What are some of "your" must have accessories?

[fotoworx]

What are some of "your" must have accessories?

Some of mine are pretty simple. I bought some hot shoe covers off eBay for a few dollars. I really like them and always use them.

I'd be lost with out my wireless shutter release.

I always have BluTack in my camera bag.

I always have a protective filter on my lenses.

I always wrap my camera bodies in a micro fibre cloth (anal I know).

[CyberDyneSystems]

White Melitta coffee filters for WB

Gaf tape

Cheap $20.00 Walmart padded Gun Case for my $1K + tripod rig... :)

My Green rain poncho I found circa 1981... (folds up and fits in a pouch)

On a similar note, some large black plastic garbage cans

Sunblock! (I'm a red head)

On a similar note, I don't go anywhere without my "Jake of Arabia" dishtowel.

Lens pen and disposable lens wipes.

[Jon]

Lens Pens
Microfiber cloths
mini-carabiners
Disposable poncho (one in every bag and every vest, as well as in both cars - $0.99 at our grocery)
Sharpie
Garbage bags
Sunscreen & lip balm

[Sledhed]

jewelers screw driver set
folding stool
rain suit
camera rain cover
suncreen
sun hat
water bottle
Tums
credential holder

[fotoworx]

Some of you must have been Scouts.

Some great ideas!

[FlyingPhotog]

Aviation Band Scanner...

(Yeah, I know, I'm a niche photographer)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Just want to be prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse!

[EveryMilesAMemory]

Lens Pens
Microfiber cloths
mini-carabiners
Disposable poncho (one in every bag and every vest, as well as in both cars - $0.99 at our grocery)
Sharpie
Garbage bags
Sunscreen & lip balm

This was about my exact post I was gonna make. Only thing I'd add would be a Rocket Blower and a stack of Business Cards to hand out

[dan_bgblue]

Jumbo size garbage bags, like the leaf collection variety. One can make a quick tent out of these or use as a ground cloth for lying down in mud.;)
lens wipes
2 piece nylon rain suit that folds in on itself to form a pouch for carrying.
water
insect repellent
sunscreen
floppy chapeau
trail mix and beef jerky
fire making stuff, tinder, kitchen matches and waterproof fire starter
compass

[pgruiz123]

Rocketblower
White balance card
lens wipes

[terry_glover]

A roll of toilet paper is a must if you leave the beaten trail!
Terry

[fotoworx]

A roll of toilet paper is a must if you leave the beaten trail!
Terry


Sure saves using up all you're lens wipes :oops:

[Naturalist]

AR 15 rifle with 18, 30 round magazines, 4 packs of Quik-clot, Map & compass, Kabar knife, and a Level III ruck


Crap! Wrong forum!



Oh well!! lol

[bohdank]

Microfiber cloth.... that's about it.... oh and a wireless shutter remote, spare battreries for the camer and flash.... my list is complete.

[goforphoto]

A nude model:D

[rklepper]

Miniature flashlight. I do not see too well in the dark.

[MT Stringer]

Regardless of what the photography entails, I always carry a few snacks and a container of glucose tablets (diabetic stuff) and a bottle of water.

Some high school events (softball, baseball, soccer, etc) have concession stands, some don't. I always go prepared with a small drink/snack box. Even if I leave it in the truck, I know it is there.

Most have already been posted...
pens, notepad, gaffer tape, garbage bags, sunscreen and insect repellent (if it's a wildlife photo trek)

Mike

[neil_r]

Rocket Blower & Toilet paper (India is a hard place to work)

[jdizzle]

My must haves are:

My filters: GNDs, CPLs, & NDs.
Microfiber cloths
Lens pens
Cable release
2 Benchmade knives in case anyone wants to mess with me. I'll take anyone down even if you have a pistol or rifle. :)

[RobertZ]

AR 15 rifle with 18, 30 round magazines, 4 packs of Quik-clot, Map & compass, Kabar knife, and a Level III ruck


Crap! Wrong forum!



Oh well!! lol

Extra large Domke bag with my IMI Model A Uzi and a few extra clips. The 70-200 2.8 attracts attention so I have to be prepared.

