Types of filters

Types of filters are available in both screw thread and as part of a filter system.

Here are some of the most common types of filters:

UV - A UV lens filter is a transparent filter that is designed to reduce the ultraviolet (UV) light that enters a camera lens. It is intended to block UV light from affecting the quality of the images captured, especially in situations where UV light might cause haziness or a blue cast in photos.

Protector - A lens protector filter is a transparent filter that is attached to the front of a camera lens to protect it from scratches, dust, moisture, and other potential damage. It serves as a sacrificial barrier, taking the brunt of any impact or debris that could otherwise harm the lens.

Polariser - A lens polariser filter is used to reduce glare and reflections from non-metallic surfaces, such as water or glass. This filter helps to enhance colours by increasing contrast and saturation in photographs, particularly.

Gradual Neutral Density (Grad ND) - A graduated neutral density lens filter helps balance the exposure in a scene where there is a significant difference in brightness between the sky and the foreground. Commonly a rectangular filter that is clear at the bottom and dark at the top, with a gradual transition in between. By placing the dark part over the bright sky, the filter reduces the amount of light entering the top part of the lens, allowing for a more balanced exposure between the sky and the foreground. This helps retain detail in both bright and dark areas of the image, resulting in a more evenly exposed photograph.

Full Neutral Density (Full ND) - A full neutral density filter uniformly reduces the amount of light entering the lens without affecting the colour balance of the scene. It is commonly used in situations where a slow shutter speed or wide aperture is required in bright conditions to achieve creative effects such as motion blur or shallow depth of field. Full ND filters come in different strengths, typically measured in stops, allowing photographers to control the exposure according to their artistic vision.