The cost of a digital camera is not just the price you pay, but also the cost of the accessories you need to operate it effectively.
Batteries
Proprietary Batteries. All digital cameras need batteries to operate. Some cameras come with a battery pack that is specific to the make and model of the camera. These battery packs are called proprietary batteries.
I think a back – up battery is essential because my experience is that I never know at what point in my picture – taking my battery is going to die until I see the warning light or message on the camera screen. Some proprietary batteries or companies that make batteries for specific makes and models are relatively inexpensive. I bought a Lenmar brand battery as a spare for my pocket Canon’s NB – 5L battery pack at an office superstore for $17. I am very pleased with it. There are other brands of back – up batteries on the market too. When buying a back -up battery, first note the voltage and milliamps of the battery packaged with the camera and buy the same. For example, the Canon battery pack that came with my camera is 3.7 volts and 1120 milliamps (mAH), and my Lenmar battery is the same and is also the same height, length, and depth as the Canon battery.
Some back – up batteries are relatively expensive. So, perhaps you do not want to buy a camera if you have to pay $40, $50, $75, or more right away for a back – up battery pack. Instead, you may want to shop for a camera that uses a less expensive battery pack or uses AA batteries instead. However, if you plan to use the camera for years, most battery packs will be less expensive in the long run than buying disposable AA alkaline batteries or rechargeable batteries.
AA Batteries. Some cameras operate on AA alkaline batteries. Disposable AA alkaline batteries are widely available. Save money by buying multi – packs when they are on sale.
Or, you can invest in rechargeable AA batteries and a charger for them. I am not fan of rechargeable batteries because even though I have used rechargeable batteries with another camera that uses AA batteries, I do not always get satisfactory results. One time I recharged my AAs, waited for the charger’s green light, indicating that the batteries were ready, put them in my camera, took three or four photos and then received the indicator on my camera’s screen that the battery was depleted.
Of course, a lot depends on the quality of your charger and batteries, whether you follow the instructions that come with the charger, and memory effect, which I will not get into here. And even rechargeable batteries do not last forever. I have owned more than one rechargeable battery charger. To be on the safe side now, even if I start out using rechargeable batteries, I always carry a fresh set of AA alkaline batteries.
Lithium Batteries. Another option for cameras that use AAs is to buy lithium batteries, which are disposable. Although lithium batteries are more expensive than alkaline batteries, I like them because they are lighter and are particularly suited for today’s power – draining digital cameras.
More About Battery Charging
Some camera batteries can only be charged in the camera. The cords that come with these cameras for doing this are short, which means the camera has to be near the outlet, perhaps on the floor. So you may want to buy a longer charging cord. With this in mind, it is just so much more convenient to buy a camera that comes with its own external battery charger.
If the photographer will not be near electricity, solar battery chargers are sold, although they are expensive.
Camera Case
Even if you have a pocket camera, I think all camera owners should use a camera case. In our pockets or purses, our cameras’ delicate screens co – mingle with keys, coins, nail files, and other objects that can scratch them. Also, having a case with compartments allows photographers to store memory cards and batteries. But even a case without compartments, will protect the camera from scratches and bad weather. If you do not want to buy a case, consider wrapping the camera in a clean, soft, lint – free cloth before putting it in your handbag, laptop bag, or backpack. Having a case with a shoulder strap lets photographers safely tuck cameras away when both hands are needed for something else.
Auxiliary Lenses
If you are buying a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera – which accepts interchangeable lenses -determine what subjects you will likely photograph often. Perhaps your son plays college football. Then if your camera is sold with a 28mm to 80mm zoom lens, which is not long enough for you to photograph distant subjects, you will have to buy a telephoto lens. If you photograph lots of landscapes and do not want to bother with stitching together panoramas, then you will want a camera with a wide lens. The typical digital cameras today come with a lens that is 28mm or 24mm wide. But perhaps you want an even wider lens for more sweeping landscapes.
Memory Card
Unless you regularly download your photos to a computer or upload them for offsite archiving, consider getting a second memory card. And note that shooting movies with your camera uses up a lot of memory. There is nothing like while taking photos you get the message “Memory Card” full and then you have to spend time deciding what photos you want to delete before continuing to take photos.
Auxiliary Flash
If you buy a DSLR or advanced point – and – shoot camera that has a hot – shoe slot on top for a flash, that means you have to buy a flash. Even if you buy a camera with a pop – up flash, perhaps that pop – up flash is not powerful enough to take photos in large rooms with high ceilings or more than 10 feet or so from the camera. So, you will have to buy an auxiliary flash.
Protective Filter
People with DSLRs or advanced point – and – shoot cameras that do not automatically retract and close when not in use, should buy a skylight filter to screw over the lens to protect it from scratches, debris, water spray and the like. Also, with a filter always in place, rarely will you have to clean the delicate lens. Instead, you will clean the filter.
Lens – Cleaning Products
Keep the lens of a DSLR or DSLR – type camera clean by first using the blower part of a blower – brush to remove any gritty debris such as dirt or sand. Put some lens cleaner on a disposable lens – cleaning tissue purchased from a reputable photography store. Then use the moistened tissue to clean the protective skylight filter that hopefully you purchased for your camera.
Software
Digital cameras come with photo – editing software, some more advanced than others. However, those photographers who need really advanced photo or movie editing, will have to buy software.