UV protection lens filters have been used since the days of film photography. Somehow they’ve managed to remain popular even after their main function became obsolete by advances in lens fabrication. Nowadays, they are must-have accessories for outdoor photographers who shoot in natural light and unpredictable conditions, such as nature, landscape, and wildlife photographers. They are easy to use, affordable, provide multiple benefits. Most of all, UV protection lens filters offer an assurance that allows the photographer to adventure and concentrate solely on photography. Here is everything you need to know about UV protection lens filters and how to make the most of them.
What is a UV Protection Lens Filter?
A UV protection lens filter is a circular glass filter that blocks the ultraviolet (UV) light coming from sunlight and thus protects the camera lens and your eyes. In addition, by blocking the UV light, the filter eliminates the haze cast by the sun and improves the contrast and colors of the photographs.
UV protection lens filters come in various diameters to fit any camera lens. They are screwed on the front of the lens like any other lens filter. Furthermore, UV protection lens filters are colorless and don’t affect the quality of the image. You can use them together with other types of filters, such as circular polarizing filters, color intensifier filters, or graduated neutral-density filters.
Who Should Use a UV Lens Filter?
Outdoor photographers are the most in need of a UV filter. They shoot in natural light and need to protect the lens and their eyes from UV light. However, most modern lenses have special coatings that block the UV light and eliminate the haze effect. So why would one use the UV lens filter when the lens does its job? Well, because the UV lens filter protects the lens from much more than the UV light.
When shooting outdoors, the lens is exposed to dust, dirt, sand, droplets, wind, and other unpredictable but damaging situations. In many cases, the filter acts as a weatherproof coat. And it’s much easier to take off the filter and clean it than clean the lens itself.
The filter also protects the lens from accidents. Wind can carry objects that scratch the lens. In a moment of inattention, you can hit or drop the lens. The UV lens filter gets the hit and protects the lens. And instead of losing an expensive lens, you lose only the filter.
As a result, outdoor photographers who want to prolong the life of their lenses should use a UV lens filter regardless of their lenses’ abilities to deal with UV light. The only thing they should be careful with is the ghosting effect that may appear due to the light reflected between the lens and filter and the vignette effect that may appear due to mounting multiple filters on a wide-angle lens.
How to Choose a UV Lens Filter
The first thing one should check when buying a UV lens filter is the filter’s diameter because it says whether the filter fits your lens or not. As there isn’t a standard for lens diameter, each of your lenses may have a different diameter (e.g., 52mm, 58mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, etc.) even when they are from the same brand. Make sure you buy a UV filter with the correct size.
The next feature you should consider is the quality of the glass. UV lens filters aren’t expensive, therefore getting the best glass quality is within reach. A high-quality glass may provide anti-glaring, low reflectivity, low to none image quality interference, high light transmittance, and even anti-scratching properties. It may have special coatings that repel water or oil and help you clean the filter fast.
If you plan to use the filter on a wide-angle lens or together with other filters, it may help to consider the thickness of the frame. Filters with thick frames — especially when used on top of other filters — may create a vignette effect (i.e., the lens captures the frame of the filter and adds a black edge to the photographs). For these purposes, a slim UV filter is a better choice.
You may also consider other features, such as resistance to impacts, waterproof properties, durability, eco-friendly construction, and easiness to clean.
Best UV Protection Lens Filters
Check out the best UV protection lens filters in 2023 and find the match for your lenses.
Benro Master Series 67mm Super HD UV Filter
The Benro Super HD UV filter is made of high-quality hardened glass with multiple coatings for absorbing UV light and minimizing haze, decreasing flare and chromatic aberrations, providing scratch resistance, and repelling water and oil. It comes in a wide range of diameters, from 37mm to 105mm. The filter features a slim design and comes with a storage case.
Hoya NXT Plus 82mm 10-Layer HMC Multi-Coated UV Lens Filter W/Multi-Coated CPL
The NXT Plus UV features a waterproof top coat but also ten multi-coatings for improving contrast and color and ensuring a 98% light transmission. It’s easy to clean, slim, and lightweight. The filter has a UV Cut Point of 360nm or L36 and aims to reduce haze even in the harshest conditions. You can use it on its own or together with a circular polarizing filter or other filters. Available versions fit lenses with diameters between 40.5mm and 82mm.
NiSi UV IR-Cut Filter for 77mm True Color VND and Swift System
The NiSi UV IR-Cut Filter is a high-end filter able to cut UV rays below 390nm and IR rays above 700nm. It’s perfect for cameras without an IR filter installed in front of the sensor. It features multi-coating for a perfect color balance. The NiSi UV IR-Cut Filter is designed for the NiSi Swift System and comes in two sizes: 77mm and 82mm.
Tiffen 82mm UV-1 Haze-1 Filter
Offering a wide range of diameters (between 43mm and 86mm), the Tiffen filter absorbs almost three-quarters of UV light, eliminates haze, and protects the lens from dust, moisture, scratches, and fingerprints. It’s a general-purpose filter that doesn’t affect image clarity and can be kept on the lens at all times. It also provides versions for wide-angle lenses.
Sigma 105mm WR UV Filter – Water & Oil Repellent & Antistatic
The Sigma 105mm WR UV Filter eliminates the bluish haze cast by the sun but it’s also water and oil-repellent and antistatic. The filter is colorless and can be kept on the lens at all times, making it perfect for regular use. It’s easy to clean, durable, and lightweight. The filter comes in a wide range of diameters, from 49mm to 105mm.
K&F Concept 72mm Nano-X Multi-Coated Ultraviolet Lens Filter
Made of tempered glass, with a light transmittance of up to 99.3% and 28 layers of nano-coating the K&F Concept filter is a practical and efficient choice. It is dustproof, waterproof, anti-scratch, anti-fouling, and anti-mildew. It also has a slim design for wide-angle lenses and a solid aluminum alloy frame. Available versions fit lenses with diameters between 52mm and 82mm.
UV Lens Filter FAQs
Do UV filters reduce image quality?
High-quality UV filters used on their own are colorless and don’t reduce image quality. However, filters with lower glass quality may reduce image clarity or create reflections and ghosting between the lens glass and filter glass. A vignette effect may also appear when using multiple filters with wide-angle lenses.
Are UV filters necessary for digital cameras?
Although modern digital cameras work with lenses that already include UV protection, UV filters are still necessary because they protect the lens from much more than UV light. UV filters act as a barrier and prevent dust, moisture, oil, and dirt reach the lens. They also protect the lens from scratches and hits.
How much do UV filters cost?
UV filters cost between $30 and $200. The price varies with the diameter (large-size filters are more expensive), glass quality, multi-coating, design, and manufacturer. You can also buy UV filters as part of a set that also includes a circular polarizing filter or other types of filters.
When should you not use a UV filter?
You don’t need to use a UV filter when taking photos using exclusively artificial light (e.g., studio, indoor photography) or when your lens already provides UV protection. Also, when you stack several filters on a wide-angle lens, you can give up the UV filter to avoid producing the vignette effect.
Conclusion
UV protection lens filters have exceeded their original purpose and become a regular of any outdoor photo session. They feature multi-coating that protects the lens from everything, from scratches and dirt to water, oil, and even accidental bumps. They protect the gear and improve our photographs. But, most of all, they release us from the fear of damaging an expensive lens. As a result, with the UV filter on, the photographer can adventure to put the camera on the ground to photograph a mushroom, follow insects and birds into the bushes, continue the photo session in rainy weather, or climb mountains to find the perfect landscape. And this freedom is priceless.
