Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Digital Camera Accessories: Select Them Like A Pro

By Sylvia Howard

The digital camera is one of the most common pieces of consumer electronics nowadays. From pros with high-end SLR cameras to kiddies with picture-phones, everyone has them. But few people realize the importance and potential of digital camera accessories, which are not only for experts but also for beginners.

And if you are a beginner with a strong interest in photography, you should look even more into the various extras, accessories and tools that are available. Using them will improve your technique, maybe to the point where you will be able to turn your hobby into a new occupation.

Regardless of whether photography is a profession or a pastime for you, you will find that digital camera accessories are not only for the experts, but that there are extras available even for the most basic compact camera. Even some cell phones with cameras have dedicated accessory lines!

Some accessories are better suited for experienced photo-takers, but several kinds are of great help for beginners too. Here are some of the accessories that even beginning users should not be without.

A camera bag is probably going to be the first companion of most new digital cameras, and for a reason. Camera bags are cheap and protect the equipment within, also making it easier to carry. Indispensable when travelling, they are great to keep all your kit together in one place even when at home.

Camera bags are available in several specifications, from the simple hold-all to the specialized compartmented SLR backpack. You can of course carry your camera in any kind of bag, but a padded, purpose-made item is a wise buy.

After the bag, the next most common (and just as handy) camera accessory is undoubtedly the tripod. This triple stick will hold your camera steady, allowing you to take nighttime pictures, to achieve unusual effects and to avoid unwanted blurry photos. A lot of tripods are small or foldable, and easy to carry around.

Make sure that the tripod you buy fits your camera attachment, or you will be sorely disappointed. Once you will start using one of these beauties, you will find yourself in many photography situations where you will wonder how to do without.

The next most useful kind of digital camera accessories are probably those who prolong your picture-taking. Both extra batteries and storage cards fall into these categories. Batteries allow you to take pictures for longer without recharging the camera and are fundamental in faraway locales, while extra storage cards are great for sports photography, when you will need to take a whole lot of pictures. - 15437

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