So you’ve recently been bitten by the shutterbug and can’t wait to click those surreal photographs that inspired you to pick up the camera? The road to becoming a great photographer could be rough but we’re here to iron out the bumps for you. We have listed some of the must-have DSLR accessories which, we hope, will help you if you have newly walked into the world of photography.
Top DSLR Accessories for Beginners
This list will be useful to you if you’re a beginner photography enthusiast and have recently bought a new DSLR out of interest or maybe just curiosity. We have included some of the best DSLR accessories Nikon, Canon, or any other entry-level DSLR camera could support and have ensured that the distinctions between the suitable options are clearly reflected in the article.
So, whether you’re starting your journey with something as basic as a Nikon D3400 DSLR, a Canon EOS 1300D, or something as equipped as an EOS 2000D, this list will guide you to pick up some most useful DSLR accessories for beginners. We’ve also tried to include certain DSLR accessories for video producers if you’ve been inspired to start your own YouTube channel or just want to accomplish more than just stills.
Here are some of the great accessories which we think beginning photographers should consider buying for enhanced photography experience.
- DSLR Camera Bag
- DSLR Cleaning Kit/Rocket Blower
- Extra DSLR Battery
- SD Card
- DSLR Tripod Stands
- Remote Controllers for DSLR
- Polarizing Filter
- Additional Lenses
- Camera Strap
- Waterproof Rain Cover for DSLR
- Recording Microphone
- External Flash Light
- Lenspen
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. DSLR Camera Bag
Within a month of buying your new DSLR, has the camera bag which came for free with the DSLR starting slacking or bulging, or is the strap too thin, making the weight of your new hobby a burden?
Then it surely makes sense to buy a good and reliable bag and one of the most preferred choices for beginners is the aptly-named Large DSLR Gadget Bag by AmazonBasics.The DSLR bag comes with padded interiors that can house one DSLR camera and multiple lenses or flashes. It also has space for some basic items of utility like the charger, storage cards, USB drives, etc.
Amazon says you can also suggest that you can store small tablets like the iPad Mini or an Amazon Kindle in the Large bag, which can even bear with light rain – although it is not claimed to be rainproof. This DSLR bag from AmazonBasics is very light on the pocket.
Buy AmazonBasics Large DSLR Gadget Bag on Amazon: ($27)
If you’re looking for a backpack with similar storage options instead of a side-hanging one, AmazonBasics Backpack for DSLR is another option to check out. You can store two cameras in this bag, still leaving space for three to four lenses or flashes. The backpack costs only $35 – pretty good, isn’t it?
If you crave for more space, especially if you’re inclined towards carrying a laptop, Tarion waterproof camera bag makes for a good option. It will cost you $80.
For avid travelers and wanderlusts, the super comfortable Nomatic McKinnon Camera Cube Pack is a good choice. It’s well-built, quite spacious, and offers 360° safeguard to your accessories. This one will set you aside by $125.
Lastly, if you want style along with comfort and utility, Think Tank TurnStyle 20 V2.0 can be a good companion for beginner DSLR users. It will not accommodate your laptop but you do get decent space for a tablet and the single-strap design of the bag will surely turn some heads towards you. This bag will set you back by $100.
Meanwhile, you might also find some other options from our list of top 17 Camera Bags useful for your requirements.
2. DSLR Cleaning Kit/Rocket Blower
With your raw and newfound passion for photography, things are bound to get dirty as you go beyond set boundaries to seize some great moments in your new DSLR. Dust is also likely to creep in if you change the lens often.
But any intrusion by dust or a liquid can not only ruin your pictures but also harm the camera sensor in the long term. This is why we advise you to consider keeping a cleaning kit in your list of camera accessories that must be bought.
An option worth your attention is the Professional Cleaning Kit by Altura Photo. The kit comes with multiple cleaning swabs to keep the sensor free from dust, an all-natural cleaner agent, a special lens cleaning pen with a brush on one side, and a tiny padded tip on the other, and several microfiber cloths.
You also get a bigger brush to sweep tiny particles away, an air blower for some adamant dust particles, and 50 lens-cleaning tissue papers for regular wiping. To make sure the contents of the cleaning kit don’t spill inside your camera bag, you also get a hard carrying case.
Buy Altura Photo Professional Cleaning Kit on Amazon: ($30)
If you’re on the lookout for some more economical options and don’t mind not getting cleaning swabs, CamKix Professional Camera Cleaning Kit is another worthwhile option.
