People always ask for advice about lenses, strobes, and camera bodies but almost immediately say "I don't have much money to spend." That is completely understandable: photography is an expensive hobby and an even more expensive career.
So, how about a less expensive topic? What is your favorite camera accessory under $50, and why?
I'll cheat, since I'm the one who started this discussion. I have two accessories, both for lighting, that make life fantastic.
The first is the Flashpoint Clamp with pivoting ballhead. I love this clamp because sometimes toting around lightstands or even setting them up is too complicated, especially in cramped or busy locations. With this clamp, I can just throw up a strobe with Pocket Wizard and I'm ready to go in less than a minute. Costs $10. http://www.adorama.com/LTCC.html
My second favorite accessory is the Pocket Wizard Caddy. Not everyone has Pocket Wizards, but for those that do these are great accessories. I used to just strap them to my strobes with rubber bands, but those rubber bands would get old, decay, and break. Once I dropped a Pocket Wizard from the second floor of a basketball coliseum because the rubber band broke. These caddies are perfect for securing them. Costs just $15. http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=PW%20Caddy
easy! my favorite thing is my remote control shutter release. i think it was around $29 and lets me take some fun shots using myself in the image. i love it!
It may sound silly to most, but the most used accessory in my bag is my multi-memory card reader. My dslr has two different card mediums and my lap top has no card reader so the $20 investment was money well spent. So by far my card reader which goes in the bag with me and can be used on any computer where I am.
Not that it was asked, but my gorillaz tripod is my LEAST favorite thing that I have purchased or been gifted.
Definitely my memory card. Hehe. Just kidding. I got my extension tubes for $72, which is pretty close to $50. I also got my cheapo fisheye on eBay for $25!
@brumbe I agree with Paula that it’s my card reader. I use it all of the time. I also invested in a small camera bag that holds an extra lens for when I don’t want to drag my bigger gadget bag.
hands down- shutter release! Best inexpensive investment for my camera. Perfect for selfies, family shots, and those photos that require absolutely no camera movement. I do however like my macro light ring- also around US $35 on Amazon.
@otprofsp I was unaware that they made this... Thank you for sharing, I will definitely have to look into getting one of these. My kids are always telling me my flash is too bright!
generic duct tape. it only lasts sticky wise for a couple hours, making it a lot like gaffers tape, but much cheaper. also the youngnuo RF-602 flash triggers. they are cheap, so i don't feel bad when i break them (haven't yet somehow) and for the short distances they work well. not near as good as pocket wizards, but cost wise, they work.
I'm really surprised about the shutter release responses. Actually, I guess it's only cause I'm spoiled. I use my Pocket Wizards with a pre-shutter release cable to trigger my cameras remotely now.
@jasonbarnette the pocket wizards are awesome, but i have destroyed 3, so i opted to switch to cheap models, and the 602 you can get a $5 cable to trigger. i loved them when i had them though. i started with quantum remotes and then went to pocket wizards, then went to generics due to pocket book.
I would have to agree with the reverse macro ring($13 incl shipping from amazon), but now am going to look into a remote shutter release:) thanks all!!
I didn't know that reverse macro rings were good, or even that cheap! I just bought a set of kenko extension tubes, feeling a bit of buyers remorse over here.. Am sure I'll love them when they arrive, though :)
I'm going to go against the grain and say a water spray bottle is my favourite cheap accessory; for making those dewy nature photos when the dew isn't supplied naturally :)
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The first is the Flashpoint Clamp with pivoting ballhead. I love this clamp because sometimes toting around lightstands or even setting them up is too complicated, especially in cramped or busy locations. With this clamp, I can just throw up a strobe with Pocket Wizard and I'm ready to go in less than a minute. Costs $10. http://www.adorama.com/LTCC.html
My second favorite accessory is the Pocket Wizard Caddy. Not everyone has Pocket Wizards, but for those that do these are great accessories. I used to just strap them to my strobes with rubber bands, but those rubber bands would get old, decay, and break. Once I dropped a Pocket Wizard from the second floor of a basketball coliseum because the rubber band broke. These caddies are perfect for securing them. Costs just $15. http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=PW%20Caddy
Not that it was asked, but my gorillaz tripod is my LEAST favorite thing that I have purchased or been gifted.
http://www.amazon.com/Professor-Lightscoop-Standard-Universal-American/dp/B0017LNHY2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301875484&sr=8-1
Also my Nikon SC-17 flash cable. It allowed for an easy TTL off camera flash without the delay of Nikon CLS. Great for macro work for just $30.
Second would be the lightscoop and I'd like to get a shutter release remote some time.
I'm going to go against the grain and say a water spray bottle is my favourite cheap accessory; for making those dewy nature photos when the dew isn't supplied naturally :)