Cheap SLR accessories worth using?

[Project86]

I just purchased a Nikon D5000 from costco. The kit was $825 plus tax, and it came with the body, 18-55VR, 55-200VR, 4GB SD card, nice case, 2 DVDs and a book. Plus all the usual stuff like a neck strap etc. I have a few fast 2 and 4GB SD cards laying around, so I'm pretty much set for stuff I need.

However.

There are a bunch of other goodies that I kind of want, but don't really want to spend much on as they are not going to be used all that often. I went to a local camera shop and the prices for these things (of course great quality but still) was too high. Here's what I'm looking at, most of it runs from $5 to $15 on ebay or amazon:

wireless remote
HDMI cable
LCD cover
spare battery
UV lens cover (mostly for protecting the glass on the lens rather than for the effect it provides)
tripod, full size
tripod, mini size

Is there any of these items that I shouldn't skimp on for any reason? The ones that I'm sure will be fine are the remote, HDMI cable, and mini tripod. I'm not so sure of the rest though.

 

[deanx0r]

I kinda feel like most of those goodies add almost zero functionality and are just chipping pennies from you.

Something more useful would be:
Raynox DCR-250
Nikon's Guide to Creative Lighting DVDs
A solid bag pack or messenger bag your gear.

 

[arrfep]

I'd pick up the remote, since there's been plenty of times I wished I wasn't limited to a 2' cable.
Stay away from cheap UV filters, they can seriously degrade IQ. IMO UV filters are over-rated for daily use. Pick up a nice circular polarizer, IMO it's the most relevant filter you're likely to need.
Mini Tripod you can skimp on, full size I'd spend more.
Spare battery for sure.

Hmm...honestly, for just a few bucks, I'd grab a cheap Gorillapod or knockoff version or an ultrapod, and the wireless remote.

 

[PC Perv]

How is the Nikon D5000? I can't make up my mind whether to get an SLR or a Camcoder for X-Mas. I know the two are completely different.. One by one!

 

[qbfx]

How is the Nikon D5000? I can't make up my mind whether to get an SLR or a Camcoder for X-Mas. I know the two are completely different.. One by one!

Get a DSLR with video IMO. It's more flexible because you can use all types of lenses and produce effects impossible with a camcorder.

 

[Tip3r]

Get a DSLR with video IMO. It's more flexible because you can use all types of lenses and produce effects impossible with a camcorder.

+1
The canon rebates for camera bodies are over but you still can find good deals.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/holidayList.jsp?cat=15937

 

[ProfJohn]

Get the Nikon remote, rather cheap and worth every penny.

As for the rest... eh?

I've been doing this for 14 years and have never come close to scratching a lens to the point that my UV filters have done their jobs, plus your lenes are inexpensive lenes, if you buy more expensive ones down the road then they might be worth it.

Tripod: I own both and I hardly ever use them anymore. About the only thing they are good for are long exposure night shots or self portraits (with your remote of course)

Spare battery: Have been digital for 5 years and I think I only ran my battery down a couple of times and most of that was during transfers from the camera to the PC via USB cable. I'd say a spare only makes sense for a profession or if you are going on a long trip and want to be sure you have the ability to take phots a week into it.

HDMI: why? Have a lap top? Load photos into it then hook IT up to the tv.

I second the recommendation for either a sling bag or a back pack style camera bag. Shoulder bags are a pain in the ass and can get in the way of taking photos if you are walking around or hiking with one on. A back pack sits on your back out of the way, you could climb up the side of a mountain, take it out and take some photos, and then climb back down. Try doing that with a shoulder bag on

 

[jpeyton]

wireless remote - Yes, grab Nikon's inexpensive IR remote for ~$20. If you need more range, get a Phottix Cleon or Phottix Plato RF remote off eBay.

HDMI cable - Not really needed.

LCD cover - Yes, especially if you hate scratches on your LCD. Get a GGS glass screen protector off eBay; a Nikon plastic LCD protector will also do.

spare battery - Yes, and stick with original Nikon batteries.

