favourite gadget

[Skyman]

What is your favourite gadget? what is that piece of kit that you really don't need but you love anyway? for me it is my angle finder. It is really handy when you are pushed up against a wall and crave that little bit more room. It zooms so I can really check focus and it saves my neck when doing macro stuff and anything where my camera position makes it akward to get my head behind the viewfinder. I also use it as a waist level finder (not that it gives me a full field of view but it helps) and this can make for much more relaxed potraits, especially with those who are a little camera shy. It is also not the sort of thing that many people have so it can make me look like I know more than I actually do!

[n8]

Angle finder? Never heard of it. Sounds like something I don't need but would be happy to have.
My favorite gadget would be my lensbaby...unless of course we're considering that a lens and not a gadget. If that's the case then my battery grip is certainly a staple.

[Frog]

Don't know if you'd call it a gadget as it is on the camera but my lcd cover for the D80 was pretty messed up so I got one of these to replace it.
Works good for me and I don't have to worry about scratching up the cover anymore.

http://www.adorama.com/ICDDND80S.html

[Liz]

Great thread!

So far the only thing that I can think of right now that I am "attached" to isn't exactly a gadget - but I just can't seem to live without it - is a small camera bag that I had purchased for one of my "G" series Canons. It is a bit large for many of today's p&s cameras, and small for a dslr. I sold all my Canon equipment and could not sell or give away this wonderful camera bag! It even has "Canon" in 3D plastic/rubber letters on it.

Just this morning, I tried putting my E-PL1 with the 20mm/f1.7 lens in the bag - and it just fits! Alleluia! I am psyched! So I have my Olympus in a nice Canon bag.

Yes, I admit, it is a bit crazy, but then sometimes it's fun to be a little weird.

Maybe I'll think of something a bit closer to a gadget, and I look forward to seeing what other gadgets people enjoy. Great thread!

Liz

[SmartWombat]

Cullmann travel kit.
2 foot 3-section tripod, ball head, suction mount, ball head, clamp mount, metal ground spike, screw, all lightweight and easy to pack for travel.
Good for the micro 4/3 and not so good for the 1D bodies.

[MNRyan]

For me it would have to be a my Gary Fong Lightsphere. It makes indoor portraits possible, especially in low light.

http://www.garyfongestore.com/flash-...alf-cloud.html

[drg]

If it isn't one of the many cleaning, dusting gizmos like all the different Spudz combos I have it may be 'the Pod'. The Pod is a bean bag with a tripod screw that lets you mount a camera to it and then plop it down 'anywhere'. For some purposes its pretty handy. And other times it worse than setting the camera on a flat surface. I always have one with me when I am carrying anything more than 'just a camera'. You can empty the 'beans' out then fill it on site with rocks or whatever is handy too!

The Pod is far more compact than a tripod that will safely support a full size DSLR and in a pinch can be a real shot saver. But I don't need it, but I've still got three of 'em.

[Frog]

Does my car count as a gadget?

[n8]

For me it would have to be a my Gary Fong Lightsphere. It makes indoor portraits possible, especially in low light.

http://www.garyfongestore.com/flash-...alf-cloud.html

Wow, $60 bucks for that thing. I made one out of an old ricotta cheese container for however much it cost me to cut it up a bit. I'm sure it's a bit less effective though.

[Old Timer]

I have several gadgets that I like and use, but at the moment it would be my Think Tank Pocket Rocket. It holds 10 CF cards in a nice compact case with a safty strap so I don't set it down some where and lose all my cards.

Here is a ink to it http://www.thinktankphoto.com/produc...rd-holder.aspx

[NaturalWoman]

well i LOVE my remote control. can't seem to take a picture without it or at least i hate to. great for self portraits and i do a lot of them.

also not a gadget is the swivel screen on my olympus e620. i absolutely LOVE it. i'm glad i don't have to contort my body or bend down much or at all just to see what i'm photographing. now i'm spoiled, i don't want a dslr without one. when i bought my used evolt 410, the first thing i tried to do was pull out the LCD screen, then i said d'oh! it doesn't have one.

[mjs1973]

My kayak seems to be my newest photo tool but I don't think I would call it a gadget. I like the Spudz micro fiber cloths that I clip to my camera strap so one is always handy. My ghillie suit works great if I'm planning on sitting for a long time in the wild along with my camp chair. Makes sitting on the ground much more comfortable and allows me to sit for much longer periods of time.

[MNRyan]

Wow, $60 bucks for that thing. I made one out of an old ricotta cheese container for however much it cost me to cut it up a bit. I'm sure it's a bit less effective though.

It doesn't look like much, but you'd be amazed at the difference it makes. Plus you can get different attachments for it depending on what you use it for. But you can make some of them yourself.

[mjs1973]

One gadget I forgot to mention. I love my 12" reflectors. They fold up very small, they are light weight and can really help bring some great light and color to your subject when the light isn't quite perfect.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...it_INT246.html

[JETA]

Mine would be my Lumiquest softbox.

http://www.lumiquest.com/products/softbox.htm

[mjs1973]

Mine would be my Lumiquest softbox.

http://www.lumiquest.com/products/softbox.htm

I got one of those too! I don't use my flash much, but when I do, I like the Lumiquest!

[JamesV]

Man I guess I don't have any gadgets... As I can't count the battery grip as a gadget. Looks like I'll have to look around for a new gadget and get it...

I did pick up a gorillapod for my gf's p&s and she loves it....

James

[Liz]

Gadget - this? Debateable - but I LOVE it! It's my favorite new toy.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...us_260057.html

Liz

[OldClicker]

Mine would be my Hoodman Loupe. - TF

[mjs1973]

Another little gadget that I use all the time is a level that slips into the hot shoe. Kind of expensive for what they are but they sure do come in handy. I have a 2 axis, there is also a 3 axis level on the market now.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Flash_Hot.html