Clear filters, also known as window glass filters or optical flats, are completely transparent, and (ideally) perform no filtering of incoming light at all. The only use of a clear filter is to protect the front of a
lens.
UV filters are used to reduce haziness created by ultraviolet light. A UV filter is mostly transparent to visible light, and can be left on the lens for nearly all shots. UV filters are often used for lens protection, much like clear filters. A strong UV filter, such as a Haze-2A or UV17, cuts off some visible light in the violet part of the spectrum, and so has a pale yellow color; these strong filters are more effective at cutting haze, and can reduce
purple fringing in
digital cameras. Strong UV filters are also sometimes used for warming color photos taken in shade with daylight-type film.
While in certain cases (such as harsh environments) a protection filter may be necessary, there are also downsides to this practice. Arguments for and against use of protection filters include:
If the lens is dropped, the filter may well suffer scratches or breakage instead of the front lens element.
One can clean the filter frequently without having to worry about damaging the lens coatings; a filter scratched by cleaning is much less expensive to replace than a lens.
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| Protection Filters |
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B+W Protection Filters |
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Natural Clear 007 Multi-Resistant Coated
(MRC) Glass Filter. A B&W 46mm Clear (Colorless) Multi-Resistant Coated (MRC)
Glass Filter is for color as well as black and white films.
It also serves as a permanent lens protector. The value of a
clear filter covering a lens has been well-documented over
the years. How many stories have we all heard about
photographers dropping lenses and smashing front elements?
With a front lens protection filter on, the chances of
preserving the valuable glass in your lens increases many
fold. Shall we call it a form of inexpensive insurance? |
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#007 Protection Clear MRC (Multi-Coated)
Glass Filter Slim. |
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Skylight KR-1.5 Filter (1A). This
filter also blocks UV radiation, however it also has a
delicate reddish-yellow tone designed to counter-act the
high blue cast in the shadow portions of color photographs
caused by light coming from a blue sky. It produces a warmer
image tone and reduces the haze in distant scenes. The
exposure factor amounts to only ¡.¡, so for practical
purposes it can be ignored. Because of its very faint color,
a Skylight Filter can be kept on a lens constantly for
protection, as long as a slightly warmer color rendition is
desired, as it would be with color reversal films that tend
to produce cooler colors. |
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Skylight 1A (KR-1.5) Multi-Resistant
Coated (MRC) Glass Filter. |
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UV Black (403) Filter. Not to be
confused with UV-blocking filters that photographers
normally refer to as “UV Filters”, this one passes UV A
radiation (320 to 385 nm), but blocks visible light and
looks pitch-black to our eyes. It is used with appropriately
sensitized films in such applications as ultraviolet
reflection photography in forensics or in materials
research, but also as filters on UV-emitters for
fluorescence photography. Depending on the illumination and
on the film’s sensitization, its filter factor is in the
range of 8 to 20. |
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UV Haze 010 F-Pro Filter This UV Filter blocks the invisible UV component of light from the sky, which can cause blur and to which many color films react with a blue cast. These filters should be called UV-Blocking Filters, because there are filters for technical applications that pass UV radiation and block all the other wavelengths. Nevertheless, the short term “UV Filter” has become established among photographers. UV Filters are ideal for photography in high altitudes (in the mountains), by the sea and in regions with very clean air. The pictures gain brilliance and disturbing blue casts are avoided. Because the glass is colorless, color rendition is not altered, aside from the elimination of the unwanted blue cast, and no increase in exposure is required. That makes a UV Filter very suitable as protection of the front element of the taking lens against dust, flying sand, sea water spray and the like, and it can be kept on the lens at all times. It is recommended for analog color- and black-and-white- as well as digital photography. UV Filters from B+W are also available in SLIM mounts for wide-angle photography without vignetting.
Other UV-blocking filters with special characteristics. |
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UV Haze 010 Filter (Extra Wide).. The filter ring is made from brass yielding a stronger product. Brass filter rings are also less prone to jamming. In addition, the seal between the glass and filter ring is exceptionally strong giving the filter added strength and durability. The excellent Schott Glass used in the manufacturing of this filter is legendary and synonymous with the highest standards of filter production. It comes with a solid 10-year warranty.
