6 Must Haves for Film Photography Shooting: Summer 2024
As we embrace the long days and golden hours of summer 2024, film photographers are preparing their gear to capture everything at the height of the season. While essentials like film, cameras, light meters, and tripods are crucial, they remain year round essentials. Let's delve into more niche, summer specific gear that can elevate your film photography game this season.
1. UV Protection Filters
Why You Need It:
Summer sunlight can be harsh, especially during midday shoots. A UV protection filter is essential for reducing the haze and blue cast that direct sunlight can introduce to your film images. These filters also protect your lens from dust, sand, and accidental scratches, making them a must have for beach or desert shoots.
Recommended Product:
Hoya UV Protection Filter – Renowned for its high quality optical glass and multi coating, this filter effectively reduces UV light, ensuring sharp and clear images. It also offers robust protection for your lens, making it perfect for outdoor summer shoots.
Key Features:
Multi-coated optical glass
Available in various sizes
Slim frame design to avoid vignetting
Durable construction
Price Range:
$20 - $40, depending on the size
2. Reflective Umbrella
Why You Need It:
A reflective umbrella is perfect for summer shoots, especially when dealing with really strong sunlight. It helps to diffuse and soften harsh light, preventing overexposed highlights and deep shadows. Whether you're shooting portraits or still life, a reflective umbrella can make a significant difference in achieving well balanced lighting. Umbrella’s can seem like a cumbersome add on at first, but you’ll thank yourself after seeing your shots.
Recommended Product:
Westcott 45-inch Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover – This versatile umbrella offers both reflective and shoot-through options, making it highly adaptable for various lighting conditions.
Key Features:
Removable black cover
Durable construction
Lightweight and portable
Compatible with most light stands
Price Range:
$30 - $50
3. Cooling Packs
Why You Need It:
Summer heat can affect not only photographers but also their equipment. Heat and humidity can significantly impact film quality. High temperatures increase graininess, cause color shifts, lead to fogging, and degrade the film emulsion. Excessive humidity fosters mold and mildew growth, makes the film sticky and prone to scratches, accelerates color fading, and can cause warping and curling.
Proper storage in cool, dry conditions is essential to preserve film quality! Cooling gel packs are an excellent addition to your gear bag to keep your film cool and prevent it from getting too warm. Simply wrap your film rolls in a cooling gel pack to maintain optimal temperature, ensuring your shots remain crisp and vibrant.
Recommended Product:
Uline 3 oz Cold Packs – These compact and long lasting cold packs are perfect for keeping your film cool without taking up much space in your bag.
Key Features:
Slim and lightweight design
Long-lasting cooling
Reusable and non-toxic
Easy to pack
Price Range:
$26 for one 96 unit case
4. Water Resistant Camera Bag
Why You Need It:
Summer means trips to the beach, pool, or maybe a tropical vacation. A water resistant/proof camera bag is indispensable for protecting your valuable gear from unexpected splashes, rain, or sand. Instead of just leaving your film camera at home this summer, get yourself a bag so you can capture everything! Look for a bag with sealed seams and sturdy zippers to ensure your camera and lenses stay dry and safe, regardless of the shooting conditions.
Recommended Product:
Transit Travel Backpack – This high-capacity waterproof bag offers excellent protection for your gear while remaining comfortable to carry.
Key Features:
100% waterproof construction with high-density fabric and reinforced seams
Comfortable harness system with adjustable shoulder and chest straps
Ample 30-liter storage space with multiple padded compartments for cameras, lenses, and accessories
Easy-access compartments, including a laptop sleeve for up to 15-inch laptops
Waterproof zippers and external mesh pockets for water bottles or tripods
Padded back panel with airflow channels for ventilation
Additional features: removable camera insert, rain cover, and luggage strap
Recommended Product:
Moment Rugged Camera Sling – This durable and compact waterproof sling bag offers excellent protection for your gear while being lightweight and easy to carry.
Key Features:
Quick access, double zippered main flap for grabbing gear on the run
Soft padded inner lining to protect your tech gear
Modular dividers with quilted velcro lining for easy organization
Zippered and quick slip inner pockets for batteries, cards, and cables
Anti-slip tripod loading straps and external attachment points
Magnetic buckles for quick release and latch
Comfortable, adjustable sling strap and padded back panel for comfort
Large top handle for quick and comfortable grab-and-go
What It Does:
Carries camera gear safely through harsh conditions
Enables tripod or jacket carry with bottom loading straps
Integrates iPad or tablet carry with a dedicated pocket
Sleek, low-profile design
Customizable organization with modular dividers
Price Range:
$90 - $110
5. Polarizing Filter
Why You Need It:
A polarizing filter is particularly useful in summer, enhancing the colors and contrast in your images. It reduces reflections from water, glass, and other non-metallic surfaces, allowing you to capture clearer and more vibrant photos. Whether you're shooting landscapes, seascapes, or cityscapes, a polarizing filter helps bring out the best in your summer scenes.
Recommended Product:
Urth CPL Polarizing Filter – This high quality polarizing filter is designed to improve color saturation and contrast while reducing glare and reflections, making it perfect for capturing the vibrant essence of summer.
Key Features:
High-quality glass for optimal clarity and color accuracy
Multi-coated to reduce lens flare and ghosting
Slim frame design to avoid vignetting
Eco-friendly brand with a focus on sustainability
Price:
$85
6. Portable Solar Charger
Why You Need It:
For the adventurous film photographer who spends long days outdoors, a portable solar charger ensures you never miss a shot due to a drained battery, allowing you to charge your camera batteries, flash batteries, smartphone, or any other electronic gear on the go. Using a solar charger is a perfect way to use the summer heat to your advantage.
Recommended Product:
4 Solar Panel Power Bank Pro 20,000mAh with 4 Built-in Cables Qi Wireless Charger Stealth Angel Survival – This powerful and versatile solar charger is designed to keep all your devices charged during long outdoor shoots, ensuring you have the power you need no matter where you are.
Key Features:
High-capacity 20,000mAh battery
Four solar panels for efficient charging
Four built-in cables for various devices
Qi wireless charging capability
Durable and weather-resistant design
Multiple output ports for simultaneous charging
Price:
$60
If you enjoyed this blog and/or have any additional suggestions please feel free to leave a comment. As always, be sure to visit nicefilmclub.com for all your film development and scanning needs
