My Photography Blog
Welcome to the Chris Kendrick Photography Blog, where I share the stories, challenges and inspirations behind shooting Lake District landscapes and working as a Cumbria-based photographer. Alongside behind-the-scenes reflections from the fells and lakes, you'll also find honest photography gear reviews, covering the cameras, lenses and accessories that genuinely perform in real Lake District conditions. Whether you’re passionate about landscape photography, exploring Cumbria’s scenery, building your kit, or simply curious about the craft, there’s something here for you.
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Enjoy!
Affordable Landscape Photography Accessories
Landscape photography doesn’t have to be expensive. In this guide, I share some of the best affordable accessories that can dramatically improve your landscape images. From sturdy budget tripods and essential filters to clever accessories that make shooting outdoors easier, these tools help you get professional-looking results without spending a fortune.
Landscape photography can be an expensive way to spend your time, but is there a way you can do it cheaply without being “cheap”. But what items are there out there that will give you the best experience whilst ensuring you can still get great results and being confident that your kit is going to survive?
In this blog I am going to look at some of the items that are staples of many landscape photography setup and find you some back-pocket-friendly kit that won’t break the bank, or your camera.
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Getting into photography can be expensive, and that expense can be magnified if it’s something you don’t end up pursuing as much as you thought you would. No one wants hundreds, if not thousands of pounds worth of gear just sitting in cupboard, unused and gathering dust.
When you’re starting out in Landscape Photography, the amount of stuff you ‘need’ to buy can be overwhelming and some of the prices are absolutely eye watering. There are tripods that run into thousands of pounds, filters that cost hundreds and other accessories that you don’t even know if you need or not. I am going to try and demystify some of that, starting now!
Tripod
Do you need it? Yes.
This is probably one of two things on this list that I would say is an absolute must, the other being the camera bag. Most of the other stuff you can get by without, but I can’t think of many applications, other than perhaps street photography, where owning a decent tripod is worth its weight in gold. Maybe not so much if you’re run and gun street photography.
Like I said before, these can run into thousands, but that’s not what this blog about.
I’m going with K&F concept for this choice. Until I went down the road of the more expensive Benro Mach 3, this is what I used for everything. They’re strong and steady enough for most applications, are lightweight and this one comes with a ball head, so you’re not going to have the expense of shelling out for that too!
L-Bracket
Do You Need It? If you have a tripod, you will wish you had one of these!
This is one of the best photography purchases I ever made. An L-bracket is a piece of machined metal which attached to the bottom of your camera and fits ‘inside’ the ball head of your tripod and allows the two things to attached to each. Because of its shape, it allows you to switch between portrait and landscape orientations quickly without having to rely on the your ball head. It seems a bit of an odd thing to have/want given that one of the major functions of the ball head is to switch your camera’s position, but trust me when I say that having an L-bracket makes this process much more straightforward and when you need to switch quickly, you'll be really grateful you have one. You can pick one up for less than a tenner, but they do run into three figures. I paid £9 for mine 4 or 5 years ago and it’s still going strong.
Some options are designed for specific cameras and because they are made in much smaller numbers, the price is much higher, the universal ones tend to be much cheaper. Just make sure that you get something hat is compatible with your own camera. I’ve linked a really affordable universal one below for your so you can start exploring some options.
Filters
Do you need them? Not necessarily, but they’re really useful!
This is going to depend on the types of shots you are aiming for, when you shoot and what kind of look you want to achieve in your photos. If you want to do long exposures when there is a lot of light, then you’re probably going to need some ND filters. If you’re shooting buildings with lots of glass, cars or bodies of water, then you’re probably going to want a polariser. Then there’s UV filters, colour filters, star filters and mist filters, as well as a bunch of others that I can’t/haven’t remembered.
Filters can also be crazy expensive and you get what you pay for, but as a starting point take a look at the range that K&F Concept offer.
K&F Concept do a wide range of filters, but the ones in orange boxes are an affordable entry point, usually around £20, but this is going to depend on the size of your filter thread - look on the barrel of your lens or check your camera’s manual.
Strap/Cuff
Do you need it? Probably!
Your camera probably came supplied with one, and if you’re happy with it, stick with it. Some people like to change because they want something more comfortable around their neck. Some people prefer a cuff/hand grip instead of a neck strap because it suits their style of photography better and some people just want something a little less ‘obvious’ - it’s not always a great idea to have the make and model of your camera hanging round your next.
There are tons of options available, but some of them are borderline prohibitively expensive. The one I am suggesting for you is from PGY Tech and looks seriously like the Peak Design Slide Light and has a similar quick release system. Camera straps are a really personal choice, you might prefer a woven one, a leather or one that’s more rope like. Get something comfortable and something you trust!
