So you’ve recently been bitten by the shutterbug and can’t wait to click those surreal photographs that inspired you to pick up the camera? The road to becoming a great photographer could be rough but we’re here to iron out the bumps for you. We have listed some of the must-have DSLR accessories which, we hope, will help you if you have newly walked into the world of photography.
This list will be useful to you if you’re a beginner photography enthusiast and have recently bought a new DSLR out of interest or maybe just curiosity. We have included some of the best DSLR accessories Nikon, Canon, or any other entry-level DSLR camera could support and have ensured that the distinctions between the suitable options are clearly reflected in the article.
1. DSLR Camera Bag
Within a month of buying your new DSLR, has the camera bag which came for free with the DSLR starting slacking or bulging, or is the strap too thin, making the weight of your new hobby a burden?
Lastly, if you want style along with comfort and utility, Think Tank TurnStyle 20 V2.0 can be a good companion for beginner DSLR users. It will not accommodate your laptop but you do get decent space for a tablet and the single-strap design of the bag will surely turn some heads towards you. This bag will set you back by $100.
With your raw and newfound passion for photography, things are bound to get dirty as you go beyond set boundaries to seize some great moments in your new DSLR. Dust is also likely to creep in if you change the lens often.
You will get the two-sided pen, a separate brush, alcohol-free cleaning liquid, air blower, tissues, and microfiber cloths in this kit. This kit costs less than half ($12) as the option above but you won’t get a carrying case.
3. Extra DSLR Battery
Do you often get so indulged in photography that you almost forget about charging the camera’s battery? It is always a good idea to carry some spare batteries, especially if you are shooting outdoors – and being precautious will not cost you a lot.
If you’re using an entry-level Canon, you can choose a Replacement Battery Charger Set from RAVPower. With a massive 2040mAh battery, it’s fully equipped to deliver plenty of extra battery life to your Canon DSLR. It’s compatible with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, III, IV, 5DS, 5DS R, 6D, 60D,6D Mark II, 7D, 7D Mark II,70D, 80D.
If you’re a Nikon user, you can find a similar offering from BESTON. The 2-in-1 charger pack comes with two batteries (of 1,100mAh each) which can replace Nikon’s 1,030mAh EN-EL14 ($27) battery pack.
4. SD Card
An SD card is an essential element for photography, because where else will you store all those great shots? We, at Beebom, rely on the SanDisk Extreme PRO 256GB SD card, which supports transfer speeds of up to 95MBps. This transfer rate is good enough for the entry-level DSLRs and we even use it for recording 4K videos without any hassles.
SD Card with Built-in WiFi
Most entry-level DSLR cameras these days come with inbuilt Wi-Fi, but if your DSLR camera does not – if you have an older model, you can use a Toshiba FlashAir SDHC card which comes with built-in Wi-Fi support for direct sharing to smartphones or tablets.
Remote Controllers for Nikon DSLRs
Wireless remote controllers for DSLR can be really useful for easily taking long exposures and time-lapses, and even for light-painting with DSLRs. So, if you’re looking for a wireless remote control for your entry-level Nikon DSLR, you can check out the official Nikon Quick Response ML-L3. It’s a simple remote control with a button to control the shutter on your Nikon DSLR.
Coming to beginner Canon DSLRs, you might have to rely on a slightly expensive solution since most entry-level cameras from the company don’t come with IR support.
Alternatively, if you want to save your money, you can also use ‘Wireless Mobile Utility’ apps by Nikon and made available for both – Android and iOS. Nikon has been working on a cleaner app called SnapBridge which allows you to take pictures more seamlessly and even share them on the cloud. You can try it out for Android and iOS and choose between the two apps.
If you want to capture great shots of brightly lit objects, or if you want to capture great shots of objects with brightly lit backgrounds, using a polarizing filter will help you block out the unwanted glare or splitting of light into rainbow colors.
- Before buying a polarizing filter, just make sure to pick the right size corresponding to your lens.
- While 58mm is among the most common sizes, you can find the exact information on the front of the lens kit (above the lens bulge).
8. Additional Lenses
Lenses for Portrait and Bokeh
If you’ve spent sufficient time with your DSLR and want to take a leap further, getting a second lens could open up doors to new possibilities for you. So for instance, if you’re looking to great portraits, you can get a lens with a wider aperture, like the 50mm lenses available for both Canon and Nikon DSLRs.
Telephoto Lenses for Nikon and Canon
Alternatively, if you would like to capture far-off objects clearly, it is a good idea to buy a telephoto lens with a larger focal length than the standard kit lens. While you can already get bundles with the telephoto lenses, these are also available to buy separately. Nikon sells the 70-300mm lens for $347 while Canon’s 420-1600mm lens can be bought for $160.
9. Camera Strap
While you might feel that the purpose of a camera strap is to simply hold the camera in place while you’re on the move – which is true – there can be a lot more to it. So whether it is finding the most secure camera strap because you love hiking and want to start capturing landscapes or something more fashion-forward because you’re starting out as a street photographer, customizing your equipment with something as simple as a camera strap can help you feel a lot more enthusiastic and inspired about going out and shooting, especially when you’re just starting out.
Since we just mentioned hiking, if you happen to be among the outdoorsy kind, you can check out this camera harness by USA GEAR for $15. The straps of the harness go around your body to keep the camera secure, allowing you to be on the move all day long without feeling tired of the extra equipment weight.
For a cheaper option, you can consider taking a look at the lightweight and comfortable waka Camera Neck Strap, available for $16.
For more stylish options, you can either choose from a variety of leather straps by 595strapco on online marketplace Etsy but a cheaper and basic-looking option can be the TARION Vintage Belt strap for $7.
10. Waterproof Rain Cover for DSLR
Taking your new DSLR out in the rain or somewhere close to water can prove to be an expensive mistake but you can avoid it by using an inexpensive waterproof cover.
11. Recording Microphone
Apart from the accessories listed above, if you’re planning on shooting vlogs or YouTube videos with your camera, you should definitely invest in a microphone as well. A good option for new beginners is the VideoMic Go condenser microphone by Rode.
12. External Flash Light
An external flashlight is another must-have photography accessory. And if you want to be fully equipped especially when going for a long shooting spree in the wild, you better get this one.
A lenspen is a handy photography tool. What makes it so useful is the ability to clean camera lenses, small aperture spotting scopes and telescopes, eyepieces, binocular lenses, and other optical items with precision.
Which DSLR to Buy for Beginners?
Nikon D3500 ($500) along with Canon EOS Rebel T7i ($620) is considered to be the best DSLR for beginners. They have got all the essential features to be a handy asset for newbies.
As a beginner photographer, you need a capable camera, lenses, memory/fil, tripod, computer, photo/video editing software, flash, and additional filters.
Do You Need a Camera Strap?
Well, it all depends on your need. If you want to carry your camera securely, a strap can be very helpful.
As a videographer, you need a tripod, camera light, three-point lighting kit, portable digital audio recorder, headphones, light reflector, lenses, and of course 3-4 extra batteries so that your shooting will never come to a halt.
With the great accessories we’ve listed above, you will able to improve your DSLR game and take your photography skills to the next level. You need not buy all of these at once, but some of these accessories like the telephoto lenses and polarizing filters might not only enhance the quality of your images but also assist you to explore some newer endeavors and help you master your photography skills.