ACCESSORIES GUIDE

TRIPODS

For pin-sharp photos and taking long exposure shots, a tripod is essential. There are two types: aluminium and carbon fibre. Aluminium is cheaper but it’s also heavier, however this weight can also help to make the tripod more stable. 

Carbon fibre tripods are more expensive, but if you plan on taking your tripod out with you fairly frequently, you’ll be grateful for the reduced weight.

If you ever wondered why you should spend on a tripod, then read our informative article on 7 shots you’ll only get with a tripod. This exclusive Jessop’s guide shows how you to get the kinds of shots professionals take!

Very soon, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without a tripod. 

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CAMERA BAGS

Next on our list has to be a camera bag. Unless you’re shooting everything at home, you’re going to need one of these, and possibly even two. They come in many different styles and sizes, and the one you go for will depend on how much gear you’re planning on carrying around with you. 

Size is everything here – too small and your gear won’t fit; too big and your camera won’t be supported properly. By far the best way to decide is to pop into a store with your camera and see which fits best.

Camera bags do more than just carry your equipment; they also protect your kit while you’re travelling around, thanks to dedicated and convenient foam partitions. Some bags also allow fast access to your camera or lens so you won’t miss that priceless moment. 

Depending on your needs, protect your heavy camera, lenses and accessories with a backpack. If you’re travelling light, a shoulder bag enables you to access your kit quickly and conveniently without the extra bulk. 

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EXTRA BATTERIES

Backup batteries are essential, even if you’re taking all your shots indoors. There’s nothing worse than running out of juice just when you go to take your best shot of the day. 

If you have a DSLR and use Live View a lot, or if you have a mirrorless camera, you won’t need reminding how important backup batteries are – given the chance, both will quickly drain your power reserves. Just as with your smartphone, as batteries age their performance levels fade, so keep an eye on how old yours are.

Other than the practical reasons for carrying extra batteries, there are creative reasons too. If you’re packing plenty of power you won’t have to compromise and risk missing that killer shot. It also means you can take more risks when the moment presents itself.

Shoot more without having to worry about conserving power. 

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MEMORY CARDS

Whether you shoot to SD cards, Compact Flash or Sony’s super-fast XQD format, you’re going to want a backup card for when your main card gets full. 

The larger your sensor size, the bigger the files you’re going to be dealing with. With full-frame cameras that means files can easily reach 50Mb and more (particularly if you’re photographing in RAW) and if you’re shooting video rather than photos then you’ll be measuring your file sizes in terms of gigabytes. 

In this digital age, memory cards can hold many, many images. But there will always come a time when you need more storage space on the go.

Be careful never to remove a memory card while your camera is accessing it – it’s the surest way to cause damage. You also want to make sure you look after your memory cards, especially when you’re out and about. Unless your card is in the camera, it should be in a case.

As any professional will tell you, it’s best practice to always carry spare memory cards with you for those ‘just in case’ moments. 

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