Wholesale Photo Camera Store News – in Bergen County, New Jersey / NJ

The new Casio EX-S7 is at Wholesale Photo for Mother’s Day. $139.95

Written by Peter Sawyer

When you set off on a shoot, there’s nothing worse than arriving only to find that you don’t have the right kit. This list of accessories covers some cool photography gadgets, from the essential to the uncommon – but no less useful!

The Tripod

It had to be on the list and proves to be vital when dealing with long exposure times or when using heavier telephoto lenses that you don’t want round your neck for long periods. Night time photography is almost impossible without a tripod, due to the longer exposures needed to allow the small amount of light into the lens. A tripod is much cheaper than an image stablising lens and you’re likely to be far more pleased with the resulting image.

My recommendations:

* Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro Photo Tripod
Designed for professional use, the Neotec is ideal for both 35mm and medium format cameras, and has all the added features that make Manfrotto products leaders in their class.; This tripod is lightweight and perfect for those who need all-round performance. You can also buy new heads rather than buying a brand new pod.

* Promaster Digital 1 Tripod
This is a very cheap and cheerful tripod. If you don’t want to invest in an expensive tripod and just want to test one out, this is for you. Although it will naturally not be as stable and good as the Manfrotto it will still allow for longer shutter times.

* Heavy Duty Professional Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head for Camera/Video – Pro System 1N
Although the price is much cheaper than the Manfrotto, it is for the serious photographer and will keep your camera very stable. The ball head is a bonus allowing for perfect panoramic images and different positions a normal head wouldn’t offer. I own this tripod and the only disadvantage is the weight at around 6-7 kg, and the size (you cannot fit it easily into a camera rucksack).

Lensbaby SLR Lenses

Lensbaby camera lenses are a line of camera lenses that combine a simple lens with a bellows or ball and socket mechanism for use in special-effect photography. Results achieved with a Lensbaby mimic that of the Holga camera or other toy cameras, and it can be much cheaper than buying a tilt-shift lens.

There are currently 3 Lensbaby options to choose from, and each have their advantages and disadvantages. You can find out more info at the Lensbaby website.

The Lensbaby is available for several different lens mounts: Canon EF (EOS), Nikon F, Minolta Maxxum/Sony Alpha, Pentax K and the Olympus Four Thirds System.

Prices vary depending on which lens you choose.

White Balance Filter

You can easily set your digital camera’s white balance using the ExpoDisc Digital White Balance Filter. It’s convenient, fast and easy to use. Made out of metal, the ring easily snaps into and out of your lens filter threads. This is useful when snapping landscapes and is very easy to store in your bag.

Check out ExpoImagic for more details.

SD Card Storage

Although some cameras use Compact Flash memory, the majority have now shifted to using SD cards. Promaster has released an 32GB card which can hold an amazing 7000 photos from a 15MP camera. Though they are expensive at the moment, you can only expect prices to gradually lower over the next few years. The downside, of course, is that if your card fails for any reason you stand to lose a significant amount of data. Make sure you back it up when you can!

Gold/Silver/White Reflectors

Reflectors are a cheap and great way to change the light on a subject. They can be just as useful as flash guns and expensive lighting gear.

Gold reflectors are designed to add a warming effect to the image, which is best for when people and animals are involved. Silver and white reflectors simply reflect the light onto the subject.

Extension Tubes

The cheap way to achieve a macro effect. A tube contains no optical elements; its sole purpose is to move the lens farther from the image plane. They let you focus closer for macro work, though don’t offer the same quality as a dedicated macro lens. It’s a relative cheap way to get the desired effect.

When buying an extension tube, you have to decide if you need auto-focus or not. The auto-focusing extension tubes are a lot more expensive but worth it when dealing with quick moving objects.

Remote Shutter Switch

When dealing with longer exposures, we already said that you need to keep your camera still on a tripod. Equally important can be a remote shutter switch. These are designed so you can auto focus and then take the photo without touching the camera – therefore stopping unnecessary shake and blurring on your pictures.

