Photo Accessory Reviews

My friend Kasia (not her real name) bought a Click Bit bracelet last month to track her photography activity and immediately became obsessed with recording every detail of her camera life. Not passively obsessive, either—she’s become a compulsive, fanatical, evangelistic, raving maniac. But let’s go back to when she was still just chubby Kassie…

As new cameras continue to offer higher and higher resolution, and many photographers are shooting and saving memory-intensive Raw files and 4K video, some of us have begun to outgrow the capacity of our storage devices. Seagate has addressed this issue with the introduction of a new 10TB drive that combines enormous storage capacity with high performance and a relatively affordable price.

When people asked legendary editor Herbert Keppler why he sometimes wrote about cameras costing more than the average photographer could afford, he told me it was because of the Maserati factor. “Most people,” he said, “can’t afford a Maserati but like reading about them.” And I get that. My personal dream car is a 1961 Maserati 3500 GT, which sells for north of $450,000. Fortunately, medium format cameras, while expensive, cost less than that.

THE GOODS is a new feature in Shutterbug that spotlights the hottest premium photo gear out there.

You don’t compromise on the camera you choose, so why do that with the neck strap, sling or harness you use while shooting? There are a variety of attractive options that combine improved functionality with style, and here are seven of our favorites for carrying your DSLR or mirrorless camera.

I think my urge to customize cameras comes from a love of cars. I can’t seem to leave my cars alone and each one has touches that make it unique. I think that’s why everybody gets really personal when it comes to finding, using, and often treasuring photographic accessories, gadgets, and gizmos. It helps if the source is obscure, foreign, and off the beaten track, which only adds to the exclusivity. And why not? The whole idea is to seek out photo accessories that accomplish something camera and lens manufacturers didn’t think to make but perfectly fills a niche in your own photographic pursuits.

Here are seven affordable photo gifts that are fun to give or receive. Prices range from $25 to $99 and all can be ordered from the comfort of your keyboard. Happy holidays!