeously made with love and care.

One of the newborn products that caught my eye is the Newborn Beanbag and Wrap Set.

The set includes an extra soft stretch knit beanbag backdrop, as seen in the photos above and below.

The backdrop is extra soft and made with thick, high-quality fabric that is soft against the baby's skin and gives your photos a luxurious touch.

Susy Martinez Photography

And since the fabric is knit, it's got the ideal stretch and drape to cover the beanbag.

The same attention to comfort and softness was paid to the accompanying wrap as well.

The wrap is made of the same stretchy knit fabric in the same color, giving you the ability to put the baby in a soft, warm, and colorful wrap that complements the backdrop beautifully.

In other words, if you're a newborn photographer, Sew Trendy's newborn clothing and accessories are certainly something you need to implement in your images in 2018!

Learn more about Sew Trendy's Newborn Beanbag Wrap Sets.

Wolverine Data F2D Titan 8-in-1 High Definition Film to Digital Converter

Digital photography has been around a long time, but that doesn't mean that we don't all have some old 35mm negatives and slides lurking around in the attic or basement somewhere.

I've used various means of digitizing my old negatives in the past, but for my money, the Wolverine Data F2D Titan is the best option.

Not only does it convert old 35mm/127/126 and 110 negatives, slides, 8mm movies, and Super 8 movies into 20-megapixel digital imagery, but it does so in a few seconds.

That means that with the push of a button, I can set the Titan in motion, unleashing its power to digitize my old images. You don't even need any software or a computer!

Once scanned, the images are saved on the internal memory in the Titan. You can also choose to save the photos right to a memory card.

From there, you can choose to edit the photos on your computer, or even hook the Titan up to your TV to watch a slideshow of old memories.

Photos and videos are meant to be enjoyed - not collect dust in old boxes and bins.

With the Wolverine Data Titan, you can bring those old memories back to life in a way that you've never been able to do before.

Learn more about the Wolverine Data Titan.

Memorywall

When it comes to innovating the photography industry, Memorywall is definitely a company that comes to mind.

That's because they invented a way for your images to be more interactive - a living wall full of memories that you can easily change and adapt.

Each Memorywall unit is an 8x8 inch frame that fits four 4x4 inch photos. That gives you the ability to display more photos in a smaller area than you normally can.

Even better, each photo can be easily swapped out, so as your children grow, for example, you can feature current photos in the Memorywall unit.

Better still, Memorywall is a modular system, so you can connect various units together to create as big of a photo display as you like.

You can opt to display dozens of photos, create a gorgeous mosaic, and even form specific shapes with the Memorywall units, too.

Each image within the Memorywall unit can be tilted and turned as well, giving you the ability to create three-dimensional photo displays that turn the meaning of "framed photo" on its head.

These things even save you time...

You never have to remove Memorywall from your wall.

Instead, you can swap out photos right then and there to refresh your display to meet your current tastes. That means no extra drilling, no finding the studs again, and no more holes in your wall.

If that's not an innovative way to display your photos, I don't know what is!

Learn more about Memorywall.

Click Props

When it comes to high-quality products for photographers, Click Props is no slouch.

Nor should they be.

After all, they're part of the Sew Trendy family, so you know that the products they put out are the best in the business.

When you think of portrait backgrounds, you might not think of an area that's ripe for innovation, but Click Props has managed to set themselves apart nonetheless.

Their backdrops are gorgeously handcrafted to give your photos that extra bit of visual appeal that takes them to another level.

Made of high-grade 550gsm vinyl, these backdrops don't just look great, but are also highly durable.

That's helped by reinforced grommets every 12-inches along the top of the backdrop to ensure it hangs smoothly and will stand the test of time.

On top of that, they're easy to clean and store, so you can keep your workspace neat and tidy.

The sheer range of backdrops is impressive as well - there's more than 200 designs (and counting!) from which to choose.

Offered in sizes that range from 5'x5' to 7'x9.5', they've got backdrops that will fit into any sized studio as well as accommodating various types of portraits, from individuals to small groups.

Perhaps best of all, Click Props isn't just committed to manufacturing top-notch photography accessories.

Instead, when you work with Click Props, you get the kind of customer service that seems to be rarer and rarer these days.

They truly put their money with their mouth is, and will help you create more impressive photos!

Learn more about Click Props.

Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital MovieMaker

As I noted earlier, all of us have old negatives and slides laying around that we can't enjoy without converting to digital.

The same goes for the once-popular 8mm and Super 8 film that our parents and grandparents used to document family events back in the day.

Fortunately, Wolverine Data has you covered again, this time with their 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital Moviemaker.

Preserving your family's memories has really never been so easy.

Wolverine Data has done their thing, building a product that makes it simple to digitize your old films (without sound).

All you have to do is mount the three-inch or five-inch movie reel to the machine, insert a memory card, press a couple of buttons, and the MovieMaker will set about doing its work. See it in action in the video below:

This device scans the film frame-by-frame is it plays, and converts it to a digital MP4 movie that you can upload to YouTube, watch on your computer or burn to a DVD.

You can even edit the digitized film on your computer to make it even special.

And like the aforementioned Wolverine Data Titan, the MovieMaker is a standalone device. Just plug it in, grab your old videos, and you're ready to go!

Not all innovative photography devices look to the future. Instead, Wolverine Data offers us ways to preserve the past, which is just as important.

Learn more about the Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital Moviemaker.

CaptureLife

I only recently became familiar with CaptureLife, and the fact that I’m including it on my Best of 2017 list after such a short time should tell you a lot about how incredible this product is.

CaptureLife is an amazing app that lets professional photographers share photos with their clients via smartphone. In other words, it completely revolutionizes the manner in which you disseminate your work to your clients - no more flash drives, CDs, or hard-to-navigate online galleries.

Instead, your images can be accessed on any device, where your client gets a personalized text that reflects your unique brand. From there, it’s just a couple of taps of the screen before they can begin looking at their photos.

But if you think that CaptureLife is just a way to share photos with your clients, you’re wrong…

CaptureLife is a sales platform, too, so your clients can order prints and other products, right from their phone. They also have a growing Digital Marketplace that offers a variety of digital products photographers can offer to customers.

In fact, the app will help drive your digital sales because it’s so easy and streamlined for clients to make purchases. Besides, most people shop and purchase items on their phone anyway, so CaptureLife taps directly into that trend.

On top of all that, when your clients share their photo galleries with friends and family, your sales footprint widens even more. That’s because anyone the client invites to view their photos can order prints and other items as well.

CaptureLife is convenient, easy to use, and packed with features for both you and your clients. If you’re a professional photographer, and you’re looking for a way to improve your business, this is the one platform you need to use!

Learn more about CaptureLife.

nPhoto Acrylic Prestige Collection Album

Artwork by Luke Woodford

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

The process of creating a gorgeous photo doesn't end when you press the shutter button. It doesn't even end once you've finished post-processing!

How you present your images is half the battle in creating something beautiful, and if it's beautiful you're after, then you need to learn about nPhoto.

nPhoto is the largest printing lab in Europe, with 400 experienced artisans working hard to make photo albums and other accessories that make your photos shine and your clients happy with the results.

Though they have a huge line of gorgeous products, for me, the Acrylic Prestige Collection Album has to be one of the most impressive.

Artwork by Luke Woodford 

On the front is a refined acrylic window that gives you a peek at the photo on its cover.

Not only does this allow you to highlight a favorite memory on the cover of the album, but it also gives the album a classic look with a modern twist.

You can even customize the colors of the cover as well as the type of cutout that reveals the cover image for a truly personalized album.

Speaking of the cover, it's handmade with a true feel of luxury in your hands.

Inside, the pages are made of rigid 800g/m² cardstock, so the pages feel thick, sturdy, and luxurious as well. nPhoto uses metallic and silk papers (which you can mix and match in the same album) and panoramic layflat spreads that give the album an even more impressive look.

In other words, when you see this thing in person, you don't even need to pick it up to know that it's the best photo album you'll ever see.

The quality of craftsmanship is simply that good!

Learn more about the nPhoto Acrylic Prestige Collection Album.

MPB

My list of the best photography companies of 2017 wouldn't be complete without MPB.

When it comes to buying and selling pre-owned gear, no one comes close to these guys.

I've traded in a couple of items to MPB, and was extremely pleased with how smooth the process was to do so.

I just told them what lenses I had, and they gave me a competitive price quote within one working day.

From there, MPB arranged free pickup of my lenses on a day and at a time that worked for me. That was a nice detail!

After MPB verified that my description of my gear was accurate, they simply transferred my money right into my bank account.

It really was about as easy as it gets...

Although I chose to just sell my gear, I could've traded it in, too. MPB has a marketplace of thousands of items, so it wouldn't have been hard for me to find something I wanted.

What's more, MPB is a great place to find a good deal on pre-owned gear, so if you're in the market for a new camera, lens, or other photography gadget, it's the place to look.

Not only do they offer you detailed descriptions of each product, but they also have multiple photos that show the condition of the product.

In other words, buying and selling your used camera gear is a breeze with these guys, and since they're as committed to service after the sale as they are during it, you know you're in good hands should something go awry.

Not everyone has an unlimited budget for photography gear, so stretching your dollar is certainly a bonus. You can do that with confidence at MPB.

Learn more about MPB.

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^{Photo by Lyndon Stratford via iStock}

As we near the end of 2019 (and the decade!), it's a prime time to look back on the year in photography.

It's been a crazy year with so many incredible innovations happening. I say that every year, but every year it's the truth!

When I think about the best photography gear, gadgets, products, and services, I think about things that are functional, easy to use, and innovative.

The list I've compiled below is full of products that tick these boxes...

Each item I've included on my Best of 2019 list is something that I have at the very least thoroughly tested or that I own.

With that said, here's a few items that blew me away in 2019.

Argraph Marumi M100 Filter System

One of the hallmarks of the companies featured on this list is that they have all innovated the photography industry in some way.

For Marumi, their claim to fame isn’t just crafting some of the best filter systems available today, but creating filter systems that streamline your workflow in the field.

Marumi’s Magnetic M100 Filter Holder and their line of magnetic filters are just what the doctor ordered for photographers that are sick of sliding filters in and out of their holders.

