Camera Accessories

So you’ve purchased a new camera. That’s wonderful, but you might want to look into some of the latest accessories that can drastically improve your picture-taking ability.

First of all, every camera manufacturer provides a variety of lenses, including the standard 35mm, wide angle and telephoto zooms. With Nikon’s smallest digital SLR camera you can get an 18-55mm DX Zoom-Nikkor lens that is suitable for portraits, family photos, sports and nature shots, as well as wildlife photography.

Their Coolpix line accommodates a line of interchangeable VR lenses from 35 to 200mm. Nikon has a range of lenses including a 70 – 300 zoom and a 105 – 450mm, as well as the ED-IF AF-S VR DX Nikkor Lens, which is a wide-angle model. The Nikon TC-17E II (1.7X) AF-S, AF-1 teleconverter camera lens costs approximately $410.

Kodak allows you to enhance your pictures with a high performance Schneider-Kreuznach 55mm threaded lens, as well as wide angle and zoom lenses for their cameras. You can also purchase lens adapters for 49mm and up. Canon also has several models including the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM telephoto camera lens, EF 100-400mm telephoto lens, which costs approximately $1,400, 55mm wide angle EF-S lens at $1,179 and LAH-DC20 lens adapter/hood set for $28.

Olympus offers the Zuiko 18-180mm lens for about $499, as well as a 7 – 14mm Ultra wide angle priced at $1,799, a 35-100mm wide angle at about $2,200 and 90 – 250 zoom telephoto lens for approximately $5,000. There is also an Olympus 8mm f.3.5 ED fisheye lens for around $799.

Fuji and Sony also have lines of additional lenses. The Fuji WLFXE10 is a wide-angle lens, while the 43960725 WI-Fx9 is a wide-angle lens attachment kit. Among Sony’s offerings is the VCL-DH0730 30mm wide-angle lens for approximately $78 and the 75-300 super telephoto lens for $229. Olympus features its TCON-17F 1.7x telephoto conversion lens for just $62.75.

Aside from lenses and lens adaptors, you will need a good flash for your camera. Nikon features the Speedlight (SB400) external flash unit at approximately $180 that is compact and lightweight. There are various other designs, including the Nikon SB800 flash that transforms a large aperture f2.8 300mm lens into a zoom lens for $319 that features a multi-layer lens coating to reduce flare and ghost images. There is even a SUY-800 wireless model. Nikon also carries the Interfit 107cm 5-In-1 Reflector, which is a double-sided collapsible reflector used to control the light. It sells for about $125. The Interfit 12” Gold/Silver Reflector at just $18.99 is a collapsible model.

Kodak features a P20 Zoom Flash for its digital cameras, while Canon offers the Speedlite 580EX Hot Shoe mount camera flash for about $470. Olympus has several models including the STF-22 Twin Flash outfit for $739 and a Quantum D10W QTTL wireless flash adapter for $133.75.

If you want to get creative with your picture taking, you might want to consider purchasing some specialty items, such as Nikon’s nik Color Efex photographic filters. Nikon has a 72mm Circular Polarizer II filter for $109.95. Sony offers a VF-30CPKXS 30mm Circular Polarizing filter kit for $69.95 and a VF-MP5K filter kit for $72.40.

For still shots, you may also want to pick up a tripod, which each of the above manufacturers provide. An interesting one though, is the Joby GorillaPod for use with your digital camera that has unusual bendable legs. Unlike traditional tripods, this model can sit just about anywhere, as it doesn’t require a flat surface.

All photographers must also have equipment-cleaning material to ensure that their camera parts are free of any debris and in good operating condition. There are many kits available, including the Giottos Camera Cleaning Kit, which is $20.99. It includes a Rocket-Air blower for getting out particles on lenses, a micro-fiber magic cloth to polish your lenses safely, a retractable brush, multiple optical cleaner solution and paper shaft cotton swabs.

Now, with all this stuff, you’re going to need a sturdy camera bag to keep it all in. Fuji has a Deluxe Case selling for $89.99, which is a soft polyester case with padding that is designed to fit the Finpix S602 Zoom digital camera. Olympus has a leather carrying case for its Stylus 500/800 series for just $15, as well as an E-System Accessory Kit for its Evolt cameras at $69.95 that includes the camera bag, battery and a flash unit.

Canon has a DC700 waterproof case for its Powershot A60/A70’s for $296.99. You can take this one on your boat, surfboard or kayak and up to 100 feet beneath the water surface. Nikon offers a digital camera accessory kit for its Coolpix line that includes the carrying case, rechargeable batteries and a battery charger for about $30. Nikon also has a Special Combination Kit that includes a holster-style bag, rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, professional lens cleaning kit and a 2 GB secure digital (SD) memory card for $110.56. A secure digital memory card generally costs about $25, while the Sony Memory Stick Pro is $90.

Aside from these standard pieces of equipment, there are also a couple of innovative items you might want to consider. If you’re taking shots under water, you will need to purchase a housing to protect your camera. Canon offers the WP-DC9 for approximately $163.

Kodak has come up with a way to put a new skin on your 35mm camera to make picture taking just a little more fun and Nikon has what it calls Camera Armor, which is a rugged custom fit skin make to protect your digital SLR camera.