Nikon D5100 Experience
67
PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORIES
Here are some accessories that are handy for general photography use as well as when traveling
with your camera, plus accessories mentioned in the text that are specific to the Nikon D5100,
and some of my favorite photography books. Click on the links to go to the product or category
pages on Amazon.com. (Please note that these are my Amazon Associates referral links, and I
will receive a small referral bonus from Amazon.com if you use these links to go to Amazon and
make your purchases. Thanks!) There is also a full version of this list, with Amazon links, on
my blog:
http://blog.dojoklo.com/2011/02/10/gear-accessories-and-books/
Sandisk Extreme SD Memory Cards: I suggest getting a couple 16 GB or 8 GB cards to store
your photos – more if traveling. Class 10 cards should be used if you are shooting video. Be
sure to check the Sandisk site for current rebates.
Giottos Medium Rocket Blower: Always have it handy for getting dust off lenses in a hurry,
because blowing on them – no matter how careful – leads to spittle on the lenses. Also use for
manually cleaning the sensor as described above.
Lens Pen Cleaning System: Works great for cleaning off mysterious spots and smudges that
appear on the lens (this is why I always use UV filters) as well as that a-fore-mentioned spittle.
Blow dust off the lens first with the Rocket Blower, brush it with the Lens Pen brush, and then
follow the instructions for using the Lens Pen.
UV Filters: Clear, protective filters for the lenses. You should have these on at all times to
protect your lenses. Get high quality ones, such as B+W, especially for higher quality lenses.
Consider the MRC multi-coated versions for highest quality lenses. While some argue that any
filter may degrade image quality, most know that it is cheaper to replace a $100 filter than to
repair a $1500 lens. Use the slim filters for wide angle lenses to avoid vignetting.
Circular Polarizing Filter
: Use this outdoors in sunlight to darken the sky, cut through haze and
reflections, and increase contrast. Do not use on a wide angle lens as it will cause the sky to
change from light to dark and back again across the wide frame. You have to turn the second
ring of the filter to create the amount of lightness or darkness in the sky that you desire, or to
reduce or eliminate reflections. It works best when the sun is to your left or right, but does not
have any polarizing effect if the sun is directly in front or behind you. Do not use an older linear
polarizing filter with a digital camera, as it will interfere with the metering and autofocus
systems.
Lens Hoods:
Use a lens hood on your lens to both prevent flare and to protect the front of the
lens when it inevitable bangs against something or drops. Some nicer lenses typically come with
a lens hood. With other lenses, buy the corresponding optional hood.
BlackRapid R-Strap
: A different, more comfortable way to carry your camera, especially one
with a larger or heavier lens. The RS-7
version has a nice curved shoulder strap, the RS-4 is not
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