Congratulations Alex Vincent, March 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Kitchen". Alex Vincent - #906 Yvonne Raaijmakers - #909 Peter Wingfield - #902 Here's what Alex has to say: Thank you for the award of Photographer of th ...
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The Sirui Carbon Fiber Tripod, LensCoat Raincoat Pro, and the AODELAN Camera Wireless Shutter Release are the best camera accessories for enhancing your shots.
There's a multitude of camera accessories that can assist you in real estate photo shoots. Even if you're a beginner or professional, these accessories will let you make the most out of your camera.
A tripod is an essential camera accessory because it ensures stability for your camera and lens setup. With the Sirui Carbon Fiber Tripod, you can keep a DSLR in a stable position to shoot sharp, clear real estate images.
It uses 10-layer carbon fiber for the legs, making it resistant to vibration and temperature effects. Despite the heavy-duty material, the tripod only weighs 2.61 pounds.
Unlike other ball head tripods, the Sirui tripod uses a friction-control knob to introduce resistance in the ball's movements. Besides, it comes with an Arca Swiss clamp, enabling you to slide the plate without mounting or dismounting the camera freely.
The ball head can safely carry a full-frame DSLR and a beefy wide-angle lens for landscape, architecture, and real estate
While you can use the Coiro Strap for securing a camera, the Sirui tripod is more reliable when shooting at slow shutter speeds or using long lenses.
While it doesn't have a center column, this makes the tripod easy to fold into a compact position. You can easily stow away the tripod in a camera bag's side pockets. However, the tradeoff is that the maximum height is only 3.9 feet.
More than that, the Sirui tripod has a waterproof sealing system that blocks dust, water, and other particles from entering the leg tubes. This protects the tripod from corrosion even if you need to shoot outdoors in inclement weather frequently.
Additionally, this camera accessory includes exchangeable metal spikes and rubber feet. Whether you're shooting on uneven surfaces or slippery property floors, the tripod legs remain sturdy and reliable.
Unless you have a completely waterproof camera, electronic gadgets and water don't mix. Unfortunately, water can damage most DSLR and mirrorless cameras. With the LensCoat Raincoat Pro, you can snap away without worrying about water and moisture.Â
Weather can be unpredictable. While lens filters help block moisture, a cover better shields the whole camera. In this way, you can continue shooting whether there's a slight drizzle or heavy snowfall.
One of the reasons why some real estate photographers hesitate in using rain cover is because some covers don't fit well and hamper mobility. The good thing is that this cover has cinch straps for you to adjust the length and ensure a snug fit around the lens.
What's more, this camera accessory uses an adjustable and fold-out arm sleeve to stay put without blocking your access to camera and lens controls.
Likewise, you can access the camera through the rear opening. Meanwhile, there's a hook and loop bottom closure for reaching the lens. Compared to other camera rain covers, the LensCoat Cover doesn't require a dedicated eyepiece.
It uses waterproof Cordura fabric to make water bead up and roll off. Even if you need to peek through the viewfinder, you won't feel suffocated thanks to the breathable poly tricot material.
Aside from tape-sealed seams, the LensCoat Cover includes 2 locking zippers for easy filling and emptying. Similarly, these YKK zippers prevent leaks in the lens sack.
The package contains a U-shaped lens sack with a removable mounting plate to mount a ball head or gimbal. Even if you're shooting from a moving vehicle, the cover won't limit your vision and movements.
Make sure to choose the right size for your setup, as this rain cover comes in 2 sizes. The pro size is ideal for full-frame DSLR cameras with long lenses, whereas the standard size is for small lenses.
You can still invest in useful camera accessories without spending too much. With the AODELAN Camera Wireless Shutter and Remote Control, you can minimize camera shake to guarantee image sharpness.
One of the challenges in real estate
Despite having a low price, this shutter control uses a wireless and radio antenna. It enables you to trigger the camera shutter from a distance and take pictures without using a self-timer or moving behind the camera.
Instead of using the shutter button, all you have to do is modify the camera's settings. After that, you can push the remote's shutter button halfway to focus and shoot. Pressing the shutter button all the way will take the shot.
