Top 10 Photography Accessories with Our Readers
Filters, batteries, sensor cleaning kits, camera straps… there are literally thousands of products out there for digital photographers to buy as accessories for their cameras.
Following are the top 10 Digital Camera Accessories that our readers bought at Amazon in the last quarter:
1. Black Rapid Strap RS7 Black Fabric (Pictured Right)
2. Tiffen 52mm UV Protection Filter
3. Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large (Black)
4. LensPEN Lens Cleaning System
5. Opteka Hot Shoe Two Axis Double Bubble Spirit Level for Digital and Film Cameras
7. Tiffen 67mm UV Protection Filter
8. Gary Fong GFLSC01 LightSphere Collapsible Diffuser
9. Mennon Set of 2 Gray Card’s size 6″x8″ and 8″x10″, 18% Gray / 92% White
10. Canon Optical Lens and Digital SLR Camera Cleaning Kit
Want to see what other photography gear is popular with our readers? Check out our Popular Digital Cameras and Gear page.
33 Responses to “Top 10 Photography Accessories with Our Readers” - Add Yours
November 7th, 2011 at 10:44 am
What, no camera bag on the list? Don’t go anywhere, ever without mine!!!
November 7th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
LOL! I just posted up a photo of my recently purchased Giottos Rocket blower onto Facebook to show friends and I see DPS’ post with a pic of the same air blower on my Wall!
November 7th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
So many people bought…
…the overpriced Black Rapid strap although you can make yourself a way better (cleaner without all these loops and other annoying stuff on it like the cushion that won’t stay in place) version with some materials worth $20 on eBay?
…the cheap UV filter that will degrade the quality of any lens?
…the rocket blaster that has too little power to blast away anything?
November 7th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
I was sold on the Black Rapid strap after trying it at the PhotoPlus Expo; I couldn’t go back to a regular strap, and I haven’t had any problems, except for the minor inconvenience of having to remove it to use with my tripod.
As far as the other items on the list, it’s awfully duplicative, isn’t it? Why have UV filters on the list *twice* when they’re just different diameters? And *three* different dust cleaners? (personally, of those all I’d want is the Lenspen).
I realize these are the top ten, not ten recommendations, but some culling would have been useful.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Too repetitive, should have been non traditional accessories or at least mention cleaning and uv/skyligh filters only once
November 7th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Hello,
I wonder why this items should be good?
I try out the black rapid and I personally don’t like the attachment to the bottom of the camera. You do use a connection to one point. Much better would be the connection to two point at the top of the camera. There are so much straps. Why do anyone think the rapid is a must have?
The cheapish UV-Filter degrade the quality of every picture you take! Why should I buy a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm and then I cut of all image quality by this Filters? People! Just use the Lenshood!
The Flash-Dome / Diffuse don’t really change your picture. It could be use for close-ups. For rooms just use the ceiling or a white wall. And for good portraits just use a real soft-box.
November 7th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
I wouldn’t trade my BlackRapid strap for anything in the world. Who cares if you can make one yourself for $20. BlackRapid has it nailed down for about $60.
I was a little surprised by the Tiffen filters, but I must admit that I keep some cheap filters in my bag just in case the expensive ones get damaged and they’re only intended to protect the lens until I can get to a store to buy another.
For those who don’t know the value of a filter don’t live in the desert, where mircoscopic dust eats away at windshields to the point that you can’t see through them driving into the sunset.
An abrasive atmosphere will do even worse damage to a camera lens and whatever degradation you may suffer in your outdoor shooting is really minimal when you consider all the elements in most lenses today, especially zoom lenses.
A lot of us don’t live in photographer’s paradise.
November 7th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
I’m still surprised there were no camera bags sold in the top ten though and tripods for that matter.
The air blaster is an excellent piece of kit though and can be used for much more than just cameras.
November 8th, 2011 at 1:25 am
I bought my Black Rapid RS 7 at the Photoplus Expo for $48, so perhaps my view is a little distorted by the lower price I paid. As far as the question of why the two points at the top of the camera weren’t use for attachment, it’s because of the very point of the BR: it slides along the strap at that point. I don’t see how they could effect that if it were attached at those two points.
November 8th, 2011 at 1:52 am
The Black Rapid id a must have if you are an action photographer.
In addition tot he sliding feature, the other central design feature/benefit of the Black rapid strap is that the connection is to the bottom of the camera not the top. By connecting to the bottom of the camera, when you swing the camera up to your eye, the strap falls below the camera and out of your way. You have unencumbered access to the controls on your camera. With the strap connected to the top of the camera (and at two places to boot)when you swing the camera to your eye, you have two straps hanging from the top of the camera that interfere with your access to your controls.
