Oh! Gizmo

By Shane McGlaun

Sanyo announced a new rear view backup camera system today that drivers of large vans and SUVs will find appealing. I drive a large vehicle and it is impossible to see what is below the glass and close to the bumper. Anyone that lives in a neighborhood with lots of kids or has kids themselves knows that many little ones are not tall enough to see from inside a big vehicle if they are close to the bumper.

Sanyo’s new CCA-BC200 Rear View Backup Camera System with AirCam technology uses digital processing to deliver accurate and natural looking images of what is behind you. That means you don’t have to look at strangely distorted fish-eye type images.

The only bad part about this system is that a monitor for viewing the video feed isn’t included, nor is a monitor an option. The Sanyo system relies completely on the fact that many vehicles have onboard displays for DVDs and GPS navigation. If your vehicle lacks a display of some sort you will need to add one for the Sanyo system to work. Pricing for the camera system is $299.99 and it is available now.

[ Press Release (registration required) ] VIA [ Sanyo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

ThinkGeek, those fine purveyors of gadgets you don’t need but always want has just added this USB microscope to their site. It uses a single lens for 20x, 50x or 200x magnification which makes me think there could be some digital zoom action going on but the samples they’ve posted on their site still look pretty decent.

There are 4 white LEDs built into the tip of the camera for extra illumination and the microscope can be removed from the stand if you want to go in for a closer look. It also includes software allowing you to take 1024×768 pixel snapshots or even record time-lapse videos. And while it’s conveniently plug and play for some reason it only supports USB 1.1.

It’s available now on the ThinkGeek website for $179.99.

[ USB Digital Microscope ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Those weird creaking or scratching sounds you hear at night might not just be your house ’settling.’ It could be the result of quite a few things from rodent infestation to unseen structural problems. Until now a Sawzall or sledgehammer was the only way to see what was happening inside walls or under floors but the SeeSnake micro provides another solution that’s almost as fun. It’s a handheld endoscope that allows you to peer into areas of your home that were normally inaccessible.

The small camera uses 2 adjustable LED lights and comes attached to a 3 foot cable but that can be increased to up to 30 feet with optional extensions. It feeds a 2.5 inch, 234×160 pixel color LCD screen that is bright enough to be seen in any conditions. And since you really have no idea what you’re going to discover the camera and cable are completely waterproof up to 10 feet when properly assembled. Now keep in mind this is specifically designed as a work tool and should never be used for entertainment or medical purposes, no matter how useful you may think it is.

The RIDGID SeeSnake micro is available online for about $220-$230.

[ RIDGID SeeSnake micro ] VIA [ Popular Mechanics ]

By Andrew Liszewski

It seems odd that anyone would want to purchase accessories for a disposable camera but what’s even more odd to me is the fact that people still purchase disposable cameras at all. Regardless this miniature flexible tripod can attach to pretty much any one-time use camera and even includes a 12-second timer for those occasions when you want to be in the picture but there are no strangers around to help you out.

The tripod looks like it has a large base for the camera to sit on which is then secured in place with a flexible and I assume adjustable strap. The timer unit comes attached to the strap and has some sort of mechanical trigger to actually push the camera’s shutter button.

The single-use camera tripod with timer will only set you back $9.97 and can be disassembled for easy transport.

[ Single-Use Camera Tripod With Timer ] VIA [ Uber-Review ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The Lomo cameras are usually as simple as it gets when it comes to photography but they still manage to set themselves apart with unique features and a highly stylized approach to photography. Most of my photographer friends who carry around thousands of dollars worth of digital camera gear still have a few Lomos in their collections they use quite often.

The Lomo Supersampler uses 4 side-by-side lenses which will take 4 panoramic shots on a single frame of film. The camera has 2 speed settings as well allowing you to snap those 4 pics in 2 seconds or 0.2 seconds depending on how you want the action shots to be spread out. Like many Lomos it has no viewfinder either, just point it at your subject, hit the shutter button and hope for the best. And instead of using a thumb wheel to advance the film in the camera you just pull a patented rip-cord to get ready for the next shot. (Not sure how you rewind the film though…)

The Supersampler is available for about $80 and remember you’ll need to get yourself a few rolls of film too, no SD or CF card slots to be found on this one I’m afraid.

[ Lomo Supersampler ] VIA [ Shiny Shiny ]

By David Edney

It’s a complete breakthrough in photography transporting! Well, not really, but it is a damn clever way to access your photography camera/accessories without having to take off your back pack and drudge through everything. The Rotation 360 bag lets you access your gear without taking off the bag. The top part holds necessary accessories or whatever else you would need and the bottom half is a secret fanny pack [Fanny packs, wtfomglol! -Ed.] that slides around your waist when you need it and tucks away under the top bag when not in use. They also include a method for mounting two SLR’s on the front of the shoulder straps so you don’t have to set them down on anything, a rail on the waist belt to add accessories easily and a built in rain cover for the entire bag. The best addition is the hold down strap that holds the camera to your chest in case you’re running for your life, like most freelance photographers do. For $280 it’s a steal, especially if you spend the arm, leg, half an ear and nose worth of cameras and equipment that would go into it.

[ 360 Bag ] VIA [ Sci Fi ]

By David Ponce

We think that making your own gadgets is great. It’s even better when they’re made from things like skulls. Take Wayne Martin Belger, an artist whose work we’ve just recently come across. This man makes some gorgeous pinhole cameras, like the “Third Eye” you see on the picture. And, not only do they look cool, they’re completely functional:

All the cameras are machined out of 6061 (aircraft quality) aluminum with tolerances kept within 1000th of an inch to ensure the cameras will be completely light tight and function smoothly.

They all have stainless steel tripod mounts, adjustable focal lengths (with the exception of the Bee camera) and will take a standard 4×5 Polaroid back. Other parts can range from stainless steel surgical tools, rusty parts from abandoned mining camps in the Mojave and Death Valley Deserts, to insects, plants, carved bone, and even a real human heart in the back of one of the camera?s pressure plates.

We’re not sure whether his cameras are for sale, though if they are, expect them to be priced as a unique work of art.

[Wayne Martin Belger's Pinhole Cameras] VIA [TeamDroid]