Filter Technique & Field Notes
Practical guidance on CPL, black mist and lens protection filters. Real tests, shooting tips, and thread compatibility.
Black Mist 1/8 vs 1/4: How Much Glow Do You Want?
Stuck between a 1/8 and a 1/4 black mist? Why a 1/4 is the better first filter for soft glow, and when a 1/8 still makes sense.
Leica 39mm vs 46mm vs Q3 49mm: Three Threads, Three Filters
M and Voigtlander often 39mm, some lenses 46mm, Q3 43 is 49mm. Three threads, three filters. Ask before you buy 43mm.
How I Clean Coated Filters Without Scratching Them
No paper towels. Blow, drop of fluid if needed, nano cloth on the coating. Add a cloth to the filter order. Free shipping over $99.
Fuji Filter Size: XF 27mm Is 39mm, X100 Is 49mm
Do not mix them up. XF 27mm-class lenses are 39mm. The X100 needs an adapter, then 49mm. Wrong size will not thread on.
You Don't Need a Flagship CPL for Deeper Blue Skies
Skies and water do not require a $190 polarizer. Start with XT003; step up to XT001 PRO when coatings matter more.
Black Mist Isn't for Every Photo. Here's When I Take It Off
Fog, architecture, product detail, already-soft lenses: mist makes them worse. Trust means saying when to unscrew it.
What Lightroom Still Can't Fake: Polarizers and Black Mist
Dehaze will not pull glare off water. Bloom from black mist is not an LR slider. Protection can wait; these two cannot be faked later.
Black Frame or Silver Frame on a Leica?
Silver bodies like a silver ring. Black paint Q likes black. Frame color is a Leica buying decision, not a spec sheet line. XT925.
Fuji X100 Has No Filter Thread. After the Adapter, It's 49mm
X100/V/VI has no native thread. After an adapter it's 49mm, not 39mm. 39mm is for other Fuji lenses such as the 27mm.
How to Read the Filter Size Printed on Your Lens
The ø on the front ring is the filter size, not the focal length. Can't find it? Email Leo the lens model and we'll match the mm.
When Street Lights Need a Different 1/4 Black Mist
A 1/4 black mist works for daytime streets. At night, street lights need lower reflection, not a stronger grade. Here is why I swap to the XT925 1/4.
A Softer Black Mist for Portraits, Not Night Lights
For portraits that look softer without turning street lights into a neon show, I'd start with the XT888 Top. Here's where the Bottom still wins.
CPL, UV, or Black Mist: Which Filter Do You Actually Need?
Buy one filter first, not three. A UV or clear filter protects the front glass, a CPL cuts glare on water and glass, and black mist softens highlights.
Not Every Clear Filter Fits a Leica or a Fuji
A generic clear filter often won't fit a Leica or a Fuji. It can catch half a thread, bind up, or stick out far enough to block the hood.
Keep the Hood On: Slim UV for Leica and Voigtlander
Yes, you can keep the original hood on your Leica or Voigtländer, but only with a genuinely slim UV frame. A thick ring stops the hood locking.
How a Polarizer Turns White Water Clear
Flat white glare hides the rocks and the green under the water. Here's how I twist a CPL to cut it, and when I take it off again.
Cinematic Glow on a Leica Without Looking Fake
I put black mist on my Leica when I want the street lights to bloom, not when I want the whole night to go soft and grey. Here's the difference.
Can You Stack a Black Mist and a Polarizer?
Yes, you can stack them. I put the mist first and the CPL outside it. Here are the 3 problems to watch for, and when not to stack.
Black Mist 1/4 vs Stronger: Which Strength to Use
Why choose a 1/4 black mist instead of 1/2 or heavier? Stronger grades destroy daylight contrast. Here is why 1/4 is the working line.
The Black Mist Strength You Can Leave On All Day
Is there a black mist you can screw on in the morning and leave on all day? For me it's the 1/4. Here's where it stops being invisible.
Leica Q3 43: The Filter Size Is 49mm, Not 43
The Leica Q3 43 says 43 on the box, but the filter thread is 49mm. Buy a 49mm filter, and here's what fits under the square hood.
UV Filter vs Clear Filter: Which Lens Protector Should You Use?
A clear filter only protects the glass. A UV filter also cuts UV haze below about 390nm. On digital the gap is small. Here's how I pick.
How to Choose the Right ND Filter: A Simple Guide for Photographers
You do not need a drawer full of ND filters. An ND cuts light so you can keep a wide aperture or slow shutter. Here is how I choose the right stops.