Filters Accessories

Just like cameras, filter accessories either come with a filter on purchase, or bought separately.

Some filters include the metal or plastic ring that holds them in place to a camera. Camera manufactures offer replacement rings on the off chance that the original gets dropped and broken. Utilize an adaptor (or stepping) ring when wanting to adapt a larger lens to a smaller lens camera, such as a 25.5mm camera lens that needs to use a 46mm filter lens. Step down adapter rings allow cameras with larger lenses to easily adapt a smaller filter lens.

Many of the new digital cameras, such as Nikon and Canon, allow for adaptor tubes. Screw the adaptor tube onto the digital camera. Then add a standard filter to the other side.

Other filters accessories include the use of lens caps. These are normally made of high quality black plastic to protect from light as well as accidental lens breakage. Many simply snap on for quick closure. Just squeeze the sides to remove the lens cap. Online sellers advertise replacement plastic lens caps for many cameras starting at one dollar and up. Metal lens caps start a few dollars higher. Metal lens caps screw on rather than snap. Soft plastic or rubber lens caps come in solid shapes with no moveable parts. Just push on and pull off. Rubber lens caps go generally cheaper than plastic lens caps. The use of a lens holder comes in handy for those who wish to keep their lens connected to the camera. This is usually a thin rope with one end attached to the camera and the other to the lens cap.

For storing filters, some photographers use filter stackers. These are round filter shaped tubes that come with a male and female screw in part for the filter to rest in between. These come in plastic and metal material.

Another way to store camera filters is to buy a filter pouch. Hoya and LowePro make padded filter pouches of varying sizes and colors. One Tiffen filter wallet holds up to six camera filters. Tamarc offers a filter case with foam padding that separates each filter. The case comes with a strap attachment and a buckle closure.

Other types of filter storage include plastic box, or ringed shaped boxes, fabric envelopes and wallets, and velvet lined bags.

Look for specially coated clothes for keeping the filters and lenses clean and free from dust or scratches.