Camera Lens Accessories You Need

Whether you’re an experienced photographer or a serious newcomer you’re going to need more than one lens.  So what other accessories should you be looking to buy?

Camera Lens Accessories:  Filters

When most people think of camera lens accessories they might need, filters are the first thing that comes to mind.   There are a variety of filters available to help you improve your picture taking.  Ultraviolet Protective filters are great if you are into outdoor photography.  Polarizing filters are also useful outdoors – they reduce glare, improve contrast, and accentuate the color of the sky.  If you want to cut back on the light a bit without impacting color, try a neutral density filter.  Landscape photographers love to use colored filters.  They are used to improve the overall setting by moderating certain color tones.  Astronomy photographers can choose from over a hundred different kinds of colored filters!  If you take a lot of wide angle shots you have probably experience vignetting problems.  This annoying effect can be seen when the color at the edge of the picture appears darker than the color in the center of the picture.   There are filters to tackle that problem as well.  They’re called ultra thin filters.  Finally, there are special effects filters designed to give you a softer focus or star-shaped flares or gradients.

Camera Lens Accessories:  Hoods

Most photographers have experienced an optical phenomenon know as flare at one time or another in their pictures.  When your pictures come back with color streaks and light distortions, you have been victimized by lens flare.  A light source – usually the sun – has reflected inside the lens.  Some photographers believe lens filters can eliminate flare but in reality, no filter will completely eliminate flare.  The answer is a lens hood.  Of all

Camera lens accessories available today, a lens hood is the most essential.  Lens manufacturers seem to agree with this as many of them include a lens hood with every lens purchase.  The hoods are made of rubber or metal and many experts feel metal hoods offer the best protection against flare.  Make sure the thread size of the hood fits your camera.  Most photographers find a standard hood to be sufficient but some real pros have different hoods for telephoto and wide angle shots.

Camera Lens Accessories:  Adapters and Add Ons

Most serious photographers who use SLR cameras have more than one body style.  To avoid having to purchase lens to fit each style, you can use lens adapters that allow a fit between your lens and different bodies.  

Finally, although all lens come with covers, not all manufactures provide some kind of strap to keep the lens attached to the camera body.   Losing a lens cap can be extremely annoying so think about purchasing a lens cap keeper as an “add on” accessory.  And don’t forget about cleaning supplies for the lens.  Good luck with your pictures!