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Ultimate Guide to UV Protection Lens Filter: Everything You Need to Know

Regarding cinematography and photography, the importance of UV protection lens filters can’t be understated. UV (Ultraviolet) protection lens filters serve several essential functions.

This article will guide you through what a UV protection lens filter is, its benefits, and the factors you should consider before purchasing one. Moreover, we will walk you through how to use these gadgets. Let’s dive into it!

What Is a UV Protection Lens Filter

Also known as a UV filter, a UV protection lens filter is a transparent contraption attached to the front of a camera lens. It shields and absorbs ultraviolet rays, hindering them from accessing the camera’s film or image sensor.

In cinematography and photography, UV filters help to boost the images, making them sharper, with better-defined edges and finer details. This observation is due to eliminating the effect of UV rays, resulting in more vibrant shots.

Why You Should Use a UV Protection Lens Filters

UV filters ensure you get the best image quality. Furthermore, it offers several benefits that protect your camera in the long run. A filter is significant when shooting outdoor and indoor games like watersports because, aside from shielding from UV light, it also blocks blue light.

Equipping your camera with a UV filter ensures there is a reduced effect on exposure, as discussed below. With these filters, you can retain your ISO setting and shutter speed and still take clear shots.

Benefits of Using UV Protection Lens Filters

There are several advantages derived from using UV filters. Let’s get into it right away.

1. Improved Image Quality

In photography and cinematography, quality is vital. Ultraviolet radiation causes a bluish cast in your images. This observation is more frequent when capturing distant scenes and landscapes.

Additionally, in blue and green hues, UV radiation may cause a reduction in color saturation. A UV filter ensures these rays are absorbed, reducing the haze. Moreover, it improves color reproduction in your shots.

When shooting, your camera lens is exposed to several materials, like dust and moisture. This debris can scratch your lens, which is more expensive to replace than a UV filter. And equipping your camera with a UV protection lens filter introduces a physical shield keeping these materials at bay.

protection lens filter
Photo by Boule on Shutterstock

3. Minimal Impact on Exposure

UV filters are neutral, indicating they don’t tamper with the light entering the camera’s lens to a large degree. This neutrality is critical because it ensures you don’t constantly change your camera’s exposure settings.

This feature proves essential when you must maintain specific exposure for specific settings. Settings such as your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO need not be adjusted when using a UV filter.

4. Universality and Compatibility

UV filters are in various thread sizes to suit the diameter of varying camera lenses, and it allows users to use the same filter on multiple lenses.

Additionally, they are easy to slip on and off without using several tools. Both film and digital cameras use these lenses, making them versatile enough to cater to different occasions.

lens filter
Photo by Cory Woodruff on Shutterstock

Factors to Consider When Choosing UV Protection Lens Filters

Selecting the right UV filter for your lens requires scrutiny and insight, and there are several factors you must consider. Let’s review these elements.

1. Filter’s Diameter

Selecting a filter that matches your lens is the most crucial step. The filter diameter is usually indicated at the front of the lens, or if not, you can find it in the lens specifications.

These sizes differ from 52mm, 58mm, and 67mm, among other variations. Selecting the correct filter that correctly attaches saves you the trouble of using adapters to fit.

2. Quality of the Glass

UV filters usually use high-quality glass. Despite this, they are affordable. Budget-conscious photographers tend to use optical-grade resin or plastic filters. However, they reduce the overall optical clarity. You should select premium material to ensure you receive the following benefits.

  • Anti-glaring
  • Reduced reflectivity
  • MInimized image quality interference
  • Proper light transmittance
  • Scratch resistance

    3. Thickness of the Frame

    The thickness of your UV filter helps in several areas. When combined with a wide-angle lens, slim filters produce better shots. They don’t interfere with your lens or other accessories. While using multiple filters, a thick UV filter may cause the formation of a dark edge on your shots. To prevent this, use slim filters.

    lens filter
    Photo by Huldiberdiev on Shutterstock

    How to Use UV Protection Lens Filters

    There are specific considerations to keep in mind when using a UV filter.

