Good camera lens accessorys?

[Saph]

Hi and sorry if this belongs in the canon section i wasnt sure where to put it.

So im new to the world of dslr and all the fancy terms with it like neutral density and cpl filters but what i do know is these seem to be imprtant to have so im just wondering a good place to get a kit of these that wont break the bank, i noticed this on amazon https://www.amazon.com.au/Neewer-Filter-Accessory-CANON-Cameras/dp/B00SMG9HNU and im wondering if it would be worth investing in?

It will be mostly used for landscape shots with steam locomotives in frame along with some stock photography at times and hopfuly being able to use it with new lenses i will buy in the future so i dont have mutiple kits about.

Also another thing im wondering is whats a decent bag? i would like something that can carry my camera (canon 1500D) along with 2 extra lenses and the gear needed but not be a backpack i idealy would like it to be able to fit into the backpack i already own (its my multiuse old school bag that i keep for carrying my laptop and fishing tackle) i was looking at a lowepro one but i dont think that would work for me now since it would also need to survive a trip in a suzuki sierra for some of the places i would like to take photo's at like cape york and the old telegraph track and some of the tracks there like gunshot creek.

Thanks for any help that is given it helps not only me but anyone who reads this wondering the exact same questions on what to buy.

[Geoff79]

I think there’s a few recent threads on similar subjects, in which case it might be worth browsing old threads in this sub-forum thingy.

I’m a dud person to answer this as I’m low on accessories and equipment, but for me personally, I have always used those cheap CPL filters from eBay and they’ve suited my purpose well. You just need to make sure you get yourself familiar with it, and adjusting it accordingly once it’s on your lens.

As for the kit on amazon, not sure you need all that. You’ll find you probably don’t use any of the other filters at all. If you just want a CPL filter I’d just by a CPL filter. Same with individual ND filters. You want the ND filter to slow down motion in your landscape shots? Or are they all with trains? In which case, not sure you’ll need a ND filter as I doubt you’ll be looking at doing long exposures?

I’d just start with a CPL filter personally and see if/when you might need anything else.

As for a bag, can’t advise on that. My wife bought me a cool camera back pack once and most the time I just use a normal old sports back pack. One of those things that I guess is specific to your equipment. Just see what the local camera shops, or even places like Harvey Norman have, would be my best tip. :)

[Saph]

Thanks Geoff79 im not sure what im going with yet because each time so far ive made the plan to take the trip to get some train photos at the local station its started to pour with rain and being i currently take public transport i dont want to walk about with a camera strapped to me wearing a bright yellow rain jacket because that would seem a bit off to a few people.

The bag i think is a personal choice but would love some input because last time i brought a bag (100 dollar bag for fishing) i used it once and have had it sitting about since because i dont find it useful for my use case unlike my old as school backpack but its issue is it has a leak issue in rain.

[Tannin]

G'day Saph. Great question!

The idea is good but the implementation is not, so your short answer is no. There are several reasons:


1: Cheap filters do really horrible things to your pictures. Really horrible.
2: These are the wrong filters anyway. Nearly all photographers have and use a CPL. They are an essential part of a landscape kit, and very handy for many other tasks. But don't get a cheap and nasty one, they are awful. Get something decent.
2b: FLD filters went out many years ago when we moved on from film. Digital cameras don't need them.
2c: UV filters, the same applies: useless on digital cameras.
2d: ND filters are useful only for a couple of specialised tasks. They are mostly used for making water look weird and unnatural in beach and waterfall shots. They doubtless have one or two other minor applications which I can't remember.
2f: Graduated ND filters ("grads") are a different matter. Anyone doing landscapes needs grads, and they are no doubt good for other things too from time to time. But this kit doesn't include any grads.
2f: Remember that all of the light making your picture has to go through your filter (if any). Picture quality is just as easily damaged by a bad filter as it is by a bad lens. It is crazy to spend good money on a lens and then attach a cheap, nasty filter to it. Even with a good filter, you are still adding two extra glass surfaces, and every extra layer does a little bit to reduce contrast and colour. Most of the time there is no reason to add a filter anyway, so use them reluctantly and sparingly.
3: You already have a lens cap.
4: Lens hoods are essential to have, but get a decent one, not one of these ultra-cheapies which will only cause trouble. The factory ones are generally excellent, but quite dear. You can get quite decent third-party ones in most sizes from places like Ebay. I have bought from this merchant quite a few times - https://www.ebay.com.au/str/phoebe-g2009/ - but not (of course) for anything with glass in it. (Stuff with glass that your lens sees through needs to be high quality. Places like this are good for other accessories where perfection is not required.)
5: Lens cleaning cloths are always useful, but $26.99 for a cleaning cloth is too much.


Summary: get a good CPL, spending whatever it takes to do properly. This kit is fair-dinkum junk.


