World Photography Day: 8 coveted camera gear and accessories to have in your collection

To celebrate World Photography Day (August 29), we bring to you some of the best tech that the camera industry has to offer. From the DJI Drone and Fujifilm Polaroid to FENDI and Nappa Dori accessories, we have the best essentials for every aspirant, while making sure your style statements are on fleek.

Strap In

If your uber-expensive camera needs a steady, fashionable strap to hold it securely around your neck, check out this handcrafted leather strap from Nappa Dori. It’s got gold-finished buckles that accent the brown leather and a tiny lens-cap holder on the strap for your, well, lens cap. Rs 4,800.

Over the top

Motion time-lapse photography can often be cumbersome without a steady, controlled base to ride on. The Edelkrone Surface One has taken it a step forward and motorised the process with a table-top accessory that is controlled via a mobile app. The component moves in multiple directions and can be timed or controlled manually without human interaction. If you want more mobility and shooting angles, there are add-ons that Edelkrone offers. Rs 98,365.

Get carried away

The FENDI cross-body leather and canvas camera bag make a style statement and a perfect safe-hold for your precious camera. It comes with a rather simple, yet elegant strap and fits the bare essential accessories you would need for a casual shoot. Rs 46,800.

Right here, right now

The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Hybrid Instant Camera is a polaroid camera that has an LCD screen, remote capture via Bluetooth, and multiple frames to choose from before print. The unique feature, however, is the 10-second audio capture that gets printed on the polaroid as a QR code for you to listen to the moment as you reminisce the picture-perfect shot. Rs 11,369.

On the Go-Pro

The GoPro has seldom been challenged by another product when it comes to action cameras. And the latest edition of their signature Black collection is the Hero 7. This version has an in-built ‘HyperSmooth’ video stabilisation that’s as smooth as butter, and a secondary screen on the front that reflects important information at a glance. It supports 4K recording. Rs. 32,999.

Drone on

The DJI Mavic Pro 2 is an essential tool in every photographer’s kit. This drone is equipped with a super-smooth (three-axis gimbal-stabilised) Hasselblad camera that supports 4k shooting, a one-inch CMOS sensor for crisp low-light performance and higher ISO range, and new flight modes. DJI has also programmed in new gesture controls and added more sensors for beginner flyers. Either way, the drone fits in most camera/laptop bags and can fly for 25 minutes on one charge. However, the law regarding drone usage in India states that the drone has to be registered with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and follow certain rules that are available online. Rs 1,67,499 approximately.   

A steady hand

There are very few options in the market when it comes to a simple, elegantly designed camera stabiliser that can support the weight of your camera on one hand-held leg. The DJI Ronin S is a relatively light-weight three-axis gimbal stabiliser for professional use that works with both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. It even goes on for 12 hours on a single charge and has a variety of accessories to aid your workflow. Rs 47,000.

Up close and personal

If your photo ops are often miniature, product-oriented, or nature-related, the Venus Optics Laowa 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe Lens is a must-have accessory. It’ll literally probe through the smaller details and produce brilliant, 24mm goodness without sacrificing on detail and depth of field. Laowa has fitted a battery-operated LED light at the tip of the lens to ensure maximum light when shooting. Rs.1,07,189.

All around you

It’s not often a 360-degree camera can fit inside your palm, have 5.7K recording, an 18mp camera while lasting for an entire hour. The best part about the Insta360 One X, however, is its ‘invisible selfie stick’ mode that lets you record yourself whilst using a selfie stick that is automatically edited out from the frame, giving a true 360-degree view. Be on the lookout for some weird, but functional accessories like the ‘Drifter’ that lets you throw the camera like a paper rocket — ships alongside the camera. Rs 40,900.