Best Travel Photography Accessories for 2019

Lume Cube AIR LED Light

Good lighting is critical to good photography. But, it can be tricky to find (or create) even half-way decent lighting while on the road. I’ve seen quite a few solutions, but none tackle mobile lighting as effortlessly as Lume Cube AIR. At roughly 1.5 inches square, it’s hardly bigger than a golf ball. It weighs next to nothing. It’s bright. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s inexpensive. It’s also waterproof down to 100 feet and drop-proof to boot.

All of which makes it one of the best travel photography accessories of the year. In my own experience, it’s a huge help with food photography as well (no more relying on your dinner-mates to “light up” your plates for all those Instagram shots!). Plus, the included white and orange (warming) diffusers make the latter a breeze with nice, soft lighting.

Lensbaby Sol 45

Lensbaby‘s line of creative camera lenses is a polarizing (pun intended) topic among photographers. Personally, I love the challenge of using them. There’s a steep learning curve, even for skilled photographers. But, the payoff can be tremendous. Sure, you can achieve similarly creative looks using mobile photo editor apps like VSCO and Lightroom. But, I’ve found that none quite capture the moody, dreamlike quality of Lensbaby.

One of the latest in their line is the Lensbaby Sol 45. The 45mm fixed f/3.5 selective focus lens creates a tack-sharp circular area of focus surrounded by pillowy soft blur and a heaping helping of bokeh. Even Lensbaby admits it’s not for everyone. But, the results are unlike any other creative lenses I’ve personally test-driven!

It’s available for every major camera brand, including Sony, Canon, Fuji, Nikon, and Pentax.

Peak Design Everyday Messenger 15″ (v2)

Of course, the gear bag you choose is almost as important as what goes in it. When I first tested Peak Design’s original Everyday Messenger bag, I absolutely loved it. It was the most handsome, best-designed, most durable such bag I’d ever tested.

Peak Design recently returned with a reboot of the original that basically started it all for them. I’m happy to report the Everyday Messenger v2 is every bit as awesome as its predecessor. Plus, it’s been upgraded with a luggage pass-through on the rear panel, better FlexFold dividers to keep your gear organized, more durable fabric throughout, and a better weatherproofing treatment on the exterior. Seriously, I can’t recommend this bag more highly!

If the messenger bag format isn’t your thing, the Everyday Line is also available in a backpack, a sling, and a tote.

Mobile Edge Core Gaming Backpack

It’s taken me a long time to hone my gear organizing skills. I pack almost as much — if not more — electronics than I do clothes and toiletries. So, finding a way to keep everything in its place is key.

One way I’ve found to do this is by keeping all my photography gear in its own messenger bag, and toting a separate bag or backpack for everything else. This makes the most sense, particularly if I’m traveling with my main 17″ HP laptop that doesn’t fit in Everyday Messenger.

The solution for me has been Mobile Edge’s Core Gaming Backpack. The list of features on this is almost dizzying, but it’s everything I need to keep all my non-camera gear straight. The name of the game here is: pockets, pockets, and more pockets. There are three separate sections for stowing my 17-inch laptop, headphones, tablet, accessories, and printed itineraries.

Plus, there are tons of compartments for organizing loose bits like pens, keys, cables, business cards, and gum, and side pockets for additional cables, Bluetooth travel speakers, phones, and even large water bottles. The external USB 3.0 Quick-Charge compatible port with a built-in charging cable means I never have to bother trying to hunt down the ever-elusive airport power outlet.

It’s all wrapped in a super durable ballistic nylon outer shell. The padded air-mesh shoulder pads and ventilated back panel ensure it’s comfortable to carry. And, the trolley strap makes it a snap to stow on top of my rollaboard. The entire design is also TSA checkpoint-friendly which means I can move through security much faster.

Polaroid Pop Instant Print Digital Camera

Sure, an actual camera seems a curious choice for a list of “best travel photography accessories.” But, for most photographers, this is likely to be a quirky add-on to their primary photography gear kit.

If you’re “of a certain age,” the name Polaroid no doubt elicits tinges of vintage photographic nostalgia. The days of snapping photos on some of the world’s first instant cameras, then impatiently waiting for them to develop in your hand were so damn fun.

Polaroid gets this, which is why they’ve brought back their iconic instant camera. The all-new Polaroid Pop 2.0 Instant Print Digital Camera is just like those instant cameras of your (well, at least my) childhood. But, the company wisely added all the latest tech bells and whistles including a touchscreen display, built-in Wi-Fi, and 1080p HD video capability.

With clever ZINK Zero Ink technology, photos print flawlessly and even feature the iconic, oversized white Polaroid border. Now, you can paper your fridge with all those amazing snapshots that would otherwise be “wasted” on Instagram.

What do you think are the best travel photography accessories of 2019? What bits of kit can’t you travel without?