The M100 filter holder sports a slim 10mm design with strong magnetic attachments that hold the filter in place. The foam gaskets on the filter holder ensure that there are no light leaks to ruin your photos.

If using a circular polarizer, it rotates independently in the filter holder and features water and oil-repellent coatings on both sides that minimizes clean up.

The filter also has anti-static-anti-scratch, and anti-reflection properties that ensure you have the ideal shooting experience.

The other magnetic filters in Marumi’s lineup have the same features, including their graduated ND filters and solid ND Filters.

The graduated ND filters include hard-edge, soft-edge (as shown above), and reverse grads for photographing landscapes with a definite horizon, a variable horizon, and at sunrise and sunset, respectively.

Of course, there are also many different solid ND filters available from 2-stops all the way up to 15-stops.

Like the other Marumi filters mentioned above, these ND filters are made of durable Schott 5270 glass that offers high-definition results.

When photographing landscapes, the quality of light can change from one second to the next. That’s why this magnetic system is so compelling - by reducing the time spent swapping out filters, you can spend more time photographing the beauty before you! 

Ikan E-Image Horizon One 3-Axis Gimbal

One of the most pleasant surprises for me this year was just how good the Ikan E-Image Horizon One 3-Axis Gimbal really is.

I use this rig with my Nikon Z7, and it absolutely rocks it in terms of helping me get ultra-smooth, cinematic-looking video.

This gimbal is extremely well built and feels solid and supremely sturdy in your hand.

Granted, my setup doesn't come close to meeting this gimbal's eight-pound load capacity, but I'm sure it could perform just as well if I used a heavier camera and lens package.

The Horizon One has brushless motors that give you ultra-precise stabilization, and with the 12-hour runtime, you can shoot all day long without stopping to recharge the gimbal.

Built into the unit are five operational modes, including my personal favorite, "Dream Follow," which gives you 360-degree spin on the roll axis.

I can't even tell you how many gimbals I've tested and owned over the years - maybe more than a dozen!

And this rig is by far one of the very best.

It's impeccably built, full of features, and easy to use. If that doesn't say "Best of 2019," I don't know what does.

Ikan Onyx Digital Color LED Panel Light 

I know what you're thinking...

How can a light be part of the Best of 2019?

Well, as you know, photography is all about great light, and the Ikan Onyx Digital Color Light definitely delivers on that front.

What I've found so impressive with this light is that it has RGB, white, and amber LEDs. And with five color modes, you can use this thing for just about any kind of photo shoot or video shoot.

In fact, in RGB mode, this light gives you independent control over the red, green, and blue LEDs, which means you can literally create millions of different colors to suit your needs and tastes.

Meanwhile, the amber and white LEDs give photographers the option of recreating daylight or tungsten light with incredible accuracy.

This light even has a CCT mode that offers an adjustable color temperature from 2800K up to 10,000K. You simply don't find that kind of range in most lights!

On top of that, the Onyx has a Hue Shift feature of green and magenta lights, giving you yet another option for exerting pinpoint control over the kind of light you have available to you.

Ikan also stuffed the Onyx with eight special effects - like police lights and candle flames - as well as 33 different gels to give you even further light customization possibilities.

Heck, there's even a built-in 1/2-stop diffuser!

This is one of the best lights I've used this year, and the data backs it up - it has a CRI-TLCI rating of 95, so you know that the light it emits is clean and beautiful.

In my opinion, you just won't find a better light, which is why I've included it in my Best of 2019 list.

Exposure Software

I've been a fan of Exposure Software for a long time, and it just keeps getting better and better with more and more tools available that make editing photos a simpler, more streamlined process.

The latest version of Exposure - Exposure X5 - is brimming with innovative and easy-to-use features.

There's a huge collection of "Looks," which give you the power to change the appearance of the image with a simple click.

You can make selective presets too, that way the edits you want to apply only apply to specific areas of the image.

Exposure has all the basic editing tools you could want as well, including nondestructive layers, linear and radial gradients, a brush tool, overlays, creative focus, and more.

In addition to all that, Exposure is also a complete photo manager.

You can apply camera profiles and presets, migrate collections over from Lightroom, use keywords to manage and organize your images, and review images side-by-side for easy comparison.

Exposure also enables you to create smart collections of photos - just add specific criteria you want for the collection (i.e., rating, color label, flag, camera data, f-stop, and so forth) and Exposure will populate the collection for you.

Nice, right?!

 

One of my favorite features, though, is the 3D color masking tool in Exposure.

Basically, this tool gives you precise control over where an adjustment is applied in the shot. This is thanks to the range of definitions that Exposure uses to define adjustment areas, such as saturation, hue, and luminance.

Because you can target colors of a specific hue, for example, you can apply adjustments to specific areas of the shot, like the sky or to skin tones. You can do all this with just a few clicks, too!

From the intuitive user interface to the powerful editing tools to the suite of support features that help make your workflow smoother, Exposure has everything you need to create your best images. They even offer a free trial to give it a test drive!

Syrp

It's been a great year for Syrp...

They unveiled the Syrp Genie Mini II Linear this time last year to much fanfare.

If you're unfamiliar with this thing, the Genie Mini II Linear is incredibly portable and gives you the option to add motion control to your timelapse and films without lugging around a big, heavy piece of kit.

It can attach to any slider on the market and even cable cam systems up to 328’ in length, so you can quickly and easily upgrade your ability to capture gorgeous timelapses and real-time video.

Additionally, the Genie II Linear is loaded up with features for key-framing, shooting interviews, b-roll and timelapse with future available features including live view, and camera control for ramping exposure, just to name a few. It’s wirelessly controllable as well, via an iOS or Android device.

At the same time, Syrp introduced the Genie II Pan Tilt, which gives you an ultra-portable camera motion control that you can carry in your backpack. 

You can use it with a tripod for ultra-precise pan and tilt motion control, or if you want three-axis, use it in conjunction with the Genie II Linear for the most powerful 3-axis device on the market.

Like the Genie II Linear, the Pan Tilt offers tons of functionality, including timelapse and real-time video capabilities, key-framing, and much more. With multi-row Panoramas, you can capture high resolution ‘gigapixel’ images and shoot Panoramas all controlled from the app itself.

It also has a built-in screen so you don’t have to use the app if you don’t need it and you want to pack light, not to mention a built-in joystick for quick setup and re-positioning from the device itself. Not bad, right?!

After that, Syrp brought us the Tilt Platform, which allows you to get perfectly level, vertical footage.

It couldn't be easier to use, either...

It requires no tools, has angle markings to help you dial in accurate adjustments, and it has a 3/8-16" - 1/4-20" UNC thread adapter in the base to expand its mounting options.

Just use the easy-adjustable knob to change the lever tension to secure your camera, and away you go!

You can position the Tilt Platform up to 180-degrees, it can be used with motion control or manual sliders, and it'll hold up to 13.2 pounds of gear.

And as if all that isn't enough, Syrp just released a new app feature available through the Syrp Genie II app - stop motion.

This mode allows you to create stop motion videos more precisely (and faster) than ever.

You can set up any desired movement using the app's keyframe editor, and you have complete control over the video's frame rate.

Once you have the motion set up, all you have to do is move the motion controller to each frame and trigger the camera's shutter.

Stop motion videos have never been so easy to make!

Excire 

Excire is an innovative product that I became familiar with last year, and I just have to continue singing its praises. 

For me, there isn’t much that I hate doing more than manually tagging my photos in Lightroom. That’s why there are thousands and thousands of images in my Lightroom catalogs that aren’t tagged at all. 

Until now… 

What’s so great about Excire’s products - Excire Search and Excire Search Pro - is that they utilize artificial intelligence to tag your Lightroom photos for you. 

Yeah...we’re living in the future, my friends! 

Excire Search has 125 common keywords that can be used for tagging your images, so every shot you have of a mountain or a bike or a dog will be organized and easily identified. 

Excire Search can obviously be used to search your images as well. Just use the plugin to find the images in your catalog that meet your criteria!

Even better, Excire Search Pro offers over 500 keywords for tagging, so you have even more capability to organize and search your photos.

It includes a keyword transfer function, too, which means you can use Excire Search Pro on your existing catalogs. That means no more hunting around for the images you need, even if you have an enormous Lightroom catalog of tens of thousands of images.

In other words, Excire transfers the keywords it extracts to your Lightroom catalog, and then those keywords can be used in Lightroom as if you had manually entered them.

Needless to say, Excire Search is a fantastic tool for beginner and hobbyist photographers, and Excire Search Pro is a great option for serious photographers and professionals.

It's this kind of innovation I looked for when considering my Best of 2019 list!

PolarPro Summit Filters

PolarPro has built a reputation over the years of developing well-built, high-performance products, and their newest filters are no exception.

The Summit filter system was specifically developed for the rough-and-tumble world of landscape photography.

These filters are built to withstand the rigors of shooting outdoors in harsh conditions while at the same time having a design that makes them incredibly easy to use.

On the one hand, the ND and graduated ND filters have aluminum frames that both protect the filter and help minimize fingerprints getting on the filter glass.

So, not only do you get filters that are more durable, but you also won't spend as much time cleaning the filters to get rid of fingerprints. It's a win-win!

On the other hand, the filters and filter housing feature materials that ratchet up the build quality.

For example, the filters are made of fused Quartz glass with 16 layers of coatings that improve color fidelity and clarity while reducing glare.

As another example, the filter frames are made of lightweight aluminum that helps cut weight in your pack while providing you strong durability for years to come.

Add in a user-friendly design, light-sealed slots, filter locks to lock down the filter position, and the ability to rotate the filter system 360 degrees, and you have the makings of the ideal landscape photography filter kit - one of the best of 2019, in fact!!

Wolverine Data F2D Titan

What’s so great about the Wolverine Data F2D Titan is that it’s an 8-in-1 rig. 

In addition to working with slides, 8mm movies, and Super 8 movies, the F2D Titan also works with 35mm, 110, 126, 127, and APS film.

It has a 20-megapixel sensor that turns your analog memories into high-definition digital files at up to 5472 x 3648 pixels.

The F2D Titan makes quick work of scanning, too. In just three seconds, the scan is complete thanks to its speed-load adapters that are perfectly sized to each format of slide or negative that you’re scanning.

