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Photographers need lens filters. A lot of folks like to embrace the do-it-in-post mentality. But we’re not about that. We think you should have an idea in mind to begin with, and stick to it. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of editing, but you shouldn’t let it fully take over. You should strive to get it right in-camera, to begin with. And these lens filters can help you do just that.
How We Chose These Lens Filters
The Phoblographer only ever recommends products that we do full reviews of. If we know nothing about a product, then we don’t talk about it. But we’ve been around for over 11 years, and we’ve used a lot of products. We looked at some of the most requested features of photographers. Landscape photographers want more dynamic range. To that end, they need an ND filter. Portrait photographers want the look of prisms and flare. So we found lens filters for those. Astrophotographers and cityscape shooters want to get rid of any light pollution. Guess what? We’ve reviewed a lens filter that does just that. In fact, we’ve reviewed a few in each of these categories. And I hope our recommendations help you.
Lensbaby OMNI Creative Filter System
In our review, we state:
“As a photographer who occasionally likes to introduce distortions and other lighting effects into my photos for added visual impact, the Lensbaby OMNI Creative Filter System allows it with ease, and without having to juggle between different crystals and prisms in one hand while holding a camera in the other.”
Pro Tip: These filters are really something special. They work similarly to prisms on the front of your lens. But you’ve got a lot of directional control. Shoot into light sources with these for the coolest effects. They’re best for portrait photographers. What’s more, they’re incredibly affordable. And there are expansion packs.
Buy Now: Around $79.96
IRIX Light Pollution Filter
In our review, we state:
“The Irix Edge Light Pollution Filter works flawlessly. It does everything it sets out to do, and to my eyes there is no image quality issues whatsoever. Every image I took with the filter was just as clean, clear, and as as sharp as the images I took without the filter.”
Pro Tip: The Light pollution filter might change the color of the scene naturally. But you have to expect that. These are fantastic for astrophotography and people who live in cities. When you use these, always bring a lens cloth with you. It will prevent smudges and bloom on your lens.
Buy Now: Around $109.99
Haida Red-Diamond 10 Stop ND 100×100 Filter
In our review, we state:
“Luckily, my experiences with the Haida Red-Diamond 10 Stop ND 100x100mm Filter has been positive. Long exposures produced when shot through this filter were consistently color accurate with no discernible loss of sharpness or clarity. Below are two images of the same scene: one shot sans filter, and the other a long exposure shot using with the Haida Red-Diamond 10 Stop ND 100x100mm Filter.”
Pro Tip: The best thing to do sometimes is to manually set your white balance when using lens filters like this. In many cases, the white balance and colors will be thrown off. Use this filter with your camera on a tripodâno need to stop your lens down a whole lot either. Right around f5.6 or f8 should be good enough for you!
Buy Now: Around $152
