Simp Q Mini Photo Studio
Photo Finish
Christo van Gemert
Put simply: it’s a photo studio in a suitcase. The Simp Q, as its name tries to suggest, aims to simplify photography. Specifically, packshots and macro photography (close-up photos of static subjects).

Unpacking the six-kilogram studio takes less than five minutes and there are two white-balanced lamps to make sure the proper colour temperature is recorded. Once set up, there are a few options for reflectors, including a full shade with a small aperture for your camera. Now even a point-and-shoot can take professional-looking photos.

Unless you’re seriously passionate about amateur macro photography, this is a bit limiting. Professional photographers will find it frustrating, as there is not a lot of space for larger subjects. Home users will struggle to justify spending R3 000 on a “photo studio” to take photos of their pets – not to mention getting your cat to pose in the first place. It’s not a bad product at all, it just has limited use.

At a touch under R3 000, it’s less money than you’ll spend on studio-quality softboxes, flashes, remote triggers and power packs. It will completely glorify your point-and-shoot, and if you like doing product or macro photography, this is definitely going to come in handy.