Filters for Black & White photography

Filter basics for Digital photography...or film

Filters for color Film photography

  ND Grads

Getting started: using filters with Digital Photography


            ND Wratten #       Filter factor         Increase exposure stops

              0.1                         1.25                          1/3

              0.2                         1.50                          2/3

              0.3                         2x                               1

              0.4                         2.5                           1-1/3

              0.5                         3                              1-2/3

              0.6                         4x                               2

              0.7                         5                              2-1/3

              0.8                         6                              2-2/3

              0.9                         8x                               3

              1.0                         10                            3-1/3

              1.8                                                            6

              2.0                         100                           6-2/3

              2.4                                                            8

              3.0                         1000                           10

              4.0                         10k                           13-1/3

     >> Guide to thread pitches used throughout the site

ES   European standard male threads 0.75 standard threads today

E     European fine male threads 0.5: for older cameras

F     fine male threads 0.5mm between threads - same as E

C     Coarse male threads 1.0

M     medium male threads 0.75... standard threads today

AS   American Standard 0.72 (prior to 1965)

FR    fine (0.5) female

MR   med (0.75) female

NFT  slim > no front threads

SO   slip-on (over lens barrel)

SS   set screw (tightens over lens barrel)


“new stock” - currently ordered on a regular basis

“new” - newer packaging, recently discontinued or brand not ordered from

“n/o” - new filters in older packaging.

    (n/o B+W and Heliopan filters are non-slim)

“u/m” - used, mint condition - no flaws.     

vg - used, good glass, some wear on frame

cs - with original leather or plastic case

unmtd - unmounted glass

      >> Guide to condition of filters for sale


      >> Linear Polarizers are for older film cameras with manual focus and metering.

      >> Circular Polarizers are for auto function cameras.

   >>All B+W, Heliopan and Nikon filters are black anodized brass.

        All other round filters are black anodized aluminum unless “chrome”.

      >> Guide to Neutral Density filters