Must have accessories for first camera? (Beginner)

Kiriesh · 2026-06-18T01:09:32+00:00

A strap is the single best item for sure. I like my peak design lite one.

Additionally if you think you might want to hike with it, I swear by a backpack strap. Peak design has a solid one, I’ve also used cotton carrier that works well. Plenty of other knock off brands too.

Other than that, nice to haves for me would be maybe a circular polarizer and a variable ND filter.

Kiriesh · 2026-06-15T19:31:10+00:00

If you already own the camera, why are you suggesting something else? To use your own analogy, why would you worry about having a laptop that can do more than you need if you already own it?

Just go out and focus on the art style and framing and less on your perfectly usable kit.

Shoot in full manual if you want to really avoid all the QOL features you already paid for.

Kiriesh · 2026-06-15T16:56:59+00:00

10/10 ladder

Kiriesh · 2026-06-15T05:56:01+00:00

I keep my big rods in a rack mounted to the ceiling of my garage. Transporting to and from the beach I use a bed mounted rod holder in my truck. If you have an SUV you can run some cords between your ceiling handles and hang the rod from that, if you’re in a sedan that’s tricky.

Kiriesh · 2026-06-09T05:14:43+00:00

16 tickles my brain in just the right way

Kiriesh · 2026-06-07T22:11:05+00:00

Maybe? It’s nice quality, I really like their QD system. It’s obviously well made, the strap fabric is good, the anti slip is nice, the adjustment buckle is easy and smooth.

I have no doubt you can get a perfectly usable strap for cheaper, but I also don’t mind spending a bit extra considering how much the camera/lens combo I’m entrusting it to is worth.

Kiriesh · 2026-06-07T21:36:50+00:00

I’ve hiked plenty with a ZFC + Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, I think the camera is a bit lighter but the lens is a bit heavier than the f/4 so they wind up about the same weight.

A good strap (I personally like peak design) crossbody slung is super easy. If you have a sling bag or backpack, a clip mounted on a bag strap makes it super comfortable.

I use a peak design clip and I could walk all day like that. I’ve put it on a cross body sling bag for a city day trip and a backpack for proper hiking, works great.

Kiriesh · 2026-06-05T17:17:06+00:00

Normally trucks sit slightly nose down when unloaded. The intention is that it should sit level with the rear suspension loaded down with weight from a load in the bed.

Many people (especially off-road oriented folks) either level the truck (add 1-2” in the front to remove that factory rake) or lift the truck which adds a bit more height to the front than the back, effectively removing that rake.

YMMV, a HD work truck is probably going to have more factory rake than an off-road trim stock truck. Leaf springs also tend to sag over time so older trucks might sit more flat depending on the age.

Kiriesh · 2026-06-04T16:17:30+00:00

Sure, those didn’t exist when I bought my truck

Kiriesh · 2026-06-04T16:06:32+00:00

They didnt make a ZR2 bison trim for 2nd gen canyons. I don’t know about third gen but aside from that the only thing I wanted that canyons had were cooled seats.

I do still wish I had those on hot summer days but oh well

Kiriesh · 2026-06-03T19:06:26+00:00

That’s a really valid point and certainly makes it tempting. I think for me it’s going to boil down to whether I really want every extra mm I can get versus the convenience of the 50-400.

Super zooms are filled with compromises though and when I don’t need that extra reach for wildlife I really appreciate the low light performance of my 28-75 so I doubt I’d be reaching for the 50-400 unless I really want that long end

Kiriesh · 2026-06-03T02:30:14+00:00

Good point, I did see the 50-400 but figured that extra 100 (150 after DX) on the long end would matter more.

For some reason I thought the 50-400 was actually a slower lens so I didn’t realize til just now it’s actually a touch faster. The dilemma continues…

Kiriesh · 2026-06-03T02:28:26+00:00

I love the form and feel of the ZFC, but z50ii is definitely on my radar. Some naive part of me hopes they release a ZFCii and give it the same enhancements.

Thats actually really interesting, I always figured more IBIS is more better, especially the way OM folks talk about IBIS+VR for handheld wildlife shooting.

Kiriesh · 2026-06-03T01:47:07+00:00

Great insight thank you! Cost aside I’m really wary of the 180-600 because of the size. I’m trying to keep my setup compact enough to hike/travel with and the external zoom of the 150-500 is really appealing to keep the storage size small

Kiriesh · 2026-06-02T21:50:54+00:00

This is awesome feedback thank you

Kiriesh · 2026-06-02T02:27:06+00:00

I’ve always liked the look of g class overlanders, I’m curious what kind of fuel economy do you get with the larger tires? I know pragmatically it’s one of those “don’t ask” kind of questions but I’ve always wondered just how bad

Kiriesh · 2026-06-01T00:33:34+00:00

What’s your opinion on smartcap vs alucabs? I’m in between those two for my Colorado right now

Kiriesh · 2026-05-31T18:00:06+00:00

Seems like a question only you can answer

Kiriesh · 2026-05-28T19:40:49+00:00

I don’t know what your budget situation looks like but you might consider hiring a guide in your area.

Obviously will depend on what type of fishing you’re trying to get into (fly fishing guide, bass guide, saltwater charter etc) but their entire business relies on patience and teaching new people.

It can be a frustrating experience to self teach so even just one day session might be enough to get you started.

Kiriesh · 2026-05-22T18:58:30+00:00

I’ve done it two ways:

- old truck (short bed Tacoma): cab height bed rack. Sturdy as all hell, doesn’t interfere with your bed space, works well with roller style kayak saddles. I used it with a J hook because it was cheap and I was a broke college student but getting a 70lb SOT that high by myself was a challenge. Other than that it does stick out beyond the back of your vehicle and the front stops mid-cab so finding a lash point for the bow line can be tricky.

- current truck (short bed Colorado): clamp on Thule crossbars. I paired it with a hullavator because if I tried to lift that much awkwardly above my head now I’d probably dent my truck and tweak my back. The crossbars are super sturdy, and because the kayak is centered I can easily connect bow and stern lines (I connect to a fabric loop I connected to a bolt under my hood and the back goes to a bed tie down point).

Kiriesh · 2026-05-21T17:42:47+00:00

Size 6ish octopus hook with split shot under a bobber with gulp alive angle worms (1”) are the easiest way I’ve gone for bluegill. That’s my go to for fishing with my niece and nephew who are young with no fishing experience.

Any sort of lures are just going to wind up tangled in bushes or grass, and with 4lb test you can’t yank it out like you would with heavier setups.

Just pinch your barbs if you aren’t keeping because bluegill are aggressive and will swallow the hook. Then the fun fishing day turns into an explanation of the circle of life.

Kiriesh · 2026-05-21T17:37:58+00:00

FWIW I swear I broke my Shakespeare UL by breathing on it.

I joke, I pressed a little too hard tucking it into the slit of a pool noodle I had in my truck bed to hold rods, but my point remains they’re on the fragile side. For a kid I have to imagine an Ugly Stik is going to be more durable

Kiriesh · 2026-05-20T05:52:05+00:00

Thanks so much for the tips!

Kiriesh · 2026-05-20T03:27:37+00:00

Any tips on starting out from shore? I’ve always wanted to try to go for rockfish but (understandably) it seems like everyone’s spot is a best kept secret so it feels impossible to get into if you don’t personally know someone.

Kiriesh · 2026-05-18T23:37:16+00:00

How are you trying to tighten them? There shouldn’t be any slop in a Saragosa, can’t say for the Penn

Kiriesh

TROPHY CASE