As we all know, camera lens filters play a significant role in improving and enhancing the quality of images we take. Camera lens filters change how your device sees and captures certain image aspects such as the light, glare, reflection, color, and even focus. This creates a more dramatic and overall enticing look to your previously plain photo. So why not invest in the best lens filter system that is available in the market today?
Camera lens filter systems come in two styles or types: screw-in and slide-in systems. Screw-in camera lens filter systems feature a circular filter with an integrated mounting ring that simply locks into the front thread of your camera lens. On the other hand, slide-in systems include a threaded adapter that is attached to the front of the lens and a filter holder with a dedicated slot where a square optical resin filter is inserted. Here are some of the best lens filter system you can find in the market nowadays.
Comparison Chart
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
XCSOURCE 24pcs Square Full Colors | Listed as one of the best-selling and top-rated camera lens filter systems in the market nowadays, the XCSOURCE 24pcs Square Full Colors offers quality performance at a notably lower price. | ||
K&F Concept Square Filter Kit | If you’re looking for quality, the K&F Concept Square Filter Kit can be considered the best lens filter system for you. | ||
Gobe Ndx Variable Nd Lens Filter | The GOBE NDX Variable ND Lens Filter is a highly versatile solar filter that features several variants between ND2 and ND4000 that effectively reduce light from 1 to 8.66 f-stops. Ideal for both landscape and videography, the GOBE NDX Variable ND Lens Filter offer quality and versatility at a competitive price. | ||
K&F Concept Fader Filter | The K&F Concept Fader Filter is an amazing filter engineered and optimized to perform exceptionally better than other filters available in the market nowadays. | ||
Ice Slim ND Filter Set | The ICE Slim ND Filter Set is another mid-value quality filter that provides amazing performance and ensures the product’s versatility and durability. | ||
AmazonBasics Circular Polarizer Camera Photography Lens Filter | If you’re looking for professional quality, the AmazonBasics Circular Polarizer Camera Photography Lens Filter offers top tier performance that easily makes it arguably the best lens filter system in the market today. | ||
Altura Photo Professional Photography Filter Kit | Listed as one of the best-selling and top-rated lenses in the market nowadays, the Altura Photo Professional Photography Filter Kit is an extremely affordable choice for those looking for a relatively cheap option for the best lens filter system. |
A Detailed Review on the 7 Best Lens Filter Systems
XCSOURCE 24pcs Square Full Colors
Listed as one of the best-selling and top-rated camera lens filter systems in the market nowadays, the XCSOURCE 24pcs Square Full Colors offers quality performance at a notably lower price.
Product Highlights
This lens filter system from XCSOURCE directly controls light and colour to your images when you shoot it. It can produce high-quality raw images so you don’t need too much post-production work.
The Good
This lens filter system can be used on most lenses, you just need to change the adaptor ring to fit your lenses properly and you are good to go. The different effects you can create with this lens filter system can help save time in computer editing.
The Bad
The XCSOURCE 24pcs Square Full Colors is made with plastic and compared to glasses, plastic filters tend to get scratches easily. The shape is also not a true square but a bit on the rectangle side. You can’t use it sideways.
PROs
- Multiple Effects
- Affordable price
- Fits most lens sizes
CONs
- Plastic filters tend to get scratches easily
- Rectangular shapes cannot be used sideways.
K&F Concept Square Filter Kit
If you’re looking for quality, the K&F Concept Square Filter Kit can be considered the best lens filter system for you.
Product Highlights
One of the most popular and trusted brands in the industry, the K&F Concept Square Filter Kit is a reliable lens filter system that includes one ND 1000 filter, one metal filter holder, 8 filter ring adapters, and a filter case. It is made using premium-grade Germany Optics glass that features 20-layer multi-resistance coating to make the filter scratchproof, as well as oil, dust, and water-resistant.
The Good
Aside from the materials used on this product, what is even more impressive with the K&F Concept Square Filter Kit is that it comes with 8 different filter ring adapters including 49mm, 52mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm, which allows you to easily use the ND filter depending on your desired size of camera lens.
The Bad
While there isn’t much to say about the K&F Concept Square Filter Kit, some reviews mentioned that the filter creates a notable blue-green cast and that the filter holder is quire unstable when used as the filter socket doesn’t seem to lock all the time.
PROs
- Made with premium-grade Germany Optics glass
- Uses 20-layer multi-resistance coating
- Comes with 8 different filter ring adapters
- Suitable for professional use
- Includes dedicated filter case
CONs
- Unstable filter holder
- Filter has noticeable blue-green cast
Gobe Ndx Variable Nd Lens Filter
The GOBE NDX Variable ND Lens Filter is a highly versatile solar filter that features several variants between ND2 and ND4000 that effectively reduce light from 1 to 8.66 f-stops. Ideal for both landscape and videography, the GOBE NDX Variable ND Lens Filter offer quality and versatility at a competitive price.
Product Highlights
Considerably one of the top rated solar filters available in the market nowadays, the GOBE NDX Variable ND Lens Filter is built using Japanese optical class. It features 8-layer nano-coating that allows this product to achieve neutral color balance, reduces lens flare, and removes ghosting. The GOBE NDX Variable ND Lens Filter also allows slower shutter speed, greater depth of field, and motion blur with clear and crisp results.
The Good
Aside from its performance, the GOBE NDX Variable ND Lens Filter is at a competitive price point compared to other brands. Furthermore, the GOBE company started an initiative where each sold product fund tree planting operations in communities greatly affected by deforestation such as Madagascar, Haiti, Nepal, and more.
