Best UV filters for the camera: you need to know that

Sun protection for your camera: UV filters protect lenses from sunlight that is too bright and are often used in photography to optimize images – for example, they ensure better contrasts. But which UV filters are the best? We’ll show you our selection.

By Sven Wernicke

A UV filter consists of glass or a high-quality plastic. You put it on the lens or screw it on. Its surface runs parallel to the lens to avoid unwanted light refraction and interference.

Why do I need a UV filter for my camera?

A UV filter removes most of the ultraviolet radiation and ensures that it does not enter the lens. This radiation is particularly high on sunny days or in the mountains, for example. Modern digital and SLR cameras usually do not need a UV filter: their lenses automatically filter out ultraviolet light.

But a UV filter can still make sense for a camera – in the following cases:

• To protect high quality lenses: A good UV filter can protect the camera lens from damage caused by falling or impact. A new filter is much cheaper than a new high-end lens.
• For analogue cameras: Analog camera lenses do not automatically filter out UV light. This can lead to a bluish tint in the images and unwanted reflections. A UV filter prevents this. It also ensures better contrasts and prevents image errors such as spots (so-called chromatic aberrations).
• For old lenses on modern cameras: Older lenses from the analogue era often have no or no high-quality coating/coating. If you use an older lens for photographs with your current SLR camera, a UV filter can prevent reflections and significantly increase the image quality.

Below we present a selection of the best UV filters for cameras.

Rollei 26108 Premium UV Filter

full screen

Thanks to Gorilla Glass, Rollei’s UV filter is very resistant.

Image: © Rollei 2022

Of the Rollei UV filters rely on protective Gorilla Glass, which is primarily known from the smartphone sector. Impacts and permanent material contact do not bother this model, scratches hardly stand a chance. The special coating called Luminance Coating preserves the color fidelity and guarantees maximum light transmission. The surface of the UV filter is also water and oil repellent.

Rollei premium UV filter
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Hama premium UV filter

Thanks to a nano-coating, the Easy to clean premium UV filters from Hama. It also reduces fogging and dirt re-attachment. Both sides of the filter are coated, there are nine layers in total. The socket consists of a black anodized metal. There is even an edge seal.

Hama premium UV filter
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Sigma WR UV filter

Of the Sigma UV filter is our recommendation for protecting very expensive lenses. Depending on the size, this filter can be over an inch thick. So you are on the safe side. Nevertheless, there is no loss of quality when taking photos. The UV filter is water and oil repellent and antistatic. Since it is colorless, the color fidelity is not affected.

Sigma WR UV filter
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Hasselblad Slim UV filter

Amazing at Hasselblad’s UV filter is the extra-thin glass. It prevents vignetting when using wide-angle lenses. Blue casts and color distortions are also a thing of the past with this filter.

Hasselblad Slim UV filter
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Hoya HD Nano UV Filter

Of the Hoya HD Nano UV Filter is made from chemically enhanced glass that’s four times stronger than regular glass – and up to 800 percent more scratch resistant than regular coated glass. The very thin frame is discreet. The press-mount technology ensures that the filter is firmly in place.

Hoya HD Nano UV Filter
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What should I look out for when buying a UV filter?

• Compensation: The coating is the coating of the glass or plastic used. It prevents reflections and ensures good image quality. Without compensation, the light output of the lens is worse, photos are darker.
• Sealing: Sealed UV filters leave no space between the filter and the lens. This means that neither dirt nor moisture can penetrate.
• Version: Choose a UV filter with a high-quality mount to avoid skewing the lens thread. Otherwise the filter can no longer be removed.
• Size: Check the size of your camera’s lens and select the UV filter accordingly. The most common sizes are 52mm, 62mm, 67mm and 77mm.
• Price: Don’t go for the cheapest model. Cheap UV filters might protect an expensive lens, but if they have poor or no coating, they degrade image quality. Good UV filters therefore have their price.