• 
• 
• 

Gear

Gadget Bag: Trail Lights

Small flashlights have 1001 uses for an outdoor photographer in autumn

This Article Features Photo Zoom

If you want to get the very best photos, you need to capture the very best light. That special light tends to happen at the fringes of the day as the sun is popping above the horizon and just before it slips below. That's easy enough to do, but it leaves you with one slight problem. You have to be prepared to hike and set up or take down your gear in the dark. A flashlight is a no-brainer, right? But all flashlights aren't created equal, and we can offer some that are better choices for
nature photographers than others.

Princeton Tec Impact XL

The advent of LED lights has changed the game for flashlight makers. You can pack a lot of power into a small package that doesn't need a huge battery and that doesn't get super-hot. LEDs almost never burn out, so you're unlikely to have the problem of a flashlight that doesn't work when you most need it.

We're advocates of AA- or AAA-powered lights. Unlike models that require exotic cells like CR123, AA and AAA are readily available and inexpensive, and in an emergency they're exchangeable with other battery-powered devices—that is, you can rob from one device to power another in a pinch. No matter where you go in the world, you can probably find AA or AAA batteries without too much difficulty.

Obviously, rugged construction is important since this is a tool you'll use in the field. Not too long ago, we wouldn't have advocated a metal flashlight, but today, lightweight alloy models are available that withstand the elements and don't succumb to rust or sand and dust. Water-resistance is still critical, of course, but plastic or metal are acceptable.

Petzl ZIPKA PLUS2

The switch is one aspect of the light that a lot of people don't think about, but it's important because the wrong switch easily can turn on when you're not aware and drain the battery. Push-button switches need special care to prevent them from being accidentally turned on. Sliding switches are also prone to this when sitting in a bag where other gear can rub alongside. Helical switches are particularly reliable when properly handled. Lights with helical switches turn on and off by screwing the contacts together. To turn them off, you just unscrew them slightly. They're extremely rugged and reliable, and they're very difficult to turn on by accident so you stand less chance of finding your batteries dead when you need them most. The only thing you need to pay special attention to is to have the top of the light unscrewed enough so it won't turn on because of a change in barometric pressure. Think about driving down a mountain. The change in air pressure is enough to push the contact together if the light is only barely unscrewed. It's easy to prevent this just by giving the light an extra quarter of a turn.

Headlamps are an outstanding option for photographers. They free up your hands so you can work with your camera, and they light up the area where you turn to look. Overall, they're just incredibly convenient. If anyone makes a wisecrack that you look like a coal miner, you can just ignore it.

Here are some favorite lights for outdoor photographers.

Add Comment