This feature is most realized when you shoot photojournalism, sports or wildlife photography where you may have the camera hanging at your side and need to quickly get the camera to your eye to frame a shot and fire off a quick burst of shots.
If you are a landscape or portrait photographer, then you will not likely see the maximum benefit of the Black Rapid because you have more time to set up your shot.
As for the rest of these suggestions. Not much to talk about.
November 8th, 2011 at 3:07 am
I am one of those people who bought a BlackRapid strap in the last quarter (RS-Sport) and got two of my photography students to as well. I am not concerned with the single point of connection. Just check that the connector is tight periodically. I used it on a Nikon D300 with a variety of lenses for a 10-hour event shoot and had no shoulder pain or even a mark on my shoulder at the end of the day.
My review of the BlackRapid strap with photos of how I place mine:
http://jasoncollinphotography.com/blog/2011/8/12/blackrapid-rs-sport-camera-strap-gear-review.html
Also, I have no idea why anyone would buy that UV filter, or any. Like others have commented, just a waste of money that possibly degrades your image quality. Unless you are walking through thorn bushes, how are you going to scratch the front of your lens?
November 8th, 2011 at 3:15 am
@GradyPhilpott
You’re right that $40 doesn’t make a difference. What I don’t like about the BR strap is that there is too much stuff attached. The shoulder pad for example would rotate on my body when using it in action and with the pad is in front of my tummy I can not lift the camera up anymore without pulling the strap back up.
That’s why I bought nylon webbing and sling hooks on eBay, have a shoemaker sew the webbing at the right length (with the hook already looped in), and this way built a very simple strap that I personally like way more than the BR strap.
November 8th, 2011 at 6:27 am
Paul vS:
I don’t understand what you mean by there being too much stuff attached–what stuff? You can add-ons, but otherwise it’s pretty minimalistic.
I don’t mean to state the obvious, but you know there are movable bumpers that can lock/unlock? Unlock the front one, and the camera freely slides along the strap; I’ve never had the shoulder pad rotate on my body, or otherwise have the strap move.
November 8th, 2011 at 7:28 am
@Scott
Shoulder pad, movable bumpers etc = stuff. Minimalistic is just a strap with nothing attached to catch the sling hook while moving along the strap.
November 8th, 2011 at 6:22 pm
I am use black rapids all the time and uv filters. Why would for a person not to use them? This is not make sens though the rocket duster. I had one on it and never worked well the first time ever.
But all of that is said, the uv is a must top use on the beach where the salty spray covers the front lens so well to confuse the seeing.
November 9th, 2011 at 2:06 am
LOL, inadequate gear vs Top 10 Photography Accessories . I have none of the above stuff…
November 9th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
What’s so exciting about gray cards? I mean, I’m sure they are useful, but as popular as lens cleaner or a strap? Must have been an article on them here. Maybe I should buy some, just to be part of the group.
November 10th, 2011 at 7:17 am
@Jason
“Unless you are walking through thorn bushes, how are you going to scratch the front of your lens?”
Obviously you’ve not spent a lot of time in the Southwest — Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah….More than once I’ve finished a day’s shoot and found my brand-new UV filter is textured with tiny little pits made by blowing sand. Whatever degradation of the final image might exist is nothing compared to what the degradation of the lens would be. (And the degradation of my already degraded checkbook!)
I agree with the posters who think having more than one filter is redundant. Perhaps a future survey could simply ask for favorite categories of handy accessories: cleaning systems, UV/haze filters, lens cases and stack caps. Or solicit suggestions for unusual accessories: I read about one person who keeps a simple washer or two stashed in every bag, pouch, etc. to make a handy screwdriver. A tripod bag made from a jeans leg, etc. Lots of clever, inventive folks on this forum.
November 11th, 2011 at 2:08 am
Based on the favorite UV filters, my guess is that the favorite lens is the 50/1.8. Still not sure what popular lenses use 67mm but I’d guess 70-200/4?
November 11th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
WHAT! no remote trigger for the camera or intervalometer?
Or I guess, this write up was just an advert for Amazon.
November 14th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
I also have none of the 10 things on that list.
Polarising Filter is probably one of the most important things as you can’t fake the effects in photoshop.
