I am a gadget guy. That keeps me on the lookout for the next
thing that will either improve my technique or just make my photo shoots more
fun. When you do finally leave your home or office you can only carry so much
equipment in your bag. Every once in a while I empty the bag. If I haven’t used
something lately it stays home. Keep in mind I am primarily a landscape
photographer. If I make a trip to do something other than landscapes I may add
or subtract something. But for now, here is what I feel I can’t live without.
These gadgets are small, easy to carry, and priceless when you need them. Except for a couple of items I am not recommending brands. What you decide to use, and who makes it, is your preference.
Giottos Rocket Blaster – This is not really a gadget, but it
something you really must have in your bag. Use this to blow that dust off of
your lens, camera and sensor. I use it on the camera before I change lenses. I
also use it before I wipe a lens. Try to get as much dust off of the glass as
you can before touching it with a wet cloth. If your camera supports mirror up
sensor cleaning lock that mirror up and blow some of the dust off of the
sensor.
Hoodman Loupe - If you’ve never seen one of these, you place
it over your LCD display to allow you to see the display without outside light
and interference. This is a great tool for daylight shooting when it i shard to see that LCD screen. It really helps to
view the image and allows you to better check your composition. Recently I
used it at night and I loved it then too. From now on it will be around my neck whenever I am serious about a photo. When you get one you will wonder how
you lived without it.
Wireless remote control - When shooting landscapes your camera should be on a tripod. Releasing the shutter without touching the camera is the only way to go. Whether it’s made by your camera
manufacturer, and infrared, or another manufacturer and radiofrequency this is
a must have. Being able to control the shutter without touching the camera means
a more stable tripod mount and less shake. That equates to a photograph with
less motion blur. It also allows me to take the occasional photo of myself when
I am at a great location.
Right angle viewer - This device fits over your camera’s eye
piece and allows you to look at it from above, or one of the sides. I had been
looking at one of these for a couple of years. I finally got one this year and
I love it. It is kind of a specialized piece. You really only need it
sometimes. But for those low to the ground shots it is irreplaceable for a guy
with a constant pain in the neck.
Wireless interface for the camera – Right around the time
that I acquired my new camera late last year my laptop stopped working. While
the timing was bad financially, it was a blessing as I really needed more
processing power for the larger photos. To get the best computer possible on my
budget I decided to go with a desktop model. That means I can no longer process
photos while I am on the road. As a landscape photographer this isn’t a problem
as time is rarely an issue. However I do like to share a photo while traveling
and with the wireless interface Nikon makes I can do that right from my iPhone.
So these are the little things in my bag. What gadgets do you
consider a must have?