For bags, something like this one https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/279324-REG/Lowepro_1988510_Specialist_85_AW_Shoulder.html might be good. That particular model is no longer made, but there will be others similar. It's nice and large with plenty of room for all your kit, good quality, and best of all it uses both a shoulder strap and a belt. This works really well. If you don't like backpacks (I don't, you can't reach anything without stopping and putting it on the ground) but want plenty of room, this sort of bag is your best bet.

[Liney]

Sorry for being late to the thread. I bought a set of filters similar to this from Neewer and found it to be really good. I picked up a set of magnifying filters, a set of ND filters and a couple of others such as the CPL and UV, as well as some rubber lens hoods. For the price they are worth it, I've used the magnifying filters quite a bit and played with the ND filters a couple of times.

I've bought a couple of Neewer products and found them to be cheap but still a decent quality. If you are on a budget Neewer products give you a decent capability, which in turn will allow you to see if you want to splash out of a more expensive equivalent

[Saph]

Thanks folks still looking about at filters when im not doing other stuff.

[I Like to Watch]

It's raining so why not jump on a recently updated older thread :)


* I pretty much have a CPL Filter sitting on my Lens 90% of the time whenever I'm outdoors, but like 'Tannin' said, don't limit a good quality lens with a cheap Filter
* I use an ND Filter for Waterfalls (possibly not needed if you get to the scene early in the day...but needed once the scene is too bright and you are wanting to slow down your shutter speed for milky water)
* I have three types of Camera Bag
- Lowepro Backpack-Style for those times you want to take 'everything' (also useful as a 'storage bag' for lenses you don't use often)
- Lowepro Slingshot-Style which enables you to swing the bag to your front allowing access to your camera without having to take the whole bag off
- Kata 3n1-whcih can be configured as Backpack-Style or Slingslot-Style (I have two of these...differrent sizes).
The one I mostly use is the Lowepro Slingshot. Very versatile and easy to access my camera. The only drawback is that the strap is designed to fit over one shoulder only (and can't be changed). In my case, the bag goes on my right shoulder...I would prefer it was made for my left shoulder.

[richtbw]

A set of adapter rings allows me to use the CPL on the lenses.

[arthurking83]

Hi and sorry if this belongs in the canon section i wasnt sure where to put it.

So im new to the world of dslr and all the fancy terms with it like neutral density and cpl filters but what i do know is these seem to be imprtant to have so im just wondering a good place to get a kit of these that wont break the bank, i noticed this on amazon https://www.amazon.com.au/Neewer-Filter-Accessory-CANON-Cameras/dp/B00SMG9HNU and im wondering if it would be worth investing in?

It will be mostly used for landscape shots with steam locomotives in frame along with some stock photography at times and hopfuly being able to use it with new lenses i will buy in the future so i dont have mutiple kits about.

Also another thing im wondering is whats a decent bag? i would like something that can carry my camera (canon 1500D) along with 2 extra lenses and the gear needed but not be a backpack i idealy would like it to be able to fit into the backpack i already own (its my multiuse old school bag that i keep for carrying my laptop and fishing tackle) i was looking at a lowepro one but i dont think that would work for me now since it would also need to survive a trip in a suzuki sierra for some of the places i would like to take photo's at like cape york and the old telegraph track and some of the tracks there like gunshot creek.

Thanks for any help that is given it helps not only me but anyone who reads this wondering the exact same questions on what to buy.

Don't get a cheap bag if you plan to do many corrugated tracks/roads in a Sierra.
Can't help with a specific bag, but make sure it's well designed for your needs and keeps the camera/lenses secured in their respective pockets.
Worst track I've done was the Anne Beadell hwy, in a very crappy car, which shook all my teeth out. Camera gear was fine tho.
The only lens I had fear for was the Tamron 300/2.8 which sits in it's own hard case, which I usually have on the floor. I stopped and placed it on the back seat just to be sure, even tho it was probably OK, as the case is well padded.

For filters, I'd also avoid this type of kit.
Mainly because there's too much stuff you won't ever use.

As already said, get a CPL(circular polariser). Cost about $40-ish or so(give or take).
Search online if need be.
Hoya, Kenko and Marumi are my faved/preferred brands in various guises.
I have good Kenko CPLs, and I have bad(cheapie).
The bad one still gives good image quality, but it badly made, where it falls to pieces regularly. Not surprising given it's price, but not happy with it either.
Marumi is good value for money.
Hoya's are generally more expensive for a given quality level.

First thing is to determine what size filters you will need for your 2 or 3 lenses. A bit unsure how many lenses, going by your description above ... is that bag for camera and lens + 2 more lenses(ie. 3 lenses).
ND filter I very rarely use them, I prefer to shoot in appropriate light conditions(ie. for long exposure), but can understand this is not always possible. They can be handy to have, but not vital.
A CPL filter is a mild(1-2 stop) ND filter anyhow and with a bit of adaptability, you can always make do for a given situation.
My preferred ND filters are graduated to help balance exposure variances. But these can get expensive!