Additional Accessories For Use With A Digital Camera

As with any purchase made these days, additional accessories are available to 'enhance' the experience of using the purchased product. Digital Cameras are no exception, and there are countless accessories available. The purpose of this article is to guide you through this 'commercial maze' so that you only end up purchasing digital camera accessories which are truly useful.

If your camera was purchased in North America or in any Duty Free Shop (DFS) at any international airport, most accessories are included in the original purchase. One exception could be the memory card. (Memory cards, like analogue film in non-digital cameras, are used to store images.) That said, at the time of purchase, its worth asking whether they can 'throw in' a free memory card to secure the sale. You will be surprised as to how many times they do just that! Other accessories - which may be included in the sale - are:

Battery Charger

Some of the more basic Digital Cameras use standard AA Batteries. These standard batteries have a short life, maybe only 20 or 30 photos before needing replacement. A more cost-effective solution would be to use rechargeable NiMH or Lithium batteries. A standard battery charger is required to recharge them. The more expensive cameras usually have in-built rechargeable batteries which can be re-charged with the provided attachment.

Carry Case

There is an extensive range of Digital Camera Carry Cases. Generic brands offer the best value. Make sure that the carry case offers adequate protection, prevents accidental photo taking, and is easy to carry.

USB Cable

The USB Cable is used to attach your camera to a PC so that you can download your digital photos on your computer. This is useful for modifying/ enhancing the photo (using software such as Photoshop Elements or the free Google Picasso)

Interchangeable Lenses

Most SLR Digital Cameras have the ability to change lenses. A standard lens is best for most situations. A wide-angle lens for taking photos in confined spaces, while a telephoto lens is used for taking photo at a distance from the subject. Zoom lenses offer the best of both worlds in that the focal length can vary - it can be both a wide angle and telephoto lens. While the quality of Digital Zoom Lenses is generally quite good, you will always get better results with a high quality fixed focal length lens.