John Holguin
As a photography enthusiast, I have found that using filters can greatly enhance the quality of my images when shooting with a mirrorless camera. Filters can help to reduce glare, improve contrast, and create unique effects that add depth and interest to photos. However, with so many options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right filters for your mirrorless camera.
Neutral density (ND) filters are essential for long exposure photography, allowing you to capture stunning motion blur effects in bright daylight. I have found that a high-quality ND filter can make a significant difference in the overall look of my images, giving me more creative control over the final result.
Polarizing filters are another must-have for mirrorless camera users. These filters help to reduce reflections and glare, making colors appear more vibrant and saturated. I always keep a polarizing filter in my camera bag to enhance landscape and outdoor portrait shots.
Best Filters for Mirrorless Cameras
When it comes to enhancing your photography with a mirrorless camera, using filters can make a significant difference in the quality of your images. As a photographer who appreciates the importance of filters, I have tested and selected a few that I believe are the best for mirrorless cameras.
One essential filter for mirrorless cameras is the polarizing filter. This filter helps reduce reflections and glare, making your images clearer and more vibrant. It can also enhance the contrast and saturation of your photos, especially when shooting landscapes or water scenes.
- Neutral Density (ND) Filter: A must-have filter for long exposure photography, the ND filter reduces the amount of light entering the lens without affecting the colour balance. It allows you to achieve smooth motion blur in bright conditions, making it ideal for capturing flowing water or moving clouds.
- Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filter: The GND filter is perfect for balancing the exposure in scenes with high contrast, such as landscapes with a bright sky and dark foreground. By darkening the bright areas of the image, it helps maintain detail in both the highlights and shadows.
- UV Filter: While primarily used for lens protection, a UV filter can also help reduce haze and improve the clarity of your images. It’s a simple yet effective filter to keep on your mirrorless camera lens at all times.
UV Filters for Mirrorless Cameras
When it comes to protecting the lens of your mirrorless camera, UV filters are a popular choice. These filters are designed to block ultraviolet light from entering the lens, which can cause haziness and reduce the sharpness of your images. UV filters are especially useful when shooting in bright sunlight or high altitudes where UV light is more intense.
Personally, I always keep a UV filter on my mirrorless camera lens as a first line of defense against dust, moisture, and scratches. It’s a simple yet effective way to safeguard my valuable equipment without compromising image quality. Additionally, UV filters are easy to clean and maintain, making them a practical and cost-effective accessory for any photographer.
When selecting a UV filter for your mirrorless camera, make sure to choose one that is high-quality and multi-coated to minimize reflections and preserve image clarity. Look for reputable brands that offer durable construction and precision engineering for optimal performance. Investing in a good UV filter can help extend the lifespan of your lens and ensure your photos are consistently sharp and vibrant.
Polarizing Filters
When it comes to enhancing the quality of your mirrorless camera shots, polarizing filters are a must-have accessory. These filters help reduce glare and reflections, making your images clearer and more vibrant. I personally find polarizing filters extremely useful when shooting landscapes or water scenes as they help deepen the blue of the sky and make the colors pop.
One of the key benefits of using a polarizing filter is the ability to control the amount of light entering your camera, which can be particularly handy in bright outdoor conditions. By rotating the filter, you can adjust the level of polarization to achieve the desired effect. This versatility allows you to capture stunning images with improved contrast and saturation.
- Enhanced Colors: Polarizing filters help enhance colors by reducing reflections and boosting contrast.
- Glare Reduction: These filters are effective in reducing glare and reflections, making your images clearer and more detailed.
- Improved Clarity: By cutting through haze and atmospheric distortion, polarizing filters can help achieve sharper and more defined images.
Neutral Density (ND) Filters
When it comes to capturing stunning photos with your mirrorless camera, Neutral Density (ND) filters are a must-have accessory. These filters are designed to reduce the amount of light entering the lens without affecting the color or sharpness of the image.
ND filters are especially useful in bright lighting conditions, allowing you to use longer exposure times or wider apertures without overexposing your photos. This is particularly handy for landscape photography, where you may want to achieve a silky smooth water effect or capture motion blur in moving subjects.
- ND filters come in different strengths, denoted by ND numbers such as ND2, ND4, ND8, etc.
- They are available in various shapes and sizes to fit different lenses, so make sure to choose the right filter size for your mirrorless camera lens.
- Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or long exposures, adding a high-quality ND filter to your gear can take your photography to the next level.
Graduated ND Filters
When it comes to managing exposure in landscape photography, Graduated ND filters are essential tools for achieving balanced exposure in high-contrast scenes. These filters help to darken the sky while maintaining the exposure of the foreground, creating a more even and natural-looking image.
Graduated ND filters come in various strengths, from light to heavy, allowing photographers to choose the right filter based on the scene’s lighting conditions. By using a Graduated ND filter, I can capture stunning sunsets or sunrises with rich, vibrant colours and well-balanced exposures.
- Graduated ND filters are crucial for landscape photographers.
- They help balance exposure in high-contrast scenes.
- Filters come in different strengths for various lighting conditions.
- They darken the sky while maintaining foreground exposure.
- Using Graduated ND filters results in more natural-looking images.
Circular ND Filters
When it comes to controlling exposure and achieving creative effects in photography, circular ND filters are a must-have accessory for mirrorless cameras. These filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens without affecting the colour balance, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds or wider apertures in bright conditions.
One of the key advantages of circular ND filters is their versatility. They come in a range of densities, from light to heavy, giving you the flexibility to adapt to different lighting conditions and achieve the desired effect in your photos. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or long exposures, circular ND filters can help you capture stunning images with the right exposure settings.
- Neutral Density: Circular ND filters are designed to provide a neutral effect on colour reproduction, ensuring that your images maintain their natural look even when using longer exposure times.
- Durable Construction: Look for circular ND filters made from high-quality materials that are resistant to scratches, dust, and water. This will ensure that your filters last for a long time and deliver consistent results.
- Easy to Use: Circular ND filters are simple to attach to your mirrorless camera lens, allowing you to quickly adjust the exposure settings and experiment with different creative techniques on the go.
Infrared Filters
When it comes to capturing unique and creative images with your mirrorless camera, exploring the world of infrared photography can open up a whole new realm of possibilities. Infrared filters are essential tools for this type of photography, allowing you to block out visible light and only capture infrared wavelengths.
One of the key benefits of using infrared filters is the ability to create surreal and dream-like images with a distinctive look. By selectively filtering out visible light, infrared filters can reveal hidden details and textures in your images that are not visible to the naked eye.
- Types of Infrared Filters: There are different types of infrared filters available, such as IR pass filters, IR cut filters, and full-spectrum filters, each serving a specific purpose in altering the light that reaches your camera sensor.
- Choosing the Right Filter: When selecting an infrared filter for your mirrorless camera, consider factors like the filter’s wavelength range, compatibility with your camera model, and the effect you want to achieve in your infrared images.
- Tips for Using Infrared Filters: Experiment with different filters to see how they affect your images, adjust your camera settings to compensate for the reduced light transmission, and explore post-processing techniques to enhance the unique characteristics of your infrared photos.
Protective Filters
Protective filters are an essential accessory for mirrorless cameras, as they provide an extra layer of protection for your lens. These filters are designed to shield your lens from dust, dirt, scratches, and other potential damage. They can also help reduce flare and ghosting, improving the overall image quality of your photos.
When choosing a protective filter for your mirrorless camera, it’s important to consider the quality of the filter glass and its impact on image sharpness. Look for filters made from high-quality optical glass to ensure minimal impact on image quality. Additionally, consider factors such as filter size, thread compatibility, and coating options to find the best protective filter for your specific needs.
Overall, protective filters are a simple yet effective way to safeguard your expensive lenses and ensure they remain in top condition for years to come. Investing in a high-quality protective filter is a small price to pay for the long-term protection of your valuable camera gear.
Best filters for mirrorless cameras
Kase Clip-in ND16 Filter for Sony Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera,Built-in ND Neutral Density Filter 4 Stop for Sony A7/A7 II/A7 III/A7R/A7R II/A7R III/A7R...
Features
| Part Number | Clip-in ND16 for Sony Full-Frame |
| Model | Clip-in ND16 for Sony Full-Frame |
| Warranty | 1 year warranty |
| Size | ND16 |



