Small parts that are easy to lose and important to have. Lens caps protect the front element, hot shoe covers protect the contacts of the camera and give a cleaner look, and an eyecup shuts out side light and makes the viewfinder more comfortable against the eye. Many parts are made for a specific product, so check the model.
Read more about caps, protection & viewfinders
Front and rear lens caps
Front lens caps come in two kinds. Ordinary caps clip into the filter thread and are chosen by the same diameter in millimetres as a filter, such as 67 or 77 mm. Others are shaped for one particular lens, often wide angles with a bulging front element or a built-in hood, where a standard cap will not fit. Laowa's caps are of the second kind and sold per lens, so choose by focal length and model.
The rear cap protects the element nearest the sensor and the lens contacts. It follows the lens mount, not the lens, so a rear cap for a given mount fits every lens with that mount. The same goes for the body cap that sits on the camera when no lens is attached.
When a cap goes missing it is usually the front one. One tip is to put the cap back on as soon as you have finished shooting, instead of slipping it into a pocket.
Caps for NiSi filter holders
Anyone using NiSi's filter holder system often has an adapter ring on the lens and a polariser built into the holder. With an ordinary lens cap all of that has to come off every time the lens goes back in the bag.
NiSi's holder caps fit straight onto the adapter ring, with or without the polariser in place. The ring and filter can then stay on the lens in the bag, and the cap protects both the filter and the front element. The caps exist for the V7 and V5 systems for 100 mm filters, M75 for 75 mm, and S5 and S6 for 150 mm. Pick the same system as your holder.
Caps for cine lenses
When filming with several lenses in one bag, finding the right focal length quickly matters. NiSi's front caps for the Athena and Aureus cine lines have fluorescent markings that show in low light, so you can pick the right lens on a dark set without lighting it up with a phone. The caps are sold per focal length.
For PL-mount lenses there is a NiSi rear cap that keeps dust off the mount and the rear element while the lens sits in its case.
Hot shoe covers and small parts
A hot shoe left open to rain and bag dust can get oxide on its contacts, which can be why a flash suddenly stops responding. Covers come in plastic and metal. Plastic is light and cheap to keep as a spare, metal takes more abuse. Ricoh's stainless steel cover is made for the Ricoh GR and fits snugly, and Pentax has its own cover for its cameras.
SmallRig makes a solid wood set for selected Fujifilm cameras, with a cover for the accessory shoe and a matching shutter button. Each piece has its own grain pattern.
For the Ricoh GR III there is also a dark grey lens ring that replaces the black ring around the lens. A small detail for anyone who wants to make the camera a bit more their own.
Eyecups for the viewfinder
The eyecup supplied with the camera is often small and hard, and it is one of the parts that most often comes loose and disappears without you noticing. Glasses wearers also benefit from a softer eyecup, since their lenses are less likely to get scratched against it.
SmallRig's eyecups for Sony Alpha cameras have a soft silicone cushion and are deeper than the original, so your nose does not press against the screen. You notice that after a long day with the camera to your face. Each eyecup is made for certain camera models, listed in the product description.
Frequently asked questions about caps, protection & viewfinders
Which lens cap fits my lens?
A standard front cap is chosen by the lens's filter diameter in millimetres, printed on the lens or inside the old cap. Some lenses, such as wide angles with a bulging front element, need a cap made for that lens. Rear caps are chosen by lens mount.
What is the difference between a lens cap and a body cap?
A lens cap protects the front or rear element of the lens. A body cap sits on the camera when no lens is attached and keeps dust off the sensor and contacts. Both follow the mount, apart from the front lens cap.
Do I need a hot shoe cover?
It is not essential, but it keeps the hot shoe contacts clean and prevents scratches. If you rarely use a flash or microphone on the camera, it is a cheap way to keep the shoe in good shape.
Can a filter holder have a cap?
Yes, NiSi makes caps that fit straight onto the adapter ring for its V7, V5, M75, S5 and S6 holders. The polariser can stay in place under the cap.
Why replace the camera's eyecup?
A larger, softer eyecup keeps out more stray light and is more comfortable against the eye. The original also comes loose easily and gets lost. Choose one made for your camera model.