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Photography can be hard enough on its own. When we start adding in lenses, peripherals and other photographic paraphernalia, we can get weighed down, both physically and creatively. I know my camera bags are full of bits and pieces that I take along thinking I need them, when in reality I will probably never use them.
However, there are some bits of kit that are indispensable. Relatively cheap gear that makes my photography easier. Today I would like to tell you about mine, feel free to let us know in the comments, what gear makes your photography easier.
Peak Design Slide Camera Strap
Camera straps, they’re a bit rubbish really. Hard to attach, harder to remove and seemingly made of blunt razor blades. Now I will confess I am not a big fan of any camera strap, however, when I do use one, it’s the Peak Design Slide strap.
As a hybrid photographer, I am constantly switching between photography and video. For video, most of the time, I am using a gimbal or a tripod. I am sure many of you know the fun you can have using tripods with camera straps. This is the Peak Design excels, its ability to be taken on and off quickly and easily.
I can quickly remove the strap when seeing a potential video shot, and then reattach it to continue wandering and taking photos. It’s also wide and comfortable and, as the name suggests, it can be slid around your body for easier carrying, using a couple of levers. It has changed my mind on camera straps.
Hybrid Tripod Head
Another pitfall of being a hybrid photographer is tripod heads. Most cater to one discipline, either photography or video. A video head will not have the ability to turn the camera into portrait format. Quite a big issue for a photographer.
My solution to this is using the Smallrig video head. Although technically a video head, it features a small Arca Swiss top plate. This in combination with an L plate on the camera means that I can shoot video, then quickly get the camera into portrait mode for any photographic opportunities.
It’s also pretty small and light, whilst having decent – if not perfect – fluid movements for video. The Arca Swiss compatibility makes it a very versatile tripod head.
Smartphone Tripod Mount
Those who have been here a while will know that I am a big smartphone advocate. I use my iPhone all the time to shoot both video and stills. Now whilst mounting a smartphone to a tripod might seem a bit counterintuitive, the fact is, that they are cameras, and sometimes cameras need stabilization.
This might be for shooting a long exposure or panoramic or it might be for getting good quality video. Either way, sometimes a tripod is required.
I have a simple smartphone mount. It has a 1/4in screw at the bottom. This allows me to put a quick-release plate on it. To mount the phone, you simply slide open a clamp and drop the phone in. The clamp is strong and sturdy and holds the phone very securely. I can even trigger my iPhone’s camera from my Apple Watch if taking a long exposure. It takes very little space in the camera bag yet is extremely versatile.
Mini Tripod
Following on from the smartphone mount comes my mini tripod. In fact I have three, although two were provided with gimbals that I purchased. Often I don’t want to take a large tripod with me, so carrying a lightweight mini tripod is a good solution.
I have a mini ball-socket head attached to the tripod, this gives me great versatility without added weight. The aforementioned smartphone mount is also easily attached to the ball socket. This means when I don’t want to carry larger cameras and lenses, I still have a powerful photography/video system using just an iPhone.
Kase Magnetic Filters
I had a love/hate relationship with filters until I bought these. I loved the creativity that using filters brings to my photography, but I hated the clumsiness of using them. Screwing on and off or working with fiddly square filter systems, I was often put off from using them.
Kase magnetic filters however have made the whole process much easier. I have a magnetic adapter attached to each lens. The respective filter then simply magnetically attaches to the adapter. Stacking filters is also a breeze. When I am finished, I simply pull the filters from the lens, and then pop on the magnetic lens cap. They were not cheap, but their versatility and optical quality have really made my photography easier.
Zeiss Lens Wipes
Another essential bit of camera gear that I have a love/hate relationship with is lint-free lens cloths. Assuming I can actually find one in my camera bag, they seem to have an ability to merely move smudges around the lens rather than remove them.
Now I use Zeiss Lens Wipes. They come in pre-sealed packets and are impregnated with lens cleaning fluid. They are safe for all types of lenses including for cameras and make removing stubborn stains such as fingerprints much easier and quicker. They are also ideal for photographers such as me, who need glasses to shoot. Despite the Zeiss name they are very inexpensive at around $20 for 200.
Last but not least I use a tracker in my camera bag. Whilst not directly making my photography easier, it does give me some piece of mind if my camera bag gets lost or stolen. Whilst Apple Airtags are the most widely used, there are also third-party ones that work as well. I use Atuvos Air Trackers. They are small, and discrete and work perfectly with the Apple Find Me app.
I used them on my recent trip to Asia, one in my camera bag and one in my hold luggage. This meant I was able to see where my suitcase was at any time when traveling.
The tags bring a piece of mind which can help boost creativity when shooting and traveling.
I am sure like me, you have a plethora of peripheral gear that you carry with you. Sometimes it’s worth taking a step back and asking yourself, which gear do you find essential and which can be left at home. Lightning the load from your camera bag and narrowing down the gear that makes your photography easier can give a big boost to the way you shoot.