Photo Accessory Reviews

Designed for professionals, enthusiasts, schools, and clubs, the OpticFilm 120 scanner from Plustek ($1999) can handle negative and positive film, including 35mm filmstrips, individual 35mm slides, and medium format film up to 6x12cm format. The scanner contains an eight-element glass lens and can deliver up to 10,600dpi optical resolution, with a claimed 4.01 dynamic range using the supplied SilverFast software’s Multi-Exposure function. The tabletop scanner is about the size of a six-slice restaurant toaster (about 8x14.5x7.5”) and is supplied with a complete set of very well-constructed film holders, an IT8 calibration target, and a full version (not a trial) of SilverFast Ai Studio 8 software.

Need some professional-looking shots of small items for eBay or website use? Here’s another option with a brand name that’s been around for decades.

File this one under “Having fun with photos while temporarily housebound.” reStickity prints your images on durable peel & stick adhesive material that can safely be attached, removed and then reattached to virtually any surface without damaging the wallboard, refrigerator door, corkboard or plaster (etc.) you attach it to. Put an end to crummy tape scum forever.

Who can resist the sumptuous appeal of a finely-crafted, genuine leather bag? Combined with elegant styling and superb workmanship, the common camera sling can be elevated to an explicit work of art, an everlasting leather heirloom, even. GRAMS(28), a Hong Kong-based leather goods brand, offers the 172 Camera Sling, a gorgeous and roomy camera shoulder bag that delivers on these potentials. That said, some questionable construction decisions may mar its appeal to ardent photographers. Hear me out…

Edit directly on the image with this exciting and very affordable ($399) creative graphics tablet from industry giant Wacom. Frankly, using it was about the most fun I've had since I discovered Photoshop 2.0 in 1991.

If you're into editing digital images, producing digital art, or any other activity related to graphics, you've heard of Wacom. They have been providing imaging professionals with outstanding products for nearly 40 years. If you don't already know about the Wacom One interactive tablet, read on.

So you’re shopping for a new SD card and confused by all the options. These memory cards are available in various capacities, and read/write speeds and other specs differ widely. And what about the difference between SD, SDHC, SCHX, and SDUC cards?

Shortly after I moved into my former home, there was a knock at the door. Standing in front of me was an 8-year-old girl who lived down the street. “I’m selling note cards,” she told me, “I made the pictures.” A second look showed subjects a kid might shoot but others demonstrated that she was thinking about the photographs before making them. I bought several note cards and asked about her camera, which turned out to be borrowed. With her grandmother’s permission I gave her an old, unused digital point-and-shoot. The girl loved the camera and was inspired to keep making photographs and we talked from time to time about her aspirations. Today she’s a young woman with professional ambitions.