Camera Bag
Do you need it? Yes.
You’re gear is the only gear you have, and you want to be able to move it around be that in the landscape, off to a location shoot, or just in the car to an event. You have spent good, hard earned money on investing in your new kit and you need to make sure it is safe and looked after.
Camera bags are essential, but also a minefield. If you search Amazon you will find page upon page of results, if you visit the major photography retailers you will find at least ten different brands, none of them especially cheap. The last time I visited a major camera retailer, I piked up a bag that caught my eye to have a look at and as soon as I saw the £400 price tag, it went straight on the shelf.
Depending on your kit (how much of it you have and how big it is), you might want to consider bags from well known manufacturers like LowePro,Think Tank and Peak Design, but expect to pay big(ger) money for these.
Like straps, these are a really personal choice, and unfortunately if you decide to stick with photography then this won’t be the last one you buy - none of them ever are. I have been doing this for years now and I still switch between a couple of bags depending on what I am doing. That said, when I first started, I was using the Lowepro Tahoe 150 for everything, and at £60 this is a really good option for the beginner photographer, it holds plenty, is comfortable, unobtrusive and isn’t a massive bag.
I’m also recommending the one I have linked on the card below, the Tarion 15L Waterproof backpack. I like the back opening on this one as well as the side access, which is great for when you need camera quicker than you thought you would! Oh, and it’s only £38!
RGB Light
Do you need it? It depends.
This is something that I have in my bag 90% of the time. When I was living in London and mostly shooting in low light, it was there 100% of the time and I’d have two of them. Landscape photography in the Lake District tends to call for their use a lot less, but I like to have options to light any macro opportunities a little more creatively if the light is a bit flat, or simply if there isn’t enough of it!
There are hundreds of these available on Amazon and they are not all made equal! I have a couple of Smallrig P96L (catchy, I know) RGB lights. They are small and light with decent colour accuracy, and best of all can be picked up for less than £40
Remote Shutter Release
Do You Need It? Yes… If you’re shooting on a tripod.
This is something that I think is essential if you’re shooting on a tripod. The whole point of stabilising your camera is to limit or negate the amount of movement that you are introducing into your camera and lens. If you press the shutter button by hand, no matter how careful you are, you’re going to introduce movement, and if you’re shooting at longer focal lengths then you’re really going to notice it. Yes, there is an argument for using your camera’s self timer function, but there are some situations where you don’t want to rely on something happening in 2 or 10 seconds time. Sometimes you want full control over the moment of capture, and that’s where your remote shutter release comes in.
Be careful when you’re buying this - they’re more often than not brand specific, and in some cases even model specific so be sure to find one that works with your model and brand and camera.
Believe it or not (there’s a theme emerging here), there is a wide range of these on the market, some are really simple and some are more complicated and have extra features like interval timers and bracketing.
I’ve gone for something wireless, which pushes the price up a bit, but it’s always nice to have something without a cable that has the potential to move your camera. And again, don’t forget to check that you’re ordering something which is compatible with your camera!
In Conclusion…
Landscape photography is often associated with expensive cameras and specialist equipment, but the reality is that many of the tools that make the biggest difference are surprisingly affordable. Simple accessories such as a sturdy tripod, a polarising filter, or a remote shutter release can dramatically improve image quality and open up new creative possibilities.
What matters most is not having the most expensive gear, but having the right accessories that help you work more effectively in the landscape. A tripod allows you to shoot long exposures and keep your images sharp. Filters help control light and enhance colours. Small items such as spare batteries, memory cards, and a headlamp can make the difference between capturing a great shot and missing it entirely.
Many photographers gradually build their kit over time, adding accessories as they discover what they need most. Starting with a few well-chosen, budget-friendly items allows you to improve your photography without making a huge investment.
If you’re just getting started with landscape photography, these affordable accessories are some of the most useful additions you can make to your camera bag. They will help you shoot in more conditions, experiment with different techniques, and ultimately get more enjoyment from being out in the landscape with your camera.
Landscape photography is about patience, light, and being in the right place at the right time. The accessories listed in this guide simply help make that process easier, so you can focus on what really matters: capturing the beauty of the landscape.
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Gear Review: Canon 85mm F/1.2 II USM Lens
My first impressions of the Canon EF 85mm F/1.2 Prime lens and includes some of the first shots I have used this for as a landscape photographer. You are going to WANT (/need!) to buy this lens.
