POLL - Accessores you can't live without

[Damien_Demolder]

The legitimacy of the saying may be challenged by the fact that it is always small people, and people who impart insignificant gifts, who declare that the best things come in small packages, but AP technical editor Angela Nicholson knows just how much truth there is behind that age-old wisdom. When we discussed the idea of putting an accessories supplement together we weren’t sure how many really genuinely useful items we’d be able to root out between us. As soon as we started writing down our favourites, however, the list grew until we had well over 100.

Of course, it is cameras and lenses that record photographs, and imagination and determination that make them interesting, but accessories make life easier, opening doors that would otherwise remain closed and making convenient activities that would otherwise take too long. There aren’t many accessories that do a job you couldn’t do yourself, but why spend hours levelling a camera by eye, working out where the sun will rise or merging two exposures in the darkroom or in software when you can do it all in seconds with a single device?
Can an accessory really change your life? I think so. And often the small ones really are the best.

Go to the home page to take part in this week's poll Is there an accessory you can't live without?

Thanks for playing - and see this week's issue of Amateur Photographer magazine (dated 4 July - on sale Tuesday 30 June) for our '100 accessories to change your life supplement'.

damien

[bench_ubbster]

I'm sorry, but for me it's a no. All I need is my trusty Ricoh GR1s, I couldn't live without that! Everything else I can make do without.

However, since entering the digital age, things have become a bit more complicated. If I was just to use the digibox I would want to take ND grad filter at least, but I do seem to take more gizmos with me now than just the GR1

[john_g]

There are accessories that I'd have to replace if I ever lost them - my tripod, the reflector I use for outdoor portraits and, even though not strictly photographic, the props I ferret out for shoots - but, really, I could carry on photographing without them. So I suspect my answer has to be no?

p.s. Just thought of another recent addition to the list - I've had some cards printed by Moo to hand out when I attend group shoots. They look good and save a lot of faffing around.

[GeoffR]

Are spare batteries accessories? If so you can add those, I never leave home without a spare EN-EL4a if I am taking a camera. Other than that a circular polariser.

[Benchista]

AP.

[chris000]

1. One of those little spirit level thingies, especially with the X-Pan

2. A 1/25000 scale Ordnance Survey map of whatever area of Britain that I'm in

[Nod]

Nothing that I really can't live without. I could even live without a "proper" camera, although something for snaps would be nice! The one thing that I do find very useful on occasion is the manual. There are times when a tripod would be handy but I've usually managed to work around that using walls, clothes etc, likewise lens hoods - a well placed hand or hat can work wonders at reducing flare.

[Fen]

AP.

Creep

[Terrywoodenpic]

Lens hood
protection filter (essential on a 17-55 f2.8 IS, to stop dust being sucked into the lens)
Camera bag
heavy Tripod
Nodal Ninja pan head (lives on the tripod most of the time)
wireless Remote release
Flash guns and stands.
Dust blower
spare batteries and cards.

+ suitable software.

Those are all things I use virtually every day.
However I have stopped buying things I don't use.

The Listed things things are only essential in that they allow me to take the shots I need to take.

[nspur]

My accessory is a sense of humour otherwise how could I go on taking photos when I screw up the shot of a lifetime which has of course happened more than once. Other than that perhaps the best one is the Delete button.

[Zou]

The closest thing to essential I can think of is a tripod. But as I use it for maybe 15/20% of my shots I can hardly call it an essential accessory.

Does film count as an accessory?

[Bawbee]

Bean-Bag for me, so very handy when there's just no room/time to set up a tripod.

[RogerMac]

Does a Swiss army knife count as a photographic accessory? If so that's my choice, if not I will chose a spare, charged, battery.

Roger

[alanS]

Card reader.
Rocket blower, lens pen and cleaning kit.
Benbo tripod.
A few bags.
Spare CF cards and USB pen.
Close up filters.
Does software count? RSE and CS2.
I have some grads and a pol filter but they don't see much use.

[Still_Togging_Along]

I would say a shoulder strap using QD connectors employing a spring-loaded ball, plus a wrist strap that is the 'correct size' so that it can also be used to steady the camera.



Sorry for the dire image, exhibiting all that you don't want from a decent picture!

[Fire_Monkey]

I suppose I could say Camera, but as its accessores for your camera I'd say No, at the moment. That is, I need norhing until I find myself unable to take a shot or restricted in how I take the shot because of the lack of something. Then I will need that item!

So, No for now, and yes probably soon!

[daft_biker]

Food and drink are essential accesories for me if I'm going any further than round the block. Spare batteries for the camera? Nah, spare batteries for me first

Good feature though...lots of gadgets I fancy and plenty that would make good pressies too

[Dave_Cox]

A polarising filter is the one thing (apart from spare batteries!) that's always in my bag.

[sey]

Besides the camera, lens and film, good, comfortable walking shoes. I keep it simple and to a minimum.

[Zanuha]

first aid kit.