As a professional photographer based in Hong Kong who runs photography workshops regularly, I’ve received a lot of questions from my students. Such as ‘What gear would go with my camera?’ or ‘What is the best camera gear I need to get me up to speed?’

There is not a single answer to these questions, but I believe we have a few philosophies to address the questions.

In my opinion, everyone uses the camera differently. Cameras are like pens, everyone has their own way to write, even using the same pen! With cameras as tools, the famous saying holds true: ‘Your only limit is your imagination’.

New products come in the market every year, technology surpassing its predecessor with such a speed that it's hard to keep track of what is cool and useful versus what is only a fad.

For example, the rapid development of mirrorless cameras within the last 2 years was impressive and one of my friends who had been using DSLRs for years has switched to Nikon mirrorless cameras for his professional shootings. Other than his cameras, he bought alot of new lens and accessories.

Therefore, we compiled together a list of products that aims at every level of photographer out there so that everyone can find the gear they need to capture perfection through their lens.

The products featured in this article will provide links for novice to professional level photographers who are looking for the best photographic gear to suit their style.

Quick Summary of Cool Camera Accessories and Best Photography Equipment

Lowepro S&F Deluxe Technical Belt allows you to carry extra loads on your body comfortably and access your gear quickly

MIOPS Smart Standalone and Smartphone Camera and Flash Trigger allows you to connect your camera with your phone via Bluetooth

GoPro Hero7 Silver is a popular action camera which is very great for vlogging and recording your journey

GoPro Hero8 Black is an improved, waterproof version of  the GoPro Hero7 Silver

MountDog Action Camera Accessories Kit is a great value for GoPro users, an all-inclusive action camera accessories which is suitable for all level of photographers

Professional Camera Accessories Kit is a great value, all-inclusive camera accessories suitable for intermediate to advanced photographers

DJI Mavic Mini Combo can fly to some cool places for you to take very interesting aerial photos and videos

Who Should Get These?

There are countless types of photographers out there as everyone captures pictures in their own way. Every product here is best at what it is meant for, which is to bring the best out of the photographer and their pictures.

The reason why it says ‘Best’ in the title is because most of the products listed are for those who take photography seriously and certainly not for people who use a camera once in a blue moon.

The majority of equipment is prone to damage hence sturdy camera bags will play an important role in their protection. Having organized equipment is necessary for photographers who take shots on the go.

Cool Camera Accessories and Best Photography Equipment: What to Consider

The quality and health of camera gear are defined by several characteristics but most importantly by its ability to fulfill its function i.e. to help take incredible shots.

Quality

Topping my list, and the first thing to consider while buying any gear, quality is the most important factor while determining whether to go for the product or not.

Quality, in the long run, will serve the photographer well as he/she does not need to change their gear too often. Spending more money will indeed ensure better quality but we should always look for a sweet spot between price and quality.

Durability

Especially for those people who surmount summits or go deep below water bodies to capture phenomenal photos, durability is their number 1 factor to consider.

They cannot afford their photography equipment breaking down during a sweaty hike hence they choose to go for products that are built to last.

Some products which look nice may not last in the long run. Any gear made out of below-average materials wouldn’t last a year in the hands of professional photographers.

Comfort

Especially for cameras, comfort is all about the balance between the weight and a good grip. While most DSLR cameras offer a good grip they don’t tend to do well in the area of weight.

Professional photographers need to make sure they have a balanced camera as their daily driver which offers not only a good grip but is also easy to carry.

As a professional wedding photographer based in Hong Kong most of the time I need to work from 0630-2300, so it is very important for me to be as comfortable as possible with my gear.

Cool Camera Accessories and Best Photography Equipment: Our Picks

Lowepro S&F Deluxe Technical Belt

Lowepro S&F Deluxe Technical Belt is a great accessory for photographers who need to carry a heavy load and react quickly. The Lowepro waist belt is lightweight, durable, and breathable so would make your shooting much more comfortable since it greatly reduces the pressure applied to your shoulder and back.

I highly recommend one who is planning to take some impressive wedding photography to protect your back.

