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In addition to kitchen trash bags and rubber bands or hair ties, which I use in combination as an inexpensive rain cover, here are some other things I keep in my bag, or at least close by.
Ruggard Neoprene Protective Pouch for Memory Cards - https://geni.us/Ruggard_Card_Wallet
Ruggard Camera Rain Cover - https://geni.us/Camera_Rain_Cover
If you want something a little more refined than the trash bag and rubber band solution ;-)
White Balance and 18% Gray Cards - https://geni.us/White_Black_Gray_Card
I keep a set of these cards in my bag and use them on location in situations with challenging light. If you do commercial work, and need to get your colors exact in post production, I suggest the Calibrite ColorChecker Passport Photo 2, which I have also listed below.
Calibrite ColorChecker Passport Photo 2 - https://geni.us/ColorChecker_Photo_2
Silica Gel Desiccant Packs - https://geni.us/Silica_Gel_Desiccant
You know those desiccant packets that arrive in shipping boxes and admonish you not to eat them? Well, hang on to those and feed a couple of them to your camera bag to help protect your gear from moisture. These are also great if you shoot in cold weather to avoid condensation forming on your gear. This can happen when you bring your gear from colder temperatures (outside) to warmer temperatures (inside.) Before you move your gear to a warmer space, put a couple of these desiccant packs in a plastic trash bag or zip-lock bag, place your gear in the bag, and seal the bag. If you don’t have any desiccant packs currently on hand, you can grab a few via this link, but just know that any brand will do.
Lume Cube Panel Mini - https://geni.us/Lumecube_Mini
Just go ahead and put one of these in your bag. Great for finding your dropped keys at night, light painting, and adding a little bump of light to macro photography.
Coast G26 LED Flashlight - https://geni.us/Coast_G26_Flashlight
Another camera bag staple. Great for finding your dropped keys at night (are you seeing a pattern here?), and light painting.
Giottos Medium Rocket Air Blaster - https://geni.us/Giottos_Rocket_Blaster
A must have! This blower removes most debris from lenses, and it is the first thing I use to clean my lenses. Most of the time, this is all that is needed.
Zeiss Microfiber Lens Cloth - https://geni.us/Zeiss_Lens_Cloth
Step two if the rocket blower didn't get the job done. I cut larger microfiber cloths into smaller pieces and then store the pieces in a well-sealed plastic bag. I use the smaller pieces once or twice, and then discard them to avoid recontaminating my lenses. Yes, I know these cleaning cloths are washable, but this is how I do.
ROR Residual Oil Remover Lens Solution - https://geni.us/ROR_Lens_Solution
This is my go-to for anything oily (finger prints) that the rocket blower and the microfiber lens cloth didn't remove. I use this cleaning fluid in conjunction with the Kimwipes listed below.
Kimwipes Delicate Task Wipes - https://geni.us/Kimwipes
Great for absorbing rain or water droplets from a lens. I also use these wipes in conjunction with ROR optical lens cleaner. The box is rather large, so I put several wipes in a well-sealed plastic bag and put that in my bag rather than carrying the whole box.
Eclipse Optic Cleaning Solution - https://geni.us/Eclipse_Optic_Solution
Eclipse Pec-Pad Photo Wipes - https://geni.us/Pec-Pads
This optic cleaning solution is great for both cleaning a lens and for cleaning the contacts on the lens and on the camera lens mount.
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths - https://geni.us/Microfiber_Cloths
I use, wash, and reuse these for cleaning the outside of my camera body and lens barrels. Any brand will do.
Camera Body and Lens Barrel Cleaning Gel - https://geni.us/Cleaning_Gel
Also great for cleaning the "ick" out of car cup holders!
**Cleaning a camera sensor is not difficult, but please don't do so unless you are certain you understand how to properly clean a sensor!**
Nylon Sensor Cleaning Brush - https://geni.us/Nylon_Sensor_Brush
As I do with my lenses, when cleaning a camera sensor, I start with a rocket blower. I only use a brush when rocket blower doesn’t do the job. Just be sure to keep this brush very clean and sealed in a dust-proof bag or container.
Sensor Cleaning Swabs + Cleaner
Full Frame Sensor Kit: https://geni.us/FX_Sensor_Swabs
APS-C Sensor Kit: https://geni.us/DX_Sensor_Swabs
I use these products to clean my camera sensor only when the rocket blower and sensor cleaning brush doesn't get the job done. Make sure you select the appropriate kit according to whether you have a full-frame (FX) camera or an APS-C (DX) camera.