Camera Accessories: A Few Things to Note
1) Make a list of things to bring
This sounds a bit redundant, but I keep a list on my iPhone under Notes which has a checklist of what to pack on a trip. Not just camera gear. It’s a handy checklist so you don’t forget anything. Especially when you use different camera bags it’s easy to miss something.
2) Clean your gear
I always do a dust check on my lenses and sensor before I head out. If I can mount the lens at home on the body, I will do so as it’s much cleaner than in the field. I also use gaffer tape in many cases to tape over the drop in filter and where the lens mounts on the camera. This tape doesn’t leave residue when removed and really does a good job keeping dust out. When I get back home I usually use compressed air to remove dirt and dust from my gear before putting it back in the dry cabinet. When I travel I always have lens and sensor cleaning equipment with me. I really like the cleaning swabs from VSGO. Very easy to pack and get rid of all sticky dust quickly. A cheap air duster is also handy and I always pack Zeiss lens wipes.
3) Charge your batteries!
You wouldn’t be the first one to show up somewhere and find out you’re either low on battery power or it’s completely empty. So check batteries the night prior so you have time to charge them if needed. Also get a feel on how many photos you can shoot with one full battery. My mirrorless can shoot two full days worth of airshow on one charge so I don’t carry around a lot of batteries. Saves weight as well! When I come home I always remove the batteries from the camera body and store them separately. Also don’t forget batteries last a lot longer in warmer weather than when it’s cold. Turn the camera off when you’re not shooting to save power and don’t leave the LCD screen on. And one last, and I have done this, don’t forget to put your batteries in your camera before you go out…
4) Memory cards
You can go completely overboard here. I prefer medium sized storage cards over high storage. I find it a good habit to change cards a few times during the day. In case of a card error I only lose a certain amount of photos and not my entire day worth of shooting. Learned that the hard way! Empty your cards before you head out. If you quickly need to change it’s very annoying to change one full card for another one because you forgot to empty them. I usually store full cards in a waterproof case and I only format them once I know my photos are safely on the hard drive of my MacBook and my cloud. So until that is done I don’t delete anything. Make sure cards are clean before inserting them in the camera and don’t touch the contact points. Cards are easy to pack, so bring enough of them, you don’t want to miss out on something just because your cards are full. I also number all my cards so I can rotate using them. Don’t forget to pack your card reader when you travel!
5) Camera bags
I’ve owned at least a dozen bags over the years. Not because I like bags but because they all either failed at some point or they didn’t meet my needs anymore. They’re expensive though so try to plan ahead on your needs. Easier said than done. I currently use Think Tank only and absolutely love it. I have three of them, and all are for different needs.
My go to is the Airport Takeoff 2.0. It has the option to use it as a backpack and a normal trolley, making it very versatile. When I bring my full kit overseas it’s quite heavy, so having the option to use it as a luggage trolley is good at the airport. Downside is that with the wheels and the handle it adds weight so sticking it in the overhead bin can be challenging for people with a smaller frame. So bags are a personal choice. I have two regular backpacks as well for trips where I know hand carry is a problem on the plane of when I know I don’t have to carry my bag around too much. The Airport Commuter fits all the gear I can put in the
Takeoff 2.0 but looks a lot smaller than the trolley. The Shape Shifter 17 has an even smaller footprint but doesn’t have the firm outlining the Commuter has, so is more suitable when you travel with a small kit. It also has built in pouches for your gear so it’s easier to pack. I just like the Takeoff 2.0 backpack conversion option a lot, especially in uneven terrain or when it’s wet. Plus it fits all my gear nicely without having to compromise. Before you buy a bag just try it out at the shop and see if all your gears can fit. Bags last a long time so keep the expanding hobby in mind. Make sure your bag has some sort of rain cover and that’s its comfortable to wear. I’m a big fan of Think Tank bags due to how they wear and I love the quality. Not the cheapest in the market, but keeping your expensive gear safe comes at a cost.