Us-Made Cameras: A Thing Of The Past?

While most cameras are manufactured in Asia, there are still some companies that produce cameras in the USA. For example, AV Costar manufactures multi-megapixel video surveillance cameras in California, and FLIR Systems, based in Oregon, manufactures infrared cameras. Additionally, some companies produce camera accessories in the USA, such as HoldFast Gear, which makes camera bags, straps, and harnesses, and Chimera Lighting, which produces lighting modifiers.

Camera bags and lens cases

Capturing Couture

Capturing Couture manufactures a range of fashionable bohemian camera straps and bags. Their products are made from high-quality leather and include camera bags, satchels, travel bags, duffels, totes, notepads, belts, straps, dopp kits, and wallets.

Copper River Bags

Copper River Bags creates protective camera shoulder bags, satchels, lens cases and pouches, camera wraps, straps, and tripod bags. Their products are made from leather and are designed and manufactured in the USA.

DSPTCH

DSPTCH is a newcomer to the camera accessory scene, but they offer a range of camera bags, backpacks, and camera straps. Their products are designed with functionality and style in mind.

HoldFast Gear

HoldFast Gear is popular with wedding and portrait photographers, offering high-end leather and canvas camera bags, lens pouches, camera harnesses, straps, leashes, and more. Their products are designed to give a classy and professional look.

OP/TECH USA

OP/TECH USA manufactures high-quality and affordable camera cases, lens pouches, lens and body caps, binocular cases, camera rain covers, straps, slings, and hip packs. Their products are designed to be unflashy and toned down to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Pelican

Pelican is famous for making the best waterproof camera cases and hard cases for accessories like SD memory cards. Their products are designed to be rugged and protective, ensuring your equipment stays safe during transport.

Portabrace

Portabrace has been hand-building camera cases and covers in Vermont, USA, since 1972. They offer a wide variety of high-quality camera cases, bags, backpacks, holsters, pouches, rain and storm covers, and covers for various camera accessories.

ToughTraveler

ToughTraveler offers a variety of old-school nylon camera bags, backpacks, and luggage. Their products are designed to be inconspicuous, resembling lunch or picnic bags.

Domke

In addition to camera cases and bags, Domke also offers affordable and stylish camera straps. Their products are designed to be lightweight yet rugged and practical.

Gordy's Camera Straps

Gordy's Camera Straps provides customizable and affordable leather wrist and neck straps with a variety of colors and wrapping cords to choose from.

PhatStraps

PhatStraps is a custom camera strap crafter offering a wide range of leather or fabric neck and wrist straps.

Simplr

Simplr makes simple, lightweight camera neck and wrist straps.

Tanner Goods

Tanner Goods is a high-end crafter of leather and fabric goods, including camera straps, wallets, belts, and rucksacks.

Topo Designs

Topo Designs is recognized for its colorful and innovative clothing and backpack designs. They also offer camera straps made with multicolor climbing rope.

Camera straps

When choosing a camera strap, it is important to consider the materials used, as this will impact the strap's durability, comfort, and aesthetics. Common materials include leather, neoprene, and nylon, each offering unique advantages. Leather straps, for instance, are known for their soft and supple feel, while neoprene is flexible, waterproof, and stretchable, making it ideal for carrying heavy gear. Nylon, on the other hand, is strong and breathable, available in both braided cord and webbing forms. Some straps even combine these materials to offer the best of all worlds.

When purchasing a camera strap, it is worth considering the type of camera and your personal preferences for carrying it. For those with two camera bodies, double straps or hip holsters are convenient options. Additionally, quick-release straps are ideal for photographers who need to switch cameras or capture fast-action shots without the strap getting in the way.

Several companies offer a diverse range of camera straps to meet the needs of all photographers. Peak Design, for instance, provides a variety of straps, including the Slide Camera Strap, Cuff Camera Wrist Strap, and Clutch Camera Hand Strap. OP/TECH USA is another well-known brand, offering comfortable and durable straps such as the Cam Strap-QD and the Compact Sling. For those seeking a more stylish option, Capturing Couture provides a fashionable line of camera straps, adding a touch of bohemian flair to the photographer's ensemble.

Tripods

Really Right Stuff (RSS)

Based in Lehi, Utah, Really Right Stuff manufactures high-end professional camera tripods, ball heads, and plates/brackets. Their proximity to nature makes them a popular choice for landscape and wildlife photographers. RSS tripods are known for their durability and precision, making them a trusted companion for capturing sharp images in any environment.

