This is The Digital Story Podcast #766, Nov. 24, 2020. Today's theme is "The Anti-Black-Friday Gift Guide for Photographers." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Over the next several days, you're going to hear the BF term many, many times - even after the actual day has passed. The truth of the matter is that you will be able to get decent deals on just about anything you set your sights on, so let's focus on quality gear with lots of appeal. I hope you enjoy these gift ideas.

The Anti-Black-Friday Gift Guide for Photographers

• Think Tank Photo Lens Case Duo 15 (Green) $19 ($8 savings) And the Think Tank Photo Lens Case Duo 30 (Green) $20 ($8 savings)- Keep your lens protected while maintaining access with the green Lens Case Duo 15 or 30 from Think Tank. With multiple carrying options like a grab handle and belt loop, this case adapts to your carrying equipment. Its water-resistant nylon exterior keeps moisture away from your sensitive lens. Two zippered openings allow for quick access to your equipment. Additionally, stretchy front pockets can hold a variety of accessories like lens caps and memory cards. 6.7" Interior height.
• Kingston DataTraveler Duo ($9.99) - I can't be the only guy who has a USB-C laptop and a USB-A desktop. The world of technology is always in transition, and the different USB connectors are one of the more aggravating side effects. Fortunately, Kingston is helping out with their Kingston DataTraveler Duo ($9.99), and I couldn't be happier. One flash drive that works with all of my computers.



• PL-190R Photography LED Light 5000mah on-Camera Video Light, 2500K-8500K RGB Full Color Fill Light $49 - PL-190R Photography LED Light 5000mah on-Camera Video Light, 2500K-8500K RGB Full color Fill Light Features: 5000mAh, Extra-large capacity battery gorgeous sufficient charge. Small and exquisite, easy to carry. 12 ounces. 6"x4".
• Lowepro Photo Hatchback Series BP 250 AW II Backpack (Midnight Blue/Gray) $56 ($56 savings) - Designed to hold a DSLR with attached lens, two extra lenses, related accessories, and personal gear. On the front of the pack is a zippered storage area for personal items, accessory pockets, key fob, and a CradleFit pocket for your tablet. Camera equipment is stored inside the removable, padded insert, which is accessed through the back of the pack. Padded, touch-fastening dividers are helpful for organizing gear to your liking. A versatile pack, the insert seals at the top and features two carry handles for storing separately when converting the pack to general usage.



• Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone with Rycote Lyre Shock Mount $59 - The VideoMicro is a compact microphone designed to improve the audio quality of your videos. It incorporates a high-quality cardioid condenser microphone capsule for great quality audio recordings when used with a wide range of cameras. A directional microphone, the VideoMicro reduces distracting peripheral sounds and focusses on the audio in front of the camera. Its pickup is more forgiving than RØDE's other on-camera microphones providing a more natural sound when recording indoors. Perfect for capturing incredible audio to accompany inspiring vision. The microphone body is made from aluminum, giving it a high level of RF rejection, and is finished in RØDE's high-grade ceramic anti-glare black coating. Included with the VideoMicro is a camera shoe mount featuring a Rycote Lyre shock mount. No Battery Required. 3.5mm mini-jack.

• Ruggard Electronic Dry Cabinet (30L) $119 ($30 savings) - The cabinet's fast-acting TE Cooling Wafer regulates the interior's relative humidity from 60 to 35% to help prevent fungus and corrosion that can damage your gear. Humidity adjustments take place over a 1- to 3-hour period.
  The cabinet features a keyed door with a plastic front handle built into the gasket-sealed glass door. A large, dimmable LCD displays ambient temperature (in Fahrenheit or Celsius), relative humidity, and other settings. Interior LED lights make viewing and finding gear easier. Both the base and the adjustable plastic shelf are padded to help guard against scratches, and the shelf's padding is contoured to accommodate lenses.



• Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm f/2.5 ASPH II Lens $197 ($100 savings) - Assuming a truly thin profile of just 0.8"-thick, the Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm f/2.5 ASPH II Lens is a sleek wide-angle prime designed for Micro Four Thirds system cameras. Offering a 28mm-equivalent focal length, this lens takes on a wider-than-normal perspective to benefit its use in a broad variety of shooting situations. A stepping motor provides quick, quiet autofocus performance that is beneficial to both movie and still recording and an inner focusing system maintains the overall lens length during operation for greater responsiveness. This compact and versatile lens is an ideal option for everyday use.
• Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS Lens for Micro Four Thirds $249 ($150 savings) - Providing a 24mm effective focal length and a broad 83° angle of view, this lens is perfect to working in low-light conditions.
  Three extra-low dispersion elements and two aspherical elements have been incorporated into the optical design to minimize chromatic aberrations and distortion in order to produce sharper images. Additionally, a Nano Coating System (NCS) has been applied to the lens elements in order to reduce surface reflections and prevent lens flare and ghosting for improved light transmission and more contrast-rich imagery



• Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof $349 ($100 savings) - You live for the outdoors. Hiking steep mountain trails. Backpacking through a desert Canyon. Skiing in the wilderness. The tough tg-6 is ready for adventure. It's built to endure all the extreme environments you love exploring. You can drop it. Step on it. Go deep underwater or out into a freezing blizzard. It just keeps on shooting awesome stills and video. Packed with pro features, you'll nail difficult shots -- even in low light. Shoot intricately detailed macro photos and unique shots underwater with vivid color. The lightweight, compact tough tg-6. Engineered to survive the world's toughest places.

Kodak to Release '70s-Inspired Metal Film Cases in Six Colors

You can read the entire article here on PetaPixel.

A new product bearing the Kodak name seems to ask, "If you're shooting film, why not immerse yourself in the experience?" The company is releasing metal film canisters commonly used in the 1970s brand new for 2020. Groovy.

Retopro is a brand licensee of Eastman Kodak Company and has emblazoned the iconic photography brand's logo on metal canisters designed to hold film rolls. The body is made of aluminum and the cap is made of steel, a design popular in the 1970s before the industry made the switch to plastic.

"We are inspired by the selection of materials and colours, and wish to recreate a new version of the Kodak Film Case, only to make it even more practical and stylish," the company writes.

You can order now for $25 each.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras

We have more time around the house than ever. And you finally dove into that bedroom closet that's been begging for some organization.

If you found a film camera that you're no longer using, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

If it's a camera we can use for the shop, I'll send you a Donation Kit that includes a USPS Priority Mail shipping box and prepaid label. All you have to do is tape it up, insert the camera, and add the label. USPS will pick up your shipment from the front door of your house during their regular mail delivery. It's that simple!

Your donation help get analog gear in the hands of aspiring fine art photographers, and the proceeds help support this podcast.

Updates and Such

The Ultimate B&W Photography Workshop Now Has a Second Session

The first session sold out in two days. So I've added a second session of the The Ultimate B&W Photography Workshop begins with its first assignment and check-in on Dec. 22 and builds to our class presentation on Saturday Jan. 16, 2021. We currently have 2 seats open for the second session.

I've created a new space called DerrickStoryOnline to support our virtual and physical workshops. Those who signed up for the Eastern Sierra event will have permanent access to this growing community.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.