You will get the two-sided pen, a separate brush, alcohol-free cleaning liquid, air blower, tissues, and microfiber cloths in this kit. This kit costs less than half ($12) as the option above but you won’t get a carrying case.
If you are hunting for top-notch yet affordable rocket air blower to remove dust and debris from cameras and lenses, LS Photography’s offering would be worth checking out. Priced at $6, it works efficiently in keeping dust away from cameras.
Giottos’ AA1910 ($16) is slightly more capable in terms of removing dust and debris. Made of silicone rubber, it delivers a large blast of directional air to get rid of small particles of debris.
3. Extra DSLR Battery
Do you often get so indulged in photography that you almost forget about charging the camera’s battery? It is always a good idea to carry some spare batteries, especially if you are shooting outdoors – and being precautious will not cost you a lot.
Besides saving you from the frustration of missing that perfect sunset shot in the anticipation of which you spent the entire day, extra batteries will also give you the liberty to experiment and prepare for that ultimate shot.
Recommended Battery Pack for Canon DSLRs
If you’re using an entry-level Canon, you can choose a Replacement Battery Charger Set from RAVPower. With a massive 2040mAh battery, it’s fully equipped to deliver plenty of extra battery life to your Canon DSLR. It’s compatible with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, III, IV, 5DS, 5DS R, 6D, 60D,6D Mark II, 7D, 7D Mark II,70D, 80D.
Once fully charged, it can let you capture up to 650 photos, which is more than enough to last multiple photography sessions. You can recharge both the batteries simultaneously using micro-USB 5V/2 1A input. What’s more, it also features four layers of protection to fight out threats like overcharging, and short-circuiting. Everything considered; it’s a great asset for photographers.
Buy RAVPower Replacement Battery Charger Set on Amazon: ($34)
Recommended Battery Pack for Nikon DSLRs
If you’re a Nikon user, you can find a similar offering from BESTON. The 2-in-1 charger pack comes with two batteries (of 1,100mAh each) which can replace Nikon’s 1,030mAh EN-EL14 ($27) battery pack.
This dual charger, like the one above, draws power from a micro USB port and can also be charged in three different ways. The batteries in the bundle are compatible with Nikon D3400, D3300, D3200, D3100, D5100, D5200, D5300, and D5600 DSLR cameras.
Buy BESTON 2-Pack USB Dual Charger Kit on Amazon: ($30)
4. SD Card
An SD card is an essential element for photography, because where else will you store all those great shots? We, at Beebom, rely on the SanDisk Extreme PRO 256GB SD card, which supports transfer speeds of up to 95MBps. This transfer rate is good enough for the entry-level DSLRs and we even use it for recording 4K videos without any hassles.
Further, the SanDisk SD card is shock-proof, waterproof, and X-Ray-proof and will not be spoiled by variations in temperature, especially when your camera heats up due to extensive use. Lastly, SanDisk also offers a 30-year-long warranty on the SD card.
Buy SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB on Amazon: ($67)
If you don’t have utility for a 256GB card, you can buy the 64GB ($20) or the 128GB ($37) version. You can also get Samsung’s EVO Plus Class 10 SD card in which you can pull out the microSD card from the adapter and use it directly with your smartphone if it is supported. The 128GB variant is available for $24.
SD Card with Built-in WiFi
Most entry-level DSLR cameras these days come with inbuilt Wi-Fi, but if your DSLR camera does not – if you have an older model, you can use a Toshiba FlashAir SDHC card which comes with built-in Wi-Fi support for direct sharing to smartphones or tablets.
Toshiba’s 64GB version is priced at $80 but if you want to spend lavishly, you can buy the New New Inc 16GB Wi-Fi SD memory card for $23.
5. DSLR Tripod Stands
A tripod will help you capture better long-exposure shots and help you focus on the quality of an image. Well, if you’re getting to learn photography basics, you don’t need an elaborate tripod stand and a basic one should suffice you. So, we’re recommending the AmazonBasics 50-inch tripod since it’s a good and affordable DSLR accessory.
The AmazonBasics tripod weighs only over a pound and is, thus, good to travel with, allowing you to carry it easily for outdoor shoots.
Buy AmazonBasics 50-inch tripod on Amazon: ($16)
If you want a more durable build or a height adjustment lever, you can get the ZOMEI 55-inch foldable tripod for $40. At Beebom, we also rely on this amazing tripod stand for awesome pictures and videos. For a more advanced tripod for shooting videos, you can also go with the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 ($430).
