Top FIVE camera accessories for adventure in 2024
Having the right photography equipment when out on an adventure can make all the difference between an amazing time and a miserable one. Be prepared for as many eventualities as possible, be familiar with your kit and take some time to understand the weather conditions. Knowledge about the weather is crucial to a successful adventure with your camera!
In this blog post, we are going to talk through FIVE camera accessories that we think should be with you on every photography adventure, come rain or shine. There are many we could choose, but these five are always in our camera bag!
1). PEAK DESIGN CAPTURE CLIP
We are starting with the Peak Design Capture Clip. Why? Because it is our favourite piece of photography equipment ever invented. It changes everything! It’s a genius piece of kit and we do not go out on any photography adventure without it.
The Peak Design Capture Clip is a versatile and innovative camera carrying solution designed for photographers who need quick and secure access to their camera while on the move. So in other words, perfect for adventure! The Capture Clip allows you to quickly attach and detach your camera, providing immediate access for shooting, meaning you miss a lot less than you would if you needed to rummage around in your bag to get your camera out. We believe that your camera should always remain accessible so to maximise the chances of never missing a great photo!
According the the official Peak Design website, the capture clip (V3) can withstand over 200 lbs (90 kg) on load. That’s more than the average weight of a human! The build quality is phenomenal, with the design being weatherproof and resistant to rust and saltwater. No adventure is going to be too much for the Capture Clip.
The Capture Clip really is the first piece of equipment that any adventure photographer, outdoors photographer or even landscape photographer should purchase! We have been using ours for years now and it is still going strong, without any issues. In our opinion, the best piece of photography kit ever invented!
Peak Design Capture Clip
As you can see, ours is very well used and still going strong!
2). VANGUARD VEO 53 TREKKING BACKPACK
Now, those who know us know just how much we love a backpack, but especially a camera backpack. Buying camera backpacks has become one of our favourite hobbies, bordering on an obsession. There is something beautiful and inspiring about a fantastic, well designed camera backpack. If you own one you love, it inspires you to go out on adventures. That is how we feel anyway. There is a problem however…the choice on the market.
With so many photography backpacks on the market nowadays, it can be overwhelming with where to start. What do you look for first? Durability? Clever design? Well thought out pockets? Space for a tablet or computer? Or perhaps a hydration bladder? Space for clothing such as waterproofs? Space for that 300mm lens for wildlife or motorsport photography? Space for all your other lenses too? Side access or rear access? Maybe both? The list is endless and we could go on and on. However, we haven’t yet listed what we believe is the most fundamental and important consideration when choosing a backpack - comfort.
There is simply no point in having a bag with all the bells and whistles, with the most inspiration and clever design if after 5 minutes of use it’s uncomfortable. The fact is, if the bag is uncomfortable you just won’t want to use it and you will be less inspired to go out and have incredible adventures. So, whilst it’s great to think about all the above and more, ultimately the three most important aspects to any adventure backpack should be comfort, comfort and comfort again.
That is exactly why we chose the Vanguard Veo Trekking Backpack as our outdoor and adventure bag. Now we should admit, we choose the Veo 46 bag, a smaller bag than the 53 and now wish that we had gone larger to allow more space for non-photography items such as clothing and those all important snacks. However, the comfort of this bag is second to none (and we have tried many bags over the years!). It is hands down, the most comfortable bag we have ever owned or tried. We’re not just talking photography backpacks either here, we are talking about every single backpack ever owned, used or tried on. Osprey, Lowe Alpine, Manfrotto, Shimoda - we have tried many. The Vanguard VEO trekking backpacks are the most comfortable out of them all. We should also mention that this is coming from someone who has a history of back problems and discomfort, which involves careful management on a regular basis. Before the Vanguard bags, we tried Shimoda. We owned it for about a year and sold it. It was heavy and uncomfortable, even before any photography equipment was added. Incredibly well designed in terms of durability, pockets, versatility, expandable pockets and so on, but ultimately, extremely uncomfortable and it was actually a hindrance to adventures, rather than a help.
Some key features about the Vanguard VEO 53 Trekking backpack (taken from the Vanguard website):
Weather resistant materials and waterproof zips mean this bag is IP55 certified when used with it's rain cover.
The bag has rear access to your camera (Pro DSLR/Mirrorless bodies) and can hold 6-7 lenses (up to 400mm f2.8 or 200-600mm zoom).
Carries a 16" laptop and a 10" tablet and up to two tripods (rear and side) mounting points.
Daypack top section for everyday items, or even more photography kit, with a USB port for charging on the go.
Includes extra pouches for a water bottle and accessories such as cables and SD cards.
Sealed 390 x 180mm waterproof pocket for up to a 2 litre hydration pouch
Pro Tip: Always go to a retailer to purchase your backpack. Whilst there are plenty of items you can purchase online without looking at them physically first, a backpack shouldn’t be in that category. So go to a retailer, take your photography equipment with you and try it out in person.