They come in all different sizes but I would recommend looking for a wired switch, particularly if the wireless infrared panel is located on the front of your camera (such as the Canon 450D).

Monopod

A monopod, also called a unipod, is a single staff or pole used to help support cameras and video cameras. It has the same purpose as a tripod – to keep the camera steady when shooting long exposures. But unlike a tripod, monopods cannot support a camera independently. In the case of still cameras, this limits the shutter speed that can be used.

They are better than holding a camera in your hand, but don’t allow you to reach the really high shutter speeds. Why would you want one? They fold up to a very small length, are lightweight, and can be easily transported.

Monopods again come in all shapes and sizes, so here are my 2 of my recommendations:

* Manfrotto 682B Self Standing Monopod

A heavy-duty three section monopod featuring a handy addition of three retractable legs which allow it to stand upright on its own… especially useful when changing film/flashcard or swapping lenses mid shoot.

* Promaster SystemPRO Monopod

This is a professional four section monopod featuring a foam rubber comfort grip and a wrist strap. Quick action lock levers allow the tubular leg to be extended and set for quick use. Its adjustable spiked foot gives you traction for a steady shot.

Opteka Fisheye Lens

This fisheye adapter is a good buy for those of you who just want to play around without having to pay hundreds for a fisheye lens. Depending on what attachment you buy, some can be used on an HD camcorder as well for cool fisheye footage.

Check out the Opteka website for specific camera pricing.

Pro Micro-fibre Cloth

This cloth was one of the cheapest but single most important items I bought when I went away on my last holiday. Dust kept coming onto my lens, spoiling my photos. This micro-fibre cloth picked up all the dirt.

Costing around $5 it’s certainly worth getting one. They’re far easier than carrying around a large duster or using your t-shirt (which is a terrible idea)

A Magazine Subscription

It all depends upon where you live, and which magazines are available in your country. I find it interesting to see how other people view a particular scene differently, and you can learn things you never even thought of before. Magazines are generally up-to-date and written and edited to a very high standard.

Buying a new lens will not turn you into a pro overnight, but simply reading up on taking good photos and looking at tutorials can be a great step forward.

A Digital Photo Frame

This is a great way to show off your photos. Family and friends can easily comment on different photos, allowing you to see which type of images are received best.

Obviously these frames vary dramatically in quality. Some will make your photos look great – others will display a dull, unappealing image.

iPhone Zoom Lens

I don’t own a iPhone or iPod touch, but I had to put this invention in here. The iPhone Camera telescope allows your cell phone camera to zoom in across long distances with the power of a digital camera. It’s a touch on the gimmicky side (particularly when considering the fairly poor iPhone camera quality), but worth considering if you use your mobile for candid shots.

The Big Red One

Although this video camera is for those in the film industry, I felt like it deserved a mention due to the technological leap forward it represents.

Typical high-end HD camcorders have 2.1M pixel sensors and record with 3:1:1 color sub-sampled video at up to 30fps. RED offers a far more advanced sensor, which provides 4K (up to 30 fps), 3K (up to 60 fps) and 2K (up to 120 fps) capture – all this with wide dynamic range and color space in 12 bit native RAW.

This represents more than 5 times the amount of information available every second over a standard HD camera, and a vastly superior recording quality. In addition, you get the same breathtaking depth of field and selective focus as found in film cameras using equivalent 35mm P/L mount lenses.

Having been able to use the Red One and see it’s amazing results, I am able to understand why it is the number one video camera at the current time. It’s not cheap, and isn’t by any means a “must have” gadget for photographers.

Costing around 17,000 USD for the body alone, then 20,000 USD for the basic prime lenses, I wouldn’t expect to see it on your Christmas list!

Insect Repellent

If you are in the great outdoors – regardless of the country you’re in – insect repellent is a must! I have been bitten countless times when out on a shoot, and strongly recommend you have a small spray handy. It’s incredibly easy to overlook.

