HoodCap Flower Is The Ultimate DSLR Lens Hood Cap

What a genius idea this is. This DSLR lens hood is called the HoodCap Flower, and for good reason. You might say it blooms open into a usable lens hood and closes into a lens cap right there on your lens. If you're like me, I've long forgot about using a lens cap in my daily use just because of how inconvenient it has become for me. I do however, always have my lens hood on. Something like the HoodCap Flower combines the best of both worlds into a single lens attachment you can simply rotate to transform it into a lens hood or a lens cap. Sadly, this isn't yet a real product, just a concept for the time being. I seriously want one now!

Photograph Space Using Your iPhone 4 With AstroClip

I said it before and I'll say it again, the iPhone 4 can take some astonishing photos for a camera phone. Got a telescope laying around? The AstroClip will let you use your iPhone 4 to take some awesome photos of the moon and outer space you've always wanted on a lower cost budget. That of course, depends how good of a telescope you've got. The AstroClip is very much like the Olloclip lens attachment we've seen for the iPhone 4, it easily slips on your iPhone 4's camera and it can be attached to any popular telescope with a 1.25" eyepiece. 

That's one moonlicious photograph if you ask me. $25 is all you need to get started in astrophotography using your iPhone 4 and a telescope. Don't have a telescope? Apparently you can get a decent one for just under $100 on Amazon. The AstroClip is now available for pre-order and comes in white or black via Kickstarter. 

Thanks for the tip, Chris!

This Is How Geeky Photographers Take Self Portraits (Video)

This is exactly the way you should take a self portrait if you're a geeky photog. At least this is how the guys over at 2D Photography do it. I just hope those lenses weren't damaged in the making.

Nikon Outs Affordable 40mm f/2.8G Micro Lens

Nikon has released a new affordable, fixed focal length AF-S micro lens for Nikon DX-format cameras. The new prime lens is a Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G Micro lens with an AF-S Silent Wave Motor built-in. With the f/2.8 and rounded 7-blade diaphragm this lens packs, you should expect some bokehlicious macro shots at a very affordable price. Expect the Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G Micro lens to hit stores as early as next month for $279.95. I'll take two please.

iPhone 5 May Have Dual LED Flash

Apple is rumored to incorporate a dual LED flash in the upcoming iPhone 5, a significant upgrade that will improve the lighting performance in photos taken and will help produce much more evenly lit and exposed photos. Past rumors suggested that Apple will be separating the LED flash from the camera module to help reduce "washout" in photos in the upcoming iPhone 5.  

Digitimes - Recent market rumors have indicated that Apple's iPhone 5 is likely to come with a dual-LED flash with Taiwan-based LED packaging firms Everlight Electronics, Edison Opto and Lite-On Technology being pinpointed as potential suppliers. All related companies have denied they are involved in the production of dual-LED flashes.

Officially Take Pictures Using Your iPhone's Volume + Button

Apple has announced many new features today at WWDC for iOS 5, one big new feature utilizes the iPhone's volume + (up) button as a physical camera shutter button to quickly snap shots like a point-n-shot camera. 3rd party camera apps have been known to secretly add such a feature without Apple's approval and were quickly removed. Not long ago we posted about a new accessory for the iPhone 4 called the Red Pop camera grip that adds a big red camera shutter button for those who want a physical button to press. The Red Pop runs for $75 while Apple just offered a simple free software update to do just that. The iPhone's volume button certainly isn't a big juicy red button, but it will do just fine. In addition, iOS 5 will add the ability to directly access the camera app from the lock screen even if you've set a password. iOS 5 will be available this fall.