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This was an unexpected purchase of this piece of kit, which I have wanted to get my hands on for a long time so when I saw one sale in amazing condition in a local second hand store for an absolute steal, I couldn’t just leave it sitting there.
So what’s in the box? I suppose everything you would normally expect if you’re paying well into 4 figures for a piece of kit, (thankfully mine was nothing like this expensive!) - you get the lens, front and rear caps, a lens hood and a fairly solid pouch to store it in. It’s a great little unboxing experience! If after reading this, you can pick up your own lens at Amazon by clicking here.
The overwhelming first impressions are that this lens is HEAVY. I mean like over a kilo in weight, so you might want to think about how far you are carrying this thing, or, what you’re going to leave at home so that you can take this with you.
Spoiler alert, this is an INSANE lens so you’re probably going to want to take this at the expense of something else. The lens is also made up of 8 elements and this really adds to the weight. Wide open, you’re down to F/1.2 and you can get down as low as f/16.
Another observation that you can’t help but make is that the front element on this lens is huge - the thing is like a bucket, but given that it opens up to F/1.2 then you've gotta have somewhere for the light to get in!
The lens has everything you would expect from Canon’s L series lens; the weather sealing is great, it feels great in the hand and the build quality is as good as it gets. It’s a solid piece of kit.
<———— The bokeh creates awesome separation at F/1.2
So how does it perform?
The first thing I did once I had it at home was slap it on the front of my camera and go and play with it around the house and in the garden. I was immediately blown away by the sharpness that I was seeing on the back of the camera, and the bokeh is butter smooth (the bokeh is round to F/2.0 and octagon from F/4.0). I think this might be the sharpest lens that I have ever owned!
It’s quick to focus and the motor is super quiet, so if you’re shooting video or in more intimate environments then you’re not creating a ton of noise to disturb your footage or whatever event that you’re shooting. It doe have quite a long minimum focussing distance 3.2ft (97cm) so don’t be getting any dreams of shooting macro with it, but I’m guessing if you’re buying this then you’re not shooting with macro at the forefront of what you’re doing!
One of the things I’m hoping to do with this lens, but haven’t had chance to try yet is some low light shots, especially out in the field and not in the studio. That said, shooting indoors with it is pretty straightforward even with fairly average natural light.
Sadly, Canon discontinued this lens in 2023 so your best bet is to find something second hand and grab a bargain, you can still find them on Amazon and on other reputable second hand gear sites such as WEX and MPB. It's no surprise that Canon have discontinued this lens on the EF mount given that everything is/has shifted focus (see what I did there) to their RF line. You can check out the RF version of this lens here, but beware, the price tag is eye watering if you’re looking to buy a brand new one, especially if its one of the faster ones!
<——— Landscape shot, heavily cropped at f/4.0
Who is this lens for? If you’re into portraits and low light street photography then this should definitely be in your bag. No questions. I know this is probably an odd choice for someone whose primary focus is landscape photography, then this choice seems slightly out of left field, so what’s the use case?
For me, this lens is going to be about diversifying the types of shots that I take. It’s also only the second prime lens I have in my bag (of course, I have a nifty fifty as well!) and one of my current aims is to work on composition and finding new ways to shoot familiar things and the sharpness of this lens is going to make for some very interesting results, and I do love a bit of bokeh! It might even make me go and do some street photography too… and maybe some Herdy portraits!
Does Photography Gear Matter ?
In this blog, I consider the perennial question “Does photography gear matter?”. This takes into account the different places to buy from, new vs secondhand camera kit, the grey market, what you need to get started and whether your phone is any better at capturing images than a dedicated camera set up.
Welcome to my first blog! It’s a cold, sunny, Sunday morning here in Cumbria so I’ve made a brew and sat down to try and answer the question “Does photography gear matter?”. This a question that will have ten’s of thousands of answers out there on the wider internet, and I’m going to share my thoughts here.
Where to start?
There are thousands of camera options available to you, just as many lens options, there’s all of the different filter and tripod options and don’t even get me started on bags (this is a separate blog all on its own!).
I get asked a lot “what’s the best camera?” or “what’s the best lens for portrait/landscape/street?”. The best answer I have heard to these questions and the one I like the best is “the one you already have”. Even if that’s the one that you have on your phone. Phone cameras are getting better by the day, and some of them even shoot raw images, which give you more flexibility when you’re editing.
But what if you don’t already own any camera gear and want to move away from your phone, where should you start, what should you get and where should you buy it from?
In truth, if you have a budget of, for example, £1000 (about $1200US), then you should (in my opinion) look to spend about half of this on your camera and lens combination. Why? Because if it breaks or you break it, it gets full of water or some other unthinkable thing happens to it then you have enough in the bank to be able to replace it. So the best camera is the one that you have and the one that you can afford to replace. I’ll talk about your first lens later.
