What would creatives be without their trusty bag of camera accessories? Well, they’d probably still be shooting and filming, though they won’t be having as much fun.
Photography and videography accessories make every creative’s life that much easier, sometimes even allowing them to get a shot they wouldn’t have gotten if it weren’t for these nifty gadgets.
They don’t have to cost a fortune, too!
So if you’re a creator yourself, or someone looking for the perfect gift for the shutterbug in your life, here are some of the best camera accessories you can get for photographers and filmmakers in 2023, under $250.
#1 Pelican 1510 – The Perfect Carry-On
I’ll never pack my cameras in checked luggage. I’m sure it’s probably fine, but I feel uneasy about it. My cameras are like my babies! Thus if there’s one single camera accessory I would recommend to any photographer, it’s the Pelican 1510 Hard case. Or if you want something a little lighter, you can opt for the Pelican 1535 Air Hard case (pictured below).
It’s perfectly sized to fit within carry-on luggage standards, and obviously adds more protection that a soft case… it can double up as a chair or a stool too. 😂
For other options, see my guide on The Best Camera Bags, which features other bags for other situations as well, ie. checked luggage, a camera backpack, etc.
#2 LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB – A Near-Indestructible External Drive
It’s fair to say that losing important files to a busted drive is a pain point shared by many professionals across all fields. For photographers and filmmakers, it can get a lot worse than just having to run back home and transferring your documents to a new pen drive — losing terabytes worth of raw files from a shoot could spell career-ending disasters.
So if you want to save a friend from expensive reshoots and embarrassing conversations with paying clients, get them reliable external storage, like this $99.99 LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB drive.
When we’re talking about LaCie Ruggeds, reliable may be a bit of an understatement. Near indestructible is a more fitting description. LaCie Rugged hard drives with their loud orange silicone shells have an industry reputation for being built a little differently than competing brands. LaCie Ruggeds are drop-proof, water-resistant, and will survive the roughhousing of the clumsiest of creatives.
#3 Peak Design Cuff – The Wrist Strap for Pros
We’ve first talked about the Peak Design Cuff in our round-up of the best camera wrist straps. And I’m still thoroughly impressed by this awesome little camera wrist strap since the day I got it. The Peak Design Cuff is a smart, secure, and stylish camera wrist strap for working professionals and casual shooters alike.
Don’t let the elegant look fool you — the Peak Design Cuff can comfortably carry over 200 pounds of load. That means you can loop it on any mirrorless camera you have, bulky DSLRs and even medium format gear if you wanted to. The Cuff also features Peak Design’s Anchor Links, a quick-release system that’ll let you connect the clips with compatible Peak Design straps if you need to switch.
It’s also got an “automatic” drop protection feature that cinches the cuff around your wrist — pretty handy for the clumsy creative lost in thought. The Peak Design Cuff can be had for $30 and is a solid pick up for anyone who’d like more protection for their expensive gear.
#4 Neewer 5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector – A Must Have for Portrait Photographers
Whether you’re experimenting with external lighting for the first time, or know someone getting into portraiture, know that no portrait photographer should be without their collapsible reflector. This handy studio accessory lets you do a lot with your photos. It’s an extremely versatile tool that helps you cut, fill, soften, bounce and shape whatever light you’re working with. We first talked about this in our guide to Newborn and Food Photography Props, but really, it should be in every photographer’s arsenal.
Another great thing about these collapsible reflectors is that they’re extremely portable, too. After a shoot, it simply folds onto itself and slides into a carrying bag. For $70, you can get this 5-in-1, 43-inch reflector from Neewer that comes with a basic light stand and a reflector clamp. If you’re getting into flash photography or just want to level up your natural light portraiture, getting a reliable collapsible reflector is a no-brainer.
#5 Watson 8-Bay Rapid Charger – Fstoppers Approved AA & AAA Battery Charger
Speaking of flashes, those things will chew through your batteries. So do the smart and green thing and get yourself a pack of rechargeable batteries. And for good measure, get this Watson 8-Bay Rapid Charger which got Fstopper’s co-founder Patrick Hall’s seal of approval.
The first thing to know about the Watson 8-Bay Rapid Charger is that it is fortunately NOT a fast charger. For those scratching their heads right now and puzzled why this is a good thing, it’s pretty simple. Fast charging comes at the consequence of extra heat, which hurts battery life. Using a reliable multi-bay battery charger like this will ensure that you’ll enjoy your rechargeable batteries for a lot longer.
