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Camera lens filters can affect contrast, sharpness, highlight flare, color, and light
intensity, either individually, or in various combinations. They can also create
a variety of "special effects." It is important to recognize that, even though
there are many possibly confusing variations and applications, all filters
behave a reasonably predictable way when their properties are understood and
experienced. Most of these properties related similarly to filter use in both
film and video imaging. It is a foundation upon which to build by experience. Textual data cannot fully inform. There is always something new out there.
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In addition to my camera and camera lens, the third type of photography
equipment that I use out in the field for most
photographs are filters of various types, and
for landscapes, I tend to use the graduated neutral density filter 90% of
the time. In photography, a filter is a camera accessory consisting of an optical filter that can be inserted in the optical path. The filter can be a square or rectangle shape mounted in a holder accessory, or, more commonly, a glass or plastic disk with a metal or plastic ring frame, which can be screwed in front of the lens.
Filters allow added control for the photographer of the images being produced. Sometimes they are used to make only subtle changes to images; other times the image would simply not be possible without them.
The negative aspects of using filters, though often negligible, include the possibility of loss of image definition if using
cheap, dirty or scratched filters, and increased exposure required by the reduction in light transmitted. The former is best avoided by careful use and maintenance of filters, while the latter is a matter of technique; it usually will not be a problem if planned out properly, but in some situations does make filter use impractical.
Many filters are identified by their
Wratten number.
I know, some of you say it can be done in
Photoshop, why use filters. This is true much can be done post processing with tools like PS yet this can take extra time and in some cases the image will not have the same color and feel when compared to using the filters in the field.
Uses of filters in photography
Filters in photography can be classified according to their use:
Clear and ultraviolet
Close-up or macro diopters, and split diopters or split focus
Color correction, also called "color conversion" or "white balance correction"
Color separation, also called Color Subtraction
Contrast enhancement
Infrared
Neutral Density, including the
Graduated ND filter and Solar filter
Polarizing
Special Effects of various kinds, including
Graduated color, called color grads
Cross screen and Star diffractors
Diffusion and contrast reduction
Sepia tone
Spot Filters
Underwater Filters
Clear and ultraviolet
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:
For:
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.
Against:
Adding another element degrades image quality due to aberration and flare.
It may reduce the use of lens hoods, since threading a lens hood on top of the clear filter might cause
vignetting on some lenses, and since not all clear filters would even have threads allowing a hood to be attached.
Additionally, users of UV filters must be careful about the quality of such filters. There is a wide variance in the performance of these filters with respect to their ability to block UV light. Also in lower quality filters, problems with
autofocus and image degradation have been noted.
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Color correction
A major use is to compensate the effects of lighting not balanced for the film stock's rated
color temperature (usually 3200 K for professional tungsten lights and 5500 K for daylight): e.g., the 80A blue filter used with daylight film corrects the orange/reddish cast of household tungsten lighting, while the 85B used with tungsten film will correct the bluish cast of daylight. Color correction filters are identified by numbers which sometimes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The use of these filters has been greatly reduced by the widespread adoption of digital photography, since color balance problems are now often addressed with software after the image is captured, or with camera settings as the image is captured.
 Although the 80A filter is mainly used to correct for the excessive redness of tungsten lighting, it can also be used to oversaturate scenes that already have blue. The photo on the left was shot with a polarizer, while the one on the right was shot with a polarizer and an 80A filter. Color subtraction
Color subtraction filters work by absorbing certain colors of light, letting the remaining colors through. They can be used to demonstrate the primary colors that make up an
image. They are perhaps most frequently used in the printing industry for color separations, and again, use has diminished as digital solutions have become more advanced and abundant.
Contrast enhancement
Filters are commonly used in black and white photography to manipulate contrast. For example a yellow filter will enhance the contrast between clouds and sky by darkening the latter. Orange and red filters will have a stronger effect. A deep green filter will darken the sky too but will lighten green foliage and will make it stand out against the sky. Also see diffusion filters, which are used to reduce contrast.
Effects of using a polarizer and a red filter in black-and-white photography
Polarizer
 The effects of a polarizer on the sky in a color photograph. The picture on the right has the filter. A polarizing filter, used both in color and black and white photography, can be used to darken overly light skies. Because the clouds are relatively unchanged, the contrast between the clouds and the sky is increased. Atmospheric haze and reflected sunlight are also reduced, and in color photographs overall color saturation is increased. Polarizers are often used to deal with situations involving reflections, such as those involving water or glass, including pictures taken through glass windows (this uses the phenomenon of Brewster's angle).