Buying you first camera and lens is only the beginning. Once you have made this purchase, you’ll need to think about what sort of photography you’re going to do and the conditions that you’re going to be shooting in. If it’s anything that’s likely to be in low light situations, then you’ll need a tripod if you’re going to get sharp images, free of camera movement, which you can be proud of.
Then you’re going to need to be able to move it all so a decent, comfortable camera bag will be essential. So out of our remaining £500, we’ve probably just spent another £50-75!
But what about your lens? This is an important decision. The quality of your glass is important and is probably one of the things that will have the biggest impact of the quality and feel of your images (vintage lenses create some great looks, when you’re ready to dive down that rabbit hole). Most consumer DSLR/mirroless cameras can be supplied with a “kit” lens. These are usually cheaper than premium lenses, but won’t be weatherproof, so be careful if you’re using it in the rain. Kit lenses are generally zoom lenses, which is great when you are just starting out as it means you’ve got a range of focal lengths covered so you can experiment, be flexible and have fun with your images. The Canon 18-55mm f/4.5-5.6 is a common kit lens that you can buy with their cameras. Just be sure the check that the lens is included in the price that you pay, as a general rule, DSLR/Mirrorless cameras don’t come supplied with a lens and you’ll have to buy this separately.
New or Secondhand?
This is a question that is likely to be dictated by your budget, but you also get a lot more bang for your buck if you are willing to make a second hand purchase. The secondhand camera market is huge and there are some bargains to be had if you know where to look. The best places to start this search are websites like MPB and Wex.
Both of these sellers are reputable UK brands who supply the kit with a warranty and everything is thoroughly checked before it goes on their websites, so you can be sure you’re not throwing money away and buying a dud.
3 of the lenses in my current set-up were bought secondhand and haven’t caused me a single problem and have proven to be great value for money.
You can also consider places such as Facebook marketplace and eBay, but make sure that you do your research and don’t get either ripped off or scammed!
There is also a large “grey market” for cameras. I won’t post any links here, but I am sure you will be able to do a quick Google search and make up your own mind. With regard to the grey market for cameras, you’ll get an authorised product but outside of the manufacturers authorised distribution channels. So you might buy a lens from a UK based seller, but the product wasn’t intended for the UK or European markets, meaning you don’t get any of the manufacturers warranty protection if something goes wrong.
Will people take me seriously?
Don’t worry about what other people think. Use what works for you; the most important thing is that you ‘get on’ with your setup. That being said, if you get booked to photograph a wedding and turn up with an iPhone and nothing else, you’re going to get some funny looks!
“Is this a professional camera?”, another question that gets asked repeatedly and one that doesn’t have a really well defined answer. Any camera can be a professional camera if you’re using it to make money. What portion of your income you need to be making to be considered professional is another discussion for another time! Also worth noting at this juncture, if you’re out shooting and you end up on private land (such as Canary Wharf in London or the area around Tower Bridge), you’ll probably told by a security guard that any camera that has an interchangeable lens is a professional camera so that they can make you stop and move you on (always be polite and do what they ask, it makes it easier for everyone else who has to encounter them in the future); luckily, you’ll probably have another camera in your pocket anyway.
So, does gear matter?
Yes.
And no.
And also maybe. To some extent.
If you’re reading this and you have made it this far, chances are you’ve read a few articles on this topic and heard a number of different opinions.
If you have a camera on your phone and you’re happy with it then great! If you want some more flexibility in what you do then you may want to consider your first DLSR/mirrorless purchase.
Gear matters if you let it matter. Going out and buying a Canon R5 with an L series lens is going to set you back in excess of £6500 and isn’t going to make you a better photographer, no matter what your experience level. It will create lovely files with lots of data that will be great to edit, but they won’t necessarily be “good photos”. If you’re spending this kind of money on your first camera because “it will encourage me to go out and shoot” then the chances are that in 6 months time you’re going to have a very expensive ornament sat on your shelf! Remember the old adage that photography happens in the space between the photographer’s ears.
The resolution/megapixel count on newer cameras is huge, which is great if you’re drastically cropping images and want to retain the image quality. But bear in mind, that if you’re after the resolution, then consider the Canon 5DS or 5DSR. Both of these have more megapixels (50.3MP) than the R5 and are now about 8 years old so can be found for about £5000 less than the newer cameras.
What matters most is that you’ve got a setup that works for you and that you can use easily, confidently and that allows you to be out there making photos. You can’t make images if you don’t get out to take them!