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Which filter is the right one for me?

In this article we will introduce you to all common lens filters and explain what they can and should be used for. In addition, we give some tips and tricks on how you can find the right filter for you and what you should pay attention to when buying!

Lens filters - which ones are there anyway?

Lens filters are very popular in photography. They are often used in landscape and portrait photography to create special effects. The four most popular lens filters used by photographers are the ND filter, the polarizing filter, the graduated filter and the UV filter. In addition, there are different variants of the filters. This means that they come in either round or system filters. However, all filters are very different and have different effects on your image. Here is a short summary:

System filter

Especially in the area of graduated filters, the variant as system filters are very popular. They are based on the plug-in system and are rectangular and not round like the other filters. They are slid in front of the lens via a holder that is attached to the front of the lens, and it is possible to brighten or darken areas of the image simply by sliding the filter up and down. They are mainly used with wide-angle lenses, as these are usually not suitable for attaching a classic round filter due to the curvature of the fisheye.

All system filters

Round filter

As the name suggests, this variant of the filter is round shaped and can thus be screwed directly to the lens in the appropriate diameter of the lens. Depending on the filter, you can then change the exposure, remove reflections or simply darken the image by turning it.

An example and our recommendation for system filters:

Rollei Starter Kit Medium 100 mm

  • Starter with rectangular filter Mark II Medium 100 mm
  • medium graduated filter in the strength GND8 (3 stops / 0.9)
  • for mixed urban subjects, with uneven horizon line
  • made of Gorilla®* glass
  • incl. CPL filter to intensify colors and reduce reflections
  • incl. filter holder for up to three rectangular filters
  • suitable for filter threads with 52, 55, 58, 62, 67, 72, 77 and 82 mm
  • suitable for landscape photography and architecture

ND filters - an overview

This filter is also called a gray filter. It reduces the amount of light that enters the lens and thus the sensor. Depending on how much light should be reduced, there are different strengths. With this filter you can make long exposures even in bright daylight. This lens filter is especially popular in landscape photography to show water flowing.

ND or gray filters are available in different strengths, as mentioned above. "ND" stands for neutral density. These filters are given values in increments of 0.3 (e.g. 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, etc. up to 3.0). The extension factors correspond to these values (example: 0.3 = x 2; 1.2 = x 16; 3.0 = x 1000). So a filter that increases the exposure time eightfold would be the 0.9.

extension factor: Here, the lengthening factor is specified as in the row above (for example, x8 = eight times the exposure time).

F-stops: Some manufacturers write the extension in f-stops on the filter. For example, "+ 3 f-stops" also means an eightfold increase in exposure time. No, nothing is actually changed in the f-stops! The exposure time is only increased by the amount that would correspond to closing the aperture by 3 values. We recommend to use ND filters with different strengths, so that you are prepared for every light situation!

More ND filters

Our recommendation for ND filters:

NiSi TC ND-VARIO 1-5stops 82mm

  • Allows creative image composition by means of aperture, exposure time and sensitivity adjustment
  • For light reduction in bright environments
  • Suitable for lenses/zooms with filter thread
  • Rotating mount for individual adjustment
  • For digital/analog photo, system and video cameras
  • Made of high quality optical glass
  • No X-Cross effect

Polarizing filter

This lens filter can be used to reduce reflections and haze and thus also enhance contrasts and colors in the image. This filter is therefore also called âfair weather filterâ. Depending on the manufacturer, you can simply turn the filter for de-reflection and thus reflections can be reduced, for example, in the surface of water or a pane of glass and you can see through. It also helps with metallic surfaces and reduces reflections there. In the film industry, polarizing filters are used to reduce unwanted reflections and glare and to increase contrast. Astrophotographers use polarizing filters to increase the contrast of certain celestial objects.

More polarizing filters

Our recommendation for polarizing filters:

Hoya Fusion Antistatic Next Cir PL 77mm

  • Circular polarizing filter with antistatic coating
  • Reduces reflections and increases color saturation
  • Dust, water and stain resistant
  • Requires less frequent cleaning than conventional filters
  • 16-layer Super Multi-Coating (both sides)

Graduated filter

As the name suggests, this filter has a visible light/dark gradient. It also reduces the amount of light just like the ND filter, but only in the partial range. It is especially popular in landscape photography, for example, when the sky is burned out, but the lower part of the image is very dark.

What should I pay attention to when buying?

1. pay attention to the filter diameter and the mount material:


The filter must fit your lens, so first look at the diameter of your lens and buy the appropriate filter for it. The diameter is written on the edge of the filter or directly on the packaging. You want to use the filter on different lenses? Then just buy the filter with the largest diameter that your lens has. Later you can use inexpensive filter reducing rings for your smaller lenses. When buying, make sure that the filter mount is made of brass: this is particularly robust and will not leave any cutting rings in your lens if you accidentally bump into it.

2. The construction height of the filter

Filters are usually produced in different construction heights. Low-height filters (slim filter mounts) are particularly well suited for wide-angle lenses or super-wide-angle lenses. Thicker construction heights are then again suitable for lenses in the normal and telephoto range.

3. The coating and the quality of the glass

One of the most important criteria for buying filters. Especially here it is really important to pay attention to the price of the filter, because if high-quality materials and thus also high-quality glass was processed, the filter costs accordingly also somewhat more. It doesn't do you any good to have a high-quality lens, but to save a little on the filter. It's like looking through dirty glasses. Equally important is the coating, which is responsible for keeping reflections and quality degradation to a minimum. Therefore, look for a multi-layer coating, which you can recognize by the abbreviations (MC: Multi Coating). Even better are the filters with a Nano MRC, with this coating the layer is still water and dirt repellent and thus takes over a protective function for your lens.

Our recommendation for graduated filters:

NiSi Graduated Filter 150x170 Medium nano IR GND(8)0.9

  • Medium | GND 8 | 3 stops
  • medium gradient
  • 150mm x 170mm
  • made of optical glass with nano coating
  • waterproof and oil repellent

Der UV-Filter

UV filters are now often used as protective filters, but this is not so useful, because depending on the quality, the sharpness and light sensitivity suffer. High quality UV filters allow more light to pass through and provide protection from UV radiation and damage. Nevertheless, one should rely on special protective filters for protection, as these are particularly shockproof / impact resistant.

Nowadays, UV filters should be used when photographing at sea or at high altitude, where the UV radiation is much more significant than in other places.

Selection of other UV filters

Our recommendation for UV filters:

B+W UV filter F-Pro 010 E 82

  • made of high quality, heat resistant tempered glass
  • achieves amazing sharpness and clarity
  • average light transmission of over 97%
Mist filter - before / after

Mist filter

This type of filter is especially popular in the 'video' field, as the filters achieve a so-called 'bloom effect'. They are also called fog filters and make the image overall duller and the highlights get a glow effect. The entire photo can look much more atmospheric as a result. These filters can also have a great effect in portrait photography, as it makes the skin look much softer in the final result.

All Mist Filters

Our recommendation for Mist filters:

NiSi BLACK MIST 1/4 E 67

  • NiSi Mist Black Diffusion
  • Circular effect filter (1/4 aperture)
  • reduces glossiness and reduces contrast
  • reduces wrinkles and skin blemishes
  • creates a soft, pastel quality of light
  • Brass frame
  • with an additional layer of black
  • provides little loss of detail throughout the image compared to conventional diffusion filters

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