From time to time, we’re graced with a new product that completely changes our workflow and makes our lives as photographers a hundred times easier than it was before. However, this luxury isn’t always the case, and we’re sometimes graced with some of the most ridiculous products imaginable.

Working at Fstoppers, I’m often searching the internet for new and exciting products to post here for everyone to see. However, new and exciting aren’t always the terms to use for my findings. Here are some of the most ridiculous findings I’ve came across.

1.) iStabilizer Monopod

Certainly handing your phone to one of the people on the streets and asking them to take a photo of you is out of the question, so it only makes sense to carry around an extendable pole to take all those selfies your heart can desire.

[SkyMall $34.95]

2.) DSLR Wheel of Filters

Do you like the luxury of shooting photos with a DSLR, but hate having your photos coming out crisp and looking nice? Well thank god for the DSLR Wheel of Filters then. Now you’re able to have all the inconveniences of carrying around a DSLR while still being able to take lackluster photos with awful tones and terrible sharpness.

[Photojojo $40]

3.) Photorito Lens Wrap

Have you ever wanted to protect your lenses while making them look like a burrito? Wait...you have? ...Really? Well, uh, I guess this is the gear for you then.

In all seriousness though, who thinks of a product like this, and how does it go into production without anyone saying “Hey, this is a terrible idea.”?

[Photojojo $20]

4.) iPad Telephoto Lens

If you've shot a wedding in the last couple years, you've inevitably ran into the iPad photographer. That's right, people are actually using the cameras on their iPads out in public, and usually ruining a photo or two at each wedding in the process. Now they've only added to the problem with a telephoto lens attachment for the iPad, because purchasing a cheap point and shoot camera wouldn't make any sense whatsoever.

Not only is this product ridiculous, but it also openly admits to “add[ing] just a bit of vignetting and a dreamy lo-fi look.” That’s just clever talk for “Makes your photos look bad."

[Photojojo $25 Available for the iPad and iPad Mini]

5.) Manfrotto KLYP LED Lights for iPhone



Stop. Just stop. No one is using their iPhones for professional quality video productions, so there is no need for products like this to encourage such a market. If you are using your iPhone for professional video productions, perhaps its time for you to retire from the business. Don't get me wrong, the camera on many cell phones these days are great, but the functionality of them is limited, and certainly there are better options out there to use. Lets just use our iPhone cameras like they're intended, for sexy Snapchats, and silly Vines. Why is a tripod/monopod company making LEDs anyway?

[Manfrotto/Amazon $69.88-$119.88]

These are just a couple products I've ran into recently, and certainly there are more out there. If you know of a ridiculous product, feel free to post about it below in the comments.