The best $100 I ever spent on camera gear was...

[Edgnar]

Other than a nifty 50. I've got a $100 gift card at Amazon and I'm curious what people suggest. Kinda considering a hand strap. Also considering selling all my canon gear and buying the Olympus M. Zuiko 12-40 f2.8 pro lens. Not sure I want to sell my big body yet, but then again, I rarely ever shoot with it, unless I am shooting action (rare these days) or trying to look 'pro', and even then I get more keepers from the Oly. Thoughts?

[smmokan]

With $100, I would look at spending the money on filters... grad ND, CPL, ND, etc that you don't currently have for the lenses you use most frequently.

[Supermoon]

If you don't do filters you could grab a couple cheap flashes and some triggers for a hundo. Off camera lighting FTW!

[Edgnar]

If you don't do filters you could grab a couple cheap flashes and some triggers for a hundo. Off camera lighting FTW!

That was the other thought. Not sure how much I'd use it, but that would be a reason to keep the Canon.

[Supermoon]

That was the other thought. Not sure how much I'd use it, but that would be a reason to keep the Canon.

Honestly, you will probably regret selling the dSLR at some point.

[Edgnar]

Honestly, you will probably regret selling the dSLR at some point.

Eh, the M4/3 EM5 does every thing the DSLR does but smaller, lighter, and easier.

[Rubicon]

The best $100 I ever spent on camera gear was...

Easily this:

http://www.amazon.com/Joby-GP8-BHEN-...illapod+tripod

[geomorph]

Tripod. Either a travel one like the one linked above or a cheaper full size one. I spent about 60 on mine and it does the trick.

[MarcusBrody]

I don't know what your travel set up is like right now, but for something like the EM5, I'd get a wrist strap and a decent mini-tripod.

I have used this wrist strap with a GH2 for the last 2 years. It's cheap and like it a lot. Much more than my neck strap, which I would generally just twist around my wrist anyway.

I use this mini-tripod and find it easier to use than the Gorillapod I also have, though the Gorillapod is better for really uneven stuff (scree, etc). If I had a ballhead for my Gorillapod, it would probably be closer, but this is more compact.

With the little tripod, a standard lens, and a telephoto zoom, I can carry around a pretty versatile kit in a bag the size of a small purse.

With the $80 you still have left, I'd get a macro adapter (assuming you have a telephoto zoom), I'd get a snap on macro converter. I have the Raynox 150 and have been very pleased with it. It's a whole lot of fun trying to get giant photos of spiders/caterpillars/etc. I'd go for the 150 over the higher magnification 250 if you are new to macro photography (as I was). Getting things in focus with the 150 is hard enough.

Usually travel with three/four lenses, the macro adapter, battery charger, extra battery, extra cards, a few filters, the mini-tripod and a lav mike. it all fits comfortably in one of those little hanging shaving kits.

[systemoverblow'd]

Blackrapid RS-5

get the FR-T1 as well if you use RC2 plates.

Great combo.

Certainly not the best hundo I spent but a good option. It's all in what you want. The Kinotehnik LCDVF is just a touch over your price but I find it indispensable for night landscapes, video and MF lenses.

I personally wouldn't touch filters in that price range. Been there, done that; junk. Also, don't buy screw on filters.

[crashtestdummy]

I love my 12-40, but $100 won't get you very close.

[Edgnar]

I love my 12-40, but $100 won't get you very close.

Clearly, but I'd be selling some stuff that would get me to around $700, I can make up the difference.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions, please keep 'em coming.

[outabounds]

Best fifty bucks I ever spent was on an F100 right here on tgr.

[DJSapp]

Lowepro slingshot 200. Can't take photos if you don't have your shit together. It holds everything and then some.

[mtcham]

External hard drive.

[North]

One pro photog acquaintance of mine swears by these things:

https://peakdesignltd.com/store/capture

He was rocking one on his backpack shoulder strap and one on the hip belt during a spring tour. Seemed like a pretty clean way to have quick access to the cam.

[warthog]

^^^^^ That thing is awesome. Great idea.

I made my own wrist strap from paracord. Just look up how to braid paracord with a clip on it.
It works really well. The paracord will cost you $5-$6 with all the clips and accessories you want.
I will get a picture of it.

[systemoverblow'd]

Lowepro slingshot 200. Can't take photos if you don't have your shit together. It holds everything and then some.

I used to have the 302. I like lowepro quality but I would personally shy away from the slingshots. If you fill them (I would usually carry around 5 lenses), they will hurt your shoulder if you have it on all day. And there is no good place for a tripod if you ever carry one. My $.02

[crashtestdummy]

One pro photog acquaintance of mine swears by these things:

https://peakdesignltd.com/store/capture

He was rocking one on his backpack shoulder strap and one on the hip belt during a spring tour. Seemed like a pretty clean way to have quick access to the cam.

I love mine on my pack strap. Mostly hate it on my belt though, unless it's just to park the camera while not walking.

[DJSapp]

I used to have the 302. I like lowepro quality but I would personally shy away from the slingshots. If you fill them (I would usually carry around 5 lenses), they will hurt your shoulder if you have it on all day. And there is no good place for a tripod if you ever carry one. My $.02

I could see that. I carry 3 and it's a bit heavy on the shoulder, but I don't normally trade out lenses or carry a tripod. Having kids doesn't lend itself to that kind of thing, and speed of access to pull out the camera and put it away is important with a 1 and 4 year old running around.

[Todds]

I like this monopod head for $45. I already had a monopod.

I saw that ultrapod thing in a store and thought it was cool.

[outabounds]

For the shooting I do those wired intervalometer/timer things are a huge bargain. You can get brand name for about a hundred or the Chinese ones for about twenty.