Besides a quality camera and good lenses, there are a few essential photography accessories every beginner photographer should have in their camera bag. Some of these would make great gifts for photographers, but some also require camera or lens specific knowledge that are better if you buy them for yourself. These accessories can help you take better shots, protect your gear, or make life as a photographer simpler.
Tripod
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At its simplest, a tripod is a camera support that helps to keep the camera steady. Tripods are important in several situations, such as shooting long exposures or taking close-up photos. Tripods come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each designed for a specific purpose. Standard tripods are the most basic type, and they typically have three adjustable legs for shooting at different heights.
Gimbal heads are tripod attachments that rotate and allow the camera to swivel from side to side, making them great for shooting wildlife or video. Stabilizers are another type of camera mount, and they help to reduce camera shake when shooting video.
Monopods only have one leg, making them more portable for travel and landscape photographers, but are a little less stable. No matter what type of photography you’re doing, there’s a tripod that can help you get the best results.
When you’re taking photos all day, the last thing you want is to run out of battery power. There are a few different ways to avoid running out of juice, each with its own pros and cons. Bringing extra batteries is always an option, but it can be inconvenient if your camera has poor battery life and dies at the wrong moment. A battery grip gives you double the battery life, but it can add bulk and weight to your camera.
Alternatively, you can use an external power bank to keep your camera charged. This is a great option if you’re already carrying an external battery charger for your phone as many can charge your phone, laptop, and camera. However, it’s important to make sure that your power bank is compatible with your camera. With a little planning, you can avoid the frustrating experience of having your camera die in the middle of a shoot.
Camera Cleaning Kits
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A camera lens is one of the most important pieces of equipment and even a slight smudge or speck of dust can impact photo quality. That’s why it’s important to have a cleaning kit on hand to keep your lenses clean and your photos looking sharp.
Lens pens are great portable cleaning kits that remove dirt and smudges without taking up much room. Microfiber cloths and lens tissues are helpful for wiping down lenses, and lens liquid is better for more thorough cleaning. Finally, a soft lens brush removes dust and debris from camera lenses.
Rubber lens cap
Camera lenses are delicate and expensive equipment that require careful handling and lens caps are an important part of protecting your lens.
Rubber lens caps are often more expensive than plastic lens caps, but they offer a better fit and seal around the camera lens. This helps to prevent dust, dirt, and other debris from getting on the camera lens and causing damage. They also offer more shock absorption than plastic lens caps, which means they can help protect camera lenses when dropped or knocked around.
Camera Bag for storing camera and photography accessories
Photo by Robin McSkelly on UnsplashCamera bags are an essential piece of equipment for any photographer, amateur or professional. Not only do they protect your camera and lens from the elements, but they also provide a convenient way to carry all of your gear. There are a variety of different camera bags available, each designed to serve a different purpose.
For example, a small, lightweight sling bag is ideal for carrying your camera and lens around town, while a camera backpack is more comfortable for longer hikes or trekking through the woods. If you’re looking for maximum protection, a hard case is the way to go. No matter what type of camera bag you choose, it’s important to make sure that it has enough room to accommodate your camera, lens, and cleaning kit. With the right camera bag, you’ll never need to leave your camera behind.
Rain Sleeve
A camera rain jacket is a must-have accessory for anyone who loves landscape and nature photography. It’s designed to protect your camera from the elements, whether you’re caught in a light rain hiking through a rainforest or getting sandy with a walk along the beach. A camera rain jacket will keep your lens dry and protected, so you can keep taking beautiful photos no matter what environmental conditions are you in.
While you can always improvise with a plastic bag, a dedicated rain jacket provides optimal protection for your camera. Plus, most rain jackets come with a handy lens cap that helps to keep water out of the camera body, further preventing damage.
External space
Anyone who has ever run out of storage space on their phone or computer knows how frustrating it can be. Photos, in particular, can take up a lot of space, and if you don’t have enough storage capacity, you may have to delete files you would rather keep. There are a few different options for increasing your storage capacity.
One option is to get a large external hard drive. These come in a range of sizes, from 1TB to 4TB or more. Another option is to get a NAS (network attached storage) home server. This is a more expensive option, but it gives you the most storage space and the flexibility to keep expanding your storage. Whichever option you choose, increasing your storage capacity is a good way to make sure you can keep all the photos and files you want.
Memory Cards And SD Card Readers
Memory cards are not made equal and can play a critical role in whether or not you capture the best shot, so don’t just buy the cheapest you can find. SD cards are available in different speed classes, which indicate the minimum write speed of the card. Speed class is important for devices that require fast write speeds, such as HD video cameras or sports and wildlife photographers who use burst mode. The most common speed classes are Class 10 which can hold a burst speed between 10 MB/s and 312 MB/s depending on the ultra high speed (UHS) rating.
When choosing an SD card, it is important to select one that is compatible with your device and has the correct speed class and capacity for your needs.
If you’re computer does not already have a built in SD card reader you will need one to transfer images to your computer.
Camera lens filters modify the amount and type of light that passes through the camera lens and can change how your images look. There are three main types of lens filters: UV filters, ND filters, and polarizing filters.
UV filters don’t affect the amount of available light, but block the amount of ultraviolet which helps reduce haze. ND filters reduce the amount of light that enters the camera, allowing for longer exposure times. Polarizing filters help to reduce glare, increase contrast, and enhance colors. Each type of filter serves a different purpose, and selecting the right filter for your needs can help you take better photos.
Lens filters screw onto the end of your lens, so you will need to know the size of your lens and may need different filters for each lens.
Any photography enthusiast will have a few essential accessories that they always take with them on a shoot. While the specific items may vary depending on the type of photography being done, there are a few essentials that every photographer should have. A camera, of course, is the most important item. But other useful accessories can include tripods or monopods for stability, lens cleaning cloths and solutions, extra batteries and memory cards, and portable lighting. By having these items on hand, photographers can be prepared for any situation and ensure that they capture the perfect shot.
