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Even if everyone who takes photos or shoots video is sure to be happy with a new camera, the models you can really rejoice with today are generally beyond the budget for Christmas gifts. There are almost no entry-level models anymore – the market is increasingly moving towards high-priced cameras, which often even meet professional requirements.
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If you can talk about a camera trend today, then it is that of full-frame sensors in folding mirrorless housings: the exposed area of the sensor is about as large as the negative of a 35mm film. The era of single lens reflex technology, on the other hand, seems to be coming to an end.
Of the latest models presented in this sector, the Panasonic S5 attracts me the most: in addition to the well-structured menu and many useful functions for photo and video recording, it impresses with its very compact but robust housing.
The better the cameras, the more freedom the user will have. To use it, the right accessories can play a decisive role. I would not like to do without the five assistants presented here; Regardless of the camera technology used, they are also suitable as gifts for photo and video friends.
Hama universal charger »Delta Ovum LCD« (from 11.31 euros)
Photo: Rainer Claaßen
While some people wonder if the stove is actually off when traveling, I often wonder if I have all the chargers I need with me. Meanwhile, the camera batteries can generally also be charged via the USB-C interface on the case; however, as an Apple user, you don’t always have that cable with you.
This Hama device can handle virtually any camera battery; all you need is a little skill to match the contacts on the charging base to the respective energy storage. Thanks to the LCD screen, you can also see how much the battery has charged, but a little more than three levels of display would be a bit more useful here. And AA and AAA rechargeable batteries can also be filled in the device, which can be operated not only from the power source, but also from cigarette lighters in cars. Another device can be charged via the USB interface in parallel to the batteries inserted into it.
Reflector »Neewer 5 in 1« (from 17.99 euros)
Photo: Rainer Claaßen
Even if modern cameras cope with a wide range of contrasts, a little extra brightness ensures more attractive images in many situations. With this reflector you direct the light to the subject. To do this, you have a choice of white, silver and gold surfaces. The fourth surface is black; this can be used to generate specific shadows.
The reflector cover is stretched over a ring on which a semitransparent gauze is stretched; this can also be used, for example, to remove some of the harsh light from a clip-on flash.
The workmanship and zippers used may not be robust enough for professionals, but those who handle the reflector with care can enjoy it for a long time. Thanks to the folding mechanism, the reflector can be put back in its cover in a few seconds; the diameter of 50 centimeters seems quite suitable for everyday use, the reflector is available in five sizes between 30 and 80 centimeters.
Lilliput A7S 7-inch 4K monitor (from 165 euros)
Photo: Rainer Claaßen
Even if today’s camera control screens are typically pleasantly large, a reliable assessment of sharpness is often not possible on them. Therefore, the Lilliput screen is always in my photography backpack. Connected to the HDMI connection of the camera, it shows the subject in 4K resolution with a diagonal of 18 centimeters.
The removable cover allows it to be used even in sunlight. Switchable edge enhancement, which also makes focusing easier, is handy too. The manufacturer should only work on the menu design. A standard twelve-volt power supply is still required for operation, or you can use a rechargeable battery with an NP connection, but you must remove it when not in use – the device consumes some electricity even when not in use.
For the relatively low price, the monitor is a great help. A ball joint is included with which the screen can be attached to a shoe.
Nixplay photo frame (from 180 euros)
Photo:
Rainer Claaßen
Today, anyone who wants to share images with other people often uses a smartphone. But what do you do with people who don’t have one, like many older people? For some time now, I have been sending photos to my mother in the Nixplay photo frame right next to her TV. For me, that is no more complicated than using the messaging services. And for her it works almost like a miracle: she keeps asking me if the photos she’s looking at are actually only a few minutes long.
For this to work, you need to set up an account with the manufacturer and connect it to the frame. If you later register on a WLAN, various ways can be used to display images on it. With the right app, you can do it right from your smartphone. Photos can also be sent to the device via the internet browser or various cloud services; this is even possible via email. This way, multiple senders can add images to the same frame.
Playback quality is excellent. You can even play videos through the frame. If you want to create more than five playlists, you need a subscription, but the device should be sufficient for most users even without this option.
Rollei Lumen Flex lamp (from 145 euros)
Photo: Rainer Claaßen
This luminaire is not exactly cheap, but it also offers a lot: the 240 LED elements are attached to a flexible bracket so that the luminaire can be rolled up or folded, even during operation. It weighs less than 300 grams and still offers a decent light output, significantly outperforms many of the LED lights I’ve tried, lighting a medium-sized room is not a problem.
Brightness and color temperature (3000 to 5500 Kelvin) can be precisely set on the control unit. Alternatively, you can also use your smartphone. Rollei’s Lumen app is a bit confusing at first, as it also displays controls for multi-color lamps. However, once you’ve understood how the Flex light is controlled with it, effects like pulsing light or strobe flashes can also be activated. Good: The lamp does not flicker, so slow motion recordings can also be rotated without interference.
As an alternative to the small model with an edge length of 33.5 x 37.5 centimeters, there are even lighter and larger versions with the same width and length of 66.5 centimeters (194 euros) and 95 centimeters (243 euros). ).
Basically, you can also give photographers great pleasure completely free of charge, just by taking some time to appreciate your pictures. And if you also listen to them when they rave about their hobby and explain how they made those recordings, you can be sure of their gratitude.
