What You Need To Know About Camera Lens Filters

In this short video I give you a quick overview of 3 different types of filters (UV, Polarizing, and Neutral Density) and when to use them. I also show you how to find out what filter will fit your lens.

ULTRA VIOLET (UV) LENS FILTERS

The Best quality UV filters I’ve used are Carl Zeiss T* UV filters.

You can also find more affordable multicoated UV filters.

CIRCULAR POLARIZING LENS FILTERS

For both polarizing filters and variable neutral density filters remember to get a filter large enough for the biggest lens you anticipate owning. 82mm is best but 77mm might be adequate depending on your system. You can then use step-up rings to use larger filters on your smaller lenses.

• 82mm Carl Zeiss T* circular polarizing filter
• 77mm Carl Zeiss T* circular polarizing filter
• Other 77mm and 82mm circular polarizing filters from B&H Photo

VARIABLE NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTERS

• 82mm Variable ND filter
• 77mm Variable ND filter

STEP UP RINGS

Step up rings are useful for using large circular polarizing and neutral density filters on smaller lenses.

• Misc. sized Step-up rings

When you’re buying a step up ring you’ll see the product listed as something like “67-77mm step up ring”. The first number is the size that ring will attached to a specific sized lens. So in this case the ring will attach to a lens with a 67mm filter thread. The second number is the size of filter that you can then attach to the ring (so in this case a 77mm filter can be attached to the ring).

You’ll need to by a different step up ring for the different size lenses you have.

Brass step up rings are better quality and more expensive, but I’ve found the aluminum ones work just fine.