I’ve had my DSLR now for just half a year and I must say that I’ve really gotten addicted to photography. It was given to me by my brother in the US who got tired of having to adjust settings each time. Even if he managed to get the good and expensive stuff (as suggested by his photography-nut friend, no doubt), he instead settled for an HD video cam which can be used as a point-and-shoot alternative. Once I got the camera, I tried to learn as much as I could about it and how to tweak all the different settings. After I learned how to use it, whenever possible, I try to take 30-minute walks around the neighborhood to find potential subjects (I mostly concentrate on landscape photography as I find it more rewarding than shooting people I don’t know). Although I haven’t attended any photography lessons or seminars as of yet, I try to get the best alternative instructions/tips as possible – via the internet. In my quest for better photography skills, I found out that there are also certain accessories that one must have. These accessories are not just for getting better shots, but they are also meant for keeping your camera and your image data safe.
1. The Tripod – this is an essential tool especially when you are shooting different exposures of the same subject for the purpose of creating an HDR image, or when you are shooting long exposures such as night photography. In addition to the tripod, a ballhead is also a must-have because it allows the camera to be adjusted while being mounted onto the tripod.
2. Camera Lenses – having at least 2 or more varieties of lenses is vital. I use my 24-70mm as my main lens whenever I am just walking around and looking for subjects to shoot, and my 18-200mm when I am travelling. Right now, I am saving money to buy an 85mm fixed lens.
3. Camera Bag – this is an essential accessory when travelling because it helps to protect your equipment from unnecessary damage during travel. Unlike ordinary bags, DSLR bags are padded and have adjustable padded dividers inside to help keep your equipment more secure.
4. Neck Strap – although this may look like an unnecessary investment, it does pay to have a comfortable neck strap sometimes, especially if you are on a long event and your camera is mounted with a battery grip and an external flash which can be quite heavy. A padded neck strap will help make it more convenient and the weight tolerable for you.
5. Spare Battery – it’s often quite frustrating to run low on battery when you need to shoot the most. Having a spare battery will help to alleviate this infuriating moment.
6. External Hard Drive – putting your images on just your computer’s hard drive sometimes may not be enough. If you love taking pictures and love keeping them, it is important that you invest in an external hard drive to make sure you are getting enough space for your pictures.
The truth is, there are other available camera accessories out there that you may find essential. A friend of mine finds his white balance lens cap indispensable and never leaves home without it. As for me, since I always shoot in RAW, I can always adjust the white balance of my shots during post editing which is why I don’t exactly need it. Camera accessories are without doubt very much important. However, it is also equally important that you need them and have a good use for them.
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
I looked into getting a little fold up tripod for my little digital camera as I sometimes find it hard to keep my camera from wobbling when its on the setting which doesn’t have the flash (apologies if I’m offending you with my non-camera speak – I really do have no idea what I’m talking about!!!). I like the idea of getting a camera bag too, I managed to break my first digital camera by just having it in my bag loose.
What kind of DSLR camera bag would you recommend? My brother has a very expensive DSLR camera but no bag for it, it’s his birthday coming up, might be a good idea for a present!
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Hi Harriet,
Tripods are really great to have. They allow you to take pictures without having to ask strangers to take the shot, or take long exposures without the risk of camera shake.
With regards to the type of bag I can recommend, you may want to look at Lowepro and Targus DSLR bags.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..15 Life Lessons I Learned While Traveling
Greetings Johanna,
I agree with you and Harriet that a tripod is a must for DSLR-camera enthusiasts.
Even if I don’t have my own DSLR camera yet, I prefer to have my own tripod around when shooting pictures outside on my own.
Having a tripod is good because for me, I don’t like disturbing strangers to take pictures for me. Who knows, they might suddenly take off with the camera! That would be a bummer!..You see, it’s my dad’s DSLR and I only borrow it for my photography assignments.
