Favourite Gadgets

[Antsl]

Righto people, here's a chance to influence the editorial content of a magazine!

I'm working on a gadgets story at the moment and I thought I would throw open the question to you all ... what is your favourite gadget that you use when you're out doing photography. The last time I wrote this feature for a mag it included everything from ipods to dental floss! All thoughts and considerations appreciated.

Cheers for now,
Antsl!

[TonyH]

Without question on the D70, the remote control. As there is no synch cable it really is invaluable.

Tony

[wendellt]

4 pieces of carboard and blu-tac for my flash matte idea

out of several pieces of cardboard 4 beigng the max i can construct different shapes joining them with blu tac then i get someone to old this cardbaord piece thing a couple of cm away from the cardboard shapes he light produced, sorry if i can't expalin it better

[phillipb]

I don't do weddings anymore, but when I did, the most invaluable gadget ( gadgets) was some lead wights which I had covered with white silk and lace.
They were fantastic for holding the dress and veil down on a windy day.

[Geoff]

I don't do weddings anymore, but when I did, the most invaluable gadget ( gadgets) was some lead wights which I had covered with white silk and lace.
They were fantastic for holding the dress and veil down on a windy day.

Very nifty idea Phillip!

I find the PSD an invaluable gadget out for extended times.

[terminaltackle]

Gee Wendellt, I like the blu tac idea that could be real handy. As for me it is a swiss army pocket knife. Its like having a mini tool kit with you.

Brett

[nito]

Nothing as extreme as the others but I take a sat nav to get to a new location.

[gstark]

Gaffa tape

Useful for all manner of things.

Especially if you've lent something to Wendell.

[DaveB]

Favourite gadget? Probably the camera...
Do you really want a full run-down on the gear we take? It's all gadgets!

"Double-bubble" hotshoe spirit level?
WhiBal?

[mR_CaESaR]

i tend to use a remote release 90% of the time i'm shooting with a tripod which has been about 80% of the time lately.

love the remote release!

[birddog114]

Lollies to make the kids smile and stay still.

[Killakoala]

Giotto Rocket air duster. For keeping those annoying dust bunnies off my CCD. It's always in my bag and always ready to go. It's saved me from doing a wet clean, time and again.

[Matt. K]

My anti moire pattern brush. By brushing it over anything with fine detail it prevents moire. Works a charm.

[moz]

love the remote release!

Ditto. First unexpected accessory I bought with the new camera after discovering just how much I missed it. Curse Canon for only putting IR receivers on their cheap cameras - the cordless remote for the "high end" <cough> cameras is ludicrously expensive, so I bought the cheap eBay version. The Canon IR one is under $50 IIRC.

[mikephotog]

Gaffa tape (everything from taping down leads to brain surgery), and the IR remote for my D70.

And while waiting for that perfect light (or on the way to work on the train) my PDA for watching downloaded episodes of Lost/Prison Break/Sopranos etc) Yes ! I know I need to get a life

And for Kite Aerial Photography, my el cheapo 2megapix Ricoh camera which has built in interval timing.

[Antsl]

Thanks for the comments guys... all appreciated. Out of curiosity Mike, where do you get a kite to do aerial photography?
Cheers, Antsl

[jerrysk8]

hmmm. where do i start. sekonic L-358, pocket wizards, ...

[mikephotog]

Antsl,

I use a Delta Conyne which is a cross between a Delta and a box kite.
http://www.aka.org.au/plans/dc.html
Mine was bought from a local hobby shop.
I have some pics at home I can email you of my set up.
Otherwise do a google for KAP or Kite Aerial Photography, be warned there are heaps of pages on this hobby. One of the best is http://arch.ced.berkeley.edu/kap/

[Alpha_7]

That KAP link is cool, thanks for sharing. Pity none of my now obsolete P&S don't have a timed shutter release.

[mR_CaESaR]

i forgot to also list the meaguires mircofibre cloth, i love using that thing with confidence on my front element, very very handy to get all those dust specs out.

[ozimax]

A 2ltr bottle of water, for washing the sand off my feet after a few hours on the headland, or to drink, plus some sunscreen so I don't burn to a crisp A South Sydney cap, plus a pair of long shorts with numerous pockets for lens caps, extra Cf cards etc, plus business cards to give out to prospective customers in the beach carpark. That's all. I may have gotten off topic here...

The duct tape idea is also good. It can be used for almost any emergency, even taping obnoxious overbearing mother-in-laws' mouths shut during photo sessions...

[Alpha_7]

obnoxious overbearing mother-in-laws'

Tautology alert

[PiroStitch]

Bottle of water is your friend

Also a mini tripod...one of the el cheapo ones from teds. Been handy for low angle shots in poor lighting + nice to be able to mount the sb800 to the side if I'm using my "proper" tripod for the camera.

[ozimax]

[

Should it be superfluous triple negative adjectives?

[Hendrix]

I also use lead weights( used wheel ballancing) wrapped in white, white paperclips and pins and gaffertape and also couple of plasic clamps to hang drapes or hold a small slave flash.


hendrix