Before you buy a filter, take a look at these tips and tricks to guide you through the process of choosing the correct one for the photo you want to create.

Step 1 – Rectangular or Circular Filters

The choice is both a matter of preference and function.

Circular filters are smaller than rectangular, and don’t impact the handling of the camera.
Rectangular filters are larger and require a holder system, but give the ability to adjust the horizon line on graduated filters.

Which filter best suits the genre?

Landscapes
Choose a rectangular holder system to control the luminosity of the sky.

Long exposures
Choose a circular screw-in filter to eliminate unwanted flare between your filter and lens.

Portraits
For diffusion, choose either circular or rectangular.

People
Choosing circular filters makes the camera more portable for handheld shooting.

Sports
Choosing circular filters makes the camera more portable for handheld shooting.

Formatt-Hitech Seascape of a surfer standing on the reef waiting for a wave in Uvungo, Kwazulu-Natal

Step 2- Choose your filter size

Rectangular filters

100mm – This is the most popular size for professional photographers and serious hobbyists.

85mm – This is the most popular size for hobbyist photographers using smaller consumer lenses.

67mm – These tiny filters are designed for the latest generation of mirrorless system cameras.

165mm – These large filters fits into the Lucroit holder system to fit large-barrel, wide-angle lenses.

Circular Filters

Choose the filter size that corresponds to the largest filter in your collection 

Long exposure - Seascape
Long exposure of fishing pier

Step 3 – Choose your Filter Effects

Misty Water – Lengthen your exposure with a standard ND, or a ProStop IRND.

Portraits – Choose a mild ND (3-4 stops) to shoot wide open (f1.4) during the daytime.

Long Exposure Fine Art – Choose dark ProStop IRND filters and stack them to reach 13-16 stops of attenuation.

Landscape – Choose graduated ND or color filters to enhance the sky.

Clouds & Skies – Use a polarizer to separate the clouds from the sky.

Specular reflection on water & foliage – Use a polarizer to remove specular glare from leafy trees and water.

Step 4 – The Final Touches

  • Choose from wide angle or standard adapters to fit your holder to your lens.
  • Add a polarizer ring to the front of your 100mm holder and put on a screw-on circular polarizer.
  • Purchase a filter wallet to stow your filters.
  • Get the Filters! App so you can use filters on your iOS device.
Landscape Panning