Top Photography Purchases For Christmas
I know you’re thinking about it, that all-important wish list for Santa this year. I bet you have a few ideas already! From the sublime to the ridiculous, we all love a gadget or two, so let me help by suggesting some fun and fantastic photography gizmos to keep you snap happy this season.
The Professional
The tripod
This has to be one of the most important and widely used photography gadgets. When dealing with long exposure times, heavy lenses or difficult terrain, a tripod is essential to achieving the winning shot and is cheaper then an image stabilizing lenses. The Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro Photo Tripod is designed for professional use, is lightweight and perfect for those who need all-round performance.
The Quirky
Inflatable Photo studio
Yes, that’s right. You can now take your studio literally anywhere! It can be used at weddings, parties, or in the middle of nowhere. Made of light resistant high-grade black plastic, you can have your readymade photo studio within 2-3 minutes, which would save you from having to spend time and money on booking studio space.
The On-The-Go
The Capture Clip from Peak Design
Tiered of camera bags? This simple attachment allows you to rigidly carry your camera on any backpack strap, belt or bag. Quick- release locking action allows you to instantly access your camera with the click of a button allowing you to move freely about the location, your studio, up a mountain or even on your bike, without any concern for swinging or wasted time retrieving it from your bulky camera bag.
The Smartphone Lens
Remember, the Smartphone is a useful addition to the camera bag in its own right. However, they rarely have full and true manual controls. Smartphone add-on lenses opens new dimensions for photographers on the go as they can do things that Smartphone camera lenses can’t do. For example, fish-eye effect, macro or telephoto and other effects. More complex models, like the latest Sony QX-10, completely reinvents your phone’s capabilities as it boosts the Smartphone with a professional quality sensor packed with manual controls.
The Budget Essentials
Polystyrene board
Not what everyone wants for Christmas I’m sure, but trust me. You can pick one up from you local DIY store and it will give you just the same effect a white reflector. If you need to fill in those pesky shadows, then what does it matter if folds up neatly a looks professional. If it does the trick then you’re on to a winner.
Gaffer tape!
No I’m not being a Scrooge. It is every photographer’s must have budget tool. From marking focal points to securing your lighting rig, it is an essential piece of kit that you can get for less than you daily Starbucks.
The “Go on, it’s Christmas”
The New Petzval 58 Bokeh Control Art Lens
Boasting newly developed features like a Bokeh Control Ring, a maximum aperture of f/1.9 and a 58mm focal length, the New Petzval 58 is perfect for landscapes, street photography, portraits and beyond. With each different bokeh level and aperture combination, you’ll get entirely different effects. It may not be an essential, but it sure is fun!
