Continuing with IOP, today I finish off unit one (essential accessories).
- Filters
- Although most effects can still be replicated digitally not all of them can.
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The two most commonly used filters are the neutral density and the polariser filters.
- Netrual density filters tone down the bright areas of a scene helping you capture, allowing you to capture even more exposure without having burned out areas. They work by cutting off the amount of light the image sensor gets.
- ND filters come in various strengths so you can adjust how effective they are.
- The polariser filter is design to eliminate glare and reflections, creating colourful images with more punch and saturation.
- TOPTIP: Protect your lens with a skylight or UV filter as it will remove harmful UV rays.
- Tripods and monopods
- Required for images taken with a long shutter time, otherwise image will be blurry.
- As with anything you get what you pay for, some plastic legged models are too unstable.
- Payout for a carbon fibre or aluminium legged tripod.
- More expensive models come with a spirit level.
- A lightweight alternative is a mono pod, which only has one leg but is much more portable.
- Memory cards
- Having at least two memory cards is recommended.
- Better read/write speed decrease buffering.
- Buffering speeds are important when shooting RAW as the file size is very large.
- Batteries and charges
- Again at least two batteries is recommended.
- Kit storage options
- When shooting in wet conditions cover the camera in clear plastic and make a hole for the lens.
- Keep your kit clean using a lint free damp cloth.
- Do not clean optics with anything other than a lint free cloth.
- Along with the cloth you can use cleaning fluid, a blower-brush and compressed air to get the job done.