In attempt to sate shutterbugs' voracious appetite for new gear, we've found some fun offbeat photography gadgets to help you shoot in new ways.
A squid-inspired suction cup mount for your camera
Fans of the versatile GorillaPod have a new accessory to play with. Austin-based Cinetics's CineSquid is a camera-mount system that affixes the flexible tripod to suction cups, allowing you to shoot with a brand new perspective. Some creative uses include mounting your SLR on windows, fish tanks and cars.
Given the precious cargo, it can be somewhat unnerving to put your faith in three suction cups. I'd urge you to carefully inspect the system and test it without a camera first just to make sure it can hold up. Since there are multiple points of connection, it's also important to ensure the GorillaPod legs are fastened securely to the suction cups and that the ballhead is tightened. If all looks good, you have an inventive accessory that will allow you to shoot from new angles.
The CineSquid system for the GorillaPod Focus tripod retails for $260. A smaller version, the miniSquid system, for the GorillaPod SLR-Zoom tripod costs $125.
A spy pen that covertly records video
Has the new Bond movie inspired you to search for your inner spy? Every spy relies on cool high-tech gadgets, and D.C.'s International Spy Museum has just the tool to help you covertly capture footage from a pen.
The MP9 digital pocket video recorder looks like an ordinary pen. While it writes, the real magic happens when you pop off the top. The top half of the pen has 4GB of storage and an embedded camera that shoots photos and videos. On a full charge, the pen can record 80 minutes of video and audio, perfect for capturing every last detail.
Despite the size, the image quality isn't too shabby at 1280x960 for photos and 640x480 for videos. The camera automatically adjusts for different lighting situations (though its performance is lacking in the dark) and outputs footage that's roughly in line with security cameras. However, there are some caveats. The pen lights up when it's in use — blue when recording, yellow during standby — compromising its stealthiness. Furthermore, don't expect to switch between photo and video modes without notice. It requires you to unscrew the two pieces and flip a very small switch, one that's all the more confusing because it's unmarked.
Publish and sell photo books with Blurb
If you're still searching for a thoughtful gift, remember that a photo is worth a thousand words. I'm not quite sure how many words that translates to with a custom photo book, but suffice it to say you've got thoughtful covered.
With Blurb, you can publish photo-rich coffee table books using your favorite images. Devotees of Facebook and Instagram, which I suppose are now one and the same, can directly import photos from their networks to easily fill up pages. You have three routes to create an e-, softcover or hardcover book: preset online templates, the company's BookSmart software which allows for custom photo and text layouts, and plug-ins for Adobe's Lightroom and InDesign (the latter of which gives you have full typographic and layout control).
Obviously, pricing depends on a number of factors, such as book size, pages, paper quality and more, but it begins at $10.95. Furthermore, you can also use Blurb's publishing platform to sell your own books.
OutRide transforms iPhone into sports action cam
The iPhone isn't just a hugely popular smartphone; it's a fantastic camera people happen to always have on them.
The OutRide ($149.95) by mophie is a durable case that transforms the iPhone into an point-of-view action camera. Featuring a polycarbonate housing, anodized aluminum bezel to protect a 170-degree wide-angle lens and quick-release mounting system, the OutRide is designed to go wherever your adventures take you. Thanks to interchangeable backs for dry and wet situations, you can also take on the elements (surfing vids, anyone?). The case itself is designed to be watertight, so there's only one button to start and stop recording. Since there aren't ports for headphones, you'll have to use a Bluetooth headset if you want to take calls or listen to music.
The mounting system has a software component, with an app that records in 30 and 60 frames per second. It also makes lets you easily share footage with friends via email, text message and social networks. One thing does strike me as odd, and it's that the OutRide launched in December for only the iPhone 4 and 4S. Sorry iPhone 5 owners.
Additional Photojojo treats
For fun photo-themed trinkets, Photojojo is the place to go. A few from the San Francisco-based company's gift guide caught my eye recently. There's the ever-adorable TreeBling ($25) aka ornaments in the shape of old Polaroids and SLRs — great for hanging on a tree or homemade mobile. Additionally, there's the GetIntoFocusLensMug ($15), a dishwasher-safe ceramic mug with so much detail — auto/manual focus, focus ring and number of milliliters in lieu of a focal length — you might mistake it for something from your glass collection, except of course, this one holds coffee.
Source: http://www.news.theusalinks.com/2012/12/15/surf-report-best-new-photography-gadgets/
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