 |
|
 |
Digital Photography Reviews – The Best Digital Camera Accessories For Beginner Photographers |
 |
|
 Photos By Meta is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. As the Coronavirus Pandemic continues, Amazon is helping communities around the country in a way that very few can – delivering critical supplies directly to the doorsteps of people who need them! |
|
||
Photos By Meta Reviews The Best Digital Camera Accessories For Beginner Photographers |
||
|
||
The Best Digital Camera Accessories
• Camera Bags and Pouches• Camera Cleaning Supplies • Faster SD Cards • Camera Lens Filters • Camera Harnesses and Vests • Tripods and Monopods • Electronic Accessories • Protection from the Elements Where To Buy The Best Digital Photography Accessories
|
||
|
||
What’s in Meta’s Camera Bag? |
||
|
||
Standardization and Organization – Two Keys To Success
The Japanese 5S System – There comes a time when you have to start treating your Photography Hobbie as a real Photography Business.Meta Standardizes and Organizes her Camera Accessories in her Camera Bag, using the Japanese 5S System, so she knows exactly where everything is located. Meta’s husband Scott, first used the 5S System when he worked at Motorola in the Training and Development Department. Meta uses Modular Think Tank Photo Camera Bags (Photo: Left) to carry her Sony a77 II Cameras, custom fit for small to medium size lenses. This Modular Camera Bag System comes complete with a Built-In Rain Coat! Each Camera Bag is checked before it leaves and is rechecked when it returns. Disposable items such as the Aleve Packets and Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes are always restocked. Any supplies that are in short supply are Placed On Order – Before they run out! Digital Cameras and Lenses are cleaned and checked. Camera Batteries are swapped out and charged. SD Card Images are transfered to the iMac Computer.  The 5S System saves a lot of time and frustration when a Camera Accessory is missing, damaged or misplaced. No more “Where’s the Wireless Remote Control?” because every Camera Accessory and Accessory Battery is in the same location, every time, and in each Camera Bag – Always Checked, Cleaned, Charged and Ready to Go Shooting!What’s in Meta’s Camera Bag?
|
||
|
||
The Best Camera Bags and Camera Accessory Pouches |
||
|
||
|
Camera Bags – Invest in The Best Quality, Custom Fit, Camera Bags with Reliable Fused Zippers, Built-In Rain Cover, Padded Shoulder Strap, Side Storage Pockets and Modular Straps, such as the Think Tank Photo Digital Holster Camera Bags. Lens Cases – If you own Multiple Camera Lenses, store them in Lowepro Lens Cases. These soft padded Lens Cases come in many different shapes and sizes and can be attached to Camera Belts or Think Tank Photo Digital Holster Camera Bags. Filter Pouches – If you own Multiple Camera Lenses, you’ll eventually end up with a lot of Camera Filters. Filter Pouches store and help keep dust off of your Camera Filters. Two can fit inside the top flap of a Think Tank Photo Digital Holster Camera Bag. Flash Pouches – If you own Multiple Camera Flashes, carry them in Think Tank Photo Flash Pouches. These hold a large Flash with Diffuser. Side pocket hold 8 AA Lithium Batteries. Attaches to Camera Belts or Think Tank Photo Digital Holster Camera Bags. Camera Accessory Pouches – If you own Adapters, Battery Chargers, Camera Batteries, Remote Controls, etc., carry them in Think Tank Photo Camera Accessory Pouches. Attaches to Camera Belts or Think Tank Photo Digital Holster Camera Bags. Water Bottle Pouches – As a Registered Nurse, Meta is always telling her patients to ”Drink Your Water”. Water Bottle Pouches are perfect for day hiking and hold a 32oz. bottle. Attaches to Camera Belts or Think Tank Photo Digital Holster Camera Bags. Choosing a High Quality Camera Bag is probably one of the most imporant Digital Camera Accessory you will purchase, since it Carries and Protects your Digital Camera from the elements. Choose a Camera Bag with Reliable Fused Zippers, Built-In Rain Cover, Padded Shoulder Strap, Side Storage Pockets and a Modular Strap System. |
