What essential tools have you always wanted to add to your camera setup?
The final set of clothes to bring for a particular landscape photography trip depends on many factors. If you want to get the most out of your location and get there, you want your equipment to help you become more productive, focused, and creative. A common dilemma is when you want to bring anything and everything that could be useful to the shoot, and you want to carry something light and comfortable. At the end of the day, it’s important to find a balance between being prepared and feeling comfortable.
Through years of shooting in different locations and having to adapt to challenges, one will be able to determine what equipment is needed and what accessories are considered a “must have” for a particular type of shoot. . These tools may or may not be easy to carry, but the impact they have on the way you shoot can make them worth owning. The idea for this video and article just came from the frustration of trying to find some solutions to the problems and/or inconveniences I was having while shooting. I mentioned some of them under the brand SmallRig, a company that makes tools and accessories for camera gear, and they challenged me to build the setup I wanted with what they had to offer and Find out what else might be helpful. In this article, let me share with you some DIY tips that you may find useful, and also give a little review on the selection of accessories available and their function for your needs. of landscape photographers.
Bare Essentials
For any landscape photographer, there are accessories that most people consider essential. In addition to the camera, lenses, tripod and filters, of course. These simple accessories make certain parts of the photography process easier and/or keep your valuable gear safer.
The L mount is probably one of the best accessories to get as soon as you buy a new camera, which is why I ordered it. SmallRig L bracket for Sony A7IV even before the camera arrived. Landscape photographers are probably the biggest users of tripods, which is why you should keep a tripod plate on your camera as much as possible. In addition to the fact that the L-mount makes it easier to shoot vertically, the L-mount specifically fitted to your camera model features dedicated holes to make way for the battery, memory card, and port door. side so you can keep them on camera for as long as you like.
A less common replacement for the curly brace L is full camera cage. Although this cage has no side panels, all sides of this rectangular cage have both 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch thread for the tripod and arm panels. While this cage can make the camera bulky, it does offer a bit of protection and flexibility when attaching other accessories to it.
The type of camera strap to use is entirely up to preference. However, it’s important to note that the long and relatively heavy strap can cause unwanted camera shake during long exposures on a tripod. Of course, a common fix is to wrap the strap around the center column of your tripod, but if you don’t particularly like wearing a neck or shoulder strap, a wrist strap might be a better option for you. A wrist strap is easier to secure to a tripod or to hold your camera securely by hand without causing any movement. This SmallRig . Wrist Strap uses a quick release ring that allows you to easily remove the strap when not in use. However, the locking mechanism seems to use a side anchor, which causes very little inconvenience.
For any photographer, a multi-tool can and will be very useful at critical times. From simply securing the mounting screw on your tripod plate, to tightening the tripod joints, or even prying a stuck battery door, having the tools ready will save you money. a lot of important time in the field. This particular multi-tool has a flat tip, several crossheads and various sizes of hex keys. This many tools can be handy for needs beyond photography, which is why it might be more convenient to have a way to be attached to a car keychain for everyday carry options.
Filter bags and weights
It goes without saying why filters are so useful in landscape photography, but what I’m always looking for in my setup, especially when time-lapse photography, is part of the leg. the machine can hold the filter for me. For this simple and possibly trivial need, I used SmallRig Superclamp and attached it to one of the pins of my tripod. The two T-shaped knobs can be used as a hook to hang the filter bag. This can also be used as a way to tighten the camera strap, remote control, or use the bag as a counterweight by attaching it to the center column. This clamp comes with different screw thread sizes allowing a wide range of accessories to be used. It also has a great grip and the all-metal construction gives it a substantial payload. It would be interesting to have a larger version of it that can mount the camera on railings and ledges, which would be especially useful in shooting from rooftops.
Remotes, Triggers and External Monitors
Other popular accessories for landscape photographers are tolls that make long exposure, HDR, and/or time lapse shooting more effective. When shooting long exposures, the wireless remote control can be very helpful in trying to avoid any camera shake caused by pressing the shutter button. While using a timer delay of 2, 5, or 10 seconds is an option, it can be an obstacle when precise timing is critical. This Bluetooth remote control is an easy fix and also a handy tool for shooting video on a tripod. It can also be screwed onto an L-frame or camera cage or fastened with a Velcro strap.
For more advanced purposes, I use MIOPS Smart + remote camera trigger. This can be controlled via a smartphone with a mobile app, but there is also a display above for simpler use. Smart+ can be mounted on the base of the camera very easily; however, when shooting with a relatively high tripod, the screen is out of your view. To solve this problem, I was planning to use a hot shoe mount mini ball head or a dual mini arm with a 1/4 inch tip that would allow me to change the angle of the trigger for better visibility. This can also be used to redirect the lightning and laser sensors on the Smart+ in which case I’m using them.
Another popular accessory that one might want to attach to a camera setup is a smartphone. This can be used as a remote control through various applications, whether combined with remote triggering or not. Another option is to use the smartphone as an external display through an app that transmits the live view over Wi-Fi. While external monitors are commercially available, they may not be a priority when it comes to reducing the number of devices you carry around for shooting. For this mounting, options include using another super clamp or using the upper link port Manfrotto 055. Either way, smartphones and cage can be mounted on the gate using arm joint, this also helps locate the phone. Since the arm has a 1/4 inch thread, I used a thread adapter from the spare screw set I also have to make it fit the 3/8 inch port.
Uninterruptible power for time lapse
While most cameras these days offer better battery performance, time-lapse photography takes that claim to the next level. Time-lapse series usually take at least a few hours and can last for days, spinning 24/7. While there is an option to have multiple battery backups, using mains and constant charging eliminates the possibility of power shortages when the battery runs out and/or while you’re replacing the battery. Most cameras released in the last 3 years have USB-C charging, allowing the use of a power bank to charge the battery continuously. To make this more convenient, I used SmallRig . Mobile Power Bank Holder and a double 1/4-inch termination screw so that the power bank can be attached to another SmallRig Superclamp on a different tripod.
All in all, it’s good that DIY accessories are now readily available in the market to help photographers come up with solutions to the problems they face in the field, or at least find a way to make the process easier. make their work more efficient and/or convenient. Having mechanical problems with critical accessories can ruin the outcome of a shot, which is why having tools and solutions ready is so valuable.
