A benefit of buying a digital SLR is the ability to tailor it to your needs, not only with the lens you put on the front or the settings you choose to use, but with the accessories you can add as you need to. Here’s a guide to some of the most useful bits and bobs you might want to consider.
Your digital SLR’s built-in flash might be okay when your subject is close to you or you want a touch of fill-in flash, but there will be times when you might find you want something more powerful. Most digital SLRs have a hotshoe, which will support a more powerful flashgun. If in doubt check your camera manual.
All the manufacturers make dedicated flash units. These all use a sophisticated TTL (Through The Lens) flash exposure system, with the camera ensuring they give out the right amount of light. This makes them incredibly easy to use, even by a novice. Larger flashes can also be used off-camera for added creativity and some will work wirelessly (using the camera’s built-in flash as a trigger), which is great if you don’t want cables trailing around. Look for a flash with a ‘swivel and bounce’ head for more versatility or consider a ring-flash or twin-light set for macro photography.
For a more in-depth guide to flashguns, see our other articles, Flashguns for digital cameras: different types explained and Flash jargon explained
Further advice on how to use flash can be found http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/technique
Camera and lens aside, many photographers regard the tripod as their most prized asset. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shooting landscapes or the kids in your front room – if your camera isn’t held steady, you risk getting blurred images. The best solution for this is a tripod, and there’s a massive selection to choose from.
Leaders like Manfrotto and Velbon provide a great variety, and cater for the needs of photographers of different levels.
You don’t have to fork out a small fortune but you do have to purchase one that is capable of taking the weight of your camera and lens. Remember to pick the right type of head that’s suited to your needs, too.
On the downside, a teleconverter can compromise image quality slightly and because the light coming through your lens has to travel further you need to adjust your exposures – by 1 stop for 1.4x converter and 2 stops for 2x converter. This means using a higher ISO, a wider aperture or slower shutter speed, which isn’t always ideal. It’s also worth checking compatibility before you buy one as not all converters will support your camera’s autofocus system, leaving you to focus manually instead.
In the age of digital photography, memory cards and storage devices have replaced the negative and photo album. Memory cards are now writing images faster than ever, and storage devices are ever-increasing in capacity, with some even being able to store up to 320GB. With little indication that such advances will cease, expect to see faster cards and larger- capacity storage devices in the future.
Camera Manuals and test reports
Your manual is an excellent source of information about your cameras abilities and how to use it correctly. Replacement manuals and test reports about your camera can be purchased from http://www.testreports.co.uk/photography/wdc/default.asp by searching for your camera using the search facility.
This article first appeared in What Digital SLR, buying guide by What Digital Camera magazine
Other articles to help you choose camera kit:
Flashgun
Your digital SLR’s built-in flash might be okay when your subject is close to you or you want a touch of fill-in flash, but there will be times when you might find you want something more powerful. Most digital SLRs have a hotshoe, which will support a more powerful flashgun. If in doubt check your camera manual.
All the manufacturers make dedicated flash units. These all use a sophisticated TTL (Through The Lens) flash exposure system, with the camera ensuring they give out the right amount of light. This makes them incredibly easy to use, even by a novice. Larger flashes can also be used off-camera for added creativity and some will work wirelessly (using the camera’s built-in flash as a trigger), which is great if you don’t want cables trailing around. Look for a flash with a ‘swivel and bounce’ head for more versatility or consider a ring-flash or twin-light set for macro photography.
For a more in-depth guide to flashguns, see our other articles, Flashguns for digital cameras: different types explained and Flash jargon explained
Further advice on how to use flash can be found http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/technique
Battery Pack
Not only will a battery pack / grip extend the battery life of your camera (typically by adding a second power source) but it can also improve the feel of the camera. Some grips have the added bonus of providing a vertical shooting button for portrait shots. They’ll also make your DSLR look like a professional model too!Tripod
Camera and lens aside, many photographers regard the tripod as their most prized asset. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shooting landscapes or the kids in your front room – if your camera isn’t held steady, you risk getting blurred images. The best solution for this is a tripod, and there’s a massive selection to choose from.
Leaders like Manfrotto and Velbon provide a great variety, and cater for the needs of photographers of different levels.
You don’t have to fork out a small fortune but you do have to purchase one that is capable of taking the weight of your camera and lens. Remember to pick the right type of head that’s suited to your needs, too.
Teleconverter
A teleconverter extends the focal length of your lens and can be a cost-effective way of getting a ‘long lens’ effect without actually buying a new lens. Teleconverters come in two main sizes – 1.4x and 2x – which indicates the effect they will have on the focal length. For example, a 2x converter will double the focal length of your lens, turning a 50mm lens into a 100mm one.On the downside, a teleconverter can compromise image quality slightly and because the light coming through your lens has to travel further you need to adjust your exposures – by 1 stop for 1.4x converter and 2 stops for 2x converter. This means using a higher ISO, a wider aperture or slower shutter speed, which isn’t always ideal. It’s also worth checking compatibility before you buy one as not all converters will support your camera’s autofocus system, leaving you to focus manually instead.
Memory Cards/Media Storage Devices
In the age of digital photography, memory cards and storage devices have replaced the negative and photo album. Memory cards are now writing images faster than ever, and storage devices are ever-increasing in capacity, with some even being able to store up to 320GB. With little indication that such advances will cease, expect to see faster cards and larger- capacity storage devices in the future.
Camera Manuals and test reports
Your manual is an excellent source of information about your cameras abilities and how to use it correctly. Replacement manuals and test reports about your camera can be purchased from http://www.testreports.co.uk/photography/wdc/default.asp by searching for your camera using the search facility.This article first appeared in What Digital SLR, buying guide by What Digital Camera magazine
Other articles to help you choose camera kit:
- Digital camera buying advice: camera features explained
- Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax or Four Thirds? The different systems explained
- Lenses for digital SLRs: Lens features explained
- Accessories under £100
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cool camera accessories
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Untitled
do flash guns come 4 haNdycams?
However, there's a good chance that by 'Handycam' you actually mean 'compact'. If so, a small number of high end compacts feature a hotshoe for the addition of a flashgun. There are lots of independent and camera-branded flashguns that can be used, at various prices.
For cameras without a hotshoe the only way is to use the flash wirelessly, using the camera's built-in flash to trigger it. This is achieved by attaching it to a photo slave unit (either on a bracket fixed to the camera or on a stand up to several metres away). The slave will fire the flashgun in sync with the camera's own flash. Its a bit complicated and potentially expensive though.
Hope this helps. You can check out the latest issue of our magazine for listings of all current flashguns and cameras, or for more advice, you can post a question to our forum at http://www.whatdigit
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