12 Great Gadgets for Summer Picture Taking

12 Great Gadgets for Summer Picture Taking

Imaging Accessories to Enhance Photo Shooting at Home and on the Road

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Summer-Access-Banner

Summer is the prime season for outdoor activities: traveling, hiking, water sports, beach parties and more. And going hand in hand with these warm-weather adventures is summer picture taking! Indeed, published stats on picture taking invariably show that the number of pictures taken worldwide peak during the summer months. When temperatures are balmy and the days are longer, folks tend to spend more time outdoors—and they bring their cameras.

To help maximize your customers’ picture-taking possibilities and enhance their summertime shooting satisfaction, promote accessories. This is an effective strategy for building customer relationships. And adding accessories to big-ticket camera and lens purchases is a great way to offset the relatively low profit margins on cameras. It also helps to combat the intense competitive pressure from big-box stores and Internet consolidators.

Camera specialty stores are optimally positioned to demonstrate and sell accessories by leveraging their superior knowledge base and the relationships they’ve already established with their best customers. And on a percentage basis, photo accessories almost always have a higher profit margin than cameras. It’s even possible to generate more profit in actual dollars by selling a $100 accessory than a $500 camera!

Creatively displaying and promoting items like protective gear, belt packs, travel tripods, flash units, brackets, filters, lens-cleaning kits and summertime-specific accessories is a great way to perk up sales. If your customers are in the market for a new camera or a longer zoom for a DSLR, by all means add a suitable accessory to the mix. How about a high-capacity, high-speed memory card to capture sports action or HD video?

Customers will appreciate your expertise, and they’ll also be much more likely to return to purchase those coveted big-ticket items when the time comes. Indeed, one of the surest signs your business model is on the right track is achieving robust accessory sales.

    Awesome Accessories for Summer Picture Taking

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Zing Designs Large DSLR Reversible Camera Cover

Zing Designs Reversible Camera Cover

This attractive, one-piece, wraparound neoprene cover stretches over the lens, securing without buckles or snaps. Available in a range of sizes and colors, it has a removable retainer strap that clips into the camera strap to keep the cover out of the way of the lens while shooting. The large-size DSLR reversible camera cover is designed to accommodate consumer-size DSLRs with lenses up to four inches long. Its closure system fits snugly around the camera to provide maximum weather resistance with minimal bulk. It weighs only 5 ounces and folds for easy storage when not in use. In blue or gray, $24.99. tiffen.com

Manfrotto-Compact-Monopod-advanced
Manfrotto Compact Monopod Advanced

Manfrotto Compact Monopod Advanced

A monopod is a great ultra-portable accessory that takes up little space and can add crucial stability when shooting in dim light or with long telephoto lenses. This sturdy aluminum and technopolymer unit folds to 16.3 inches and extends to an eye-level 61.3 inches.

In addition, the five-section monopod will support cameras up to 6.6 pounds and weighs just 12.3 ounces itself. The device has fast-operating flip locks for easy setup and a quick wheel that lets users hold the camera with one hand while mounting it with the other. An ergonomic soft grip and a wrist strap add security. $34.99. manfrotto.us

Seagate Backup Plus Slim USB 3.0 Drive

Taking a portable, high-capacity hard drive along lets travelers back up their images and videos on the fly—and also free up space on memory cards. This sleek 2TB external drive measures a compact 4.5×3.0x0.5 inches and weighs only 0.4 pound. It is bus-powered via a superfast USB 3.0 connection and features a maximum sustained read/write speed of 100MB/s with a spindle speed of 5,400 rpm.

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Seagate Backup Plus Slim USB 3.0 Drive

The Seagate Dashboard includes a protect function that lets users schedule automatic backups in one click. It also includes save and capture features for acquiring and backing up files from social media. Plus, a share feature uploads multiple files to social networks. With a protective metal finish, the drive is compatible with Mac and Windows systems. A 2TB drive in blue, red, silver or black, $99.99. seagate.com

Sigma 2.0x Teleconverter EX APO DG

This highly corrected 2x converter mounts directly behind the lens to double its effective focal length while losing only two stops of light to enhance shooting flexibility on the go. For example, a 50mm f/1.4 lens becomes a 100mm f/2.8, and an 85mm f/1.4 lens becomes a 170mm f/2.8.

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Sigma 2.0x Teleconverter EX APO DG

The teleconverter also maintains communication between the lens and the camera so autoexposure (AE) and autofocus (AF) functions operate normally. Multicoated to maximize light transmission and minimize flare and ghosting, it’s a compact, lightweight alternative to carrying extra lenses.

The 2.0x teleconverter comes in Canon EF, Nikon F and Sigma SA mounts. With case and body/rear caps, $299. sigmaphoto.com

Sirui DayTripper 15 Backpack

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Sirui DayTripper 15 Backpack

Perfect for traveling or just a day’s outing, this stylish photo backpack will accommodate a standard-size DSLR or full-frame mirrorless camera with zoom lens attached and two additional lenses. It can also store a 15-inch laptop and a 10-inch tablet. The backpack provides a top compartment that can be used for personal items such as a sweater, notebook, wallet, etc.

