Photo Accessory News

This is the best new bag I’ve seen in 2021, hands down. Innovative and functional design, great cosmetics and durable but light-weight material—and it offers practical modular expansion. Yep, this bag is definitely a keeper.

Vanguard, one of our favorite photo accessory manufacturers, has a slug of new stuff you should know about. Why do we favor Vanguard? In addition to their impeccable high quality, Vanguard creates and supervises the concept, design, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sales of every product they sell—unlike many other camera gear wholesalers. This means the price you pay at your local photo retailer or when you order directly from Vanguard tends to be below market—saving you money and delivering greater value. And we're all in when it comes to getting more for your money.

Among our favorite portable hard drives for backing up photos on the road are the sleek and mobile My Passport line from WD. To celebrate the 10^th anniversary of these little drives, WD just unveiled the My Passport Ultra – Metal Edition and the My Passport Ultra Anniversary Edition drives, which feature new designs in different colors.

Camera bags and carriers come in every shape and style, from highly functional rollers to bags that make a fashion statement whenever you step out the door with your gear. Among the new products appearing this year are those that will fit every photographer for every photo excursion. There are backpacks for day hikers to trekkers, and rollers for making the transition from plane to city streets. Camera carrier makers are always improving product to keep up with the changing needs of photographers and their gear.

The trend in tripods is toward more compact and lighter-weight tripods, with an increasing number of entries in carbon fiber. Is carbon fiber the ultimate lightweight tripod? The jury is still out, although everyone seems to want one. And along with tripods, various ball heads grabbed our attention. We even found a portable copy stand.

Here's a neat little mobile device we came across to help you unplug your digital SLR. The Weye Feye is an external unit that connects to your DSLR and generates its own Wi-fi network. This enables wireless and remote control of your camera with the aid of the smartphone/tablet (Android and iOS) App.

WotanCraft, maker of handsomely designed camera shoulder bags, photo backpacks and accessory pouches, recently introduced a lineup of finely crafted leather camera neck straps and wrist straps. They’re all available now in a variety of colors and styles, including a series that features Peak Design Anchor Links.