Ries Tripods

Ries Tripods, also made in the USA, have a long history of being used by renowned photographers such as Ansel Adams and Cole Weston. Their wooden tripods are recognised for their elegance and tonal vibration response, making them a favourite among fine art and landscape photographers.

Fotopro

Fotopro offers a range of tripods built for adventure. Their lightweight travel tripods, such as the Eagle Series, are designed for photographers on the move. The iSpeedy tripod, featuring quick extend technology, is ideal for capturing fast-paced action. Fotopro's gimbal tripods/heads are also a unique offering in the market, providing stability for gimbal users.

SLIK

SLIK presents a range of carbon fibre tripods, including the VARI CF-704 and CF-703 professional kits. These tripods offer a combination of lightweight durability and stability, making them suitable for various photography and videography applications.

Benro

Benro provides a comprehensive range of tripods, heads, and accessories for photo and video cameras. While it is unclear if all their products are made in the USA, their presence in the American market suggests a commitment to serving photographers in the region.

When choosing a tripod, it is essential to consider factors such as build quality, weight, height, and head type. The tripods mentioned above offer a range of features and specialisations, ensuring that photographers and videographers can find the right tool to meet their specific needs.

Camera cases

When choosing a camera case, it is important to consider the level of protection needed, the size and type of camera you have, and any additional features you may require, such as a waterproof or dustproof design.

Pelican Camera Cases

Pelican offers a range of protective camera cases that are built with a rugged, hard shell and soft foam inserts to keep equipment safe and secure. Pelican cases are known for their durability and are often used for international travel. They offer features such as water resistance, dustproof design, and shock-proofing to protect your camera equipment. Pelican cases also come in various sizes, including carry-on options and larger rolling cases.

PortaBrace Camera Cases

PortaBrace has been hand-building camera cases in Southern Vermont for over 40 years. They are committed to using high-quality materials and reinforced sewing techniques to create durable and reliable products. PortaBrace cases are designed to protect your camera equipment and offer a range of features, such as wooden equipment models and reinforced weight-bearing contact points.

OP/TECH USA Camera Cases

OP/TECH USA manufactures high-quality and affordable camera cases for DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Their cases are designed to be unflashy and toned down to help photographers blend in without drawing unwanted attention. OP/TECH USA also offers a range of camera accessories, including lens pouches, camera slings, and neoprene camera straps.

Lowepro Small Camera Bags and Cases

Lowepro offers a range of small camera bags and cases designed to secure various devices, including action cameras, 360 cams, gimbal cameras, point-and-shoot cameras, and hard drives. Their camera pouches are ideal for those who need protection while in the thick of the action.

Think Tank Photo Camera Bags

Think Tank Photo offers a range of camera bags in different sizes, such as the Airport Advantage, Airport International, and Digital Holster series. They provide free ground shipping within the Continental U.S. for their products.

Camera triggers

Camera trigger systems are remote devices that can be used to capture images of unpredictable, fast-moving action. They are especially useful when photographing lightning strikes, as they can detect the invisible infrared pulses that occur just before a lightning strike, allowing you to capture perfectly timed images.

There are various types of camera triggers available, from simple manually operated shutter releases to more sophisticated versions with detectors that can respond to movement, sound, and light. Some triggers have microphones that can capture loud noises such as guns firing, while others have motion sensors that are ideal for photographing animals or birds. Laser-sensitive light triggers, on the other hand, release the camera shutter when an object or animal breaks the beam from a laser.

When choosing a camera trigger, consider the type of photography you want to do and select a trigger with the appropriate sensors or detectors. Additionally, ensure that the trigger is compatible with your camera, as some triggers require specific cables or accessories for certain camera models.

• The Pluto Trigger is a versatile and compact camera trigger that supports a wide range of camera models, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Olympus. It offers 24 modes, including stills, time-lapse, video, HDR, lightning, and sound. It can be controlled wirelessly via a smartphone app and has built-in laser, light, sound, and infrared sensors.
• The MK Controls Lightning Bug is a camera-top or off-camera lightning trigger that helps detect and capture lightning strikes. It has adjustable sensitivity levels and can be used with various camera models, including Canon and Nikon.
• The Miops Camera Trigger is another versatile option, offering lightning, laser, and sound trigger modes. It is compatible with smartphones via a Bluetooth connection and can be used with Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras.
• The Cactus LV5 Laser Trigger works with Cactus V5, V6/II/IIs modules and has a range of up to 492 feet between the emitter and sensor.
• The hahnel Captur Pro Module offers light, sound, laser, and IR sensors, allowing you to capture time-lapses and high-speed photography. It also has a programmable timed sequence and a shutter release button.

Frequently asked questions