Best Filters for Lenses
Today we will talk about the best filters for lenses, where we will explain what all types of filters exist, what lens filters are for, and how to choose the right filter for your camera or type of photography. We will take into account various aspects such as manufacturer, price, attachment to your camera, and whether you need special cleaning accessories.
While UV radiation from the sun’s rays doesn’t cause as much of a problem with DSLRs as it does with film cameras, the sun’s radiation can still cast a blonde cast on images. A UV filter can correct this problem without reducing the amount of visible light reaching the image sensor.
However, the main reason for using a UV filter on all lenses is to protect them from dirt, dust, and, most importantly, accidental damage. If you’re lucky enough to drop a lens and break it, you’re looking at hundreds of dollars worth of damage. But UV filters start at around $22, so the replacement cost will be much more reasonable! Buy a multicoated UV filter, otherwise you risk lens failure with DSLRs. If I could only afford one filter, this would be it.
2. Circular polarizer
If you are interested in landscape photography, a polarizing filter is a must. Simply put, a polarizer reduces the amount of reflected light that hits the camera sensor. The blue sky appears a deeper blue, and the reflections from the water can be completely removed. You can choose the amount of polarization you add by rotating the outer ring of the filter, as this filter has two rings, one that attaches to the camera lens and a free-form outer ring that rotates for polarization. This adds polarization in degrees up to 180 degrees.
The disadvantage of polarizing filters is that they significantly reduce the amount of light reaching the camera’s sensor, often by two or three f-stops.
One last important point to keep in mind: Don’t be tempted to buy the cheaper “linear polarizer” option. This will not work with cameras that have autofocus or use TTL metering (through the lens) … something that all DSLRs have.
3. Neutral density filter
The sole purpose of a neutral layer (ND) filter is to reduce the amount of light reaching the camera sensor. This can be particularly useful if long enough exposures are not possible within the aperture parameters. The ND filter is most often used when photographing flowing water because it helps create a smooth and ethereal image. An ND filter can also be used to convey motion by adding blur to moving objects and making moving objects, such as cars, less obvious in landscape shots.
The most popular ND filters reduce light by two (ND4x or 0.6), three (ND8x or 0.9) or four (ND16x or 1.2) f-stops. You’re unlikely to get much use for more reduction than that, although some manufacturers make ND filters that reduce light by as much as six f-stops.
4. Purified neutral density filter
Graduated Neutral Density (GND), or Split, filters are an optional extra, but one that can prove useful if you don’t want to do a lot of post-production work. These filters reduce light near the top of the image and then transition smoothly to allow a normal amount of light to hit the camera sensor from the bottom of the image. These filters allow you to shoot landscapes with very dramatic lighting, which allows for proper detection of the sky and foreground.
How quickly the grading and blending occurs depends on whether the filter is a “soft” or “hard” edge, and this feature varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. You should do your research before purchasing these filters by looking at examples on the manufacturer’s websites. Like ND filters, GNDs are available in different f-stop settings. You don’t need more than one to three f-stop blends.
What are lens filters for?
In the days of film cameras, filters were popular and had many uses, such as filtering out certain colors or coloring the entire photo with certain colors. The color problems of some artificial lighting lights were solved with filters. Digital photography combined with Photoshop has removed the need for most such filters, but some will still be welcome on camera lenses.
Also, when buying a filter, it is very important to know the diameter of the lens, because it is the only measure by which filters are bought. You should also pay attention to the thickness of the filter that is placed on wide-angle lenses. Filters with thicker frames could limit the field of view of the lens and vignetting the photo. You should also know that polarizers do not have a great effect when used on telephoto lenses, so there is not much point in putting them on them.
With some models of compact digital cameras, there is a possibility that the filters are made especially for that model by the camera manufacturer, or more precisely, that standard filters do not fit it, therefore, with this class of camera, you should be well informed before buying a filter.
How to choose the best filters for lenses
Deciding what kind of filter you need is not everything. Now you should consider the main criteria when choosing which manufacturer and modification to give preference to.
- Fastening
Most often, light filters are made with a special thread, which is wound onto the lens. Typically, the pitch of the thread corresponds to the standard 0.75 mm, but there are models where it is smaller – 0.5 mm. At the same time, each lens has its diameter, that is, the size of the filter must be selected.
- Gelatin
Today, there are gelatin filters on the market that are independent of thread and diameter. To make them, you need to dissolve a special color in gelatin and apply this mixture to polished glass. When the film dries, it is removed from the glass and cut as desired. These are very high-quality filters, but fragile, afraid of heat, moisture, touching fingers.
- Price
Everything is very simple here. The higher the price, the more likely the filter is of good quality. It is better to refuse cheap models right away. Chances are good that they will simply be ineffective.
Of course, it would be nice to buy “original” filters for such popular cameras as Canon and Nikon. But the prices for them are too high. The same quality at a reasonable price can be obtained from Hoya, Marumi Promaster, Sunpack, Tiffen, B + W, Kenko.
Getting a good filter is half the battle. It should be properly taken care of. You cannot clean it by folk methods – breathing and wiping with your sleeve. Better to buy a special cleaning kit. The filters themselves should be stored in soft boxes. Then it will last a long time and will give its owner thousands of bright and high-quality pictures.
When buying a filter, it is very important to know the diameter of the lens, because it is the only measurement by which filters are bought. You should also pay attention to the thickness of the filter that is placed on wide-angle lenses. Filters with thicker frames could limit the field of view of the lens and vignetting the photo. You should also know that polarizers do not have a great effect when used on telephoto lenses, so there is not much point in putting them on them.
With some models of compact digital cameras, there is a possibility that the filters are made especially for that model by the camera manufacturer, or more precisely, that standard filters do not fit it, therefore, with this class of camera, you should be well informed before buying a filter.