 

You can view the results of the scan on the onboard 4.3-inch color LCD. You can even fine-tune the brightness and color balance settings. If you prefer to see your newly digitized photos on a larger screen, simply connect the F2D Titan to a computer or a TV.

Saving the digitized images is a breeze, too. Just use its internal memory or add your own SD/SDHC memory card.

Better still, you don’t need a computer or external monitor or software of any kind, so this unit is totally self-contained. Just have a power source (via an AC outlet or USB) and you can digitize slides, film, and old movies anywhere you like.

If you’ve got a lot of old memories to digitize, there’s isn’t a better or faster way to do so than with this bad boy! It's simply the easiest, most functional film to digital scanner I've ever tested.

RODE Video Mics

I have several RODE mics, including the tiny shotgun microphone shown above.

The RODE VideoMicro is compact and lightweight, which makes it a perfect pairing for my GoPro.

But don't think that because it's a tiny mic that audio quality is sacrificed. In fact, it has a high-quality cardioid condenser mic capsule so you can get clear, crisp audio.

It's shocking just how good this little guy performs!

Since it's a directional mic, it minimizes sounds from the periphery so your video has focused audio from the subject.

Add to that a thermoplastic suspension structure for minimizing vibrations as you adventure around with your GoPro, and you have the ideal audio companion for the best adventure camera on the market!

For more heavy-duty action, I have a RODE VideoMic Pro.

This shotgun-style mic has a 1/2-inch condenser capsule, which results in ultra-clean audio that's broadcast quality. We're talking about a self-noise level of just 14db!

It has a super-cardioid polar pattern that reduces background noise while ensuring that it captures crisp audio of the source you want to record.

And, unlike lesser microphones, the RODE VideoMic Pro has a Rycote Lyre shock system that creates a buffer between the microphone capsule and electronics and the microphone mount. This, in turn, minimizes the vibrations of the mic and improves the quality of the audio even more.

Add in fantastic sound, easy-to-reach controls, and intuitive operation, and you have the makings of the ideal microphone for filmmaking! 

Camera Canopy

I first learned about Camera Canopy last year, and I have to say that over the course of 2019 I've grown to appreciate this unique camera accessory more and more.

Photographers that spend any time outdoors understand that when it rains, it can really put a damper on their ability to get the photos they want. That’s because even weather-sealed gear isn’t completely water-tight.

And trying to manipulate camera controls with a traditional bag-like rain cover for a camera is a huge pain in the rear. That’s why Camera Canopy is a much better alternative.

Camera canopy attaches to a camera via its hot-shoe mount, and then acts like a roof to protect the camera and lens from rain. It even protects the from glass of the lens so there’s no water droplets messing up the shot.

Better still, it’s adjustable for lenses up to 500mm in length.

Camera Canopy also has a mirrorless camera version, so now that I've gone totally mirrorless, I can still enjoy the benefits of having my camera and lens protected by a Camera Canopy.

Just like its big brother, this mirrorless version is extremely easy to mount to your camera, simple to adjust for different lens lengths, and still provides you unfettered access to your camera's controls.

It's simply the best wet-weather camera accessory money can buy!

Hex Brand Ranger Sling Bag

I had an opportunity to head up to Los Angeles a while back and meet the masterminds behind HEX.

It was a fun time looking behind the curtain at their operation, plus I got to bring one of their Ranger Sling bags home to test out.

First impressions are good, to say the least! And that's coming from an admitted bag snob.

For instance, I check the stitching inside and out to see how well put together it is, and with this bag, it’s very well put together.

It’s part of thoughtful construction and design processes that make this bag one of the very best I've used this year.

One of the things I like most about the bag is the collapsible interior dividers - including the bottom divider. This gives you a bag that can not only be customized to your gear for each photoshoot, but you can also fold up or remove the dividers to allow the bag to be packed totally flat for travel inside another bag. 

Speaking of customizations, this bag has side adjustable load straps and adjustable bottom carry straps so you can carry even more gear when needed.

This bag is also packed full of pockets to help you keep track of your stuff. There’s a front access organizer for small items, a faux fur lined pocket on the front for your phone or a pair of shades, a faux fur lined pocket for your table, and multiple hidden velcro stash pockets. And the bag sits very well when worn. It’s comfortable and easy to access your gear and really hugs your body.

With genuine Cordura material and YKK zippers with metal pulls, this bag will stand up to use and abuse, too. And since it’s so compact (just 1.3 pounds and 14.5"L x 7.25"W x 4.75"H), you can rock it in the urban jungle without worrying that it’ll be knocking into people as you move from shot to shot.

Something that really stood out to me was that, although the bag is listed at 8 liters, there is no wasted or negative space. In fact, I easily transferred all the gear I would normally carry in my Peak Design 10L Sling into the HEX Ranger Sling. I have to say that I am a big fan of the efficient use of space in this bag and the collapsible potential of the HEX bag certainly gives it a leg up.

With eight liters of storage space, a streamlined design, and looks that don’t quit, this is definitely one of the best products I tested this year! 

TravelSchool.Info

^{Photo by anyaberkut via iStock}

This entry on my Best of 2019 list is a little different from the rest...

Rather than a camera accessory or some kind of service you use to take better photos, TravelSchool.Info makes it on this list because of its innovative approach to education and furthering your ability to make money.

TravelSchool.Info enables you to learn how to harness the power of affiliate marketing all the while traveling the world. Sounds nice, right?

By teaching you how to create multiple revenue streams from affiliate marketing, TravelSchool enables you to earn active and passive income that frees up your time to pursue things that are more fun than working!

Travel School is a comprehensive training program for starting an independent affiliate marketing business. It will take you step-by-step through the process of building a business that is not only wildly successful in the short-term, but can sustain steady growth for the long-term too.

Travel School founder Emilian travels the world with his furry friend, Divak, and is eager to share his knowledge and experience with you and help you build a successful affiliate marketing business that will allow you to quit your traditional job and travel the world like you want!

But Travel School isn’t just a step-by-step training program. Instead, it will change your outlook on what it means to work, and at the same time will be a transformational experience that will change their entire life for the better.

With specific, actionable steps, you will learn how to connect with established brands, develop core marketing skills, and activate multiple income streams to realize their dream of living a life full of travel and freedom.

Not only does Travel School aid in leveraging the credibility of amazing companies, but they will also offer weekly private webinars to keep your loved one motivated and on track toward accomplishing their goals.

Additionally, all training sessions are recorded and available at any time, that way if questions come up down the road or a little extra motivation is needed, the lessons can be easily accessed. There are opportunities to learn and collaborate with other students too!

It’s not often that you have the opportunity to learn how to live a life with more freedom, but in this case, Travel School is does just that!

Octopus.Camera OctoPad

I’m a gear head and I buy and test all kinds of stuff - cameras, lenses, tripods, lights...you name it!

But one of the most pleasant surprises I had this year was the Octopus.Camera OctoPad.

I know what you’re thinking...how can a little weighted support system be all that innovative? Trust me when I say that OctoPad certainly is!

For starters, OctoPad is a much better alternative than suction cup mounts or even mini tripods because it actually stays put.

The weighted anti-slip mat keeps the OctoPad right where you want it, even if it’s on a smooth or uneven surface.

Additionally, OctoPad has a built-in 1/4-20 threaded male bolt for attaching any number of accessories like a microphone or a light. The included ball head also has a 1/4-20 threaded male bolt for accessory attachment.

That means that this little guy is a great option for supporting a compact camera or a smartphone, a GoPro, a microphone, or a light. Plus, it can be used for photo or video work, giving you even more versatility.

It’s easy to use and transport too - there’s a built-in grommet for attaching a lanyard and a cable strap to tuck cables out of the way of your shots.

This is just a well designed product that offers a ton of benefits for photographers and videographers alike. And the best part? It’s priced at just $26.95!

Snaptiles

One of the most innovative products I encountered this year is Snaptiles.

These ingenious patented magnetic photo tile system takes all the fuss and muss out of displaying your photos.

If you want to create a mixed tile array, you can do so in a matter of seconds thanks to the easy mounting system that Snaptiles employs.

All you do is attach the mounting bracket to the wall using four adhesive strips. Make sure to press down firmly for 10 seconds so that it holds tight to the wall. You can snap up to 12 photo tiles onto the first anchor tile. If you really want to have some fun push in the 4 included thumbtacks for additional support. You can then snap up to 30 Snaptiles to the anchor! Not a bad tradeoff for 4 small pin holes if you ask me.

Next, you mount the anchor tile to the wall mount by snapping it into place.

Then, you can add any number of additional photo tiles, which connect together using rare earth magnets. And that’s it!

Now instead of having to put nails in the wall to hang additional photos, you can simply order 4 photo tiles from Snaptiles, add them to your array of mixed tiles, and enjoy your favorite photo (along with all your other favorites in the display).

These tiles are super lightweight so if they fall they won’t break. They are printed onto a premium SBS Acid-Free paperboard using the same printing technology as high-quality photo books. Likewise, the UV protective lamination ensures that the images don’t lose their color over time.

Snaptiles has a unique ability to let you display your photos in a creative and ever-changing way. When it comes to hanging art and your favorite images, being able to swap them out quickly and easily is a huge bonus.

Best of all, four tiles are just $59 with Free Shipping, so you can enjoy four of your favorite images without breaking the bank.

What’s not to like about that?!

Westcott Rapid Box Octa

As photographers, we all know the value of good light for creating compelling photos. And when it comes to modifying light to get the precise look you want, Westcott should be your source.

After all, Westcott has been in this business since 1899, so they know exactly what they’re doing.

In fact, Wescott holds 12 patents and has a product line of more than 600 products, so they’re much more than umbrellas and lights - they’re the go-to for all manner of durable, high-end lighting gear.

It would be impossible to expound upon Westcott’s vast array of products, so I’ll illustrate why they’re included on my list of the Best of 2019 by using their Rapid Box Octas as examples.

I know you’re probably thinking, “Aren’t all softboxes the same?” Well, no, my friend, they aren’t!

Westcott’s Rapid Box Octa, which come in small (26-inch), medium (36-inch), and large (48-inch) versions, are the ideal softbox for modifying speedlites.

For starters, these things are supremely easy to set up - you can have them ready to go in a matter of seconds, so there’s no long, drawn-out procedure for getting your gear ready for the shoot.