[neil_r]

There seem to be a few very frightened photographers on here

[FlyingPhotog]

There seem to be a few very frightened photographers on here

Ya Think? :lol:

[Photon Phil]

There seem to be a few very frightened photographers on here

With good reason, I mean after all we are on level orange or ..is it... teal...kind of a mauvey purple?... anyway it terrifies me (yeah right). Must mean it's effective.

No accessory kit is complete without a grey card and a fifth of white lightning.

IMHO

[RobertZ]

Not frightened. Just vigilant. I have a bayonet on my 70-200 just in case. :shock:

[Gipetto]

White cardboard and a rubber band to bounce flash with a spot of front fill.
Lens cloth.
Bean bag.

[jdizzle]

There seem to be a few very frightened photographers on here
Not afraid but, always aware. :cool:

[pgruiz123]

Adding a bayonet to your heavy artillery?

[onebikeonehorseone5D]

I have to have the Camera body.


JK. :-)

[Kuma]

There seem to be a few very frightened photographers on here

Its dangerous out there. :D

[sparksdjs]

Not frightened. Just vigilant. I have a bayonet on my 70-200 just in case. :shock:

I always wondered what was meant by a bayonet mount lens.

[Denny G]

Leatherman Wave.

38 SPL with snakeshot.

[alex66]

Usually a map of the transport system, I like to wander and drift around cities.
A notebook and pen
Painkillers
Cigarettes
Transport pass
Phrase book in other lands

[fireplug]

Buck Knife
Lens Cloth
Skoal

:)

[EcoRick]

Lenspens
Rocket Blower
Extra Batteries
Microfiber cloths

On longer trips:

Water Bottle (With water)
Energy Bar
Rain Cover

[Matt-l]

GND and ND filters, MF cloth, batteries, food. and TP

[fryefoto]

I have to have the Camera body.


JK. :-)

LOL! A friend of mine actually forgot his camera body once. He got to his destination with a bag full of lenses, etc. and no body. He came back with some great shots from a throw away camera. He was able to enlarge some up to 18 X 24!

My list:
Tripod(with head);)
Knee pads
Extension tubes
some of the above mentioned stuff:p

[MrsKitty]

Always in my camera bag:
Advil, Percogesic & Benedryl
Bandaids
Phenagren, Norco & Imitrex (I have 2-3 migraines a week so I always have drugs :( )
Spare pair of contacts & small mirror
Eyedrops in the single use vials
GermX
Kleenex
A couple pony tail holders
Coffee filters
Mens' handkerchief
Hand lotion, sunscreen (need more, just emptied tiny bottle), dental floss, lipbalm

On me:
G23 & Hydrashoks
A large half-serrated blade knife
Phone

[tgara]

Not frightened. Just vigilant.

Agreed. I always take a lenspen, MF cloths and some water. Depending on the location and length of the trip, I'll pack more personal items, including the Sig P226.

[wickerprints]

I'm curious about these lenspen things, they look kinda...well, bizarre. Do they really work as well as advertised? I'm kinda old skool, always thought the way to go was microfiber cloth and some cleaning fluid. Is it safe to use on rear elements, for example? I'd be worried about residual carbon dust depositing on the sensor.

[neil_r]

I'm curious about these lenspen things, they look kinda...well, bizarre. Do they really work as well as advertised? I'm kinda old skool, always thought the way to go was microfiber cloth and some cleaning fluid. Is it safe to use on rear elements, for example? I'd be worried about residual carbon dust depositing on the sensor.

If the lens pen wont shift it I guess the Sig will.

[tgara]

I'm curious about these lenspen things, they look kinda...well, bizarre. Do they really work as well as advertised? I'm kinda old skool, always thought the way to go was microfiber cloth and some cleaning fluid. Is it safe to use on rear elements, for example? I'd be worried about residual carbon dust depositing on the sensor.

