Lens filters are an incredibly valuable tool that can help elevate your photography and videography by helping control the lighting, reducing glare, enhancing colours and adding special effects without the need for post-production.
Whether you’re shooting landscape photography or filming a vlog, the right filter will make a significant difference to how the end product looks. If you’re looking to find the best filter lens for your next creative project, then keep reading, as we take you through the different types of lens filters available and all of the enchanting ways you can use them.
What are camera lens filters, and what do they do?
A camera filter lens is a small piece of glass or resin that attaches to the front of your camera lens to help modify and enhance the picture. They work by filtering the type or amount of light that enters the lens, and can be used for reflecting light, correcting colours, protecting your lens or even creating special effects.
How to use camera lens filters?
Before you jump into buying your filters, you’ll need to make sure that you’re getting the right ones for your camera lens. Lenses come in many different shapes and sizes, so to help you ensure you’re grabbing the right sizes, we’ve created a little guide below on how to fit filters to your camera.
- Check the size - check the front of your camera lens for the diameter size. This is usually in millimetres (mm). Simply look on your current lens for the symbol ɸ the number after this indicated the size of filter that will fit your lens If you can’t find it on your camera lens, then you can also find it in the manufacturer's guide.
- Attach your filter - once you have the appropriate size of filter, you’ll want to take off the lens cap and align the filter with the lens threads.
- Screw on the filter - Gently screw the lens in a clockwise direction but be careful not to overtighten it as this can damage your camera.
- Adjust and use - now the filter is in place, you can adjust the position accordingly to help you get the perfect shot.
The different types of camera lens filters
As mentioned previously, there are many types of filter sizes and shapes, each one providing a different experience and outcome for your creative projects. Knowing what they are is essential for ensuring that you pick up the right one for your needs.
Screw on filters
Also known as circular filters, these filters are directly mounted onto your lens by screwing them into place. They come in a wide range of diameters and thicknesses and are the most common kind of lens filter.
Drop-in filters
As the name suggests, these filters are dropped into a small specialised compartment near the rear part of the lens and are used primarily with telephoto lenses. These are good for a faster workflow or quick changes between lenses.
Square and rectangular filters
Because of the shape, these filters are usually used with lens filter holders. They are compatible with a wide range of lenses with an adaptable filtration system. These types of filters are popular with landscape photography and offer more precise control over how you place and use the filter. However, these filters can be bulkier and less portable than drop-in or screw on filters.
Types of camera filter effects and their uses
Now that we understand more about the kinds of filters available, let's discuss the different effects you can create with these and how they can enhance your final product. The right lens filter can turn your photos and videos from bland to vibrant and will lower the need for post-production, saving creatives much-needed time and energy.
From deepening colours to adding soft shimmers, there's a filter to suit every creative project. Below you can find a list of the different effects filters can offer and how to use them for your photos and videos.
1. UV and skylight filters
If you’re an “out and about” kind of creative and love taking your camera with you during daytime adventures, then UV filters are a great option. They’re often used to protect your sensitive lenses from moisture, dust, dirt and harmful sun rays. Skylight lenses also help to reduce the amount of blue reflection from the sky on things such as skin to create a more colour-accurate shot.
A great example of a UV filter that’s perfect for outdoor use is the Fit + Slim Plus UV Filter, which blocks more than 98.7% of UV light (400-700nm on average), helping you to produce clearer images in higher contrast. This makes these filters a must-have for outdoor and travel photographers.
Fit + Slim Plus UV Filters - £17.99
2. Polarising filters
Polarising filters offer a variety of benefits, such as reducing glare, enhancing colours and boosting the saturation of your shots. They’re a lot like sunglasses and can add more depth to your final product for a more dynamic look. They’re also great for removing unwanted reflections and glares from glass or water, ideal for nature and wildlife photography.
We recommend these DHG Super Circular Polariser Filters, made to effortlessly enhance contrast while shooting in nature. Each filter uses a specially developed ultra-low reflection coating to minimise internal reflection, helping to bring clarity to your photos like never before.
DHG Super Circular Polariser Filters - £203.99
3. Neutral density filters (ND filters)
These filters are made to limit the amount of light that gets into your lens and hits the sensor, meaning you can use a longer exposure time without impacting the colour of your photography. ND filters come in various density values of 9.0 to 4.5, and the right choice will give you the perfect balance of light.
The higher the density value, the more the light will be reduced, so if you’re looking to photograph something fast-moving like rushing water with long exposure, you’ll want an ND filter with a higher density value to combat reflections. For example, this DHG Super Neutral Density (ND) Filter reduces light intake to just 1/16th of normal light levels, allowing you to leave the shutter open for longer without overexposing, even on a bright day, all while retaining a neutral balance that won’t alter the original colour of the image.
DHG Super Neutral Density (ND) Filters - £44.99
4. Macro & Achromat Filters
These filters allow you to use a regular lens for macro photography, or can be used to enhance the capability and performance of your current macro lens. Many photographers choose filters such as these DHG Achromat Lenses, as they’re a much more budget-friendly option to buying a macro lens. This makes it a great option for those wanting to dabble in the art of macro photography without investing too heavily.
5. Special Effects Filters
Special effects serve a slightly different purpose in elevating your photography. They take out the need for added effects in post-production and allow you to capture the perfect shot in one go. They’re a creative way of experimenting and adding more character to your shots, and if you’re looking to shake things up, then special effect filters are a great choice.
One of the most popular special effect filters is the StarCross filter. Turning any point of light into a stunning sparkle, allowing you to create sparkling illuminations and nightscapes. This simple-to-use filter mounts onto the front of your lens and makes an instant difference to your images, allowing you to see the effect immediately without having to wait to edit it.
5. Colour correction filters
Made to make your shots look more beautiful and accurate to the true colours, colour correction filters are a great way of skipping post-production colour correction. These filters are perfect for achieving the right white balance, no matter if you’re working with warm-toned fluorescent lighting or fixing the blue reflections of the sky; they’re here to make your editing process a breeze.
Elevate your creative projects with Kenro
Filters offer an easy and creative way to enhance your photography and videography, from reducing light to adding special effects. Whether you want to improve contrast, correct colours, reduce glare, or create various artistic effects, there are many camera filter lenses to choose from.
If you’re ready to challenge your artistic flair with premium filters, then here at Kenro, we have a full collection of camera lens filters to help you find the perfect fit for your creative projects.