UV lens cover (mostly for protecting the glass on the lens rather than for the effect it
provides) - Yes, and I bought mine from Maxsaver.net. Get a good quality multi-coated filter from Hoya/Kenko or B+W.

tripod, full size - Absolutely. Here's a good budget option: http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-AX620B1...dp/B001D60LG8/

tripod, mini size - Maybe.

 

[Munky]

I have the wireless remote, it's cheap and comes handy at times, so I'd recommend that. I don't bother with lcd or lens protectors - if you're careful and take good care of your gear, you won't need it. Don't need a spare battery either, unless you're a professional shooting all day. As for tripods, I only use one for long exposures at night. Otherwise, it's just extra weight.

I don't recommend a back pack because you'd have to take it off and set it on the ground to access your gear. Sounds like a major pain the in rear to me. Get something that allows quick access - like a waist pack. Haven't used a sling pack so I can't comment on those.

Overall, you have a good starter setup, don't buy more accessories unless you know you need them. I'd save the money toward more important things later on, like an external flash and the 35mm f/1.8 prime lens.

 

[RKS]

The Slingshot type backpacks stay out of your way when walking and rotate forward to give you quick access to the camera.

I bought my wife a T1i (2 lens kit for $780 from Amazon), the "thrifty fifty", Lowepro Slingshot 100, 16GB Class 6 card, a spare battery and charger. My next item will be the 430EX II flash and a cheap remote from DealExtreme. She is on her own from there.

 

[jpeyton]

I don't bother with lcd or lens protectors - if you're careful and take good care of your gear, you won't need it.

You don't really buy them because you are/aren't careful with your gear. They are there to prevent accidental damage.

I can think of two specific occasions where I've accidentally dropped a camera and a lens. Each was protected with an LCD cover and UV filter. In both cases, the protection did it's job, taking the damage and leaving the camera and lens unscathed.

 

[Project86]

OK thanks everyone for the replies. I think I'll start with these ones and wait on the rest:

GGS screen protector: about $8
knock off wireless remote: $4
HDMI cable: $5

I want the HDMI cable so I can easily watch movies directly on my large TV, without having to transfer them around or break out the laptop. I might also pick up a lens hood since they are only a few dollars, just to see what I think of it.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[shocksyde]

I always recommend using lens hoods in place of UV filters, with one exception: If you're taking pictures of animals/pets and they're close to the lens, you can pretty much bet you're gonna get a nose pressed right up against your glass, haha.

 

[soydios]

wireless remote

I have one, and it's useful when you use it. It's cheap enough that I'd get one. I actually got a 3rd-party remote that can trigger several brands of cameras, because you never know if someone else wants to use your remote but has a Canon or Pentax or something. It works just as well as the Nikon OEM remote but at half the price and the added other brands functionality.
http://www.amazon.com/RM-E3-Infrared...0055100&sr=8-2

HDMI cable

would you ever use this? I don't ever connect my camera to my TV...

LCD cover

My D90 came with one which I always leave on. I just cut a stick-on screen protector for smartphones and the like down to size for my D50. I can't imagine a 3rd-party screen cover working well on a camera not designed for it.

spare battery

Buy one OEM Nikon battery for when you forget to charge the battery in the camera, or you go out shooting bigtime for a whole day. Also because you have an EN-EL9 which is a smaller battery than an EN-EL3.

UV lens cover (mostly for protecting the glass on the lens rather than for the effect it provides)

Dropping cameras happens. Apparently everybody is more careful than me, because I dropped my D90 + MB-D80 + 18-200mm and it hit lens-first a few days ago. It didn't crack the filter, but it did dent the filter threads OF THE FILTER. Thus my $30 UV filter needs replacing instead of my $700 lens.
Buy a good quality multi-coated Hoya UV filter for each lens: http://www.amazon.com/Hoya-52mm-HMC-...0055538&sr=8-9

tripod, full size

Just like the remote, it's useful when you use it. I use mine for group shots with me in the picture, scenic panoramas, extra low-light stability, and nighttime long exposures. If money is not a huge concern then I would get a Bogen-Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod with a 488RC2 head.

tripod, mini size

these always seemed like gimmicky toys to me.