Camera accessories should be practical – not just look pretty – and this new LED hot shoe cover is the perfect example of something I'd never buy

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If I'm going to lighten my wallet and weigh down my camera further with an accessory, then that accessory needs to either improve my images or my workflow in some way. If it doesn't, then for me, personally, it's a waste of materials and money.

A waterproof cover, a clip for mounting your camera to your backpack shoulder strap, and lens filters – I'll buy these all day long. But a custom silicone lens sleeve, a decorative shutter button, or a creative hot shoe cover – not a chance.

That brings me to Godox's LT1 LED Creative Pixel Light, which is essentially a hotshoe cover with a screen that you can program to display graphics using the accompanying mobile app.

And this new camera accessory, which is technically a cold shoe attachment as it doesn't have any electrical contacts, is the perfect example of what I'm talking about.

I can understand that there is some level of aesthetic appeal here, especially to collectors who like quirky photography items, but what will this thing actually do for your images?

The LED screen might display something cute, like an animal or a name, but that doesn't help you shoot better images in harsh light. The built-in Godox light control button could be handy, but to use it, you need to already own compatible Godox lights.

I did notice in the comments section of the LT1 promotional video on YouTube that someone said the device will be great for photographers working with children.

And maybe it will help these photographers to better engage their subjects, but just maybe. After all, it's not like the hotshoe cover will help children to look directly at the lens…

The good thing is that, priced at $33.90 (approximately £25 / AU$47) on B&H Photo – currently for preorder – the LT1 won't lighten your wallet too much, although I'll be saving my money.

However, I encourage you to watch the promotional video and also check out the product specs before forming your opinion. While I'm never a fan of these sorts of accessories that do nothing for my images, Perhaps for you, personally, this funky, albeit seemingly impractical device would come in handy.

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