The Bad
While the specs of the GOBE NDX Variable ND Lens Filter are rather spectacular, some reviews say otherwise. As per the filter’s performance, several reviews mentioned experiencing adverse image outputs such as intense vignetting and polarization. Aside from that, several reviews complain about receiving scratched up filters that render the product useless.
PROs
- Affordable price
- Produces neutral color balance, reduces lens flare, and removes ghosting
- Allow greater depth of field, slower shutter speed, and motion blur
CONs
- Apparent vignetting and polarization
- Scratched surface
K&F Concept Fader Filter
The K&F Concept Fader Filter is an amazing filter engineered and optimized to perform exceptionally better than other filters available in the market nowadays.
Product Highlights
The K&F Concept Fader Filter is made using Completed Professional Optical Glasses offer better light reduction capacity and color balance. Furthermore, this product features newly developed and engineered Nano coating layer technology that keeps the filter waterproof, scratchproof, and includes anti-reflective green coating to protect the filter from oil, fingerprint, and scratches.
The Good
Aside from the materials used on this filter, the K&F Concept Fader Filter also features an ultra-slim design that helps prevent persistent vignette issues for wide-angle shots. Aside from that, this filter also includes heavy-duty aviation aluminum frames that ensure the product’s security and durability.
The Bad
Several reviews expressed their disappointment with the K&F Concept Fader Filter due to false advertisements about its features and shooting capacities. Furthermore, several users still noticed the persistent X-mark spots and vignette issues, particularly on darky settings.
PROs
- Produces clear and crisp images under favorable conditions
- Ideal for moderate or casual photographers only
- Inexpensive
CONs
- Noticeable dark spots and vignette in darker settings
- Difficult to attach and thread onto the lens
Ice Slim ND Filter Set
The ICE Slim ND Filter Set is another mid-value quality filter that provides amazing performance and ensures the product’s versatility and durability.
Product Highlights
Ideal for wide-angle shots, the ICE Slim ND Filter Set is built with a luxurious-looking matte black frame and high-quality glass material that effectively reduce light without notable color cast issues. For a rather cheap product, the Ice Slim Filter Set performs extremely well.
The Good
Considering its price, the ICE Slim ND Filter Set offers high-quality results. Several reviews noted having clear and detailed images without experiencing common filter issues such as vignettes and X-marks on their pictures.
The Bad
Several reviews also mentioned having difficulty handling the filter as the threads do not come on and off the camera easily. Aside from that, the Ice Slim ND Filter’s performance is rather inconsistent and depends primarily on the photographer’s adjustment.
PROs
- No visible color cast
- Affordable price
- Provides quality results on the right settings
CONs
- Difficult to thread and mantle
- Inconsistent performance
- Showed vignette issues on some darker setting
AmazonBasics Circular Polarizer Camera Photography Lens Filter
If you’re looking for professional quality, the AmazonBasics Circular Polarizer Camera Photography Lens Filter offers top tier performance that easily makes it arguably the best lens filter system in the market today.
Product Highlights
Compatible with a variety of camera lenses, the AmazonBasics Circular Polarizer Camera Photography Lens Filter is made using high-quality glass material that provides protection, deepen color intensity and contrast, as well as eliminate glares. Ideal for outdoor photography, this polarizer lens filter is sure to produce better quality images.
The Good
Listed as one of the best selling and top-rated polarizer lens filters in the market nowadays, what is even more impressive with the AmazonBasics Circular Polarizer Camera Photography Lens Filter is its relatively cheaper compared to other products with nearly the same qualities.
The Bad
Reviews for the AmazonBasics Circular Polarizer Camera Photography complain primarily about the uneven polarization of the lens filter. Aside from that, some users noticed a notable brownish tint present when using the product.
PROs
- Compatible with a wide range of lenses
- Protects from dust and scratches
- Enhances color intensity and eliminates glares
- Relatively cheap
CONs
- Uneven polarization
- Comes with a mildly desaturated brownish tint
Altura Photo Professional Photography Filter Kit
Listed as one of the best-selling and top-rated lenses in the market nowadays, the Altura Photo Professional Photography Filter Kit is an extremely affordable choice for those looking for a relatively cheap option for the best lens filter system.
Product Highlights
Primarily praised for its notably cheap price, the Altura Photo Professional Photography Filter Kit features high-quality optical filters that help in lens protection and image enhancement. Compatible with various lenses, this filter kit protects your camera lens from scratches and dirt, and debris that can affect the quality of images captured.
The Good
What is extremely impressive with the Altura Photo Professional Photography Filter Kit is that it comes with UV, CPL Polarizer, Neutral Density ND4 filters, a padded filter pouch, as well as a MagicFiber Microfiber Lens Cleaning Cloth. Aside from that, it is a fairly reliable filter that removes unwanted glare and controls your exposure and depth of field when shooting in bright light.
The Bad
Unfortunately, reviews for the Altura Photo Professional Photography Filter Kit complained that the filters are nowhere near quality as it produces noticeable ghosting and flares when used. On top of that, the filters are made using plastic instead of glass.
PROs
- Stackable lens filters
- Compatible with a wide range of lenses
- Extremely cheap
CONs
- Notable ghosting
- Uses plastic material for filters
- Does not have anti-flare coating
Conclusion
Choosing the best lens filter system can be a little tricky, especially if you have little to no idea what to look for. As mentioned earlier, camera lens filter system can either be a screw-in type or a slide-in type. Considering this, there are some things to weigh when choosing a screw-in or slide-in type camera lens filter system.
Screw-in filter systems are much easier to find but are notably much more expensive than slide-in filter systems. Aside from that, screw-in is much more compact and easier to carry, while slide-ins are sort of bulky. But always remember to choose the one that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Find out more about lens filter systems.