Photo Accessory News

Kenko Tokina has introduced the new Hoya HD3 series of pro photographic filters. The HD3 UV and Circular Polarizer filters are designed to give photographers the ability to capture high-quality images in extreme settings without loss of color balance, contrast, or clarity due to adverse environmental conditions.

The Cokin 58mm PURE Harmonie Variable Density Neutral Gray Filter: A variable ND filter that provides a reduction of about 1 to 8 stops. The 0.3 to 2.4+ (ND2-ND300) density creates a darkening of the entire image, allowing you to photograph with a wider aperture (or slower shutter speed) than normally required. Control the degree of density by rotating the front filter ring. For easier, repeatable control over density settings, the front ring is also visually demarcated with dots that represent one stop of neutral density.

The EVERCLEAR 5 Coating Technology is a multi-layered anti-reflective coating applied to the filter substrate in order to maintain effective light transmission and suppress surface reflections and flar—the coating provides protection against water, oil, dust, soil, and scratches. This optical glass filter is set in a thin aluminum ring, which measures just 9.5mm-thick. This slender profile is ideally suited for use with wide-angle lenses in order to lessen vignetting. The suggested retail price is $108.99.

The LensCoat TravelHood is a lightweight alternative to the rigid style lens hood that came with your lens. The ribbed design allows users to fold the TravelHood nearly flat so it can be easily stored in your gear bag, backpack or suitcase. Crafted in the USA from lightweight water resistant material, the TravelHood prevents glare and lens flare and protect the lens from scratches, rain and dust. 

Leather Camera Lasso: The Leather Camera Lasso is made from high quality Chicago-bred leather, tanned by pal Shawn in his Florida studio. The Lasso keeps your camera safe and secure so you can capture those hard-to-get shots. The Lasso is easy to attach to any camera with a strap loop. Simply slip your hand through the looped side and clip the other end to your camera. When you’re finished shooting, you can wrap the Lasso around your wrist, keep it clipped it to your camera or even keep it in your pocket. The price is $64.

The Gnarbox in an intriguing new storage device created for photographers and videographers on the move. It's a Kickstarter project but it recently blew past its funding goal, raising more than $200,000 in five days.

Polaris Karat Flash Meter: This new flash meter is from Polaris and OmegaBrandess. The slim and lightweight Polaris Karat was redesigned and features an easy to read LCD display and a flash duration function on a light meter. Measure the flash duration of your strobes with this unique function. The Karat also has an Auto ISO function. By setting your Aperture and Shutter Speed it will give you the appropriate ISO setting. With Flash Duration mode, Flash Ratio, Auto ISO and Contrast Function, Memory Function as well as Ambient light reading in both incident and reflective the Polaris Karat offers a wide variety of features and performance at a fraction of the cost of other similar models. 

The concept isn’t new. Gamers have been using dedicated yokes, rudder pedals and throttles with Flight Simulator and aerial combat games for at least three decades. Even Super Mario racing games can be purchased with steering wheel controllers. But the Palette Kit from Canadian firm Palette is the most comprehensive set of alternative input hardware interfaces for Lightroom and Photoshop ever.