Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Digital Camera Accessories: Quick Guide For Choosing And Buying

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.

Accessories are not only for pros, a small but versatile set should be part of the photography equipment of anyone with but a passing interest in the subject matter.

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!

There are various types of digital camera accessories available that will be of use right from the start, or that you may need in the future to improve the quality and flexibility of your photography. Some of the digital camera accessories that should be part of your arsenal include the following:

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 come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. While you may also carry your camera in a normal bag it makes sense to invest in a specialized bag as it's purpose-made and often padded.

Of all the digital camera accessories, perhaps the camera tripod of the most useful - it reduces camera shake and therefore the likelihood of a blurred picture, especially in low light conditions, and allows you to take pics from unusual angles. Tripods may seem bulky at first, but bear in mind that a great majority of tripods are either foldable or retractable and should be able to fit in most of the medium size to larger camera bags.

Don't forget to check if your camera screws onto the tripod when acquiring a new one, or you will have to buy another!

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. - 16755

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