Hasta La Gadget!

$100 for a camera body cap. Need we say more?

Is there any part of a camera system that can’t be gussied up and sold for a huge markup? Of course not. And today we have the latest candidate for the cash of over-monied photographers: the $100 body-cap for Canon SLRs.

The cap, called the LockCircle, is a circular chunk of aluminum which twists snugly into the open lens mount of any Canon EF-mount SLR. In this manner it mimics exactly the function of the free plastic cap that came with the camera.

But that’s not all. The LockCircle comes in three finishes: titanium, black or clear, and its knurled and dimpled styling makes your camera look like an old-fashioned dial telephone.

I kid. There is a serious purpose for this over-engineered chunk of metal. Those knurls and dimples, along with its deep profile, mean you can screw and unscrew the thing with gloves on. Supposedly the cap protects the interior of the camera from dust and rain in fierce weather.

You can see the problems immediately, right? First, you may be able to change the lens while wearing gloves (assuming you can get the cheap plastic rear cap off the lens itself), but you won’t actually be able to operate the camera. Second, if the weather is so extreme that you can’t take off your gloves for a few seconds, then it’s probably not a good idea to open up your weather-sealed camera to the elements, letting the grit and rain blow in onto the sensor.

Third, it costs $100. That’s enough to buy you a second-hand 50mm lens. Why not just use that as a body-cap. A body cap that you can use to take a photo instantly, instead of after a cap-and-lens-juggling struggle?

I’m sure there’s somebody reading this who still wants one. the link is below. I hope you enjoy it. You can keep it next to your Titanium Leica M9 (just $29,000).

LockCircle [LockCircle via PetaPixel]

See Also:

• The $50 Hole: Photojojo's Body-Cap Pinhole Conversion

Here’s something you can curl up with after those long winter… photoshoots? Straight out of the there’s something for everyone department comes a trio of plush toy camera lenses — in Nikon 35mm, Canon 50mm and 24-105mm varieties — for even the most discerning leisure connoisseur. These hand-crafted part fleece, part felt creations are the fruits of Plushtography’s shutterbug-obsessed labor and come “pre-hugged by a team of koalas to ensure maximum huggability” — we guess Olivia Newton-John was busy. The pillows range from amateur to expert, in keeping with their lens type and could lighten your wallet to the tune of $35 – $65 smackeroos. These lenses won’t imbue you with any magical pro-photographic skill, but they should prove to be an interesting bedroom conversation piece.

Plush camera lens pillows get you through the night, koala hug approved originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 05:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET  |  Plushtography  | Email this | Comments

Continue reading Canon 18-55mm lens torn open to expose visuals of Image Stabilization (video)

Canon 18-55mm lens torn open to expose visuals of Image Stabilization (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 11:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Wired  |  Camera Technica  | Email this | Comments

Canon takes a cue from Pentax, starts selling the T3 in assorted colors originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remy Labesque’s old gadgets have aged like antique leather. Photos Remy Labesque

What happens if you actually keep and use your gadgets for more than a year, something that seems increasingly gauche in these days of incessant updates and upgrades? You end up with something worn to a beautiful and unique finish.

This first-gen iPhone is three years old, and the Canon Sureshot camera has seven years on the clock. Both belonged to Remy Labesque, and have finally been recycled after long and faithful service. They’re beautiful.

Well, the iPhone is beautiful. As Remy says, “the Canon camera’s shell looks like garbage while the iPhone’s is starting to resemble something more like an heirloom pocket watch.”

The aluminum has certainly worn better than the plastic, the edges buffed and worn shiny by use, but the camera has its charms, too. In fact, the Sureshot was still going strong. It was only euthanized because it used film.

The irony here is our devices are ditched not because they are broken — today’s hardware seems to be made to last — it’s that the software or capabilities quickly become obsolete. Did I need to swap my iPad for an iPad 2? Of course not. Was I hypnotized by the shiny baubles that are the Smart Cover, a crappy camera and a new, thin, light case? I’m ashamed to admit I was.

Aged to Perfection [Design Mind via TUAW]

See Also:

• Don't Recycle? Your Trash Can Will Tell On You
• Recycle Your Old Gadgets on Wired.com With YouRenew