Tips by Jaqui

Posted in: Tips by Jaqui
Accessories for your Camera
By Jaqui
Mar 14, 2008 - 2:52:32 PM

Now you have your camera there are a few items that I would recommend.
A camera bag is a good start as it will protect your gear from the elements.
One that is small enough to carry anywhere, but large enough to store your extras.
I got mine from a car boot sale for less than a 'tenner' and it's just the job, it holds my camera,mini tripod,filters, and bean bag, plus 4 sets of spare batteries kept in the side pockets.
Also those small packets of silica gel you get with some purchases, don't throw them out! put them in your camera bag as they retain moisture, they help to keep your camera dry.

Batteries, I can't think of anything worse than loosing that 'perfect shot' due to dead batteries. Always carry spares, re- chargeable one's can save you money.
To conserve battery life use the viewfinder, instead of the view screen to compose your shot.
Don't use the flash unless it is necessary, and save the previewing until you get home.

A mini tripod is less cumbersome  than a full sized one, but still needs to be sturdy, ok I hear you say, but you won't see much when it's stood on the floor! ah yes, but thats when a wall or fence post comes in handy. I also use mine as a  'chest pod' giving more stability in poor conditions.

You don't have a tripod? then make yourself a bean bag, a good tip is to make it to 'fit' the bottom of your camera bag, hence giving more protection to your gear. Part of a leg from an old pair of jeans would do, as two sides are already sewn  up for you. Sew up one end, and fill the other with dried rice,or peas, better still use those small  polystyrene beads  making it lighter to carry, now sew up the other end and you have an instant stabilizer for your camera, ideal again for use on walls or fences.

Turn yourself into a human tripod, stand with your feet slightly apart, tuck your elbows into your sides,and keep the camera close to your eye, you can also steady yourself against any sturdy structure, it all helps in preventing 'camera shake'

Can your camera lens accommodate filters? if so buy yourself a UV filter, not only does it cut down on the ultraviolet light, it protects the lens itself from scratches, after all its much cheaper to replace a scratched filter than a scratched lens, as it can be left in place at all times.

Oh, before I forget, read the manual that came with your camera, over and over again, in fact carry it in your camera bag, you never know when you may need it!   Cheers for now,  Jaqui


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