Lens Filter

A polarizing filter reduces reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as windows and water. In doing so it also increases contrast and makes colours saturated to give more impact and depth to photographs.

It will make blue skies look really deep to add drama to your land and seascapes.  Best results are with the sun at 90 degrees to you.

Slip the polarising filter over the lens and rotate it while you look through the viewfinder. If you use one on a camera without a direct viewer hold the filter in front of your eye, adjust and then with it in the same position fit over the lens.

It works best at about 40 degrees angle from the reflective surface.

Polarising filters have a filter factor of about 3-4 which is 1.5 to 2 stops exposure increase.

Use two polarising filters together and you can create a variable neutral density filter.

Use a polariser with a red filter and you have a powerful filter for infrared.

A linear polariser is best used with older manual cameras and a circular polariser with modern AF cameras.

It’s one of the few filters that cannot be replicated digitally.

Links to buy

Hoyarex 611 Linear Polariser
Hoyarex 621Circular Polariser
Cokin A160 Linear Polariser
Cokin P Linear Polariser
Hoya 49mm Circular Polariser
Jessops 62mm Circular Polariser

Check this page Filters For Sale regularly for updates and other filters

Hoyarex filters were arguably the best filter system made. Optically superb, several made from glass, solid filter holder, brilliant adjustable rubber hood for wide or super telephoto, and a useful range of filters.

While the range wasn’t as huge as Cokin it was certainly substantial.

The illustration to the right shows the filter holder with an adaptor ring (available in sizes from 43mm up to 77mm) and the wonderful rubber Pro hood that clipped on the holder and had a variable extension.

Two filter holder can be clipped together and rotated when special effect filters were inserted.

Here in numeric order is the entire range with links to buy the individual filters at photographyattic.com and links to more info on lensfilter.co.uk.

The Multi-purpose UV is similar to the skylight, absorbing the ultraviolet rays which often make scenic shots hazy and indistinct. Moreover, the UV, especially when used with black & white film, increases contrast, reduces haze and generally improves the “sharpness” of your photographs

UV filters look like clear glass filters.

Many photographers buy a UV filter for each lens and leave them screwed on to protect the lenses’ front elements.

UV filters are available in round type that screw into the lens in ever size imaginable. They were also made by Hoyarex for their square filter system.

Links to buy
Hoyarex 021 Filter

When taking colour photographs in bright sunlight, especially by the sea or in the mountains, ultra-violet rays and the brightness of the sky throw out the picture’s overall colour balance.

The Skylight “filters out” the excess bluish tone, improving the overall clarity of the photograph while helping to restore the film’s natural colour balance. It also keeps skin tones free of colour reflections from nearby objects such as tree shade.

Skylight filters are available in two strengths 1A and 1B, the latter being a slightly stronger pink colour.

Many photographers buy a skylight filter for each lens and leave them screwed on to protect the lenses’ front elements.

Skylight filters are available in round type that screw into the lens in ever size imaginable. They are also made by Cokin for the square filter system, and Hoyarex and the likes used to make them for their systems.

Links to buy
Hoyarex 011 Filter
Cokin A230