What filter helps reduce lens flare in direct sunlight?
Asked 2/16/2011
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I use a Nikon D3000 and sometimes get lens flare when shooting in bright, direct sunlight. I’m new to filters and was told a filter might fix this. Is there a particular type of filter that helps prevent flare, or is there a better solution?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Honestly I would not expect any filters to help compared to not using one, since they add a flat reflection surface.
However, some filters add more flare than others. A filter that is multi-coated or - even better- super multi-coated adds less reflections and therefore less flare.
To reduce flare if the sun is not shining directly into your lens, try a lens hood first. If it does not enough, then you need additional shading. Anything that does not obstruct the subject will do (hand, hat, a friend, etc).
Keep in mind that if you use a full-frame lens on a cropped-sensor camera, the hood supplied with your lens cannot be adequate. This is also the case for a zoom lens at any focal other than its widest point.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A filter usually won’t prevent flare; in many cases it can make flare worse because it adds another reflective glass surface in front of the lens. If you already have a UV/protection filter fitted, try removing it first or replacing it with a high-quality multi-coated filter.
The most effective first step is usually a lens hood. If the sun is just outside the frame, a hood can block stray light and reduce flare. Extra shading can also help—using your hand, a hat, or another object as long as it doesn’t enter the shot.
A polarizing filter may reduce flare in some situations, but it’s not a reliable general solution. On DSLRs like the Nikon D3000, if you use a polarizer, choose a circular polarizer rather than a linear one for compatibility with metering and autofocus.
So: start with a lens hood, avoid cheap front filters, and only consider a good circular polarizer for specific situations.
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