21 Essential Nikon DSLR Accessories To Improve Your Photography

Ready to take amazing photos with your Nikon camera? There’s a whole world of Nikon DSLR accessories that can bring your photography to a new level.

Whether you shoot portraits, weddings or landscape photography, this guide makes it easy to find the essential camera accessories you need. Let’s get started.

 

 

1. Best Flash For Nikon

You might be a big fan of natural light photography, like me. But there are loads of reasons to own an external flash. Obviously low light situations and indoor settings call for extra light. But you’ll even need a flash to throw light on people in the foreground of a sunset photo.

You get a lot for your money with this flash kit. The kit includes: 1 Altura Photo I-TTL Auto-Focus Dedicated Flash, Wireless Camera Flash Trigger and Camera Remote Control Function (1 Transmitter, 1 Receivers), Cable-M Cord for Remote Control, Protective Pouch, Hard Flash Diffuser, MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth. This flash offers off camera flash and wireless trigger up to 100 ft.

 

 

2. Tripods

A good steady tripod is a must, especially when you create an exposure under about 1/40 second. Otherwise, you’ll end up with blurry shots with even the slightest movement. Below is a good lightweight travel tripod and a low profile or table top option to get lower shooting angles.

 

Full Size Tripod

This Zomei is has been my steady companion for the last few years. I love how compact it is for travel. It functions as both a lightweight travel tripod and an easy-to-setup monopod. It features a ball head with a quick release mounting plate. It has a column hook for hanging a weight for additional stability. And you can adjust the height from 18″ to 65″ with its rotating leg locks that control four adjustable leg sections.

 

Compact Tripod

When you need a low profile or table top tripod, there’s no better option than the Joby GorillaPod 3K. The flexible grip legs allow you to attach it to almost any surface. It holds up to 3 kilograms (6.6 lbs). The mounting plate is a super easy-to-use snap-in mount and has a ball head for smooth 360 degree panning and 90 degree tilt movement. You can even attach a Joby GripTight Mount to switch from DSLR to mobile phone shooting in seconds. Check out this Joby GorillaPod 3K review I wrote for more details.

 

3. Wide Angle Zoom Lens

If you want to capture more of your scene in one frame, you need a wide angle lens. This is what landscape photographers like me use on a regular basis. They’re also great for wedding photographers who want to squeeze an entire wedding party in one shot. Unlike a fixed prime lens, a wide angle zoom allows you some flexibility in focal distance.

If you shoot with a cropped sensor camera, this Tokina 11-16mm was designed for that. It offers an even wider viewing angle than the lens mentioned above and still at a great price. I’ve used this a lot in my own landscape work. The f/2.8 aperture lets in plenty of light during night photography sessions.

 

4. DSLR Remote Control

Besides using a tripod, the best way to avoid camera shake while taking an exposure is to use a shutter release cable. This little device is one of the most used items in my kit bag besides my camera itself. Landscape photographers especially need a good camera trigger to reduce the chance their camera will move during a long exposure. Here are a couple of different types of remote shutter releases that make great Nikon dslr camera accessories.

 

Shutter Release Cable (Wired)

This cable is as straight forward as it gets. A connection to your camera on one end and a big button on the other to trigger your camera’s shutter to release. It doesn’t get easier than that. But in case you want some fancy-pants settings, it does support these shooting modes: single shooting, continous shooting, long exposure and BULB mode. Plus, it will initiate a half-press and full-press. And you can even press up on the button to lock your shutter in the open position for as long as you want. Perfect for photographers who want to shoot long exposures.

NOTE: Be sure to choose the appropriate cable connection for your camera.

 

Wireless Infrared Remotes

If your camera supports infrared (IR) remote camera triggering, this little guy is one of the best handy Nikon dslr accessories you can have on hand. It’s small. It’s light. And it just works. Using your camera’s built-in IR receiver, you can trigger your shutter to release with the press of a button. All wirelessly up to a 16 foot range. It works with the following Nikon cameras: D3000, D3200, D3300, P6000, P7000, D40, D40x, D50, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D60, D70, D7000, D70s, D750, D80, and D90

 

5. Nikon Lens Cleaning Accessories

Your camera gets dirty. Clean it.

Dust, fingerprints, dirt, sand, grease and grime can all degrade the quality of your images and the performance of your camera. These camera cleaning accessories will help you keep your lenses, filters and camera body clean as a whistle.

 

Altura Photo Professional Cleaning Kit

This all-in-one dslr cleaning kit has everything you need to keep your lens and camera body free of dust and smudges. It includes a dust blower, lens pen, spray bottle, tissue paper and microfiber cleaning cloths.

