Photography is fundamentally about an individuals ability to imagine, execute and create content from a unique and artistic perspective. To be a successful photographer, one has to be dedicated, patient, and of course talented, but there is one other aspect which drastically enhances the art form. Accessories! This isn’t to say that just because you have a bag full of accessories you will automatically become a pro-level photographer; that all comes down to your willingness to try new and different things. But having the right camera accessories will undoubtedly make the whole process a little easier and enjoyable.
In this article, we are going to run you through a range of different accessories that will enhance your images and make your shoots a whole lot easier.
Tripods
First on our list is a strong, sturdy tripod. If the goal is to achieve a great low light, long exposure shot, then having a tripod is a must-have for that extra level of stability. From landscapes to night shots, a tripod brings stability and creates a sharper look in the images. They also help in taking pictures at a certain angle which normally would be difficult to achieve.
If you are a beginner or a hobbyist photographer, we believe the ATF Musketeer is a very good option. It’s versatile, has a fluid pan and tilt head for sharp and smooth photos and videos, quick release plate for convenience and a built-in weight hook makes it an ideal option for your camera kit.
From a more professional point of view, the Manfrotto 190Xpro4 is a good option. It’s lightweight and the best feature is the 90-degree pivot ability (flexible centre column which can be flipped 90 degrees horizontally even when the camera is attached) allows you to take pictures in tricky scenarios.
Camera Bags
The second accessory on our list is the good old camera bag. Unless you plan on juggling your gear when heading out for a shoot or on a trip, this is something you will more than likely need to invest in. With the copious options that are on the market, choosing the right bag for you can be a little difficult. It is helpful to keep three things in mind when choosing a bag.
- Flexibility – to pack and arrange equipment according to your requirements,
- Size – for times when you need to carry multiple cameras, lenses and a range of other accessories,
- Durability – as the bag is the first point of protection for your gear, you want to make sure it is tough and long-lasting.
If you have an abundance of gear that you enjoy always having with you, then the Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II is perfect for you. The bag can fit 2 DSLR cameras, up to 8 lenses, a 15-inch laptop and a lot of accessories. The interior of the bag is well padded and can be customised according to the gears you are carrying.
Another high quality and budget-friendly option is the ATF sully. Designed to be used as a multipurpose bag, the ATF sully is an ideal option for adventurous photographers. The bag is big enough to carry a drone, or mirrorless/DSLR camera and lens combo, along with additional accessories. The Sully also features a separate space for your laptop/ tablet and can be customised according to your needs.
Here is a quick video to see the wonderful features of the ATF Sully.
External Flash
Yes, we know almost all cameras have a built-in flash, but if you’re looking to mix up your light source and create unique shadows on your subject, an external flash can help with that. By mounting on top of your camera, you can adjust the light source to produce stronger or weaker light output or even tilt the angle to achieve a different effect.
Phottix Mitros+ TTL Transceiver Flash
The Phottix Mitros TTL flash is feature-rich flash compatible with Canon, Nikon & Sony cameras. It comes with a weather-sealed mount and includes an RF transceiver, meaning it can be used as a wireless RF master or slave unit in a multi-flashgun setup.
Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT
This speedlite by Canon is specifically designed to meet the creative requirements of professional photographers. The flash offers a very effective wireless system, has a weather-sealed body, moves 180 degrees in both directions and gives 50% more flash than its predecessor Speedlite 600EX RT.
Memory cards
The last thing you want in the middle of a shoot is to run out of space on your memory card. We’re sure it is something that has happened to even the most seasoned professionals, but it’s very easily avoidable. By having extra memory cards in your kit, you’ll always have plenty of storage space. While buying the memory cards, it’s important to think about the compatibility, storage capacity, price and read and write speed. Offering large space to keep is images and videos is great but transferring data quickly is equally important.
SanDisk Extreme Pro CFExpress card
You can capture RAW 4k video with low latency performance in your recording. The card offers a high read and write speed of up to 1700MB/s & 1400MB/s respectively.
XQD G series by Sony
The XQD G series by Sony will be your saviour if you need to transfer our footage or images at an ultra-fast speed. These cards are designed to keep up with the requirements of professionals and will never back down from an adventure. The card allows you to shoot continuous RAW burst because of its high write speed.
We hope that this little guide will help you in finding the right accessories for your camera kit that suits your need. But remember that capturing the perfect shot needs more than just accessories; it needs your talent, creativity and skills. These accessories can just enhance the whole experience and make your journey a little more comfortable.
Once you start exploring you will realise the number of options available in the market to cater to your requirements but we are sure that the above-listed accessories will cover your basic needs. So, go out and start shooting.