What We Like:

• It provides a great way to organize your gear and cameras
• By pairing with compatible cases, the photographer could access and change their gear with only one hand
• Available in 2 sizes so you can pick the one that fits on your body snuggly
• The Lowepro products are the gold standard when it comes to cameras and photography gear bags
• Durable, lightweight, and Breathable

What We Don’t Like:

• Pro-level price, not a budget-friendly option

>> Check Out Lowepro S&F Deluxe Technical Belt on Amazon <<

MIOPS Smart Standalone and Smartphone Controllable Camera and Flash Trigger

MIOPS Smart is a wireless camera trigger that connects to a smartphone via an app.

It comes with an optical sensor and is excellent for detecting high-speed subjects and can work as standalone mode as well. If you love motion photography or high-speed photography like I do, then you will be happy with the MIOPS Smart!

• Manufacturer: MIOPS
• Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced level photographers

It includes a hot shoe mount that will help you mount on top of your camera. You can control most of your camera features including shutter speed, exposure, and much more through the app.

The MIOPS Smart is actually a lot more than just a trigger, with the optical sensor and 6 function modes, you can easily capture high-speed subjects, timelapse and HDR photos.

Why We Love It?

• You can trigger the camera with your phone in different modes
• Laser trigger, which is usually very expensive, comes with it as they tend to cost around $400 to $500 just on their own
• Includes cable and cords
• Can work as a standalone mode

What's Not That Nice?

• Using it successfully will take some time and effort
• The trigger may slide off from time to time

>> Check Out MIOPS Smart Standalone and Smartphone Controllable Camera and Flash Trigger on Amazon <<

GoPro HERO7 Silver- Waterproof Digital Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K HD Video

If you guys are interested in traveling, sports and vlogging; GoPro Hero 7 is one of the most portable and efficient products to have. It is water-resistant to a 10-meter depth and can capture smooth videos even in the most unstable conditions.

• Manufacturer: GoPro
• Released: 2018
• Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Suitable for: All levels of Photographers

It has a 4k touchscreen and offers basic voice commands to help you take hands-free pictures and videos. It offers good video quality and stabilization. 

Why We Love It?

• Water-resistant to a 10-meter depth, best for skimboarding and surfing.
• Highly portable
• Offers electronic image stabilization for smooth videos
• 4k 60 fps
• Easy to handle

What's Not That Nice?

• Battery life could be better
• Doesn’t offer Superview rather stretches 4:3 image in the camera in a linear fashion
• Offers low record time with the standard 32gb card

>> Check Out GoPro Hero 7 on Amazon <<

GoPro Hero8 Black - Waterproof Digital Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K HD Video

This is GoPro’s top of the line action camera, the Hero8 Black. It has a lot of key design changes as well as the addition of extra features like HyperSmooth 2.0 and much more! This is also an action camera I will bring along with me if I am planning to shoot some exciting street, motion and sports photography.

If you like to stream on the go, this GoPro can help you stream in 1080p along with HyperSmooth stabilization which makes the footage look sleek and smooth.

Another important factor to note here is that you don’t need a gimble anymore since the camera offers extremely good stabilization.

• Manufacturer: GoPro
• Released: 2019
• Weight: 4.4 ounces
• Suitable for: All levels Vloggers

Hero 8 offers a wide range of features including the ability to shoot in 4k 60fps but lacks the support of HyperSmooth 2.0.

Why We Love It?

• Water-resistant to a 10-meter depth
• HyperSmooth 2.0
• No gimble required (very stable, a lot more stable than GoPro Hero 7)
• Stream on the go

What's Not That Nice?

• HyperSmooth 2.0 doesn’t work at 4k 60fps
• Non-replaceable lens cover
• Previous model batteries will not work with Hero8

>> Check Out GoPro Hero 8 on Amazon <<

MOUNTDOG Action Camera Accessories Kit for GoPro

Surfing the internet in search of finding the most affordable and best camera gear is always a tough job. We picked this deal because it saves a ton of time browsing the internet and buying them individually.

The MOUNTDOG Action Camera Accessories Kit for GoPro targets photographers regardless of their usage and skill level.

