If you are the proud owner of a reflex camera and use it not only for home photography, then sooner or later you will think about buying both new lenses and camera lens filters. What are lens filters for and how does a particular copy differ? We will talk about this with you today.
Camera Lens Filters Explained
A lens filter is an optical device whose direct purpose is to suppress unwanted effects or, on the contrary, acquire them.
In other words, a camera lens filter is a lens attachment used to adjust brightness, contrast, color saturation, directly, during shooting. Usually they are also called simply filters.
To know for sure which filter suits your lens, you need to remember the only parameter – its diameter. It is always indicated on the lens or on its protective cap.
The Main Types of Camera Lens Filters
For a DSLR, there are 12 main types of filters that differ from each other not only in purpose, namely:
1. Protective
Protective, as you understood from the name, protect the lens from unwanted mechanical damage.
Dust and excess moisture will very quickly worsen the quality of the optics, so installing a protective filter is important immediately after purchase.
This view does not affect the quality of the final images in any way, because in its structure it is ordinary glass, slightly better than window glass.
2. Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet filters are the most common among amateurs and professionals. If you believe the loud words of the sellers, then this type protects the device matrix from UV waves. In fact, it is not possible to confirm or deny this information.
3. Skylight
Skylight – have a pale pink tint, which is why the pictures acquire warm tones, I think that buying them is inappropriate, this result can be achieved in a matter of seconds when processing a photo.
4. Polarizing
Polarizing – used mainly for landscape photography. They completely eliminate unnecessary glare on reflective surfaces such as water or glass.
In addition, this filter makes the pictures more contrasting, especially when photographing the sky, the color becomes deeper and more interesting.
5. Neutral
Neutral – somewhat similar to sunglasses, only they can have a variable shading density. They are used when it becomes necessary to shade a frame or some part of it, without making any color changes. Designated as ND.
They perfectly cope with their task during long exposure photography of moving objects such as water, clouds, cars with headlights on, people.
Using this filter, you can get rid of passers-by, for this you need to expose the photo for two minutes. This opportunity is often used by photographers who shoot architecture in places teeming with tourists.
6. Gradient
Gradient – creates a multi-colored overlay on an image that changes natural tones.
7. Infrared
Infrared – used for artistic photography, they capture the ability of objects not to emit, but rather absorb infrared waves.
In fact, elements that absorb IR waves will look darker in the photo, and, for example, green trees that reflect rays, on the contrary, will become winter white. This effect is a bit like a negative shot.
8. Fluorescent
Fluorescent – balances the light emitted by fluorescent lamps to the level of incandescent lamps. Designated as FLD.
Filters for creating various effects on photos.
9. Diffuse
Diffuse – creates a pleasant blurring of objects, as a result of which the photo looks like a clipping from a dream.
Ray, as a rule, are used to stylize a photo like a picture. With their help, star flares are obtained around a luminous object, such as a street lamp or various LEDs. The size and brightness of the “star” depends on the size of the light source.
10. Foggy
Foggy – lowers the contrast of the frame, creating a whitish haze.
11. Colored and Multicolored
Colored and multicolored filters change the color of the entire image, or its separate part.
12. Rainbow
Rainbow – Creates a rainbow effect around lights.
As you understand, there are a huge variety of light filters, they differ from each other in structure, purpose, and price. By the way, as for the latter, it directly depends on the lens diameter, the larger it is, the higher the price.
The brand also affects the cost, native tips from Canon and Nikon are quite expensive, but they are not better than many analogues. Therefore, approach the long-awaited acquisition wisely without spending finances. Focus on customer reviews for a particular model, and also monitor prices in different stores.
You can easily find something on Amazon, for example, the a lens filter kit of 9 filters for $26.99 (Amazon Link), I am using this lens filter currently. Be sure to read the reviews, you can already draw conclusions from them whether to buy or not. And I buy a lot of things there, for example, a pencil for cleaning the lenses and a microfiber cloth turned out to be very good.
You may also like to read: Handheld Camera Stabilizers – Buying Guide, Rating & Reviews
If you are interested in lens filters, then you are no longer just a person who puts the mode on auto, and without any knowledge of photography, presses the shutter button. You want something more and great memorable photography. Good luck to your journey…
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