Kolari Vision Filters
Quick, go to google (after you read this) and type in “must have accessories for camera”. One of the number one things you will see you need to buy is a filter for your lens. Actually, if you buy a camera and lens combo on Amazon, Best Buy and most major online retailers they will probably throw in a lens filter with purchase. The problem though, lies in which filters do you get? At first glance it seems like they are all made equally. After all it is just a piece of glass that goes on your lens, how can they be that much different?
First, let me say this. THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT depending on the quality of filter you get. Second, we do believe in protecting our lenses. In our line of work with weddings, family portraits and being in southern Colorado where we experience rain storms, sand storms, dust storm and the occasional tree limb hitting our lenses while we walk through the mountains, we believe that when you invest thousands of dollars in a lens you should protect it.
Ok, so now that we established that you need a filter for your lenses, let’s talk about why you should invest in a better filter. Again, you may be thinking “it’s just a piece of glass, how different can they be”. Let’s look at a few reasons how different filters act.
Color Cast
When our eyes look through the glass we may see nothing but clearness. Our cameras are different though. They pick up even the smallest of colors. Often times when you purchase a cheap filter and you begin reviewing your photos you might notice a purple or green cast to your photos that is not normally there. This is because the filter you chose is probably not made from the best materials.
Lens Flare
Any type of glass reflects light to some extent. Our lenses do this even though they are 1000’s of dollars. Throwing on another piece of glass causes some potential issues with lens flare. Manufacturers of lenses design the lenses to work their best without a lens filter so when you add more glass you can get some weird or unpleasing lens flare that you were not intending and this could cause huge problems for you when photographing or editing.
Durability
Filters are not built the same. The glass may be of lesser quality but also the ring that screws onto your lens. Believe it or not we have had filters get stuck on our lenses really bad. So bad that we have had to break the glass and use pliers to try and get it off. YOU DO NOT WANT THIS!
Ok, so now you know you need a lens filter and you know the reason why, now all it comes down to is the “who”. Who do you trust to protect your lenses, provide as little color cast as possible all while keeping the lens flares clean and that have a really high quality durable feel to them? Enter Kolari Vision Filters.
Kolari Vision makes some amazing, high quality filters in practically every size you need. Not only do the standard UV filters to protect your lens they also create infrared lenses, ND filters, CPL filters and many more. They make filters for drones, drop in cameras and filters and even camera conversions. Consider Kolari your one stop shop for all things filters.
We got our hands on the 95mm filter for our Canon 28-70 F/2 lens recently and have had about 10 sessions under our belt with these filters. Lets talk first impressions:
Quality - 10/10
These filters feel well built in your hands. The threads are perfect for the camera and screw on nicely. They lock down tight and with a decent grip they come off. After numerous sessions and in and out of our bags we have not felt them come loose at all unless we needed them too.
Color Cast - 10/10
We have not seen a single issue with color cast with these filters. Below are two photos. One with the filter, one without the filter. I bet you CANNOT tell which is which!
Lense Flare - 9/10
These UV filters do alter the lens flare slightly from the normal lens flare without the filter. I don’t believe it makes the lens flare to harsh and it doesn’t eliminate the lens flare, it just changes the shape slightly. See photos below. No UV filters is going to eliminate any lens flare and even the lenses without a filter still have lens flare. There are steps you can take to prevent it entirely but we like lens flare when used creatively.
Cost - 9/10
This tends to be peoples biggest hiccup with filters. They see on Amazon they can buy a $10 filter or they can buy a $100 filter. To most people they again think “what’s the difference”. Buying filters is not sexy. It is not fun. Most people spend their money on cool bags, or camera straps. They don’t bat an eye for a $100 camera strap but they freak out if the lens filter costs more than $15. Kolari are NOT the cheapest lens filters on the market. They are also not the most expensive but they are quality and the value to cost ratio is perfect for us. We have no problem dropping $50+ on a lens filter if it means we get all the above in terms of function.
If you are need of a new lens filter for your camera or want to get creative with ND, CPL or infrared filters, we highly encourage you to check out Kolari Vision Filters. You won’t be disappointed. If for any reason you are, just reach out to them. Their customer service has been very good to us and they seem more than willing to talk and answer any questions you have.
Kolari Vision Website
The UV filter we use (perfect for lens protection)
Kolari Pro CPL Lens Filter (lens protection + helps remove reflections in glass and water)