Vanguard VEO Active Trekking Backpack
Using ours during a trip to the Yorkshire Dales.
3). SHIMODA FILTER WRAP 100
The Shimoda Filter Wrap 100 is a fantastic accessory and one we highly recommend to anyone who owns filters has in their backpack. The filter wrap holds but also protects square and round filters up to 100mm. The case is exceptionally well protected and we have never had any doubts about storing filters in the wrap. With individual pockets for each filter, whether square or round, there is plenty of space for your filter essentials. The wrap also has a hanging design, allowing you to hang it off a tripod for ease of access as well as allowing you to streamline your workflow whilst out adventuring, whether you are up a mountain or by the coast.
Built into the wrap is another very well protected pocket and a large sleeve pocket that extends the length of the wrap, ideal for storing lens cleaning kits and other filter accessories. The wrap is constructed from the same material as Shimoda’s backpacks, meaning it is extremely water resistant with fantastic long-term durability.
The design, durability and protection that this filter wrap provides means that if you use filters for your photography, whether round or square, then this filter wrap should definitely be a part of your adventure photography kit.
Shimoda Filter Wrap 100
We currently use round filters, rather than square and you can keep each filter individually in the mesh pockets. As you can see, extra pocket space is available for items such as lens cleaning solution, lens cloth etc.
4). PEAK DESIGN SHELL CAMERA COVER
The Peak Design Camera Shell Cover is a protective accessory designed to safeguard your camera from the elements while maintaining quick accessibility. Made from a durable and stretchable fabric that offers fantastic protection against rain, snow, dust, and general abrasion. The material is weatherproof, ensuring your camera stays dry and clean across all weather conditions. The shell is also compatible with the Capture Clip, meaning you can attach your camera to your clip without the need to remove the cover, keeping your camera protected even when not shooting. The cover is also compatible with Peak Design straps and anchor links, with dedicated slots built into the cover to allow attachment.
The shell cover also packs down incredibly small, allowing you to stuff it away when not in use, without any real compromise on space. The shell comes in three different sizes to allow for various camera / lens combinations. The Peak Design Shell Camera Cover is perfect for photographers who frequently shoot in unpredictable weather conditions or rugged environments, providing peace of mind that their equipment is very well protected. Due to it’s lightweight design and compact size, it is also a perfect companion for travel photographers who need quick and reliable protection from the elements.
The Peak Design Camera Shell Cover is a must-have accessory for photographers looking to protect their camera equipment from harsh weather conditions. Its customisable fit, weatherproof material, and compact size make it an essential piece of kit for ensuring your camera stays safe and ready for action, whether you’re hiking in the rain, traveling or simply out on a photo walk in your local area. With the Peak Design Camera Shell Cover, you can focus on capturing the perfect shot without worrying about the safety of your camera equipment.
Peak Design Shell Camera Cover
Our Peak Design Shell Camera Cover. A little big for our current setup (Lumix S5) but it still does a great job, The Lumix lenses have a moving barrel when zooming, so a little excess is required.
5). UV FILTERS FOR EVERY LENS
The fifth and final one for now but an incredibly important one - UV filters.
UV filters are absolute essential for any outdoor or adventure photographer. A UV (ultraviolet) filter is a transparent filter designed to block ultraviolet light from entering the camera lens. UV light is invisible to the human eye but can affect images by causing haziness, especially in outdoor locations such as the seaside or in the mountains and especially at high altitudes. However, as well as proving useful for blocking UV light - ultimately this is not really the main reason for making sure every lens has one. The main reason we recommend using UV filters is much less scientific - it is simply for protection. If you whack the front element of your lens on a rock for example, then you’ve got a much bigger and more expensive problem than if you smash a £30 UV filter. A UV filter also adds further protection from dust, dirt and scratches.
UV filters are generally clear and have little to no impact on exposure settings, allowing photographers to use them without needing to adjust the camera’s settings, so there is no disadvantage to always keeping one attached to your lens. Of course, you also have lens hoods that are partially designed for a similar purpose, however there are people who do not like shooting with lens hoods attached, so we believe that a UV filter is an absolute must have for any lens you are using in the outdoors and on adventures. Look for multi-coated filters for better performance, as these coatings reduce reflections and increase light transmission through the filter.
We would highly recommend a Hoya UX II UV filter.
Hoya UX II UV Filter
The Hoya UX II UV filter has 10 layers of anti-reflective coating and is water & oil repellent. It also has a slim frame.
So there we have it, five key pieces of photography equipment we believe you should have packed and ready to go in your camera bag at all times. There are more items on the list and we may do a further five at a later point in time but for now, if you have at least the items mentioned in this blog, then you are well on your way to memorable and enjoyable photography adventures whilst at the same time keeping your equipment safe and functioning reliably.