Most useful photographic accessory

[Ron789]

When shooting outdoors, to remove objects that obstruct the view:
1. A chain saw - to remove trees
2. Dynamite - to remove buildings
3. Kalasjnikov - no need to explain

 

[AnselMortensen]

Someone to schlep all the gear.

 

[mshchem]

When shooting outdoors, to remove objects that obstruct the view:
1. A chain saw - to remove trees
2. Dynamite - to remove buildings
3. Kalasjnikov - no need to explain

#4 + #5 defensive and offensive drones

 

[Disconnekt]

Recently for me, a small pepper spray.

 

[wiltw]

When shooting outdoors, to remove objects that obstruct the view:
1. A chain saw - to remove trees
2. Dynamite - to remove buildings
3. Kalasjnikov - no need to explain

A way to avoid what some consider excessive editing!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Someone to schlep all the gear.

and someone to calm her down when you buy more

 

[snusmumriken]

Recently for me, a small pepper spray.

Sounds like there may be an interesting story there?

 

[loccdor]

Love my new vest full of pockets. People down south on my trip there all thought I was going fishing.

 

[chuckroast]

Sounds like there may be an interesting story there?

I grew up in grizzly bear country. The most important thing to know is that you do not have to be the fastest runner, only the second slowest ...

 

[chuckroast]

The "flashing" used around plumbing pipes to absorb condensation. I use the appropriate diameter and cut to length to fit my various metal tripod legs. This provides a comfortable grip when carrying the tripod and insulates you from cold metal legs in the winter. Cheapest/best hack I ever figured out.

Honourable mention goes to buying old used camera bags and backpacks. These can be had dirt cheap and can be washed in the clothing washer and then hung to dry to be made to look nearly new. This allows me to have each of my different systems prepacked and ready to go on a moments notice without fiddling around packing up (and thereby usually forgetting something). As a general matter, I prefer backpacks for traveling because they are far easier on my back. For 35mm, I throw a small over-the-shoulder bag in my luggage and fill it with socks and such to conserve space. When I get to destination, I fill with the contents of my backpack for walking around.

 

[Disconnekt]

Sounds like there may be an interesting story there?

Not really, happens to be more homeless people around in the areas that I do some street photography where I live. Plus, I go to Los Angeles sometimes to do some street photography too, so it never hurts to have a smidge of extra protection on me. Years ago I was "whatever" about it, but nowadays Im more like "ehh, better to have and not need, than need and not have"

Plus I have a friend that lives down in LA that (unfortunately) has been in situations where she had to use pepper spray so

 

[wiltw]

I grew up in grizzly bear country. The most important thing to know is that you do not have to be the fastest runner, only the second slowest ...

Avoid bear scat that has tiny bells in it, smelling of bear spray...the slowest runner who was prudent and followed recommendation wear bells to avoid surprising a bear, and who brought bear spray 'just in case' the bells were not sufficient warning.

 

[chuckroast]

Avoid bear scat that has tiny bells in it, smelling of bear spray...the slowest runner who was prudent and followed recommendation wear bells to avoid surprising a bear, and who brought bear spray 'just in case' the bells were not sufficient warning.

In truth, black bears are more dangerous most of the time. Grizz are big but mostly shy and avoid humans. Black bears, while smaller, are more aggressive and nosy and a swat from a 400lb bear is still very much a dangerous thing. This is made worse by $%^& meatheads that think feeding the bears is cute.

When I was out photographing in that country, I typically carried a sidearm, mostly to annoy them enough to leave me alone or time to get away. Even a .44 magnum will not reliably stop a 1300lb grizzly. While I've seen them in the wild, I fortunately never met a crabby one.

(Truthfully, I probably need a sidearm more carrying a Leica in most major cities, but that's another story altogether ...)

 

[snusmumriken]

Not really, happens to be more homeless people around in the areas that I do some street photography where I live. Plus, I go to Los Angeles sometimes to do some street photography too, so it never hurts to have a smidge of extra protection on me. Years ago I was "whatever" about it, but nowadays Im more like "ehh, better to have and not need, than need and not have"

Plus I have a friend that lives down in LA that (unfortunately) has been in situations where she had to use pepper spray so

I hope you never have to use yours! I carried one while backpacking and camping solo in the Yukon some years ago. I was very impressed by the size of those grizzlies, but I felt more in need of the spray when staying in a backpacker hostel in Vancouver. Through an oversight, it came home with me to the UK, and I suppose it could be useful one day in case of an intruder, though probably illegal for that purpose.

 

[reddesert]

I've backpacked and trail-run in areas with black bears and never felt the need or use to carry bear spray. In remote areas, black bears are likely to try to avoid you. You're more likely to encounter a problem black bear near areas where they have learned to see humans as a source of food, like campgrounds, or exurbs with vulnerable trashcans. Of course, mothers with cubs can be aggressive-defensive and should always be avoided, but you can say that about any animal, including javelinas and housecats. I think a small air horn would be pretty effective at deterring a black bear, but have never carried one. It would also work on people and be less likely to get on your lens than bear spray, IMO.

In addition to the obvious accessories like light meter, cable release, tripod, a couple of mundane things that are handy are a mini flashlight (these days you can use a cellphone light) to see settings/adjustments when the light gets dimmer, and a piece of paper, which can be a makeshift reflector or lens shade. Also, rubber bands. There's always something that could use a rubber band to stay in place better.

