What are some must have digital photography accessories?

[sygyzy]

What's in your must-have list for a digital photographer? Be specific when possible (e.g. Giotto Rocket Blower instead of "air thingy")

 

[soydios]

Well, let's go down what I have in my camera backpack:
- Nikon D50 with Nikkor AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR DX mounted and Sandisk 2GB ExtremeIII SD card
- Nikkor AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D
- Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8
- Nikkor AF 35mm f/2.0D
- Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8D
- Nikon SB-800 speedlight with 5th battery, speedlight stand, and color-correction gels
- Nikon EN-EL3 battery charger
- 1 spare EN-EL3a battery
- Sanyo Eneloop battery charger
- 5 spare AA NiMH Eneloop batteries for flash
- computer-to-camera USB cable
- 1 spare Sandisk 2GB ExtremeIII SD card
- 52mm and 72mm circular polarizing filters (still need a 77mm CPL for the 80-200mm f/2.8, but that's pricey)
- Dust-Aid for sensor cleaning in the field
- rear lens cap and DSLR body cap
- business cards with up-to-date contact info
- user guide for the SB-800 (I have all the functions of my D50 memorized, but that SB-800 is so complicated that I just carry the slim manual everywhere)
- gray card for white balance
- printout of the Transportation Security Administration webpage that says you are allowed to carry an extra bag of photographic equipment through airport security
- Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 488RC2 head strapped to the exterior

That's just about all the photography equipment that I use. I can basically grab the backpack and go, knowing that I'm outfitted to shoot anywhere.
IMO a microfibre cloth is unnecessary. A tshirt suffices for cleaning any lens surfaces, front or rear.

 

[sygyzy]

Is that TSA thing true?!? Does this mean you can carry an overhead bag, backpack, and an extra bag for camera?

Is Dust-Aid pretty popular? Is it difficult to use?

 

[soydios]

TSA rule

Dust-Aid works fine for me. It doesn't get the welded dust off the sensor; you need to either use a wet cleaning method or send it back to the manufacturer service center for them to do the wet cleaning, neither of which is practical in the field. It also comes in a metal band-aid box (that's where it's name comes from) which fits great in my camera backpack. I'm much more comfortable with a band-aid tin than with a wand, pec-pads, and a bottle of liquid in there with all my camera gear.
I dunno, but my D50 freaked out on me one time when I tried a wet cleaning with lab-grade methanol. I managed to reset it just fine and it's been soldiering on as usual since then, so I'll leave the wet cleanings to the factory service techs.
Sensor dust really isn't that huge of an issue: any blobs that show up at f/5.6 I can blow away with my mouth (just be sure not to spit onto the sensor), and any that show up at f/8 or f/11 are removed with Dust-Aid. As a rule I don't shoot at apertures smaller than f/11 (noticeable diffraction sets in at f/22), so I don't worry about dust. But if you must, take a dry-cleaning method with you out in the field (Dust-Aid and Giotto rocket blower combo if you have the space), and leave the wet cleaning supplies at home for thorough cleaning in controlled conditions.

 

[OdiN]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...tic_Lens_Cleaning.html

and

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/..._Pad_Photo_Wipes_.html

 

[corkyg]

Having made several overseas trips in the past two years with different cameras and lenses, the TSA rule linked by "God" is a good one. Pay attention to the second para in boldface. With today's pressures on airlines, checked luggage, etc., that can come into play. I carry minimum stuff in my carry bag - and have other stuff in my checked luggage. A rubber ear syringe is excellent for blowing off sensor dust. That is a rare need if you change lenses carefully. That is also where I put my battery charger and my monopod. Lens tissue has always been part of my kit for decades.

My normal load is camera bag with lenses, laptop bag (my carry on) and a personal pouch with glasses, meds, passport, and boarding pass. So far, this has not been a problem.

All manuals and docs are on my laptop in PDF format.

 

[dblevitan]

I agree with corkyg that rubber ear syringes are useful and cheap (and easily replaceable if lost). I always have a microfiber cloth - I think a t-shirt is a bad idea since it will usually contain at least a bit of sweat which I'm sure is not good for coatings. I also have a small bottle of lens cleaner which I sometimes need. I don't carry an extra battery only because I've found I don't need one. I've never run down my D70 all the way even while shooting > 500 shots/day. If I ever go backpacking I'll probably add a few batteries. I have an extra 2GB CF card but also carry a Hyperdrive HD80 with an 80GB drive to hold backups as well as running out of space. I generally copy any card I pull out of my camera over to it even if I don't need both of my CF cards. In terms of filters, I have a ND Grad filter, CP, and UV filter (which I use only in more "dangerous" situations). For my SB-600 flash, I carry a small bouncer if I'm outside and need to use it along with a Better Beamer for longer flash photography (for wildlife). Getting a diffuser is on my list of things to do. No colored gels yet for me - I just don't use flash that much and when I do use it, it's typically for wildlife where I need all the power I can get.

I typically don't use tripods. When I do travel or hike, I bring a Velbon 343e with me. If I'll be near my car most of the time, I have Bogen 3001 legs with a 3-way head, but that's rarely used due to weight. At some point I'll get a carbon fiber tripod but they're too expensive at the moment. I don't use gray cards or do manual WB since I don't think I need them and auto WB works great 99% of the time. I do have a rain cover for my camera. They're a bit annoying, but I've found it to be worth it. I also have reusable silica gel packs for travel in humid countries without A/C. Also, if you don't like your current neck strap for your camera, the Pacsafe strap is very nice and is also theft resistant, though I got it mostly for its good design.

I'll also mention that I think bags are a very important accessory. I personally have two now - an older Lowepro Rover Plus AW that I use for hiking and an new Lowepro Fastpack 250 which is great for traveling and cities. Depending on your needs I find spending money on a bag to be extremely important since that will determine how easy it is for you to use your camera.

As for the TSA rule, I highly doubt you can board with 3 bags (well, they might not stop you, but officially the rule is 2 for all airlines I know of). This will be especially true now that people are carrying on more and more.

 

[sygyzy]

Can anyone explain why the TSA rule is important if most people are using digital? I mean it's only there because film equipment might get damaged right? I don't see how or why it would allow you to carry camera equipment on the plane when it's not illegal to do so anyway. Also, why would it allow you to carry an extra piece/carry-on.

I guess I am not understanding what it's actually for.

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Can anyone explain why the TSA rule is important if most people are using digital? I mean it's only there because film equipment might get damaged right? I don't see how or why it would allow you to carry camera equipment on the plane when it's not illegal to do so anyway. Also, why would it allow you to carry an extra piece/carry-on.

I guess I am not understanding what it's actually for.

It allows you to carry an additional carry-on bag of photographic equipment through security. That way it can be checked at the gate, or carried on to the plane if the airline permits it or the airline employees don't stop you.
It applies just as much to digital as it does to film, because the price tags are the same on equally fragile equipment. If I'm carrying my stuff, it's a lot less likely that it will be broken.