ATTACHMENTS

This section will attempt to cover the various bits and pieces that can be attached to your camera to enhance performance or aid better picture taking.

Battery Packs & Grips:

Give longer battery life, faster frames per second and/or easier camera handling.

Lens Hoods:

The majority of lenses are supplied with compatible hoods but if your lens is not equipped with one, it is important to be aware that your photographs may suffer from 'flare' if the sun reflects on the lens. Using a hood, however, on a 'wide angle' lens in conjunction with built-in flash may cause shadows in your pictures. There are rubber 'push on' hoods to use when photographing through glass.

Flashguns:

Give better balance flash photo results than a built-in flash and more flexibility if used with 'off camera' shoe cords. Less chance of the dreaded 'red-eye' if used with a flash diffuser or softbox. A ringflash is ideal for close up or macro work and can also be used to good effect for some types of portraiture. Flash brackets can be bought to enable the mounting of a flash gun away from the camera hot shoe whilst allowing you to use both hands to operate the camera.

Remote Controls:

Various methods can be employed to fire a camera without touching it. A remote switch or cable release is invaluable if you want to avoid camera shake when taking a long exposure with your camera mounted on a tripod or other support. Wireless remote systems are also available for some cameras which means that there are no cables for you to trip over!

Filters:

There are several filter systems available but they fall into two main types - the 'screw in' and 'drop in'. The screw in filters attach to the lens by simply screwing them into the thread at the outer end of the lens and the drop in filters are dropped into a holder, which screws onto the lens or is clipped on to the outer lens ring. They come in a large variety of colours and effects and if used wisely can produce pleasing results.

Close Up:

The following attachments all help with close up photography. Angle Finders allow you to carry out low angle or copying work by enabling the use of your camera at awkward angles or difficult positions. Close Up lenses, which screw into an ordinary lens, provide a cheap option to buying a macro lens. Reverse Adapter Rings are used to attach a lens 'back-to-front' on a camera body, giving large magnifications and excellent quality images. Auto Bellows, used in conjunction with Focusing Racks, can give up to 10 x magnification with superb results.

Camera Straps:

There are straps made for all types of cameras - some spread the load and others work in specific ways - such as a Stabiliser, that fits like a harness to hold an SLR in a central position on your chest or simple Hand Straps that give you a secure hold on your camera.