Jon Sienkiewicz Blog

Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March throughout most of the US. Despite the nonsensical grumbles about losing an hour of sleep, this annual event is a reason to celebrate. It heralds the first hint of spring—and if that’s not enough—it brings us an extra hour of useable light before dinnertime. It also stands to remind us to clean out the tackle box, as it were, to get things in order for another wonderful summer of photography.

A spring shower can interrupt power. A lightning strike can fry your electronics with 300 million volts. And a sudden, severe drop in voltage can burn an electric motor crisper than a bug in a hot skillet. These very real potential disasters can cost you money, time and possibly your precious digital images. Here’s a list of seven devices that might save your bacon.

Ever have a camera or gadget bag strap that wouldn't stay on your shoulder? Read about this tacky solution.

Striker

Wanna go really wide with an affordable full-frame optic? Check out this Cookie from Laowa. Cookie? No, I think I'll call it "Jewel." Laowa has created a full-frame 15mm (110° coverage) manual focus lens that opens a myriad of creative doors for Nikon Z, Canon RF, Sony E, L-Mount and Leica M users.

You need a Table Top Tripod to hold your GoPro, Litra Torch, Rode microphone, flash unit, Lume Cube, cellphone, slave strobe, cue cards, etc., etc., and—oh yes—your camera. Whether you’re a vlogger, photographer, Zoom-connected work-from-home-employee (Hommuter) or just somebody who likes to take pictures of their food, you need one of these guys. Maybe two. So here are five good choices to consider.

To say that the photo backpack category is a little crowded is like saying that a few people try to board the subways in Tokyo during rush hour. If you’ve ever been to the Land of the Rising Sun and attempted to take mass transportation around 1800 hours (6pm) you know what I mean. Hand-to-hand combat is easier, but probably no harder than trying to find a niche for a new product in this overpopulated photo accessory category.