You may have snagged the best of cameras to upgrade your click quotient, but do you have the right accessories to turn it into a deadly shooting machine? While essential and incidental add-ons are easily available and span a wallet-friendly range, what is important is that these be compatible with your camera. Here are some of them.
LENS
If you're frustrated about not being able to capture that sweeping landscape on film, just buy a wide-angle lens, which is good for shooting panoramas. But if you're inclined to click portraits, buy a telephoto lens. Opt for a super-telephoto one (more than 135 mm) if you're a wildlife enthusiast and want to stare into the eyes of a lion from a safe distance. You will also need to buy a lens adaptor ring.
Starting price: Rs 3,500
CARRY ALONGS
Even the best camera can fail if your hand shakes. But don't worry yourself breathless over it. Just use a tripod stand and breathe easy. If you plan to hit a beach and scuba dive, you'll need a water casing for the camera. To carry all your gear, a sturdy bag is a good idea, so buy one with big pockets.
Starting price: Rs 400 (carry bag), Rs 5,000 (water casing), Rs 1,190 (tripod)
FILTER
The right filter can convert your snapshot to a snazzy shot. If you want to avoid the harsh glare of sunlight, pick up a natural density filter. A polarising one will get rid of unwanted reflection off water and glass. For a dreamy effect, pick up a soft-focus filter that subtly diffuses portraits, but if you want to enhance your images, buy a cross filter.
Starting price: Rs 990
FLASH
Are your eyes bleary from trying to figure out who's who in the dark picture? You can either stop clicking at night or carry a powerful flash. Nearly all cameras have a flash, but you might need an extra one. Check the flash's shooting range: how much it can tilt and rotate, and the types of modes, such as the auto aperture flash or a repeating one.
Starting price: Rs 1,500
PRINTER
There are enough printers in the market that will give you a photo print as good (if not better) as your neighbourhood studio. A basic one will give you a 4-inch by 6-inch snap. If you want bigger prints, be prepared to shell out more for a high-end machine.
Starting price: Rs 5,700
BATTERY
One of the most important accessories for a camera is its battery. Cameras mostly come with two types of batteries: rechargeable lithium-ion or the Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH). It's always safe to carry extra batteries if you're travelling to the back of beyond and aren't too sure if you will have the facility or the electricity to charge them.
Starting price: Rs 1,990 (Li-ion rechargeable battery), Rs 600 (2 AA NiMH batteries with charger)
STORAGE
If you're the shutter-happy type, you'll need a memory card with a high storage capacity or will have to carry extra ones. Memory cards are cheap, light and come with enough storage to let you click on and on and on and...
Starting price: Rs 300 (2 GB SD card)
DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME
Flipping through an album is passé. Simply load your pictures to a digital photo frame and let the slide show begin. Some intelligent frames even remove red eye reduction and improve the picture.
Price: Rs 4,500 (7-inch LCD screen)
