LATEST ADDITIONS

The b-grip, made in Italy by CPtech, provides a strong safe support for your DSLR. The base attaches to your waist belt (or to the belt provided), while the quick-release plate attaches to the camera tripod socket. A quick release mechanism provides instant access to the camera when required. A simple safety system prevents accidental release of the camera. An additional supplied safety cord can be deployed for extra peace of mind.

b-grip's broad base spreads the weight of the camera making it extremely comfortable to wear. Unlike a conventional neck strap, the camera is held firmly in place and cannot swing about, reducing the chances of damage. b-grip lets you mount the camera either lens-down or lens-up. The lens-up position provides a third hand when changing lenses. A supplied dust and rain cover provides additional protection if required.

For years, anyone serious about photography has viewed Corel Paint Shop Pro (PSP) as the low cost alternative to Adobe Photoshop. Originally developed by a tiny company in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Paint Shop has grown up into a full-featured photo workflow tool with a built-in photo organizer that includes tagging options and fast previewing, an advanced image editor, and handy integration with Flickr and Facebook.

For $70, PaintShop Photo Pro X3 Ultimate is a smart addition to a virtual photo toolbox. A few performance problems and some slightly questionable editing capabilities puts PSP in the uncomfortable position of still being in the tall shadow of Adobe. That said, if you want to skip the $700 purchase price, PSP is on the right track.

The Pentax WG-1 GPS is a compact camera with a 5x zoom lens (28-140mm) and a robust body, which is water proved to 33 ft, shock proof (5 ft drop down) and an integrated GPS system. The camera offers 14 MP resolution and some extraordinary features like “Digital Microscope” mode.