Lens Filters

Lens filters are great tools to add to your photography kit to create certain effects and to creatively manipulate exposure across an image.  Some of these effects can now be added in digital post-processing, such as those achieved with a graduated neutral density filter, should you wish to apply the effect after the fact rather than capture the effect “in camera”.

There are 2 lens filters whose effects can not be easily reproduced in digital post-processing. These are neutral density filters and the circular polarizer filter.  A neutral density filter is often necessary when you need to use long shutter speeds to achieve a certain look, such as capturing the silky movement of water or clouds.

A neutral density filter effectively works like a pair of dark sunglasses; it simply blocks light without changing the colors of the scene. The level of how much light is blocked, or the density, is measured in stops of exposure  such as 3-stop, 6-stop, 10-stop, etc.  These filters can be stacked.  You can even stack with your CPL.

A circular polarizer is used to polarize light so that glare on water, wet rocks, and wet vegetation is greatly reduced.  If I had to pick just one filter to purchase for outdoor photography, it would be this one because there is no other way to achieve this effect.  Cutting down on glare makes a huge difference in the quality of an image when water or wet conditions (even dew!) are present.

A few things to keep in mind when using a circular polarizer:

The effect is most pronounced when the lens is pointing 90 degrees or at a right angle from the sun.

If your back is to the sun or if you shoot directly into the sun, the effect is greatly reduced.

If you use it on a bright blue sky day with a wide-angle lens, you will likely oversaturate the sky and get some artifacts in the uniformity of the blue hue. Being aware of these quirks of the circular polarizer can help you use it properly in your images.

I have just recently switched to a different brand lens and I am in love.  These are magnetic lens that all fit nicely in a small pouch and most of the time is all I need. This is the Kase Wolverine Revolution 77mm Entry Filter Kit Magnetic Shockproof Tempered Optical Glass w Color Coded Rings inc CPL ND8 ND64 Lens Cap & Case

About this item

• Includes 2 Adapters: Inlaid Adapter + Conventional Screw Thread System Adapter ,
• Includes CPL Filter, ND8 3 Stop Filter and ND64 6 Stop Filter Neutral Density Filters
• Color Coded Filter Rings: Blue ND8, Yellow ND64, Silver CPL.
• Inlaid Adapter Provides Closer Mount. Includes Removal Tool.
• Fully Backwards Compatible with Kase Wolverine Magnetic Filters
• Filters are Shockproof Tempered Optical Glass and are Extremely Durable and Easy to Clean. No Color Cast
• Swap Filter Super Fast. Up to 4 Kase Wolverine Filters can be Stacked. Magnetic Filters can be Freely Rotated