Over the years we've accumulated all manner of gimmicks and gadgets that sit unused and unloved in drawers, but this one is genuinely useful: the Kikkerland Camera Multi-Tool.
The size of a credit card, this handy gadget boasts 13 different tools – which may well save your bacon when you're on location shooting outdoors, or even when working in the studio, making it one of the best camera accessories (opens in new tab):
• Sunny 16 rule guide
• Saw blade
• Flathead screwdriver
• Phillip screwdriver
• 2 x wrenches
• Blade
• Prybar nail puller
• Direction auxiliary
• Bottle opener
• Butterfly screw wrench
• Ruler
• Keyhole
Obviously tools like wrenches and screwdrivers can be invaluable when you need to maintain or make adjustments to your kit, and having a bottle opener at the ready is always going to come in handy (photography is thirsty work, after all).
We also could have done with a saw blade on more than one occasion when we've had duct tape on a shoot, but had nothing to actually cut it with when we needed to tape something down.
Of course, the most useful thing to photographers – especially those who shoot film – is going to be the handy reference graphic illustrating the Sunny 16 rule. This is a tried and tested piece of photographic knowledge that enables you to meter for daylight to get an accurate exposure without using your camera's meter (or, indeed, without using a handheld light meter (opens in new tab)).
In short, on a clear sunny day you can set your aperture at f/16 and your shutter speed will be a reciprocal of your ISO (so if you're shooting at ISO100, your shutter will need to be 1/100 sec). The graphic helps you make calculations for other weather conditions and apertures as well.
The Kikkerland Camera Multi-Tool is available now for $5 / £5 from Kikkerland (opens in new tab) and select camera gear retailers.
Read more:
Best film cameras
(opens in new tab)Best film for 35mm cameras (opens in new tab)
Best light meter for photography
(opens in new tab)How to use a light meter for photography (opens in new tab)
