Lens filters are essential accessories in photography that are attached to the front of a camera lens. They serve various purposes, such as enhancing image quality, adding creative effects, and providing protection. Filters are commonly screwed onto the lens via a filter thread or mounted using a filter holder system.
Filter Types #
Diffusion / Pro-Mist Filters #
Definition & Application #
Diffusion or Pro-Mist filters are creative filters. They diffuse light to create a dreamy, ethereal looking image. This effect is often associated with film photography and Vintage Lenses, making them an ideal in-camera tool to use in digital film emulation workflows.
Variants #
Pro-Mist Filter #
The Pro-Mist filter affects the entire image in more or less even strength and is considered classic “Diffusion”. It gives a dreamy look throughout the entire frame.
Black Pro-Mist Filter #
The “Black” in the filter name refers to their special coatings : they generally only apply diffusion/bloom to the brighter areas of an image, leaving the shadows crisp and contrasty. That is a major difference to Diffusion or Pro-Mist filters.
Effect Strength #
The strength of the diffusion effect is dependent on the filter itself, the focal length of the lens used and the epxosure of the image. The subjective strength of the diffusion is also highly dependant on the filter manufacturer. Strength specifications do not apply universally between manufacturers!
Filter Strength #
The strength of the filter is usually as 1/X . The smaller the fraction, the weaker the effect is – 1/8 is significantly less diffuse than 1/2.
Lens #
The longer the focal length, the more intense the effect gets. To get a good amount of diffusion on a wide angle 16mm lens you need a significantly higher Filter Strength than on a tele-lens at 80mm.
Polarizing Filters #
Definition & Application #
A polarizing filter selectively blocks certain light waves, reducing reflections and glare from surfaces. It enhances color saturation, improves contrast, and increases overall image clarity.
Film Scanning #
The properties mentioned above make polarizing filters a common choice when scanning film negatives / positives as they reduce unwelcome imperfections resulting from reflections or glaring lights.