The MRC coating on this filter adds to its durability - particularly under less than optimal weather conditions. In addition, the hard coating makes cleaning the filter easier - especially when it comes to removing fingerprints or surface dirt. Moreover, this filter benefits users of digital cameras whose shorter focal length lenses are more susceptible to dirt and other contaminants on the front lens element.
Multicoated to minimize reflection at the filter surfaces which reduces flare and ghosting.
B&W Extra-Wide's are special filters for wide-angle lenses. In order to prevent vignetting,
the accessory thread on the front is larger. |
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Ultraviolet (UV) Filter (Slim)
The filter ring is made from brass yielding a stronger
product. Brass filter rings are also less prone to jamming.
In addition, the seal between the glass and filter ring is
exceptionally strong giving the filter added strength and
durability. The excellent Schott Glass used in the
manufacture of this filter is legendary and synonymous with
the highest standards of filter production. It comes with a
solid 10-year warranty. Note! B&W slim filters are for
wide-angle lenses and are 3mm thick. They do not have a
front thread. |
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UV Haze 010 Filter (Slim) The filter ring is made from brass yielding a stronger product. Brass filter rings are also less prone to jamming. In addition, the seal between the glass and filter ring is exceptionally strong giving the filter added strength and durability. The excellent Schott Glass used in the manufacturing of this filter is legendary and synonymous with the highest standards of filter production. It comes with a solid 10-year warranty.
The MRC coating on this filter adds to its durability - particularly under less
than optimal weather conditions. In addition, the hard
coating makes cleaning the filter easier - especially when
it comes to removing fingerprints or surface dirt. Moreover,
this filter benefits users of digital cameras whose shorter
focal length lenses are more susceptible to dirt and other
contaminants on the front lens element. Multicoated to
minimize reflection at the filter surfaces which reduces
flare and ghosting. B&W slim filters are for wide-angle
lenses and are 3mm thick. They do not have a front thread. |
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UV-415 (2B) UV-Blocking Filter - This sharp-cutting, nearly colorless B+W filter blocks UV radiation up to the limit of visible light. It is used in ultraviolet fluorescence photography for the prevention of unsharpness caused by the intense UV illumination (which is due to chromatic aberration in the UV range). It can also prevent the fluorescence that may occur in the cement between lens elements. Because of the usually rather colorful fluo-rescent
subjects, the delicate yellow cast in. |
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420 UV-Blocking Glass Filter -
This even more stringent UV-blocking filter behaves like the
filter 4¡5 described above, except that its filtering slope
completely blocks the UV radiation all the way into the
visible violet region. As a result, it has a noticeably
yellow tint. It is used for fluorescence photography on
black-and-white film, where it is even more effective. Its
filter factor is 1.2. |
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Ultraviolet (UV) Filter A UV filter is the best available protection for the front element of your lens. A lens that accidentally gets dropped on its front element while hiking can potentially be saved by purchasing this item. Some people refer to them as "cheap insurance".
Aside from that more-than-significant benefit, UV filters cut through some of the haze in the atmosphere rendering your photos clearer, sharper and more contrasty.
For those who enjoy outdoor photography, especially distant
vistas, a UV filter can produce a more distinct image by
removing much of the blue tint normally associated with
atmospheric haze. The filter ring is made from brass
yielding a stronger product. Brass filter rings are also
less prone to jamming. In addition, the seal between the
glass and filter ring is exceptionally strong giving the
filter added strength and durability. The excellent Schott
Glass used in the manufacturing of this filter is legendary
and synonymous with the highest standards of filter
production. It comes with a solid 10-year warranty. |
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Digital Pro Multi-Coated (MRC)
Ultraviolet (UVa) 010 Glass Filter - The UV-Haze filter is helpful when photographing mountain and marine scenes, where increased haze threatens to make your photographs indistinct in color and clarity.
Multi-coated to minimize reflection at the filter surfaces which reduces flare and ghosting.
• The filter ring is brass with a brushed chrome finish which will help with matching many point and shoot digital cameras as well as many video camcorders.
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XS-Pro Pro Clear 007M Digital
Multi-Resistant Coated (MRC) Glass Filter. The B+W XS-Pro Pro Clear 007M Digital (MRC) Glass Filter has been developed to minimize the risk of vignetting with today's digital wide angle and zoom lenses.
The Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC) provides additional protection from unwanted flare, ghosting and other reflections which play havoc with sensor readings. The brass ring design meets the traditional B+W
standard for top shelf filter design. The filter, slim in
construction and black in color, still maintains front
threads for supplemental attachments such as caps, lens
hoods or other filters. |
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XS-Pro Digital Ultraviolet (UV)
Multi-Resistant (MRC) Coated 010M Glass Filter. B&W XS-Pro Digital Ultraviolet (UV) Multi-Coated 010M Glass Filters are wise initial investments. They help protect your valuable investment from dust, moisture and scratches, which can lead to costly repairs. If desired they can be left on the lens at all times for protection.
XS Pro-Digital filters can help digital photography by minimizing reflections which can spoil sensor readings. The "pearl" effect of these filters helps to eliminate dirt, scratches as well as water.
The Multi Resistant Coating (MRC) provides additional protection from unwanted flare, ghosting and other reflections which play havoc with sensor readings. The brass ring design meets the traditional B+W
standard for top shelf filter design. The filter, slim in
construction and black in color, still maintains front
threads for supplemental attachments such as caps, lens
hoods or other filters. It has been designed for use with
today's ultra wide angle lenses. Note! This filter is
suitable for zoom lenses starting at 17mm wide. |
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486 Digital UV/IR Blocking Glass Filter.
This B+W Interference Filter has a completely colorless glass carrier coated with a number of extremely thin, partially reflecting layers with precisely computed thicknesses, similar to MC coating. The B+W Filter 486 does not block by means of absorption, but by interference of the unwanted UV- and IR radiation that is repeatedly reflected between these layers, affecting the wavelengths on both sides of the visible spectrum with a steep cut-off. It is used mainly on digital- and video cameras with CCD sensors without an integrated IR protection filter, because the IR sensitivity of the CCD sensor would otherwise cause color changes and unsharpness. That unsharpness
results from the chromatic aberration of the lenses that are
only corrected for visible light. In the visible range, the
transmission curve is very high and straight. This filter is
completely clear and it requires no increase in exposure.
Its filter factor is 1. |
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Cavision Protection Filters |
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Clear Protection Glass Filter
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Cokin Protection Filters |
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Cokin
UV Protector |
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Cokin
Sky 1A |
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Cokin
Haze1 |
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Cokin
Haze2A |
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Digital
Concepts Protection Filters |
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UV Filters
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Formatt Protection Filters |
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Ultraviolet (UV) Haze 2A Schott-Desag
B270 Crown Optical Glass Filter |
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Haze 2B Schott-Desag B270 Crown Optical Glass Filter
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Hasselblad Protection Filters |
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UV-Sky Glass Filter
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Heliopan Protection Filters |
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UV (Haze) Glass Filter
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UV (Haze) SH-PMC (Super Multi-Coated) Glass Filter |
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Skylight (KR1.5) Glass Filter
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Skylight (KR1.5) SH-PMC (Super Multi-Coated) Glass Filter |
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Hoya Protection
Filters |
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UV Skylight (1B)
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HMC UV Skylight (1B) |
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Ultra Thin UV, Skylight (1B)
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Pro 1 Super HMC UV, Skylight (1B) |
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Ultra Thin HMC, Neutral (Clear) |
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Leica Protection Filters |
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Leica Ultraviolet (UVa) Filter. The Leica UVa Glass Filter is a wise initial investment. It helps protect your valuable investment from dust, moisture and scratches, which can lead to costly repairs.
• UV filters provide additional benefits of correction for Ultraviolet(UV) light, which can register on film and videotape as a bluish cast, and can obscure distant details
• If desired, they can be left on the lens at all times for protection
• Ultraviolet filters allow you to correct for the UV effect to varying degrees Check availability,
sizes & prices at |
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UVA/IR. The Leica E39 UVA/IR Glass Filter (Silver
or Black) is specifically recommended for the Leica Digital M8 camera. In order to maintain maximum optical clarity, the M8—with its superior sensor—was not designed with a total IR protection filter system.
This filter is designed to eliminate the pinkish/purple/reddish tint that certain black synthetic items might be subjected to when shooting under certain lighting conditions, such as incandescent bulbs. This filter can also serve to help protect the glass in your lens.
