Filter size is a measurement of the lens that will determine whether a filter will thread onto the lens. If the size of the purchased filter dont match the filter size of the lens being used, then the filter will not fit to the lens. It is important for individuals to be able to determine the filter size of each lens that they own, as the filter size will determine whether a filter can be used with that lens.
The lens manufacturer typically prints the filter size on the lens barrel of the lens. The print contain a circle with a line through it, followed by the measurement in units of millimeter. This measurement can be found on each lens that an individual owns, allowing them to know the filter size that they need to purchase.
Lens Filters: Size, Types, and Care
Lens filter sizes can range from very small to very large. Compact lenses, such as those made by mirrorless cameras, tend to have small filter sizes. However, professional zoom and telephoto lenses has large filter sizes.
As individuals tend to own a variety of lenses, they will also own a variety of different filter sizes. Due to the expense of purchasing a filter that fits each lens, many individuals opt for the purchase of what are referred to as step up rings. Step-up rings allow for the placement of a large filter onto lenses with small filter sizes.
For individuals with a variety of lenses, purchasing one of the largest filters sizes allows for the use of the same filter on a variety of lenses by using the step-up rings for each lens. Filter kits contain three different types of filters: protective filters, circular polarizers, and neutral density filters. Protective filters remain on the lens the majority of the time to protect the lens from damage.
Circular polarizers are filters that people use to control the amount of glare that reflects off of water, or to darken the sky in a scene. Neutral density filters are used to reduce the amount of light that enter the lens. By using neutral density filters, photographers are able to use long shutter speeds when the light is bright, or to create effects like motion blur in a waterfall.
Each of these filters have specific purposes and functions that cannot be replicated in post-processing software. The strength of a neutral density filter determines how much light the filter will reduce. Weak neutral density filters may allow for the taking of a portrait with a wide aperture even in bright sunlight.
However, strong neutral density filter allow photographers to take long exposures with their lenses. Using long exposures with the filter will allow for people to be removed from a scene in the photograph, or for the waves in an ocean to appear as mist. The strength of the neutral density filter must be matched with the shutter speed that is desired to be used in the photograph.
If there is not enough reduction of light with the filter, it will be impossible to achieve the desired shutter speed. Additionally, if the neutral density filter is too strong in relation to the shutter speed required, it can be difficult to compose and focus on the subject in the viewfinder of the camera. Another way of using filters is to place more than one filter on the lens at a time.
This is known as stacking filters. When filters are stacked, they place distance between the lens and the environment. If lenses with a wide focal length are filtered, the distance created by the filters can cause the corners of the image to appear dark than the center of the scene.
To avoid this type of issue, slim profile filters can be used. Slim-profile filters are thinner than the other types of filters, and they can be used with lenses with a wide angle to avoid the development of dark corners in the images. Many individuals use slim-profile filters when they are taking wide-angle lenses, while standard thickness filters are used with lenses with longer focal lengths.
An alternative to the filter systems described above are known as square filter systems. These filter systems use a holder to attach the lenses to the camera, and rectangular filters is held within the holder. The same square filter can be used on a variety of lenses by using different adapter rings to hold the filter holder onto the lenses.
Filter systems are useful for individuals using graduated neutral density filters to control the amount of glare on the horizon in their scene. The square filter system is bulkier than the circular filter, but may be preferred by individuals who must perform a variety of photography tasks. Finally, it is important to consider the quality of the filters that are purchased for the lenses.
Low-quality filters can change the colors of the images that are taken with the lenses. Inexpensive filters may shift the colors of the objects in an image. This can be problematic when applying corrections to those images in post-production programs.
The purchase of multi-coated filters will resist glare and be easier to clean than inexpensive filters. Additionally, multi-coated filters will perform better on the same scene with two different polarizers, as one will enhance the color of the sky while the other may create strange colors in the scene. Finally, it is important to consider the quality of the filters that are purchased for the lenses.
Low-quality filters can change the colors of the images that are taken with the lenses. Inexpensive filters may shift the colors of the objects in an image. This can be problematic when applying corrections to those images in post-production programs.
The purchase of multi-coated filters will resist glare and be easier to clean than inexpensive filters. Additionally, multi-coated filters will perform better on the same scene with two different polarizers, as one will enhance the color of the sky while the other may create strange colors in the scene. Finally, it is important to consider the quality of the filters that are purchased for the lenses.
Low-quality filters can change the colors of the images that are taken with the lenses. Inexpensive filters may shift the colors of the objects in an image. This can be problematic when applying corrections to those images in post-production programs.
The purchase of multi-coated filters will resist glare and be easier to clean than inexpensive filters. Additionally, multi-coated filters will perform better on the same scene with two different polarizers, as one will enhance the color of the sky while the other may create strange colors in the scene. Finally, it is important to consider the quality of the filters that are purchased for the lenses.
Low-quality filters can change the colors of the images that are taken with the lenses. Inexpensive filters may shift the colors of the objects in an image. This can be problematic when applying corrections to those images in post-production programs.
The purchase of multi-coated filters will resist glare and be easier to clean than inexpensive filters. Additionally, multi-coated filters will perform better on the same scene with two different polarizers, as one will enhance the color of the sky while the other may create strange colors in the scene. Finally, the care that is taken of the filters will determine how long the filters will last.
Filters should be stored within padded cases to avoid damaging the filters while they are transported in a camera bag. The filters should be cleaned with a soft, dry microfiber cloth and lens fluid. It is recommended to never use tissues or the shirt fabric of an individual to clean the filters.
If the filters are used near the ocean, they should be rinsed with salt spray with the lens within one day of taking the photographs. This will protect the lenses and the lenses filters from damaging the protective lens coatings. As such, taking proper care of the filters ensures that they will be able to protect the lenses, as well.