UV filter is an ultraviolet filter. Its main purpose is to protect optical lenses from damage, dust and pollution (all this quickly destroys the lens). Also, such optical elements delay ultraviolet radiation when shooting distant objects. Indeed, the digital matrix and film, in contrast to the human eye, are more sensitive to this type of radiation. UV filter is very useful when photographing in mountainous areas, it helps to avoid blue coating in photographs.
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 that of film, so it takes the near range, and the film is able to fix the entire region of the ultraviolet range (but the human eye cannot see in more than one of these ranges). However, film cameras are limited by the ability of optical lenses. A UV filter cuts off such radiation at 320 nm (mid and far range).
When choosing such a product, it is necessary to proceed from 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 thread of the lens (it is indicated on the lid on the inside). The price of the product depends on its size. So a UV filter with a diameter of 52 mm costs 10-15 dollars, and 77 mm - 30-40 dollars.
It is customary to divide UV category filters into four groups:
- Neutral - neutral colorless;
- SkyLight - pink, designed to give photos warm tones;
- directly UV - ultraviolet;
- Haze - against the haze.
Despite the external differences, the goal of this group is the same - to protect the lens from external influences, ultraviolet color and from haze. The most popular are the 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 figure it is reduced to zero by the presence of a white balance .
When choosing such a product, one should not forget that the main function is to protect the optical lens of the lens from mechanical influences, and ultraviolet protection and so on is secondary. Many amateur photographers doubt the ability to filter
ultraviolet radiation, because this is practically not reflected in the photo (according to the manufacturers, the filter protects the digital matrix). According to such photographers, companies producing photographic optics simply profit from amateur photographers. Therefore, it is often recommended, choosing one or another UV filter, based on the properties of mechanical protection. Although protective lenses are considered the cheapest, you should not forget that any lens is, first of all, an obstacle to the passage of light, therefore it is better to purchase such a product from a reliable manufacturer made of high-quality materials with strong light transmission.
Whether to use UV filters or not, the amateur photographer should decide, but he must 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.