Beginner’S DSLR 101: Accessorizing your New DSLR – What to (possibly) Buy Next

DSLRs are getting more common these days, thanks mainly to the release of affordable DSLR cameras in the market. Unlike 6 – 7  years ago (when a DSLR can cost an arm), the ever increasing competition to dominate the DSLR market by camera manufactures has led to a surge in new DSLR models. Entry-level DSLRs are particularly attractive I think for three reasons: affordability, performance and the “look” factor.

Many first time DSLR owners who are new to the hobby of photography or new to the hobby of keeping up with the trend of having one around their neck often times struggle on which to buy next.  There are some who would advise to replace the kit lens immediately and while this is a valid advice, I think 1st-time DSLR owners who are new to photography should first hone their skills using the kit lens and exhaust all the creative possibilities using that lens. If you are, however, a (would-be) 1st time owner or is just thinking of getting a DSLR but is having issues on how to go about selecting one that’s “best” for you, then then perhaps a post on this blog might help you in making your decision.

Accessorizing shouldn’t be a big problem. It’s easy enough to do just as look as you think things through and stick with the basics first. Assuming that you have just bought your 1st DSLR (let’s say an entry level model), what might you want to consider buying afterwards? Here’s my list (in no particular order):

Spare Batteries

 

Canon NB2L Battery. Image courtesy of www.canon-digital-camera-battery.co.uk

The last thing you want is for your batts to die in the middle of taking that perfect shot so this should be a no-brainer, right? Well, not always. The mindset of new DLSR owners (at least the serveral I know personally) new to photography is to buy a new lens to replace the kit but they fail to neglect the importance of having spare batteries. What good would a new-fangled lens do if in the middle of that important shoot, your camera runs out of juice. Store-up not only on one single battery – get a couple. As batteries of DSLRs are becoming relatively inexpensiv (thanks to 3rd party manufacturers), buying a couple extra should not be that heavy on the pocket.

 

 

 

Spare Memory Cards

Sandisk 4GB Ultra 200X compact flash. Image courtesy of www.mymemory.uk

Another thing you don’t want to happen is for your storage space to run out. Imagine this: your in the midst of your dream vacation out there where the road is less travled, you get to a real nice spot with plenty of photographic opportunities but when it’s time for you to shoot, you realize three things: 1.) your memory card is full, 2.) you don’t have a laptop with you so 3.) you can’t erase any of the images. Like batteries, memory cards today are not as expensive, say, 3-4 years ago and with the proliferation of memory cards (from the ridiculously cheap to the uber expensive) getting a couple of extra pieces should not hurt your pocket that badly.

Flash

 

Nissin Di622 flash (Canon mount)

If you really itching to buy a (non-lens gadget), then consider getting a flash first. No, not a flash disk – a flash strobe that you attach to the hotshoe of your new DSLR. Trust me when I tell you that your (nearly) despised kit lens can work wonders if coupled with a decent flash unit. While I can write stuff on why getting a flash important as your first gadget purchase instead of a fancy lens, read this excellent article by my good buddy David Tong.

55-250mm Telephoto (If you’re really aching for another lens)

Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

I’m assuming two things here: you got the full kit for that entry level DSLR of yours so you probably have an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens and the camera is a  Canon. If you’re absolutely bent on getting a 2nd lens, why don’t you check out a 55-250mm (from your brand) to complement the kit lens? The 55-250mm lens is a great (inexpensive) lens to satisfy your itch for a telephoto. This lens has a 35mm focal range equivalent of 88-400mm so it can give you plenty to play with as you improve your skills. I own one of these so I can attest for the quality of images it can produce. This is not a high-end L lens but unless you’re determined to do a lot of telephoto shooting and you plan to use every resuliting image to earn money, then this lens will do more than fine. If you want a bit more information on the 55-250mm telephoto, then perhaps an early blog entryof mine might be of help to you. Now if you don’t have a Canon system but, say, a nifty Nikon then you might want to consider the nifty Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR.

UV Filter

 

Tiffen UV filter. Image courtesy of www.tiffen.com

I think a UV filter is a must to have. Not only can it arguably improve the quality of your photos by blocking out UV light but it also helps to protect the front element of your glass – the last thing you want to experience is bang the front element with a table corner and damage the glass. Replacing a UV filter is way more inexpensive than replacing the lens. Just remember, though, to remove your UV filter when shooting indoors.

A Decent Tripod

Some may argue about my inclusion of a tripod on this list but I think a tripod is a good after-DLSR-purchase buy. As you get familiarized with your lens, you’ll soon find yourself shooting with

Benro C1691TB0 SLR tripod. Image courtesy of www.benrousa.com

slow shutter speeds and unless your hands are as rock-steady as The Thing’s, then hand tremor will find itself in the resulting photo. A tripod can make a huge difference in the overall quality and sharpness of your photograph as it will enable you to shoot steadily in low light or achieve a greater depth of field. Additionally, a tripod would be useful in shooting situations like self-portrait and action photography. If you would like to know more informaition on how to select a tripod, maybe a previous blog entry of mine might be of use.

Camera Bag

 

Tamrac 5545 Adventure. Image courtesy of www.tamrac.com

Okay, let’s assume you got all the stuff that I mentioned above so the next buy you might want to do is with a camera bag. Sure, the kit usually comes with a bag but that is usually too small to fit extra batteries, memory cards, a flash and filters. There are lots of camera bags out in the market – from inexpensive (China) bags to name brands so you will absolutely find a camera bag to suit your needs. While you can use any type of bag (even a garbage bag if you want) a camera bag offers what a “non-camera bag” doesn’t: suitable and specific protection for your gear. If you want to know more about choosing the right camera bag, check an earlier post that I have.

Training

Take some classes. While I know there is a plethoria of free photography lessons on the Internet, nothing beats person-to-person instructions. Taking basic photography lessons will help you start to appreciate the art of photography so that youre passion for the craft will increase. When do you take lessons, do your homework – look for reputable instructors or photography classes. Since there is an abundance of informaiton about photography on the Internet, there are a lot of enterprising persons who just copy the information then call themselves photographers or photography instructors. The last thing you want to end up with is a guy who just has a camera and PowerPoint slides copied from the Internet who calls himself a bonafine photography instructors.

If there’s one other thing I’d advise you to “get”, it would be get out there and have fun with photography! Photography is such an interesting hobby that it will not only allow you to express your creative side but will allow you to see things like you’d never seen them before.

Until next time!