8 Awesome Accessories For Nature Photographers

For links to the accessories mentioned in the video, head here:
backcountrygallery.com?p=5136
One question I see drift through my e-mail box on a regular basis is about accessories - specifically, which ones do I use and like when I'm out in the field. So I decided to put a video together and show you eight of my favorites. I use each and every accessory you see in the video on a regular basis and I honestly don't know what I'd do without them!
Plus, most of them come in pretty cheap. Figure between $1.50 to $30 for all but the last one - and even that one's not too expensive for what it is.
Anyhow, take a look to see what I use and why. Oh, and I apologize in advance for spending your money!

[@iyzyz]

Your channel really is the best photography channel on KZbin.

[@MSchumacherfan]

That pipe Insulation is pure genius

[@scriptosaurusrex]

Still the best on KZbin.

[@ChocolateHabanero22]

Of Course

[@smooth6718]

Best yet! Loved the window support, Allen wrench and, especially, the foldable travel hood. This allows for a zipping up a much smaller bag. Thanks, Steve.

[@johnsholian4318]

Love the pipe insulation tip. One of those “why didn’t I think of that” things. I’ll be looking for one of those packs too. Just got back from a camping trip where I was wishing that I had brought along a small pack and that would have been perfect. Nice job Steve, thanks!

[@paulhills1967]

You really know your stuff Steve. Thanks for these great tips.

[@HAWKNFLYT]

Great video Steve. Always love to get the Utube alerts that you have uploaded a new video. Love them all.

[@phooesnax]

Great tips Steve. Thank You Jim

[@mikeh9661]

Great tips. A few I already knew about and use but the EP Gear Pod is new to me. Love it! Will definitely be buying one.

[@bird271828]

Steve, very nice tips. Thank you for sharing :-)

[@safeharbor7]

Thanks Steve... Great info. Thumbs up...

[@tvang2]

Thanks from Australia, Steve. I have learned so much from you sharing your skills, experience and helpful tips. Keep up the outstanding work

[@macmcmillen6282]

These were excellent suggested accessories. Thanks Steve.

[@axmarr8132]

Awesome video! Thanks so much! Definitely love this channel.

[@seanchem1]

I really enjoy your videos. They are helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for your thoughtful content.

[@mst7806]

I love this channel.

[@poziax]

Thanks! I can definitely use some of these.

[@tonkaGuy888]

If you use polarizers or NDs as I do, I'd add Xume adapters to the list. They're lifesavers, especially if it's cold and you're wearing gloves, or just need to slap a different filter on or off quickly. I really appreciate your channel and all the great info.

[@sk8ter11]

Liked before watching. Is what it is. Thanks for the uploads.

[@aviv931]

Love your videos! thanks for the tips steve!

[@rwsams]

Steve, thanks so much for your videos, especially the thorough exploration of the Nikon auto focus system. I put your tips to work on my Nikon and the sharpness of my pictures of song birds at my backyard feeder went up by an order of magnitude. I'm working through your other videos.

[@acidsnow5915]

those are really some amazing accessories thanks for sharing this with us really really enjoyed watching this :D

[@ianbrown704]

Steve, great tips and I have both your books which are nothing short of brilliant and although I would think I am a competent photographer with over 30 years experience these books have improved my technique no end, look forward to the exposure one. cheers

[@itaylorm]

Wonderful tips, I ordered the backpack. Was looking for precisely this

[@ArcanePath360]

I like the shoulder pad

[@mpimpaophoto2075]

Great little tips! Thanks!

[@alanrecktenwald4239]

Great share Steve! Thanks. I am interested in several products.

[@greggorter]

Another fantastic video Steve, from a consummate professional!!!!

[@antonoat]

Nice job, thanks Steve. cheers from the UK.PS would be very interesting to see a review or a quick low down on the large Wacom type tablet thing you have on your desk which is presumably what you do your editing on (the big screen type thing with the alloy handle/control on it's left hand side!

[@mikemcdonald5147]

pipe insulation idea on window is PRICELESS.....my teleconverters came with nice little bags of soft suede like material.

[@sarveshbhalerao]

Very good suggestions, really helpful

[@stanleywall9196]

Awesome .. Steve my always mentor ,, its so useful ... Thanks

[@iz8904]

I love this channel!

[@jacobstreets8445]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@bensslightnature]

cant wait for the full review of the 180-400 F/4E :)

[@bobkoure]

If you're using a 2-part PMG L plate, there's an allen wrench stored in it. Drops into a slot, held in place with a magnet. RRS 2-part might have the same.