 

Dust Brush

This is a 2-in-1 lens cleaning tool made by Nikon. One end has a retractible brush to wipe dust away. And the other end is coated in an antistatic microfiber cloth to rub fingerprints, oils and other smudges off of your lens, filter or viewfinder.

 

6. Nikon Filters: UV & Polarizing

UV Filter

The most important filter I would recommend that’s not very expensive is a UV (ultra violet) filter. This will extend the life of your lens and camera sensor by limiting harmful UV rays. But it also acts as a very low cost way of protecting your lens from accidental bumps and scratches. I would much rather pay a few dollars replacing a cracked filter than a few hundred dollars buying another lens.

 

Circular Polarizer Filter

A good circular polarizer will help you cut down on the glare typically found when shooting around water and add a little extra color boost to your shots. Below are the most common sizes, but just search for more if you need a different size.

 

7. Reflectors

Sometimes natural light and studio lights alone won’t give you the ideal exposure. A quick and easy way to solve this problem is by using a reflector to bounce light onto your subject.

The best photography reflectors are collapsible and portable. And they should come with more than one type of reflector and diffuser built in so you have a lot of lighting options. Here’s my favorite one.

This is a 5-in-1 reflector that has translucent, silver, gold, white and black discs. The silver side brightens shadows and highlights and is very bright. It doesn’t change the color of the light. The gold side gives the reflected light a warm color cast. The white side brightens up shadows and allows you to get a little closer to your subject. The black side subtracts light and deepens shadows. And the translucent disc in the middle is used to diffuse the light falling on your subject. This reflector fits all standard reflector holders and comes with its own storage and carrying bag.

 

 

8. Camera Backpacks

I bought the following two camera backpacks to have a smaller and larger option, depending on how far I’m traveling and how much gear I’m planning to carry. A few things to consider when buying a Nikon dslr bag are:

• How far will you travel?
• What gear will you typically take?
• How many lenses do you need to be able to carry?
• Do you need quick access to your gear without taking off your camera backpack?

There are lots of great Nikon camera bags out there, but these are my favorites.

 

Small Walk-Around Camera Backpack

Small but mighty, this camera backpack fits up to a 300mm lens with an extra camera body and 4-6 extra lenses and a flash. Plus the front storage panel will hold all those small Nikon DSLR accessories you need to carry with you (and your car keys and phone!). It also has a hideaway tripod mount that secures your favorite tripod to the side of the pack. Plus, you get body-side access for extra security and quick access to your gear while on the move.

 

Larger Travel Camera Backpack

This has become my go-to camera backpack for more extended travel and longer photo shoots. I love the spacious interior with totally customizable dividers. Plus it’s got a hard shell top to protect your camera from bumps and bangs. It has quick-grab from both sides and full back entry for extra security. It’s also Slip Lock-compatible, so you can attache a bunch of modular accessories for more carrying capacity. And built-in tripod cup and water bottle pouch easily make this an all-day pack. This is a fantastic Nikon digital slr camera case.

The Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW fits:

• 1-2 Pro DSLRs (one with up to 70-200mm f/2.8 lens attached)
• 8 lenses or speed lights
• A 15″ laptop (My 15 inch Macbook Pro fits perfectly)
• Tripod
• Lots of other Nikon dslr accessories
• It can even fit the DJI Mavic Pro drone!

 

9. Telephoto Zoom Lens

In order to reach faraway subjects, you’ll need a telephoto zoom lens. This is ideal for wildlife photography. And also great for cropping in tight on any other detail you’re trying to capture. The challenge when buying any telephoto lens is finding a good balance between price and physical weight. The farther they zoom, the heavier and more expensive they usually are. But one of the best Nikon accessories to have on hand.

Looking for a super telephoto lens for birding, wildlife, motorsports, events and more? This is a great option. If you’re shooting on a full frame camera you’ll get 500mm of zoom. On a cropped DX sensor, you’ll get about 750mm. That’s pretty far! All that zoom comes with a bit more weight and length than the 70-200mm. You’ll be carrying glass that’s 81.2 oz and 10.5 inches long. So be sure you’ve got room in your camera bag and a strong back.

 

10. External Monitor

Ever wish you could have a larger monitor to view your shots as you take them? Want to take a self portrait or record video of yourself but you need help framing your shot? The solution to these issues is an external monitor (or field monitor). A field monitor can help you achieve optimal framing and focus without squinting at your camera’s tiny LCD screen. Here’s the one I use.

This budget field monitor is friendly on your wallet but packed with useful features. It has a 7″ LCD display with 1024 x 600 resolution. It has 2 HDMI jacks and 2 SDI jacks. It comes with a sunshade hood to block sun glare and a hot shoe adapter to mount on top of your camera. One of the coolest features is the Focus Peaking Assist which uses color outlines to help you see when your shot is perfectly in focus.

