Photography Gadgets

Maximum Output Software released version 4.1 of its FileBack PC backup software which is one of our favorites for backing up on a Windows PC. The main new feature is support for multiple users on the same Windows PC. In addition, support for file and folder names with more than 256 characters has been added, while performance improvements have been made and bug fixes were applied. The Enterprise edition also allows for simultaneous compression and encryption of backups.

The upgrade is free for all registered users of version 4.x

Price: $55.00

Recently CameraBits released version 4.5.3.1 of its popular PhotoMechanic software, which is optimized for very fast downloads of images from your camera to a PC or a Mac. Various metadata speed improvements were implemented in addition to speed improvements in the Navigator. As always, a number of bug fixes were implemented as well. The new version adds RAW support for the Canon Powershot G9, Nikon’s D3 and D300 as well as the Sony DSLR A-700.

Price: $150

Macbook users have the MagSafe adapters, PC notebook users have… the Jerkstopper. If you are worried about ripping the power cord violently from your notebook, thus damaging your notebook’s power plug and possibly more, the Jerkstopper is the right product for you.

Each order comes with three plugs — one each for USB, modem and network ports. Installation is easy — put the plug into the desired port, slide the end part to the side, align the cable with the plugged in part and push the end part back. Very easy, takes less than a minute.

Once installed, the device does exactly what it’s supposed to do — it keeps your power cable in place. We tried to jerk it off, but it was impossible to do.

We tried the Jerkstopper on five (sub-)notebooks from HP, Lenovo, Dell, IBM and Alienware. While our preference was to connect it to the unused modem ports of these notebooks, all of them have their modem ports so close to the networking ports that the secured cable would have totally obstructed these, thus rendering the network ports unusable. For that reason, we ended up connecting the Jerkstopper to a USB port. However, given the dearth of USB ports on many notebooks, if you are unwiling to give them up, the Jerkstopper is also available attached to lanyards and other cables.

Recommended for all PC notebook users

Price: $9.95, directly from jerkstopper.com

In addition to its good “Swivel Toe Stabilizer”, the latest version of Monestat’s RS16K ART monopod features their Anti-Rotation Tubing, which allows you to open and close the monopod without turning or twisting the tubes. Solidly built, with rubber locks and a foam handle, it allows for fast set-up and shots at 60 degree angles. At 1.4 lbs, it can carry up to 30 pounds of gear which means you can put on the heaviest lens you own.

Price: $175.00, Amazon: $175.00

Lemkesoft updated its GraphicConverter, an excellent program to convert graphics and images between different graphics formats on Macs, to version 6.1.2. The free update (41.4 MB) features improved EXIF handling and bug fixes.

List price: $34.95

Every camera comes with a strap — why would you ever need a different one?

Just put your regular camera strap over your shoulder when you wear one of these micro-fiber jackets — it’ll slip constantly and you’ll be adjusting your camera position all the time. But there’s a solution: The Upstrap. It works so much better than your regular camera strap: its surfaces does not slip and provides lots of stability; it’s made from very flexible materials; and none has ever deformed or ripped no matter what I did to it.

That’s why the strap that comes with a new camera never even gets unwrapped. As soon as I order a camera, I also order the Upstrap.

Highly recommended!

Price: $32.00

One question I always ponder after returning from an outing: Is my camera sensor dirty enough so I have to clean it? Delkin now offers a way to check the sensor rather than me having to take and then examine test pictures. Its Sensorscope Kit includes a 5x magnifying scope plus a sensor cleaning kit. If you already have a lens cleaning kit of your choice, you can simply get the Sensorscope without the kit.

Here’s how it works: You set your camera to clean mode, which lifts the mirror. You stick the Sensorscope in, turn it on and look through the scope to examine the sensor. The Sensorscope has a four built-in LEDs that shine their light on the sensor and give you a glare- and shadow-free, 5x magninfied image of what your sensor looks like. Pretty easy!

Sensorscope: $89.99, Amazon: $78.95

Breeze System’s Downloader Pro does only one thing, but it does it extremely well: Downloading your images to your PC. Whether running multiple download sessions in parallel, converting RAW images to DNG (Digital Negative Format), renaming all images, adding metadata or creating backups during downloads, Downloader Pro delivers — fast and prodictably! Initial setup takes a bit, but once done, importing images is a snap. We have been using it for years and miss it dearly ever since we converted to our Mac, since all of Breeze’s software is Windows only.

Highly recommended!

Price: $29.95

CameraBits released version 4.5.2 of its popular PhotoMechanic software, which is optimized for very fast downloads of images from your camera to a PC or a Mac. In addition, it allows for fast sorting, tagging and the creation of contact sheets in a color managed environment. The new version adds support for the Canon 1D Mark III and also contains minor bug fixes.

Price: $150

G-Technology’s G-Drive Mini is a small, rugged, bus-powered USB and Firewire 400 drive that is easy to carry, yet has enough capacity to store all your images while you are on the road. Designed mainly for Apple Macintosh, it also works with any Windows computer. Capacity ranges from 100GB to 160GB

Amazon Price: $170.00