Camera Lens Filters Explained for Beginners: Polarizer, ND, UV — What Each Does and Which You Need
Here's a quick rundown on using some of the most common types of screw-in filters and considerations when using them.
ND Filter
F-Stop Chart & Interactive Aperture Calculator: f/0.95 to f/32
Why is the jump from f/5.6 to f/8 a full stop, but f/1.4 to f/1.8 is only two-thirds? The math behind lens apertures is famously counterintuitive, but mastering it is the key to perfect exposure. We’ve built a custom, mobile-friendly F-Stop Calculator to help you instantly solve for ND filter offsets (including Big and Super Stoppers) and compare increments across the entire range — from f/0.95 "Noct" glass to f/32. Use this interactive tool and charts to take the guesswork out of your next shoot.
Are Firecrest Filters Really Neutral? 100mm Kit Review
Screw-in filters are convenient, but for serious landscape photography, a square filter system offers unmatched flexibility. I took the Formatt Hitech Firecrest 100mm Pro Essentials Kit into the field to see if its aluminum holder and sandwich-coated glass really deliver the color neutrality they promise — and how they stack up against big names like Lee and Cokin.