| Price history for JJC True Color 67mm ND Filter Variable ND2.5-1000 (1-10 stops), No Color Shift, No X Cross, No Vignetting, Multi-Coated Adjustable Neutral Density Lens Filter ND4 ND8 ND16 ND32 ND64 ND1000 VND 0.3-3.0 | |
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SmallRig 4 x 5.65 ND 1.8 (6 Stop) Filter, Square Neutral Density Filter, 4mm Thick Multi-Layer Coated B270 Optical Glass, 1.56% Light Transmittance for Matte...
Features
| Part Number | 4227-DM |
| Model | 4227-CF |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Size | ND1.8 (6 Stops) |




K&F Concept 77mm Variable ND Filter ND2-ND32 Camera Lens Filter (1-5 Stops) No X Cross HD Neutral Density Filter with 28 Multi-Layer Coatings Waterproof...
Features
| Part Number | KF01.1804V1 |
| Model | Slim Adjustable ND KF01.1058-64 |
| Size | 77mm |










Q&A:
What is the best filter for mirrorless cameras for landscape photography?
A circular polarizing filter is highly recommended for landscape photography with mirrorless cameras as it helps reduce glare and reflections, enhances colours, and improves overall image quality.
Which filter is best for protecting the lens of a mirrorless camera?
A UV filter is commonly used for protecting the lens of a mirrorless camera as it acts as a barrier against dust, dirt, and scratches without affecting image quality.
What filter is ideal for long exposure photography with a mirrorless camera?
A neutral density (ND) filter is essential for long exposure photography with mirrorless cameras as it reduces the amount of light entering the lens, allowing for longer shutter speeds and creative effects.
Which filter is recommended for macro photography with a mirrorless camera?
A close-up filter or macro filter is great for macro photography with mirrorless cameras as it allows you to focus closer to your subject and achieve greater magnification without the need for a dedicated macro lens.
What is the best filter for portrait photography with a mirrorless camera?
A soft-focus or diffusion filter can be used for portrait photography with mirrorless cameras to create a soft, dreamy effect and enhance skin tones, making the subject appear more flattering.
