The equipment you carry with you as a photographer is vital to the result of your photo shoot. There are many different aspects to photography and as a result there are numerous pieces of equipment you could use. Below are some pieces of equipment to consider keeping in your camera kit:

Camera Bag

It is important to have a sturdy, durable bag for all of your camera equipment to avoid damage from bumps or water. A good quality camera bag will have padding within the lining and many straps for security. Get a big enough bag to fit all of your equipment in for ease, especially if you travel with your camera a lot.

Camera

Of course, you need to have the camera itself within the bag. Some photographers carry more than one camera in order to have a backup in case of accidents or technical difficulties, or to have a different lens mounted onto each camera body.

Lenses

Carrying a variety of different lenses can be useful for those who don’t have specific shot in mind or like to have the freedom to have different options. For example, it could be a good idea to have both a prime and zoom lens in your camera kit to have the option to shoot with either.

Lens & Body Caps

To keep your lenses scratch and dust free, don’t forget to use lens caps on your lenses whenever you aren’t actively shooting. Similarly, if you choose to remove a lens on one of your camera bodies, you should always put a body cap on the hole left by the lens in order to keep dust out.

Lens Hoods

If you are shooting on a particularly bright, sunny day, you could have the issue of lens flares from the sun creeping in to the corners of your photographs. You can avoid this by using a lens hood attachment on your lens. Some lenses come with these, however some you will need to purchase separately.

Memory Cards

Most cameras don’t store images on their own memory; you need to purchase memory cards which are inserted into the camera and that is where all of your images get stored. It is important to have at least one spare in your kit at all times in case of technical issues.

Speed Lights

Having a speed light in your camera kit is a must as it can assist you when shooting in low-light conditions or in order to improve the light being provided as most speed lights are directional.

Filters

Having a variety of lens filters in your equipment could prove very useful. You can get a wide range of filters to create different effects such as macro filters, coloured filters or polarizing filters.

Dust Cleaner

These come in many different shapes and sizes, but the concept is that they can blow dust out of the camera body, the lens or the sensor if need be. A tell-tale sign that you need to use your duster is if you get tiny white specs on your images – this is dust.

Lens Cleaning Fluid & Cloths

You can get cleaning fluid specifically made for cleaning camera lenses. It is important you use this and not just any old cleaning product as it could permanently damage your equipment. Also make sure you use proper lens cloths to avoid damage such as scratches.

Batteries

The camera body needs a battery in order to work, so it is vital not to forget to pack them in your camera kit. Always carry a spare along with the charger in case you end up shooting more than you expected, and thus need more than one battery life.

Some flashes will need external batteries in order to work. In this case make sure you take plenty of spares in your kit.

Cable Release

If you want to shoot with a slow shutter speed, it is useful to have a cable release in your kit. It acts as a remote control which releases the shutter without anyone touching the camera itself which could cause movement.

Tripod

A tripod can assist you in many different scenarios, so it is important to have a tripod in your camera kit. They can assist in holding the camera so you don’t have to. They can also achieve some angles which could be difficult for a photographer to.

Grey Card

A grey card is primarily used in order to achieve a correct white balance in your images.

Gaffa Tape

This may seem random, but it can incredibly useful to have this in your bag. For example, you can tape a filter onto the front of your lens or create a reflector.

Camera Handbook

You may be familiar with the setting on your camera you use regularly, however imagine if you got an error message appear on your display. If you have the handbook in your camera bag you have more chance of being able to correct the problem.

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