||
|
||
The Best Digital Camera Cleaning Kits |
||
|
||
|
Sensor Cleaning Kits – (Video: Above) Those small dark spots in your Digital Photos mean your Sensor or your Lens is probably dirty. If Air Blasting and Vibrating the Digital Camera Sensor doesn’t work, you’ll need to use a Sensor Cleaning Kit! Lens Cleaning Kits – Pouch contains one Zeiss Microfiber Lens Cloth, Retractable Lens Cleaning Brush, Optical Cleaning Fluid, Zeiss Pre-Moistened Lens Cleaning Wipes and a Zeiss Air Blaster in a Restockable Fabric Pouch. Lens Cleaning Supplies – Use the Zeiss Air Blaster, then a Zeiss Pre-Moistened Lens Cleaning Wipe followed by a Zeiss Microfiber Lens Cloth. Start in the center of the lens and work outwards to the edge. Try to avoid changing lenses outside, especially in windy and dusty enviroments. Meta only changes her lenses inside, and keeps her Sony Digital Camera inverted the entire time while swapping lenses. Use a Rocket Air Blaster to remove any dust from the sensor. |
||
|
||
The Best Digital Media Storage |
||
|
||
|
Faster Sony Tough SD Cards – Digital Cameras don’t come with SD Cards! Avoid buying Slower “Drug Store Brand” SD Cards which will cause Buffer Lockups and Very Slow Shooting Performance. Meta uses Sony Tough SD Cards – Rated at 300 MB/s! Transfer Your Files – You can easily transfer some or all of your SD Card Photos to your iPhone with an Apple Lightning to SD Card Reader or to your or MacBook with an Apple USB-C to SD Card Reader. Works even if the files were shot only in RAW! SD Card Carrying Cases – A must for every Digital Photographer. Store and protect your SD Cards from damage and data loss. Keep your SD Cards in one safe location. Soft cutouts hold up to 12 SD Cards. Using Faster SD Cards might seem like a waste of money, especially if your Sony Digital Camera can’t write as fast as the SD Card is rated. The main advantage of using Faster SD Cards comes when you insert them into your Computer, and you will notice the increase in Read Transfer Speed to your Computer’s Hard Disk. |
||
|
||
The Best Digital Camera Lens Filters |
||
|
||
|
HOYA HD3 CPL Filters are used to control reflections, provide more vivid colors, darken blue skies and reduce glare without changing the color of the light. Meta has a HOYA HD3 CPL Filter for each diameter of Digital Camera Lenses (ø49, ø55, ø72 and ø77). HOYA HD3 UV Filters are primarily used on Digital Cameras as Lens Protection Filters, but they can also reduce harmful ultraviolet light and eliminate any bluish cast in images. Meta keeps a HOYA HD3 UV Filter on each of her Digital Camera Lenses. HOYA ND Filters are typically sold in as a Set of Three ND Filters: NDX2, 0.3 (1 stop), NDX4, 0.6 (2 stop), and NDX8, 0.9 (3 stop). HOYA ND Filters are used to eliminate overly bright and washed out images and to control Long Exposures and Depth of Field. Many Professional Photographers leave a High-Transparency CPL Filter on their Digital Camera most the time, especially if they shoot in bright sunlight. Think of CPL Filters as Sunglasses for your Digital Camera. Meta’s Rule of Thumb – If you need sunglasses, so does your Digital Camera. |
||
|
||
The Best Camera Harnesses, Camera Straps and Digital Vests |
||
|
||
|
