So, you’ve got a fancy new Canon D-SLR camera, and you’re looking for accessories. What accessories do you need, want, etc.? Find out the camera accessory essentials here.
- UV Filter ($10+): UV filters serve a multitude of purposes on your camera. They protect your lenses from scratches, your photos from unwanted light, and lead to more balanced photos overall. With decent ones starting at $10, this is one of the most accessible and worthwhile beginner accessories.
- Slashproof Camera Strap ($25): The Pacsafe camera strap prevent your camera from being stolen just under your nose. Built into the strap is a wire, which makes cutting the camera strap to steal your camera impossible. In addition, by removing the brand-name colorful camera strap from your camera, you are removing one of the most obvious attractors of theft, and preventing your new camera from being stolen on your next trip.
- Camera Holster Bag ($27). There are dozens of different types of camera bag, but none are better than holster cases. Holster cases are cases in the shape of your camera. They fit nicely around the camera, without adding the bulk of bigger, boxy cases. The particular case I linked is my favorite because it’s affordable, water resistant (a must), nicely padded, and it has a decent amount of storage for extra memory cards, and batteries (which brings me to my next item.
- Extra batteries(price varies). The biggest weakness with digital cameras and DSLRs is that even the big bulky batteries only have a couple of hours worth of juice. If you’re traveling, or even going to a concert, you’re going to want an extra battery. Don’t be scammed into buying your second battery directly from your camera maker. They charge a fortune for the same battery. I buy aftermarkets from companies like Sunpak, and get them for 1/2 to 1/3 of the price.
- Manfroto Tripod ($160+). Tripods are fantastic for lower light where you can’t have shake, portraits, landscapes, and all types of more creative photographs. They’re also a video essential. I recommend Manfroto personally for high quality tripods. Cheaper tripods compromise on build-quality, and will cost you more in the long run. Manfroto tripods are high-quality, but don’t cost as much as the most professional brands (whose tripods can reach the thousands). I know professionals who count on manfrotos.
- Fisheye Lens ($20+). Fisheye lenses are responsible for some of the coolest snaps out there. Just look up “night sky fisheye” on any search engine to see countless examples of the incredible effects produced by these very cheap special effects lenses. Despite costing you often 1/10 the price of any other lens in your bag, it is the favorite lens of many.
- 50mm “Nifty Fifty” Lens ($100). The 50 millimeter lens is one of the most iconic lenses out there, and is incredibly affordable like the fisheye. The 50 is famous for great low-light performance, closely mirroring the human eye, and producing some incredible wide angle shots. It’s great for portraits, and landscapes, and it’s very lightweight, making it a great street-lens.
So that’s my list of eight essential Canon DSLR accessories for beginners, These items are all affordable, functional, and definitely worth the cost. What did we miss? Let us know in the comments.