5 Must-Have DSLR Accessories for Top-Quality Shots

Nowadays, having a DSLR has become a trend and the fact of the matter is it is one of the best ways that you can get top-quality shots. Even a cheap  DSLR can help you get beautiful shots if you are well aware of the basic photograph tricks. But, that doesn't mean buying a DSLR is enough.  A professional photograph understands the importance of accessories required for a perfect click.  

If you are new to this field or you're an experienced one, you must these DSLR accessories that can enhance your photography level to the fullest.  

1. UV Protection Filters 

 

One of the important things you should have on your bucket list is nothing but UV protection filters. A filter helps save your camera lens from any accidental damage. And the best part is that the filter helps a lot in providing utmost protection protects against dust, scratches on the front of the lens. Make sure you choose a good quality filter that will not affect the quality of the image.  

2. Consider Lens

There is no denying the fact that photographers love to click pictures of architectures and landscapes. While some work on wildlife or sports. That's the reason, the right camera lens is quite necessary to capture sharp and attractive photographs. However, there are many lenses available on the market, but choosing the right one as per your needs is not easy. If you are looking for top-quality shots, a prime lens could help you better. Otherwise, for daily shots, you can go with an 18-55 mm lens.  

3. Tripods

While taking photos in daylight or at the night, a tripod is something you must have as it helps to avoid shaky images and helps you capture the landscape. Needless to say, tripods help save your treasured night shots, hence, it is important for you to pick a good quality tripod that can save your DSLR equipment. Always keep in mind that while buying a tripod, place the camera on it and check whether it can handle the weight or not.  

 

4. Don't Forget Remote Shutter Release

Another important thing you must have as it helps to save camera shake. It has been observed that slow shutter speed can cause vibration which leads to blurred images. With the help of a remote shutter, you just need to tap the button and it will automatically trigger the shutter.  

5. Lens Cleaning Accessories

If your lens has dirt on it, then there are chances that you will get dusky images, regardless of shooting in daylight. Wiping off the lens with cloth might lead to scratches which you don't want even in your worst nightmare. That's the reasons, you should have lens cleaning accessories that can provide you with amazing cleaning like never before.

Important Things to Know About Gimbal for DSLR

In the current scenario of filmmaking, gimbals have become one of the hottest tools that cater to all your shooting needs perfectly. There is no arguing with the fact that everybody wants to get their hands on it as it helps DSLR owners to capture aesthetic images.  

Gimbal Upgrade Kit

In this post, we'll talk about some important things you should know about gimbal for DSLR.  

1. Good for Free Motion

Being lightweight and compact in design, gimbals allow operators to take their camera anywhere virtually or through anything. And the best part is, they will still get a good and smooth shot.  

2. Range of Motions

It has been observed that setting up a shot takes time and especially when each requires different camera different movement tools. And this is where gimbals come in. They allow the user to get similar shots in less time. Gimbals are good for those who don't have much space and time set up all extra gears.  

3. Gimbals aren't Replacements

Some people have a misconception that gimbals can do everything. There are some other sliders, dollies, and jibs that are still used in the cinematic industry. Make sure you don't be quick selling all your gears once you've got that smart gimbal.  

4. You become a  Story Teller 

Once you got a new gimbal, you may use it to capture all your amazing shots that you always wanted to do. Because you are shooting with a gimbal, your shots will tell a story and they will get motivated with the time.  

5. Invert your Gimbal

Because of the way gimbals are designed, it is important for you to know the correct method of using it. The natural position to hold a gimbal is near the waist or you can hold it near the chest too but with the gimbal situated below the handles. If you are not inverting the position of your gimbal, then you are not really choosy about your shots.  

6. Consider Balancing

Improper balancing your gimbal can lead to consequences. According to experts, there are some camera operators that can use a gimbal without knowing that it can overwork its motor, which results in battery drainage.  

7. Time and Energy Saver

Nothing could be as easy as shooting with the gimbal. Hence, it's important for you to rest up and don't you carry it if you don't even want to.

How to Become a Good Follow Focus Puller

Are you facing difficulties using follow focus? Well, you're not alone. There are lots of people facing troubles as the act is easy but the mental pressure is quite huge. if you're a novice or an experienced, becoming a skilled expert requires much labor.

There is no denying the fact that a follow focus system is important because DSLR cameras don't have auto-focus capabilities. Now, the question arises, why do you need a follow focus system. Here's the complete guide.  

