Neil Enns
12-15-2004, 06:00 PM
It's hard to surf the web at this time of year and avoid a Christmas gift guide. However, most of the guides I've seen cover cool yet expensive products, and many are written by people with no hands-on experience with the products.<br /><br />Here's something a little different :) I've put together a list of ten gadgets and gizmos that I personally own and use constantly as I take photographs with my Canon 10D. Most are under $100, and any one of them will bring joy to the analog or digital photographer in your household.<br /><br />Curious about what's in my list? Read on to find out!<br /><!><br /><span><b>1GB CF Card</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_cf.jpg" /> <br />Chances are you’re still shooting with a modest 256MB or 512MB card. These days bigger cards are cheap, and there's nothing like the comfort of knowing you can shoot with no worries about running out of space. Better yet, get two or three so you don't have to lug a computer or portable storage drive with you on short trips. ($55 after rebate, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000083DY0/&tag=jasondunn-20">amazon.com</a>) <br /> <br /><span><b>NEC ND-3500A BG CD/DVD burner</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_nec.jpg" /> <br />While hard drive space is super inexpensive these days even the best hard drives can fail. I burn all of my images to DVD every month or so, both to free up space and to ensure I have a back-up that's kept in a safe place. I used to use CDs, but since I shoot RAW it would often take four CDs to do the back-up. Now that DVD burners are so cheap there’s no excuse! The NEC DVD comes as a bare kit, which is perfect for the geek who already has IDE cables lying around. If you want a complete kit, consider the LG 12x DVD burner that Kevin <a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,6689">just reviewed</a>. ($65, <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-031&depa=0">newegg.com</a>) <br /> <br /><span><b>WhiBal Reference Cards</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_whibal.jpg" /> <br />Most digital cameras come with a variety of white balance settings for things like fluorescent, daylight, and indoor lighting. But how do we remember to change the white balance setting before taking a shot, or have a camera that is always accurate on the “Auto” setting? The standard solution to this problem is to buy a grey card, take a photo of the grey card under the same lighting as your subject, and then use the photo as a white balance reference when converting from RAW in your favourite conversion program. I personally own the WhiBal cards, a lovely set of four hard plastic cards (two grey, one black, and one white) attached in the corner by a sturdy post. The small size fits easily in your pocket and is a cinch to carry around. I use mine almost every time I take photographs. ($40, <a href="http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/index.html">rawworkflow.com</a>)<br /><br /><span><b>External Flash</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_flash.jpg" /> <br />My favourite way to take indoor flash shots is to set the camera to ISO400, 1/200 sec, f/5.6 and bounce the flash off the ceiling. The pictures are nicely lit and you can't tell the flash was used, but this only works with an external flash that lets you adjust where the flash points! While high-end flashes with all sorts of settings can cost as much as $500, you can get entry-level flashes that are compatible with your camera system for under $200. I own the Canon 420EX, although similar models are available for Nikon SLRs and even digicams as well. ($164 after rebate, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004YZLX/jasondunn-20">amazon.com</a>)<br /><br /><span><b>Flash Cord</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_flashcord.jpg" /> <br />Once you've got an external flash the next step is to get it off the camera. Most manufacturers offer 2' extension cords that go between the flash and the hot shoe. Other options are complete wireless triggering systems, although obviously those cost more. I have the Canon 2-foot flash cord, and as with flashes Nikon offers something similar. Once you have this cord you can even go high-end and get a <a href="http://www.tiffen.com/Stroboframe%20web%20catalog.htm">Stroboframe</a> to get the flash completely off camera for beautifully lit portraits. ($40, <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12269&is=REG">B&H Photo</a>)<br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_cooper.jpg" /> <br />Another way to make flash output appear less harsh is to attach an Omni-Bounce. This little plastic gizmo slips right over the head of the flash and helps bounce the flash output around your subject to give more even illumination. A variety of sizes are available for different flashes, and they now come in gold and green too. I used to have one in white and used it quite a bit, until my dog ate it. ($16.95, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009R69S/jasondunn-20">amazon.com</a>)<br /><br /><span><b>Remote Cable Release</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_remote.jpg" /> <br />I really enjoy doing macro photography, and having the camera stay still while taking photos is key to a sharp image. Using a remote cable release and the mirror lockup feature on my camera I can avoid any shake caused by my hands pressing the shutter release. It's also handy for long exposures where you want to lock the shutter open. I don't actually own one of these for my digital camera, but I do have one for my film camera and hopefully my wife gives me the Canon RS-80N3 for Christmas. ($50, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009R6VZ/jasondunn-20">amazon.com</a>)<br /><br /><span><b>Hoya Super HMC Pro 1 Circular Polarizer</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_filter.jpg" /> <br />I never purchased a ton of filters for my lenses, especially now that I primarily shoot digital and have Photoshop at my disposal. But the one filter you really can't replicate in Photoshop is the circular polarizer. While it's best known for making skies darker and colours more vivid, it's also useful for off cutting reflections on water, glass, and foliage. The price for a polarizer varies wildly by coating and lens size, but if you've got an expensive lens don't skimp on the filter that goes in front of it: The Hoya Super HMC Pro 1 is the top of the line. ($80-$150, <a href="http://www.2filter.com/prices/specials.html">The Filter Connection</a>)<br /><br /><span><b>Formula MC Glass Cleaner</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_formulamc.jpg" /> <br />If you're going to spend $150 on a filter you definitely want something that will get it squeaky clean after you accidentally get finger goo on it (and yes, it will happen). I've tried a number of cleaners, but none work as well as Formula MC. Most fail miserably on the high-end Hoya coatings, leaving behind streaks that look like oil. With Formula MC my filter and lenses are clean as new. It's a little silly to pay the shipping costs for a single bottle, so throw in a Hoya Super HMC Pro 1 while you're at it and you'll be happy. ($3.70, <a href="http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/formulamc.html">The Filter Connection</a>) <br /><br /><span><b>Photoflex MultiDisc 22" 5 in 1 Reflector</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_reflector.jpg" /> <br />If you've ever seen a model shoot on TV or in print ads you've probably noticed people holding huge shiny discs just off camera. Available in a variety of colours, these reflectors are great for bouncing light onto a subject to get rid of unsightly shadows. Gold reflectors give a nice warm glow to the image, while the black reflector can be used to block unwanted light. I don't own the Photoflex brand of disc, but I have similar sets in 32" and 52" sizes. A smaller diameter is a little more manageable for travel, while the large size is perfect for portrait photography. ($52, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009UT11/jasondunn-20">amazon.com</a>)<br /><br /><span><b>Canon 1Ds MKII</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/303/neil_dec10_1ds.jpg" /> <br />Well, ok. I'm just kidding with this one :) I don't own it, but I sure wish I did. If any of you readers are feeling particularly generous this holiday season, feel free to send one my way. ($8,000, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00064O8Z8/jasondunn-20">amazon.com</a>)<br /><br />I could easily add in another 5-10 gifts, but these should be enough to give you some ideas for the digital photographer in your life. Think I've missed a good gadget? Add a comment to this topic and join the conversation.