Filters Accessories

Step-Up and Step-Down Rings

A great accessory to your filter is a step-up ring that allows you to move up a size filter on a lens that caters to a specific size. For example, if you have a lens with a 49 mm front filter thread size, a step-up ring with a 49mm-52mm capacity will allow you to use a 52 mm filter, which typically would not work. Conversely, the same idea works for a step-down ring, but allows a smaller sized filter to be attached to your lens. When purchasing a step-up or step-down ring, it is imperative that you know not only the thread size of your lens, but also the size of filter you need. The thread size is the diameter of the opening at the front of your lens to which you affix your filters. Generally, the most common thread size of filters is 37 mm, but you can find sizes that range from 27 mm to 72 mm.

Filter Tools

For difficult to attach (or remove) filters, a filter wrench is an ideal tool. Typically very affordable, filter wrenches generally come in two sizes; smaller wrenches fit 49 mm to 58 mm filters while larger ones fit 67 mm to 77 mm. Another useful tool is a lens cleaning kit that can also be used to keep your filters spotless. Most lens cleaning kits come with solutions and cleaning tools and can be found anywhere where camera accessories are sold. Just like lenses, you can also find carriers and cases for your filters for easy organization and help keep filters away from damaging elements like dust, sand or harsh winds and normally house several filters at a time.

Miscellaneous Filter Accessories

There are also a variety of filters that are affixed to lighting equipment, as opposed to the camera itself. These filters are typically referred to as ‘gels’ and can soften, brighten or simply change the color of the atmosphere you are trying to portray. Gels and their filters are usually square or rectangular and can be attached easily to most lights. Virtually any color of the rainbow you can find in a filter and can enable the photographer to enhance or detract a certain mood in their photo. Blue filters, as an example, create a smoother tone and are most often used to highlight a calming effect, or even a melancholy feel. Whatever the color of filter you use, you are able to experiment with different feelings and tones that you want to convey.

There are many filter accessories that will help your photos come out crisp and clear and help maintain your equipment. Whatever your photographic desires, the perfect accessories for you can easily be found and purchased at any camera outfitter or online shopping center.