There are two things I include in every camera purchase, a lens hood and a UV filter. To this day I'm surprised how many people shoot without either. Lens Flare is the biggest factor in degrading image quality, after dust and fingerprints on the lens.
Optional accessories would be a neck-strap, and tripod, followed by a step ladder.
Any of my readers care to share their accessory gadget list?
Technorati Tags: accessories, camera, photography, technique
i usually keep a polarizer on my dslr, similar practicality to the uv filter although obviously not so useful in low-light conditions. recently i've taken to carrying blu-tack thanks to my growing obsession with digital pinhole (in case that makes no sense i've been using a blu-tack mask to enable easy pinhole customization).
for my film cameras it's more a matter of what i can fit in my bag - if i bring out the vintage box camera the nothing else comes with me!
brendadada, I gotta confess I learnt that the hard way and from my teacher/s
robyoung, that is interesting, either way I just use the UV filter as a way to protect the lens analog or digital, might try testing that out though?
I agree a lens hood is an absolute must, but I don't use a UV filter. I used to on the film cameras, but I didn't like the effect when I switched to digital. Then again, it might have just been a cheap UV filter.
I use a monopod more than I use a tripod.
I hardly ever (never) use a lens hood, mustly because of the bulk, and with the Xpan, because the lens cap won't go on with the filter fitted. And I like to encourage flares.
But now I'm rethinking that S2, thank you.
Must haves for me would include a lens cloth and enough film. It is truly horrible running out of film, so nowadays I always take more than I need.
ne'er mind there addy, just at the least get a lens hood
i feel so lame...i have no must-have gadgetry. i guess i will now...