There are two types of lens filters available: (1) general filters that are used to reproduce colors accurately; and (2) special effect filters that are used to create special photographic effects. General filters include skylight, ND and PL filters. By getting familiar with the characteristics and effects of each filter, you can use a compact digital camera to shoot pictures that rival those taken with an SLR camera.

This colorless, transparent filter does not affect visible light, and is mainly used for the purpose of absorbing ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet is invisible to human eye, but it can have a subduing or dulling effect on picture colors.This filter is used to allow correct color reproduction by means of absorbing ultraviolet light. This filter is available in several different types depending on the UV absorption rate. However, it is used more frequently for the purpose of protecting the lens as all camera lenses have UV absorption coating themselves.

Also known as a polarizing filter. This filter is also used in sunglasses. It has the effect of reproducing vibrant colors by eliminating light reflection. A PL filter for photo shooting has a dual frame structure. You can remove the light reflection by mounting the filter on the camera and rotating the filter frame. You need to use the circularly polarized type of this filter. Let's look at some examples of the effects that can be obtained using a PL filter.

When using a PL filter, you should be aware of the conditions when it is most effective. When shooting a water surface, this filter is most effective when the camera's angle is between 30 to 40 degrees against the light-reflecting plane. You cannot obtain good effects if the camera is almost completely horizontal or vertical to the plane. When taking pictures of the sky, it is most effective when the camera's angle is around 90 degrees against the light-reflecting plane. The angle is not as important in the case of the light reflection on the surfaces of tree leaves, and good results can be obtained with relative ease. You can always check the effects in the monitor as you rotate the filter frame, so take pictures while checking the effects as needed depending on the shooting conditions.

This filter is used to reduce the amount of light that enters the lens. If you wish to capture the flow of the water or the motion of the subject in your picture, you need to use slow shutter speed. However, slow shutter speed cannot be used if there is too much light. ND filter allows you to use slower shutter speeds by reducing the amount of light. Thanks to this filter, you can use slow shutter speeds even if you are not able to set smaller aperture values. A several types of ND filters (e.g. ND2, ND4, ND8, etc.) are available depending on the amount of light it can reduce. The larger the number, the bigger the amount of light the filter reduces. Let's look at some examples of the effects that can be obtained using a ND filter.