Which Lens Filter Do You Need for Digital?

Lens filters have existed for as long as there has been film cameras. They were developed to perform specific functions like eliminating polarized light, reducing overall light without changing exposures, and correcting colors. The transition from film to digital has created a new medium for photographers to work in. It's based on the old technology, but some things have been improved, and that has lead to some filters becoming obsolete.

Filters You Need

  • Polarized Filters: Polarized light is light that is reflected from non metallic surfaces like the sky, glass and water. This causes the color in exterior shots to appear washed out, and it also gives you unwanted reflections. A polarized filter will reduce this and improve your shot.
  • Neutral Density Filters: When you need to reduce the light in a shot without adjusting your exposure or shutter speed, then you would use a ND filter. ND filters will preserve the depth of field created by an f-stop and allow effects to happen from the shutter, like blurring, that you wouldn't be able to achieve with the aperture and shutter alone.

Why You Don't Need Color Conversion Filters

Color conversion filters were used to change color tones in the image making it either look warmer (more orange) or cooler (more blue). The white balance on digital cameras have made the need for these filters obsolete. 

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