When photographers get together, they often compare notes on useful DSLR accessories. To anyone but a photographer, this type of discussion might seem a bit obsessive. But, when you’re caught in a downpour without camera rain protection, you’ll soon think differently. There are times you might be presented with a promising landscape and you lack the photographic filters needed to render it magnificent. Looking through windows obscured by condensation should serve as a visual reminder to stock your gear locker with lens and optics cleaning supplies. The tripod needed to capture a starry night will be a lot easier to carry with the right tripod case. Photographers will be filled with glad tidings, thanks to camera remote controls that make it possible to trip their shutters while remaining comfortable indoors, instead of getting frostbite or sunstroke.
Rain Protection
So compact and affordable, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a reason to leave them at home, the two-pack of Ruggard RC-P18" Rain Covers will help protect your DSLR with a lens up to 18". Made for stealthy outdoor photography, LensCoat RainCoats are available in a variety of patterns and solid colors that help photographers blend in with their surroundings. Another brand of rain covers worth exploring is the Vortex Media line of storm jackets. These covers come in many colors and sizes and feature an opening at the bottom for your tripod and an included, zippered, carrying case.
Photographic Filters
For that magnificent landscape photo mentioned earlier, two go-to filters are a polarizer and a neutral density (ND). The polarizer will help eliminate reflections, reduce haze, and improve color saturation. And graduated neutral density filters are prized for their ability to reduce exposure selectively in areas such as bright skies, sandy beaches, and snow. Along with filters, you’ll want to consider filter accessories such as lens wrenches, step-rings, and pouches.
Lens and Optics Cleaning Supplies
If your microfiber cleaning cloths are getting worn and tired looking, it might be time for a resupply. When used as directed, these cloths are safe and effective for fine optics. Many are reusable and can be used in combination with select lens-cleaning fluids. One excellent approach to lens cleaning is to get a Giottos Lens Cleaning Kit with Small Rocket Air Blower that includes a retractable goat-hair brush, spray bottle of cleaning solution, microfiber cloth, swabs, and a rubber blower.
Tripod Cases
Photographers who shoot long exposures, night scenes, sports, and telephoto shots, most likely already own a tripod. Due to their size and bulk, tripods can be difficult to carry and protect without an appropriate case or bag. Features to consider are padding, materials, accessory pockets, handles, and shoulder straps. The way a tripod case or bag opens is important, too. One top-of-the-line case is the HPRC 6300TRIB Wheeled Hard Case for Tripods with Soft Interiors Kit. This hard, resin shell case is air and waterproof, unbreakable, meets ATA 300 specifications, and features smooth gliding wheels.
Camera Remote Controls
One of the coolest camera accessories is the remote control, which offers so much more than a simple cable release. Vello makes a fine line of remotes that offers wireless camera triggering, delay functions, video on/off, still shooting during video, compatibility with most manufacturers, groups, channels, fast flash-sync speeds, TTL, LED indicators, hot-shoe mounting, and more. Shooters will love using the Vello FreeWave Fusion Pro Wireless Flash Trigger and Remote Control for Nikon and Canon DSLRs. These kits come with a transmitter, up to two receivers, 3.5mm shutter release cable, mini cables, and 4 AAA batteries.
B&H has just about every camera accessory a photographer could wish for. Remember, the only thing better than one perfect accessory, is five or more perfect accessories. Please share your thoughts and accessory recommendations with fellow readers in the Comments section, below.
