Lens Filters

“ Lens filters can turn what would be boring ordinary snapshots into exciting visual masterpieces with that all important WOW factor.  Every serious photographer needs them.”

 

Are lens filters necessary with a DSLR camera?

“Well are they?” I hear you ask.  My answer is a most definite YES!

Although your image software can probably create many of the effects that lens filters do, adding these effects can be time consuming and the chances are that your software won’t always have the one you want!

I think it’s much nicer to get the effect using lens filters when actually taking the picture, especially landscape photos.

Using lens filters when you take a picture is much more satisfying than spending hours sitting in front of your computer trying to get the effect you want.  You can of course still use your software to make image adjustments.

It is up to you whether you use lens filters or your image software but I like to get the image I am trying to achieve straight onto the camera and then do the odd adjustment on the computer.  To me that’s what photography is all about!


 

There are a lot of lens filters to choose from - which should I buy?

There are lots of different lens filters to choose from.  Which ones you should buy will depend on the type of photography you are interested in.  The first thing you need to decide on is which system you want to use.  There are two filter systems.  The Round Filter System where the filter screws straight onto the front of your camera lenses and the Square Filter System where the filter fits into a holder that attaches via an adaptor ring.
 

Cokin square and Hoya round lens filters

The Round Filter System is probably more convenient to use because the cap will still fit onto your lenses so the filter can be left on the camera until you want to use different lens filters.

The advantage of the Square Filter System is that up to three lens filters can be used together to create advanced special effects.

There is nothing to stop you using both systems, in fact many photographers do.


There are many lens filters that create different effects. I have listed just some of them below together with my opinion as to which you should buy first. 

• Polarizing lens filters are the first type of filter I think everyone should have.  Just by rotating the filter to the appropriate angle you can increase the contrast and get a rich blue sky and white “cotton wool” clouds.  A Polarizer will reduce or prevent the reflection from windows, glass and water.  It will also absorb up to two stops of light, thus allowing a slower shutter speed that will increase the colour richness.

Round screw-in polarizing lens filters can be either “linear” (which are simpler and cheaper to buy) or “circular”.  These terms have nothing to do with the shape of the filter.  Circular polarizing lens filters are the same as linear but with the addition of something called a “quarter wave plate”.  If you are using a camera with auto-focus or spot metering you should use a “circular” polarizer to ensure correct exposure and focusing.  If you are using manual focus you should use a “linear” polarizer.

Most photographers using modern DSLR’s use a “circular” polarizer but in reality you can use either type of filter on any SLR or DSLR camera.  However, if you use linear polarizing lens filters on cameras that have auto-focus or spot metering the focussing and metering might not function properly, in which case you will have to take manual control.

 Polarising lens filters come in different thicknesses and using a round polarizing filter with some wide-angle lenses can cause vignetting (or cut off) in the corner of the frame.  To cure this you can now buy ultra thin circular polarizing lens filters that have seven layers of multi-coating applied to the rear surface.  These eliminate the vignetting problem.
 

My advice - always carry a Polarizing Filter with you!
 

• Skylight lens filters are pale pink in colour.  They cut ultraviolet rays, reduce haze and improve the sky colour when taking distant landscape pictures.  This filter also gives the picture a pink tinge that warms up a landscape photo to make it more attractive.  This or the UV filter should be your next purchase.
   

• UV lens filters are almost the same as the skylight filter but without the pink colour cast.  They also cut ultraviolet light, haze in landscapes and improve sky colour.  Additionally this filter can be used to protect your lenses and rarely has any detrimental effect on your photographs.
  
   
• Graduated lens filters are dark at the top and light at the bottom and although available as a round filter works best with the square filter system.  With this system they can be moved up or down in the holder to suit the scene.

• Warm up lens filters are great when taking portrait pictures.  They can add warmth to the picture and improve skin tones.
  
   
• Diffuser lens filters create a moody impression to landscapes and offer a softer effect to portraits.

• Optical effect lens filters are also available.  These include starbursts, multi-image, close-up, rainbow, double exposure and many more.

• Other lens filters such as single colours; contrast and pastels should also be considered depending on what type of photography you are interested in.

Well, I hope I have given you some good general advice on which lens filters should be on the top of your list to buy.  The right lens filters really can enhance your pictures and are well worth the cost.  I have searched Amazon for lens filters and the results show you the huge variety available.  The links will also give you the chance to buy if you want to.  To see the USA results click here and to see the UK results click here .

Enjoy using your lens filters!





p.s.  Don't be afraid to experiment with your lens filters.  There is no right or wrong way to use them as long as you get the effect you want!

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