My Favorite Products That I Purchased In 2022
This is my first blog post in the new era of Makito Umekita Photography. Welcome to my new website! It’s been over 7 years since I created this website, and although I’ve done a few minor cosmetic changes here and there, this is the first time I’ve done a complete revamp of my website. I’ve been working on this since the beginning of this year, and I’m finally happy to showcase my new and improved website. Get ready for more blog posts!
This year was the year of upgrades for me as I replaced my old tech with new tech. I’ve definitely spent A LOT this year, but my reasoning is that most of them are business expenses, and I see these products as a long-term investment. Some of the products that I purchased this year are essential to my business and everyday life. While other products have helped me in terms of my productivity and how I interact with tech.
Here are my top 10 favorite products that I purchased in 2022 ranked:
10. Osume Matcha Keycaps
There was no way that I would leave this out of my top 10 this year. Osume matcha keycaps are one of my favorite keycaps in my collection. Taking a sophisticated approach to a classic tea, this Japan-inspired keycap set can match any keyboard colorway. I got the hiragana base with the novelty kit and it looks SO AESTHETIC on my Freebird60 white keyboard. Osume is my favorite brand in the keeb hobby as they create minimal, aesthetic keycaps at a reasonable price.
9. ESR HaloLock 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with Cryoboost
I’ve been eyeing this 3-in-1 wireless charger for a few months before purchasing it. After I bought the Airpods Pro 2, I knew I needed a wireless charger that can charge all of my devices at the same time. This wireless charger from ESR has been a game changer when it comes to charging my iPhone, Airpods, and Apple Watch. Due to the built-in Cryoboost technology, the fan keeps the back of the phone cool at all times. The phone is able to maintain fast charging speeds than if you were to charge it with a regular wireless charger. I noticed that it cuts down my phone charging time by more than 50%. This is the best wireless charger out there for those who have a lot of Apple devices.
8. WANDRD Hexad Duffel Bag
I needed a large backpack that could fit all of my camera gear, laptop, and tech gear so when WANDRD had their Black Friday sale, I knew I needed to get this backpack. This also doubles as a duffel bag and is TSA-approved. Not only can it fit all of the items mentioned above, but you can pack 3 to 5 days worth of clothes. I also purchased their Essential Plus camera cube to keep my camera gear organized. I used this bag on my recent trip to Toronto and I could not be any happier about how much I was able to pack. This backpack/duffel hybrid is perfect for photographers and travelers.
7. Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S
After I got my new mirrorless camera earlier this year, I wanted to try out a native Z lens. I got my hands on this bad boy the 85mm f/1.8 S. This is my first native Z-mount lens and I'm blown away by the quality of images that I get when shooting with this lens. Autofocus is quicker, more accurate, and more responsive than adapted lenses. The build quality of the S-line is way better than your traditional lenses. If you want the best prime lens without breaking the bank, then this is it.
6. Space65 R3
This is my current end-game keyboard. After getting into the mechanical keyboard hobby, I kept buying affordable keyboards but never high-end ones until I saw the Space65 R3. I have a space theme going on for my desk setup so this was a perfect addition to my workspace. I love the futuristic yet retro aesthetic of this keyboard! For my build, I went with the Robocop colorway with a white badge, Hot-swap, POM plate, Everglide Aqua Kings V3 switches, and Polar Day keycaps. After using it for a few days, I definitely notice an improved typing experience compared to my other budget boards. This one is a keeper for years to come.
5. Airpods Pro 2
I’ve been using wired earphones for YEARS and I waited patiently for the perfect wireless earbuds. I read some reviews on the first-generation Airpods Pro that the bass wasn’t that good and the earbuds kept falling off. Apple fixed these problems with their new Airpods Pro 2. The active noise cancellation is one of the best in its class and the transparency mode is super helpful when in crowded areas and when you need to hear specific voices. Spatial audio is a nice touch but I don’t see myself using it too often. The new sliding controls and apple watch compatible charging are a welcome addition to these earbuds. The bass is more noticeable and deep compared to the first generation and the sounds are crisp and clear. Apple has raised the bar yet again when it comes to wireless earbuds and you can’t go wrong with the AirPods Pro 2.
4. Sonos Beam Gen 2
If you’re looking to upgrade your TV audio system, then look no further than the Sonos Beam Gen 2. Coming in at $449, this is one of the best surround sound speakers in its class. The sound is crisp and clear while maintaining that rich bass. It’s very easy to set up and you can also customize the EQ through the Sonos app. The TruePlay feature enhances the sound of the Beam by using spatial audio technology to get a feel of how the sound reflects off walls and surfaces and fine-tunes the speaker accordingly. You can also connect your favorite music services like Apple Music, Soundcloud, and Spotify and play it straight from the soundbar. If you want an entry-level home theater setup without breaking the bank, then you won’t be disappointed with the Sonos Beam Gen 2 as it provides fantastic sounds for music and movies.
3. ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition
I had my old laptop for 9 years and I knew that I had to upgrade to a better faster laptop to improve my workflow. If you know me, I’m really into unique tech gadgets. So when I heard that ASUS was making a limited edition laptop to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first ASUS laptop sent into space, I knew I had to get my hands on it. After using this workhorse of a laptop for a few months, I cannot be any more happier with my purchase! My editing time has improved due to the 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake processor and fast read/write speeds. Other features include 16:10 aspect ratio 14 in. OLED display, 92% screen-to-body ratio, Intel Core i9-12900H CPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD. It’s the perfect laptop for photographers or videographers.
2. Nikon Z7 II
This was the year where I made the transition to mirrorless. After my DSLR’s shutter button stopped working, I knew that I had to upgrade my camera. The Nikon Z7 II is better in almost every aspect. It’s light and compact, the autofocus is faster, the images are sharper, the EVF is amazing, and I’m able to capture moments that I wasn’t able to get when I was shooting with my DSLR. My only gripe is that my DSLR can handle noise a bit better in high ISOs. But other than that, the Z7 II is a champ! If you’re a photographer and need a new mirrorless camera body I highly recommend the Nikon Z7 II.
1. 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range
My first big boi purchase and my baby. I’ve dreamt of owning this car since 2016 when it was first announced. I love everything about this car from how much mileage I get per charge to how fast it goes from 0 to 60mph. It has legit made my driving experience much more fun! And the best part is that I don’t have to pay for gas anymore!
Here are some specs of my Model 3:
Dual Motor AWD
Peral White Multi-Coat
358 mile range
0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds
18” Aero Wheels w/ Uberturbine Gun Grey Wheel Covers
Black and White Premium Interior
AMD Ryzen APU
75% windshield tint, 35% side window tint
And that’s it! I hope you guys enjoyed my top 10 favorite products that I bought this year. It’ll be very hard to top this year’s list of products. If you want to check out my favorite products that I purchased in 2021, click here.
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