Photography Accesories

 

Camera Backup

If your budget allows, it is worthwhile investing in a 2nd camera because there is nothing worse than going on a holiday, or to a location to perform a shoot and find out your only camera has stopped working or has an uncleanable sensor. I currently own 3, a Nikon D7100 which was my first ever DSLR, a Nikon D500, and a Pentax K-1 MKII. My D7100 acts as a backup to my D500, both these cameras are suited for Wildlife or subjects that require good tracking and fast burst mode. The Pentax K-1 MKII, being slower than Nikon cameras, will predominantly be used for Landscape and Astrophotography as this camera does have the potential to have better image quality, once I get a decent lens for it.


Filters

There are many filters available for lenses and they all have their own unique purpose. The most commonly used is the UV for filtering UV light from the Sun and is a good protector for the glass. There is also the Polariser which helps to remove glare from shiny surfaces and also helps to darken the sky which can make the clouds pop in an image, therefore, it is a popular choice for landscape photography where the sky and water are quite commonly seen in the photos. Neutral density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light that is allowed to enter the lens. The filter is very useful in enabling the ability to keep the shutter release door open for lengthy periods of time. One of my most popular uses for the ND Filter is to capture the flow of water in streams or a waterfall, it gives a real sense of movement and lovely milky water effects when using long exposures. Be wary of buying cheap filters because the quality of the glass may not be sufficient to maintain your lenses image capturing quality. It would be best to check reviews of a filter of interest to ensure there have been no negative comments regards poor image quality

Camera Memory Cards

There are many types of memory cards (storage cards) that are currently available but the most commonly used are SD, SDHC, SDXC, XQD, CFast, CF, and CFexpress cards. These cards are where captured images are stored within the camera, so having spare memory cards is important. Not all cameras can use all cards, so it Is important to check before making your choice. Other than the card fitting your camera, the three most important factors to take into account are the storage size which is generally in Gigabyte (GB), the memory card speed in MegaBytes (MB), and finally choosing a reputable brand.
A slow speed on a memory card can affect the buffer rate of the camera when using continuous shooting mode due to having less buffer space which causes lag. I have previously used an SD Card with a camera that would normally shoot 5fps, however, I found when continuously shooting with an SD card I was having periods of time where the camera appears to seize up and stop taking photos, this is the lag effect due to the card. I then changed to a QXD card and on the same camera, I was able to continuously shoot with very little, to no lag effect, so a good card can make a big difference. Try to purchase reputable brands, you don’t want to lose your photos due to a cheap memory card malfunctioning.


Batteries, Battery grip, and Portable Battery

Spare batteries are a must, especially if you spend a long time outdoors and away from power outlets. A Battery Grip adds more batteries to your camera that can be attached to the base of the camera, this is very useful and can give a nice added surface for gripping your camera, although there will be added weight to your kit. If you are camping out in the wilderness and will not be near any power outlets then a Portable Power Station can be a great addition for re-charging your batteries overnight.


Bag(s)

There are so many bags to choose from, it can often get a little bewildering to choose the right one. Ideally, you want a backpack that can store two cameras and 4 lenses, with the zipped areas of the bag holding batteries, cleaning material, memory cards, filters, a small first aid kit, food, and water, even if it is a trail mix or protein bars. A very important thing to bear in mind is to make sure that the bag allows the tripod to be attached otherwise you will have to carry the tripod by hand which will not allow you to carry a camera. A shoulder bag is also very handy if you are out for a short shoot, preferably one that can store your camera accessories and a selection of small lenses.


Water Proofs for you and your bag

Needless to say, there will be times the weather catches you out, so it is imperative you have waterproof equipment readily available. Obviously, you want to protect yourself from the wet and wind but you need to protect your kit also, and the best way to do this is to purchase a waterproof covering that you can put around your bag. Some bags come with these as standard so it is worth checking into this option.


Tripod

One of the most important pieces of kit in your photography arsenal, the tripod. It is very helpful during low-light photography to minimize camera shake. Also, a tripod is an absolute must for long-exposure photography and Astrophotography so if you have extra money floating about you would be well advised to get a quality tripod. A useful tip is to use a small bean bag on the top of the camera which can add extra stability during windy conditions. Also, on my tripod at the bottom of the center column, there is a loop where I can attach my tripod bag and use a weight or a camera lens to add more stability to the tripod.


