The Solar System of Photography

Just in time for summer sun worshipers is Canon’s new Sure Shot del Sol, the world’s first fully automatic, solar-powered camera. Even the built-in flash runs on power from the sun’s rays.

The front cover on the compact 35-millimeter point-and-shoot camera contains the solar panels and a secondary battery to store the electricity generated by the solar battery. The solar panel automatically pops up and stops charging when the temperature reaches 80 degrees. This smart mechanism protects the film and secondary battery from heat damage. The secondary battery never needs to be replaced.

Weighing only 8.9 ounces, the Sure Shot del Sol features a 32-millimeter, f/35 lens with auto focus from about 18 inches to infinity. The lens extends automatically when the front solar cover is opened.

Del Sol also has four flash modes: automatic for low light conditions, red-eye reduction flash for portraits, slow-synchro for night photography and special effects and manual on/off functions.

A battery power/brightness button on the front of the camera checks the level of energy available during charging and use. When fully charged through the solar panels, the camera can expose six to eight rolls of 24-frame film. When shipped to retailers from Canon, it has enough stored power to expose about four rolls of 24-frame film before it needs to sit in the sun for recharging.

Sure Shot del Sol ($285) is available nationwide in camera and electronics stores. If you can’t find it in your area, call Canon at (800) OK-CANON.

Getting a Better Grip on Fido

Inventor Lawrence Kraus says Merlin, his Great Dane, was the inspiration for a unique new dog leash--the Grrrip-Big Dog Leash, which has two looped handles instead of one.

Like most owners of medium to large dogs, Kraus always wrapped the leash around his hand when he needed to shorten his 150-pound dog’s lead. “After numerous painful leash-wrapping experiences, I decided it was time to redefine the 100-year-old standard for dog leashes,” he says.

Grrrip has the usual loop handle at the end and a second handle close to the dog’s collar that offers the dog owner more secure and comfortable control over the dog.

The Grrrip-Big Dog Leash comes in 4- and 6-feet lengths and 1- and 3/4-inch widths. The heavy nylon version ($12-$14 retail) is available in black, red, royal blue, purple, hunter green and hot pink. The leather Grrrip ($24) comes in black and brown.

The leashes are available nationwide in pet-supply stores. Or you can order from Kraus’ Crowd Pleaser Pet Products, (800) 488-3885.

Subtract Darkness, Add a Little Light

Handy for that last-minute work on a red-eye flight or an early-morning train commute is Nite-Brite, a clever new calculator that illuminates itself in low light.

A built-in sensor automatically turns on when the light is low, illuminating the Nite-Brite’s digital display and key pad, which has raised see-through keys. Two AA batteries are included.

The lightweight, compact (6 by 2 3/4 by 1/2 inches) calculator comes in pewter gray and forest green. At $17.95, plus $3.95 shipping and handling, it is available from Jen4 Communipath Inc., 11819 Goldring Road, Suite C., Arcadia, Calif. 91006; (818) 303-6022.