Getting yourself extra photography gear might give you a sense of professionalism. However, this does not always correlate with taking better photos.
I have been a victim of clickbait cameras that called my name, and I am here to tell you that most of them I bought for quite a bit of money and since then they have been collecting dust while my wallet has been questioning its life choices.
1. External Smartphone Lenses
Apparently, having a fisheye or macro lens for your phone is something that many people like. But the utter truth? A major portion of such products is not recommended for use.
If buying a new DSLR camera is in your plans then go for the best you can afford that has a zoom lens of 85mm. The transformative powers of the software and some tweaks with the phone, not the $30 lens, will do the magic for you.
2. External Lights
Lights are an essential part of photography but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should run out and get external lights as soon as you get a camera.
If you have not yet bought the entire lighting kit, you should first get the hang of natural light. The time of golden hour just after sunrise or before sunset corresponds to the best light for taking portraits even though no money will be charged.
Even in the room, you can take some shots from numerous angles to give that soft and good light look through the subject.
A ring light may be helpful for indoor video work or portraits but for general use, these lights are hard enough to find space for and mostly, they end up unused.
3. Smartphone Camera Handles
It might read great on the cover, a phone grip designed like a DSLR that would give a feeling of a professional. However, in reality, the majority of them are bulky, uncomfortable, and not too beneficial.
Frequently, they get in the way of holding the phone, and even if it is handy to use, you will abandon use of them completely, won’t you?
In case a suitable grip and a high level of stability are the qualities you look for, the best option is to buy a reliable smartphone gimbal similar to the DJI Osmo Mobile. Although its price is a bit higher, it is very convenient and versatile whether you are shooting videos or taking photos.
4. Cheap Tripods
A tripod is actually a very important tool especially in the case of night photography or long exposures but the quality must be taken into account. I have experienced trips where the tripod was of bad quality and as a result of the slightest blow of the wind, it collapsed.
One clear sign that the tripod is not worth getting is when it feels like a spaghetti tube and at the same time, it serves as a mere blessing for the end of the world. It is highly likely that, unfortunately, changing the tripod will be necessary.
5. Excessive Stabilizers
You don’t need the most sophisticated device with a handful of hands, lights, and buttons to make an outstanding photo. Handheld stabilizers that have extra features as a rule, such as dual grips, built-in lights, and large size, are usually a big mistake for people who just make snap smartphone photos in their free time.
They are often advertised as the best things to have, but in fact, they are a nightmare to install. In general, if your phone won’t be in place, then the lights won’t operate and you will have to correct the balance, you, usually, you don’t use it too much. Most likely, you won’t be using the device often.
Instead, rely solely on smaller stabilizers or simple gimbals that allow you to manage them easily, without feeling that you’re putting together an IKEA furniture.
