8 DSLR accessories for intermediate photographers

8 DSLR accessories for intermediate photographers

Once you have the accessories you need to get your photography hobby off the ground, you will probably want to expand your arsenal and update some of the things you have. If you’re not sure what to get next, or don’t know what’s out there, these eight DSLR accessories will be very useful in your quest to become a better photographer.

8 DSLR accessories for intermediate photographers

Prime lens

It was hard not to include this in the article on DSLR accessories for beginners, as a main lens is one of the things that will improve your photographic skills. Prime lenses are the opposite of zoom lenses: they have a unique focal length. This means that you will have to do a major repositioning to get the angle and composition you want, which is great for developing your photographic eye.

There are several different primary lens options, but 50mm is generally recommended as the most versatile. A lens this size is usually quite inexpensive compared to other lenses – the Nikon Nikkor AF FX 50mm, for example, costs $ 132. A similar 50 mm lens from Canon costs $ 125.

You can also get third-party lenses that are even cheaper, but you’ll sacrifice glass quality and lens speed, making it less of a bargain. However, if money is an issue, a lens like the Yongnuo EF YN 50mm for Canon Rebel cameras can be found for $ 54, and other similar lenses are available for other cameras.

Wide angle lens

Although they are significantly more expensive than prime lenses, wide angles are a great investment for an intermediate photographer, especially if you like to photograph landscapes: they allow you to capture much more of the scene, providing impressive views. They can also be used to great effect in urban photography.

Even a basic wide-angle lens can cost hundreds of dollars: the Canon EF-S 10-18mm lens costs $ 300, and the Rokinon 14mm wide-angle lens for Nikon cameras costs $ 400. There are less expensive options, but many they are clearly low quality lenses, and you should probably plan to spend at least $ 250 on a wide angle lens.

If you’re not willing to spend that much money on a wide-angle lens, consider looking on eBay, Craigslist or another reseller site. There is always a thriving trade in used camera lenses, and if you can save up to 20%, it will make a big difference to your budget.

External Flash

The built-in flash on most DSLRs is not very powerful – in general, they are not really designed to illuminate a scene, but to fill small shadows if the lighting is not optimal. An external flash will not only fill more shadows, but can also provide more light in a low-light environment. The light it provides is also of a superior quality and will have a major positive impact on your photography.

As you can expect, there are many different types of flashes that you can add to your camera. A quick Amazon search for «hot shoe flash» (the hot shoe is where the flash connects to your camera) yields thousands of results. To find the right one for you, first search for “[sua marca de câmera] shoe flash ”.

You will notice that there can be a big difference in the prices of external flashes – the first thing that will contribute to the difference between the flash being manual or the controlled TTL. A manual flash requires you to adjust settings on the flash and on the camera to obtain proper exposure. A TTL flash will make these adjustments automatically.

For a cheap flash to get started, the AP-UNV1 Speedlite package ($ 40) is a great option. It is a manual flash, so you will have to learn how the flash affects the exposure on your camera, but it includes a number of useful accessories, such as a stand and a remote control. For another $ 50, the Altura Professional Flash Kit ($ 90) offers TTL control, a more powerful flash and even more accessories. For even higher quality flashes with longer durability, check your camera manufacturer’s options.

Remote Flash

You may notice that some of the external flashes come with brackets and cables for remote operation – this can be extremely useful for lighting a subject from different angles. And while you can use your external flash for this purpose, it can be very useful to have a second flash to use as a remote control, helping you to fill or create shadows from two different directions.

As with shoe flashes, remote flashes come in a variety of options and prices; The Nwerwer 5500k 2.4G ($ 60) wireless flash, for example, includes an adjustable flash diffuser and a charger for an external power pack, so you don’t have to connect the flash to keep it on. Its high sensitivity trigger also ensures that the flash turns off at the right time.

If you are interested in getting an external flash for your camera, in addition to a remote flash, consider the Altura Studio Pro kit ($ 150), which includes everything you need: flashes, remote controls, remote control cables and diffusers.

Flash Diffuser

Most external flashes come with diffusers, but even if you decide not to buy an external flash, using something to reflect the strong light around the area, instead of directly outside your subject, will be useful. It is especially good for taking the light from the ceiling when you are taking pictures indoors, where the light from the flash can be especially bright.

A diffuser for your built-in flash can be as simple as this $ 7 Movo, which simply slides on your camera and places a translucent white screen in front of the pop-up flash. If you decide to use an external flash, which I recommend, you will need something a little more complicated.

There are some diffusers specific to the model, but it is probably better to use a general model, such as the Softbox Neewer 8 ″ x 6 ″ ($ 9). The cloth diffuser fits many different models of external flash and is protected with velcro. It’s easy to put on, take off and use. If you want one that works with a specific flash model, just search for «[modelo de seu flash] flash diffuser «.

Monopod

A tripod is definitely an indispensable accessory for your camera, but you may find that it is too bulky to walk around. If you like to take your camera on walks, for example, taking a tripod can be an inconvenience. That’s where a monopod comes in handy.

A monopod is like a tripod, but instead of having three legs, it has only one. This means that you still need to stabilize it with your hands, but you will have a little more stability in reducing camera vibration than you would hold your camera. You can use longer exposures without having to carry a tripod.

Like tripods, monopods vary widely in price, from this $ 15 Dolica model to this $ 100 carbon fiber from SIRUI. As with any other camera accessory, you get what you pay for. A cheaper model will work well, although it does not have the durability of a more expensive heavy-duty option.

Battery tightening

In my previous article on DSLR accessories for beginners, I recommended that you bring an extra battery for your camera to make sure you never accidentally go out into the field with a flat battery. If you’re willing to spend a little more money, you can invest in a battery grip, which will extend your camera’s battery life to about 200% of its current capacity.

A battery grip is a great accessory that will significantly change the shape and weight of your camera, but it can also facilitate vertical shooting. As you can see in the image above, a battery tightening will make a non-full-frame camera approximately the same size as a standard full-frame camera.

As with other items that are specific to different camera models, just search for “[grip de bateria da câmera modelo]”And get a list on Amazon. In general, it is not very difficult to find an affordable third-party model: this Neewer vertical grip with space for two batteries and a vertical shutter button for my own camera costs just $ 26. This Andoer grip without a shutter button is only $ 17. Both options are significantly cheaper than the official $ 270 Nikon battery grip.

Filter set

In the DSLR accessory article for beginners, I recommended a threaded polarizing filter. If you want to move to the next level in filters, a set of graduated filters of neutral density will give you many great options. These filters are absolutely indispensable for landscape photography, as they help to obtain equal exposure in a clear sky and a darker foreground.

A high-quality set of graduated filters, including a lens adapter, from Cokin, a respected manufacturer, will cost $ 57, which is very reasonable for the amount of versatility you will get from the three different filters included. Cokin is an industry standard and many filters from other companies fit Cokin adapters, which is a good thing. If you are looking for a more affordable option, Goja makes an adapter kit with three graduated filters and three ungraded filters for $ 20.

Ready for action

Even with some of these accessories, you will be much better equipped for your photographic hobby. If you have a flash diffuser to take better portraits indoors, a set of filters for landscape photography, an external flash for each type of photo you want to photograph, a monopod for additional stability or any of the other accessories listed here, you will be well on your way to increasing the quality of your photography.