5 Must-Have Nikon Camera Accessories
- Nikon Speedlites
- Battery Grips
- Camera Supports
- Remote Controls
- Circular Polarizer
- Other Nikon Camera Accessories
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photo by Edwin Tan via iStock
Nikon users have so much to choose from regarding cameras, lenses, and accessories.
So, where do we start?
Let’s assume you already have a Nikon camera and lens. Based on that assumption, let’s use this article to list my top five recommended must-have Nikon camera accessories.
These camera accessories cover everything from camera handling to lighting to support and also include some branded Nikon accessories.
Table of Contents:
Nikon Speedlites
Among the many reasons photography enthusiasts and pros choose the Nikon brand is for the sheer number of choices available in cameras, lenses, and other Nikon camera accessories.
Add to the huge array of tools Nikon gives us the fact that they’re all made to exacting standards and are very high quality. It’s no wonder why some gravitate to branded Nikon camera accessories.
The question of auxiliary lighting is usually answered by either a continuous LED light or a dedicated flash unit. Whatever Nikon camera we are using, there is a brand-name Nikon flash we can pick up.
The Nikon Speedlight SB-500 is an excellent choice for users needing to upgrade the camera’s built-in flash or if the Nikon camera you’re using doesn’t have a built-in flash. It’s as usable for video modes as well as for still photography since it’s a flash and LED light together.
You can use it with DSLR or mirrorless cameras, too. It matches up with all of the electronics of Nikon cameras, balancing fill flash as easily as shooting straight-on flash, has vertical and horizontal bounce, and is fairly compact and lightweight.
Battery Grips
Not all of the current cameras have this available as Nikon camera accessories, but for those that do, it can really improve camera handling while also increasing the battery charge life for the camera while shooting or filming video.
The Vello BG-N21 is a third-party brand of Nikon camera accessories that fits the Nikon Z6ii and Nikon Z7ii mirrorless cameras. It adds a second shutter release in addition to holding more batteries for longer camera life. Battery life is a major concern for mirrorless camera users, so that makes this a good choice for Nikon camera accessories. (Batteries sold separately for most grips.)
Many photographers prefer having a battery grip just for the extra hand-holding space they give. This makes camera handling better in many situations, such as action photography with long lenses or flash photography with a top-mounted flash unit.
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Camera Supports
Nikon cameras and lenses are superb performers, and many of them have some form of stabilization control (VR, vibration reduction) for reducing camera movement, which affects image sharpness.
VR is only good for so much, though. We often end up needing a good camera support for taking it to the next level. Long exposure photography and self-shot vlogging are two situations I can think of off the top of my head. A great camera support and one of my favorite Nikon camera accessories is the OctoPad camera support.
Surprisingly inexpensive, Octopad is a super versatile camera support that can be used for still photography and videography. It is compact and easy to use, you can add an extension to the ¼-20 screw mount or use the ball head. It has a non-slip pad on the bottom, which allows for secure placement on virtually any surface, even if angled by up to 45 degrees.
You can use multiple OctoPads for holding lights for still photography or videos, you could also use one for placing a mic closer to the subject when making videos.
Remote Controls
Since you’re using a camera support or tripod for some types of photography, using a camera remote is a way to make sure you get the most out of any support. Modern remotes are amazingly capable Nikon camera accessories, having many more features besides remotely releasing the shutter.
The Pixel TW-283 DC2 is a wireless remote shutter release that includes the additional features of an intervalometer, long exposure timer, and exposure and focus control. It (or something like it) deserves to be on any list of Nikon accessories.
Circular Polarizer
Nikon makes their own filters, or you can choose other high-quality brands, but a circular polarizer is an essential filter for landscape and nature photographers and has many other uses besides removing or reducing reflections.
A circular polarizer like the Nikon 58mm Circular Polarizer II is useful for darkening green foliage or creating contrast between a deep blue sky and beautiful puffy white clouds. A polarizer filter works for color and black and white still photography and can also help out our videos, making it one of my must-have Nikon camera accessories.
Other Nikon Camera Accessories
I haven’t even gotten around to talking about external mics for video, rain shields for inclement weather, and other filters for creative photography, so I’ll be back with more ideas on what Nikon camera accessories you should consider.
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