6. Remote Controllers for DSLR
Remote Controllers for Nikon DSLRs
Wireless remote controllers for DSLR can be really useful for easily taking long exposures and time-lapses, and even for light-painting with DSLRs. So, if you’re looking for a wireless remote control for your entry-level Nikon DSLR, you can check out the official Nikon Quick Response ML-L3. It’s a simple remote control with a button to control the shutter on your Nikon DSLR.
Buy Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote on Amazon: ($18)
If you wish to just buy a remote for special occasions but won’t need it very often, you can also buy a similar remote controller by AmazonBasics for $11.
Remote Controllers for Canon DSLRs
Coming to beginner Canon DSLRs, you might have to rely on a slightly expensive solution since most entry-level cameras from the company don’t come with IR support.
In that case, you can pick up a PIXEL TW283E3 Wireless Shutter Remote Release Control from Amazon which supports a variety of Canon DSLRs and is not limited to just the basic ones.
Unlike the solution for Nikon we mentioned above, this one comes in two parts and you’ll have to install a receiver module on the top of the camera while the remote shutter release button.
One benefit of using this elaborate DSLR accessory is that you can easily set a timer, the number of shots, delay, exposure time, and similar attributes directly from the controller.
Buy PIXEL Wireless Shutter Remote Release Control for Canon from Amazon: ($40)
If you want similar functionality with your Nikon DSLR, you can get the PIXEL Wireless Shutter Remote Release Control for Nikon for $40.
Alternatively, if you want to save your money, you can also use ‘Wireless Mobile Utility’ apps by Nikon and made available for both – Android and iOS. Nikon has been working on a cleaner app called SnapBridge which allows you to take pictures more seamlessly and even share them on the cloud. You can try it out for Android and iOS and choose between the two apps.
Likewise, you also get the Camera Connect app by Canon which is also free for Android and iOS.
7. Polarizing Filter
If you want to capture great shots of brightly lit objects, or if you want to capture great shots of objects with brightly lit backgrounds, using a polarizing filter will help you block out the unwanted glare or splitting of light into rainbow colors.
Besides that, a polarizing filter for your DSLR will also help you achieve close-to-natural colors. You can get basic polarizers for as cheap as $12 from AmazonBasics. The CPL polarizer from AmazonBasics can block out glare and deepen the contrast between colors.
Buy AmazonBasics Circular Polarizer Lens Filter (58 mm) on Amazon: ($13)
If you want more functionality, you can grab a 3-in-1 set with a polarizing filter, a UV filter, and a Natural Density filter. Natural Density filters, unlike polarizing filters, will not block light selectively but simply cut some of the exposure and this is useful when whatever you’re trying to picture is too bright or exposed to light, and thus appears washed out.
This will result in more saturated shots. The 3-in-1 set is available for $22 via Amazon and you also get a cleaning cloth and a carrying pouch along with it.
Note:
- Before buying a polarizing filter, just make sure to pick the right size corresponding to your lens.
- While 58mm is among the most common sizes, you can find the exact information on the front of the lens kit (above the lens bulge).
8. Additional Lenses
Lenses for Portrait and Bokeh
If you’ve spent sufficient time with your DSLR and want to take a leap further, getting a second lens could open up doors to new possibilities for you. So for instance, if you’re looking to great portraits, you can get a lens with a wider aperture, like the 50mm lenses available for both Canon and Nikon DSLRs.
Do note that the 50mm lens from Nikon lacks zoom or auto-focus options but you get those with the Canon lens.
- Buy Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens on Amazon: ($129)
- Buy Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D Lens on Amazon: ($132)
Telephoto Lenses for Nikon and Canon
Alternatively, if you would like to capture far-off objects clearly, it is a good idea to buy a telephoto lens with a larger focal length than the standard kit lens. While you can already get bundles with the telephoto lenses, these are also available to buy separately. Nikon sells the 70-300mm lens for $347 while Canon’s 420-1600mm lens can be bought for $160.
9. Camera Strap
While you might feel that the purpose of a camera strap is to simply hold the camera in place while you’re on the move – which is true – there can be a lot more to it. So whether it is finding the most secure camera strap because you love hiking and want to start capturing landscapes or something more fashion-forward because you’re starting out as a street photographer, customizing your equipment with something as simple as a camera strap can help you feel a lot more enthusiastic and inspired about going out and shooting, especially when you’re just starting out.
Camera Straps for Hiking and Adventure Photography
Since we just mentioned hiking, if you happen to be among the outdoorsy kind, you can check out this camera harness by USA GEAR for $15. The straps of the harness go around your body to keep the camera secure, allowing you to be on the move all day long without feeling tired of the extra equipment weight.