While tripods promote stability, the AODELAN Wireless Shutter and Remote Control better control camera motion or vibration. This enables you to shoot using longer shutter speeds for long-exposure shots.
It supports multiple timer and shutter release modes, including single shooting, continuous shooting, bulb exposure, and delay modes. These modes enable you to expose and cover the sensor with a simple push of a button.
What's even more impressive is that you can wirelessly use the shutter control for up to 196 feet, perfect if you can't stay close to the camera.
Unlike corded shutter releases, a wireless system is more portable and easy to carry. This is helpful when you need to move across rooms or vast shooting locations.
The package also includes a flash hot shoe if you prefer to use this in wired mode. The great thing is that you don't have to connect the receiver to the hot shoe because the control automatically works by connecting the cable to the camera.
Furthermore, the AODELAN Wireless Shutter includes an LCD. In effect, you get a convenient way of setting accurate shooting modes and operating the whole wireless system.
Speedlights and built-in flashes tend to produce harsh light, making the final exposure unattractive. With the MagMod Professional Flash Kit, you can create soft, beautiful light without sacrificing power output.
The kit includes a universal magnetic mount base, flash diffuser, flash reflector, flash modifier, holder, and creative gels kit.
Suppose you're usually dealing with light bouncing issues, particularly in tight spaces and high walls. The MagMod is an ideal flash kit because its items are smaller than typical reflectors, diffusers, and modifiers.
The MagSphere flash diffuser helps modify the external flash's light beam, letting you turn direct lighting into soft light.
On the other hand, the MagGrid flash modifier allows you to direct light where you want it. It delivers a 40-degree beam pattern, helping you put light exactly where you want it.
What also makes the MagMod Flash Kit a valuable camera accessory is that you can quickly switch to a different modifier. When you only have a few seconds to spare, it only takes about 2 seconds to use another modifier.
A bit like a full-sized reflector, the MagBounce flash reflector widens the light coverage by 300%. This is ideal when shooting wide-angle spaces, especially for real estate properties.
Compared to flash modifiers that use noisy Velcro or rubber bands, the MagMod Flash Kit contains a grip that slips over the flash. The elastic band ensures the modifier won't slip away whether you have a Yongnuo YN685 or Godox V850II flash.
In addition, the grip allows you to pop off the MagSphere and MagGrip easily. When you need to put it back, the built-in magnets reinforce the grip to hold the modifiers firmly.
The MagMod Flash Kit is also a great system if you want to have fun with light colors. Without buying separate color filters, you can change the lighting effects using the creative gels set.
A frustrating aspect of
A lot of DSLR cameras now come with modern sensors and high megapixel counts. A high resolution affects file size, which could fill up storage. This is why you should avoid buying a memory card with less than 32GB because RAW files and video clips can easily consume space.
With digital memory coming a long way, it's not surprising that the Lexar Card can store 128GB worth of RAW images, continuous shutter bursts, rapid shooting, and 4K videos.
Designed for rapid-fire use and reliability, the high capacity of this memory card guarantees you would rarely need to swap cards, even for a whole-day real estate shoot.
Reading and writing speeds can impact your
In effect, you won't have to wait for a long time to transfer photos to Lightroom or an external hard drive. This should help improve your workflow efficiency.
What also makes the Lexar Card different from other SD cards is that it has a built-in write-protect switch. This feature acts as a safeguard for potential file deletion. It also has free Image Rescue software to help recover lost files.
Some camera models require either a UHS-I or UHS-II U3 memory card to record in specific video modes. If you have a fairly new camera model, there's a chance that it would require a U3 card like this Lexar card.
Finally, some card readers can't process SD cards efficiently due to incompatibility. However, that won't be a problem since the package comes with a dedicated card reader.
A divider bag is among the most underrated camera accessories. You may think it's enough to have a dedicated pouch for your camera. However, you will find that it's more space-saving and convenient when you use an insert bag like the Vanguard Divider Bag 53 Customizable Insert.
Unlike a camera pouch, which can only store a camera and a single lens, a divider bag lets you keep more than 1 camera body and several lenses. There's more than enough room to hold 2 full-frame DSLR cameras, even with an attached 100-400mm lens.
