Zooming In on Camera Toys

Americans’ love affair with cameras has never been more passionate. Even amateurs often tote a slew of accessories on vacation to enhance the picture-taking experience. Following are some neat new photographic products. Items may be available in area stores. Prices do not include shipping and handling.

Stashing zooms: Zoom lenses are wonderfully versatile for camera buffs who want to be able to quickly switch from close-up to long-distance shots with a minimum amount of equipment. But wide-ranging zooms--which are typically 35mm to 200mm, can add substantial length to the camera, making it hard to stash safely and retrieve quickly. Tamrac, maker of camera bags of all sorts, offers a Tele-Zoom Pak that functions either as a shoulder bag or holster (when the attached belt loops are used). Just stash the camera with lens attached (up to a 7 1/2-inch-long lens) in the bag, lens first, and pull it out when needed. The well-padded nylon case keeps equipment safe; a removable padded divider protects an additional small lens if the entire case is not needed for the zoom lens. A mesh pocket inside the zippered top accommodates filters, lens caps or cleaning materials, and a zippered outside pocket can hold a flash, film or other small gear. I’ve found the Tele-Zoom Pak a good way to protect any camera from dust, light rain and bumps.

Tamrac Tele-Zoom Pak (model 517) is about $47 at camera stores. To locate a nearby store, telephone (800) 662-0717.cq-kd

Staying dry: When rain threatens a camera and its accessories, there’s no better solution (save leaving your equipment inside) than Lowepro’s all-weather camera packs, which come with an attached water-resistant elasticized cover that fits around the pack. It tucks into its own pocket in the case when not needed. My favorite all-weather model is the Orion AW, a belt pack that comes with a snap-on Day Pack for storage of clothing or food. The inside of the heavily padded case has removable adjustable dividers that attach by Velcro. A lumbar pad eases the pressure against the wearer’s back, and straps in the bottom of the pack can carry a tripod or jacket.

Lowepro Orion AW all-weather camera pack is about $198 at camera stores.

Armed photo vest: A photo vest can be an ideal way to carry extra lenses, film and other camera gear. The best vests are like camera bags you can wear--loaded with pockets, pouches, and loops for storing and attaching a plethora of accessories. This model provides one more element--removable sleeves. The company’s Skeleton Coast photo jacket/vest is a welcome solution for the photographer who wants an all-in-one garment for varying temperatures. Use it as a light jacket with pockets galore--19 in all--or zip off the sleeves (they store in a rear pocket) and you have a photo vest to wear. Made of cotton, the garment has mesh netting under the arms for ventilation and a large mesh pouch at the back for carrying a tripod, jacket or extra camera body.

Skeleton Coast Photo Jacket/Vest (4116-85F) is $198 in tan or pewter from Willis & Geiger; tel. (800) 223-1408.

Photos with a message: For those who want to take just one roll of vacation shots with a minimum of fuss, the Vacation Message Camera is a fun take-along. The single-use, point-and-shoot 35mm camera has a built-in flash and comes loaded with 24 exposures of 400 ASA film--good for cloudy days, action or inside shots, not-so-good for sunny days when the film can be overexposed. Preloaded messages (eight repeated three times in the course of the roll) appear at the bottom of each standard-size print, among these: On the Road Again, Vacation Memories and Wish You Were Here. The camera can be taken to any photo shop for developing, which costs about the same as a regular roll of 24-count, 35mm film.

The Message Camera is about $15 at camera stores.

Learning to shoot better: The Nikon camera company is sharing some of the secrets of master photographers in its new Nikon Masters Videos, entertaining and instructional films that may make you just a little bit more of a pro. Out so far: “Masters of Wildlife,” a gorgeous 40-minute video featuring Frans Lanting, one of the best wildlife photographers in the world. Also: “The Essence of Light,” which provides 45 minutes of guidance on using natural and flash lighting through the photography of top shooters Roger Ressmeyer, Galen Rowell, Brett Froomer and Jade Albert. More categories are scheduled for later in the year.

Nikon Masters Videos are $29.95 apiece from Nikon: tel. (800) 556-4566.

Gear & Gadgets appears the first week of every month.