Best Camera Equipment and Gear for You

A camera is a large investment, especially a DSLR or mirrorless camera. It’s important to have the proper equipment to get the most out of your new purchase. Additionally, it’s arguably more important to protect your investment with the proper gear. Keep reading to make sure that you have the proper and best camera equipment to capture amazing photos.

Some people buy cameras and never use them, but most tote them all around and capture amazing photos. If you plan to bring your camera anywhere, a camera bag will be your best friend. They protect your camera from bumps, weather and other various hazards. If you travel via a plane, you absolutely need a camera bag to bring it safely through the airport. However, there are a ton of options between camera bags and backpacks, making it tough to choose the best one for you. Here are some of the top picks.

Camera backpacks are the better choice for anyone who is constantly moving, hiking and traveling. It’s easy to throw them on your back and go. The Photo Hatchback BP is a fabulous, lightweight pack that fits a DSLR camera and up to two additional lenses. The camera compartment is removable so you can use it as a smaller bag if you want to. An option for the very serious photographer is the Pelican S115 Sport Camera Backpack. Weighing in at over eight pounds, it can carry your camera, up to four additional lenses, all accessories and your laptop. There is also a strap on the side where you can attach a tripod.

Camera bags are great for anyone who wants a lightweight option and doesn’t need to carry around a ridiculous amount of gear. The Estarer shoulder bag is a good option at a low price. It holds one camera body and two lenses. A second option is the Manfrotto Street Camera bag. It weighs less than one pound and can also hold one camera and up to two additional lenses.

If you’re not the bag type, and even if you are, it’s incredibly important to protect your camera with a warranty. Upsie offers warranties for new and used cameras, video cameras and lenses. Not only do they extend the manufacturer warranty, they also cover your camera from damage caused by accidents. Coverage includes:

With DSLR cameras costing as much as $7,000, a warranty is a smart addition. Upsie camera warranties cost less than retailer warranties without compromising coverage. They have low deductibles, quick service and 24/7/365 claims. Learn more about Upsie camera warranties on their site or by contacting them directly.

A tripod is a photographer’s best friend. They are essential for image stabilization if you want to take long exposures or time lapses. If you’re not interested in landscape or nature photography, a tripod still comes in handy for staging family photos or setting up a timer so the photographer can hop in a photo once in a while. Digital Camera World named the Manfrotto 190XPro4 the best tripod of 2020. A lower cost but still great option is the Benro Mach3.

An ND filter is a more advanced piece of equipment used mainly by landscape photographers. It goes hand in hand with a tripod for capturing long exposure images of water. Check out this article explaining how to select the best ND filters.

Photography and videography require different skill sets and some different equipment. A gimbal is a videographer’s best friend! It allows you to move the camera around while remaining stabilized. Digital Trends named the DJI Ronin-SC their favorite gimbal. Omnicore outlined their top gimbal picks, as well.

Most digital cameras come with a built in flash. Unfortunately, those skew skin tones and create unwelcome shadows. An additional piece of camera equipment great for low light and indoor photography is an external flash. They brighten the subject while diffusing the light, which creates beautiful, even skin tones. When selecting a flash, make sure to check its compatibility, as not all flashes can be used on every camera. LifeWire outlined the best flashes per brand in this article.

Whatever camera equipment you decide to purchase, we hope you start with an Upsie warranty to help protect your investment for years to come.