A Camera Bag

No doubt you had to buy a proper camera bag when you purchased an SLR, but you most likely you grabbed the first one the sales assistant recommended. Camera bags come in all different shapes and sizes. You can get an easy traveling, lightweight bag which only just fit your SLR, or you can get a fully packed backpack with room for 4-5 lenses as well as your camera.

Here are my recommendations:

* Lowerpro DryZone Rover

Water and camera equipment in the same bag used to spell disaster. The DryZone Rover is the world’s first backpack designed to safely carry both a hydration system and camera gear all inside the same bag. The unique design of the DryZone Rover allows you to comfortably store camera equipment or other water sensitive items in the waterproof lower compartment while providing quick access to personal storage space above.

Remove the padded camera insert from the lower drypod and you instantly have a multi-purpose waterproof pack. Perfect for the adventure photographer in remote and extreme conditions, the DryZone Rover keeps you hiking, hydrated and shooting longer.

* Lowerpro super trekker AW II

Serious photographers look to the Super Trekker AW II. Hi-tech materials and a fully adjustable harness system – the most technically advanced of any camera pack – ensure perfect weight distribution and extraordinary comfort.

* Tamrac 5513 ADVENTURE ZOOM 3 DSLR Camera Case

The Tamrac Adventure Zoom 3 will hold a DSLR camera with a zoom lens up to 3″ long attached plus an assortment of small accessories such as batteries and memory cards.

Optech Rainsleeve

If it starts raining but you cannot afford to miss the action, the Optech rainsleeve is a great buy. It offers protection for camera, lens and flash unit in all types of wet-weather conditions. Featuring an eyepiece opening that allows viewing through the actual viewfinder, rather than the plastic, and a drawstring enclosure that accommodates any lens up to seven inches in diameter.

Costing around 12 USD they are invaluable if the pictures you shoot are important.

Cheaper rainsleeves are out there if you don’t need to cover a flashgun and zoom lens – just have a look around!

Thanks for Reading

I hope this list has interested you. I’d like to note that I didn’t include any filters in this list as I am going make a featured article on them at a later date.

Photography gadgets and gizmos are a very personal thing, and different people swear by different models and brands of accessory. It would be great to see some lively discussion in the comments, so I’d like to pose the question “What’s your absolute favorite camera accessory”?

Feel free to have your two cents!

It’s probably the most common question asked when dealing with photography. Go ahead, say it with me…. “What camera do you use?”. The second someone sees an amazing picture, they don’t ask about your photography background, how many hours you’ve spent studying, shooting, reading, editing. No, none of the credit goes to you. It all goes to the camera. And maybe a little to the lens. So how important is the camera? Well, it’s pretty important, but not all that it’s cracked up to be. So for those of you who need a little guidance in which camera you should buy, I’m going to tell you.

When it comes to buying a camera, there are two companies – Nikon and Canon – that are dominating the industry. What’s the difference? In my experience with using both of them, I have found that Nikon gives a sharper, more concentrated look, and Canon gives a softer, more delicate look. Keep that in mind – but also the lens possibilities before you decide which way you will swing. Once you have decided that, here are our suggestions for cameras:

For the beginners who want to graduate from the point and shoot to DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex), but don’t want to spend a fortune. The people who will never change the dial off Auto. You just want better pictures w/o the extra work. You’re a casual photographer who never plans on going pro. You want to keep it well under $1,000. Simple. Affordable. Nice pictures. Here’s your camera:

Nikon:

Nikon D40.

Canon:

EOS Rebel XS (a.k.a. 1000D)

Now we take a step up to those who are taking photography to the next level. Not just casual, but a serious hobby and maybe hoping to go pro one day. Still don’t want to spend 3 months rent for your camera, but are willing to make a little more of a sacrifice to reap the benefits of the outcome of picture quality. Your ranged of budget is somewhere between $1,000-$2,000. Committed. Determined. Passionate. Here’s your camera:

Nikon:

D90


Canon:

EOS 50D

And now for the bigwigs. I probably don’t even have to recommend anything, because if you are serious enough to drop this much money on camera equipment, then you probably already know what you are doing and have done the research yourself. But just for kicks, I’ll add my two cents. We’re talking full frame, complete and total camera package. Budget: $2,000+. Professional. Serious. Moneymaker.