They’re easy to transport as well, given that they are completely collapsible and super lightweight.

But don’t think that because they’re collapsible and easy to set up that they’re somehow not durable. Far from it.

The solid metal framework ensures that these softboxes retain their shape over the course of years and years of repeated use, and the built-in mounting hardware means there’s a snug fit with your speedlite whether it’s a Yonguo, Nikon, or something in between.

In other words, Westcott makes this list of the Best of 2019 not just because they create superb lighting gear, but because they also have a proven track record of innovation when it comes to lighting gear.

Their products are durable and easy to use and show a demonstrated effort by Westcott to think purposefully about design and functionality so you and I have a better user experience.

But don’t take my word for it...see the Rapid Box Octa in action in the video above!

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If you're like me, you have a mountain of slides and negatives from the old days, just sitting around in boxes in the attic, basement, or wherever else you can stuff them.

They seldom get viewed. They're deteriorating. They take up space.

The problem, of course, is figuring out what to do with something like slides and negatives that are outdated and which you have no way of viewing or working with.

Slide to digital converters are nothing new; in fact, they've been around for a long time.

But today's slide to digital converters offer a streamlined process of converting your files into digital copies in a way that's fast, efficient, and frustration free.

In an effort to help you get a handle on all your old slides and negatives, here's my list of the best-equipped slide to digital converters on the market today.

#1: Wolverine Data F2D Titan

At the top of my list has to be the Wolverine Data F2D Titan.

Not only does Titan give you the power to convert 35mm, 127, 126, 110, and APS film and slides into digitized copies, but it also allows you to convert 8mm and Super 8 movies into 20-megapixel digital images, too.

Each image that Titan creates is saved to its internal memory (or you can save the images to a memory card if you wish), and since there's no software or computer required, you can use Titan whenever and wherever you like, so long as you can plug into an AC outlet or a USB. Take it to grandma's attic, bring it along to your next family reunion, or set up shop in your basement to take care of your own collection of slides and negatives.

It's unbelievably easy to use as well. Just push a button, and Titan goes to work. You can see the images being created on the huge 4.3-inch color screen, or if you prefer, you can hook Titan up to your TV and view images that way.

You won't mess up your slides or negatives, either, because Titan has easy-to-use Speed Load adaptors that make quick work of tackling box after box of old memories.

Titan is Mac and PC compatible - just plug and play without any software required - which means you can view and edit your images on your computer without any fuss or muss.

In other words, the Wolverine Data F2D Titan is a power-packed slide to digital converter that's easy to use, fast and efficient (it converts an image in just three seconds!), and easy on your pocketbook, too.

That's not a bad combination if you ask me!

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Wolverine Data F2D Titan

#2: Magnasonic All-in-One High-Resolution 22MP Film Scanner

Like the Titan discussed above, the Magnasonic converter offers high-resolution conversion of negatives into digital files.

Whether it's 126KPK, 135, 110, or Super 8 negatives, the Magnasonic can get the job done in about five seconds per image and with the touch of a single button.

With a built-in 128MB memory, you can save about 100 images on the machine, or with the SD card slot, you can insert a memory card to hold even more digitized copies of your negatives.

The full-color 2.4-inch LCD screen is great for viewing your images as they're scanned, or you can hook the Magnasonic up to your TV with a video out cable should you want to view them on a larger screen.

You can even begin editing your photos with the Magnasonic with its easy plug-and-play interface, making it an easy process to finalize the look of your newly-created digital images.

Though the Magnasonic isn't compatible with slides, its performance with negatives earns it the second spot on my list.

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Magnasonic All-in-One High-Resolution 22MP Film Scanner

#3: Hammacher Schlemmer 14MP Stand Alone Digital Image Copier

Coming in at third on my list is the Hammacher Schlemmer 14MP converter shown above.

This rig is small and lightweight, making it an easy machine to carry around and set up.

Though its 14-megapixel sensor can't compete with the Wolverine Data Titan's or the Magnasonic's, it nonetheless offers great resolution so you can create solid digital copies of your old slides and negatives.

The converter also sports automatic exposure and white balance controls, meaning the images it creates are typically spot on in terms of brightness and color. That also means less time you need to spend fine-tuning your images in post-processing!

You can view the digitized images on the built-in 2.5-inch TFT color display. Again, this display can't compete with the one on Titan, but it still offers a pleasing viewing experience as the machine works to digitize your photos.

If you want to convert your Super 8 film to digital images, though, you're out of luck. It also doesn't have onboard memory, so you'll need to get a memory card to save your images.

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Hammacher Schlemmer 14MP Stand Alone Digital Image Copier

#4: Veho Smartfix Portable Standalone 14MP Negative Film and Slide Scanner

Like the other machines on my list, Veho's Smartfix converter is small, portable, and standalone.

It's compatible with 135, 110, and 126 negatives as well as 135 slides, giving you tons of flexibility regarding the formats you can digitize.

With one-touch scanning, the Veho makes it easy to digitize slides and negatives into 14-megapixel digital images. And like the other converters listed here, it's got a built-in screen (a 2.4-inch TFT LCD) to view those images.

The Smartfix also features built-in processing features like auto-exposure, color balance, and other essential image enhancements that allow you to fine-tune your images before saving or exporting them.

Speaking of exporting, that's simple with a USB connection that's compatible with Macs and PCs for quick file transfers, or you can insert up to a 32GB memory card for saving tons of files.

The Veho has another handy feature, too: it's battery-powered, making it completely portable.

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Veho Smartfix Portable Standalone 14MP Negative Film and Slide Scanner

#5: Pacific Image ImageBox MF

Of all the converters on this list, the Pacific Image ImageBox has the lowest resolution at just 9-megapixels.

However, what it lacks in the resolution department, it makes up for with other features.

Not only can you scan 35mm negatives and mounted slides, but you can also scan positive or negative 120mm film and printed images up to 4x6 in size.

Another neat feature is that the ImageBox offers one-touch dust and scratch removal, so you can do a little bit of work on your images to make up for the lack of resolution.

The 2.7-inch TFT LCD is clear and bright and is second in size only to the Wolverine Data F2D Titan. You can plug the ImageBox into a TV for viewing as well.

Hook up the ImageBox to your Mac or PC for quick file transfer, or insert a 32GB memory card to make quick work of saving files!

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Pacific Image ImageBox MF

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I know what you're thinking...

This is a photography website, so why am I writing about how to preserve old home movies?

Well, there's a close connection between photography and videography, and if you're like me, you have plenty of old home movies laying around (along with all your old photos, too). You can also check another post about photo ideas at home here.

So, I figured since it's a new year, why not discuss a way to make some headway on all those old boxes of memories?

There are actually a bunch of different ways to digitize 8mm and Super 8 home movies from back in the day.

The expensive option is to send them off to a company to have them professionally digitized. In return, you get DVDs or flash drives of your old films.

The time-intensive option is to digitize them with a DSLR and a projector. It goes something like this:

• Set up a movie projector such that it can show the movies on a flat, white surface.
• Place your DSLR on a tripod and zoom in on the projected video.
• Turn the DSLR to video mode and begin recording.
• Turn the projector on to display the movie.
• Repeat the process for each movie you have.

Like I said - that method is time-intensive.

But there's another way that gets you the professional results you're looking for without taking a ton of time. That method is the Wolverine Data 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker.

This all-in-one machine handles every aspect of digitizing your old films, as you can see in the video below:

Just place the reel on the MovieMaker (it accepts up to 9-inch reels), insert a memory card into the memory card slot, press a few buttons, and away it goes!

There's no complicated setup, no laborious or time-consuming tasks along the way.

Once you start the process of digitization, the MovieMaker handles it from there.

It's so much less expensive than having your old films professionally converted to digital, too.

But don't think that because it's less expensive that your films suffer from a lack of quality.

The resulting digital MP4 files are scanned frame-by-frame to ensure full 1080p resolution (without sound).

You can then open the digital movie on any computer to view it, edit it or share it as you wish.

And since the video will be in digital format, you can easily save it to the cloud for safekeeping (and easy viewing in the future).

The biggest obstacle to actually preserving old memories on film (and in photos, for that matter) is the time it takes to get the job done.

But this gadget changes all that, allowing you to quickly and efficiently bring all your old family memories into the 21st Century without any fuss or muss.

Make 2018 the year that you finally go through all those boxes of old photos and films and get them saved in a digital format!

Check out the Wolverine Data 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker, and see just how easy the process of digitizing your old 8mm and Super 8 movies can be.

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^{Image Credit: Memorystockphoto via iStock}

You'd be surprised at what you can get a photographer for $150.

Bigger-ticket items usually get all the glory, but there are tons of things that photographers want and need that aren't priced out of this world.

Here's some of my favorite photography gift ideas for photographers under $150 that are sure to impress this holiday season!

Lensfinder

Let’s face it - photography gear can be expensive. Really expensive.

That’s a problem year-round, but when you’re holiday shopping and have tons of gifts to buy, it’s even more difficult to justify getting your loved one the $1,000 lens that they really want.

Fortunately, Lensfinder can help in more ways than one.

On the one hand, you can find great deals on pre-owned camera lenses at Lensfinder. 

That means that you can get a truly top-notch lens for the photographer in your life but do so without busting your budget. It’s a win-win!

On the other hand, if you have some old lenses that you don’t use anymore, you can list them for sale on Lensfinder. When the lens sells, you can use it for holiday spending money for the photographer in your life. 

^{Image Credit: xxmmxx via iStock}

The best part? You can list your lenses for sale for free. 

There’s only a transaction fee (just 3.99%) when the lens sells (with a maximum fee of $500). If your lens doesn’t sell, there’s no charge at all!

And for peace of mind, the Lensfinder platform has advanced fraud filtering for both buyers and sellers as well as mediation services in the event that there’s a problem.

Payments are made and received via PayPal, so you can rest easy knowing that the transaction is safe and secure.

In other words, Lensfinder is the ideal solution for your holiday shopping needs. Either use it to find a loved one a killer lens or use it to sell old gear to pad your pockets for holiday spending!

Learn more about Lensfinder

MyCaseBuilder Custom Foam Inserts

Ask any photographer how valuable a solid camera bag with protective inserts is to their business, and they’ll likely put it at or near the top of their list.

