Accessory Roundup: CP+ Edition
Welcome to the weekend, everyone! This week was CP+, which means a ton of news about cameras, lenses, and – you guessed it – accessories. There's a ton to get through, so let's get right to it.
The sales Photo: Dale BaskinWe recently wrapped up our review of Panasonic's video-focused GH7, apparently just in time for it to go on sale. It's currently available for $200 off MSRP.
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo Photo: Richard ButlerIf you're looking for a camera that still has capable video specs but focuses more on stills, the Nikon Z6III is also on sale for $300 off.
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at MPB Camera tracking Image: Elevation LabIf you've ever worried about losing your camera or having it stolen, this next product may be for you. The Elevation Lab TagVault Camera Plate is a carbon fiber Arca Swiss tripod plate that has a secret compartment for an AirTag, Apple's small accessory that will track an item's location. The plate attaches to your camera using a security Torx screw.
The theory is that if someone were to make off with your camera, they may not think to take the tripod plate off, which means you would be able to see its location and potentially recover it. The plates are $20 each but are also available in a two-pack for $30.
Buy at Amazon The Cape Image: DxOMany photographers will be familiar with DxO's software, but apparently, the company is also interested in soft goods. As part of its announcement of a "Photographers Club," the company said it was working on what it calls a "photo storm cape." It's essentially what it says on the tin: a piece of clothing designed to keep you and your camera dry, even in heavy rain.
The company hasn't released that many details on it yet – apparently it plans to launch a Kickstarter "soon" – but it has said it uses "premium high-tech materials" and offers "exceptional comfort and style." It also appears to offer a window in the front flap that lets you see your camera's monitor without exposing it to the elements.
The compact camera holster Image: BillinghamFamed camera bag maker Billingham has released what it's calling its "first ever camera bag designed for compact cameras" like the Fujifilm X100V, Leica D-LUX or Ricoh GR 3. The bag, called the Ten-16, is available in a variety of colors, such as red, yellow or green and comes with a removable leather shoulder strap. If you're lucky enough to have gotten one of the compact cameras the bag is designed for, it could be a fashionable way to keep it at hand.
Buy at Billingham SSD To Go Image: AngelbirdStorage company Angelbird has released a new portable SSD, which uses a USB 4.0 interface to sustain write speeds of up to 1600 MBps. It includes a USB 4 cable, which plugs into a recessed port on the drive's aluminium enclosure.
The SSD2GO PKT also has a write protection switch, which you can flip to keep yourself from accidentally making any changes to the data on it. The 2TB model costs $380, while the 4TB one will run $650. You can also get text engraved onto the drive's enclosure for no extra cost.
Buy at B&H Buy at Angelbird Cages for a new hybrid Image:SmallRigPanasonic just announced its latest high-resolution hybrid camera, the S1RII, but SmallRig already has accessories ready for it. There's a standard cage, a kit that includes both a cage and a top handle, and a substantially taller version of the cage that's compatible with the S1RII's battery grip. Given the S1RII's video specs, it's not surprising to see accessories being made that will make it even easier to use it for shooting video.
Buy at B&H Buy at SmallRig New Manfrotto tripodsThe Q90 column makes the 055XPro AS very versatile.
Image: Manfrotto
Manfrotto has released two new ball-head tripods, the 055XPro AS and the 190X AS aluminium. Both are compatible with Arca-style accessories, meaning you can attach your camera directly to them if it's in a cage with an Arca bottom plate.
As the name implies, the 055XPro is geared towards professional photographers and can hold up to 15kg (33lb) of gear, while the enthusiast-class 190X is rated for 10kg (22lb). The 055XPro also lets you quickly rotate the center column 90°, letting you switch between shooting horizontally, vertically, or even top-down.
The 190X AS will cost $299, while the 055XPro AS will cost $399.
F0.38This week's entertaining/educational video is one by a channel called Applied Science, and it details the process of turning a microscope objective into what is, theoretically, an F0.38 lens. The process involves using oil to couple the glass to a sensor, which has had its protective glass cover removed – a process that apparently resulted in several destroyed sensor chips.
There are a few caveats. The example videos we see – shot using a Type-1/2.5 (5.76 x 4.29mm) sensor – don't show what kind of depth of field or light gathering ability you'd get from an F0.38 lens fitted to a full-frame sensor. However, it's still a fun DIY project and provides an interesting look at exactly what goes into determining a lens' F-stop rating.
