Canon Digital Camera Accessories
Canon digital camera accessories are normally included when you buy a new Canon digital camera. These may include rechargeable batteries, a charger and a small starter memory card. However, you need to consider whether there are other camera accessories that you want to have, how often you will use them and how much camera equipment are you willing to carry with you. In short, some Canon camera accessories are vital and some you may hardly ever use. It's really up to the individual photographer.
Battery Charger/ AC Adaptor
If you don't have one, get a battery charger. It will save you money in the long run. Your digital camera may have come with an AC adaptor which allows you to charge the batteries while in the camera. The obvious disadvantage with this is that you can't use the camera while they are charging, so I would recommend having an independent battery charger to avoid this. Of course, if you only plan to use your camera for short runs, an AC adaptor may be all you will ever need.
Digital Camera Rechargeable Batteries
Your digital camera will drain its batteries quite quickly, so keep an eye on your power meter, if you have one. It is always a good idea to have a spare set of batteries with you, just in case. Quality varies, so buy the best you can afford. Rechargeable batteries will not last forever. You can probably recharge them about 200 times, so don't recharge them when you have only used a small part of their power.
Digital Camera Memory Card
Cameras usually come with a small memory card, 16 or 32MB. It is advisable to have a spare one, probably something larger. How large, depends on the number of photos you are planning to take and the number of megapixels resolution of your equipment. As with digital camera batteries, buy the best quality you can afford.
Digital Camera Filters
Filters cannot generally be put onto digital cameras although some will take an adaptor for their attachment. A filter you may want to use is a polariser which eliminates the glare given off by shiny objects and water. Many interesting results can be achieved with a little experimentation. It is possible, however, to achieve many effects accomplished by filters by editing your photographs after you’ve downloaded them to your computer.
External Flash
Digital cameras are fitted with a flash, but the area covered by the flash is limited. Some are able to automatically adjust according to focal length. Some have twin flashes to cope with telephoto shots or wide-angles. In order to light indoor shots properly, you need an external flash. This type of flash can be hand held or mounted on the top of the camera, if it has this facility.
Digital Camera Tripods
For shutter speeds of less than 1/60 seconds, you may need a tripod. Some cameras come with a 'camera shake', warning, (indicated by a lightning sign), which indicates that the light levels are low at a given shutter speed. In this situation, move to a brighter area, use a flash or use your tripod.
For macro photography I would recommend always using a tripod since any small movement will be amplified. Night-work also calls for one and a timer or remote (if available) is very useful.
For outdoor work, make sure your tripod is solid and sturdy. Tripods are available in numerous sizes from very large to the small table-top models.
Lens Cleaning Kit
If you've spent any amount of money on your digital camera equipment you will want to look after it. A cleaning kit is essential to ensure that your digital camera performs at its best. Be sure to follow the cleaning instructions carefully to avoid damaging your camera. These kits usually include a soft brush, a cloth and some cleaning fluid. Use of the wrong kind of cloth can easily damage your equipment. Be careful not to rub aggressively and remember that lenses scratch easily.
Canon Digital Camera Case and Bag
Protect your digital camera and camera accessories with a digital camera case or bag. You have invested a not insignificant amount of money in your digital camera equipment, which is easily damaged if not properly protected. You should at least buy a camera case and if you travel with your equipment, then a camera bag may also be required. There are camera bags available that will accommodate all of your camera equipment, ensuring that you have everything you need in one place every time you go on a shoot.
This list is far from complete, but it does describe the basic Canon digital camera accessories you may come across, although the first thing to do with any new digital camera is to get to know it. Work out what it can do and what it's good at before you accessorise. The extensive selection of adjustments and effects that can be achieved by using your computer and photo editing software may well be all you need.
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