Having a DSLR camera is great but even the most basic of digital photographers will want some camera accessories to help with their photography efforts.
On that note, there is a need to make distinctions with regard to camera accessories for beginners and those for advanced professionals.
What Are Camera Accessories?
There are many different kinds of equipment that qualify as camera accessories to choose from, and not all of them are readily apparent to the novice photographer.
Just to be clear, camera accessories are anything that you can hook, attach, or install on your equipment for some kind of function other than aesthetics.
This means that it should help you achieve something with your camera other than make it look pretty.
It will either be for improving camera functions or providing it with protection.
Camera Accessories for Beginners
With that out of the way, it is time to talk about what camera accessories you should have when you are just starting out. We can start with:
Lens – A camera lens, whether it is the all-in-one variety or a more specialized type will be really helpful in taking those long-range, crisp shots.
If you are not going to go on a nature trek for the sole purpose of taking pictures, though, getting a basic unit should be enough. No need to spend money unnecessarily.
Tripod – Being able to take crystal-clear, and beautiful shots require excellent technique and a steady hand.
Both of which you might not have yet if you are still a beginner. As such, you are going to want to get a tripod.
Contrary to popular belief, tripods are more than just about taking landscape or group photos with you included. It’s also about maximizing the quality of each image.
The best, clearest, and most satisfying photos you could take are shot with the camera on a tripod. You reduce shaking, blurs, and awful grainy films.
While you’re at it, you might as well invest in a tripod carrier kit, as well. Tripods are bulky items and can be quite taxing to hand carry around without assistance.
Shutter Remote – Following that, we have the shutter remote, which is basically a way to take a shot with your DSLR camera without having to be next to it.
This is really helpful when you have to take background photos that include you. They can either be for group photos or photos against natural backdrops.
Using a remote trigger basically ensures that you won’t have to scramble to get to the spot after clicking the shutter button on the camera.
You can even use this to take photos without risking blurred images since you won’t even need to touch the shutter button at all.
UV Filter – A UV filter is great for protecting the lens of the DSLR from sunlight and dust, but more of the latter than the former.
Having it on means having to clean your lens less often, thus lowering the chance of damaging it too much.
Extra Battery – Having an extra battery on hand is always a good thing, especially if you are going on an extended vacation or hike with your DSLR.
You won’t have to worry about not having access to a charging station or missing a perfect shot just because you ran out of power.
Memory Cards – Your DSLR likely already comes with internal memory storage and depending on the
package you purchased, you might have also gotten a memory card.
However, for prolific photographers, even the memory cards with the biggest storage spaces can get filled up really quickly, especially when taking videos at 4K.
Spare memory cards will certainly come in handy. So is a memory card organiser to store them closely by your side.
Straps – What exactly is there to say about straps and their functions? You need it so that your camera does not fall and shatter in case it slips from your hand.
However, many people have become turned off by straps because of how they swing about and get in the way and the stress they put on the shoulder neck or back.
Thankfully, many alternatives to traditional straps exist to counter all the aforementioned problems, none as revolutionary as the SpiderPro carrying system.
Camera Bag – A camera bag will hold all of your equipment and accessories, thus making for easier transport.
Without one, it will be more inconvenient to bring your accessories with you and your camera could get damaged in transit.
Belt Holster – A belt holster to carry the numerous accessories is recommended if you are an active photography enthusiast.
It becomes a whole lot easier to take interesting and natural photos when you can just pull extra batteries or a flash attachment from your waist.
You could even find a camera carrying system to lighten the load off your shoulders.
Lens Hood – Finally, there is the lens hood, which is an accessory that you are going to want to get for a few simple reasons.
The first of these is that it provides your camera with an extra layer of protection against dirt, debris, and sun damage.
Apart from that, though, the lens hood can also give your camera’s lens some extra padding for absorbing impact.
If you are moving around quickly in an enclosed space, it would not be strange for your camera to keep hitting snags every now and again.
When to Get Camera Accessories
As to when you should get camera accessories for your DSLR, this would be entirely up to you. Ideally, you should have them already on hand when you have purchased your camera.
Buying a DSLR camera is no easy undertaking, especially when you consider the costs. More than that, there is also the question of what you will be using it for.
If you are just a hobbyist or a beginner, you might not even need accessories except for a strap or a carrying system. If you plan on becoming better at photography, the above-mentioned accessories become a must.
Be it a tripod carrier, camera carrying solution, lens pouch or hand strap, you can find these accessories and more at Spider Holster.