The post Gear Up with the Best Travel Photography Accessories of 2019 (so far …) appeared first on Vagabondish.

But, smartphone cameras are a whole lot more affordable. And, now a proper underwater smartphone kit is attainable for even the most budget of budget travelers.

AxisGO water housing is a purpose-built system for “underwater-ifying” your iPhone X. Here’s everything you need to know about it, and why you should consider buying it if you’re a budding underwater photographer or videographer.

AxisGO Water Housing for iPhone – Review

The Skinny

So what is it exactly? Well, according to the manufacturer, the AxisGO water housing for iPhone is:

… the ultimate Smartphone Imaging System. Designed to protect your iPhone from the harshest weather conditions, while offering the freedom to safely capture those special moments underwater. Capture beautiful images and stunning video with ease, then share instantly with full touchscreen sensitivity. AxisGO allows image capture with the phone’s native camera app, plus access to all your favorite applications. Confidently shoot at depths down to 33 feet (10 meters) with the peace of mind knowing your iPhone is safe inside the AxisGO.

Or we could just show you like so …

The Traveler’s Take

To be clear, the AxisGO water housing isn’t the first and only such underwater iPhone case on the market. But, from what I can tell, it’s one of the best designed. The feature set is incredibly solid for photographers who are looking for something more than just a way to waterproof their iPhone.

The latest AxisGo housing includes:

• Functional touchscreen membrane
• Interchangeable Lens port
• Robust top and bottom mounting brackets
• Pistol Grip kit
• Professional quality accessory lenses
• Optical glass
• Anti-reflective and hydrophobic glass coatings

There are plenty of dirt-cheap “me-too” iPhone accessories available online. But, we’re not especially keen on trusting our near-thousand-dollar smartphone investment to a $30 “underwater” case. The brains behind AxisGO, AquaTech Imaging Solutions, have been designing and manufacturing waterproof sport housings for 20 years.

With that in mind, the AxisGO housing is constructed of ultra-durable materials like polycarbonate and machined aluminum. The combination of the two provides extraordinary impact resistance, rigidity, strength, and UV stability. Basically, it’s designed to take a beating and virtually anything your adventurous life on the road might throw at it.

From a practical standpoint, I love that the format feels more like a traditional point-and-shoot camera in your hand than any other comparable case we’ve seen. All of your phone’s functionality remains completely accessible with the case attached. This includes full touchscreen control (swiping, tapping, and pinching) and making/receiving calls.

Every element and accessory of the AxisGO relies on optically clear glass with anti-reflective, hydrophobic coatings to ensure the highest image quality. It’s designed to perfectly match the iPhone’s native camera lenses. And the results are pretty damn sweet:

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A post shared by AxisGO (@axisgo) on Apr 11, 2018 at 6:57pm PDT

The base AxisGO waterproof housing works great as a standalone solution for adventurous travelers. But, their lineup of optional accessories really lets you take things to the next level:

• AxisGO Pistol Grip
• AxisGO Ultra Wide Lens Port
• AxisGO 6″ Dome Port
• AxisGO Ultra Wide 6″ Dome Port

All-in, it approaches the usability and versatility of a professional underwater photography kit at a fraction of the cost.

Pricing & Availability for AxisGO Water Housing

The base AxisGo water housing comes in Tactical Green, Sunset Orange, and Seashell White, and retails for USD $249 direct from AquaTech.

That price tag includes a quality neoprene bag, lanyard, and a maintenance kit.

[amazon box=”B07CTFC6TL”]

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Spider‘s brand of camera holsters, straps, and harnesses remedy this problem. They’re designed to secure your camera tightly to your body, whether on your belt or backpack strap. They were kind enough to send us a sample of the SpiderLight Backpacker Kit to check out.

Spider SpiderLight Backpacker Kit Review

The Skinny

So … what exactly is it? In Spider’s own words, the SpiderLight Backpacker Kit is:

… to securely attach a SpiderLight Holster and select GoPro accessories to a backpack strap or messenger bag strap. The quick snap-in connection fastens the SpiderLight Adapter to your bag’s strap. And the ergonomic adapter shape works with the body’s natural contours for optimal carrying. The adapter pad employs elastic band wraps around the camera lens to prevent camera movement when walking or hiking.

The Traveler’s Take

The SpiderLight Backpacker Kit is among Spider’s most versatile camera harness kits. It includes a holster, a plate, and a pin — all allowing the traveling photographer to secure their camera just about anywhere on their person. The smartly designed pin mounts to the tripod mount of most any DSLR with near-universal compatibility. This forms the “male” end.

On the other “female” end, the holster and pad provide a place to clip the pin into. Securing your camera to your person is a simple matter of sliding the pin into the holster where it clicks neatly into place. The camera can be quickly released by grabbing the camera body with one hand and swiping the holster “safety switch” to unlock it.