 

[P C Headland]

Film...

 

[Rayt]

I have a Hasselblad angle cable release adapter 50776 mounted on all my large format lenses for easy attachment of the cable to the lens in the field.

 

[sonora]

A light table/light box and a loupe. It took me some time to get around to buying them, but after I did my only thought was "how did I live without these?"
I went for a slightly larger box that can illuminate an entire sheet of negatives at once, and I've even used it to make quick 'n dirty digital contact sheets (via a phone camera) a few times lately.
Definitely one of the accessories I use most often (alongside others that have been mentioned above).

 

[Chuck1]

Film...

This does come in handy

 

[MurrayMinchin]

While not an accessory, an understanding and fully supportive spouse would top my list.

As far as bears go, I live on the north coast of BC. Instead of telling my stories, I'll relate the first time I met Stan.

While easing our boat into a tight anchorage in Gardner Canal, a 50 foot converted seiner already anchored waved us over to side tie with them. Stan works for Fisheries Canada, walking rivers and creeks up & down the north coast during salmon season to count spawning salmon. He's been doing this for decades. He walks these creeks alone.

Click here to see how remote & wild this area is...my town is highlighted:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kitimat,+BC/@53.9528945,-128.722594,241898m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x547399b6f989b777:0x7b824d6cbb0a7e6b!8m2!3d54.0632661!4d-128.637191!16zL20vMDdjdjg3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDUwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

I noticed he had two of the large bear sprays, one on each hip, so I asked, "Two bear sprays? Does that mean you were in a situation where one wasn't enough"?

All he said was, "Yup".

I carry two now as well, because if one gets used up on a long hike, you still have to make it back to the trailhead through the same bear country.

 

[cirwin2010]

A gym membership so you train to carry your 30lbs of equipment around and flex on those "one camera, one lens" nerds who are definitely having way more fun than you. I don't have issues....


Or on a serious note:
1. Arca Swiss type L-Bracket for Mirrorless/DSLR/SLR type cameras. Makes vertical rotation so easy.
2. Your phone:
~2a. Back up light meter
~2b. The camera app can be used as a quick viewfinder without having to pull out your whole setup
~2c. Apps to help calculate reciprocity failure
3. Quality cable release. I like the metal braided ones.
4. The most quality, sturdiest tripod that makes sense to carry. Benro Mammoth TMTH34C is a great place to start if you need something bigger that doesn't break the bank and you won't be worried about getting beat up a bit. Won't fit in a bag, but paired with that gym membership, it isn't too bad to carry in hand.
5. A decent ball head. Just something that won't drift when you try to lock it down. A sold three way head may be better for medium and large format cameras.
6. Again, please just spend some money on your tripod and head. It will take you further than spending that money on a fancier camera and lens. Tripods are so much nicer than they used to be too. Setup and breakdown is so easy these days. I love my tripods, you can't tell me otherwise. I used to hate them, but then I saw the light (or the lack of light necessitating the tripod). Join the church of tripod for everything and anything always forever. Just do it. Please. I beg you.

 

[snusmumriken]

A gym membership so you train to carry your 30lbs of equipment around and flex on those "one camera, one lens" nerds who are definitely having way more fun than you. I don't have issues....


Or on a serious note:
1. Arca Swiss type L-Bracket for Mirrorless/DSLR/SLR type cameras. Makes vertical rotation so easy.
2. Your phone:
~2a. Back up light meter
~2b. The camera app can be used as a quick viewfinder without having to pull out your whole setup
~2c. Apps to help calculate reciprocity failure
3. Quality cable release. I like the metal braided ones.
4. The most quality, sturdiest tripod that makes sense to carry. Benro Mammoth TMTH34C is a great place to start if you need something bigger that doesn't break the bank and you won't be worried about getting beat up a bit. Won't fit in a bag, but paired with that gym membership, it isn't too bad to carry in hand.
5. A decent ball head. Just something that won't drift when you try to lock it down. A sold three way head may be better for medium and large format cameras.
6. Again, please just spend some money on your tripod and head. It will take you further than spending that money on a fancier camera and lens. Tripods are so much nicer than they used to be too. Setup and breakdown is so easy these days. I love my tripods, you can't tell me otherwise. I used to hate them, but then I saw the light (or the lack of light necessitating the tripod). Join the church of tripod for everything and anything always forever. Just do it. Please. I beg you.

Out of interest, how do you carry your tripod? Is there a way that makes them not an encumbrance?

 

[cirwin2010]

Out of interest, how do you carry your tripod? Is there a way that makes them not an encumbrance?

I just carry it at my side, over my shoulder, or with both my hands. I typically have a shot in mind when I go take photos and I'm usually going directly to that location. So I end up not going all that far while carrying it. Maybe a mile at most? I'm pretty used to it at this point. I also have a much larger Induro CT505 tripod which is my go to when using my larger analog equipment. It is big and heavy, but not as big and heavy as my old Bogen 3033 tripod I used to carry around instead.


If I start hiking mountains to get places I'll definitely reconsider my tripod options lol.

 

[IpseLux]

I say this in jest, but also in truth. The most useful accessory in photography is a good assistant.
The best images are often a team effort.