UV filter is an ultraviolet filter. Its main purpose is to protect optical lenses from damage, dust and dirt (all this quickly destroys the lens). Also, such optical elements delay ultraviolet radiation when shooting distant objects. After all, a digital matrix and film, unlike the human eye, are more sensitive to this type of radiation. A UV filter is very useful when shooting in mountainous areas, it helps to avoid blue cast in photos.
The entire region of the ultraviolet spectrum can be divided into 3 ranges: far - 280 nm and shorter (UV-C); medium - 320-280 nm (UV-B); and near - 400-320 nm (UV-A). The sensitivity of digital technology is lower than film technology, so it accepts the near range, and the film is able to fix the entire region of the ultraviolet range (but the human eye cannot see in any of these ranges). HoweverThe possibilities of film cameras are limited by the possibility of optical lenses. The UV filter cuts such radiation at 320 nm (mid and far range).
When choosing such a product, it is necessary to build on the diameter of the lens. That is, to find out which filter is suitable for your camera, you need to know the diameter of the lens thread (it is indicated on the cover on the inside). The price of a product depends on its size. So a 52 mm UV filter costs $10-15, and a 77 mm filter costs $30-40.
It is customary to divide UV filters into four groups:
- Neutral - neutral colorless;
- SkyLight - pink, designed to give photos warm tones;
- direct UV - ultraviolet;
- Haze - against haze.
Despite the external differences, the purpose of this group is the same - to protect the lens from external influences, ultraviolet color and haze. The most popular are UV filter and Skylight.
Very often sellers present Skylight as the best and, accordingly, expensive, but the effect of warm tones in the photo is intended only for film cameras, on the digital it is reduced to zero by the presence of a white balance.
When choosing such a product, do not forget that the main function is to protect the optical lens of the lens from mechanical influences, and UV protection and so on is secondary. Many amateur photographers doubt the ability to filter ultraviolet radiation, because in the photo it ispractically not reflected (according to the manufacturers, the filter protects the digital matrix). According to such photographers, photographic optics companies are simply cashing in on amateur photographers. Therefore, it is often recommended that when choosing one or another UV filter, it is based on the properties of mechanical protection. Although protective lenses are considered the cheapest, do not forget that any lens is, first of all, an obstacle to the passage of light, so it is better to purchase such a product from a reliable manufacturer, made of high-quality materials with strong light transmission.
Using UV filters or not is up to the amateur photographer to decide, but it is imperative to take measures to protect the lens, because the price of a good optical system can be even higher than the cost of the camera itself.
