The holiday season is here again, and for many of you that means considering the gift of a camera and/or equipment. It is unfortunate that the landscape of this industry has changed quite significantly, and not necessarily for the better for retailer or consumer! The advantages of shopping at a local store are masked as camera manufacturers allow big-box chain stores to break minimum advertised price (MAP) assignments on products. Additionally, many camera manufacturers seem to have taken a step back as the newer models are built to cheaper specifications, they design products so they are ‘replaceable’, and are entrenched in a never-ending resolution race! In light of all of this, I have picked out for you the best photo purchases available for the 2008 Holiday Season. Here are my suggestions for the best photo equipment in four different price categories:
Less than $100
Card reader – the absolute essential for image transfer to the computer. Don’t fuss with the USB cable that comes in the camera box. This is the FASTEST & SAFEST way to transfer your images.
Media Tube – a device exclusively from Promaster that allows one to insert a memory card into the unit and playback images on your HD television in stunning high-definition quality. Accepts all types of memory cards and allows for slideshow setup with audio capability.
Promaster Media Tube
Digital Picture Frame – a great idea especially for relatives who may not be too computer savvy to retrieve photos from e-mail. Buy them a digital picture frame, load images onto a memory card and set it up for them. Screens comes in various sizes. Make sure to get one that takes a memory card and doesn’t rely on built-in memory as they operate much faster. The best brands are Sunpak, eMotion and Digital Foci.
Filters - Every lens should have a UV filter. You will hear people say having a cheap piece of glass in front of your nice lens cuts down on image quality. As a working pro, I admit this – it does! However, I am willing to live with the slight loss in image quality in order to protect the number of $1000+ lenses I own. Just make sure you purchase a filter that is designed for digital. They cut down on the glare, and have much better light transmission for a digital sensor than a filter that was designed for film. Additionally, circular polarizing filters are nice for travel and landscape photography. Once again, make sure you purchase one for use on a digital camera. There really is a difference!
Extra Battery – kind of a no-brainer in most situations. Sure, your camera battery might be rechargeable, but what if your battery dies while you are out for the day. This way you’ll have a spare one in your bag.
Remote release cable – essential for tripod work when you are shooting landscapes or macro. Prevents you from having to physically touch the camera to take a picture. You’d be surprised how much movement your lightest touch can add to the camera!
Less than $500
Panasonic TZ-5 – 9.1mp, 10x optical zoom, 28mm wide angle, image stabilizer, 3″ screen, Leica lens, small package. ’nuff said. The predecessor to this camera, the TZ-3 was hands down the #1 seller Holiday 2007. A gorgeous unit. It does however begin to fail in indoor and lower light situations. Purse-sized. Buy it here for $225 after Instant Rebate
Panasonic TZ-5
(more…)
Read Full Post »