After all, a photographer can’t make money unless their gear makes it from point A to point B in one piece, and MyCaseBuilder is a rockstar in making that happen.

For nearly a decade, MyCaseBuilder has been crafting custom foam inserts for photographers that protect their specific gear for their specific hard camera case. 

Not only does that mean that a photographer can rest easy knowing that their camera gear is supremely protected, but MyCaseBuilder also allows customization for how the gear is laid out in the foam insert.

If a photographer wants their cameras on the right side of the insert - can do! Lenses on the right instead? No problem!

Given how delicate cameras and lenses are, having a total protective solution like a custom foam camera case insert is exactly what photographers need to keep on shooting.

That being the case, since you might not know what gear the photographer on your list is using, give them the gift of protection with a gift certificate to MyCaseBuilder so they can custom-create the ideal gear insert from scratch. If you want to spend $50, $150 or whatever your budget will allow, it’s simple to purchase a gift certificate on the MyCaseBuilder.com website.

It’s easy, too - they just pick their case or custom-sized foam, design the layout online by using the Shape Library from MyCaseBuilder (or by using their Photo Tracer technology), and MyCaseBuilder will handle the rest!

Learn more about MyCaseBuilder 

Wolverine Data F2D Titan 8-in-1 High Definition Film to Digital Converter

A question that a lot of photographers have on their minds is, “What can I do with my old 35mm negatives and slides?” If you have one such photographer in the family, think about getting them the ultimate photography gift this holiday season - the Wolverine Data F2D Titan.

This bad boy allows you to convert your old 35mm/127/126 & 110 negatives, slides, 8mm and Super 8 movies into 20-megapixel digital images in mere seconds. Literally - you push a button, and the Titan does the rest without the need for any additional software or even a computer! 

Each scanned image is saved to the Titan’s internal memory, or you can opt to save them straight to an SD/SDHC memory card. You can transfer the images to your Mac or PC for storage or editing, or if you want to quickly view the images, you can hook the Titan up to your TV to watch a slideshow (TV cable not included). 

In other words, this is an ideal gift for photographers that have a ton of old negatives, or even a friend or family member that’s been hanging onto their old memories, but unable to do much with them. Give them the gift of organizing their photos and being able to enjoy their old memories quickly and easily too!

Learn more about the Wolverine Data F2D Titan 8-in-1 High Definition Film to Digital Converter.

Holdfast Sightseer Small Lens Pouch

The great thing (well, one of many…) about the Holdfast Sightseer line of bags is that they are modular, so as your kit grows, your bag system can grow along with it.

Part of that modular system is the Sightseer Small Lens Pouch shown above.

These waxed canvas and American Bison leather pouches are lined with Aztec flannel fleece that cradles your lens. The outside is weather resistant and the inside is scratch resistant, giving you the ultimate gift idea for the photographers on your holiday list.

Better still, these pouches can be worn on any belt, on the Holdfast MoneyMaker, or on the exterior of the Holdfast Sightseer Bag, so there’s many different ways for photographers to have their favorite lens right at their fingertips.

Learn more about the Holdfast Sightseer Small Lens Pouch 

Capturing Couture Camera Bag - Where Fashion Functions for You

Who says that carrying a camera requires a boring bag with no style? 

The photographer on your holiday shopping list will love a beautiful, trendy, and functional camera bag like the Capturing Couture bag shown above. 

These bags are meticulously crafted with premium fabrics and choice hardware to be both stylish and durable. 

With room for a DSLR camera with lens, an additional lens or flash, and other odds and ends, these bags are perfect size to go to the mountains, the beach or anywhere in between.

The full zipper closure and padded interior of the bags to keep all the expensive gear inside safe and sound. With the removable divider, photographers can customize the interior space to their liking as well.

There’s front stash pockets for a smartphone, card readers, car keys, and other accessories, while the exterior pocket on the back boasts a 12-inch-wide by 6.5-inch deep space that’s perfect for carrying a small tablet. There’s even a small interior lined pocket for hiding extra money or credit cards! 

The velvet-lined shoulder strap will have your favorite photographer in ultimate comfort. The adjustable length from 22-inches to 42-inches allows it to be worn over the shoulder or cross-body.

These bags also feature beautiful polished nickel hardware. 

And speaking of looks, Capturing Couture has designed these bags with a removable decorative flap that zips off. That means that with a few extras, photographers can customize the look of their bag to their outfit or the occasion. 

With tons of options in terms of styles, there’s no better bag for the fashion-conscious photographer!

Learn more about Capturing Couture Camera Bags

CanvasHQ 36x24 Canvas Print

If you really want to make a statement with a gift that has true wow factor, a 36x24 canvas print should do the trick!

For the best canvases, you can’t go wrong with CanvasHQ, an experienced printer with a commitment to creating top-quality products. Trust me - I have a number of CanvasHQ prints in my home!

This 36x24 canvas is a great size for a showcase piece on the wall of your loved one’s home. The .75-inch thickness offers just enough depth on the sides of the canvas to give it a little separation from the wall, but without distracting the eye from the gorgeous print. You can even have the canvas placed in a frame later on if you wish, making it a flexible option to meet your gift-buying needs.

And don’t think that ordering a print of this size is a tough process, either. With CanvasHQ, you get free digital proofs so you’re sure that the image meets your wishes. And even if the proofs don’t turn out how you’d expected, no worries! CanvasHQ will make minor tweaks to help you achieve your artistic vision.

Even better, since CanvasHQ is a small, family-owned business, they’re at-the-ready to help make your experience one that you’ll rave about to your friends and family. Call, write, or hit up the live chat with questions or concerns, and a real, live CanvasHQ employee will help you out!

Learn more about CanvasHQ 36x24 Prints

PolarPro DJI Mavic Air Filter Cinema Series 6-Pack

If you’ve got a loved one on your holiday shopping list that’s a drone enthusiast, we’ve got an excellent gift recommendation that will complete their drone experience.

Paired with the awesome capabilities of the DJI Mavic Air, PolarPro’s Cinema Series filters will help your loved one take their drone photography and videography skills to another level with three neutral density filters (ND4, ND8, ND16) and three neutral density/polarizer hybrids (ND4/PL, ND8/PL, ND16/PL).

On the one hand, PolarPro’s DJI Mavic Air neutral density filters help reduce the shutter speed so video recording has an ultra-smooth, cinematic feel. On the other hand, PolarPro’s Vivid Collection of neutral density/polarizing filters help reduce glare and boost the contrast of the sky.

Amongst all the ways that this filter pack can enhance photos and videos, it’s important not to lose focus on the impeccable construction. After all, you want to give a gift that will keep on giving, not one that falls apart in short order.

Since PolarPro is dedicated to manufacturing the best filters, you get a product that is ultra-light (just 0.59 grams) thanks to its airframe construction, yet is packed with features like production-grade multi-coated glass with eight layers of coatings on each side. You can see these filters in action in the video above.

And since these filters thread on in place of the stock lens bezel that comes with the Mavic Air, installation is a breeze and you get better gimbal balance, too.

Throw in free shipping and a lifetime warranty, and you have a recipe for the ideal gift this holiday season!

Learn more about the PolarPro DJI Mavic Air Filter Cinema Series 6-Pack

Parrot Teleprompter V2 Kit by Padcaster

Photographers these days aren't just taking still photos. Instead, they're creating video content like vlogs to build a following on platforms like YouTube.

To make the videos that the photographer on your list creates even more professional, the Parrot Teleprompter V2 Kit is an ideal Christmas gift.

The teleprompter uses an iOS or Android device and the Parrot Teleprompter app to turn your phone into a teleprompter virtually anywhere. It's simply crazy how portable this thing is!

The 70/30 beamsplitter glass on the teleprompter then clearly displays the text that's to be read. Never again will your loved one have to fear messing up what they want to say on camera!

With quick and easy setup, a variety of step-down rings to adapt the teleprompter to most threaded lenses, and a Bluetooth remote that allows you to start, stop, and adjust the speed of the scroll, this rig has everything your favorite photographer will need to say what they want to say in their videos in a professional manner.

Learn more about the Parrot Teleprompter V2 Kit

Excire Search Pro AI Plugin for Lightroom

Ask any photographer what they love most about Lightroom, and my guess is that a large percentage will say the cataloging and organizational tools that the program offers.

But follow that up with a question about the worst thing in Lightroom, and you’ll likely get a lot of answers along the lines of “manually tagging my photos really sucks.”

If only there were something to address that problem quickly and easily…

Lucky for the photographer on your holiday shopping list, there is. It’s called Excire Search Pro.

Since we apparently already live in the future, Excire Search Pro uses artificial intelligence to scan each photo that’s uploaded to Lightroom and tag them according to what’s found in the image. Excire Search Pro has a set of more than 500 keywords that can be transferred into a photographer’s Lightroom catalog, making it the easiest way to tag photos. 

For example, if there’s a photo of a mountain scene on a cloudy day with a cabin in the foreground, Excire Search Pro will tag that image with “mountain,” “clouds,” and “cabin.” It’ll even determine the predominant color in the shot and add that tag, too. Not bad, right?! 

Excire Search Pro offers an expanded keyword transfer function, too, making it the perfect partner for professional photographers that have tens of thousands of images that need to be highly organized for easy image searching.

So, let’s say that you need a photo of a river at sunset with yellow as the predominant color. Excire Search Pro makes it incredibly easy to find that specific kind of photo.

As if the technology behind Excire search isn’t impressive enough, consider this - these guys are passionate about imaging and want to make a positive mark on the community. That’s why they set aside a small portion of the proceeds of each Excire Search pro purchase into a fund to support non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. 

That makes the gift of Excire Search Pro not just a great idea for the photographer in your life, but for people around the country, too! 

Learn more about Excire Search Pro 

Sew Trendy Libby Bodysuit

A perfect gift for the maternity or boudoir photographer on your holiday shopping list is the Libby Bodysuit by Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories.

This all-lace strapless bodysuit is simple, yet elegant, and will complement any maternity or boudoir portrait nicely. 

The soft stretch bodice offers a comfortable fit, as does the adjustable sweetheart top. The bodysuit is double-layered for full belly coverage as well.

With soft elastic in the legs, this bodysuit will fit snugly, but won’t ride up. 