If you’d like to stick to something more conventional, the BlackRapid Breathe Curve Camera Strap is your good old cross-body camera strap with added support. With its extra tether that goes under the arm to ensure the strap always stays on your shoulder, the BlackRapid Breathe Curve is one of the more secure cross-body camera straps you can go for, and it will cost you $67.
For a cheaper option, you can consider taking a look at the lightweight and comfortable waka Camera Neck Strap, available for $16.
Camera Straps to Add Some Style to Your DSLR
For more stylish options, you can either choose from a variety of leather straps by 595strapco on online marketplace Etsy but a cheaper and basic-looking option can be the TARION Vintage Belt strap for $7.
Lastly, if you want a high-quality yet pretty affordable camera strap, check out Eorefo’s offering for $11.
10. Waterproof Rain Cover for DSLR
Taking your new DSLR out in the rain or somewhere close to water can prove to be an expensive mistake but you can avoid it by using an inexpensive waterproof cover.
A good option to take a look at is the Venterior Waterproof Rain Cover Camera Protector which has adjustable sleeves and a clear window so that you can see the viewfinder. The rain cover is compatible with a wide range of DSLR cameras and not limited to the entry-level.
However, it must be noted that while the sleeve will protect your DSLR camera from light rain, snow, dust, or sand, it is not recommended for heavy rainfall or thunderstorms. Further, You won’t be able to take your camera with you for swimming, so don’t make that mistake.
Buy Venterior Waterproof Rain Cover Camera Protector on Amazon: ($13)
11. Recording Microphone
Apart from the accessories listed above, if you’re planning on shooting vlogs or YouTube videos with your camera, you should definitely invest in a microphone as well. A good option for new beginners is the VideoMic Go condenser microphone by Rode.
The microphone is lightweight and the long housing – along with the cardioid mode – ensures that you can record sound coming specifically from a single direction and this is useful for interviews or vlogs. With the Rode microphone, you also get a shock mount to absorb any jerks or shocks because of any unexpected movement.
Buy Rode VideoMic Go Condenser on Amazon: ($61)
You can also buy a simpler but good quality unidirectional collar mic (also known as lavalier or lapel mic) for only $40 but you might not get the same clarity as the Rode VideoMic.
12. External Flash Light
An external flashlight is another must-have photography accessory. And if you want to be fully equipped especially when going for a long shooting spree in the wild, you better get this one.
Neewer TT560 ($34) is a highly rated flash speedlite. It’s compatible with Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, and other DSLR cameras. It’s well-built and supports both vertical and horizontal rotation.
Priced at $38, Altura flash speedlite is also among the best external flashlights for DSLRs. It supports Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Olympus, and other cameras. You can use it directly on your camera hot-shoe or as a useful off-camera flash for portraits.
Bonus: Lenspen
A lenspen is a handy photography tool. What makes it so useful is the ability to clean camera lenses, small aperture spotting scopes and telescopes, eyepieces, binocular lenses, and other optical items with precision.
Featuring a lightweight and compact design, LensPen ($20) is one of the best lenspens in the market. You can use it to comfortably clean your lens, viewfinder, and filter.
Another lenspen worth taking note of is the Celestron ($11). It features a soft brush to remove dust and debris from the optical surface. Besides, the lenspen sports a lightweight yet durable design, which makes it an ideal asset for photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which DSLR to Buy for Beginners?
Nikon D3500 ($500) along with Canon EOS Rebel T7i ($620) is considered to be the best DSLR for beginners. They have got all the essential features to be a handy asset for newbies.
What do I Need As a Beginner Photographer?
As a beginner photographer, you need a capable camera, lenses, memory/fil, tripod, computer, photo/video editing software, flash, and additional filters.
Do You Need a Camera Strap?
Well, it all depends on your need. If you want to carry your camera securely, a strap can be very helpful.
What Every Videographer Needs?
As a videographer, you need a tripod, camera light, three-point lighting kit, portable digital audio recorder, headphones, light reflector, lenses, and of course 3-4 extra batteries so that your shooting will never come to a halt.
Best DSLR Accessories for Beginners
With the great accessories we’ve listed above, you will able to improve your DSLR game and take your photography skills to the next level. You need not buy all of these at once, but some of these accessories like the telephoto lenses and polarizing filters might not only enhance the quality of your images but also assist you to explore some newer endeavors and help you master your photography skills.
So which of these DSLR accessories are you impressed by or planning to buy? Also, do you think we could add something to this list? Tell us in the comments below.
