Light filters for camera

There is an opinion that a modern photographer does not need to apply filters, because often finished photos are subjected to careful post-processing in a graphic editor. However, photo editors are unlikely to correct the overexposed image and provide protection for the lens of the lens itself. Of course, powerful, multifunctional programs for processing photos and digital filters greatly facilitate the work of the photographer. This is evidenced by changes in the market for photographic equipment. Color light filters are gradually losing popularity, while the most popular ones are the neutral and polarized filters. For what light filters are needed, what they are, and why a professional should not refuse them, consider in our article.

The use of filters

The light filter is a special nozzle on the camera lens and is designed to achieve special effect in the process of shooting. For example, remove unnecessary from the frame, add an interesting shade to the picture, eliminate unnecessary overexposure, soften the bright sunny color, etc. Light filters are important elements of the optical system, they make it possible to achieve the desired effect without much difficulty, while creativity and imagination are not limited by the capabilities of the graphic editor. Photographs taken with the use of light filters demonstrate the individual look of the photographer more deeply and have a certain artistic charm. The ability to work with these attachments on the lens is useful both for pros and aspiring photographers - for all those who want to get an original and unique image as a result.

By the wayAmong the main functionality of the light filter is not only image correction when shooting, but also reliable protection of the fragile camera lens from accidental mechanical damage: cracks, chips, scratches. This is especially true if you often shoot outside, during adverse weather conditions, in a crowd of people, where you can be inadvertently pushed, touched, and so forth. Agree, it is much more convenient and more profitable in case of damage to replace only the protective glass nozzle, and not to buy a new expensive lens.

However, there are certainly some nuances in working with light filters. It is important to choose and use this accessory in the future: with an unsuccessfully selected light filter, a picture can be thoroughly spoiled and an unsatisfactory result can be obtained.

It is best to use light and protective filter nozzles. if necessary, knowing exactly what effect you will need at the output. We must not forget that an additional “layer” between the lens and the object of the shooting itself may adversely affect the quality of the photograph. Illiterate or too frequent use of the nozzle will certainly affect the contrast, add extra light reflections or inappropriate vignette effect, darkening the image along the edges.An incorrect combination of a color filter in a sunny day will give an unpredictable result. Therefore, a professional photographer should have a clear idea of ​​the purpose of a particular light filter and understand all the varieties of this useful accessory. Below we consider what types of filters are and how not to get confused in a complex classification.

The main types of filters

To begin with, we note that there are light filters exclusively for lenses - they are screwed into the mounting threads or placed in a special holder on the lens (it is called a compendium). There are also filters for the camera, designed to create a pulsed light. They are installed in the mount in place of the flash and are easily fixed with an ordinary rubber band. Thus, according to the type of mounting and design filters for SLR cameras are divided into two types.

1. Screwed into the camera lens. It is more difficult to choose them correctly, because the thread of the mount must match the diameter of the lens itself. If these parameters do not match, you can use an adapter ring, which will help to fix the filter in the correct position.
   

2. Overhead Model. They are much easier to operate, suitable for any type of lens, be it Nikon, Canon, etc. True, they will have to be held by hand or fastened with improvised means, for example, with a thin elastic band.
   

By type of appointment, the following types of light filter elements are distinguished:

• protective;
• ultraviolet;
• polarization;
• infrared;
• gradient;
• neutral;
• with a specific effect - color correction or conversion, softening or enhancing the color.

Let us examine each type in more detail.

Protective light filters

Perhaps the easiest and most understandable type of filters. They are designed to protect the front of the lens from scratches, cracks and other damage. They also do not let in dirt, dust, small particles, which sooner or later get clogged inside the lens, especially in the process of shooting under difficult weather conditions. In fact, these filters play the role of a kind of cover or attachment to the lens. Protective filters are easy to find by special marking "Protector". They can be installed immediately when buying a camera or a separate lens, they are not removed later.

Important! The protective photo filter does not perform color correction functions and does not work withreflected light, because by and large - this is the usual glass nozzle, though very durable and reliable.

UV light filters

UV filters can also be used as protective filters, but their main function is to reduce the excessive flux of UV radiation. Usually it is invisible to the human eye, but at the same time it is perfectly recognized by the camera's matrix. The matrix easily perceives ultraviolet rays, and, as a rule, it appears on the finished images in the form of a faint bluish tint or light haze, like effect of "fog". A similar effect is especially often observed when shooting on the ground, among wide landscapes. For example, in the mountains or at sea. In such places, the objects are located at a great distance from the camera, and on bright, beautiful days, they get a lot of sunlight. As a result, the resulting image acquires a bluish tint or turns out to be strongly overexposed. Here the photographer is strongly rescued by precisely those UV filters. They make the sky a little darker, add blue and density to the image, but they do not enhance the contrast.In specialized photo equipment stores, such filters can be easily found by characteristic marking "UV".