The benefits of polarizing filters are largely unaffected by the move to
digital photography: though software post-processing can simulate many other types of filter, most of the optical effects of controlling polarization at the time of capture (particularly where reflections are involved) simply cannot be replicated in software.
The effects of a polarizer on the sky in a color photograph. The picture on the right has the filter.
In the first picture, the polarizer is rotated to minimize the effect, and in the second it is rotated 90° to maximize the effect - almost all reflected sunlight is eliminated.
On the bottom you can see how the window is reflecting the outside environment, while on the top the filter is turned 90° making it possible to see through the window.
Polarizers are often used to improve the appearance of vegetation. In this picture the polarizing filter is used on the left.
There are two types of polarizing filters generally available, linear polarizers and circular polarizers (or CPL filters). With the exception of how they interact with some autofocus and metering mechanisms, they have exactly the same effect. Both transmit one of two states of linearly polarized light. The difference is that a circular polarizer alters the light leaving the filter and entering the camera by using a quarter-wave plate to circularly polarize that light. This has the same effect photographically as a linear polarizer, reducing glare in the scene. The metering and auto-focus sensors in certain cameras, including virtually all auto-focus SLRs, will not work properly with linear polarizers because the beam-splitters used to split off the light for focusing and metering are polarization-dependent. Circular polarizers work with all types of
cameras, because mirrors and beam-splitters reflect both circular polarizations equally.
Neutral density
A neutral density filter (ND filter) creates a reduction in light that is neutral and equal for the film or sensor area. This filter is often used to allow for longer exposure times, or larger apertures, where these settings would normally create overexposure in the camera.
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Graduated neutral density
A graduated neutral density filter is a neutral density filter that varies the effect with a gradient so it can be used to compress dynamic range across the entire scene. This can be beneficial when the difference between highlights and shadows of a scene are too great to allow for proper exposure for both.
Cross screen
A cross screen filter, also known as a star filter, creates a star pattern, in which lines radiate outward from bright objects. The star pattern is generated by a very fine diffraction grating embedded in the filter, or sometimes by the use of prisms in the filter. The number of stars varies by the construction of the filter, as does the number of points each star has.
Diffusion
An example of a photograph of a person taken using a diffusion filter. A diffusion filter (also called a softening filter) softens subjects and generates a dreamy haze (see photon diffusion). This is most often used for portraits. However, this also has the effect of reducing contrast, and the filters are designed, labeled, sold, and used for that purpose too. There are many ways of accomplishing this effect, and As a result filters from different manufacturers vary significantly. The two primary approaches are to use some form of grid or netting in the filter, or to use something which is transparent but not optically sharp.
Both effects can be achieved in software, which can provide a very precise degree of control of the level of effect, however the "look" may be noticeably different. Additionally, if there is too much contrast in a scene, the dynamic range of the digital image sensor or film may be exceeded, which post-processing cannot compensate for, so contrast reduction at the time of image capture may be called for.
Transparent diffusion
Zeiss manufactures a widely noted Softar diffusion filter which is made of many tiny globs of acrylic deposited on one surface which act as microlenses to diffuse the light. In some versions the globs are on the inside of the filter (facing the photographer) while on others they face outwards (towards the subject). In various versions the globs vary in number and diameter, from approximately 97 to 150 globs each 1 mm to 3 mm wide.
Homebrew approaches to transparent diffusion filters are generally based on modifying a clear or UV filter by placing various materials on it; the most popular choices are petroleum jelly, optical cement, and nail polish. Transparent filters are more commonly used for the "dreamy" or "misty" effect than for contrast reduction.
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Grid or netting
Various widths, colors (often black or white), and grid shapes (typically diamonds or squares) and spacings of netting, usually made from nylon, are used to provide diffusion effects. These are used both for the "dreamy" look and for contrast reduction. The homebrew approach to this sort of effect is generally to stretch a piece of pantyhose material in front of the lens.
Diopters and split diopters
Some argument could be made as to whether these are technically filters at all, or actual accessory lenses, however they are sold by filter manufacturers as part of their product lines, using the same holders and attachment systems.