Just to clarify, I use MF cloths on all the larger glass pieces that can be easily wiped... stuff like front and rear elements, filters, etc. I use the lenspen mainly for cleaning my viewfinder glass which occasionally gets smudges. I've found its the perfect size for getting in that small area. As for carbon deposits on the sensor, I don't think there is much chance of transfer of any residual carbon from a "lenspenned" rear element to the sensor. I certainly have never heard of this. Of course, lens pens designed for cleaning lenses should not be used to clean the sensor.... I believe they may make a specialized product for that purpose.

See this thread for some endorsements:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=513614

[freddobar]

Always in my camera bag:
Advil, Percogesic & Benedryl
Bandaids
Phenagren, Norco & Imitrex (I have 2-3 migraines a week so I always have drugs :( )
Spare pair of contacts & small mirror
Eyedrops in the single use vials
GermX
Kleenex
A couple pony tail holders
Coffee filters
Mens' handkerchief
Hand lotion, sunscreen (need more, just emptied tiny bottle), dental floss, lipbalm

On me:
G23 & Hydrashoks
A large half-serrated blade knife
Phone

So if photography's a no go you can always set up a traveling pharmacy ;)

Hope the coffee filters are for white balance and not coffee. Caffeine is a major culprit for migraines....

[wickerprints]

Just to clarify, I use MF cloths on all the larger glass pieces that can be easily wiped... stuff like front and rear elements, filters, etc. I use the lenspen mainly for cleaning my viewfinder glass which occasionally gets smudges. I've found its the perfect size for getting in that small area. As for carbon deposits on the sensor, I don't think there is much chance of transfer of any residual carbon from a "lenspenned" rear element to the sensor. I certainly have never heard of this. Of course, lens pens designed for cleaning lenses should not be used to clean the sensor.... I believe they may make a specialized product for that purpose.

See this thread for some endorsements:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=513614

ooooo, I've been looking for an easy way to clean the viewfinder. I don't know how it gets so dirty! :p

Guess I'm going to need an excuse to visit the local camera store. Bet it'll cost like $50 or something ridiculous like that.

On a tangent here.... Is it me, or are camera stores the only kind of retail outfits that seem to actively discourage people from shopping there? I find the customer experience to be among the worst. Unfriendly staff. Prices are never displayed (gee, I wonder why? Items are consistently overpriced by 10-50%.) Incredibly uninviting. I have more fun shopping at Target.

[MrsKitty]

So if photography's a no go you can always set up a traveling pharmacy ;)

Hope the coffee filters are for white balance and not coffee. Caffeine is a major culprit for migraines....

Yup, for white balance. And they will double as tissues in a pinch. :p

I have located very few triggers for me. I think it's allergies and I am allergic to almost everything known to man, especially perfumes. I wish I could tone these migraines down a few notches.

[fotoworx]

Some interesting replies

[fotoworx]

I keep a small pair of pruning shears in the car for those annoying branches and twigs that always seem to be in the way.

[RobertZ]

Agreed. I always take a lenspen, MF cloths and some water. Depending on the location and length of the trip, I'll pack more personal items, including the Sig P226.

Pick up a Domke "little bit bigger" and upgrade to the 556 Pistol! ;)

[antitera]

A box of a Jujyfruits and a marble rye.

[irispatch]

Yup, for white balance. And they will double as tissues in a pinch. :p

I have located very few triggers for me. I think it's allergies and I am allergic to almost everything known to man, especially perfumes. I wish I could tone these migraines down a few notches.

I used to get them figured out they were cycle related... once that stoped the migranes went too.

[JWright]

One of my "must have" accessories is a wife to carry the bag when I'm shooting...

[Jon]

One of my "must have" accessories is a wife to carry the bag when I'm shooting...
Heather's so going to get you for that crack!

[DANATTHEROCK]

Miniature flashlight. I do not see too well in the dark.

Yep, me too. I found a small lightweight headlamp, the Petzl e-lite, to work perfect for digging in my bag at night. Also for if I get out in the woods a bit and darkness falls. Not a bright headlamp, but it will keep you on the trail. Coolest thing, it fits in its own case which is about the size of a pack of smokes. Perfect for cramming in a backpack of photography gear. Bought mine on Campmor, but REI and Cabelas would sell them for sure.

