Cent Saving Saturday: For DSLR Owners

Before I get into the BEST GIVEAWAY EVER HOSTED ON pBd, let me announce last week’s winner of the Yoplait Smoothie prize package.

Drum roll…

Seriously, people, DRUM.  ROLL…

It’s Rebecca from Unexplained X2!

Go check out her cute twin babes and congratulate her on her win!

Now if you own a DSLR camera, you are gonna want to listen up and get your giveaway-entering-fingers ready.

If you don’t own a DSLR you need to listen up so you can have yet another reason to spank your naughty self for not investing in this technological wonder.

Okay.

So excited can barely even type!

Recently I found a little miracle worker that made me love my camera even more.

I honestly never imagined I could love an inanimate object as much as I love this camera and now it’s even more amazing thanks to this little do hickey…

This, my friends, is called a Light Scoop and if you are not familiar with it don’t be ashamed, because until recently I didn’t know about it either (which is amazing since I make it a point to know pretty much everything).

But, now that I do, I take it with me every where (along with my camera).

So what is this little dream maker I’m so attached to?

Well, if you are too lazy to click on the links and read all about it or, if you clicked on the link and got all sweaty because it said something about science, let me break it down for you.

Basically, the Light Scoop uses science to make your on camera flash your friend.

I HATED my on-camera flash before I met the Light Scoop.

Like literally hated it.

I am a natural light photographer in my day job and as a result I have little use for my flash most of the time.

But, there are times (like during this never ending, from Hell of a winter) when using a flash is unavoidable.

And, although I own heavy, professional type, off camera flashes I don’t wanna have to haul all that crap out just to take a picture of #3’s chocolate covered face.

So.  I would often wind up with pictures like this (sans Light Scoop)…

I know.

Wanna gag, right?!

All the hot spots and the icky bleached out parts and we’re lucky he wasn’t moving because in that low light it woulda been even worse.

Ew.

But.

Look at this (with Light Scoop)…

I know, right!

Holy awesomeness Batman!

It’s not perfect (because none of my photos ever are), but it’s much improved.

Just adding the Light Scoop changed that from a photo-I-will-delete-before-I-upload to one I might go ahead and keep.

Makes me wanna kiss Professor Kobre’s hairy little feet.

It is seriously the best camera accessory for the everyday user I’ve ever owned.

I use it daily I love it that much!

And, how will spending money on this allow you to save money in the long run?

Well, because now you, being the everyday user that you are, won’t need to buy one of the more expensive external flash units that will cost you even more in time as you learn to use it correctly (a step lots of people skip, but still, theoretically).

Even more advanced users will find this product useful because, as I mentioned, those other units are heavier and more cumbersome and pulling them out (and waiting for the dang things to “warm up”) causes you to miss moments like these…

And, if you have a house anything like mine, sweet moments don’t last long before it’s right back to this…

So you’re convinced right?

And you want one of your own so you can say Dumb Mom uses this to take awesome pictures and I want to have that too (well, don’t count on it, but you can try!).

Well you can buy one from Professor Kobre himself.

Or.

You can win one from me!*

Here’s what you do…

1.  Follow me.  I only give stuff to people who love me; I’m petty like that, I really, truly am.

2.  Follow Light Scoop on Facebook.

3.  Leave a comment here telling me you are following and what type of camera you have.**  Click this link to see what type the Light Scoop is compatible with (they are on the right hand side, a little under the Flickr stuff).

That’s it!

But, if you want extra entries you can…

1.  Tweet this (1 extra): “I just entered to win a Light Scoop from parenting BY dummies and you should too!” Along with a link to the post.

2.  Follow me on Facebook (1 extra).  Be sure to inform me in your comment if you already do this.

3.  Follow me on Twitter (1 extra).  Again, just let me know if you already do.

3.  Blog about the contest (5 extra).  I’m not gonna give you the words for that ‘cause I’m too lazy into creative freedom like that.

And if, for some strange reason, you are not into free stuff you can always just go to the Light Scoop website and buy one for yourself.  They are only like $35!

But, I’d wait until next Saturday (3/6/2010) when this contest ENDS, you know, just in case!***

 

 

*Well, I guess the one you win will technically be from him too as the people at Light Scoop are supplying one for me to give away.  But.  You should know that they did NOT give me mine, I actually bought it and decided to help give one to you guys because I LOVE it and think you will too!

**If it’s for a friend or relative or to sell on eBay that’s cool too, just say that!

***Think I covered all of the rules, but if you have one that you think I should have added, by all means, go ahead and follow it!