Camera Lens Filters

Camera lens filters are less used today even in landscape photography where they have a long tradition. The warm-up filter, 81A, was very popular at one time with film users but with digital cameras this type of filter is not needed as the auto white balance within the camera does it for you.

UV light is a problem with film and alters the colors but digital cameras do not detect UV rays. However, protection filters such as UV (also known as skylight filters) are more important perhaps and have long been used by photographers who want to protect their lenses. It is worthwhile fitting a UV lens filter to each and every lens in your kit. (Note that although digital cameras are not sensitive to UV light they are sensitive to infra red which is one reason why low-level night shots come out well with digital.)

The effect of graduate filters can also be added afterwards in post production provided the exposure is correct. However, many filters (including graduates) can still be used for creative effects (See all Digital Photography Books).

Polarizing filters are indispensable and the effects cannot be reproduced in post production. They are essential in landscape photography whenever there is plenty of light and will darken the blue of the sky. This can often rescue an otherwise mediocre shot adding punch to the colors and a general sense of added drama.

Polarizing filters are good for:

• removing reflections from water and other surfaces
• removing haze in landscape shots
• removing reflections on leaves and creating better greens in your landscape shots

Precautions when using polarizing filters:

• they must not be used with a UV camera filter as the combination will cause your images to have vignetting at the corners
• with wide-angle lenses some banding may occur in the sky when using a polariser
• they are virtually ineffective when shooting directly away from or towards the sun - best used at 90 degrees to the sun
• removal of reflections will only happen at an angle of 35-45 degrees to the surface you are photographing

Lens filters are inexpensive especially if you buy a kit of three or more filters. So if you are going to purchase a UV or polarizer consider buying them together with something like a star-burst filter which creates points of light streaking outwards from any light source adding glitter and glamour to your photos. They are especially good for Christmas lights, candles etc - your friends will be amazed!