You can also store up to 8 extra lenses, external flash, and chargers. Meanwhile, a mesh pocket keeps smaller accessories like filters and memory cards. As a result, you won't forget all the tools you need for a shoot.
The Vanguard Divider 53 is far more lightweight yet just as protective as a hard case, luggage, or backpack. Its low-profile design lets you store and protect your precious camera without hauling around enormous bags.
This modular storage is an excellent alternative if you want a spacious yet compact camera bag. You can use it either as a standalone bag or an organizer inside a bigger bag.
Whether you own a bulky Canon Rebel T2i or compact Fujifilm X-T4 camera, you can adjust the padded dividers using a touch-fastening system. This organizes and protects all of your tools from bumping against each other.
The dividers also make it easy to place and locate items inside the bag. However, you have to make sure that you position the partitions snugly to avoid your tools from moving around.
Despite having a polyester material, the structure remains solid for protecting DSLR and mirrorless cameras. The high-density dividers add structural integrity to boost functionality while still considering style.
The downside is that you can only carry the Vanguard Divider 53 using the top handle. However, this won't be a problem if you insert the organizer in a bigger bag.
While you can handhold shoot most of the time, there's also the risk of accidentally letting go of the camera. With the Coiro Camera Strap Dual Shoulder Leather Harness, you can safely carry 2 5-pound camera-and-lens setup, even if you attach an external flash.
Wearing the harness also provides stabilization when shooting freehand. With the elbows against the body, you can pull the straps tight, and the straps would serve as a stabilizer for your movements.
Depending on your height, you may find the standard length a bit long, causing your gear to hang low. However, you can adjust the strap and clutch mechanism to cinch the harness to the appropriate length.
In this way, you can wear the Coiro Harness across the body or shorten the strap to wear over a shoulder or draped around the neck.
The use of high-quality leather gives a unisex vibe. Whether you're covering a professional event, meeting a high-profile client, or just taking pictures around, the leather can also easily match your clothes.
Similar to the Sirui Tripod's plate, the Coiro Harness has high-quality D rings for the strap to remain connected to the camera lugs at all times.
Unlike wrist and neck straps, the cross pattern of the harness perfectly distributes the weight of 2 cameras. If you're using a wide-angle lens on one side and a telephoto lens on the other, you can swiftly use the necessary focal length and capture the scene on time.
The pattern also lets you work in style, giving you that professional aura while keeping the cameras close to your hips.
The problem with some camera straps is that they feel uncomfortable when worn, causing them to lose their functionality. The good thing is that the width of Coiro's straps is just enough, making it comfortable to carry heavy setups, yet not too wide to feel irritating against the skin.
Do your real estate images suffer from glares? The 77mm X2 CPL Circular Polarizing Filter uses a multi-resistant coating to cut out unnecessary light to darken skies and manage reflections.
Isn't it frustrating when you're photographing a house in natural light, yet the sun scatters light, forming a haze in your scene? This is why professional real estate photographers use polarizing filters to absorb such light for consistent exposure and autofocus.
Similar to UV filters, polarizing filters attach to the front of the lens to control the amount of light reaching the camera sensor. With filtered light, you can make clouds pop for the background in real estate photos and highlight wet surfaces in landscapes.
Unlike MagMod's diffuser that scatters light to reduce harsh shadows, the X2 CPL manipulates the light entering the camera sensor. By limiting glare and controlling a light source's intense color, you can enhance color saturation and achieve richer colors for a more dramatic shot.
Mainly when shooting with a wide-angle lens, a large aperture and a broad angle of view gather lots of light. When using a camera's live view, you would notice the light-controlling effects on highly reflective surfaces like water and mirrors.
While you can edit the sky's color or use Photoshop's Spot Healing Brush to remove glares, the X2 Polarizing Filter minimizes your need to post-process after a shoot.
Traditional polarizers are difficult to rotate. However, the scalloped edges of this camera accessory make threading and unthreading effortless, even if it's your first time using a filter. The edge traction aids the ring in turning smoothly, yet it doesn't feel wobbly or rigid.
This filter consists of environmentally friendly aluminum, making it durable and non-corrosive. It also comes with nano-coating to repel water, dirt, and fingerprints, making it easy to clean even if you're shooting outdoors.