[jdizzle]

I also have a tazer gun mounted on top the hot shoe of my camera. :);):p

[plasticmotif]

CPL, Microfiber cloths, Lens Pen, Rocketblower, spare batteries, small LED flashlight.

[Abyssgh0st]

12 Eneloop rechargable AAs, with charger
Camera rain covers
Poncho
Microfiber cloth

[NicolasRubio]

Aviation Band Scanner...

(Yeah, I know, I'm a niche photographer)

With a secret-service like earphone, so that private security guys don't bother me about something that is legal! Haha


A must have for me? Everything I own from Think Tank, a monopod (to buy list), a rain cover (on order), gloves (on order) and a folding stool (to buy list).

[d.j.j.a]

mp3 player =D

[Overread]

hmm a few things sneak their way into my bag out of the ordinary camera stuff;

Small torch - like others I don't relish getting stuck out in the dark and having to trek back - especailly if it starts raining. A small torch works wonders
Single LED torch on flexi arm - for macro stuffs it really helps when focusing (I havn't got the expensive twinflash sadly)
Waterproofs - a cheap set of tight backing top and bottoms though I have to say I really have to change this to a more expensive smallpacking set. They work well but are 100% not breathable so one can come out quite damp from wearing them on a long walk!
Poncho - this actually lives in the rear pocket of my camo jacket and is great for almost anything (really good though for something to throw over a camera and tripod if it starts raining
Waterproof bagcover - Lowepro covers work well till you put slipknot sidepockets on the bag -then you need a bigger cover.
Mobile phone - sometimes yes sometimes no - on the one hand it can help if you are out in the middle of knowhere, but chances are if you are there is never any darn reception ;)
Sticks, rose twine, scizzers, elastic bands - little stuff to help with shots every now and again

[DeaconG]

Microfiber cloths
Timer remote shutter release
Extra batteries
An extra front and rear lens cap for my Canon lenses (since I'm acquiring another Sigma lens, I better include those too!).

[111t]

AR 15 rifle with 18, 30 round magazines, 4 packs of Quik-clot, Map & compass, Kabar knife, and a Level III ruck


Crap! Wrong forum!



Oh well!! lol

Just want to be prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse!



Wut. suddenly feels a lot like zombie-squad up in this thread....

[jdizzle]

Wut. suddenly feels a lot like zombie-squad up in this thread....
Yup! Left 4 Dead FTW! ;)

[Lichtwerk]

Hey everyone, long time reader but first time poster. I was just too curious not to post this:

Doesn't anyone else consider a Hoodman Loupe as one of their must-have accessories?

Ever since I got it, it does not leave my bag. Ever. Then again I guess if you shoot at night, in caves, underwater or in clubs, you're not gonna need it that much ;)
Either way, I could never go without one anymore.

[Joe Ravenstein]

What I am surprised about is nobody mentioned a tripod, one soul brought up a monopod which has its uses. I carry two tripods, one is a tabletop version for an off camera flash and a "full sized" tripod. I might have missed their mention but multiple spare memory cards are always in my bag

[lannes]

sensor loupe

[Headshotzx]

Tripod for your main camera - for long exposures and experimenting, as well as for self portraits. I prefer carbon fiber because of the weight reduction I get from aluminum. Manfrotto 190CX3.

Ballhead, arca-swiss plate compatible, with tension adjustments - Read up about it all around the forum. I've got a Kirk BH-3.

Mini-tripod - I borrow a gorillapod SLR for my temporary / safe remote camera needs. Whenever things get dangerous, these things get kept first with the camera because while they're easy to set up, they're easy to knock over as well. I can't afford a whole magic-arm setup from manfrotto, so this will have to do.

Mini-tripod for compact camera - just because we all just gotta camwhore on our own with small cameras sometimes (:

Monopod - Helpful during sports shoots where the camera has to be supported for hours on end, ready at a moment's notice. I don't shoot with that heavy glass (70-200 + TC here) but with a 1D body, any support is helpful. Also useful to get overhead shots by lifting the camera up into the air with an ultra-wide. Not many people get that kinda shots.