NOTE: You’ll need to buy a compatible DC input power supply or a battery and travel charger separately, which are both not too expensive.

 

11. Memory Cards

Today’s dslr cameras can easily produce RAW files over 20MB. And when you’re shooting hundreds of photos in a single day, that can add up quickly.

Just like batteries, memory card storage is something you don’t want to be short on when you’re on a photo shoot. It’s a necessary accessory for your camera. In general it’s better to have more than you think you’ll need. So I’ve listed a couple below with larger size options for each.

Shoot and record data at speeds up to 90MB/s. Transfer data to your computer’s hard drive at speeds up to 95 MB/s. Can capture 4K Ultra High Definition. UHS Speed Class 3 (U3). And it’s temperature proof, water proof, shock proof, and x-ray proof.

XQD memory cards offer lightning fast read/write speeds for compatible cameras. This Sony card has a maximum read speed of 440MB/s and a maximum write speed of 400MB/s. It record 4k video with ease. And it allows for blazing fast continuous burst mode shooting of up to 200 RAW images. Just be aware that you’ll need an XQD card reader to transfer photos. One of my favorite Nikon D500 accessories.

 

12. Best Nikon Lens For Video: Prime Lens

A prime lens has a fixed focal distance. They’re usually lighter and more compact than zoom lenses. And a larger maximum aperture means a much tighter depth of field and faster shutter speeds. But with a prime lens, you’ll have to get used to moving around instead of zooming in on your subject. All-in-all, investing in a few prime lenses can be worth it for the quality of your photos in various shooting situations.

Another great walkaround prime lens from Nikon. This 35mm lens is very light and compact. Perfect for traveling. It offers phenomenal low light performance with the f/1.8 aperture. It’s also very quiet. And it does as good a job as the 50mm version of blurring the background from your subject.

 

13. Walkaround Lens

The 18-55mm kit lens that typically comes bundled with Nikon cameras offers a good start. But it’s just not quite enough. Buying a good “walkaround” lens will give you the ability to shoot subjects near and far without the need to switch out lenses as often.

If you’re looking for more range of focal length in a Nikon lens, this is a good option. The 18-200mm zoom will allow you to capture subjects much further away, like animals you might otherwise scare off if standing to close. This lens has excellent Vibration Reduction (VR) to compensate for camera shake that is more noticeable especially when you’re zoomed in tight.

 

14. External Hard Drive

While it’s not a shooting accessory, an external hard drive is a must for any serious (or funny) photographer. Because today’s dslr cameras produce large file sizes, you need something that can hold all that precious data. And you need something that’s portable and fast so you can upload your shots and process them on the go. Here’s what I use.

This 2TB portable hard drive is a workhorse. It’s got an integrated Thunderbolt cable and an optional USB 3.0 cable. So it works with both Mac and PC. It starts up quick and has fast read/write speeds (510 Mb/s with an SSD like my Macbook Pro). Plus, it’s drop resistant (5 ft.), crush resistant (1 ton), and water resistant. Read my LaCie Rugged 2TB review for more details.

 

15. Continuous Lighting

Depending on your shooting situation, you may prefer to have continuous lighting instead of flashes. Today’s Dslr cameras double as very good quality video cameras. Continuous lighting for a studio setup makes it easy to flick on the lights and start recording. Here are a couple of options for continuous lighting.

 

Soft Box Lighting

2 soft boxes (24” x 24″) with 85w 5500k CFL bulbs, 2 88” stands and a carrying case.

 

Ring Lighting

A great deal for what you get. 55w 5500k LED ring light, 61-inch light stand, hot shoe adapter for dslr shooting, phone mount for mobile phone video and photos, soft tube, two filters (white and orange), bluetooth receiver, an A/C adapter, and carrying case.

 

16. Macro Lens

A macro lens is best when you want to capture fine detail of something very close like insects and flowers. You can use a zoom lens for this. But a macro lens is specifically designed to shoot a vary narrow depth of field and still keep sharp focus.

This is a larger and more expensive macro lens. But it has a longer fixed focal length. Like the 40mm version, this lens also have a solid Vibration Reduction (VR) function built in. And the f/2.8 aperture lets you let more light in blur your background quite well.

 

17. External Microphones

It’s no secret that DSLRs are being used more and more for their video capabilities. Shallow depth of field and low light captures are just a couple of great reasons why vloggers and indy film makers use what photographers use. Just don’t rely on the built-in microphone of your DSLR if you want your videos to be taken seriously. The sound quality leaves a lot to be desired! Instead, attach one of these external microphones to your camera for superior sound quality.