Diopters are simple single or two-element lenses used to assist in close-up and
macro photography. They provide some number of positive optical diopters, which magnify the subject and allow objects very close to the lens to be brought into focus. They are sometimes sold singly, and sometimes sold in kits of +1, +2, and +4 diopters, which allows them to be combined to produce a range from +1 to +7.
A split diopter is a diopter in which only half of the camera's lens area is covered by the filter. A round split diopter has a usual filter ring, but is filled with only a semicircle of glass (or plastic). This allows the photographer to photograph an object which is very close against a background much further away, effectively extending depth of field. Careful composition is required to make effective use of this device.
Materials and construction
Photo filters are commonly made from glass, resin plastics similar to those used for eyeglasses (such as
CR39), polyester and polycarbonate; sometimes acetate is used. Historically, filters were often made from gelatin, and color gels, also called gelatin or simply gel filters are still used, but these are no longer actually made from gelatin, generally being instead made from one of the plastics mentioned above.
Sometimes a color is blended throughout the filter material, in other cases the filter is a sandwich composed of a thin sheet of material surrounded and supported by two pieces of clear glass or plastic.
Certain kinds of filters use other materials inside a glass sandwich; for example, polarizers often use various special films, netting filters have nylon netting, and so forth.
The rings on screw-on filters are most often made of aluminum, though in more expensive filters brass is used. Aluminum filter rings are much lighter in weight, but can "bind" to the aluminum lens threads they are screwed in to, requiring the use of a filter wrench to Best Prices for the filter off of the lens. Aluminum also dents or deforms more easily. (See "Stuck filter removal" below.)
High quality filters have multiple layers of
optical coating to reduce reflections and to allow more light to pass through the filter. Uncoated filters can block up to 9% of the light, while multi coated filters can allow for up to 99.7% of the light to pass through. Manufacturers brand their high-end multi coated filters with different labels, for example:
Hoya: HMC (Hoya Multi Coating)
B+W: MRC (Multi Resistant Coating)
Reflections can lead to flare and reduced contrast. Multi-layer coatings, which reduce this effect, are highly desirable in any filter. Exceptions to this rule are infrared and ultraviolet photography, where uncoated filters are usually used; multi-coated filters have a tendency to reflect more wavelengths outside the visible spectrum, making them unsuitable for such purposes.
Filter sizes and mountings
Manufacturers of lenses and filters have "standardized" on several different sets of sizes over the years.
Threaded round filters
The most common standard filter sizes for circular filters include 30.5 mm, 37 mm, 40.5 mm, 43 mm, 46 mm, 49 mm, 52 mm, 55 mm, 58 mm, 62 mm, 67 mm, 72 mm, 77 mm, 82 mm, 86 mm, 95 mm, 112 mm and 127 mm. Other filter sizes within this range may be hard to find since the filter size may be non-standard or may be rarely used on camera lenses. The specified diameter of the filter in millimeters indicates the diameter of the male threads on the filter housing. The thread pitch is 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm or 1.0 mm, depending on the ring size. A few sizes (e.g. 30.5 mm) come in more than one pitch.
Filter diameter for a particular lens is commonly identified on the lens face by the ligature "ø". For example, a lens marking may indicate "ø 55mm."
Square filters
For square filters, 2" x 2", 3" x 3" and 4" x 4" were historically very common and are still made by some manufacturers. 100 mm x 100 mm is very close to 4"x4", allowing use of many of the same holders, and is one of the more popular sizes currently (2006) in use; it is virtually a standard in the motion picture industry. 75 mm x 75 mm is very close to 3" x 3" and while less common today, was much in vogue in the 1990s.
Cokin Filter System showing both A and P Systems with filter, filter
holder, and lens filter ring The French manufacturer
Cokin makes a wide range of filters and holders in three sizes which is collectively known as the Cokin System. "A" (amateur) size is 67 mm wide, "P" (professional) size is 84 mm wide, and "X Pro" is 130 mm wide. Many other manufacturers make filters to fit Cokin holders. Cokin also makes a filter holder for 100 mm filters, which they call the "Z" size. Most of Cokin's filters are made of optical resins such as
CR-39. A few round filter elements may be attached to the square/rectangular filter holders, usually polarizers and gradient filters which both need to be rotated and are more expensive to manufacture.
