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If you love shooting pictures, then you have to agree that there is nothing better than going to the great outdoors, visiting national parks and capturing the beauty of the Mother Nature. Now, the standard photographer’s backpack for outdoor shooting sessions usually includes a DSLR camera and a bunch of different lenses. But, what if we told you that there are quite a few gadgets that will completely transform your outdoor photo experience?
A DSLR camera is unarguably the best choice for crystal clear images and the best and closest to real life colors. But, they are usually bulky and heavy, and you can’t always reach that perfect angle you are looking for with such a heavy piece of equipment in your hands. Therefore, we suggest checking out 5 gadgets that will definitely allow you to reach new angles, perspectives, and end up with awesome photos and videos of your next outdoor trip.
Astrophotography Camera
Who says you can only take photos of the nature and everything around you just during the day? The night sky offers you a chance to shoot breathtaking images of the cosmos and the stars in it. This is especially possible when you are away from the city and the light pollution that destroys the amazing view of the night sky.
But, even though you can adjust the shutter speed and exposure on your DSLR, you will still not be able to get the quality of the photos you want. Therefore, we suggest thinking about investing in the best camera for Astrophotography money can buy. You will see that some models work as a stand alone unit capable of making images on its own, while others need lenses, or to be attached to a telescope.
Whichever one you choose, you will definitely have fun and fall in love with making breathtaking images of the Universe, the mesmerizing Nebulas, or perhaps the Moon.
Camera Drone
Have you ever encountered a breathtaking scenery that was simply too big for your camera and your ground position? Have you thought in those moments “How cool would it be if I could only get the camera high in the air to capture the entire landscape!”?
Well, you can actually get your camera in the air and capture not only the entire landscape, but also position it virtually anywhere you want it and reach any angle you can imagine. How? Easy, a camera drone.
Nowadays, drones are not as expensive as they were some 6 or 7 years ago, and they come with high-quality cameras that are capable of making crystal clear images and videos that are up to 4K resolution quality. However, if you want high-quality photos and videos, you will need a drone that offers smooth flying and a camera gimbal to keep the camera leveled and stable all the time.
One of the models we can recommend is the 3DR Iris, as it comes with a relatively low price and is a drone that you can rely on no matter where you are. It offers some 22 minutes of flight time, GPS position hold, autonomous flights, and is GoPro compatible. It also comes with plenty of useful modes like Follow Me, so that you can do whatever you want while the drone follows you and records videos on its own. Definitely a useful addition to your outdoor photography gear.
Action Camera
Action cameras became extremely popular and there is a good reason for it. Not only that they are lighter and smaller than the standard cameras, but they also offer pretty much the same image quality, and superior video quality when compared to standard DSLR videos. Furthermore, they are way more durable than any other type of camera, and can be used for anything that comes to your mind!
So, if the drone suggestion got you interested, then you will definitely need an action camera to have an ultimate flying filming rig. Now, when it comes to action cameras, the best choice would be a GoPro, but they tend to be on the higher end of the price scale. However, there are other options that are cheaper, yet still offer great image and video quality, and can be used with the drones as well. Our recommendation would be the Xiaomi 4K action camera, if the GoPro Hero 5 or 6 are above your budget limit.
Handheld Gimbal
Now that you have a drone, and an action camera in your backpack, you should think about making smooth videos on the ground, and always have a leveled and stabilized camera for the perfect photographies.
Just like the drone uses a gimbal to keep the footage perfect, you can use a hand held gimbal to do the same thing when you want to make videos while moving or simply have a steady, leveled camera for a picture.
Hand held gimbals are virtually selfie sticks, but with electric motors to stabilize the camera on 2 or 3 axis, and in some cases, a screen for camera preview and gimbal control. Most of them are compatible with all the action cameras on the market, but some of them can hold phones as well, and some even come with their own cameras. Furthermore, they are all highly portable and packable, so they will take almost no space in your backpack.
Water and Shock Proof Camera Case
A must have gadget for any outdoor photography lover is a waterproof camera case, or if your phone has a high-quality lens, then a waterproof case for a smartphone. Not only that you will be able to make photos and videos from a totally different perspective, underwater one, but your camera will also be safe from falls or scratches as these waterproof cases are shockproof as swell.
With such a camera case, you will be able to make those really interesting images where half of the picture is under water while the other half is above it! You will also be able to capture images of animals that live underwater, like fish, crabs, underwater plants, and whatever seems interesting to you.
Keep in mind that waterproof camera cases are not expensive and go from as low as just a few dollars, up to some $30 or $40. You don’t need to buy the most expensive one, but know that the cheapest ones are risky and can leak. So, check the reviews and try to find a golden middle.
Author Bio
Rebecca lives in USA, but loves hiking all over the world. Her favorite is Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. It usually takes 16 days, but she likes to slow down, enjoy mountains, company of other adventurers and take more pictures, so it took her 28 days last time. Another of her passion is the ocean, so all short and long hikes along the ocean shore bring a lot of joy. She also writes for HikingMastery.com.