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My first camera is on the way, what accessories do I need? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 months ago by to c/photography@lemmy.world
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I've decided to get into photography, and I just impulse bought my first camera, a Pentax Q10:

Yes that's Evangelion themed. No I don't want to talk about how much I paid.

I'm really excited for it to arrive. What kind of kit should I get to take care of it? I'm assuming some kind of carry case, but I've no idea if I need something specialised or generic. Have you got any other tips for taking care of it?

Many thanks!

EDIT: Thanks so much for everyone's advice! It sounds like I shouldn't get anything too prematurely, but there's also a lot stuff I should consider early on once I've got a feel for the camera.

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[–] 25 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (10 children)

Some heterodox advice?
Don't get any accessories yet.
Use your camera how you want. If it doesn't do something you wish it did, look into something that helps with that. Let your personal use guide what accessories you'll get.

For example, everyone here is recommending a neck strap. I hate neck straps. And I'm not talking about ones that are too small or uncomfortable. I mean the very concept of a long strap around my neck, with the camera bouncing randomly as I walk, or draping around as I use the camera. It's all annoying. I use a hand grip strap. Not even a wrist strap. A strap that wraps snug around the back of my hand while I grip the camera. And I only use that on wedding days where the camera is in my hand for several hours at a time. I don't need a neck strap. In 20+ years, the only time I've ever dropped a camera, was when it was on a tripod that got knocked over by the wind.

Let your own needs guide what you buy.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago

    100% agree. It all depends on how you are using it and what works for you.

    I mostly do wildlife photography so I wear my camera crossed across my shoulders and resting at my hip. This makes it very comfortable to hike around with the weight of the camera and lens.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    I hear you about the gripes of the neck strap, if only because when I was a child I ended up the perfect height to be smacked squarely in the forehead by my dad's lens, which happened quite often

    I am super clumsy though and I often drop things. I don't wear the camera as a necklace but I do wear the strap when I'm actively using it. Same for binoculars. But I'd really be open to trying something else out. When you say hand strap, is that like something you'd use on a camcorder? That'd feel so much more secure to me than the neck strap

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    The Peak Design camera clips are neat for when you want fast access without it bouncing around, and happen to be wearing a backpack, great for hiking/biking. I've not found any kind of strap I can tolerate.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 child)

    Tried them. Hated the things dangling off the camera.

    Edit: Wait. Those are different. I have tried that also. Better, but the camera still bumps my hip or wherever I put it. I just use an easy access bag I can get it in/out of in 3 seconds or less.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago

    Hmm, I have only used them on backpack straps, and it works well for me mounted high on the chest, as long as there is enough counter weight on the bag and the straps are relatively tight it stays tight to your body when moving around. Even works well with a silly long lens like the RF800mm. You can even remove the safety release for easy one handed access. YMMV of course.

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