So you got a brand new camera? Here's what you need next

So you got a brand new camera? Here's what you need next
ÔÎÒÎ: dpreview.com

So you got a camera for Christmas? If you're an experienced shooter with more gear than you know what to do with, then this article isn't for you. But if you just got your first camera, then welcome! Getting your first camera is an exciting experience, but it can also be a bit overwhelming.

This helpful starter guide will answer some of your questions and give you a pretty good idea of what accessories you should buy next to make the most of your new kit.

Cards

Most cameras don't ship with a memory card, but even if you have one it's a good idea to get an extra as a backup, or to store more photos. SD cards, which are about the size of a postage stamp, are the most common variety. Some higher end cameras may use CF cards, so verify what type your camera uses. How much space do you need? 16GB or 32GB cards are normally a safe bet, though 64GB might be better if you plan to shoot a lot of video.

Speaking of video. . . . Video recording generally requires faster cards than shooting still photos. In most cases an SD card with a UHS Class 3 rating should be sufficient, though some newer cards also include a 'V' rating for video, such as V30 or V60. Your camera's manual should tell you what speed you need.

Finally, stick with a reputable company such as SanDisk, Lexar, Kingston, PNY, or Transcend. Every photographer has a had a card fail at some point, and it's a bit scary, but you can minimize the risk by sticking with companies that have a reputation for producing excellent quality cards.

Batteries

Most cameras only come with one battery and some don't even come with a wall charger, so we recommend investing in an extra battery or two. USB charging is handy sometimes, but the addition of a spare battery and a wall charger lets you charge two batteries at once. This is a smart purchase if one is available for your camera as an accessory.

Tripod

You'll definitely want a tripod if you want to create long exposures, star photography or time-lapses. They're also great for that family self-portrait in front of the Christmas tree!

Tripods are generally constructed of composite plastic, aluminum, carbon fiber or a combination of those materials. Carbon fiber tripods are the lightest option, but they're also the most expensive, so an aluminum tripod is an excellent option.

Tripod legs normally collapse down in two different ways; lever locks and screw locks. Lever locks tend to stay the cleanest and are the easiest to use, so we would recommend sticking with that option. The most common tripod heads (the point where your camera connects to the tripod) are ball-heads, pistol grip and pan-and-tilt heads. Ball-heads are our go-to choice because they allow for a great deal of flexibility with respect to positioning the camera in a number of different orientations.

A tripod we like for all-around use and travel is the MeFoto Classic series. If you want to go super lightweight and flexible, check out Joby's line of GorillaPods, or read our comparison of tabletop-sized tripods.

Phone app

Almost every new camera now includes Wi-Fi, so make sure to download the mobile app that works with yours. Mobile apps make it easy to transfer JPEG files to your phone for easy sharing on Facebook, Instagram or your favorite social media outlet. Some apps even allow you to control your camera's settings and to take photos remotely. Keep in mind that turning on these features could impact your camera's battery life. Many cameras have a dedicated button to activate Wi-Fi, but if not, your manual will tell you how.

Remote control or cable release

Many modern cameras offer nearly full control wirelessly through a mobile app, but you can also purchase a remote control or cable release to take photos. A remote control gives you a wireless way to snap the shutter and take an image, something that will come in handy for those who love to take selfies, family portraits or photograph events.

A cable release is connected to your camera via a cord. It's an excellent option if you plan to shoot landscapes or long exposures (like stars) because it gives you the freedom to take your hands off of your camera to reduce the risk of vibration during slow shutter speeds. It will also give you the option to use the camera's 'Bulb' mode which will allow for exposures that are longer than 30 seconds to be taken with ease.

Card reader

Although most cameras today offer file transfer via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or a USB connection to a computer, we still recommend picking up an external card reader. Technology like Wi-Fi is great when you're just transferring a few photos to your phone, but a card reader is much faster when it comes time to transfer photos of your entire vacation to the computer. Using a card reader will also allow you to keep using your camera while you copy photos.

The majority of card readers on the market offer both CF and SD compatibility in one unit, and you can even find some readers that offer three or even four card format options in one compact unit. Another option is to get a card reader that attaches directly to your tablet or smartphone, making it easy to share pictures with your friends quickly.

Strap

This may sound like a small upgrade, but it can make your shooting experience a lot more comfortable. Most cameras include a basic neck strap, but you can buy straps made from more comfortable materials, such as neoprene or leather, as well as straps that go beyond hanging around your neck, such as shoulder or wrist straps.

A comfortable camera strap can make all of the difference in the world when you're carrying around your camera for long periods of time, and gives you the opportunity to customize your kit and make it your own. Peak design and Black Rapid are two companies that make quality, versatile straps, and the Cecilia strap pictured here is a great option for comfort and style.

Camera bag

Need to carry your camera around? You'll probably want a bag. But don't just choose any bag; you'll want one that's specifically designed to provide padding for cameras and lenses.

Bags come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from backpacks and messenger bags, to bags specifically designed to not look like camera bags. Figure out what type of bag will best meet your needs and go from there. Some of our favorites include, Mindshift, Crumpler, Peak Design, Kelly Moore, Lowepro and Tamrac.

Maintenance items

The list of accessories that you can buy for your camera is a mile long, but there are a handful of items that will be really useful for maintaining your camera:

A blower is great for removing dust particles and for drying your lens in wet or rainy conditions

A lens brush can help you to remove fine particulate such as dust from the front of your lens without leaving residue

Microfiber cloths can be a life-saver if you happen to leave a finger print on your lens or viewfinder while you're out shooting

A small bottle of lens cleaner is a great item to have on hand if your lens should happen to get dirty

Q-tips can also be useful for cleaning your camera and/or lens should they get dirty

A microphone

Are you planning to use your camera for video in addition to still images? If so, you may want to pick up an accessory microphone. All cameras that shoot video have built-in microphones, but in most cases sound quality is average at best (and likely won't measure up to the quality of your camera's video). Models such as the R or the Sennheiser MKE 400 fit into your camera's flash mount for easy use while shooting.

Editing and organization software

How will you store your photos? You'll probably want some software on your computer to do things like organize your photos, do some basic editing, or even create fun projects such as collages. The good news is that the built in Photos apps on both Windows and Mac computers can do most of this already. If you want to get a bit more adventurous, consider either Adobe Photoshop Elements or Adobe Lightroom, which provide much more advanced photo editing tools. Don't feel like you need the full version of Adobe Photoshop, however. It has great name recognition, but you really only need it for very advanced editing.

Another option is to sign up for a cloud storage account, such as Amazon Prime Photos, Google Photos, Apple iCloud or Dropbox. Cloud storage gives you a safe way to store all your photos in one place, accessible from anywhere, and you won't lose them if your computer crashes. Some services, like Google Photos, also make it very easy to share your photos across social media.

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2016-12-27 14:00

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Ôîòî: dpreview.com

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