Well, everyone, we did it – another week is in the books, which means it’s time to take a look at the new accessories that came across our radar. We’ve found some fun ones, including a somewhat unexpected Nikon product and some inexpensive but fun third-party batteries. But first, let’s look at what’s on sale this week.

The deals keep going

Usually in this series, we like to point out the best camera deals around. This week, though, Amazon held its Prime Day event, and plenty of our favorite gear went on sale. While that event is technically over, most manufacturers seem to be keeping their gear on sale for the week, rather than limiting the savings to just two days. Since that’s the case, I’ll refer you to the Prime Day article my colleague Dale put together so you can get your deals fix.

NiSi’s joining the magnetic filter game

Filter maker NiSi doesn’t want you to spend all your time screwing and unscrewing filters from the front of your lens. The company has introduced its JetMag Pro system, which lets you screw on an adapter ring once, then use a variety of magnetically attaching filters.

The filters have a twist-lock system, which the company says “ensures the filter stays securely in place during use even when stacked with other filters.” In its announcement video, the company even shows someone shaking a poor Nikon around while just holding on to the filter – though we wouldn’t recommend trying that one at home.

The filters are color-coded, so you can tell at a glance whether you’re picking up an ND filter, a UV filter, a mist filter, etc. All the filters are 82mm, but the company is selling magnetic adapter rings, which step down to various filter sizes, as well as different kits with several filters and accessories like magnetic front and back caps and carrying bags.

NiSi is far from the first company to develop a magnetic filter system, but it’s always nice to have more options, especially from well-known brands. The magnetic adapter rings cost $20 each, and the filters range between $80 and $120.

Find your next shot

Image: Nikon

Nikon is obviously famous for its cameras, but it also invests some of its optical expertise into binoculars. Its latest models, which it announced this week, also feature its optical image stabilization tech, giving you a much clearer view of whatever faraway object you’re trying to look at.

If it weren’t for the power button, you could almost confuse these for regular binoculars. They’re much slimmer and more compact than the StabilEyes models the company sold many years ago, though, in fairness, those models did offer more magnification.

Nikon says you’ll get up to 12 hours of runtime out of two AA batteries. You can still keep using the binoculars once the battery runs out, you just won’t have the stabilization – though it can be hard to go back once you’ve experienced seeing the world like Legolas.

The 10×25 zoom model will sell for $640, and the 12×25 zoom model will cost $650. The company says they’ll be available in early November.

Nikon Stabilized 10×25 S

$639 at B&H

$639 at Nikon
Nikon Stabilized 12×25 S

$649 at B&H

$649 at Nikon

New camera, new cage

Image: Tilta

If you recently purchased a Canon R5 II and want to rig it out for video, you now have another option. Tilta has announced a variety of accessories for the camera, including a half cage, a full cage and a cage kit that includes a handle and cable clamp for locking down any attached HDMI or USB-C cords.

The cages are made of aluminum and are relatively utilitarian-looking. Still, if you just want to add a ton of 1/4″ threads on your camera, they’ll provide an inexpensive way to add them.

Full Cage

$49 at Tilta
Cage Kit

$76 at Tilta

More colorful batteries

Image: SmallRig

A while ago, we covered Manfroto’s expansion of its third-party battery lineup, which happen to come in a fun red shell. Now, SmallRig is offering something similar; its camera batteries, which can be charged directly via USB-C, are now available in vibrant safety orange.

SmallRig’s lineup is extensive. It sells equivalents of the:

• Canon LP-E6NH
• Fujifilm NP-W235
• Nikon EN-EL25
• Nikon EN-EL15C
• Sony NP-FW50
• Sony NP-F970
• NP-F550

It’s worth checking compatibility before purchasing; some note that they’re not compatible with certain cameras that could physically fit them, such as the EN-EL15C, which doesn’t currently work with the Nikon Z6III. Pricing on the models varies, but they’re generally a fair bit cheaper than the first-party options.

Image: SmallRig

SmallRig is also now making its VB50 and VB99 mini V-mount batteries available in green and orange, though only in the US. Unlike regular camera batteries, the color will actually work to accessorise your rig, as V-mount batteries are located on the outside of the camera rather than inside. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons that the colorful versions of the VB50 and VB99 cost $13-20 more than their black counterparts.

Every video a masterpiece

A month ago, we covered Every Frame a Painting’s temporary return to YouTube. This week, the filmmaking essay channel released another video, this time looking at the work of filmmaker Billy Wilder, director of classic films like The Apartment, Some Like It Hot, and Sunset Boulevard. As always, it’s a great watch for anyone who’s interested in movies and the craft behind them.

Click here to see last week’s roundup

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Hurricane Milton is barreling across the Gulf of Mexico toward the west coast of Florida, putting almost 15 million Florida residents under flood watches and prompting the evacuation of millions from the central part of the state.

Earlier today, NASA astronaut and photographer Matthew Dominick shared photos and video of Hurricane Milton through the window of the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. The spacecraft is currently waiting to undock from the International Space Station to return to Earth.

The National Hurricane Center continued to classify Milton as a Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 265 km/h (165 mph) and warning of “life-threatening inundation from storm surge.” However, the view from space belies the terrifying wind and rain on the ground, clearly showing the pinwheel shape of the hurricane with an identifiable eye at its center.

Additionally, Dominick posted a timelapse video from Dragon Endeavour on X, giving a sense of what it’s like to pass directly over the hurricane.

Timelapse flying by Hurricane Milton about 2 hours ago.

1/6400 sec exposure, 14mm, ISO 500, 0.5 sec interval, 30fps pic.twitter.com/p5wBlC95mx

— Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) October 8, 2024

In addition to Dominick’s posts on X, NASA has shared two videos of the hurricane from the International Space Station that provide different views:

Although Milton may appear serene from space, and maybe even beautiful, it poses a real risk to life and property down on Earth and will impact millions. If you’re anywhere in the path of the hurricane, you can visit the National Weather Service’s feed on X, where the agency is posting regular updates and information.

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Hurricane Milton is barreling across the Gulf of Mexico toward the west coast of Florida, putting almost 15 million Florida residents under flood watches and prompting the evacuation of millions from the central part of the state.

Earlier today, NASA astronaut and photographer Matthew Dominick shared photos and video of Hurricane Milton through the window of the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. The spacecraft is currently waiting to undock from the International Space Station to return to Earth.

The National Hurricane Center continued to classify Milton as a Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 265 km/h (165 mph) and warning of “life-threatening inundation from storm surge.” However, the view from space belies the terrifying wind and rain on the ground, clearly showing the pinwheel shape of the hurricane with an identifiable eye at its center.

Additionally, Dominick posted a timelapse video from Dragon Endeavour on X, giving a sense of what it’s like to pass directly over the hurricane.

Timelapse flying by Hurricane Milton about 2 hours ago.

1/6400 sec exposure, 14mm, ISO 500, 0.5 sec interval, 30fps pic.twitter.com/p5wBlC95mx

— Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) October 8, 2024

In addition to Dominick’s posts on X, NASA has shared two videos of the hurricane from the International Space Station that provide different views:

Although Milton may appear serene from space, and maybe even beautiful, it poses a real risk to life and property down on Earth and will impact millions. If you’re anywhere in the path of the hurricane, you can visit the National Weather Service’s feed on X, where the agency is posting regular updates and information.

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