Camera Harnesses – If you’re into Nature Photography, think How to Hike Safely with your Digital Camera. Meta wants to keep everything on her, but she needs keep her Hands Totally Free. The Cotton Carrier Harness allows Hands Free Safe Hiking! Side Holsters – If you like the Cotton Carrier System, but don’t need the Camera Harness, purchase the Cotton Carrier Side Holster. This handy camera accessory slides over Camera Belts or Leather Belts for carrying your Digital Camera at your side. Sony Hand Straps – A Genuine Leather Hand Strap gives you a safe and secure single handed hold on your Digital Camera. This is Meta’s Favorite Digital Camera Accessory. She has these Leather Hand Straps on all her Digital Cameras. Photographer’s Vests – For Light Day Hiking and Walks in the Woods, Meta wears her Misty Lilac Colored 15 Pocket Women’s Photographer’s Vest by TravelSmith. There’s a pocket for every Camera Accessory! Mesh lining wicks moisture to stay cool! Shoulder Pad Cushions – If you carry a Heavy Camera Bag for a long periods of time, slip one of these Shoulder Pad Cushions over your Shoulder Strap, for less pain and fatigue. Meta uses these on all her Camera Bag Shoulder Straps. Camera Belts – Meta uses her Think Tank Photo Speed Belt to transport her Sony Flashes. Think Tank Photo Modular, it can carry Think Tank Photo Digital Holster Camera Bags, Lens Cases, Camera Accessory Pouches and Water Bottle Pouches. While remote hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Meta once slipped and fell with her Digital Camera, hung on a popular side strap harness. Luckly the only damage was to her Lens Hood. Meta now uses a hands free Camera Harness! |
||
|
||
The Best Tripods and Monopods |
||
|
||
|
Lightweight Tripods with Short Center Columns – For Shorter Lenses, this Lightweight Carbon Fiber Tripod is fitted with a Short Center Column, to sit only 8” high, with the legs spread out for low level Macro Photography. Less than 3 lbs for Remote Hiking. Sturdy Tripods – For Heavier Lenses, such as Meta’s Sony 70–200 f/2.8 White Lens, a Sturdy Tripod allows you to shoot at shutter speeds well below 1/60th of a second. A Sturdy Tripod is a must for Long Exposure HDR Photography. Sturdy Monopods – A Sturdy Monopod allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds than Hand Held, but still allow some flexibility and control. Monopods are used for Macro Photography or in tight situations where a Lightweight Tripod just won’t fit. Meta always says there are two types of Tripods – The ones that are easy to carry, and the ones that work! Lightweight Tripods can topple over, even in the slightest wind gusts. After losing one Sony Digital Camera to a tripod mishap, Meta only trusts her Super Heavy Duty Sturdy Tripod. |
||
|
||
The Best Electronic Digital Camera Accessories For Beginner Photographers – Flashlights, Camera Batteries and Chargers |
||
|
||
|
White / Red LED Headlamp – Meta wears a White / Red LED Headlamp when shooting in the dark at sunrises and sunsets. White LED brightness is 160 lumens. 2 side Red LEDs that won’t effect your night vision! Runs for many hours on 3 AAA Lithium Batteries. Wireless Remote Controls – Use a Sony Wireless Remote Control to avoid touching your Sony Digital Camera when you take a shot! This $8 Wireless Remote Control fits into your Camera Bag. Meta keeps one in each of her Camera Bags. 12V Camera Battery Chargers – During Hiking Season, Meta keeps a Spare Camera Battery on a 12V Camera Battery Charger in her car! There’s nothing more frustrating than getting out on a Remote Hiking Trail with a dead Camera Battery! Intervalometers – Timed Remote Shutter Releases are required for Time Lapse Photography. Use as a Wired Shutter Release (without 2 AAA Lithium Batteries). Attaches to your Tripod Leg in a Protective Case. Read the Intervalometer’s User Manual. Sony Camera Batteries – Meta uses Genuine Sony Li-Ion Rechargeable Batteries. These last much longer than “Drug Store Brand” Digital Camera Batteries. Rated at 11.8Wh / 1650mAh, Sony NP-FM500H “M” Camera Battery works in Sony A-Mount Digital Cameras. Sony A77 Dual Battery Grip – For Time Lapse Photography, a second battery is a must have! The Sony A77 Dual Battery Grip holds 2 Sony Camera Batteries and works with the Sony a77 Digital Camera and Sony a77 II Digital Camera! Dew Remover – For Shooting Long Exposures on Cool Summer Nights this 5W USB Powered Dew Remover keeps your Lens from Fogging up. Compact Anker 13000 USB Power Bank can power the lens heater for about 2.6 Hours and fits into a Black Rapid Bryce Pouch. 