Advice on lens filters
What is a lens filter?
Of course, you're very careful with your lens. Unfortunately, there are enough factors that pose a risk to the vulnerable glass. Sand grains, sharp corners, or protruding parts may cause scratches, or, worse, a crack in your lens. To prevent this, many photographers use a lens filter as protection. Lens filters have little visible effect on your photos. But in addition to protection, lens filters have another important function. They ensure that your photos look better.
What type of lens filter do I need?
There are different types of lens filters available that help you create the desired photo effect. Below I explain the various types. Per lens filter, you'll find the most important points that help you make a choice. For example, after reading, you'll know whether you should opt for a gray filter or a polarization filter.
How do you determine the quality of a lens filter?
When you're looking for a filter, you'll see that there are big differences in price. These differences are largely caused by the finish of the filter. The cheapest filters don't have special coatings and can therefore produce annoying reflections or distortions. For the quality of your photos, it's recommended to invest in a filter that is finished with a good coating. These filters are indeed more expensive, but are still cheaper than when you scratch or damage a lens.
How do you attach the filter to your lens?
There are 2 different systems to attach a filter to your lens. The most common is the screw filter. Another system works with filter cards that you slide into a holder.
Screw filters
Nearly every lens has screw thread that you can screw filters on. These sizes are standardized, so that filters of the same size fit on lenses of the same size. The filter size is equal to the diameter of the front of the lens. Pay close attention to the filter size of your lens when purchasing it.
Filter holders
If you want to use filter cards, you need a filter holder and an adapter ring. The advantage of this system is that the cards can be used for every lens. You only need to purchase an adapter ring in the right size. There are completely gray and graduated gray filter cards available. It's impossible to attach a filter to some types of lenses. For example, a fisheye lens has a very convex lens that projects beyond the edges of the casing. This means you can't attach a filter.