The Watson 8-Bay Rapid Charger, as the name suggests, can charge 8 AA/AAA batteries simultaneously. It also has LCD icons to indicate the charging status for each battery, and a discharge function to further help with your batteries’ longevity. For just under $50, the Watson 8-Bay Rapid Charger is a solid choice for your studio charging station.
#6 SwitchPod – A Seriously Cool GorillaPod Alternative
Ever seen a GorillaPod? Ever wished it didn’t look so weird? If you did, then the $99 SwitchPod might just be the right pairing for your vlogging camera. As a vlogging tripod/grip, it’s infinitely better than the GorillaPod because the SwitchPod has actual finger grooves on the handle and is designed to be as ergonomic as possible. It’s also lighter so your arms won’t get tired as easy during long days of vlogging.
As a tripod, well it’s a toss-up. I’ll say this: if you don’t see yourself using the GorillaPod’s legs to prop up your camera in weird places, then go for the SwitchPod — it’ll be a lot faster to set up. The tripod legs are held by magnets, and will quickly switch to tripod mode with a flick of a wrist. It’ll almost feel like you’re working a switchblade, so the SwitchPod easily wins by virtue of it being extremely cool.
Wedding filmmaker Matt Johnson shares his non-vlogger perspective on the SwitchPod for more on this neat grip:
#7 Aputure MC RGB LED Light – A Tiny Video Light that Packs a Punch
Now this one might just be the coolest camera accessory out of the bunch. The Aputure MC is a mini LED light that punches way above its weight class. It’s a product from Aputure, so you know it’s a serious piece of kit, and it is. The Aputure MC can get unbelievably bright, controlled wireless via an app, fits in your pocket, and as the RGB on the name gives away, has highly customizable lighting schemes.
The backing has a very powerful magnet, which you can use to hide it away behind the scenes and have it highlight important details in the background. It’s great for photographers, but it’s also perfect for you aspiring videographers. You can use it as an on-camera light or even as a key light when you’re in a pinch — lighting can help take your filmmaking to the next level and the creative possibilities for this mini LED light are almost endless. This and a good mic, definite essentials for any videographer.
The Aputure MC with the wireless charging case kit can be had for just $99, and is an instant classic that should be in every creatives’ bag. Just check out how much Film Riot’s Ryan Connolly raves about these mini LED lights:
#8 KUVRD Universal Lens Cap 2.0 – The Superior Lens Cap
Lens caps can be a pain in the behind. You lose them easily and, sometimes, even the usual rustling and tussling of your camera bag can be enough to knock one off of your precious glass. The KUVRD Universal Lens Cap however is a lens cap on steroids — it won’t come off unless you want it to.
It’ll wrap around your lens’ front element nice and snug, and keep moisture and dust away that may otherwise creep in your expensive glass. The silicone material on this clever lens cap also absorbs shock, and helps protects your premium lens’ front element from accidental knocks and nasty scratches on your commute. For just $35, you’ll be getting a bundle of 2 “Magnum” KUVRD Universal Lens Caps that’ll fit lenses that have 72-122mm filter sizes. Perfect for creatives who can’t be bothered to look for that one loose lens cap. Here’s a nice review from Andy Tran for more on these clever widgets.
https://youtu.be/lunlm_CVlxY
#9 SmallRig Folding Tool Set – The Grip’s Best Friend
The number one leading cause of hair loss among filmmakers and photographers is the inevitable, agonizing hunt for an odd Allen wrench on set. Well, that may not be true, but causing delays on location because of a loose bolt on something is a surefire way of raising everybody’s stress levels.
The SmallRig Folding Tool Set lets you save time and money by giving you practically all the screwdrivers and Allen wrenches you could ever need to set up and dismantle every grip equipment on the planet. It’s got a very reassuring stainless steel and aluminum build and can be looped on a keyring so you’ll always be prepared to take on any grip/gaffer-related issue that will come your way.
This awesome $21 multitool is the perfect gift for any creative who’s spending way too much time on set. Have a look at New York-based filmmaker Cameron Gallagher’s review of this nifty little tool if you’re thinking of getting one.