If you got your first camera over the holiday or picked up a new one to add to your collection, these photography accessories will help you get more out of it.
Did you get a new camera over the holiday period? If so, congrats, there’s nothing better than that new camera smell. But if you want to get the most out of it, you’ll want to arm yourself with some great photography accessories too. In this roundup, we will take a quick look at eight photography accessories that will help you channel your inner creative, and make your life as a photographer much easier.
Whether you’re new to photography or have been around the shutter a few times, these photography accessories will help you get the most out of your camera and the images you produce. Pull up a chair and check out the list of the photography accessories we think will make your life easier and get your creative juices flowing.
Lensbaby OMNI Creative Filter System
If you really want to get creative with your new camera, you should consider adding this gem of an accessory to your arsenal. Thanks to the stepping rings they can be used on almost any lens, and they’ll help you create light distortions and flares with ease. Here are the pros and cons from our review:
Pros
- Innovative magnetic attachment filter ring system
- Lightweight construction
- Included felt pouches are nicely padded and help keep the many components of the OMNI system neatly organized
- Included step-up/down rings make the OMNI system usable with a wide variety of lenses
Cons
- Wouldâve loved for the included filter wrench to be sturdier
Buy now: 49-58mm threads $99.95
Buy now: 62-82mm threads $99.95
Breakthrough Photography X4 Circular Polarizer
Circular polarizers are an essential tool for photographers, especially the landscape variety. These unassuming marvels can help create darker blues, whiter whites, add more saturation to other colors, and they help cut down on glare from non-metallic objects and water. Here are the pros and cons from our review:
Pros
- High build quality
- Nano Coating for dust resistance, water repellency, and therefore ease of cleaning
- Weather resistance said to be designed specifically to resist saltwater
- 25-year guarantee
- Greater light transmission is beneficial for stopping motion (in sports or wildlife photography, for example)
Cons
- Difficult to remove
- Greater light transmission is detrimental for blurring motion
Buy now: $129 – $199
Godox/Flashpoint Thinklite TT685S TTL
If you just got your first camera and haven’t made the jump into flash photography, we highly recommend you do. Photography is all about light, so being able to control it is important. This flash is powerful and incredibly affordable. It should be considered an essential part of any photographer’s kit. Here are the pros and cons from our review:
Pros
- Super reliable
- Automatic transition to high-speed sync
- Stroboscopic mode
- Incredible TTL output that meters will with the Sony system
- Well built
- Affordable
- Pretty much gives you an awesome studio option in a small size with loads of features
Cons
- Initially tough to use until page through the manual
Buy now (for multiple systems): $95 – $110
Pro Tip: Many other photography accessories can make your life easier too. If you’re new to photo editing and aren’t quite fluent in Lightroom just yet, you should consider using presets. Presets will help you achieve some stunning looks (like orange and teal, vintage film, and more), and all you have to do is click the mouse. This bundle comes with over 1500 presets, and it’s just $29. Presets will help save you hours, and they will get you the looks you want with only one click.
ExpoImaging Rogue FlashBender 2 XL
Using a flash is one thing, but being able to really control the light from it is another. This handy accessory will help you get the light from your flash exactly where you want it every single time. If you only want to carry one flash modifier, this could be the one for you. This is well-deserving of its place on our photography accessories list. Here are the pros and cons from our review:
Pros
- Packs flat for easy transport
- Easy to bend so you can shape the light
- Attaches to any flash with a velcro strap
- Great build quality
- Delivers lots of soft light
Cons
- Nothing really
Buy now: $50.26
Tenba DNA 15 Messenger Bag
You’re going to need a bag to haul around that new camera body and those lenses you just picked up, and honestly, the Tenba DNA 15 Messenger is an excellent bag at a great price point. It looks nice without drawing attention to itself, and it can hold a ton of gear. Here are the pros and cons from our review:
Pros
- The DNA 15 provides quick access to your camera and lenses
- You can easily tote a 15-inch laptop, or a 9.7-inch iPad
- Comfortable to carry around for long periods
- TSA friendly and provides resistance to the weather
- It has a great design that doesnât scream, âIâm a camera bag!â
Cons
- The zipper ring pulls feel cheap compared to other parts of the bag
- The interior padding is on the thin side
- Closing the top zipper with one hand when fully open can be a challenge
Buy now: $174.95
The Vanguard VEO 2 235CB Tripod w/Ball Head
Tripods should be one of the must-own photography accessories for any photographer. Sure, camera and lens stabilization has come a long way, but sometimes you just need a sturdy tripod. This one from Vanguard can hold over 13lbs of weight, it folds down into a small package, it comes with a ball head, and it’s easy to transport. Here are the pros and cons from our review:
Pros
- Solid build quality
- The rubber sections for the legs feel really good
- If youâre on the sand, they will keep dust and dirt from getting into the legs
- Pretty much all the versatility most photographers will need, providing they adjust carefully
- Lightweight
- Fits onto the side of most backpacks
Cons
- We wish there was a hook at the bottom to weigh the tripod down
Buy now: $158.44
Pro Tip: We talk about camera and lens cleaning here all the time at The Phoblographer because we cannot say enough how important it is to keep your gear clean. Regular cleaning of your camera and lenses will not only keep them looking great, but also ensure they work as intended over their lifespan. You don’t need a big, expensive cleaning kit either. This cleaning kit will get the job done well.
Loupedeck+
That new camera of yours will spit out some glorious RAW files and that means you need to be able to edit them. If you want to make your life easier in your photo editing software of choice then the Loupedeck will help. The various buttons and knobs will help you have finer control over your software, which means you will create better edits. Here are the pros and cons from our review:
Pros
- Improved build quality compared to the first generation Loupedeck
- Mechanical keys provide much better tactile feedback
- Significantly more customizable than the original
Cons
- Lacks basic tilt adjustments
- No wireless connectivity option and cable is non-removable
- Pricey
Buy now: $249
Wacom Intuos Pro Creative Pen Tablet â Small
Like the Loupedeck+ above, the Wacom Intuos Pro will help you get the most out of the images from your camera. This accessory will allow you to make those all-important minute edits that can help really make your images stand out from the crowd. Its small size means it won’t take up valuable room on your desk, and it’s priced right too. Here are the pros and cons from our review:
Pros
- Small and lightweight makes it easy to travel with, and it doesnât take up much desk space
- Pleasant to use and makes editing fine details easier thank to the 8,192 levels of pressure
- The Bluetooth connection makes setup clutter and cord-free
- Pro Pen is incredibly comfortable to use and offers levels of control that will delight
- Designed for both left and right-handed content creators
- Great battery life
- Works with all major photo editing suites such as Photoshop, Lightroom, and Capture One
Cons
- Initial setup takes a while as you need to input commands and keystroke manually
- Overall, the software is not the most user-friendly program youâll find
- The plastic used on the tablet is a fingerprint and grease magnet
- The pen stand that houses the extra tips can be hard to open
