Last updated on 15 December 2022
Everyone who has even a rudimentary understanding of cameras will understand the importance of a good set of filters. While editing software such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro can do wonders, they are restricted to manipulating the image, while the filters affect what the camera sensors can actually see.
If you are in doubt which camera lens (and where) you can get them, don’t fret- after extensive market research, we have picked out the best lens filters that both newcomers and veterans can benefit from;
1. Tiffen
Tiffen is a textbook definition of a successful US-based company with almost a century of experience in providing the very best quality filters for discreet professionals and hobbyists alike with competitive prices.
Tiffen are probably the most used filters in all top productions such as high-end Hollywood films and Netflix series. One of the favourites of the best camera teams in the world.
There’s many filters available from Tiffen, ranging from large to small. One of the favourtes is Tiffen’s Variable ND filter which sports a high-quality 2 to 8 stops of light control and an anti-vignetting wide outer ring made of black aluminium.
Although Tiffen’s ND filters lack IR filters. This isn’t much of an issue as most cameras have an IR cut filter on their sensor. The Blackmagic cameras are the only one that I am aware of that do not have an IR cut filter on their sensor, so you will need to get an IR filter additional to using Tiffen’s filters.
- Built for professionals
Types of filters known for:
- 4×4 Filters
- 4×5.6 Filters
- Circular screw-on filters
- Variable ND
- Pro-mist
2. Moment
Moment has a little bit for everyone with a wide selection of diffusion, CPL, ND, UV, and FX filters. One of its pioneering designs, the Moment Variable ND filter, is built out of German-made Schott B270 pro cinema glass.
Diversity is its middle name, yet it caters to a professional consumer base more than entry-level photographers.
- Built for professionals & amateurs
Types of filters known for:
- Drone ND Filters
- CineBloom Diffusion
- Circular screw-on filters
- Variable ND
3. Hoya
A global enterprise that has seen immense growth since its founding in 1941 in Japan, Hoya is a brand that produces optical equipment for a wide array of products, from binoculars to microscopes.
It is geared towards professionals mainly yet offers very competitive prices for the build quality and features that it provides. One of its most versatile options for pro photographers is the IR cut filter, the Hoya UV and IR cut Screw-in filter.
- Built for professionals & amateurs
Types of filters known for:
- UV & IR cut filters
- Circular screw-on filters
- ND filters
- Photography filters
- Special effects filters
4. Arri
With over a century of experience creating world-class professional lenses, cameras, and post-production equipment, Arri is one of the highest-praised professional-oriented German manufacturers.
Despite an abundant selection of FSND filters and polarizers, IR Cut filters aren’t produced by the company as the company’s focus is centered on ND filters and Polarizers.
- Built for professionals
Types of filters known for:
- 4×4 Filters
- 4×5.6 Filters
- ND filters
5. Schneider Kreuznach
Schneider Kreuznach is a world-class company from Germany that has been around since 1913, this manufacturer of photographic and industrial optics received an Oscar since 2001 due to their technical achievement and innovation of their Super-Cinelux motion picture lenses.
The company is oriented towards large format lenses for big-time professional industries, yet also has a small selection of small to medium format lenses for pros looking to get one of the best filters in the world.
The UV-IR-Cut series represent superb engineering, supplemented with decades-long know-how and a century-old successful tradition of manufacturing.
- Built for professionals
Types of filters known for:
- UV & IR Cut filters
6. Canon
Canon is one of the most widely known and respected brands not only in the optical industry but also in medical equipment, imaging printers, scanners, and semiconductor manufacturing.
Being geared towards entry-level photographers with quality that can suit pros as well, this is a brand you can trust that is suitable for the needs of everyone, having a good bit of products for everyone.
Canon is well-known worldwide for its distribution and manufacture of some of the most affordable and quality filters. The company has a massive selection of ND, polarizing filters, and filter mounts yet doesn’t produce dedicated IR cut filters of their own.
- Built for professionals & amateurs
Types of filters known for:
- UV filters
- Protect filters
- Circular screw-on filters
7. Hasselblad
Since 1941, Hasselblad is one of the oldest manufacturers of image scanners, photographic equipment, and medium format cameras, Hasselblad’s cameras were used during the Apollo program. Most of its products are entry-level friendly, and the company has a good selection reserved for professional photographers.
The company was the first to produce mirrorless medium-format cameras (X1D-50c) and is famous for offering very affordable UV filters, such as the Hasselblad UV-Sky filter series. See a wide range of their filters here.
Despite the diversity in its offerings, there are no IR cut filters that Hasselblad produces.
- Built for professionals
Types of filters known for:
- UV filters
- ND filters
- Polarizing filters
- Circular screw-on filters
8. Leica
Formerly known as Leitz, Leica is one of the best german producers of almost every kind of optical device or optical equipment- from microscopes to rifle scopes, this company does it all!
For cameras, they reserve a unique selection of UVA II, ND, POL, and color filters. Most of its products are reserved for hobbyists and people entering the professional stage.
Although the company featured an IR cut filter in its Leica M8 camera, it was discontinued.
- Built for professionals
Types of filters known for:
- UV filters
- Circular screw-on filters
9. Zeiss
Zeiss is another name familiarly primarily within professional circles due to its high-end yet specialized production of T* UV and POL filters that not only enhance performance- they set new standards.
Specializing in providing standardized quality across its entire production line of cinematographic equipment, optical lenses in hunting rifles, and photography, the company prides itself on being second to none in terms of its price to value ratio.
Sadly, Zeiss lacks dedicated IR cut filters for cameras.
- Built for professionals
Types of filters known for:
- UV filters
- Polarizers
- Circular screw-on filters
10. Lee
Lee Filters, Founded in 1967 and currently owned by Panavision, Lee filters earned international recognition when the company received the Bert Easey Technical Award for its development of motion picture filters and control mediums.
Although a relative newcomer compared to the companies previously mentioned, it is no less a serious competitor in camera filter quality, offering an extensive selection of ND grads, reverse ND, LEE85, SW150, and many more filter classifications and sets. Its products suit hobbyists and pros alike.
The selection also includes ProGlass IRND filters which are highly praised in professional circles.
- Built for professionals & amateurs
Types of filters known for:
- 4×4 Filters
- 4×5.6 Filters
- ND filters
- ND graduated filters
- Polarizers
11. Sigma
As the world’s largest independent lens manufacturer that is also a family-owned business, Sigma corporation has had remarkable growth ever since it entered the optical lens industry in 1961.
When it comes to camera filters, Sigma has had significant success in marketing and selling premium-quality WR UV filters, as well as other classes such as WR protector, WR ceramic, and WR circular polarizer filters.
Sigma offers everything an entry-level photographer might need for a solid device, with most of its filters encompassing superb quality and affordability. Sadly, they do not produce IR cut filters.
- Built for professionals & amateurs
Types of filters known for:
- UV filters
- High quality lenses
12. Urth
Urth is one of the youngest (and most ecologically dedicated) companies on the entire list, it was founded in 2014; Urth is one of the most economical manufacturers of camera lens filters.
It markets itself as an ideal option for outdoor photography as well as excelling in indoor studio settings; it is by far the best alternative to pricy and specialized filters for entry-level photographers.
Aside from its vaunted Infrared Filter Plus+, Urth offers affordable options for ND filters and up to 10 more different kinds of specialized filters that provide phenomenal performance yet won’t break the bank for a beginner or hobbyist who wants a long-term investment for a reasonable price.
- Built for professionals & amateurs
Types of filters known for:
- ND filters
- Polarizers
- Special effects filters
- Square filters