• Manufacturer: MountDog
• Suitable for: All levels of Photographers

This kind of deal is mostly loved by people who want to buy a lot at a good price while ensuring quality. The carrying case is shockproof so it can protect your expensive gear against bumps, drops or difficult hikes.

It also includes a camera case to protect your GoPro action camera, offering 360 rotation, and a handy suction cup mount that can be attached to any smooth surface such as a snowboard, helmet, and much more.

Why We Love It?

• Budget-Friendly
• Satisfies a wide range of photographers
• Compatible to most versions of GoPro Hero
• Perfect for Climbing, Running, and Swimming

What's Not That Nice?

•  Doesn’t include a Waterproof case

>> Check Out MOUNTDOG Action Camera Accessories Kit for GoPro on Amazon <<

Professional Camera Accessories Kit

One of the reasons I would recommend this professional camera accessories kit is because it includes every basic piece of gear an entry-level or a semi-pro to capture those amazing shots that wow everyone.

You will find useful accessories for producing landscape photography to portrait and headshot.

I should say that this bundle makes a perfect Christmas or Thanksgiving gift for anyone with a deep passion for photography. 

• Manufacturer: HeroFiber
• Released: 2018
• Suitable for: All levels of Photographers and Vloggers

This bundle offers a wide range of products from a camera bag to tripods and lens covers. Included are also 2x 64gb high-speed cards for long photography sessions and comes with a USB card reader for file transfers. The flexible tripod is best for vlogging and videography.

Why We Love It?

• Saves a ton of time by offering every basic equipment required in a nutshell
• Perfect gift for young passionate photographers
• Budget-friendly
• Compatible with most modern cameras

What's Not That Nice?

• Can't think of any

>> Check Out Professional Camera Accessories Kit on Amazon <<

DJI Mavic Mini Combo

DJI is known for building robust tech, their drones are very famous. Mostly, drones are used by pros to capture beautiful landscapes as a lot goes in to successfully learning how to fly a drone.

Most people are intimidated by a flying camera and to target amateur photographers or the people who have never flown a drone before, DJI made this user-friendly drone

• Manufacturer: DJI
• Released: 2019
• Suitable for: All levels of photographers and vloggers

This DJI Mavic Mini Combo comes in two variants, one with a bundle and one without a bundle. For just a little bit more, you can get 2 extra batteries and a bunch of other things Furthermore, the drone is the size of a smartphone when closed hence portability is not a problem.

It uses enhanced Wi-Fi rather than OcuSync which refrains the drone from using some features and the drone must be fairly close to the line of sight.

Why We Love It?

• Extremely lightweight (249 grams)
• 30 minutes Fly-time
• Ergonomic Design
• Holds its ground in strong wind

What's Not That Nice?

• No forwards, sideways and backward obstacle avoiding sensors
• This is a pro level priced item
• No OcuSync

>> Check Out DJI Mavic Mini Combo on Amazon <<

Bonus Tips and Information

Here are some great tips which you may find useful for taking care of your camera accessories and equipment:

• Store your cameras, lenses, films and related electronic pieces of equipment in a dry area.
  • the best is to store them in a dry cabinet, for dry cabinet, I highly recommend FORSPARK Camera Dehumidifying Dry Cabinet
  • if you have a room with a dehumidifier, store them there, Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier is a great option
  • At least store them in a sealed zipper bag with moisture-absorbing desiccant
• Make sure you remove the battery and memory cards before you put your cameras or accessories into storage
• Try to turn your equipment on once a month
• Make sure the connection surfaces of the accessories and cameras are dry and dust-free before attaching them

Final Words

Photography is an area that requires great interest and discipline. When you are out there taking beautiful shots, you need trust-worthy equipment.

There are millions of ways to capture a picture as every eye sees a landscape differently, and hence you need the necessary tools to help you achieve what you imagine before clicking the shutter button.

What's your favorite photography accessories and equipment? Send me a message! I would love to know your choice!

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Ali G Studios   IG: @aligphoto   Youtube: @AliGStudios 

A big thanks to Phottix for the professional lighting equipment provided to Ali G Studios.  

The cover photo is © Ali Ghorbani and Ali G Studios

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