Gadget Watch: Lowepro Lycra Photo Gloves
Recently while photographing for most of a day in sub-freezing weather I tried out a pair of Lowepro Lycra Photo Gloves with good results.
The Photo Gloves are fairly thin, close fitting, flexible and have rubber like “control dots” to improve grip. They do afford great grip and wearing them I was easily able to operate all camera controls. They seldom seemed to be awkward and after a while I forgot I had them on, which is a good indicator of their form and function.
As I said they’re thin and as such are not the warmest gloves. They would not be enough protection alone if the temperatures were in the single digits or lower. However, they were sufficiently warm for my day out in the mid-20°s F.
Being made of Lycra I suspect under harsh conditions they would not have a long life. They also would not be acceptable alone for wet conditions.
However, with a price of less then $25, I personally feel they’re a good and affordable general photography solution for cold fingers.
Seinberg
I use these too. They’re great, as long as it isn’t too cold or too windy. The wind can easily go through the seams in the stitching on the gloves, and since they’re relatively thin, they’re not particularly warm in super cold weather, but I agree they’re definitely worthwhile. They’re small enough to easily fit in even small-ish pockets, too, so I just carry them with me at all times when I’m shooting in weather that isn’t hot enough to wear shorts.
Earl Moore
@Seinberg: Good point about their size. They do fold/roll-up into a small bundle. Like you, I’ll have a pair handy to take along for cool/cold days.
Paul
Well, living in the south, you shouldn’t have to worry about excessive use!
I doubt that you wore them this weekend with temperatures in the low to mid 79 degree range!