Like so:

The heavy duty metal and plastic construction feels extremely durable and well-designed. Even with my relatively heavy Nikon d610 and a medium zoom lens, the body remains securely in place on my backpack strap with little movement or swing. An included pad and Velcro elastic strap help keep it firmly and — most importantly — comfortably in place.

Out of the box, the SpiderLight Backpaker Kit is also designed to be used with GoPro cameras. By simply removing the standard metal SpiderLight holster (used for your DSLR camera) and swapping it for the included GoPro compatibility clip, you’re GoPro can be quickly and easily mounted for capturing POV footage while biking, hiking, or just traveling.

Spider’s SpiderLight line is best for mid-sized DSLR cameras. However, Spider’s long list of additional gear provides for versatility no matter what camera you’re trying to mount or where. For larger DSLRs, their SpiderPro line is perfect for even the bulkiest, heaviest cameras. For lightweight point-and-shoot cameras, the compact Black Widow series is best. The SpiderMonkey series also includes purpose-built clips for additional gear and accessories like flashes, light meters, battery packs, water bottles, and rain covers.

Pricing & Availability

The SpiderLight Backpacker Kit camera holster is available now for around $125 USD directly from Spider.

The post “Wear” Your Photography Gear Mission Impossible-style with the SpiderLight Backpacker Kit appeared first on Vagabondish.

Pixter Lens Review

But having more shooting options is never a bad thing, which is where add-on smartphone lenses come in handy. We’ve tested a few such lenses in the past (namely the ExoLens PRO kit and even this curious 3-Lens iPhone Lens Dial). All have their strengths and weaknesses, but none have ever proved worthwhile enough for me to add to my “always pack” list of camera bag essentials.

Recently, Pixter — a burgeoning French company with an attractive catalog of aftermarket smartphone camera goodies — reached out to see if I’d be interested in a product test. Specifically, they wanted me to have a look at their Pixter Wide Angle Pro and Pixter Super Fisheye lenses.

The clip-on form factor of both lenses was unique enough to pique my interest. After a few weeks of shooting with both in the field, here are my thoughts …

The Skinny

Pixter describes these two lenses like so:

Super Fisheye Lens:

… offers new generation optics with anti-reflective coatings. With a 235° capture angle, the 6 multilayer lenses allow photos being taken without a black circle, but with the distinctive distortion of a Fish-Eye effect.

This Fisheye effect is close to what renown professional photographers can offer and combines an exceptional image quality to an ultra wide angle field.

Wide Angle Pro:

… is equipped with a steel case that contains 5 maximum clarity lenses. The polarized lenses are anti-reflective and guarantee an excellent transmission of light.

The Pixter Wide Angle Pro was designed to take landscapes or restricted indoor shots without any distortion.

The Traveler’s Take

Straight out of the box, the first thing to notice is that Pixter’s lenses feel solid and well-designed. Many me-too camera kits for smartphones (the kind that pack 3-4 lenses into a $50 kit) are clearly cheap. Not so with Pixter. The glass has a nice solid, weighty feel without proving too heavy. The smartly designed packaging also makes it clear that you’re opening a professional, well-thought-out product.

As I mentioned, what drew me to Pixter’s lenses was the form factor. The “clip-on” design is something I hadn’t seen before and was intrigued by. Most other lenses mount too snugly (as with the previously mentioned ExoLens PRO) or too loosely (we previously tested a lens that was essentially secured via a thin bungee cord). The Wide Angle Pro and Super Fisheye literally clip over the front or rear-facing lens on your iPhone or Android phone. So, they’re designed to fit just about any camera (sans case).

A few thoughts about this … I like the proposed versatility of this design. I was able to easily get either lens mounted over the front or back lenses of my iPhone 6. However, I was never quite able to get it lined up 100% on my Nexus 6P (partly because of the beveled bump-out of the phone’s exterior shell). In theory, it’s simple to clip on and swipe off as needed which allows for easy swapping. And it is very quick and easy to mount and remove.

But, putting it back on my phone required a few extra seconds to line up properly each time. It’s by no means a deal breaker. However, it’s worth noting because neither lens snaps or clicks into place to audibly let you know that everything’s lined up right. The mounting process requires a more subjective “eyeballing” with a bit of guesswork. The inherent problem is that, if you don’t line it up properly, your smartphone camera won’t be able to focus. Or, perhaps worse, that it will mostly focus, but your photos will be ever-so-slightly blurry (which is frustrating).

One added benefit of the clip-on form factor is that the lenses are easy to clip to just about anywhere on the inside or outside of a camera bag. In this way, they’re easy to grab when you need them, and there’s little risk of them getting lost or damaged from rolling around your camera bag full of cables, cards, and other junk.