Blower - self explanatory. Gets dust and junk off the sensor / lenses / filters and other parts.

Lenspen - to wipe off the fingerprints/palm-prints from careless fingers.

Extra memory cards & batteries - if you only need 16GB and one battery for a shoot, bring 32GB and maybe three batteries just in case something fails.

Card reader - unless shooting tethered, this is the only way I'd transfer images.

[111t]

Hey everyone, long time reader but first time poster. I was just too curious not to post this:

Doesn't anyone else consider a Hoodman Loupe as one of their must-have accessories?

Ever since I got it, it does not leave my bag. Ever. Then again I guess if you shoot at night, in caves, underwater or in clubs, you're not gonna need it that much ;)
Either way, I could never go without one anymore.

Oh yeah i have one of the older 20d sized floppy ones. Fan-friggin-tastic when you need it. It works ok on the larger screens as well.

[friz]

My dad used to carry models releases in a 4X5 format. I have yet to find these. I suppose I could have some printed. He filed them in long cardboard file boxes.

For me the typical. lens pen, MF cloth, flashlight, Reverse adapter, shutter release, I have a little c clamp with a ball socket and camera mount, also has a couple of legs tha can fold out an a big wood screw (Don't know if I would trust to hang the 5D2 and 24-70 on this).

[Jannie]

Microfiber cloth
Think Tank wallet completely filled with at least three times the number of CF cards as I think I'll need plus three 8G SDHC cards
Spare battery, even with the MKIII
Two 12mm extension tubes
1.4x Canon Tele extender if I'm taking the 100-400 zoom.
1 plastic case to hold a UV filter if I decide to remove it from one of the lenses.

[Wilt]

What I am surprised about is nobody mentioned a tripod, one soul brought up a monopod which has its uses. I carry two tripods, one is a tabletop version for an off camera flash and a "full sized" tripod. I might have missed their mention but multiple spare memory cards are always in my bag


It might be that a tripod is no more an 'accessory' than a lens is an 'accessory'...it is a 'necessity', even in the days of IS lenses...IS cannot permit you to grab a scene with 2 sec exposure, whereas the tripod does.

My accessories...
radio remote
small flashlight
lens hood
CPL
microfiber cloth
disposable poncho

[Sam|McGuire]

My accessories...
-Giottos Rocket Blower
-Tiffen lens papers
-AA batteries
-Gaffers Tape/Electrical Tape
-Sharpies/Pens
-Notepad
-Leatherman multi tool
-Garbage bags
-Credential holder clipped on the outside of my bag/on my belt loop

Optional equip that I carry depending on where/what I'm shooting...
-Mechanix Wear Tactical gloves (keep my hands warm when shooting in the winter)
-20 feet of rope (If I'm urban exploring I use this for hauling my bag up, I also carry 150ft of static line, harness, carabiners, ATC, ascender, prusiks, etc)
-Camelbak
-Flip Video camcorder.

[bbarnett51]

Tripod
lens pen
bug spray
Bird ID book
.45acp (I come across some shady ppl in some remote areas) I'm always packing;)

[SkedAddled]

Pepe LePew travels with me, always.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad207/Sked2/Miscellany/Crumpler/IMG_6997.jpg

[myjunk]

maybe I should consider bring along my Tazzy Devil then.

[painter4life05]

i bring a first aide kit (human not camera)
and sometimes a puppy

[babya]

A Gorillapod Original-a great little mini tripod (I can bend it to what I want it to be).

[Pita_146]

AR 15 rifle with 18, 30 round magazines, 4 packs of Quik-clot, Map & compass, Kabar knife, and a Level III ruck


Crap! Wrong forum!



Oh well!! lol

Spend too much time on the arfcom survival forum do you? ;)

[Jannie]

Think Tank Retrospective 10 bag.

[Trixster!]

Petzl Tibloc, Leatherman, swing arm pulley.

[mswobo]

i may not always bring the right stuff but my tripod is always there....