Tech Friday – The Annual Gear Guide from Scott Kelby
Every year for 7 years now Scott Kelby has released his "Annual Awesome Holiday Gear Guide". His guide always has great buys for any photographer in the family from expensive buys to very affordable buys.
His two stipulations for the guide is:
1. Uses the product himself
2. Would recommend to any friend
Continuing in the same vein, I'd like to introduce the products that I love, really really want, or the ones that I'm borderline obsessed with.
The products I already use and don't want to ever do without again:
Snapseed for iOS – the best thing about this as of yesterday it is now free in the app store!
Smugmug Pro Business Account – You can upload, share, and sell prints with the click of a few buttons. This is great for those who are just starting out in the photography business, or even for seasoned professionals, it's a ridiculously easy way to offer prints to clients, and much more!
FolioBook for iPad – This is THE BEST portfolio app for iPad; it is very simple to setup and use but if you want to you can customize everything. I've tested a fair number of these, and from personal experience, I absolutely recommend this one.
Light It Magazine Subscription for iPad – until you've read a tablet magazine you don't understand the coolness of them. I get a few print magazines, but Light It is interactive and has links to additional information, tablet magazines have features that traditional magazines just can't match.
The products I plan on having soon (wink, wink, hint, hint to my wife):
Lexar Pro 1000x CF cards – fastest CF cards out there
Lexar USB Card Reader
Blurb Photo Book – Especially since it is now integrated into Lightroom 4 making it impossibly easy to share your favorite moments.
Product I wish I had/could afford:
Sigma 15mm Fisheye
Silver Efex Pro 2 – I really want all the Nik Software Programs
Intous 5 Touch Pen Tablet
Really Right Stuff Ballhead – I've seen them first hand they are awesome; they don't give them away for a reason
G-Speed Q Drive – I would like an entire server backup system for that matter. A Mac Mini Server, yes please!
1.4x Teleconvertor – I rented one a while back for the Indy Race that I photographed; It was super helpful, and I'd like to give a shout out to BorrowLenses.com, whom I rented it from, for their easy, straight forward rental process.
What I can't Live Without at this Moment:
– My new Canon 5D Mark III; I previously owned a Canon 7D, which I loved, but the Canon 5D Mark III just take it to a whole new level. It is an exceptional camera and every time I pick it up I'm reminded of how truly extraordinary it is.
If you haven't checked out Scott's entire list check it out here.