Brief Overview of Lens Filters

Budding photographers need not only good cameras, lenses, and tripods, but also filters that add a new dimension to their photography skills. There are many different types of filters available in the market, but the ones that should be in every photographer’s camera bag are UV, polarizing, graduated ND, and ND filters.

First up is the UV filter. It seems somewhat redundant due to the fact that most lenses these days have excellent UV coatings. However, the purpose of this type of filter has changed over the years, offering protection not from sunlight, but from things that cause scratches like dirt, branches, etc. UV filters are cheap and easily replaceable as compared to the front element of your lenses. Some people argue that you should not put on a cheap UV filter on an expensive lens. They are missing the point, though: the protection an UV filter provides to your lens is unparalleled, and saves you a lot of money in the long run.

While UV is focused on protection, polarizing filters are used for a more technical purpose. They are used to cut highlights and specular highlights. On top of that, they can turn the sky to a deeper shade of blue, and can make white, puffy clouds stand out even more. You can also turn the filter to adjust the amount of polarization you want. Photographers have their own settings and adjustments; it is suggested that you play with it to figure out what you really want. When used improperly, the resulting image has too much contrast, making it look distorted. Another great thing about this is that it helps you avoid any light metering errors since it reduces the amount of light that enters your lens.

Graduated neutral density filters, meanwhile, are clear on one half and darker on the other. This lets you balance the contrast of an image to meter more effectively. They come in different densities or ‘stops’, and are graduated, which means there is a smooth transition from one end to the other. This makes sure that the filter does not show up in your pictures. Neutral density filters, quite interestingly, are consistently dark from one end to the other. They darken your image without affecting the color. It is especially useful in areas where you want to slow down action, but there is too much light for you to continue. They usually come in two or three stop varieties, letting you slow down the shutter speed enough to blur the intended action without overexposing the image.

There are some things you need to take into consideration when buying filters for your lenses. First things first: make sure that the size of the filter matches the front element of your lens; it is usually marked and given in millimeters. You also need to look for coated or super-coated filters. These have the highest quality, giving you better quality pictures.

As it is, using filters makes photography more fun. They allow you to experiment with your composition and style. They also offer protection from external damage, making them an essential addition to your camera bag.