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Lens Accessories
Filters
Neutral density (ND) filters allow long exposure shots in daylight to blur movement in landscapes, while graduated neutral density (GND) filters balance exposure between the sky and foreground. Polarizing filters reduce reflections and enhance saturation and contrast. Filters come in round and square/rectangular types. Round filters screw onto the lens and require specific sizes. Square filters are versatile and use adapter rings. They are essential for the precise positioning of graduated filters.
Lens Cleaners
Naturally, it's important to keep your gear clean. A blower is useful for blowing specks and grits off your camera body and lens before giving it a wipe with a soft lens cloth. It's also advisable to invest in a sensor cleaning kit because, even though compact system cameras and DSLRs have in-built cleaning mechanisms, sticky pollen and the like can still find their way onto a sensor and it can take some shifting. You don't need to buy anything fancy, just a pack of sensor cleaning swabs and a small bottle of sensor cleaning fluid will do it, but buy a decent stock that won't shed fibres.
Lens Hoods
A lens hood is an accessory that you attach to the front of your camera lens. While it is traditionally made of plastic or metal, you can also make one yourself using any light-blocking material You’ll typically find two types of lens hoods; petal lens hoods haven’t got corners, whereas tube ones are fully circular. The type of lens hood you use will depend largely on your camera’s sensor shape and the lens you connect to your camera. There are two major styles of lens hoods: conical and petal-shaped. Conical hoods are the simplest and most effective because they fully shade the front element of the lens. However, if you’re using a wide-angle lens, the edge of the lens hood might appear in the frame.
Lens Caps
There are three types of lens caps: snap-on, screw-in, and push-on. Snap-on caps fit inside the filter ring and must match the lens size precisely. Screw-in caps thread onto the front of the lens like a filter and are made of metal for aesthetic purposes or added protection. Push-on caps fit around the lens barrel and are less secure but useful for lenses without filter threads. Rear lens caps protect the rear element of the lens that connects to the camera body. Knowing the lens mount type is crucial when choosing a rear cap. Each lens mount has a specific bayonet design, requiring a matching bayonet-style rear cap.