We’re into the homestretch now. Father’s Day is right around the corner, you haven’t started shopping yet and another last-minute necktie just won’t do. If you want to get your very special dad a very special gift – something he’ll always use and never forget – we’re here to help. Check out our list of top-pick camera and accessory suggestions.
Peak Design’s The Everyday Messenger 13”
The Everyday Messenger camera bag easily accommodates a DSLR and several lenses along with plenty of accessories, but with its handy colour-coded, origami-inspired folding dividers, the interior can be customized for almost any use. A magnetic clasp on the front flap and corresponding locking points keep gear secure, while the waxed weatherproof exterior keeps everything dry. There’s lots to love about this practical, innovative camera bag – including the company that makes it. In its mission statement, San Francisco-based Peak Design says they donate 1% of their revenue to environmental non-profit organizations. They also guarantee their products for life, so none of them end up in landfills.
Don’t be fooled by the classic retro look: this handsome little mirrorless is packed with powerful cutting-edge features. Its generous 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor harbours a 91-area hybrid autofocus system that combines phase-detection and contrast-detection methods to deliver fast, precise AF. In addition to crisp high-res stills, the X-T100 handily tackles UHD 4K video. Its three-way tilting LCD monitor and high-magnification electronic viewfinder make framing each shot a cinch. Compact, lightweight and slim, this camera travels well and is perfect for the kind of hassle-free everyday shooting many dads aim for.
DJI has made a name for itself as the world’s leading manufacturer of gimbals and camera stabilizers, but it wasn’t until very recently that it got into the action-cam game – and took everyone by storm. The Osmo Action really has to be seen to be believed. Its intuitive controls are super-easy to use, and you can even operate it with voice commands. Switching between front and back dual screens is a snap. Dad can shoot handheld or mount the cam to a helmet, a bike or whatever to capture smooth, jitter-free footage under the most punishing shooting conditions. It’ll be worth the price of admission just to watch his jaw drop when he sees the results for himself.
Zhiyun Smooth 4 Smartphone Gimbal
Here’s another clever option for capturing seamless video, this time letting dad use his own smartphone. Securely mounted to Zhiyun’s aptly named Smooth 4, a mobile phone suddenly becomes a professional filmmaking device. With the integrated control panel, he can operate both the stabilizer and mobile camera directly using hot-key buttons. Advanced shooting techniques – including time lapse, motion lapse, hyper lapse and slow motion – are right at his fingertips. And just imagine the amount of stabilized video he can get with up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
After a day of shooting, it’s time for the big reveal – and every frame-worthy image deserves to be properly printed. This wireless professional inkjet printer uses the 8-ink dye-based ChromaLife 100+ system to render a spectrum of vivid colours, plus the Optimum Image Generating System to analyze and choose the best ink mixtures for each job. It can print out an 8×10 in less than a minute and an 11×14 in about one and a half. Along with conventional USB, the printer also has built-in WiFi and Ethernet connectivity. Your dad can even print straight from a compatible camera or device via PictBridge. It’s the Father’s Day gift that keeps on giving.
Cover Photo Credit: Alexandre Pimentel on Unsplash