Remote Control or Shutter release

If you use a tripod regularly you will most definitely want a wireless remote shutter release or a cable shutter release which will help accidentally causing a camera shake by knocking the tripod or pressing down too hard on the camera.


Cleaning kit

Rocket Blowers are used for blowing off non-sticky residues such as dust from the lens and also from inside the camera and sensor. Microfiber cloth is very good at wiping away non-sticky smears that appear on the lens but do not use these if there is grit or sticky substances as it will potentially ruin the lens or filter. For sticky substances always use cleaning fluid and wipe away in a circular motion with microfiber cleaning cloths. you can also use a brush to clear off small dust particles and a lens cleaning pen to prepare for dry cleaning. Try to keep these easily accessible preferably in an outside zipped area of the camera bag, you don’t want to invite dust and pollen into your bag where the lenses are stored.

Travel Kit - Cables - Laptop - Phone App (Snap Bridge)

When traveling you do not want to keep all your images on your memory cards for days on end, if the card was damaged/corrupt you could lose all those images. It is worth taking a Laptop with you and transferring these daily. If you are unable to take a laptop but have a Nikon you can use the SnapBridge app on your Smart Phone which enables you to transfer your images to your Smart Phone which can be very handy.


Storage Devices

DSLR photography requires lots of hard disk space to store all those photos so be sure to have plenty of space available and regularly backup your images. I have several drives in use, one for storing photos on, another I use as a backup and the third one is where I have my Lightroom library of edited images.


Photo Editing Software

There will be times you want to edit a poorly exposed photo or remove any other type of blemish from your photos. I personally use Lightroom and Photoshop, however, there are others out there that can do a job so it is worth shopping around until you are happy with your choice.


Camoflague

If your subject is extremely shy/observant then there may be times you have to use camouflage to decrease the chances of you being detected, although this will only be somewhat helpful if you remain stationary for long periods, because animals and birds have fantastic vision and hearing and will notice you even in camouflage.


Nighttime photography accessories

If you like to stargaze, peer at the moon, and planets at night then you know the importance of keeping warm. The same applies to your camera lens. If like me you like to capture the night sky and have plans to photograph galaxies and nebulae then you will do well to purchase the following kit.

  • A Head-mounted light with the colours red/green and fluorescent sticks - This is worth its weight in gold because the red and green colours do not affect your night vision or your photography images. Fluorescent sticks are handy if you find yourself without a light source suddenly due to battery failure, or for an emergency.

  • Lens Heater Ring - On cold nights the lens can fog up and ruin your images, the best way around this is to use a Lens Heater Ring which wraps around the end of the lens and keeps the Lens warm and fog-free. You will need a battery power pack or Laptop to plug this into for this to work, which Is generally not a problem because if you do astrophotography you would normally have some form of a power outlet or Laptop to hand.

  • Laptop or Smart Phone - A laptop may be a requirement if you are using some form of star tracker kit with your camera, also you may find a SmartPhone handy for finding constellations, Planets, Nebulae, and Galaxies. Also, the SmartPhone will be good to keep yourself entertained during long exposures, but be sure to do this at a safe distance from the camera to avoid light pollution.

  • Portable Battery - Primarily for Astrophotography, this genre generally uses some form of remote-controlled telescope/GPS controlled tracking device, also a Laptop or other accessories may require power.

  • Seat - Nighttime photography can lead to many long exposures so a seat is especially nice during long astrophotography shoots.

  • Sleeping bag - These things keep you warm ;)

  • Flask and Food- Hot drinks are a must, as well as food.


Light meter

Wedding photography and some other form of photography find the use of a light meter handy to get the right exposure. By measuring the reflective light from a subject it helps to set the camera to achieve the right exposure.


Photography printer

If you have money to spend and you would like to produce your own printed photos then purchasing a photography printer would be a great addition. Be sure to research before purchasing and seek advice.


Drone

Not quite for everyone, but a drone will enable aerial photography that offers a whole different perspective and can generate some great photos that most people cannot achieve, unless they get regular access to hot air balloons, helicopters, or planes. Be aware though, you will have to register the drone and may require further accreditations or follow specific rules when using these in certain areas or countries.