Great post! I’m looking into the camera bag, it seems it directs me to Amazon. I’m thinking of buying it for my close friend who I know has a DSLR camera. Her birthday is going to be next week..
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Hi Erwin,
I hope she’ll like it.
You’re absolutely right – you can’t trust strangers, especially when it comes to expensive gadgets..
Your close friend sure is lucky, she’ll be getting a DSLR camera bag as a present from you.. How sweet!
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..“My Kidney for an iPad 2?…. Deal!”
All these are important accessories indeed. However, there is another thing I might want to add to your list – an external flash. I always have it in my bag in case I will be shooting under low light condition. For me, the built-in flash simply doesn’t suffice.
Jonathan Sparco recently posted..Pressure Washer Glossary
Hi Jonathan,
You are right! I forgot to include an external flash on my list. Thanks for reminding me. You are also right in saying that the built-in flash of DSLRs are just not enough to give you the right light and bounce effects you need.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..15 Life Lessons I Learned While Traveling
No problem., glad to be of help. I too am personally becoming addicted to photography. I don’t know why, but I just keep on fiddling with my 500D when I am doing nothing. I take shots of everything inside the house, even paperclips and ants.
I noticed your new header by the way. It seems you’re really into cats and technology, huh?
Jonathan Sparco recently posted..Pressure Washer FAQs
You’ll love your 85mm to bits when you get it! Once you start using fast primes, you’re hooked. Try to add a wide angle lens to your arsenal. You get a different perspective in your photos, it’d be really nice.
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Hi Alfee,
Thanks, I’m sure I’ll love using that fast primes. I’ve managed to try a 35mm prime and I loved its fast autofocus. My only problem with it is that you need to really go near your subject to get a good frame. I prefer to frame my subjects from a little distance, which is why I am aiming for an 85mm. The truth is I can’t wait to buy it. It’s just too bad I need to travel some distance to purchase it as buying online here in the Philippines is simply not common practice.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..15 Life Lessons I Learned While Traveling
Interesting list of accessories to collect for someone whose into photography or love taking pictures to remembered and put it on their collection of exciting images. Right now I’m into saving money to buy for dslr camera for in our country it is quite too pricey to have it so I’m sticking into digital camera on taking pictures but I’m hoping that I can buy one soon!
It’s good to hear that you are saving money for a DSLR as it is really the next step to take in digital photography. I never really imagined getting addicted to photography when I had my point-and-shoot (which is why I couldn’t understand the enthusiasm of the photography buffs I know). Now, I know what it is like as I am one of them. Hope you get yours soon. I’m sure you won’t regret getting one.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..15 Life Lessons I Learned While Traveling
Twitter: ronniedare
July 7, 2011 at 9:43 am
They are quite expensive, I think. I don’t have or own any DSLR camera yet but I am planning to have one.
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Hi Ron,
They are really very expensive. The prices of the decent ones are still quite hefty for most of us, actually. I’m glad my brother generously gave it to me. At least I am learning the basics of using a DSLR camera.
Hope you’ll get yourself one soon..
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
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Hi Johanna,
I have a Gorillapod and I just love using it. I can use it to cling to almost anything. My only problem with it is if there are no trees, posts, or anything for it to cling on around.
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Hi Aimee,
I’ve been looking for a big Gorillapod for quite some time now as they only have small point-and-shoot camera versions Gorillapod sold in the mall. A friend of mine said he saw one being sold in the capital, which is several hour drive from my place. Perhaps I will be able to get one when I go buy my 85mm primes.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..15 Life Lessons I Learned While Traveling
Hey Johanna,
As much as I want to buy original lenses, they are simply too expensive. I have a sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 for my Canon 50D and it doesn’t miss a beat.
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Hi David,
Although I never had the chance to use Sigma lenses yet, I heard they are a good alternative to original lenses.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..15 Life Lessons I Learned While Traveling
Hi Johanna,
My Olympus use a four thirds system. I loved it when I bought it new a few years back. Now I am having problem buying accessories as most accessories are proprietary and expensive. I’m thinking of selling it and buying a newer one.
