What accessories do you need to get started with your DSLR?

In previous tutorials I’ve discussed the relative merits of DSLR cameras and DSLR cameras, and what to look for in a DSLR. This time I’m referring to accessories: the other things you need to get started.

Batteries New cameras come with a battery as standard, but it’s a good idea to have more than one. As everyone knows, a dead battery is the most common reason why a camera sits idle.

An original brand battery (ie a Nikon battery for a Nikon camera) is not cheap. I paid at least $70 for my last Canon battery. The net offers many imitation batteries for a fraction of the price. In my experience, most, but not all of them work, but they also have much less charge than the real thing. That said, if you’re low on cash, they might still be a better option. Three batteries totaling $30 could match the charge of an original for twice that price.

A note to aspiring videographers: your camera will consume batteries! Get a lot – I would suggest at least three (originals).

Memory cards. When I bought my first DSLR, I felt extravagant shelling out for a 2GB memory card. I would surely never need that much space. Now I use 32 GB cards. Granted, that might be overkill to start with, but an 8GB or 16GB card offers plenty of room to experiment in rapid-fire mode. I’ve never had a card die on me, but photographers tell horror stories about how they complete a shoot only to find their card has gone bad with all the images lost. That is why it is worth investing in a good brand. Sandisk (knock on wood) has always served me well. Investing in two cards instead of one spreads the risk up to a point.

UV filters. A filter is a piece of glass that is screwed onto the top of the lens. There are many types and they tend to be used more by landscape photographers than by people photographers like myself. I can’t say I’ve noticed much of a difference in image quality using a UV filter, but I know my bacon has been saved more than once when I hit a lens off the corner of a table or, in one creepy episode, dropped it. a camera from a height of ten feet above the concrete (yes, the lens survived; sadly, the camera did not). UV filters are cheap (about $20) and can save you the cost of a new lens.

Camera bags. Here practicality coexists with aesthetics. There are plenty of beautiful shoulder strap camera bags on the market. Some are made of leather or canvas (both materials are a nightmare in the tropics, especially leather can build up a layer of mildew overnight). They look great but, for my taste, they are neither comfortable nor especially safe. A bag snatcher could sixteen one with little sweat. A camera backpack is comfortable and safe. Some brands come disguised as regular backpacks, which is a bonus. Regardless of the type of bag you choose, make sure it’s larger than your immediate needs. You will most likely pick up more gear, so you need something you can grow into.

A computer and software. For a photographer, a Mac is clearly superior to a PC, in terms of ease of use and, above all, screen quality. As for the software, that’s another tutorial.

Here’s what you might think you need but probably don’t, at least not right away:

On tripod. Often when I’m outside on a beautiful sunny day, I see a budding photographer walking around with a tripod slung over his shoulder (yes, usually a man). What the hell do you need a tripod for? Tripods are for long exposures, that is. keeping the shutter open for between half a second and a few hours. That usually means there isn’t much light available. Think of the classic night shot along the Champs Elysees with car headlights traveling hundreds of yards. These shots are really fun, but the fact is, you’ll probably never need a tripod to take a photo of a human being.

A power unit. This is a chunky thing that sticks to the bottom of the camera and contains extra batteries to take lots of photos in quick succession. Sports and nature photographers need them. Nobody else does. They’re heavy, bulky, and the photographic equivalent of stuffing socks into the front of pants.

A one-lens bazooka (often with the above two). A long lens is great for certain types of shots, but having one doesn’t make you a photographer. A discreet 50mm prime lens will serve you much better for learning the fundamentals of photography. But more about this in the next tutorial.