Why Do you Need a Follow Focus for your DSLR   

In simpler terms, the aspects of focus are quite complex and delicate. While filming, using your hands to make adjustments can be a perilous task to do and it can even lead to decrease the video production value of your video. And the reason behind is that because these cameras are lightweight and they wouldn't manage your subtle movements. This would ultimately result in the jumpy footage. 

These complications may be avoided when you are filming for a little audience as they are more of forgiving such technical errors. Talking about the scenario, if you are making videos of longer length, commercials or any other films, it is important for you to use a  follow focus DSLR to make sure that each shot should be crisp as possible. Attaining a follow focus puller helps you to achieve the best possible results you've always wished for.  

Steps to Become a Good Follow Focus Puller  

Following are the steps you can follow to become a good follow focus puller.  

1. Predict Distances

 

One of the easiest ways to become a better focus puller is to become accurate at guessing distances. Or in other words, you can say that you should become a human measuring tape. Make sure you start doing it by going into a room with a measuring device and sit in the corner. Take an object and note down the best guess for its distance and then write an estimation from where you were sitting. 
Once you've become good at this, you can choose an object and move on with the process of guessing and checking with an in-depth calculator. 

2. Start Paying Attention to the Public 

Make sure you go out to a public place like a park, a mall, and start paying attention to how people act around certain spaces. In addition, it is important for You to visit a variety of atmospheres where people will act differently. Talking about the settings, there are a plethora of settings like restaurants.  

3. Pretend the Motions 

To do this, just sit in a room and act like you are holding a follow focus DSLR. After that, look at the doorway and assume a character is walking in and sitting down in the room. Make sure you adjust follow focus if necessary. Furthermore, it emphasizes the motion of focus pulling and will get your mind to the direction in which you must pull to go a certain way.

Get the Best Out Of DSLR Manual Focusing

For a nascent photographer, its become impossible to taste the full potential of hi-tech DSLR camera. They have to play around with its different setting to get a basic idea of generating optimum images. Furthermore, when they switch to manual focusing, their objective of snapping crisp images get shattered.

The autofocus is standard setting developed and encoded by the company to cater various focusing conditions. The autofocus offers an advantage of eliminating the need the tedious manual focusing. You target the subject and it automatically focuses on it give you clear image without any hectic interference in the camera setting.

Then why do you need manual focus?

The reasons are many and a first and the foremost factor which provoked the need of manual focus is “macro” shots. While executing macro shots, the depth of field DOF become so shallow most of the time. Its leads to focus peaking condition in which camera was not able to focus on one object. The focus point becomes distracted and photographers end up with getting sub-par image output. The autofocus works like a hell in this situation most of the time.

Another condition is focusing on a subject in a crowd of similar objects. The modern day DSLRs are equipped cutting-edge lenses but the algorithm part is somewhat not well synchronized enough to snaps that intelligent shot. Most of the time camera find it hard to identify the target subjects like blades of grass.

In case of landscape shooting, the autofocus lead to generates a blurry image with focus render on the wrong object. To get the crisp output you have to deal manual setting in which you to alter the key factor like aperture, ISO, white balance, and manual focus peaking to get the perfect shots.

In the low light scenario, autofocus is not able to deliver the good images. However, in this case, camera aperture can play the huge role. Higher the aperture, brighter the shots. Meanwhile, in the low aperture situation, switch to manual mode, crank up the ISO little bit, focus until object becomes sharp and click the photo. Done!

Moreover, if you want a subtle focus transition during the filmmaking than you can opt the wireless follow focus system as an optional accessory. This product has raised the bar of traditional filmmaking practices. This product offers a diverse range of focus transition with is belt drive and gear assembly units. All this hardware is assisted by the wireless trigger which used the control the focus speed. Moreover, you can also alter transition speed with respect to the pressure sensitive wireless trigger.

Steps to get subtle manual focus

1.On the lens side, switch from auto mode to manual mode.
2.Precisely turn the focus ring until the target subject sharpens.
3.For the close-up shot, zoom towards the object and switch the camera to viewfinder mode.
4.Focuses until the subject become absolutely sharp
5.Tap the click button

What DSLR Accessories Do You Need for Shooting Quality Video?

 Bought a new DSLR? It’s the first step you take in your video journey. Well, shooting video with a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera can produce some amazing results. But don’t forget superior quality video does not shoot on its own. 

Even achieving brilliant results using a DSLR does not seem as simple as pressing a ‘record’ button. There are some vital things that play an essential role when it comes to learning the art of manually focusing on the subjects you intend to use (like professional videographers).

