Best Camera Accessories

intro

Accessories are huge in extending the functionality of your camera. They can allow you to create compositions and get shots that you would not normally be able to. While many accessories are a scam or money grabs, there are some that are essential to a photographer or videographer’s kit. After heavily testing and using several types of accessories, these are the top 10 accessories I would purchase for a camera:

10. Camera cage

A camera cage is kind of like a case for your phone, however, it does way more than protect your camera from drops. Cages will have holes that allow you to customize and mount various accessories to your camera, making it a very powerful rig. You can mount microphones, handles, quick releases, monitors, batteries, and more to your cage. While cages themselves are not that expensive, the add-ons can get pricey. I personally recommend cages and accessories from SmallRig, but other good brands include Tilta and Kondor Blue.

9. external monitor

An external monitor allows you to view your camera’s feed on a bigger screen. This is great for making sure your subject is in focus and exposure is correct. It can be hard to tell whether your image is good from the tiny screen on your camera body, so an external monitor that can be rigged up to a cage is nice to have. Popular monitor brands include SmallHD, Atomos, and Osee. They will cost several hundred dollars, so make sure to consider whether you actually need a monitor.

8. remote shutter

A remote shutter will allow you to remotely operate your camera, which can be very helpful in certain situations. Perhaps you want to record yourself without having to press the shutter button on the camera itself, or need to trigger the shutter from a far distance. A remote shutter is the answer. Remote shutters vary by brand and camera model, so be sure to get one that is confirmed to work with your camera. Expect to pay around $50 or less for a third-party remote (they all function the same).

7. sensor cleaner

Sensors are the part of your camera that captures light through your lens. They often get exposed to elements like dust, dirt, and other particles whenever you switch out lenses. While it may not be a big deal to Photoshop dust out of an image, it is nearly impossible to remove dust specks from video, which can cause your footage to be unusable. You should buy some sensor swabs and cleaners to clean your sensor on a regular basis.

6. quick-release system

Quick-release mounts

A quick-release system can make it fast and easy to remove your camera from rigs and tripods. It is a huge time-saver and allows for cross-compatibility across different systems. There are two schools of thought when it comes to quick-release mounts: Arca Swiss and Manfrotto. Arca Swiss is a mount that is nearly universal due to its open standard and adoption by third parties. Manfrotto has its own proprietary mount that is similar but has different dimensions than Arca Swiss. Manfrotto mounts are used for their tripod systems, while Arca Swiss is used for things like tripods, gimbals, sliders, and more. Get the mount that will be used for more of your needs.

quick-release straps

We’re not done yet, there are also quick-release straps. Straps that come with cameras are uncomfortable, hard to remove, and more often than not, a nuisance. You can remove the stock camera strap and replace it with a quick-release system like the one from Peak Design, which allows you to quickly remove and attach a strap. This is great when you are switching between handheld and gimbal/tripod use. Definitely, a cheap accessory that greatly improves QOL.

5. microphone

While a microphone might not be necessary if you are strictly a photographer, it is a must-have for any type of video. Built-in mics on cameras have a low-quality pre-amp, meaning audio will often be poor and blown out. It is ideal to have a separate mic like a shotgun mic, lav setup, or even an external audio recorder. A huge component of video is audio, and having a dedicated mic will make your videos appear more professional.

4. batteries

While every camera comes with a battery, it is essential to buy a few more as spares. You never know when you will run out of juice, so it’s better to be prepared to swap batteries out rather than regret it and end a shoot early. Also never buy first-party batteries unless it’s highly critical for your work. Third-party batteries often last just as long as branded ones and cost less.

3. tripod

A tripod is essential for both video and photography. There are types of shots that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to take without a tripod. The steadiness of a tripod is something you can never achieve while handheld. Tripods can range from extremely cheap (AmazonBasics has one for like $30) to very expensive ($1000+), but you should aim for a mid-range option from companies like Neewer or K&F Concept. These options are solidly built and compact, but won’t break the bank. More expensive tripods will have nice features like fluid heads, counter balancing, or larger load tolerances. Don’t go for a super budget option as these will often not be sturdy enough for most environments and will not be compatible with mounts like Arca Swiss.

2. storage

Storage is something you can never have enough of. You need SD cards to capture photos and video, and need storage on your computer once you transfer the content. The only type of SD cards I recommend are Sandisk Extreme Pros, and I’d recommend either a 64GB or 128GB card. They are pretty fast and haven’t failed on me after years of use. If your camera has dual slots, be sure to populate both for redundancy. Regardless, be sure to have multiple SD cards, just in case you lose one or run out of space (I’d recommend at least 3).

As for storage on your computer, invest in some external drives if you are running out of space on your internal computer storage. Do not buy Lacie drives, as they are slow and horribly overpriced. If you are looking for fast and reliable external storage, get a Sandisk Extreme Portable or Samsung T7 (not the T5). Both options come in various storage sizes, so pick the one that is ideal for your use. Look into cloud storage as well, such as Google Drive or Google Photos, for a good backup solution.

1. lighting

Lighting is the biggest “accessory” you can buy for your camera. Whether it’s a speedlite for photography, or a LED light for video, a portable source of light is a must. Shooting in controlled situations with lighting that can be adjusted will create the best-looking content. There are plenty of different types of lights out there, but at the very least I recommend the following for beginners:

• Flash (for photography only)

  • If you take photos, a flash will dramatically improve your photography in low light. You can shoot at lower ISOs and freeze motion with higher shutter speeds. For a budget flash, I recommend a Godox TT685II. It will also be much more powerful than a built-in flash if your camera has one.

• LED handheld video light

  • This is useful if you need a bit more light in your shot. These lights come in all sorts of forms from various companies, but I recommend the Aputure Amaran or Pixel G1S.