A Grab Bag of Luxuries for Photo Fans

Every season brings new products to keep travel photographers stocking their camera bags. The following items may be available in area stores. Prices do not include shipping.

Digital cool: The age of digital cameras has arrived with a bang, but quality varies dramatically. Nikon’s easy-to-operate Coolpix 990 is one of the best of the mid-range bunch--though not cheap at a list price of $999. The compact, one-pound camera offers 3.34 mega-pixels of high-resolution digital images. Photos can be instantly reviewed, enhanced or deleted. The lens zooms to the equivalent of 38 to 115mm on a 35mm camera. The Coolpix comes with a 16 MB reusable CompactFlash digital film card, USB cable, video cable and neck strap, and operates on four included AA batteries.

Nikon Coolpix 990 lists for $999 but is widely available for less. Fisheye, telephoto and wide-angle lenses also are available. Contact Nikon; telephone (800) 645-6687, Internet https://www.nikonusa.com.

Be a TV star: Viewing and editing digital photos on a computer may require complex connections and system upgrades that older PCs don’t have. Iomega’s FotoShow is a little gadget that turns your TV into a viewing screen. The unit, which looks like a Zip drive, accepts either CompactFlash or SmartMedia storage cards--the most common form of digital film. It connects to the TV’s RCA jack via an included cable. It can also work through your VCR. The PhotoShow can store images on standard 100-MB or 250-MB Zip disks, so your digital film can be reused for new shots. A remote control (included) lets you view, edit and crop your images on the TV screen. Who says there’s nothing interesting on TV these days?

Iomega FotoShow is $299; tel. (800) 697-8833, https://www.iomega.com.

Security net: My camera gear travels incognito inside a wheeled bag, but for extra security in transit and in hotels, I’ve found the Pacsafe security system. This heavy-duty, stainless-steel net surrounds the bag and can be locked, via its included cable, to a stationary object. The net wraps around 22- to 25-inch cases, does not impede the wheels, and folds to 5 1/2 by 3 1/2 by 2 inches. It stores in its own carry pouch. The Pacsafe comes with a padlock and three keys.

Pacsafe Luggage Safe (9976) is $69 from TravelSmith; tel. (800) 950-1600, https://www.travelsmith.com.

Learn from a pro: Bob Krist, a respected travel photographer, writer and teacher, combines all three skills in his excellent how-to book, “Spirit of Place: The Art of the Traveling Photographer” (also available in a video version). This photography columnist for National Geographic Traveler writes and photographs with equal parts skill and humor. Both amateurs and pros will benefit from Krist’s insights into choosing equipment, composition and light, making subjects feel at ease, bad weather and other challenges.

“Spirit of Place: The Art of the Traveling Photographer” (Amphoto Books) is $24.95; video is $29.95 from https://www.bobkrist.com, or from Watson-Guptill/BPI Publications; tel. (800) 278-8477.

Vested interest: Domke, known for its canvas photo bags, makes a cotton photo vest that meets the needs of even the most pocket-crazy shooter. The recently updated and improved zippered vest has 14 pockets, including five concealed inside. An oversize cargo pocket in the back can be used for stowing a nylon jacket or rain poncho. The vest has mesh panels front and back for ventilation.

Photojournalist’s Vest (3028) in khaki or moss is $109 from TravelSmith; tel. (800) 950-1600, https://www.travelsmith.com.

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