Better still, Sew Trendy offers this gorgeous bodysuit in 40 colors and various sizes from XXS-XXL, so no matter what, your favorite photographer can find the exact look they want!

Learn more about the Sew Trendy Libby Bodysuit

Bonus Gift Idea: Petzl ACTIK CORE Headlamp

For the photographer on your list that head’s out early and stays out late to shoot, a bright yet small headlamp is a must-have.

That’s why the Petzl ACTIK CORE Headlamp is such a great gift idea for photographers this holiday season.

This little guy puts out an impressive 350 lumens, so your favorite photographer can see exactly what’s in front of them.

There’s two beam patterns - wide and mixed - so photographers can select whichever one meets their needs, and the option to use red lighting prevents blinding others in the party (and from interfering with images, too). Of course, the standard beams can be used to light paint to create awesome nighttime images with a beautifully illuminated foreground.

This headlamp uses Petzl’s CORE battery technology, which means a couple of important things…

First, it’s rechargeable, and second, you get long-lasting performance between charges.

Better still, the CORE battery can be charged via USB port for those occasions when actual plugs are at a premium. This awesome headlamp can also use standard batteries without the need for an adaptor, too.

If you’re looking for a practical and functional gift for a photographer, this headlamp is it!

Learn more about the Petzl ACTIK CORE Headlamp

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 _{photo by GMVozd via iStock}

With the holidays getting closer - and Black Friday closer still - it’s necessary to start thinking about what gifts you’ll bestow on the photographers in your life.

With a budget of $150, there are a lot of options that will make a photographer’s eyes light up this holiday season.

Below, we’ve outlined ten of the best gifts for photographers under $150. From canvas prints to lens filters to video microphones, there’s something for everyone!

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: CanvasHQ Print

If you’re like me, sometimes finding the perfect gift for certain loved ones is a long, drawn-out process that causes tons of stress, and often you still don’t get something that totally blows them away.

I think a lot of photographers fall into this category. We have specific likes, and many of us already have most of what we want or need gear-wise, and what we don’t have is usually too expensive to put on a Christmas wish-list anyway.

But for all those hard-to-shop-for photographers on your 2019 holiday shopping list, I have the perfect solution - a large-format canvas print.

Think about it…

A canvas print is the gift that keeps on giving.

Not only can you immortalize one of your favorite images from your favorite photographer, but you also give them a means to showcase their work in a format that’s drop-dead gorgeous.

I have tons of canvases in my home, the vast majority of which are from CanvasHQ.

Now, I know what you’re thinking - canvas is old school.

Sure, maybe it is, but I’m telling you that these canvas prints from CanvasHQ are mind-bogglingly beautiful. In fact, they go head-to-head with any metal or acrylic print I have in my home.

The attention to detail is just amazing, and the materials they use are top-of-the-line. We’re talking archival-grade canvas, commercial-grade inks that are water and UV resistant, and kiln-dried pine frames to keep everything straight and true.

I love the personality that the canvas texture gives my images. That’s true whether it’s a portrait of my son or a landscape photo.

 I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the customer service you get with CanvasHQ.

These guys are committed to getting it right, so if something doesn’t go as planned, you won’t be hung out to dry.

If you have questions, they’ll answer them. If you have a problem, they’ll fix it. If you need assistance with uploading your photo or even picking the best finishes for your canvas, they’ve got your back. 

In the video above, I explain why I highly recommend a CanvasHQ canvas print as the ideal gift for the photographer on your holiday shopping list.

Start shopping for your favorite photographer today on CanvasHQ!

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Marumi M100 Magnetic Filter Holder 

This innovative magnetic filter system by Marumi speeds up the process of changing filters by enabling quick attachment and detachment.

When seconds count as the light changes, having a filter system that streamlines your workflow is a huge asset, and something that the photographer on your list is sure to appreciate. 

Made of aircraft aluminum, this filter holder is supremely strong and durable, yet super lightweight too, making it the perfect companion for landscape photographers that need a quality filter holder that doesn’t weigh down their bag.

The gaskets on the front of the holder help prevent light leaks while the holder ensures there is no vignetting when used with a 16-35mm lens. That means clear, clean, beautiful results when using Marumi magnetic filters with the M100 filter holder. 

Learn more about the Marumi M100 Magnetic Filter Holder

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Holdfast Sightseer Small Lens Pouch

One of the best features of the Holdfast Gear Sightseer line of bags is that they are modular, so as your kit grows, your bag system can grow along with it.

Part of that modular system is the Sightseer Small Lens Pouch shown above.

These beautifully crafted lens pouches are constructed of waxed canvas and American Bison leather. Inside, the Aztec flannel fleece looks like a million bucks while providing a soft, secure environment that cradles your lens.

The outside of the pouch is weather resistant while the Aztec flannel on the interior is scratch resistant, which means your favorite photographer won’t have to worry about their gear getting wet or scratched no matter how many times they go out and shoot.

These pouches can be worn on any belt, on the Holdfast MoneyMaker, or on the exterior of the Holdfast Sightseer Bag, so there’s a ton of different ways for photographers to have their favorite lens right at their fingertips.

What better gift to give this holiday season than one that’s super functional, looks great, and is supremely versatile too?!

Learn more about the Holdfast Sightseer Small Lens Pouch 

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Wolverine Data F2D Titan

If you’re like me, you probably have a box or two of old 35mm negatives or slides laying around in your house somewhere.

If the photographer on your shopping list has hoarded a few negatives and slides, think about getting them the ultimate photography gift this holiday season - the Wolverine Data F2D Titan.

This rig allows you to convert all sorts of analog stuff to digital - 35mm/127/126 & 110 negatives, slides, 8mm and Super 8 movies.

In fact, not only does the F2D Titan convert these files, but it does so into 20-megapixel digital images in mere seconds. Literally - you push a button, and the Titan does the rest without the need for any additional software or even a computer

Each image you scan is saved to the internal memory on the device, or you can opt to insert an SD/SDHC memory card for saving files.

You can also transfer the images to your Mac or PC for storage or editing, or if you want to quickly view the images, you can hook the Titan up to your TV to watch a slideshow (TV cable not included)

With the versatility and ease of use of this product, it’s a perfect gift idea for photographers that have a ton of old negatives, or even a friend or family member that’s been hanging onto their old memories, but unable to do much with them. Give them the gift of organizing their photos and being able to enjoy their old memories quickly and easily too!

Learn more about the Wolverine Data F2D Titan 8-in-1 High Definition Film to Digital Converter.

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Kenko PL Fader Variable ND Filter

The great thing about a variable neutral density filter is that it’s like having a complete ND filter kit wrapped into a single filter. 

This PL Fader by Kenko offers variable densities from ND3 to ND400, offering photographers a wide range of possibilities for controlling exposure.

Made with two high-transparency polarizing film layers, this filter controls the amount of light that passes through to the camera lens, giving photographers supreme control over shutter speed for blurring motion during the daytime.

What’s more, this filter can also help control the aperture, allowing photographers to open up the aperture to minimize depth of field without worrying about overexposing the shot. That goes for still photography and videography too!

Whether your loved one enjoys photography, videography, or both, they’ll certainly appreciate having a variable ND filter that enables them to achieve the creative effects they want without worrying about overexposure.

Learn more about the Kenko PL Fader Variable ND Filter

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: RODE VideoMic

 

If the photographer on your list is like me and has expanded their activities into video production, then they need a high-quality microphone.

The RODE VideoMic is just that… 

It has a Rycote Lyre Suspension System that helps prevent unwanted vibrations and noise from handling.

 

It easily mounts to any camera with a hot-shoe and is effective at eliminating noise from either side while picking up the desired audio from the front.

Even in noisy environments or at moderate distances, this mic is capable of capturing clean audio to complement beautiful video footage. 

With a battery life of about 100 hours, the photographer in your life will have plenty of juice to keep recording and recording too!

Learn more about the RODE VideoMic

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Kenko Pro ND 100000 Filter

If the photographer on your list specializes in long exposure photography, then they need this ultra-dark ND 100000 filter from Kenko. 

With 16.5-stops of light-stopping power, this filter enables photographers to extend their shutter speeds to incredible lengths - several minutes, in fact.

The result of having the shutter open for so long is gorgeously ethereal scenes with beautifully blurred movement of water, clouds, and other moving features.

Likewise, this filter is dark enough that it can be used as a solar filter, so your favorite photographer will be ready to go for the next solar eclipse.

This filter glass is made using a carbon vapor deposit method that ensures and even coating that completely blocks out infrared light.

The glass itself is made of Asahi optical glass and has a multi-coating to ensure maximum resolution.

Available in multiple sizes, this filter is a must-have for photographers that want to explore the possibilities of long exposures!

Learn more about the Kenko Pro ND 100000 Filter

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: f-stop Dalston Bag

If the photographer on your holiday shopping list is in need of a high-quality, versatile camera bag, then look no further than the f-stop Dalston. 

This bag was designed with meeting the demands of the urban jungle in mind.

As a capable everyday bag, it not only offers excellent storage space but also has a sleek silhouette that makes it less bulky, which is ideal for photographing in tight spaces.

The bag is easy to access, too, with side-access pockets for quick grab and go.

But don’t think that the Dalston is just for quick daytime adventures…

At nearly 19 inches tall and 11.4 inches wide, this bag can hold up to 21 liters of gear. That’s plenty of space for extended photoshoots in which a photographer needs lots of space packed into a sleek bag.

Add in weather-sealed zippers, a removable internal organizer for keeping your gear tidy, a Jersey laminate EVA-padded back panel, and Thermoformed EVA shoulder straps for comfort, and you have the makings of a killer bag for photographers of all kinds!

Learn more about the f-stop Dalston

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Westcott Rapid Box Octa Softboxes

 

If you’re in need of a gift for the photographer on your holiday list, don’t just settle for any old thing. Instead, wow them with a gift that has the ability to help them elevate the quality of their photos. 

In photography, light is everything, and if the photographer you’re shopping for takes any portraits at all, they need a high-quality softbox in their collection of gear. 

And for me, the best softboxes on the market are those by Westcott.

 

I particularly like their Rapid Box Octa series because they’re lightweight, easy to set up, and supremely durable

The all-aluminum frame is strong and helps the octabox keep its shape - a shape, by the way, that has a very shallow depth, so it can still be used even if space is at a premium.

