Spring-Loaded Tripod. Take , for example. I wouldn't trust this $49 tripod to a heavy digital SLR in a windstorm, but Zipshot--which unfolds almost instantly due to a clever, spring-loaded leg design that resembles tent poles--can handle cameras up to about 3 pounds.

Flexible Support.The is a flexible tripod that you can wrap around poles and trees, or you can flex the legs to stand flat. It comes in a variety of configurations (in the photo to the left you'll see a version with magnets on its feet, so you can "stick" the tripod on a metal surface, like your refrigerator). The Gorillapod starts around $20.

Every photographer could use another memory card. If your current card is getting old--or is less than a gigabyte in size--it's time to step up to some new storage for your camera. They've never been cheaper, so it's a way to expand your options without breaking the bank. (Read "" for some advice.)

Capacities From 4GB to 32GB. Many companies sell different lines of cards, offering value-priced cards for hobbyists and faster performance cards for more serious photographers. Lexar, for example, sells the in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities at prices that range from $40 to $165. The is rated to write high-def video without a hiccup and comes in capacities of 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB from $115 to $270.