Note! Leica recommends removing the attached UV/IR filters when using lenses from 16-50mm in analog photography
• Infrared filter for the M8 camera which does not have a built-in complete infrared system
• Helps minimize potential pinkish tint under cetain conditions; ensures neutral color
• No light loss
• Can also serve as protective filter
• Should only be used with 6-bit coded Leica lenses. Check availability, sizes &
prices at |
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Opteka Protection Filters |
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UV High Definition II UV 0 Ultra Violet Haze Multi-Coated Glass Filter
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Quantaray Protection Filters |
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UV Haze Filter
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UV Haze Multi-coated Filter
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Pro Digital UV Filter
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Schneider Protection Filters |
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Ultraviolet (UV) Water-White Glass
Filter
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Slim Ultraviolet (UV) Water-White Glass
Filter
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Optical Flat Clear Filter
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Sigma Protection Filters |
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Ultraviolet (UV) Multi-Coated Glass
Filter
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Singh-Ray Protection Filters |
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Hi-Lux Warming UV Glass Filter
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Sony Protection Filters |
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UV Filters
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SunPak Protection Filters |
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UV Glass Filter
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Tiffen Protection
Filters |
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Tiffen Hot Mirror filters
- Some digital still cameras can have increased sensitivity to infrared light that may cause color rendition problems. The Tiffen Standard Hot Mirror filter is designed to remedy this problem by reflecting most infrared light.
• Prevents excessive infrared filtration from reaching the digital sensor of your camera
• Helps provides a truer digital image
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Tiffen UV Protector
Filter. A UV Protector is probably the most popular UV filter people use. As a lens protector, it should be left on at all times to guard against front element damage but also adds the benefit of rendering your images clearer. Tiffen, a leader in the filter industry, proudly makes its filters in the USA and backs up its products with a solid 10-year warranty.
Check availability, sizes & current prices at |
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Skylight (1A), UV Haze
Filter. Due to its light pink color, the Tiffen 5x6" Skylight (1A) filter reduces the bluish cast of daylight and produces a pleasing, warmer picture tone. Wise initial investments, they help protect your lens from dust, moisture and scratches, which can lead to costly repairs.
• If desired they can be left on at all times for protection
• Skylight filters provide additional benefits of correction for Ultraviolet(UV) light which can register on film and videotape as a bluish cast and can obscure distant details
• Also used to reduce the bluish cast common with some electronic flash units.
Check availability, sizes & current prices at |
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Thin Wide-Angle UV Protector Filtor. Tiffen, a leader in the filter industry, proudly makes its filters in the USA and backs up its products with a solid 10-year warranty.
This filter uses a Wide Angle (Low Profile) mount. Wide Angle filters are only 3mm thick and are specifically designed for use with wide angle lenses. In order to help eliminate vignetting (darkening of the corners), it does not have a front thread.
• Eliminates some of the Ultraviolet (UV) light which can register on film and videotape as a bluish cast that can obscure distant details
• If desired, it can be left on the lens at all times for protection
• Especially valuable as a general lens protector
• Guards against fingerprints and scratches to the front element of your lens.
Check availability, sizes & current prices at |
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Tiffen Haze Filter. Safeguard your lens and absorb UV light. Film and video are more sensitive to UV light than our eyes are. This often shows up as a bluish cast in images, especially shots from high altitudes and long distances, particularly over water. Ultra Violet filters are available in a variety of UV absorption levels.
Reduces excessive blue by absorbing almost three quarters of UV light.
Best general purpose UV control
Eliminates UV problems from most situations where increased haze tends to wash out color and image clarity
Protects your camera or camcorder lens against dust, moisture, fingerprints, scratches and damage
Can be kept on your camera at all times
Available for Wide Angle lenses. |
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Tiffen Enhancing Filter. The Tiffen 67mm Enhancing Filter is a combination of rare earth elements in glass. It removes a portion of the spectrum in the orange region, increasing the color saturation of reddish objects by eliminating the muddy tones and maximizing the red hues with minimal effect on other colors.
You will find that the Enhancing filter works best in early morning or later afternoon photography - when the light is intense rather than the semi-washed out illumination of mid-day. This filter is also optimized for use during the overcast days of Autumn. Try it on an old barn or wooden bridge.
• Its most frequent use is for obtaining strongly saturated photographs of fall foliage
• Bolsters earth tones (i.e. reds, oranges). Check availability, sizes &
current prices at
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