Pricing and Availability

The Pixter Wide Angle Pro and Pixter Super Fisheye lenses are available directly from Pixter for around $55 (USD) each.

The Bottom Line

Clipping the Pixter lenses to my smartphones required a brief but exacting re-alignment process each time. But, after a few tries, it became relatively quick and painless. Even with that in mind, I’d say the clever clip-on design and photo quality of Pixter’s lenses that I tested are well worth the $55 price tag for novice travel photographers looking to lighten their camera bag or professionals who want a compact, reasonably solid backup to their clunky DSLR cameras.

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Anyway, if you find yourself using your smartphone more as a camera than a talking device, you’ve no doubt posited the question: “There has to be a better way to do this!”

There is. The GRIP&SHOOT is a simple, purpose-built device designed specifically for the task. The company was kind enough to send us a sample to check out, so have a look …

The Skinny

First off, what is GRIP&SHOOT? In the company’s own words:

We’ve all taken pictures and video with our phones; it’s a shaky and awkward process. GRIP&SHOOT solves this problem by attaching a handle to your phone for comfort and support and then provides full one-handed control of the camera’s operation.

Squeeze the trigger to capture a photo or Start/Stop a video. Use the +/- buttons to Zoom, Control Exposure, Switch Cameras, or anything you’d like! They’re completely customizable.

The Traveler’s Take

Straight out of the box, I was surprised at how compact and flat the device is — it collapses slightly in a way that allows it to fit in a medium-sized pocket. The expandable, springloaded “JawZ” mount atop the device is large enough to accommodate any phone up to an iPhone 7+ with a case. Once secured in the mount, the phone sits in landscape mode, while your thumb hovers above the zoom in/zoom out buttons and your index finger rests around the trigger (shutter release). It’s an entirely organic form factor that feels quite comfortable — far more so than precariously balancing your smartphone in landscape mode between your thumb and forefinger.

Like most of our favorite travel gadgets, GRIP&SHOOT is dead simple to use. Setup requires the installation of a free mobile app, then pairing the device to your smartphone via Bluetooth. In our experience, the entire process took less than two minutes. While using the GRIP&SHOOT, the app replaces your smartphone’s native camera app. While this may turn off some users, we found the design simple, streamlined, and functional — in our case, it’s not all that different from the built-in iPhone camera app.

There’s an additional piece of functionality built into the GRIP&SHOOT’s design. A small “nub” on the bottom of the grip can be disengaged and attached to the expandable mount directly. The newly combined piece creates a near-universal mount that can be secured to almost any tripod. Like so:

As we’re gearing up for a summer-long road trip this year, this is exactly the sort of smart travel/photography tech we’re looking for!

Pricing + Availability

Available now in Black or White for around $100 (USD) directly from GripAndShoot.com.

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If you’re in the former camp and are new to the company, they offer an extensive line of purpose-built lenses for creating highly stylistic photos. One of their latest creations — the Velvet 56 — is a prime (fixed), manual focus lens designed for buttery (you might even say “velvety”) soft shots, be they macro, portrait, or even landscape.

The company was kind enough to send us one to test-drive and here’s what I found …

The Skinny

Lensbaby describes it as “the most versatile portrait lens you’ll ever use.” In their own words, the Velvet 56 provides:

… a vision of the world you’ve never seen before. With a buttery smooth, vintage glow at wide apertures, you’ll create rich, dreamy, and intricate images—perfect for everything from magical macro scenes to intimate, soulful portraits.

Check out this 90-second overview:

The Traveler’s Take

Straight out of the box, it’s easy to see why Lensbaby is a well-respected manufacturer. The Velvet 56 feels sturdy, heavy, and well-built like the lenses crafted in the mid-20th century (before everything went plastic). The all-metal construction includes a metal front lens cap and rear mount cap, all clearly designed to take a beating (though I wouldn’t recommend it). Naturally, as a prime lens, the form factor is incredibly compact making it a no-brainer to toss in your pack.

With a bright, maximum aperture of 1.6 and a minimum focusing distance of just five inches (!), the lens is purpose-built for bright, tack-sharp macro photos with ultra-precise detail. Like so:

… yet the versatile design also allows for stylized landscapes and portraits as well.

The look evokes some of the most “film-like” digital photos I’ve ever seen, particularly for portraiture.

It’s clear the lens isn’t for everyone. Purists who spend their careers chasing razor sharp images (which isn’t a bad thing) will pooh-pooh the out-of-focus vintage glow as too soft for their taste. One could also argue that these effects can be found in post-processing.

Me, I’m all about finding new, creative avenues to explore, especially when it comes to my travel photos. I appreciate the challenge! Besides, how many folks on Instagram boast photos like these? Sometimes it’s good to stray from the pack!

Pricing + Availability

Available now from Amazon for a variety of cameras for between $500-600 (USD).

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