Nikon:

D3

Canon:

EOS 5D Mark II

There you have it folks. Now get shopping.

The folks here at Wholesale Photo are proud to be part of the cause. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and we’re just doing our part to spread the word of awareness in our community and beyond. Visit the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website for more information on what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Early detection is key and regular checkups are the best way to make that happen, so if you haven’t already, call your doctor today to schedule an appointment. This month, Wholesale Photo and Olympus have teamed up to offer (for a limited time) a pink version of our Olympus 1020 digital camera with a $30 rebate, Free Camera Case and a 2-Year Extended Warranty (that’s a $100 value). Not only can you have one of the fastest and best looking cameras on the market, but with 10.2 megapixels & a 7X optical zoom, you can capture all those precious moments with your family and friends in High Definition.

Alright everyone here it is, the Nikon D90′s have just landed here at Wholesale Photo! The newest member of the Nikon DSLR family boasts a low noise 12 megapixel sensor, 4.5 frames per second speed and a lightweight, yet extremely solid feeling body. Additionally, the new D90 comes with Nikon’s latest 18-105 VR lens, all in a complete outfit for only $1299! Come by and pickup yours today. Supplies are limited so come soon!

Alright everyone, this is some HOT news! We have these little travel chargers for your digital camera batteries that will charge your battery up to 7 times without having to plug into a wall outlet. Now the best part is, it will also charge any device that uses a USB connection… meaning that you can now charge your iPhone, iPod, iTouch, Cell Phone or whatever up to 7 times on the GO! This is great for travelers, hikers, campers, and just about everyone! Not only that, but all GO chargers include an AC plug and Car Adapter plug with USB (Same as your iPhone wall plug). Now, Apple charges about $30 bucks for each of those Adapters and if you purchased an external battery for your iPhone it would cost around $60 bucks. You can pick up one of these GO! Chargers for a mere $79.99 including the two adapters. Works with all major brands, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Casio, Olympus, Pentax, Fuji, including all major SLR models (with the Go Charger SLR).

More info can be found here

You can purchase one right on our website: Click Here!

We decided a few months ago to bring in the hot new Pure Digital Flip Video Ultra Camcorders featured on Oprah’s O-List and rated by Wired Magazine. For those who are unfamiliar with this awesome cheap video camera, it comes it two sizes one for recording one hour of video and another for recording two hours of video. Everything is included for either $149 (1 hour) or $179 (2 hour). Just plug in the camera to your computer after shooting using the flip-out USB plug and use the included software to upload to YouTube or make a home movie!

Come on by and check out the New Flip Video in all its unique colors and styles.

Our Olympus Stylus 1020 digital cameras which we saw at the current PMA show have just arrived in the store. Many customers have been asking about this camera .

This was one of the smallest and sleekist 7X zooms at 10Megapixels that we saw at the show.

For everyone who got snowed in the past two weekends, we are extending our Digital Camera Blowout Sale through SATURDAY, MARCH 8th. We still have a huge selection of digital cameras on sale NOW UP TO 60% OFF the retail price!! Save BIG on brand names such as Nikon, Pentax, Fuji, Samsung, Minolta and more!

So come down and see March Madness in action, only here at the Wholesale Photo Cafe.

Ladies and Gentlemen this is the moment you have all been waiting for!

Wholesale Photo & Digital Imaging is holding its First Annual Winter Clearance Sale on selected Digital Cameras marked down as low as 50% off the Retail price!! That is simply Incredible!

We will be holding the sale on Saturday February 23rd from 9am to 5:30pm.

Featured products from some of the most popular brand names such as OLYMPUS, FUJI, PENTAX and SAMSUNG; all discounted to as low as 50% OFF!!

(for a sneak peak visit our Today’s Specials page on our website!)

Come down and see this incredible sale for yourself!