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dPS Writer’s Favorite Photography Gadgets

We sure do love our photography gadgets, so I thought it would be fun to see what things our dPS writers like to have in their bags. Things that are super handy to have – above and beyond the obvious camera and a lens.

Eddy 1

By Eddy 1

This is what they a few of them had to say (in alphabetical order by last name, just so there are no favorites):

Helen Bradley

James Brandon

  • Opteka RC-3 Wireless Remote Control for Sony Alpha line) – A little $7 remote that works for the Sony Alpha line. Great alternative to the expensive Sony option, and it hasn’t let me down yet. Great for long exposures whether it’s 30 seconds or 30 minutes.
  • Mindshift Filter Hive – An extremely well-made filter pouch from the makers of the Rotation 180 backpack. Fits all of my filters with room to spare and can easily be hung over my tripod while out shooting, for quick and easy access.Filter Nest by Mindshift Gear review
  • Coast HP14 High Performance Focusing 629 Lumen LED Flashlight – The best flashlight you’ll find for light painting. Puts out a clean, daylight balanced, light source at 339 lumens and runs on AA batteries. Push/pull focus mode let’s you easily focus the beam, or scatter it, and has two brightness modes (full power and low at 56 lumens).

Meredith Clark

Leanne Cole

Carl Berger

By Carl Berger

Ben Evans

IMG_2208Tim Gilbreath

Ivo Guimarães

Jim Hamel

Lea Hawkins

  • Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control – Well, I’m not really into gear or gadgets. The only gadget I have is a remote shutter release, or “The Clicky Thingy” as we refer to it in the studio. Mainly used to avoid camera shake on long exposures, and occasionally to amuse/relax portrait subjects by telling them I am so confident in them as a portrait subject that I don’t even need to look as I click over my shoulder, with my back to them and the camera.
  • Other than that, I’d say any small flash light for light painting and my mobile phone camera with different apps. The latter being the most useful of the three, I use it on almost every shoot.

Darlene Hildebrandt (that’s me)

  • Promaster 77mm Variable Neutral Density Filter – I don’t use a lot of gadgets or filters but I always have this one in my bag. I use it to shoot waterfalls, or to get a larger aperture in bright sunlight.
  • Promaster Go! Universal Digital Battery Charger – this thing is a life saver! It is a battery charger on steroids because it has an internal battery itself. Plug it in and charge it up, and you can then charge about 4-5 batteries on the road, while driving, or away from electricity. Great for travellers or back country hikers.
  • Pacsafe Carrysafe 200, Black, One Size – Another travel must have item, especially if you visit third world countries where your camera is equal to a year’s salary for some people. This strap is slash proof, and locks so they can’t just slide it off without your knowledge. Keeps your camera safe – I have a purse made by the same guys too!
  • A headlamp! I always have one in my bag for night shooting so I can use it to see, or do light painting.
Joe Loong

By Joe Loong

Daniel Korzeniewski

  • Peak Design CapturePRO Camera Clip – Great for quick access to the camera on the go. I can attach it to the strap of my shoulder bag, a belt, or to the straps of a backpack. It can be easily attached to almost anything and your camera is always handy.
  • MagGrip – One the most clever ways to attach diffusers to any flash without being cumbersome, and they are always ready. I particular use the grids, the color gels and… MagBounce
  • NEEWER® 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel LED Light – This is a little but powerful LED light. I use it mainly as fill for portraits when shooting outdoors, I like the fact that is easy to see the effect right on your subject.

Lynsey Mattingly

John McIntire

  • Wil C. Fry

    By Wil C. Fry

    Extension tubesdPS Writer's Favorite Photography Gadgets – Non-mechanical Extension Tubes: They can be a bit finicky since you’re stuck with your lens’ widest aperture and only manual focus but they’re really cheap and so much fun to use.

  • Huion® L4S Tracing Light Box USB Powered with Adjustable Light Intensity – Light Box: Good as a light source that you can put your subject directly onto. Also, unlike my ipad, I’m willing to put food and liquid on it.
  • Index Cards: Always in my camera bag. Taped or rubber banded to a flashgun that’s pointed straight up, they can diffuse the light just as well as any of the much more expensive plastic diffusers on the market.

Alex Morrison

  • A flash diffuser for macro shooting, made from a plastic milk jug (a possible future dPS DIY article)

Gina Milicia

Suzi Pratt

Simon Ringsmuth

Danielle Werner

Ariane Colenbrander

By Ariane Colenbrander

  • BlackRapid RS2SW-1AS Women’s Camera Strap (Black) – This camera strap is a life saver. It keeps your camera secure to your hip, easy to bring up to your face without getting tangled, and you can drop it and it slides right down by your side. It keeps the camera out of your way when not using it, plus your neck will be happy that it’s not sore from shooting and traveling all day long
  • Zeiss lens wipesdPS Writer's Favorite Photography Gadgets – They are so necessary when shooting all around the world. You never know what could get on those lenses when traveling. These wipes are great for all parts of the camera too.
  • Camera backpacksdPS Writer's Favorite Photography Gadgets – This is ideal when you never know where you are going to be and when! Camera is always safe and secure. Plus it’s out of the way and always with you.

Bruce Wonderlich

Scott Wyden Kivowitz

  • X-Rite MSCCPP ColorChecker Passport – Being a colorblind photographer I find this tool, and its Lightroom software counterpart, essential to my everyday photography workflow. It helps me achieve the most accurate color.

    Jerry Liu

    By Jerry Liu

  • Trigger TrapdPS Writer's Favorite Photography Gadgets – I always carry my TriggerTrap with me because it enables me to do much more than what is possible with a standard cable release. I can trigger by motion, sound and much more.
  • AquaTech Tripod Leg Pad – Set of 2, Soft Feel, High Abrasion Resistance – I didn’t want a permanent leg wrap for my tripod, and when I found these I was pleasantly surprised by their comfort and easy of adjustment.

What are your go-to photography gadgets, or non-photography related ones? Please share in the comments below – we all might need a shopping list when we’re done!

Read more from our Cameras & Equipment category

Darlene Hildebrandt
Darlene Hildebrandt

is an educator who teaches aspiring amateurs and hobbyists how to improve their skills through free articles on her website Digital Photo Mentor and online photography classes. She also teaches all about photo editing using Lightroom, Photoshop, and Luminar Neo and has courses available on all three.

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