Polarizing light filters

Polarizing filters are considered one of the most expensive, but at the same time extremely popular among photographers. They are considered quite effective and make the tone and light of the future snapshot the most uniform. These filters are pretty much reduce the amount of reflected lightthat hits the lens. As a result, glare from water or sunlight no longer spoils the picture and does not obscure the subject. Also, due to polarization filters, the strong contrast between the sky and the terrain is noticeably reduced, which is a real boon during landscape photography. Such filters are denoted by the following encodings:

• PL, which stands for ordinary polarization filter;
• C-PL, circular polarizer.

The main advantage of the polarizing filter is competent work with color in the frame.So, when the color saturation is lost on a bright sunny day behind the rays of the sun, the filter adds the necessary shades and at the output we get an excellent balanced image.

The filter consists of two lenses: the first is static, fixed, the second rotates. With this device you can easily adjust the color saturation, the brightness of the highlights, contrast. Often on the rim of the polarizer there is a scale or small dots to set the correct angle when shooting.

There are 2 types of polarizing light filters.

1. Linear - these filters have a fairly low cost and basic functionality, but do not strongly reflect polarized light compared to circular.
2. Circular filters they adjust the autofocusing and metering, they suppress the light spectrum unnecessary for the image.

The polarizing filter will change the shade of the sky to a deeper and more blue, will make the summer green landscape rich, and the color of the sea water will be bright and saturated. However, this tip is still recommended. use with caution: since it automatically reduces the amount of light entering the lens, in places with poor illumination the finished image will be fuzzy and blurred.In addition, if you use the filter incorrectly, you can overdo it with the saturation and intensity of the color, resulting in an unnaturally vivid picture, often in “acidic” tones.

Infrared light filters

Infrared filters are highly specialized. They block the entire visible spectrum of rays, leaving only the infrared part. Modern models of digital cameras are also able to catch the infrared part, so the use of such filters is not always justified. With an infrared attachment it is quite difficult to focus on an object, therefore in the process of shooting it is preferable to use a tripod and shoot with a very long shutter speed using manual mode. Despite all the complications involved, the effect of applying the filter is quite original: for example, the colors of the winter landscape intensify, the sky seems darker, some of the objects fancifully change the color gamut. You can find a filter in the store on the standard letter marking "IR".

Gradient light filters

These filters are divided into two types:

• rotating - create a blackout on half of the image, while the lens can rotate;
• ordinary - these filters are made in the shape of a square and installed in a special mount on the camera lens.

Gradient nozzles are designed to create uniform exposure in the process of landscape shooting. So, the upper part of the frame becomes darker, the lower - lighter. As a result, you get a quality-exposed image with detailed elaboration.

An alternative to this photo filter is the HDR effect in the editor or panoramic shooting mode.

Neutral light filters

The main purpose of this type of filter is exposure lengthening frame. However, no color correction occurs. The filter is similar in functionality to sunglasses - they darken both the light and the shadow if necessary. If you apply an unnecessarily dark neutral filter, the shadows on the image will seem to fail. The use of neutral filters is justified when it is necessary to remove a portrait of a person in excessive daylight and with an open diaphragm. Also, blackout is useful when capturing in the frame of the water surface at sunset or dawn, when the key factor for success is the play of sunlight.Thus, it is best to buy this filter if you like to shoot at a long shutter speed with an open aperture, and the illumination is not sufficiently favorable. Marking the filter - "ND"

Filters with a specific effect

Filters for color correction or conversion are needed in order to convey the color of the original image as accurately as possible, especially when shooting in adverse lighting conditions. The filter makes a shift in the color balance, changes the temperature of the image (from cold to warm shades).

Choosing a filter for the lens correctly

Any kind of light filter changes the optical scheme and sometimes gives the most unpredictable result. He can not only correct the image, but also spoil the finished image: for example, significantly reduce the detail, add extra glare, light the frame or minimize the contrast. Therefore, before you buy a particular nozzle, make sure that it corresponds to the parameters of your lens and the recommended shooting modes. pay attention to manufacturer reliability and the quality of work with reflected light. After all, if you are going to shoot objects in conditions of poor lighting, then a light filter of a high price segment will be able to cope with the arisen task.

It should be noted that when choosing photographic equipment you should not save much, otherwise it will certainly affect the quality.

If you have top wide-angle or extra-wide equipment in your personal arsenal, you should pay close attention rim light filter. Too thick frame contributes to the appearance of darkened corners in the frame, thereby creating an unplanned effect of vignetting. As a rule, expensive professional filters have a light thin frame, therefore, acquiring them, you are much less likely to spoil the future picture.

Conclusion

Anyway, even in the era of digital photos and powerful computer programs, light filters still have not lost their popularity. Many species are still in demand, especially among professionals. However, progress does not stand still: new technologies have added special properties to filters. For example, nano coating protective filters completely interferes with hit of the smallest particles of dust and dirt on glass. Well, modern circular polarization filters B + W KSM HTC POL-CIRC allow one third more light than standard types. This way, you can shoot at the fastest shutter speed and low ISO setting. The most important thing is to choose the right filter, based on the objectives of the survey, the desired result and the type of your optics.