Make sure that the diameter fits your largest lens or the one you're usually using. Still, you can use the 77mm filter lenses with smaller diameters by attaching step-up rings.
Part of being a real estate photographer is the responsibility of maintaining equipment. This is why the LensPen SKLK-1 Cleaning Kit is one of the best camera accessories because it contains a cleaning pen, loupe, and blower to make even the hard-to-reach parts of a camera body look spotless.
A dirty lens or camera sensor causes blur and dark spots in images. Camera sensors and lens optics are sensitive, so you can't just clean them using a rag, soap, and water.
With the LensPen SKLK-1 Cleaning Kit, all you have to do is blow the sensor box after raising the mirror. Take a closer look at the optics using the loupe and clean with the pen.
The pen consists of a molecular carbon compound, the safest and most effective material for cleaning optical elements. This compound absorbs oil and contaminants, leaving no trace behind.
The round, concave shape of the LensPen Original is suitable for removing oil, debris, and fingerprints in all kinds of optical devices.
More than that, the pen doesn't use a liquid cleaner to dry out spillage. This also means that cold or hot temperatures won't make the tip stiff.
Compared to using a microfibre cloth that moves grease around, the LensPen actually removes the dirt. Likewise, the pen ensures you're not scratching or putting too much pressure on the camera sensor.
The loupe provides magnification for you to spot dirt right away. Meanwhile, The bulb blower blasts powerful puffs of air to blow away particles that the pen will remove.
While the LensCoat Raincoat and Sleeve Cover aim to repel dust, the LensPen SKLK-1 Kit does a better job at cleaning pesky dirt that enters the camera when there's no cover.
This cleaning kit is handy and easy to use, weighing only 0.7 pounds. There's also a cloth bag that lets you store all 3 items in your camera bag.
Much like the frustration of losing memory space while taking pictures, draining battery power and having your camera die on you in the middle of shooting is not a good situation to be in. The Neewer 2-Pack Replacement Battery with USB Charger provides 6600mAh high-intensity power and longevity to help a camera function properly.
If you have a mirrorless camera, you're probably experiencing fast battery draining because a mirrorless camera's display system is a power sucker. When the image stabilization is constantly on, or you're using the built-in flash, this would eat up power faster.
Especially when shooting outdoors, it can be vexing to think about when would be your next chance to charge. In such cases, bringing extra batteries saves you from the trouble of limiting your shots until you locate the nearest charging station.
A single Neewer battery can power up a DSLR camera for up to 6 hours, less if you're shooting RAW or 4K videos. The good thing about a dual setup is that you can use the backup battery while charging the other one.
The micro USB battery charger quickly charges by applying constant current control when powering up 2 batteries simultaneously. In this way, you can avoid overcharging, short circuits, and electric shock.
You can also connect the Neewer charger's cable to your laptop, power bank, or car charger. Hence, you won't run out of ways to charge the batteries.
When the exposure is right, or there's a moment you don't want to miss, you can make sure your camera has the juice to do the job.
With only 20mm thickness, the charger's super-slim design makes it compatible with most Sony batteries. Thus, you can also use the Neewer batteries on Sony camcorders, lights, and monitors.
You can buy an extra battery from your camera's brand. However, a third-party camera accessory like Neewer performs almost the same as official brands, yet usually at a lower price.
There is a wide range of gadgets and accessories you can attach to your camera to improve the image quality or the general
The following features can help you choose an accessory that suits your needs depending on your camera and shooting conditions. Furthermore, the following table highlighlights the key features for a better understanding.
| Accessory | Purpose | Effect on the Image quality | Portability? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirui Carbon Fiber Tripod | Stabilize camera and minimize blur | High | Bulky |
| LensCoat Rain Cover | Protect camera from bad weather | Low | Bulky |
| AODELAN Wireless Shutter Release | Control shutter button without touching the camera | High | Lightweight |
| MagMod Professional Flash Kit | Provide flash coverage | High | Lightweight |
| Lexar 128GB SDXC Card | Take more photos with 128GB | Medium | Lightweight |
| Vanguard Divider Bag | Organize and protect gear | Low | Bulky |
| Coiro Camera Strap Harness | Hold 2 cameras at same time | Low | Bulky |
|
Breakthrough | Reduce flare and ghosting | High | Lightweight |
| LensPen Camera Cleaning Kit | Clean cameras and lenses | Medium | Lightweight |
| Neewer 6600mAh Battery & Charger | Have 2 extra batteries with charger | Low | Lightweight |
In most cases, photographers go for mirrorless cameras due to their compact and lightweight designs. If you get a heavier camera accessory, you will be beating the core reason for getting the mirrorless camera.
