How to Choose a Camera Lens Filter

Filters applied to your camera lens serve two main functions. First and foremost, they provide a protective barrier between your lens and the rest of the world. If the camera is ever dropped, the filter will take the brunt of the fall, often saving your valuable lens. Filters are also used for creative purposes in photography. They can alter the look of an image, assist in exposure and even help you photograph small objects close up.

Things You'll Need

• SLR digital or film camera
• Lenses to fit your SLR camera

Instructions

Instructions:

1. Determine what size of filter you will need. Look at the barrel of the lens which will have the filter attached. Look for a circle symbol with a line through it. This is the symbol that represents filter size. After the symbol will be a number. For example, 52mm after the symbol means you need to purchase a size 52mm filter.

2. Shop for camera lens filters. Purchase filters at a local photography retailer, online or by mail order from photography magazine ads. Browse the variety of filters available, and determine which ones best suit your photography needs.

3. Select a polarizing filter when photographing reflective objects. Choose a polarizing filter to help darken sky and saturate the color in your photos. They also help reduce glare on the surface of water or on glass display cases.

4. Choose a sky or UV haze filter as a multipurpose filter. Choose this option to reduce haze viewed in long-distance photographs. If you are traveling and taking scenic photographs of landscape a long distance away, choose a sky or UV haze filter to help clarify the image. Select a sky or UV haze filter for general lens protection. It is best to always have a filter applied to your lens.

5. Select black and white or sepia-toned filters to alter the look of your pictures. Shooting through these types of filters will change your photos from color to black and white or to a sepia brown tone. Once they are shot with these types of filters, you cannot go back to a color photo.

6. Choose soft focus filters for a warm, diffused look. Soft focus filters are often used when photographing women, people with wrinkles or babies. Use a soft focus filter to also smooth out patchy skin tones and mild acne. These filters are also used in wedding portraits and senior portraits of females.

7. Select magnifying filters for macro photography. Using these filters will allow you to take close-up pictures of small items. You can stack these types of filters to enhance the magnification.