Broad guidance for selecting filters, based on many conversations we've had with our customers. Also, helpful resource links! We definitely recommend checking out the video tutorials linked below.
Everyone has different shooting needs and preferences, so there isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer to this question. That said, if you're just looking for a quick recommendation then broadly speaking, we tend to suggest the following:
- If you want a general-purpose photography filter, get either a CP or a Shortstache Everyday model.
- If you want a general-purpose video filter, a PMVND 2-5 (or Chroma VND/PL 2-5, if you'd like polarization) is a great place to start.
If what you're looking for is a more detailed breakdown of the filter types, and guidance on what to consider when choosing your filters, then you might find rest of this article helpful. Note that the information on this page is specifically about the different types of filters - if you're more interested in the differences between the various filter systems we offer (for example Helix vs. Threaded Filters) then we have a separate article about that here:
What Filter System is Best for Me?
The short version - there are a few questions that will help narrow down which type of filter will best fit you:
- Are you mainly interested in filters for photography, or video?
- Where and when will you be doing most of your shooting?
- Are you trying to replicate a specific type of look?
Photo, Video, or Both
Photography
If you're mainly shooting photos, then a polarizer is what we usually recommend starting with. A polarizer will help cut glare and reflections, so they're handy for dealing with water surfaces, windows, glasses, and so on. You'll also usually see a bit of a boost to contrast and saturation as a side effect of most polarizers, since they'll bring back details that otherwise would be washed out by glare. For more information on polarizer filters and how they work, check out the following tutorial video:
Note for Long Exposures: While this type of shooting can still benefit from a polarizer, you'll also need a high-density ND filter like the ND1000 or ND100K to allow for the long shutter speeds required. A VND 6-9 or Chroma VND/PL 6-9 can also be used. We have a dedicated video with more info about long exposures below:
Video
If you're shooting video on the other hand, then usually ND or VND filters are more ideal. This is because of something commonly referred to as the "180-degree rule of shutter". This rule holds that the shutter speed for video should always be double the framerate, or as close to it as possible. If shooting at 30fps for example, you'd want a shutter speed of 1/60. This creates a small amount of motion blur in each frame of the shot, which mimics how the human eye sees in real life. For examples of the difference, check out the following video:
As with polarizers, we offer NDs and VNDs in most of our filter lineups. Fixed-density NDs can be identified by the filter factor number (ND4, ND8, ND16, etc.), while the variable NDs show their stop range (i.e. VND 2-5 or VND 6-9). Fixed-density NDs are the most color-neutral option we offer, while variable NDs are handy for anyone who wants to rapidly change the density of the glass without needing to change to another filter.
What if I Shoot Both Photos and Video?
Having both polarizers and NDs (or VNDs) to work with is ideal in this scenario, so you can adapt as needed. Alternatively, a combination filter like the Chroma VND/PL is an excellent way to cover your bases.
Location & Time of Day
The place and time you'll be shooting are both worth considering, when deciding what filters to go with. Shooting on the beach at sunset or in the snow at midday requires different filters than you'd need for a nighttime shoot in a busy downtown area. It's possible to run with one "general-purpose" filter for most situations if you want to, but changing up your filter configuration to match the situation can help bring out the best possible results from your shots.
There are too many different possible scenarios for us to address them all in one article, but if you have any questions about what filters to use for specific scenarios, our support team is happy to help.
Camera Settings
Camera settings can vary a lot from shoot to shoot so they're not one of the main considerations in filter choice, but they can still sometimes have an impact. For example, someone shooting video in overcast situations may normally benefit from a 3-stop ND or VND, but if using a specific shooting profile like S-Log2 or S-Log3 on a Sony camera, the high locked ISO setting would result in an overexposed shot even with filter in place. In that scenario, a higher-density filter like an ND64 or a VND 6-9 would be more helpful. Users attempting to maintain low aperture values such as f/1.4 may also want to go for darker filters.
Filter Types
The following table is meant as a general reference for the different filter types made by PolarPro. For questions about specific filter models, combinations, and use cases, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our support team.
Filter Type |
Purpose |
Recommended Use |
Combinations |
| UV | Mainly used as lens protection. | Works great as a clear filter for lens protection when no other filter is in use, or to protect your filter stack. | Stacks well with any other type of filter. Mainly provides a benefit if it's in the front. |
| CP (aka PL) | Cuts glare, flaring, and reflections. | Ideal as a general-purpose filter for photography. | Stacks well with ND, Mist, Morphic, and ND-GR filters. Do not stack with polarizers or VNDs. |
| ND | Reduces exposure by a fixed stop value. | Ideal for video where the 180 degree rule of shutter is being observed. | Stacks well with any other type of filter. |
| ND/PL | Combines the effects of a CP and ND filter into one glass element. | Popular for wide-angle shooting where an ND and polarizer stacked would otherwise vignette. | Stacks well with ND, Mist, Morphic, and ND-GR filters. Do not stack with polarizers or VNDs. |
| VND | Reduces exposure like an ND, but can be rotated to change the stop value. | Ideal for scenarios where the user needs to rapidly change stop values without removing the filter from the lens. | Stacks well with ND, Mist, Morphic, and ND-GR filters. Do not stack with polarizers or VNDs. |
| Chroma VND/PL | Combines the effects of a CP and VND filter, without the interference you'd normally get from stacking those filter types. | Works great as a general-purpose filter for both video and photo. | Stacks well with ND, Mist, Morphic, and ND-GR filters. Do not stack with polarizers or VNDs. |
| ND-GR (BaseCamp Only) | Reduces exposure by a fixed stop value in one part of the shot. There is a gradient from light to dark in the glass. | Popular for correcting overexposure in the sky without noticeably impacting the rest of the shot. | Stacks well with any other type of filter, except other ND-GR models. |
| Mist/Black Mist/Gold Mist | Creates a diffusion effect at a fixed strength. | Diffusion provides a dreamy, softening effect that's popular for portraits, headshots, weddings, and other content involving human faces. | Stacks well with any other type of filter. Includes CineGold filters. |
| Blue/Gold/SilverMorphic | Creates anamorphic-style streaks/flares from any light sources in the shot. | Lends a dynamic look to the shot. | Stacks well with any other type of filter. |
General FAQs
What type of filter is my best bet if I want to use the stock hood on my lens?
A threaded filter would stand the best chance of working with a stock lens hood. See this article for more info.
Why would I want a regular ND instead of a VND?
A fixed ND is inherently the most color-neutral type of filter, and will also provide the most consistent result across the frame on wide-angle lenses (20mm and below). Our Stage 2 & 3 fixed NDs for BaseCamp are also IR-cut filters, which makes them popular for use on cameras that are IR-sensitive.
Should I get a Chroma VND/PL, or a regular VND?
If you think you'll always want polarization, then go with the Chroma VND/PL. If you only want polarization sometimes, the regular VND is usually the way to go.
Can I stack separate VND and polarizer filters?
This isn't recommended, even if the frames technically allow for it in some filter systems. For more information, see this article.
Can I always have a UV in front of any other filters?
A UV won't interfere with any other filter, so having it as part of your stack for protection is completely fine from a visual standpoint. Note that some filters may not allow stacking on the front though, so we recommend double-checking the specs (or asking support) for compatibility info if you're unsure.
More Resources
For anyone wanting to do more research before making a decision on a filter, the PolarPro YouTube channel has a helpful series of tutorial videos:
PolarPro YouTube - Videos
We also recommend checking out user reviews online, and our support team is always happy to assist.
Questions, comments, or concerns? Send a quick email to support@polarpro.com and we'll be happy to help out.