| PMA Editorial Bank |
| Accessorizing your point-and-shoot camera If you have purchased a typical point-and-shoot digital camera, there are a number of accessories that will make your photography better and easier. For example, most point-and-shoot cameras are equipped with LCD monitors/viewfinders. In fact, many cameras are no longer designed with eyelevel viewfinders, so that picture composition is done at arm’s length, viewing the LCD screen. In bright sunlight, the LCD screen is difficult to see clearly. The answer is a folding LCD shade that protects the screen from excessive light. Delkin Devices (www.delkin.com) designed the $25 Universal Pop-Up Shade particularly for point-and-shoot cameras. Available in exact LCD screen sizes (1.6-, 1.8-, 2-, and 2.5-inch models) the small folding “awnings” attach to cameras with adhesive strips along its outer frame; they hold the device firmly in place. The Pop-Up Shades are available in sliver or black, so you can select one to match your camera. When not in use, the unit folds flat against the camera body. When needed, it is flipped up for picture taking like a car’s sun visor. It can be removed at any time without damaging the camera. Most point-and-shoot cameras don’t offer connections for accessory flash units, such as hot-shoe contacts found on digital SLRs. Small cameras have a very weak flash unit that illuminates subjects only at distances of 10 feet or closer. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have additional flash power. The solution is a slave flash unit. This is a wireless automatic flash unit that fires at the same moment as your camera’s built-in flash. The light from the camera’s flash triggers the slave flash unit and it can fire from remote locations in a room. If you have a buddy, or an assistant, he or she can hold the slave flash in position while you take a photo. The only requirement is that the slave flash sensor must be able to “see” your camera’s flash. There are a large variety of slave flash units available, ranging from large heavy-duty units for about $50 to small pocket-size models for less than $20. Ask your photo dealer about these units, or browse online photographic supply websites. If you are interested in low-illumination or nighttime photography, you may be getting blurred photos due to camera movement. With poorly illuminated scenes, the camera shutter may remain open for several seconds. What you need is a camera stabilization device. Of course, a full-size tripod would fit the bill, but most amateurs don’t like to drag these big, three-legged monsters around. There are other options. For example, miniature flat-folding tabletop tripods are only 6 inches long; they can be placed on any flat surface, such as a car roof or wooden fence post. Small beanbags can be draped over railings or car hoods with the camera nestled into a “pocket” in the bag. Strap devices can be wrapped around a small tree and heavy-duty clamps that attach to doors, pipes, rails, or anything less than 2.2 inches thick. Each of these devices will fit into a small camera bag. Again, talk to your photo retailer or look for items online. If your point-and-shoot camera has a threaded lens mount for filters, you can also use supplementary telephoto and wide-angle lenses. Many camera manufacturers offer special conversion lenses that match their cameras’ optics. These accessory lenses fit over cameras’ regular lenses and typically provide conversions for a 2X telephoto effect, or a 0.45X wide-angle, which doubles the standard viewing angle. The price range for third-party lenses is typically from $37 to $100, while camera manufacturers’ dedicated supplementary lenses can be as high as $200. Kenko offers a $69 Magnetic 0.45X Wide-Angle Lens for digital cameras lacking threaded lens mounts; the conversion lens is held to the camera body by magnets. When using supplementary lenses, the photos you take must be previewed on your camera’s LCD monitor or electronic viewfinder. The resulting images aren’t seen through a camera’s eyelevel optical viewfinder. We’ve covered come of the important accessories, but don’t forget to upgrade your camera’s memory card. Today, a 1 GB (gigabyte) memory card is less expensive than ever before (about $79). With a 1 GB card, you can take more photos and higher-resolution images without running out of memory space. Also, have extra batteries, even if your battery is rechargeable. By carrying extra batteries, you’ll never run out of juice in the middle of a picture-taking session. Now that you have all these accessories, why not buy a protective case or camera bag to keep them with your camera when you are traveling? Small photo bags come in many shapes and styles, ranging among shoulder bags, handbags, fanny packs and backpacks. Again, see what’s available at your photo specialty store or online. |