[@woodygreen6826]

Thanks, Steve.

[@tw9535]

Awesome, as always! But, thanks for costing me some money today... I should have known before watching that I wasn't going to make it through 8 of your tips without ending up with a shopping list.

[@cii1072]

Great informative video Steve. Love your videos. Could you tell me what L Bracket you showed in this video? Thanks.

[@H3XIUS]

Great tips, thanks Steve. Btw, are you going to be doing a video on the Nikon 500mm PF f/5.6 when it comes out?

[@yoursockpuppet9775]

The window support was very clever. :-)

[@marcelbarriel]

I am waiting for that exposure book to come out, can't you just stop photographing and finish the book 😂😂

[@LancePrevostPhotography]

Great tips

[@donaldmartin6816]

excellent ideas

[@MDMiller60]

Ok. I learned something. Thumbs up. I have been looking for something to put on the tripod to soften the legs on my shoulder. In fact, this winter in FL, while carrying my big kit all day long, for weeks, and in order to keep the tripod on my shoulder, I had been twisting my arm counter clockwise to keep it on my shoulder. One morning I couldn't move my right arm up nor my right elbow up. After a visit to the hospital I learned that I had a frozen shoulder. This happened even though I outfitted my tripod legs with thick pipe insulation. I think this pad will help my situation. I have often said that I had to find pads that I could stitch onto my vest.

[@myroadtours6147]

Those small backpacks are worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. I use a smaller one from Lowepro which looks about the same dimensions. I use it for accessories and my 24-120mm F4 or 20mm F1.8 lens. Its prefect for traveling, I stuff it in my check bag with all the non essential stuff (*Lithium batteries are carry on items*). As for the tripod, I use tripod lens covers by Lens Coat. Their very cushiony and help protect my Gitzo from dings while transporting. Now that allen wrench tool is cool! I remember my quick release mount coming loose once on a trip and I lost my tool. So I ran into Home Depot once and had to buy the whole set. I kept the size I needed and gave the rest to some guy in the parking lot, probably thought I lost my marbles lol

[@alangeorgebarstow]

I place some of that pipe insulation around the tops of my tripod legs and then wind some black Tesa 'Tough Tape' around it to secure it. I've been doing this for thirty years and I still have it in place on my old Manfrotto 190 tripod's legs from 1990. The difference in comfort levels when you carry the tripod on your shoulder is immeasurable.

[@daveanderson9146]

Fantastic tips Steve. I'm really looking forward to your new exposure e-book, you can chalk up a sale when thats out

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks :) I'm going yo take a break from YT and my articles for a month when I get back from running my Costa Rica workshops to focus exclusively on that book and see if I can't get it closer to being done :)

[@tarjei99]

You might want to try the pipe isolation trick on the tripod legs. Secure with duct or gaffer tape.

[@rogermullins7877]

I saw a good tip by Arthur Morris a while back. If you carry both a 1.4 and 2 x T C's to use with your long lens, he uses a cheap Extension tube and fits both T C,s onto it. Changing fron one to the other is a breeze.

[@patricksmith2553]

My only issue with the Aquatech lens cap is that it leaves gunk all over the edges of the front glass on my 400mm 2.8 VR. So I now use the LensCoat XXXL Cap. Much better solution and goes on much faster and easier. Even goes on over the hood.

[@bigbadbri08]

Hi STEVE I love your vlogs. Which tripod and gamble do you prefer for your large lenses? I have a d500 and a d4 which I also use a 200-500 mm

[@backcountrygallery]

Right now I'm using Gitzo (3 and 5 series, 3 series is enough for the 200-500) and RRS for tripods (their 3 series) and a Wimberley WH-200. All are good.

[@bigbadbri08]

Thank you

[@iamsiddhantsahu]

Pl make another video explaining, how do you pack your big lenses while travelling and how and what to check in at airports.

[@jwhinery8702]

Thanks for all the videos and suggestions. I will be purchasing your Nikon autofocus ebook to support your video contributions. Don't know how you stand the crowds at Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. My last visit there it took nearly 50 minutes to get from Hyatt Lane to the Cove entrance. About 3 miles. Guess someone saw a deer. Given that I just got my D850 it will be hard not to try again this fall. Thanks for the settings suggestions, many I use on my D4 already.