7 Outlet Woods Power Strip – If you have a lot of Camera Battery Chargers, but not a lot of wall sockets, the 7 Outlet Woods Power Strip can hold 3 Battery Chargers on the side. Meta has 3 of these to hold and charge her 9 Sony Battery Chargers! Red LED Micro-Flashlight – Clips to outside of the Black Rapid Bryce Pouch, Camera Bag, Digital Camera or on your Photographers Vest. Runs on 1 CR2032 Lithium Battery. Handy for all Night Photography. Shooting in at night or in total darkness isn’t easy. Wearing a Low Power Red LED Headlamp and having a Red LED Micro-Flashlight attached to your Tripod can help maintain your night vision, while still illuminating your Camera and Tripod. If you park your vehicle close by, consider changing the vehicle’s Dome Lights from White to Red LED Dome Lights. |
||
|
||
The Best Protection From The Elements |
||
|
||
|
Pest Protection – Nature Photography involves getting bitten by mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas, chiggers and no-see-ums – Especially in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Meta carries Ben’s Deet Wipes in her Camera Bag. This 50 cent accessory keeps the bugs away! Emergency Rain Ponchos – Getting stranded on a Remote Hiking Trail in a sudden afternoon thunderstorm is no fun, especially for your Digital Camera. This $7 accessory can save your Digital Camera! Keep an Emergency Rain Poncho in your Camera Bag! Rain Protection – The LensCoat Rain Coats fit over your Digital Camera and Lens to protect it from water, rain and snow. Available in different sizes and styles, including Mossy Oak. Meta used one Whale Watching off the coast of Southern California. Moisture Protection – Place Silica Gel Packs into all your Camera Bags, Lens Cases, Flash Pouches, Camera Harnesses and Camera Pouches, to absorb moisture. This 20 cent accessory will protect your Digital Camera Gear from harmful moisture! LCD Screen Protectors – The Rear LCD Display Screen on Digital Cameras can get easily scratched. LCD Screen Protectors are available for most Digital Cameras. This is the first Camera Accessory Meta buys whenever she gets a new Digital Camera! Aleve Packets – Who said Nature Photography was Painless? One Aleve Pain Reliever lasts up 12 hours for temporary relief of minor aches and pains while Remote Hiking. Meta carries one Aleve Packet in her Camera Bag! Meta has got caught in a sudden down pour a number of times with little or no warning. Luckly she now carries an Emergency Rain Poncho in her Photographer’s Vest, Camera Harness and Camera Bag. This inexpensive item has saved her Digital Camera a number of times! |
||
|
||
Contact Us |
||
|
||
Digital Photography Tips and Techniques
Photos By Meta
Digital Photography Tips and TechniquesBlowing Rock and Boone NC Commercial Photographers PO Box 1571 Blowing Rock, NC 28605 Contact Us
|
||
|
||
Photos By Meta
Western North Carolina Nature Photography was shot by Western North Carolina Nature Photographer Meta Gätschenberger.Purchase Framed Prints Online. |
||
|
||
Follow Us On:   |
||
|
||
|
|
 |
       North Carolina Nature Photographers | North Carolina Commercial Photographers. Digital Photography Tips and Techniques | Sony Digital Camera Settings. Digital Photography Tips For Beginner Photographers | Digital Photography Reviews. |
 |
©2020 Photos By Meta. All Rights Reserved. Digital Photography Tips and Techniques. Boone NC Commercial Photographers. |
