The
importance and usefulness of a skylight filter
cannot be overestimated. Everyone should have at
least one. Preferably, they should have one for
every lens they own. These should be permanently
fixed to the filter thread.
Skylight filters are cheap, freely available and
come in various filter thread sizes. This means that
everyone can afford one and there will be a filter
to fit every lens (or almost).
The primary function of a skylight filter is
to cut down excessive UV rays which, in turn, make
scenes in the distance appear to have a blue haze.
The filter effectively reduces the haze and blue
colour cast. Pictures of hills and mountains in the
distance look clearer.
The
secondary function, and why you should have one
on each lens, is that of protection. Like a lens
cap, the skylight filter fits over the front of the
lens and helps to prevent the ingress of dirt and
dust. It also protects the lens from the effects of
oily and greasy fingers, stick hands and from
accidental knocks. It is much cheaper to replace a
skylight than it is to replace a damaged lens.
The filter is very light and has no effect on the
exposure value needed for your photography (they do
not stop the normal amounts of light getting in).
Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site
http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated
discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at
http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com
The
importance and usefulness of a skylight filter
cannot be overestimated. Everyone should have at
least one. Preferably, they should have one for
every lens they own. These should be permanently
fixed to the filter thread.
The
secondary function, and why you should have one
on each lens, is that of protection. Like a lens
cap, the skylight filter fits over the front of the
lens and helps to prevent the ingress of dirt and
dust. It also protects the lens from the effects of
oily and greasy fingers, stick hands and from
accidental knocks. It is much cheaper to replace a
skylight than it is to replace a damaged lens.
