Accessories under £100

There's a range of kit available to go with any digital camera. Before you dish out on something that might not be needed, have a browse of our 'must have' items.

Sandisk Imagemate 5-in-1 card reader

If you use multiple cameras that take different types of memory card, this handy little device will vastly simplify the process of transferring your image files to a computer. It has slots that are able to accommodate and read five types of card – SD, CF, MMC, xD and Memory Stick. The other end of the reader plugs directly into your computer’s USB port, allowing you to transfer files in both directions quickly and easily. Available for about £10 from www.sandisk.co.uk

Manfrotto Nano Clamp

Photographers often need to attach stuff to other stuff – reflectors to fence-posts, backgrounds to window-ledges, and so on. This Nano-Clamp is a smaller, lighter version of Manfrotto’s Super-Clamp, but its jaws still have the tenacity of an angry terrier. Keep one in your gadget bag. Available for approx £25 from www.manfrotto.co.uk See our more detailed review of the Manfrotto Nano Clamp

Giottos Rocket Blower

'Neatly styled like a spaceship, albeit one made out of rubber, the rocket blower serves one purpose - to blow dust specks off your camera's mirror and sensor' Available for approx £8 from www.giottos.com

Wacom Bamboo One

With an active area of 128x93mm, the Bamboo One is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get to grips with pen tablet control of your images on a computer. It is supplied with some junior ArtRange2.0 software to get you started, but is also fully compatible with more professional image-editing software such as Adobe Creative Suite 4. Available for both Windows and Mac users. Available for about £40 from www.wacom.com

Transcend JF220 2GB USB stick

 This standard 2GB USB memory stick boasts a far-from-standard fingerprint recognition security system. Available of approx £9 from www.transcend-uk.com See our detailed review of the Transcend JF220 2GB USB stick

Lastolite Reflector

A reflector is used to bounce light into shadow areas and generally brighten things up. Lastolite models fold up really small when not in use, and come in white, silver and gold. The price quoted here is for a 30in model, but they come in smaller and larger sizes. Available for approx £35 from www.lastolite.com

Lensbaby 1.0

Imagine attaching a magnifying glass to a three-inch section of vacuum cleaner hose and you have some idea of what the Lensbaby is about. By bending/stretching the lens in different ways you can get all kinds of creative selective focus effects. It really is great fun. There are several versions in the range, but this one is the most affordable. Available for approx £50 from www.lensbabies.co.uk

Gorrilapod

This clever, bendy little camera support is constructed from a series of interlocking plastic balls that can be twisted into any shape. Straighten them out to make a tripod, or wrap them around trees, fence posts and so forth. The original was designed for compacts but there are now five in the range covering everything from cameraphones and MP3 players (the GoGo), to big DSLR and lens combos up to 5kg in weight.

It's limitations are that you have to find something nearby to wrap it around, or rest it on, or have to shoot at near ground level. Also, it’s light as a feather but its knobbly design makes it surprisingly bulky. However, as long as you pick the right Gorillapod for the gear you’re using it’s relatively stable. Available from £15 to £40 from www.intro2020.co.uk See our detailed review of the Joby Gorillapod For other original gift ideas check out the other articles in our buying advice section