 

Lavalier Mic

This little Nikon accessory kit has everything you need to record off-camera stereo audio through a discreet lapel lavalier mice. One of the best things about this lav mic is that, unlike a lot of overs on the market, it doesn’t require batteries. Perfect for interviews, vlogging, gaming and even podcasts. It even includes a 3 meter extension cord, mini usb adapter, trs (2 ring) adapter, fuzzy windscreen, extra clip, and a carrying pouch!

 

Shotgun Microphone

If you want exceptional sound quality that fits right on your DSLR’s cold shoe mount, The Rode VideoMic is a great option. This shotgun mic will eliminate background noise and focus like a laser to pick up sound in only the direction you point it. The integrated Rycote Lyre shock mount system minimizes vibrations and electronic interference from your camera. And the fuzzy Windbuster cover significantly reduces wind noise and vocal pops.

 

18. Neutral Density Filters

Neutral Density (ND) filters allow photographers to balance their exposures when light conditions aren’t optimal. They act like sunglasses for your camera, either for a portion of the frame or for your entire shot.

Here are some ways to get started with ND filters.

 

Threaded Ring Solid ND Filter

This screw-on ND filter is a great way to experiment with what you can do using a neutral density filter. Reducing your exposure by 10 full stops will have you blurring clouds and making water look silky in no time. If you’re not ready to move into a complete nd filter kit yet, this is a rather inexpensive way to go.

 

Solid ND & Graduated ND Filter Kit

If you’re ready to dive headlong into the world of long exposure photography and want a wide range of ND filters and GND filters packaged in an all-in-one accessories kit, this is the way to go. Lee is a trusted name in filters. And these filters make awesome accessories for your Nikon. This kit has it all: 

• (3) 4×6 Soft Edge Grad ND Filters & (3) 4×6 Hard Edge Grad ND Filters
• 4×4 Big Stopper & 4×4 Little Stopper
• 105mm Slim Landscape Circular Polarizer & Front Accessory Ring
• FK Holder & 77mm Wide Angle Ring

 

19. Extra Batteries

Carrying extra camera batteries is a must for any photographer. It doesn’t matter how close you are to a charging station. When you run out of juice, it’ll be when you need it the most…right in the middle of a shoot. So get yourself at least one or two extra batteries, if not a couple more. Be prepared!

Below are some of the more common Nikon dslr batteries.

**NOTE: Where possible, I’ve listed compatible Nikon model numbers. But be sure to take a look at the battery that came with your camera and  double check which one your DSLR uses before you buy one of these. If you’re still not sure, check this chart.

 

Compatible with (D3100, D3200, D3300, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500)

 

Compatible with (D750, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500, D800, D800E, D810, D810A, D850, D610, D500 and D500 Sports & Wildlife Kit)

 

Compatible with (D40, D40X D60, D3000, D5000)

 

Compatible with (D50, D70, D70S, D80, D90, D100, D200)

 

20. Battery Chargers

Having extra dslr batteries on hand is great. But if you have nothing to charge them with, you’re out of luck. These dual chargers will get your camera juiced up and ready to go.

**NOTE: Again, where possible, I’ve listed compatible Nikon model numbers. But be sure to take a look at the battery charger that came with your camera and  double check which one your DSLR uses before you buy one of these. If you’re still not sure, check this chart.

 

Compatible with (D3100, D3200, D3300, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500)

No products found.

 

Compatible with (D750, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500, D800, D800E, D810, D810A, D850, D610, D500 and D500 Sports & Wildlife Kit)

No products found.

Compatible with (D40, D60, D3000, D5000)

 

Compatible with (D50, D70, D70S, D80, D90, D100, D200)

 

21. Mobile Photography Apps

Sometimes one of the most useful Nikon camera accessories is already riding around in your pocket. Your mobile phone! There are tons of great mobile phone apps out there to make life easier for photographers. Here’s a couple of my favorite ones.

 

The Photographer’s Ephemeris

“Odd name. Great app.” This is a feature rich app that helps you pinpoint exactly where the sun and moon and even Milky Way will rise and set, no matter where you are. This is the perfect app for any outdoor photographer.

 

Buy on Apple   

 

Releases

Need to get a model or property release while you’re shooting in the field? Now you don’t need to bring blank paper copies or a pen. Just use your the Releases app on your phone to quickly and get the permission you need to photograph your subjects.

 

Download from Apple   

 

Long Exposure Calculator

Another great app for anyone learning landscape photography. Simply choose the ND filter you want to use and select your base shutter speed. The app automatically calculates how long your exposure needs to be. It even gives you a timer you can activate so you know exactly when to stop your exposure. Super helpful for exposures over a minute long!

 

Download from Apple   

 

What are your favorite Nikon DSLR accessories?

Got a favorite Nikon compatible gadget you use? Share your go-to Nikon dslr accessories with the Schubert Photography community in the comments below.

Happy shooting!

Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API