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Colorful, Quirky Novelty Cameras Under $100

GeekSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:15:22 -0800

I've been seeing a ton of novelty cameras lately. From 35mm models to funky digital cameras - and even one that meows - these cute cameras are both fun and inexpensive.

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Love It or Hate It: Urban Case Camera Candle

CasaSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:00:47 -0700

I'm kind of digging the beeswax shade of the Camera Candle by Urban Case ($39.50), but it seems like a steep price to pay for a novelty item. Your thoughts?

Mommy's Lil Spy: The Nanny Cam

LilSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:00:35 -0800

It's hard to know who to trust with your child so some parents turn to in home surveillance devices to keep a watchful eye on their caregiver. A friend of a staffer here at Sugar HQ decided to invest in one to ease her concerns about her nanny, despite the woman's great references and clean record. Thankfully, she did.

In this shocking video from the hidden cam, the mother learned her twin babes had been manhandled, left in extremely unsafe positions and put at high risk for injuries. After viewing the footage while at work, she promptly went home and fired the nanny. The police are now involved and fortunately, the lil boys were not harmed.

To learn more about nanny cams just read more.

There are a variety of nanny cams on the market, mostly wireless devices hidden inside any household item. Prices can range from $100 to $500 and can be purchased in electronic stores or online. It is legal to use a hidden camera in your home in all 50 states, however it is illegal to record speech without a person's consent in the following 15 states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Some polls and studies have shown that the childcare providers don't object to being video taped while they care for the children, but just want to be informed about it. Of course if your gut is telling you to get a nanny cam, chances are the caregiver needs to go.

Play Russian Spy With This Novelty Camera

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:05:55 -0800

Yes, another novelty camera - they're everywhere! The affordable Undercover Camera ($35) is cleverly disguised as a Russian storybook, and even comes inside a black cardboard sleeve.

To use the camera, pop in some 110 film, slide up the spine, and snap away. Cute!

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Do You Snap Pics at Concerts Despite No Camera Rules?

GeekSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:44:30 -0800

It's safe to say that if you have a cell phone, you've probably snapped a few photos at a concert to post on Facebook or to send as an accompaniment to a tweet. And although the typical "no photos/camera" rule seems pretty archaic in these days of super-powerful and slim digital point-and-shoot cameras, some bands and venues don't allow cameras of any kind during their shows, while others only allow small, digital versions.

For me, if I'm taking pictures or video of an artist at a concert, it's for my own memory and nostalgia. But the fear for bands and venues is that if you have a camera, you might sell your photos for a profit. I know how small cameras can be now, so for a venue to intensively check each person for a camera (not to mention a camera phone) seems pretty impossible, especially when the sleek Sony Powershot is smaller than my BlackBerry. This got me wondering - do you snap pics during concerts, or do you follow the "no camera" rules?

Buckle Up For (Camera) Safety

GeekSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:45:03 -0700

Buckling up can save your life, so why not use the same device to carry around your precious camera? Made from real car safety belts from wreckage yard vehicles, these repurposed Seat Belt Camera Straps ($20) are a very eco-friendly way to tote your DSLR, Lomo, or whatever kind of camera you have in your photographic arsenal.

I love, love, love the blue strap and am thinking of getting one myself. The best part is, Photojojo is offering up these straps for $20 each, but if you buy two, you'll only pay $35. That way, you get more wardrobe-matching options!

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Sony's Party-Shot Dock Plays Photographer For You

GeekSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:30:40 -0700

As much as I love playing photographer at a good soiree, I feel like I end up missing some good moments with a camera in front of my face. So imagine my curiosity when I learned about the Sony Party-shot camera dock. It literally takes the photos for you. Skeptical? I was too . . . at first. Until I learned how.

I've used a digital camera that incorporates face and smile detection technology, so I can attest to its ability to capture shots when I'm not really paying attention. It's this technology that makes the Party-shot camera dock so effective. Just set up the dock with your SC-WX1 or DSC-TX1 Cyber-shot camera and let the gadget do all the work. Great for candid and natural-looking shots, the Party-shot detects smiles and faces as it swivels and tilts 360 degrees to get the best shot around. The Party-shot hits stores in September for $150, but will you be in line?

Diana Gets a Case in Leatha

GeekSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:03:42 -0700

I know the Diana Dreamer Camera had a lot of fans when I posted it, both for its romantic results and its vintage styling, and now Urban Outfitters has introduced a custom-fit case for it, the Diana Case ($38). It's totally hot (built-in tripod hole!) and totally leather.

I've been looking for cases that conform to camera lenses since I saw Sienna Miller rocking one a few months ago, and the Diana Leather Case is my hippie-chic answer!

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Website of the Day: Tokyo Camera Style

GeekSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:10:51 -0700

Camera porn? Yes please. We're so used to checking out the gorgeous photographs that cameras take, that sometimes you don't stop to appreciate that the cameras themselves can be quite beautiful.

Helping us take that moment to appreciate the loveliness of the shutter is the website Tokyo Camera Style, a photo blog that continually adds nicely shot photos of cameras. Like the person at the party who's always taking the photos, sometimes it's nice to be the one that gets their picture taken.

Found a cool website you want to tell people about? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "Website of the Day" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I’m done" to submit content.

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Take the Underwater Fisheye Camera to a Fourth of July Pool Party

GeekSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:12:51 -0700

Add this to your beach bag full of gadgets: the Underwater Fisheye Camera ($100).

It's actually a combo kit of a Fisheye camera and the Fisheye Submarine (which makes it waterproof), and the whole package comes with a waterproof bag. Seriously, there's no better time to bust this out than this weekend, at a Fourth of July party. Think about it - has any picture taken with a fisheye camera ever not looked like a ton of fun?!