There is also a pouch for holding a water bottle or the company’s signature product—a Sirui tripod. Other features include: an ergonomic, adjustable shoulder harness; an air-run ventilation system to keep the wearer’s back cool; a rain cover; and an exclusive Twiz-Lock security system to deter theft of its contents. The pack measures 12.6×18.9×7.1 inches and weighs 2.67 pounds. $159.95. sirui.com

Davis & Sanford Traverse Tripod

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Davis & Sanford Traverse

The versatile Traverse TR553-P228 travel tripod fulfills its mission by folding to a mere 12 inches. It does this by pivoting its legs back 180º over the easy-glide center post. Fitting easily in most camera bags, the aluminum tripod weighs in at only 2.6 pounds. Moreover, that’s including its dual-control ball head with calibrated base. It also features an Arca Swiss-compatible quick release. The tripod extends to 53 inches and has a robust carrying capacity of 10 pounds. Moreover, its sturdy 23mm-diameter, five-section legs have freezeproof, rubberized twist locks, three-position independent leg-angle adjustments, foam-cushioned insulators and rubberized tips. With padded case, $99.95. davisandsanford.com

ROR Residual Oil Remover

ROR-Residual_Oil_Remover

This is the right stuff for cleaning multicoated lenses and electrical contacts. And it’s used by many top camera repair outfits. ROR is designed to emulsify and remove the microscopic film of oil residing on equipment surfaces caused by environmental pollution. It can be applied with a clean microfiber cloth moistened in the solution. Several applications may be needed to remove the multilayer accumulation of oils, pollution and dirt on some surfaces.

It will safely clean lenses, scanners, LCD screens, TVs, iPods and the like, but is not recommended for use on focusing screens, CCD/CMOS sensors or internal antialiasing filters. 1 ounce, $5.50; 2 ounces, $9. ror.net

Sigma WR Ceramic Protector Filter

Many experienced shooters use a clear or UV filter over their lenses to protect their precious glass from dust, sand, scratching and direct physical impact. The Sigma WR Ceramic Protector filter takes this protection to a higher level, employing a super-hard ceramic substrate.

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Sigma WR Ceramic Protector Filter

The filter combines an impressive 99.7% transmittance value, a hardness greater than chemically strengthened glass and greater flexibility than sapphire crystal. As a result, it delivers superior shock, scratch and impact resistance even under adverse conditions. The ceramic filter also features a water-repellent, antistatic coating that resists water droplets and fingerprint smudging, and is also easy to clean. The filter comes in sizes from 67mm to 105mm. $93–$315. sigmaphoto.com

Impact 5-in-1 Collapsible Circle Reflector

This handy light reflector/diffuser comes with two ergonomic, 32-inch handles that offer a firm hold for easier positioning and bouncing available light. Five different surfaces allow users to control ambient light to enhance their photography while traveling or just poolside. They can use the silver, gold, white and black reflective surfaces as well as the diffuser to alter the light into a desired look.

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Impact 5-in-1 Collapsible Circle Reflector

A flexible steel frame allows the reflector to collapse down to one-third its original size for easy transport. Lightweight, once folded it can be stored inside the included carry bag. $38.95. impactstudiolighting.com

B-Grip Uno Camera Holster

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B-Grip Uno Camera Holster

The Uno is aimed at photographers looking for a comfortable way to carry a camera on the go while still being quick on the draw. With a weight capacity of 11 pounds, the cleverly designed holster accommodates a compact mirrorless or bridge camera. It attaches easily to a belt, bag or backpack, and the camera is vertically suspended to keep the lens from accidental bumping.

The B-Grip comes with various mounting hardware, including tightening nuts and a steel U-bolt. It includes a quick-release plate that attaches to the camera with a brass screw to protect the tripod thread. Moreover, a release lever with an orange safety lock aids in easy, secure mounting or removal of the camera. An Arca-type mounting plate makes transferring from holster to handheld to tripod convenient. Measuring 4.5×3.6×1.0 inches, it weighs 5.7 ounces. $39.99. bgrip.com

Pelican Protector Micro Case

These water-resistant, crushproof and dustproof cases from Pelican come in a range of sizes as well as colors. The cool 1040 micro case is made of strong, durable polymer with a rubber liner that doubles as an O-ring seal. Available in clear with a color liner or solid, the case is designed for carrying small items like cell phones and electronic gear.

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Pelican Protector Micro Cases

A pressure-equalization valve balances the interior and exterior pressure and keeps water out. With an easy-open latch, the case features stainless steel hardware and comes with a carabiner. Furthermore, able to float in salt water with a payload up to 1.3 pounds, it can withstand temperatures from -10ºF to 199ºF. The 1040 micro case measures 6.5×3.9×1.8 inches (interior) and weighs 11 ounces. In black, yellow, blue or red, $13.95–$17.50. pelican.com

Tiffen ND Filter

Tiffen’s variable neutral density filter has a rotating ring that can be set to provide from two to eight stops of light reduction. This lets users shoot at wider apertures to achieve creative bokeh effects in portraits as well as landscapes, or shoot at slower shutter speeds to blur motion for a more natural look, as with a waterfall. The ND filter has a wider profile front ring to minimize vignetting.

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Tiffen ND Filter

Tiffen’s graduated 0.6 ND filter can reduce the exposure by two stops in selected areas of the frame, such as an expanse of sky. Moreover, it has a feathered edge between the density and clear areas to create a natural looking taper.

ND filters do not affect an images’ overall coloration, and Tiffen filters are manufactured using the proprietary ColorCore process to ensure uniformity. 67mm size: variable ND, $120.85; graduated 0.6 ND, $49.99. tiffen.com

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