[eddie1960]

A piece of white toilet paper to soften my flash for close portaits (especially when my 'camera of the moment' has a built-in flash). My hat as an impromptu lens shade (or LCD panel shade).

hahaha i've done all those things

i'll add my used white film canisters as diffusers for the pop up flash (recycling is a good thing )

Cardboard tubes and tape make good snouts too
(as do pop bottles wrapped in black tape)

[monochrome]

Empty Fuji film canister cut to fit the onboard flash of my K10 as a diffuser

[Ecaterin]

Ok, here's an oddball question that I hope you'll take seriously.

We all know that an improved camera body, or that professional grade lens can make a big difference, but what about the smaller and less expensive stuff?
What item that you have purchased, or were given, that cost the least helped the most with your photography?

Latest cheap tool that's truly enhancing my photos and teaching me a lot very fast, is The Black Foamie Thing: http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/11/21/the-black-foamie-thing/
Giving myself a crash course in shooting with bounce flash, which doesn't offer much variety for fun effects. The ability to shape a flag on the flash on the fly really opens up creative lighting possibilities...for pennies. I cut up a cheap old neoprene camera cover for my black foamie thing, so it even counts as recycling . Flagging the flash takes bounce from behind/above/beside, to fun possibilities like bouncing flash off the wall *beyond* my subject without light spilling onto him. Handy

I love coming across simple tools that expand the potential of your equipment, and get you thinking more creatively

[twitch]

Not super cheap, but a B+W 10 stop ND filter has been a relative bargain for the value I get from it.

[dgaies]

Not super cheap, but a B+W 10 stop ND filter has been a relative bargain for the value I get from it.

Your 13-stop ND filter has to rank up there as well in terms its value for the price paid

[twitch]

Your 13-stop ND filter has to rank up there as well in terms its value for the price paid

Can't argue with that, LOL! Yes that would be the best value, I've got it (plus the 10 stop) packed for a 2 week holiday to the coast, hoping to put them both to good use there.

[gooberlx]

Rocket blower - $8
Flash diffuser - $10
Remote - $14

Most used:
MountainSmith kit cube insert - $25...turn just about any bag into a photo bag.

[demp10]

We all know that an improved camera body, or that professional grade lens can make a big difference, but what about the smaller and less expensive stuff?
What item that you have purchased, or were given, that cost the least helped the most with your photography?

How about learning how to use all the items we buy, both in their intended way (e.g. read the manual) and experimenting with them?

It is free (unless you need to buy books) and the end result will be very rewarding

[ramseybuckeye]

Microfiber cleaning cloths - free from vision insurance company
generic remote - $2 (ebay)
camera bags - free with used gear

[DAZ]

A bungee cord that I step on to hold down the camera tripod. Free out of a junk box.

DAZ

[SpecialK]

The rocket blower is hard to beat at only $8

I would agree on the bang/buck ratio.

[Jimfear]

That would have to be my camera bag. I have used it every time I have gone anywhere to take a photo for the last five years, and it has served me well.

"Camera bags aren't cheap" I hear you say. But mine was because I made it myself by sewing the padding and putting it all in a cheap backpack. It carries two bodies and nine to ten lenses, plus accessories. All this in a bag for around 20€.

[RallyDriver96]

I'd have to second (or fifth, whatever):

Rocket Blower - don't skimp out, get the big boy
Lens pen 3 pack
Pentax F Remote - I use this the most, but clean lenses, mirror and to some extent sensor have to out weigh the ability to use a remote. You can always do a 3sec timer to bypass the remote for landscapes.

Greg

[GaryH]

home made bounce card using foam sheets from the craft store and velcro.

[derekkite]

DAZ: Great idea!