Good day friends. I hope this post finds you doing well.Â
Often when talking about photography, there is much discussion of cameras, lenses, megapixels, specs, and time spent researching all the new features, but not quite that many topics on some accessories that you will need.
Dust, smudges, and grime will perhaps be your number one enemy and a battle that rages every time you are out to shoot or preparing your gear to shoot. There are several tools that have come in very handy for me.
- Â Giottos Rocket Blower. Can safety deliver a blast of air to hard to reach surfaces (lens, filters, camera, keyboard) to remove loose dust particles. I have had one in my camera bag for as long as I can remember.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/259157-REG/Giottos_AA1900_Rocket_Air_Blower.html
- Â LensPen Pro Kit. Soft brush for removing dust or a carbon tip for removing fingerprints. Various sizes to work with a large surface area to a small space like the viewfinder. Again, another tool that I have kept in my bag for years.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1058626-REG/lenspen_ndslrk_1c_dslr_pro_kit_w_micro_clear.html
- Â Spudz Microfiber cleaning cloth. One of my all-time favorite cleaning cloths. Comes in various sizes and is an all in one unit. The cleaning cloth is attached to its protective cover and is pulled out to wipe off a surface and then easily tucked back in for storage. A convenient hook is attached, allowing it to be carried on a ring of your camera bag or other handy location.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/330999-REG/Spudz_SPFD01_G10_Micro_Fiber_Cleaning_Cloth.html
- Â For stubborn smudges where a wet cleaning wipe is needed, I use a Zeiss lens cleaning wipe. Individually packaged and easy to tuck into a pocket of your camera bag. Since I also wear glasses, they are great for cleaning the lens or can be used to clean the screen on your camera's back. I often use them to clean the screen of my phone. There are many uses, so I typically buy these in bulk and carry a few with me.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=zeiss%20lens%20wipes&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps
- Â Finally, there are products to help clean your camera's sensor. It is much better to do your own search for a kit at B&H Photo or call and talk to a representative for one that will be safe for your camera. You will need to do some research online as some kits may not be suitable for all types of cameras and sensors. The style I use for my canon sensor is more of a sticky pad that will lift the dust but is not suitable for some Sony camera sensors. You will need to determine what fits best for you. That may include sending in your camera to a service to clean the senor. There are lots of options, and you will need to pick the one that is best for you.
You will need plenty of memory cards, so the brands I have stayed with are SanDisk, Lexar, or Transcend. These have offered me years of reliability, and to date, I do not recall ever having a card fail. I also use a shock and weatherproof case to carry them that attaches to my bag. The one I have by Go friend has been discontinued, but this Ruggard Leda memory case is remarkably similar.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1488525-REG/ruggard_mau_12sdb_leda_memory_card_case.html
Another item you will need is plenty of batteries.
In my years of photography, I have always kept a minimum of four to six on hand and with me when shooting. I never want to be caught without enough batteries. For many years I have used third party Sterling Tek batteries without any issues. They are now found on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=STK+battery&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
I also carry a small pocketknife and pocket screwdriver in my bag. Both of which can easily be found at some local hardware stores or on Amazon.
This is not an overly exciting topic or list but just some accessories that you will need. Of course, there are more things to consider, like tripods, camera bags, filters, software, and such.
Thank you for reading, and many happy adventures. :-)Â
Please note that I have not been paid to endorse any of these products. They are simply products that have worked well for me over the years. Also, none of the links included are affiliate links, nor am I connected to B&H Photo. I have been a long-time customer of B&H Photo, Adorama, and Amazon. I have included the links for you to see the products mentioned.