My USB card reader
Decent Memory Cards
Decent Tripod
ND and Grad ND filters (or a bit of welding glass)
Flash(es)
Wireless Triggers
Decent Battery charger for AA batteries for the flashes
Light Stands / umbrellas / other lighting gear
Camera Bag / Case (come on own up who hasn’t bought at least two different ones)
Remote shutter release
I’ve also funded a couple of projects on kickstarter, capture clip and trigger trap.
I’d also get spare camera batteries before the stuff on that list. I presume a laptop / or desktop computers people don’t really consider an accessory. I would think most ppl consider the camera more an accessory to the computer…
Only time I would get a UV filter for a lens was if I was somewhere really sandy and windy, though I could probably make do with one of my ND filters in those situations.
Also seems a bit daft that the list repeats some things that are essentially the same, just a different brand or size of the same accessory. I don’t know how the data was initially collated but this article does come across as being very poor and I’d go as far to say it would actually be unhelpful to someone looking for advice on what accessories to buy. Can only hope they take the time to read all the comments as well and do some more research.
November 15th, 2011 at 3:06 am
Thank you for compiling the list, the additions, and for sparking this conversation. I appreciate these tips/lists – so I don’t miss anything in my bag before I leave.
I would add a WhiBal (or the Robin Myers) for White balancing. Even though I shoot raw, I do believe that in complex lighting — it helps me have a better start point for my white balance. A deal breaker for me.
November 15th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@phil: For example the 18-135 kit lens option for the Canon T3i is 67mm.
November 17th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
I love my Black Rapid RS7, but i’d need to through in my Velbon 603r Sherpa tripod and my cokin filters. The Cokin filters are a new toy for me but they are just so much fun to play with.
November 19th, 2011 at 2:00 am
May be Black Rapid strap is a bit overpriced, but it is very comfy.
November 19th, 2011 at 9:31 am
Has anyone out there tried the rapid strap for “women”? I’d like to buy my first camera bag too. I just bought my DSLR last week and to date, only have the one kit lens. I’d like a backpack style bag. ANy recommendations for an ametuer photographer who has back probe from time to time?
November 19th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
I dont understand the theory of protecting the optic by putting a uv filter ontop? why degrade the quality of a $1000 lens by popping a crappy piece of glass on the front? it adds glare and spots!!! dont believe me try it on a 35mm 1.8 nikon a tiffen uv filter causes ghosts and flare for me. A lens hood does the same thing, if dropped the hood is what hits first, the front of these lenses are more durable than people thing. A lens hood is a much better option as it adds contrast and reduces glare instead of adding negative effects. To each their own i guess, i too have been guilty of using a uv filter at the start, but after seeing first hand the negative effects, i tend to leave it off. Only ever used on lenses with short lens hoods and if iam somewhere where there is a real danger to my front element.
November 26th, 2011 at 3:58 am
I personally like having a UV filter. As far as the shots,I noticed that on some pictures and did some research. They are solar spots and can be reduced or prevented by pitching a multi coated filter instead of just the cheapest thing you can find. One of my favorites accessories is the seculine actionlevel
December 24th, 2011 at 3:06 am
Living in South Africa I know I will buy a lens filter even if it’s just for protection from dust.
You don’t have to ‘walk through the bush’ here to need to protect your lenses.
I think one just has to use one’s common sense.
December 31st, 2011 at 10:44 am
I’d never heard of the Rapid Strap, but I have already bought on eBay a strap that looks identical for about $16. It even has the like yellow ‘R’ patch, so it’s probably a direct knock-off. No make-it-yourself, and it has a little zip pocket on the pad that will fit an extra memory card, or possibly an extra battery depending on the size – its pretty small, but nice to have. Mine also came with a tripod mount connector that has a tripod thread on it so it doesn’t have to be taken off to put the camera on a tripod – not sure if the RapidStrap has this but from at least one complaint it sounds like it doesn’t. I just did a search for ‘camera shoulder strap’ on eBay an it came up in the results (along with a lot of others so you might have to page through to find it). I’ve been happy with it, I can’t imagine I would be any better served with one that costs more than 3x as much.
February 15th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
I can’t believe that SunSniper straps did not make this list. I known two, the newest model added a ball bearing head to make the camera stay more still when moving around. Both, the old, and new have been great. I took them into the Grand Canyon with me, and I wouldn’t trade them for any other strap.
March 3rd, 2012 at 3:23 am
No sign of a spudz lens cloth, I love mine?
March 3rd, 2012 at 8:17 am
Are you asking us if you love your spudz lens cloth?
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