    1. Attach the Filter Securely

    Firstly, align the filter threads with the thread lens. Next, screw the filter onto the lens, ensuring it is fit and not too tight. And screw in a clockwise direction.

    2. Inspect for Reflections

    After fixing, check for any unwanted flares caused by the filter surface. If present, you can use a lens hood or shift your shooting angle to reduce them.

    lens filter
    Photo by Koldunov Alexey on Shutterstock

    3. Clean the Filter

    To ensure proper image quality, use a microfiber cloth or a lens cleaning solution to clean your filter regularly.

    4. If Unnecessary, Remove It

    Depending on the photographer, how the UV filter is used varies. Some will prefer to leave it on, which is fine. Others may remove it and only use it when capturing shots, which is also okay. If you do not need it on, remove it and properly store the filter.

    5 Best UV Protection Lens Filters For You

    Let’s review the best UV filter lens filters to acquire

    1. B+W T-PRO UV – Best Quality UV Filter

    uv protection lens filter
    Image credit: adorama.com

    The B+W T-PRO UV edition will suit your needs for a quality UV filter. This particular one is equipped with a titanium ring, making it worth the money. It goes for $263.40.

    Specifications

    • Material:Optical Glass
    • Mount: Standard
    • Photo filter thread size: 95 mm

    Reasons to Buy

    • Color-Neutral Filter Glass
    • Blocks Annoying UV Components of Daylight

    2. Heliopan UV SH-PMC – Best Multi-Coated UV Filter

    lens filter
    Image credit: adorama.com

    The Heliopan UV SH-PMC has clear glass and an extremely scratch-resistant multicoating. It is also easy to clean, significantly reduces flares, and only retails for $226.79.

    Specifications

    • Circular Filter Size: 95mm
    • UV Filter Type: UV Blocking Filter
    • Mount:Standard

    Reasons to Buy

    • Using top-quality Schott glass (made by the Zeiss group)
    • Come in black anodized brass mounts

    3. Hasselblad Multi-Layer Nano Coating UV – Best Double-Sided UV Filter

    lens filter
    Image credit: adorama.com

    This quality filter, built using SCHOTT B 270 glass and double-sided 30-layered low-reflective optical coating, offers high image quality. Additionally, it does a great job reducing the flares in your shots. You can purchase it for $259.

    Specifications

    • Circular Filter Size: 77mm
    • UV Filter Type: UV Blocking Filter
    • Material: Made of Glass
    • Mount: Standard

    Reasons to Buy

    • Water and oil-resistant, anti-scratch, and anti-static
    • Multi-layered Nano coating

    4. Hoya HD3 UV – Best Sharpness UV Filter

    uv protection lens filter
    Image credit: adorama.com

    This is a quality nano-coating layer filter that is extremely smooth and is manufactured to be sharper and more robust than its counterparts. It retails for $139.

    Specifications

    • Circular FilterSize: 77mm
    • UV Filter Type: UV Blocking Filter
    • Material: Made of Glass
    • Mount:Standard

    Reasons to Buy

    • Chemically enhanced optical glass is 4X stronger than competitor’s
    • Ultra-thin frame for use

    5. Zeiss T* UV – Best for Minimizing Light Reflections

    lens filter
    Image credit: adorama.com

    This quality filter is built to meet the highest mechanical requirements. It incorporates  T* coating, which minimizes light reflections on glass-air surfaces and improves transmission. It goes for $435.60

    Specifications

    • Circular Filter Size: 95mm
    • UV Filter Type: UV Blocking Filter
    • Mount: Standard

    Reasons to Buy

    • These filters are perfectly curated to match Zeiss lenses
    • Offer full mechanical quality resulting from the strong filter mount
    • Enhanced fitting accuracy, reducing complications when changing filters

    Conclusion

    That’s all we gathered on UV protection lens filters. They help your camera in several ways. You can purchase these filters from several outlets and online stores based on your specifications and budget.

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