However, there are some issues that you need to take care of, such as audio recording and stabilization, if you want to make your production shine well. I’ll tell you what the beauty of investing in a DSLR is. These mirrorless cameras can be used straight out of the box. It’s time you penetrate into the world of DSLR video accessories so that they can help you tackle your power and take great shots.

These accessories lenses, tripods, filters and a host of other accessories that are truly a must have.

Here are some essential DSLR accessories you need to shoot highest quality video:

High-Quality Camera Lenses

Bought your DSLR camera body, or a mirrorless camera? What are you thinking of? Which video accessory will you spend your dollars on? If you’re a first timer, it’s important for you to keep in mind that buying a lens (the first main accessory) is what you should do.

Well, depending on your need you can consider buying two or three.

A camera body is of no use without a lens. It cannot do anything useful. If there’s no lens, he camera body seems more like a sensor and recorder. The lens is that imperative video accessory that creates the image.

There are two main types of lens that you should know about for DSLR camera body, including:

Zoom lenses

Prime lenses

It goes without saying that you want some good glass if you’re really looking to the top-notch quality video out of your DSLR. Basically, faster lenses are the ones that allow you to shoot clean as well as clear video in lower light conditions. The kind of lens you need largely depends on your subject matter.

Neutral Density Filter

Shutter speed can take a tricky turn when it comes to shooting motion. And it’s true that you’re restricted on the slow end by the frame rate at which you are shooting. And just when your shutter speed gets extremely fast, the footage starts looking shaky. You won’t appreciate the unnatural look that it gives, will you? Keeping this in mind, using a neutral density filter will be the best bet.

Does a neutral density filter (one of the most important DSLR video accessories) serve the same purpose as it’d in a still photography scenario? Absolutely! It allows you to use a broad aperture in bright situations. 

However, it also lets you slow down the speed of your shutter under correspondingly bright lights just to keep things looking smooth. This device, also called ND filter, helps one produce fluid motion shots. It allows users to acquire a shallow depth of field without having to use a high shutter speed. 

Looking for the best ND filter? 

Then you must determine what kind of scene you’re shooting. Even choosing the lighting condition is also crucial for shooting right. For example, you may consider the idea of using a 3-stop filter under very bright sunlight.

Image Credit: photovideo.com

Tripods

When it comes to high quality video, a tripod plays a very crucial role. You cannot overlook this accessory if you want to record great videos. The purpose of a tripod is to hold the camera still for the prevention of shakes. These shakes can easily cause damage to a video.

Look for a tripod that’s not only light but stable as well. Even you must stress on buying a lightweight tripod so that you can move it without hassles.

Not planning to record several motion shots?

If that’s the case, get a tripod that comes equipped with a panning head for extra versatility. You must emphasize on getting a sturdy set of sticks. Stability and portability of tripods must be your top priorities.

If you’re looking to some serious work, then a dolly, which is basically a triangular frame with castor-type wheels affixed on the bottom of the tripod makes it convenient for moving the DSLR laterally on smooth surfaces. That way one gets greater shooting flexibility.

Well, investing in other kinds of gear is extremely important, but what will costly lenses as well as filters do if you’re missing the basics? 

Image Credit: cloudfront.net

Screen Loupe

The screen on a DSLR or mirrorless camera is small. Moreover, it doesn’t always display the required details needed by videographers when shooting videos. Using a screen loupe will work to your advantage immensely. It will help you enlarge the image on the screen of their camera for a great look at what they’re recording. 

Is that all it can do? It can even minimize glare on the display when one’s shooting under bright sunlight. There are some users who give importance to shooting videos by holding the camera up to their eyes. They can do this by purchasing a loupe with an eyepiece.

Shooting in the sunlight? Glare can cause a big problem, but don’t you fret? A loop will take care of that for you. Over and above, a loop with an eye-piece allows you to shoot with the camera held-up to the eye, just like you’d with a still camera. Many shooters find this convenient. You never know they may find this a bit calming.

Image Credit: bhphotovideo.com

Shoulder Rig

A shoulder rig is one of the most important DSLR video accessories for advanced shooters. You cannot always keep your DSLR on a tripod and a full-fledged Steadicam often seems exaggerated. 

Using a shoulder rig will serve its purpose as it cam come in extremely handy. It provides stability and also gives the camera a way to rest on one’s shoulder. These accessories can give you more options for attaching devices like mixers and microphones.

Final Words

With some rapid advancements made in technology, DSLR video is getting better and better. 

And this showed the right path to many photographers to embark on their journey leading to the world of videography. They don’t even think twice when it comes to becoming a part-time videographer. Using the best DSLR accessories for shooting high quality video will be the most feasible decision you’ll make.