[@backcountrygallery]

I go first thing in the AM - I seldom go at night unless there's a heavy rain around 5:00 ~ 6:00 PM - that washes 'em out :)

[@jwhinery8702]

My last trip was both late afternoon and then waiting @ the gate for the road to open the next morning. By 9 am it was already getting to be a madhouse. I only live a couple hours away northeast. Thanks for the response and best to you and your efforts. John

[@markkasick]

So...how much are the pipe insulation folks paying you? :-) Another great video Steve.

[@backcountrygallery]

In foam :)

[@assaf987654321]

you are gooooooooooood

[@tarjei99]

I use a folded towel with the car window.

[@anterovipunen666]

Two questions. I have issues focusing both using auto and manual on my sigma 150-500mm for nikon. Also what lens to you use?

[@imoldgreggboosh3467]

Your problem is obvious. Why put a sigma on a Nikon? I would never put a Kia trans in my Jaguar . . .

[@JonBoeckenstedt]

Great tips. One question...At about 3:15 you attach the TC to the camera rather than the lens. There have been times this would be easier, but I'd been told that doing so can mess up the way the camera reads the lens when you attach it, so you should always attach to the lens first, then the camera. Does it really make any difference?

[@backcountrygallery]

I've done it both ways, I never really pay attention and have never, eve had an issue.

[@birdboy3171]

pool noodle works well on door too.

[@ChocolateHabanero22]

I was kinda thinking the same.

[@backcountrygallery]

Great idea :)

[@grossidm]

I had no idea that foldable lens hood existed Steve. I'm heading out to Hokkaido in November, and the lens hood on my 600 is a menace for the exact reasons you said. How does it handle in the wind? By the way, check out the Pelican Air 1535 for a hard carry-on if you're ever in the market. Just picked one up the other day and was able to cram my 600, 15-30, 24-70 and 70-200 in it.

[@backcountrygallery]

I've only recently started using the hood on the last few trips and so far I love it. Not the same as the OEM hood, but gets the job done and very poachable. That said, not sure how it would work on a very windy day. Moderate wind I;m pretty confident, however, heavy winds I'm not sure.

[@MSchumacherfan]

Do you think a 2x tele will fit in the xl pouch?

[@backcountrygallery]

Not sure, it would be tight.

[@monopoli2807]

Jesus dude that’s an artillery piece 😳😂

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Sees soft lens cap for 600mm F4..goes and buys one within minutes. (Never thought one existed..thanks so much for the tip)

[@simons9952]

Hi Steve, do you think the Soft Cap from AquaTech does press to much on the front element in your bag if the Lens is faced down? Because the cap stands out, all the pressure is applied to the front element. I also have the Soft Cap but I always face the lens upwards inside my backpack. Simon

[@drftjuice]

Check out the Don Zeck lens cap

[@backcountrygallery]

I personally don't think so, but I also do as you do and keep my lens pointed up :)

[@backcountrygallery]

He makes a good product as well.

[@simons9952]

Thanks Steve :)

[@csb65536]

I’m not sure if you still monitor the comments in this video. But I loved the rubberized lens cap from Aqua Tech (Aquatech?). I cannot find them anywhere. I have a canon 400mm F2.8 IS (first generation) and would love to have one.

[@backcountrygallery]

Sadly, I think they stopped making them - I can't find them anywhere either.

[@uncletater1097]

I’m getting deeper and deeper into wildlife photography... what lens is your go to lens?

[@backcountrygallery]

600 F/4 - has been for years. Probably 80% or more of my images are with a 600 F/4 (and TCs as needed)

[@photographerswithoutborder7302]

that's total balance to professional photographer

[@tomberwick3719]

I have already ordered a couple of the items mention in this video. One thing you may have answered in the past; what carbon fiber tripod are you carrying in this video? Thx.

[@backcountrygallery]

That's a new one - it's a Really Right Stuff 3 series (MK II). Just excellent!

[@tomberwick3719]

Thanks very much. I've been looking for a really sturdy, tall carbon fiber for field work. That one looks as if it fits the bill.

[@backcountrygallery]

It does. It easily supports my 600 F/4 and D5.

[@SanoyNimbus]

Thanks for the video!!! I love your back pack! To bad the company making it was eaten up by Tamrac. :( My Gura Gear Kiboko bag is a little worn ... but I do not like the look of the "Gura Gear" made by Tamrac. And I do not like that it does not have an African name ...

[@drftjuice]

Tried that shoulder pad and it's definitely not comfortable

[@aussie8114]

😀 FIRST 😀