Cokin formerly (1980s through mid-1990s) had competition from Hoya's Hoyarex system (75 mm x 75 mm filters mostly made from resin) and also a range made by Ambico, but both have withdrawn from the market. A small "system" range is still made (as of 2005) by Hitech. In general, square (and sometimes rectangular) filters from one system could be used in another system's holders if the size was correct, but each made a different system of filter holder which could not be used together.
Lee, Tiffen and
Singh Ray also make square / rectangular filters in the 100 x 100 and Cokin "P" sizes.
Cokin makes filter rings to fit most of the popular size threads. For example, I
have lenses with 52mm, 58mm, 72mm and 77mm threads, so I have 52mm, 58mm 72mm
and 77mm filter rings
Gel filters are very common in square form, rarely being used in circular form. These are thin flexible sheets of plastic which must be held in rigid frames to prevent them from sagging. Gels are made not only for use as photo filters, but also in a wide range of colors for use in lighting applications, particularly for theatrical lighting. Gel holders are available from all of the square "system" makers, but are additionally provided by many camera manufacturers, by manufacturers of gel filters, and by makers of expensive professional camera accessories (particularly those manufacturers which tarBest Prices for the movie and television camera markets.
Square filter systems often have lens shades available to attach to the filter holders.
Rectangular filters
Graduated filters of a given width (100 mm, 67 mm, 84 mm, etc.) are often made rectangular, rather than square, in order to allow the position of the gradation to be moved up or down in the picture. This allows, for example, the red part of a sunset filter to be placed at the horizon. These are used with the "system" holders described above.
Bayonet round filters
Certain manufacturers, most notably Rollei and Hasselblad, have created their own systems of bayonet mount for filters. Each design comes in several sizes, such as Bay I through Bay VIII for Rollei, and Bay 50 through Bay 104 for Hasselblad.
Series filters
From the 1930s through the late 1970s, filters were also made in a sizing system knows as a series mount. The filters themselves were round pieces of glass (or occasionally other materials) with no threads or rings attached. Instead, the filter was placed between two rings; the mount ring either screwed into the lens threads or was slipped over the lens barrel and the retaining ring screws into the mounting ring to hold the filter in place. The series designations are generally written as Roman numerals, I through IX, though there are a few sizes not written that way, such as Series 4.5 and Series 5.5.
| Series Number |
Filter Size |
Retaining Ring |
| I |
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| II |
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| IV |
20.6 mm |
| 4.5 |
25.5 mm |
| 5.5 |
30.2 mm |
| V |
35.9 mm |
| VI |
41.3 mm |
44 mm |
| VII |
50.8 mm |
54.346 mm, 36 tpi thread pitch |
| 7,5 |
57.0 mm |
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| VIII |
63.5 mm |
| 8.5/5L |
74.8 mm x 5.6 mm |
| 8.5/8mm |
74.8 mm x 8 mm |
| IX |
82.6 mm |
| 93 |
93 mm |
| 103 |
103 mm |
| 107 |
107 mm |
| 119 |
119 mm |
| 125 |
125 mm |
| 138 |
138 mm |
Step-up & Step-down rings
Conversion rings allow you to use a filter or other accessory of a certain size on a lens that has a different size front ring diameter. For example, a 49-52mm Step-up ring will allow you to use a 52mm filter on a lens that has a 49mm front ring diameter (Not to be confused with the focal length). In the equation, the lens diameter size is mentioned first and the accessory size is mentioned second.
You should never use a Step-down ring (a filter size smaller than the
lens size) on your lens.
If you have a series of lenses with different filter sizes, you could buy
just one filter and a series of Step-up rings. For example I have lenses
with the following threads: 52mm, 58mm, 72mm and 77mm. So I bought a 77mm
circular polarizer filter, a 77mm ultraviolet filter, and a 77mm neutral
density filter. Then I bought a 52-77 Step-up ring, 58-77mm Step-up ring and
a 72-77mm Step-up ring.
These four rings cost less rhan $40.00 which is just a fraction of what
separate filters would cost, not to mention the extra space the filters would
take up in my camera bag.
Filter Brands
If you buy photo gear, video products, software,
electronics, etc. and you order by using any
links from this site, I get a small credit no matter what you buy, and you do not pay one cent more, and usually
you pay much less than retail. By clicking the links on this site helps me have the time to keep building this site.
I've been using Adorama,
Amazon or
B&H Photo Video. for years and have
nothing but good things to say. I strongly recommend them You'll be glad you use them too.
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