But what will impress your favorite photographer most about the Rapid Box is probably not its durability or construction, but the way it modifies light.

There’s a silver reflector that’s sewn into the back of the box’s diffusion panel, which minimizes the hot spot from the speedlight and results in gorgeously even light from corner to corner. 

Speaking of the diffusion panel - it’s made of an all-natural, unbleached nylon fabric, which softens the light without changing its color temperature. Lesser softboxes cannot claim the same!

In the end, you want the gift you give to your loved one to be something that they love, but also something that they can use over and over again. The 26-inch Westcott Rapid Octa softbox certainly fits the bill!

Learn more about the 26-Inch Westcott Rapid Octa Softbox

Gifts for Photographers Under $150: ProMediaGear BP1-PBX3 Paparazzi Bracket

Photographers that need to have a few accessories on their camera will love this ProMediaGear Paparazzi Bracket.

It attaches to a PMG Arca-Type flash bracket base plate and enables you to mount a flash, a flash trigger, or another accessory right next to the camera.

This facilitates better camera balance without greatly impacting its form factor. You can also install the bracket forward or backward, depending on your specific needs.

This bracket comes with the necessary mounting hardware, an anti-rotation mounting plate, and a 1/4-20 threaded adapter. With two 1/4-20 threaded female accessory holes, the bracket arm gives you the option of removing the extension plate if you need a more compact setup.

For photographers with lots of accessory needs, this bracket is the ideal holiday gift!

Learn more about the ProMediaGear BP1-PBx3 Paparazzi Bracket

 

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As expensive as photography can be, you might think that a $500 budget for your gift buying this Christmas won't get you much. 

However, nothing could be further from the truth... 

Whether you're buying for a novice photographer or a professional, there are plenty of excellent photography products and gadgets for less than $500 that will have them smiling from ear to ear. 

Vanguard ALTA Fly 62T Trolley Bag

For enthusiast and professional photographers on your holiday list that need a rock-solid travel camera bag, the Vanguard ALTA Fly 62T is a top choice.

This thing can hold 2-3 DSLRs, 7-11 lenses, camera accessories or a drone, a 17-inch laptop, a tablet, and a tripod. So, in a word, this bag is big!

But just because it’s a big bag doesn’t mean it’s hard to handle. With two integrated wheels and an optimal balance tripod carrying system, your favorite photographer can easily maneuver this bag without feeling bogged down. And when they reach their destination, they’ll appreciate the 3 Security Point System that keeps their gear safe from prying hands, as well as the organized layout that keeps all their gear tidy and easy to find.

The ALTA Fly 62T even has a removable interior divider compartment so it can be used as a traditional piece of luggage, too. And since it’s priced at $329.99, you’ll have a big chunk of change left over from your $500 budget!

Learn more about the Vanguard ALTA Fly 62T Trolley Bag.

4V Design LUCA Messenger Bag

If you’re looking for a gift that will wow your photography-loving friend or family member this holiday, the LUCA Messenger Bag is definitely worth a look.

This bag is handmade in Florence, Italy from the best Tuscany leather. The combination of traditional Italian craftsmanship with modern functionality isn’t just impressive from an ease-of-use standpoint, but it also impressive from a visual point of view as well as this bag is quite eye-catching!

The bag is lightweight, yet features tons of space for all manner of photography gear, accommodating a complete large DSLR kit with four lenses or two DSLR kits and two lenses. Heck, it can even accommodate one DSLR kit and one mirrorless kit. That’s excellent versatility for the modern photographer that might have multiple camera systems and want to carry them at the same time.

The large organizer in the front is convenient for storing personal items or additional camera accessories. There’s a padded inner pocket dedicated to storing up to a 12-inch laptop or tablet as well. The camera insert is removable so that you can further customize the space inside the bag for larger items should it be needed for use as a personal travel bag.

With details like anti-scratch spiral zippers to prevent scratching lenses, a rear trolley attachment for easy transport, and a large carry strap with Ultra Grip padding for a comfortable carrying experience, the LUCA bag is a premier choice that’s well made, highly functional, and a dream to carry!

Learn more about the 4V Design LUCA Messenger Bag.

Sirui W-2204 Tripod and K-30X Ball Head

A great tripod can become a photographer’s best friend. In fact, it’s probably one of the most underrated pieces of gear that photographers use.

That’s why a solid, well-built tripod and ball head combination is an ideal holiday gift for the photographer on your list. There are few that are on the level of the Sirui W-2204 Tripod and K-30X Ball Head combination.

With waterproof legs, ergonomic leg angle logs that allow for quick adjustment, and a split center column that makes swapping between the standard and short columns nice and easy, this tripod is purpose-built for photographers that need to set up and tear down quickly.

The W-2204 is made of lightweight, 10-layer carbon fiber, meaning it’s got incredible strength with reduced vibration sensitivity. It can also support nearly 40 pounds of gear!

Add to that the K-30X ball head, which has separate control knobs for panning and locking, triple bubble levels to aid in getting level shots, and Sirui’s locking mechanism to keep the head in place, and you’ve got the recipe for one heck of a holiday gift for your favorite photographer.

Learn more about the Sirui W-2204 Waterproof Tripod and the Sirui K-30X Ball Head.

Holdfast Fundy Streetwise Bag

If you've got a photographer on your list that's into fast-paced, close-quarters photography like street photography or travel photography, the Holdfast Fundy Streetwise Bag is a rock-solid gift idea.

This bag allows photographers to keep their gear close by, but does so in a way that's discreet without sacrificing the ability to get into the bag, grab gear, and take a quick shot.

It can be used as a standalone shoulder bag, or it can be paired with Holdfast's MoneyMaker for an even more flexible carrying experience.

The Fundy Streetwise bag has a gorgeous sheepskin interior that keeps gear safe while its waxed canvas exterior offers excellent weather resistance in case the weather turns south.

It has smart features like a removable false bottom for keeping valuables out of sight and a removable insert so it can accommodate various types of gear.

In a word, this bag is awesome!

Learn more about the Holdfast Fundy Streetwise Camera Bag.

Artbeat Studios 36x48 HD Metal Print

If you’re looking for a beautiful gift for the photography enthusiast in your life, an HD Metal Print by Artbeat Studios is tough to beat.

These large-format metal prints have incredible colors that make the image pop, giving it life and vitality that’s eye-catching in a way that’s hard for more traditional prints to pull off. Not only that, by heat infusing the photo into a ChomaluxeTM aluminum sheet, you get a scratch-resistant, water-resistant, and UV-resistant print that will retain its gorgeous look for generations.

With a wide variety of metal surfaces and finishes, as well as different wall mount and wall hanger options to tailor the print to your needs and tastes, an HD Metal Print is the custom holiday gift you’ve been looking for, all for a price of $499!

Learn more about the Artbeat Studios 36x48 HD Metal Print.

Artbeat Studios 30x40 HD Metal Print

If you want to give your loved one a gorgeous metal print for the holidays, but want something that’s not too small or not too big, a 30x40 HD Metal Print from Artbeat Studios is a fantastic option.

Printing on metal is ideal for just about any kind of photo, but landscapes in particular. As seen above, the specialized printing process that Artbeat Studios uses to print on metal results in spectacular colors and contrast. That’s thanks in part to the different surfaces on which you can have the image printed - white and silver.

A white surface gives the image a vividness that enhances the detail of the shot, making every nook and cranny beautifully visible. That makes it a great choice for portraits and landscapes. But if you prefer, you can opt for a silver surface instead, which makes any whites in the image appear silver. That makes it a perfect choice for black and white photos or images that have a lot of contrast.

You can choose between a glossy or matte finish, wood or metal wall mounts, a wire hanger or a cleat hanger, and so much more. It’s a totally custom gift that your loved ones are sure to love, and it won’t break the bank at just $345!

Learn more about the Artbeat Studios 30x40 HD Metal Print.

Sound Shark

Today's cameras certainly have excellent photographic capabilities, but more and more of them have excellent video capabilities as well, including 4K video.

But there's not much point in being able to take incredibly sharp and detailed video if you catch match it with sharp, detailed sound, right?

That's why Sound Shark should be on your holiday gift list.

Sound Shark picks up voices in crystal clear beauty, making speakers sound as though they've got a lapel mic on, even when they don't.

In fact, the videographer on your holiday list will be blown away by how much less noise from the sides and the background they get with Sound Shark as compared to a traditional shotgun mic.

That's because Klover Products, which makes sound shark, is the leading supplier of long-range microphones used to televise sporting events.

If their parabolic mic is good enough for the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the NBA Playoffs, it'll be good enough for your favorite videographer, too!

Learn more about Sound Shark.

Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital MovieMaker

The 8mm and Super 8 film formats that were so popular decades ago means a lot of us have precious family movies that are just sitting in boxes, rotting away and degrading with every passing day. Rather than letting those memories fade away, get your loved one the gift of saving those old family videos with the Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital MovieMaker.

This device converts your old movies into digital files (without sound) so that you can preserve your family’s heritage for generations to come. It only takes a few simple steps, too!

Just mount the 3 or 5-inch movie reel to the machine, insert a memory card, press a few buttons, and the MovieMaker will scan the film frame-by-frame as it plays. The result is a digital MP4 movie that you can burn to a DVD, upload to YouTube, watch on your laptop, or even edit in a movie editing program or connect it to your TV to immediately watch the digitized videos.

The Digital MovieMaker is a standalone device, too - you don’t need a computer or any software at all. And considering that photo labs charge a hefty price to convert film to digital, this gadget will more than pay for itself!

Learn more about the Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital MovieMaker.

Nikon D5300

If you have a loved one that’s a burgeoning photographer, a great camera to get them started is the Nikon D5300.

This camera is small, lightweight, yet packed with powerful features that make it a great learner’s camera, but one that they won’t outgrow quickly, either.

It’s got a sizable 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor for high-resolution images, an ISO range to 12800 for low-light shooting, a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 seconds to capture fast action, and a sophisticated 39-point autofocus system that will help your loved one capture their subjects in sharp focus.

Add in 1080p video recording, 5fps burst shooting capabilities, and a price tag on pre-owned rigs under $500, and you have the makings for one great gift this holiday season that won’t break your budget, either!

