When it comes to putting together the ultimate photography kit, we all put a great deal of time into choosing the best DSLR and mirrorless cameras, as well as digital camera lenses to get beautiful results in any circumstances, and rightfully so. But there are camera accessories that you should also consider adding to your cart before you checkout, such as camera bags, tripods and camera lens filters.
Read on to find out which filter to use to protect your camera lens, which size filter you need for your lens and more.
Table of contents
- Why you should use lens filters
- What size camera lens filter do I need?
- Understanding camera lens filter types
- A note about lens filter quality
Why you should use lens filters
With so much manipulation possible with photo editing software you may be asking, what place do lens filters have in digital photography?
When it comes to lens filters that deliver a specific effect, it is much quicker and easier to set your gear up to capture the best results in-camera than it is to rely on your fancy Photoshop skills. When it comes to producing the best quality photographs, you should aim to make your job easier at every step and save yourself from extra work at a later stage.
Camera filters are also an integral part of digital camera lens care and maintenance, by providing protection to the important and sensitive front element of your lens. If your lens is exposed to dirt, grime or even impact out in the field, it is much cheaper and easier to replace a filter than it is to repair or replace your lens.
What size camera lens filter do I need?
It is important to understand that filter thread size is different to lens focal length — this can be tricky for beginners to remember!
Thankfully, there is a foolproof way of determining what size filter your lens needs. Look closely at the information on your lens and you will see the geometric symbol for diameter followed by a number, which is the lens diameter in millimetres. This is the size of the filters compatible with your lens — it's that simple!
Although this is the main consideration when finding a compatible filter, users of ultra-wide-angle lenses also need to consider the thickness or profile of the filter. Their wider field of view can cause the filter to be visible in the frame, creating vignetting — this applies to lenses with focal lengths of 28mm or wider. Slim and ultra-slim filters can be used to easily negate this effect.
Understanding camera lens filter types
UV filters — We recommend UV filters or clear protection filters with every lens we sell. UV filters have a small impact on image quality by reducing UV light, haze and increasing contrast, but their primary use today is lens protection.
Polarising filters — Polarising filters are the favoured tool of landscape photographers. They are handy for darkening skies and increasing vividness and contrast. They can also reduce reflections, which is perfect when water or glass is present in your photograph.
Circular polarising filters are the most popular type today, as they can be adjusted to suit each situation.
Neutral Density filters — If you are interested in photographing waterfalls and other long exposure subjects, ND filters are essential. Coming in varying degrees of strength, ND filters reduce the amount of light entering your lens so you can use slower shutter speeds without overexposing your image — allowing you to intentionally blur elements to emphasise motion.
Special effects filters — Special effects filters are less common in digital photography but still serve an important purpose. Infrared filters cut out all visible light, leaving only elements not usually visible to the naked eye — the results are stunning. Coloured filters produce drastic colour shifts and are commonly used to change the tonality of black and white photography, while warming and cooling filters add a specific tint and mood to an image. There are also light pollution filters for astrophotography, which reduce the orange glow caused by street lights and other artificial light sources.
A note about lens filter quality
While UV filters have just a small impact on your image, you wouldn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a masterfully engineered optic only to put a cheap piece of glass on the front. For this reason, lens filters are available in varying quality tiers.
For a standard zoom lens, you can get by with an entry-level filter — the Hoya UXII UV range is a good example of a budget filter that still delivers solid quality. Always stick to a brand you know and trust, such as Hoya or Cokin.
For more expensive, high-quality lenses, a more advanced filter is recommended. Premium filters feature extra coatings to reduce reflections and are scratch-resistant for longer-lasting performance in varied conditions. While the price is higher, remember these accessories are responsible for protecting the integrity of your expensive camera lenses.
Shop lens filters at Ted's
At Ted's, we stock a wide range of camera lens filters from trusted brands including Hoya and Cokin. Whether you're after basic UV protection or specialist ND and polarising filters, we have you covered. Visit your local Ted's store or browse online today.