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Hi Cara,
I am not really that familiar with the micro four thirds system, but what I know is that it is an interchangeable type system for units that use the four thirds, such as Olympus, Panasonic, Leica, Sanyo, and Kodak.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..15 Life Lessons I Learned While Traveling
I love taking pictures but I only have point and shoot camera. I think the accessories you mentioned are also must-haves for a point and shoot except for the lens. The hard drive can be substituted with memory cards.
I really love to have DSLR Camera. I don’t have one but I already bought tripod to keep my inspiration alive. Neck strap is easy to afford so I will have it next.
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Hi Dlysen,
It’s good to know that you are looking forward into having a DSLR by buying pieces you can readily afford. Hopefully you complete your unit in no time.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..What Most of Us Do Not Know About Cats (Part 3)
This is a good list of accessories. Spare batteries and memory cards are a must, but for the lens, I just bring a general 18-200mm walkabout lens.
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Hi Jasmine,
I too find my 18-200mm to be indispensable as a general purpose lens. However, once I get my 85mm primes, I will be saving to get a 28-300mm.
Thanks for commenting! Come back soon..
Johanna recently posted..What Most of Us Do Not Know About Cats (Part 3)
Twitter: melvinblog
July 12, 2011 at 9:56 am
Owning a dlsr is really really expensive. If photography is your profession then definitely I would say its not so much expensive but for normal people who just like to take pictures, its just hard to get a dslr. That’s why Im pretty contented with my Digicam but that’s just me
Melvin recently posted..Give Your Blog A Facelift!
I am a huge camera enthusiast and nurture in myself a burning desire to turn into a photographer, and I am really looking forward to buying a nice camera, yet am confined to a sony DSC W3000 till now.
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One thing that I’ve learned from my previous shoots is to bring an extra or spare battery so that when it runs out, you can still continue your photo shoot since you have a spare one.
I just began to admire photography and been learning as much as I can about it. I have been hanging out with friends who are good at it and they persuaded me to save money to buy a camera of my own. I cant help but feel amazement for the gadget, I love it so much. If I could save enough money I can buy a lens. I’ll complete the whole set for sure.
For bloggers, a good camera is a must-have. SLR is good however, it’s expensive. I believe it’s not with camera, it’s the eye behind the camera who makes the photo brilliant.
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I wish I could have this kind of camera as well, it is just it is so expensive. It has good quality in taking clear pictures and beautiful angles. Sometimes, I am just happy seeing those people taking some pictures from afar.
I’ve been conflicted in deciding on whether to go for a DSLR or a digi cam. I finally went for a digi cam because of it’s portability. Now, I’m kinda thinking that I should have went for the DSLR. The quality of pictures it produces is just different. Maybe it’s okay to have both! Thanks for sharing these must-have accessories. I’m definitely gonna get one or two with my DSLR purchase.
Twitter: Johnny_Madrid
September 25, 2011 at 8:11 am
Oh, my. I wanted DSLR Camera for the longest time. I’ve had my on the Canon D7 for quite a while now. I’m more into filming with these camera’s. Done some research already and talked to a couple of camera men who use the Canon D5. Wonderful camera’s, great quality. Can’t wait to own one of these cam’s. Excellent info.
Tim E. recently posted..Quest for the Golden Latrine – Episode II
DSLR camera are much better than a digital camera, but in the long run digital camera are very handy than a DSLR, but in the other features DSLR are the best and I want it very soon.
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in addition to these, I really like the new external hard drives with wifi connection so that i can use also with my ipad easily.
There is also a list of accessories that are under $15, most are essential: http://dslrpassion.com/blog/59-blog/117-8-must-have-dslr-accessories-under-15.html
I used to own digital camera but recently I bought DSLR Camera. It’s amazing how technology improved. Now I’m trying to purchase The Tripod but it is bit expensive. Great information!
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