Learn more about the Nikon D5300.

Syrp Magic Carpet Carbon Fibre

Time-lapse photography and filmmaking is a tough gig, but having high-quality gear that’s easy to transport will certainly be on your favorite photographer’s wish list this holiday season.

The Magic Carpet Carbon Fibre by Syrp doesn’t just look cool - it’s incredibly functional, too. It’s extendable to virtually any length you can imagine but packs away in two-foot sections for easy storage and transport. For gorgeous long tracking shots, just attach additional interlocking extension sections for a seamless, smooth shot no matter how long the track is.

Perhaps the best part is that since it’s made of carbon fiber, the Magic Carpet is featherlight. In fact, the center track weighs a mere 1.48 pounds and each extension section adds just .84 pounds. It’s even tripod mountable for additional stability!

That makes this rig a perfect choice for photographers and filmmakers that need a lot of bang for the buck, but without sacrificing on weight and ease of use.

Learn more about the Syrp Magic Carpet Carbon Fibre.

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^{photo by PeopleImages via iStock}

That huge pile of old negatives and slides in your attic isn’t going to get any smaller, nor is it going to magically convert itself to digital without some help from you.

Fortunately, there are plenty of options these days for converting film to digital. In fact, there’s more choice now than ever, with a wide range of price points for any budget.

Below, I’ve listed some of the best film to digital converters you can find on the market today. With any of these rigs, you can clear out the boxes of negatives and slides in your attic, and enjoy old memories again in the digital age! 

2019 Top Film to Digital Converters: Wolverine Data F2D Titan

What’s so great about the Wolverine Data F2D Titan is that it’s an 8-in-1 rig. 

In addition to working with slides, 8mm movies, and Super 8 movies, the F2D Titan also works with 35mm, 110, 126, 127, and APS film.

It has a 20-megapixel sensor that turns your analog memories into high-definition digital files at up to 5472 x 3648 pixels.

The F2D Titan makes quick work of scanning, too. In just three seconds, the scan is complete thanks to its speed-load adapters that are perfectly sized to each format of slide or negative that you’re scanning.

 

You can view the results of the scan on the onboard 4.3-inch color LCD. You can even fine-tune the brightness and color balance settings/ If you prefer to see your newly digitized photos on a larger screen, simply connect the F2D Titan to a computer or a TV.

Saving the digitized images is a breeze, too. Just use its internal memory or add your own SD/SDHC memory card.

Better still, you don’t need a computer or external monitor or software of any kind, so this unit is totally self-contained. Just have a power source (via an AC outlet or USB) and you can digitize slides, film, and old movies anywhere you like.

If you’ve got a lot of old memories to digitize, there’s isn’t a better or faster way to do so than with this bad boy! 

Learn more about the Wolverine Data F2D Titan

2019 Top Film to Digital Converters: Epson Perfection V600

What’s nice about the Epson Perfection V600 is that it isn’t just a negative and slide scanner.

Instead, you can scan medium format film, receipts, documents, and even three-dimensional items.

Epson has also engineered this scanner to create high-quality enlargements up to 17-inches by 22-inches at 6400 x 9600 DPI.

 

Likewise, the Perfection V600 has the ability to minimize the appearance of damage like tears and creases in photos. It’ll remove dust and scratches from film as well. 

The unit has one-touch color restoration to bring old photos back to life. With the onboard Optical Character Recognition software, you can also convert scanned documents into editable text.

With four customizable buttons, the Perfection V600 is easy to use and easy to tailor to your specific needs as well.

Learn more about the Epson Perfection V600

2019 Top Film to Digital Converters: Hammacher Schlemmer 14MP Standalone Digital Image Copier 

 

 If you’re looking for a small, lightweight film to digital converter, the Hammacher Schlemmer 14MP converter shown above is a solid choice.

While the 14-megapixel sensor isn’t quite what you can get with the Wolverine Data Titan, it still provides decent resolution for creating quality copies of old negatives and slides.

The unit has white balance and automatic exposure controls, which helps you get final results that are spot-on in terms of color and brightness. Of course, that also means you don’t have to spend as much time processing the images yourself.

This scanner has a built-in 2.5-inch TFT color display so you can preview the digitized images quickly and easily. Again, the display isn’t as large as what you’ll find on other units on this list, but it still gets the job done.

On the downside, this Hammacher Schlemmer model doesn’t have onboard memory like others on this list. It also doesn’t convert Super 8 film. If you need to do that, the Wolverine Data Titan is your best bet.

Learn more about the Hammacher Schlemmer 14MP Standalone Digital Image Copier

2019 Top Film to Digital Converters: Kodak Digital Film Scanner

 

One of the most capable converters on this list, the Kodak Digital Film Scanner will take care of 35mm, 126, and 110 film, as well as Super 8 and 8mm film negatives and slides.

It takes just seconds for the 22-megapixel sensor to convert film to JPEG files, which you can view on the large, bright, 3.5-inch TFT LCD. The LCD has adjustable brightness and it tilts for easier viewing too.

The unit comes with multiple film inserts and adapters, that way you can set about converting your old negatives, slides, and films quickly and easily. Speaking of easy, the large, one-touch buttons on this unit make operation a breeze.

This particular device does not come with an SD card, so you’ll need to purchase your own. Though it does come with an HDMI cable, AC adapter, a video cable, and a Mac & PC compatible converter with a USB power cable.

Learn more about the Kodak Digital Film Scanner

2019 Top Film to Digital Converters: Magnasonic All-in-One High-Resolution 22MP Film Scanner

 

Like the Wolverine Titan unit and the Kodak unit discussed earlier, the Magnasonic All-in-One offers high-resolution conversion of a number of different mediums. 

That includes slides, 35mm film, 126 and 110 film, and Super 8 film, though you can only generate still images from the Super 8 movies.

Regardless of what you’re converting, the Magnasonic does its thing in about five seconds per image. Operation is quick and simple as well with the touch of a single button to get things started.

The Magnasonic has 128MB of built-in memory, which is good for saving about 100 images. There’s an SD card slot as well, that way you can scan and save thousands of images that have been digitized.

The 2.4-inch LCD is smallish, but this unit has a video out so you can hook it up to a TV for large-screen viewing.

You can begin editing your photos with this rig as well with its easy plug-and-play interface.

Learn more about the Magnasonic All-in-One High-Resolution 22MP Film Scanner

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When you’re faced with the prospect of converting a mountain of old film, negatives, and slides to digital, you want a film-to-digital converter that can handle the workload quickly and efficiently.

What’s more, you want a device that has features that make it easy to use and easy to review the scanned images.

The Wolverine Data Titan certainly fits the bill on all fronts. It’s affordable to boot!

Get the scoop on all the essential features of the Wolverine Data Titan in the review below.

Wolverine Data Titan Review: Image Quality 

Let’s start with the most important feature of all - image quality.

The Wolverine Data Titan delivers outstanding image quality thanks to its 20-megapixel sensor. 

With the ability to create high-definition scans up to 5472 x 3648 pixels, your analog assets will be turned into highly detailed and resolute digital files. This is true whether you’re scanning 35mm photo film or archive film, 127, 126, 110, or APS slides or negatives.

But simply scanning your film, negatives, and slides isn’t the end of the process. The Titan’s hardware allows you to edit the resulting digital files, such as adjusting brightness and color balance.

Its large 4.3-inch color LCD gives you a clear, crisp, and bright view of the images so you can make pinpoint adjustments to bring out the very best in each image. Once you’ve made the needed changes using the Titan, you can then export the images and do further edits using software like Photoshop or Lightroom on any Mac or PC.

Wolverine Data Titan Review: Performance and Features 

The process of scanning your analog assets is quite fast.

After pressing a couple of buttons, it takes just seconds for the Titan to complete its scan, and with easy-to-use controls and the aforementioned large LCD screen, you can make quick work of fine-tuning before scanning the images and exporting them to your computer.

Part of what makes the process so streamlined is the ability to save images to an optional SD or SDHC memory card for quick transfer of images. You can connect the device to a Mac or PC for fast offload of images as well. The Titan also has onboard memory that can accommodate up to 40 images if you don’t have a memory card handy.

Likewise, with an HDMI TV out jack, you can review images using your TV screen or monitor for a large format view of the scanned images.

Another feature that makes scanning a streamlined process is the Titan’s speed-load adapters.

This is an 8-in-1 device, so Wolverine Data developed adapters for each film format. Just add your slides, negatives, or film to the appropriate adapter and the Titan will make quick work of the scanning process. 

A nice feature of this device is the ability to create JPEGs from individual movie frames. If you find a shot you like from an old 8mm or Super 8 film, you can use the Titan to convert the frames into a still image.

Perhaps best of all, the Titan is ready to go right out of the box. You don’t need to connect it to a computer or any other external device. Instead, just plug it into an outlet or a USB port, gather up your negatives, slides, and films, and start preserving your memories.

Wolverine Data Titan Review: Portability and Ease of Use

Wolverine Data designed the Titan to be a device that can truly go just about anywhere.

It weighs only a half a pound and measures 4 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches, so it’s highly portable. It’s easy to set up as well. 

As noted above, the Titan is a standalone unit, so you just have to plug it in and press a single button to get the process going.

The buttons on the Titan are labeled clearly and there is enough separation between each button that you don’t have to worry about accidentally pressing more than one at a time.

Using the speed-load adapters is easy, too,  as the slots for the different adapters are clearly labeled.

In other words, even if you’ve never scanned anything or used a film-to-digital scanner before, Wolverine Data has ensured that the Titan will be simple to understand and easy to use.

Wolverine Data Titan Review: The Verdict 

There are several things that set the Wolverine Data Titan apart from other film-to-digital scanners.

It handles more file types than many of its competitors, so you have the opportunity to preserve more of your memories.

Additionally, the Titan is equipped with one of the largest screens on the market, so reviewing your images is an easier and more pleasant process. 

It’s hard to beat the Titan’s portability and its standalone design, too.

Of course, the superb image quality is a big bonus as well. 

Quite simply, this is one of the best film-to-digital converters on the market today. If you’re like me and you have boxes and boxes of old negatives, slides, and film, this is the device you need to make quick work of preserving memories from years past.

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