For instance, you can get a compact and lightweight tripod such as the Sirui Carbon Fiber Ball Head tripod if you have a mirrorless camera, and portability is key to you.
On the other hand, if you opted for a DSLR camera because of its heavier weight that can help stabilize a tripod, you will need to get an equivalently heavy accessory.
A memory card is one of the key accessories you need, as you can't take photos or videos without it. Generally, a memory card is the storage device for your camera. Just like cameras and lenses, memory cards come with different specifications, with the main one being the storage capacity.
Usually, the amount of storage space you need depends on your
This minimizes the chances of running out of storage space in the midst of a photo shoot or video recording. You should also consider the read and write speed of the memory card, especially if you're shooting RAW images using the continuous shooting mode.
Most modern cameras come with a built-in WiFi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity feature that allows you to connect with external devices and accessories. Without a physical connection to your camera, there are minimal chances of the accessory introducing vibrations or movements to your camera.
This can be an advantage when using techniques such as long exposures when shooting interior photos in poor lighting. However, the wireless connection has a range limitation, and different devices come with different range specifications.
If you want a wireless device that can help you control your camera remotely, such as the Aodelan Camera Wireless Shutter Release Timer Remote control, you should consider its connectivity range. This allows you to take full advantage of wireless connectivity.
Unless your camera, lenses, and accessories are waterproof, they are at risk of water damage when shooting in moist conditions. Generally, this is the main reason you might have opted to get a raincoat cover for your camera gear.
When getting the cover, one of the most important aspects to consider is the size. Typically, you should get a large cover such as the LensCoat Raincoat Pro with Sleeve Cover to reliably and sufficiently cover your camera gear when it is drizzling.
Durability generally refers to the service life you can expect from the camera accessory. Usually, you will want a reliable accessory that can serve you for years without breaking down. Although the durability of an accessory can vary depending on the shooting style, it primarily varies depending on the overall construction quality.
For instance, if you're choosing a camera tripod, you will want one that is constructed of sturdy materials such as the carbon fiber constructed Sirui Carbon Fiber Ball Head tripod. Keep in mind that different accessories have different durability ratings.
For instance, the durability of a camera charger cannot be rated the same as the durability of a polarizer. That means you will gauge the durability of the accessory compared to other similar accessories.
There are increased chances of the camera slipping and falling if you are shooting handheld while walking. The camera can also fall due to muscle fatigue, especially when shooting handheld with a heavy DSLR for a prolonged time.
The best way to prevent these accidental falls is to get a harness. However, the harness can break, and the camera gear will fall if the weight of the gear exceeds the maximum payload of the harness.
It is, therefore, advisable to choose a harness with a higher maximum payload, such as the Coiro Camera Strap Dual Shoulder Leather Harness. Generally, a harness with a higher maximum payload can reliably and safely hold the weight of your camera gear even when hands-free.
No, not all cameras can work with all SD card types. Old camera versions might only support the SD and the SDHC cards and won't support the SDXC cards due to the different file format types. On the other hand, cameras that support SDXC cards can support SD and SDHC cards.
A monopod is better than a tripod because it is lighter and portable, making it faster and easier to set up and reposition. However, a monopod might not be suitable when you are using a heavy camera, especially when you are shooting in a windy environment. In such cases, a tripod works better than a monopod.
Aside from a computer or laptop, you'll need photo editing software for post-production, such as Lightroom or Photoshop. Depending on the photo, you may need to use presets or actions.
Tripods, rain covers, flash kits, flash card, memory cards, SD card reader, SD card case, camera bag, bag inserts, straps, polarizing filters, cleaning kits, sturdy gloves, and replacement batteries are among the most useful accessories for cameras. We hope this ultimate list of the best camera accessories can help take your real estate
