Camera Lens Filter Types

Kelvin color temperature applies to every kind of light - daylight to candlelight and beyond. Below is a listing for the on-camera filters that are commonly used in color photography. This chart should be used as a reference point because the Kelvin color temperature for any light source can vary over time.

For another perspective, On-Camera Filters Colors and Effects sorts these filters by color. For filters used in Infrared photography, see Infrared Photography.

Common filters grouped by number:
#80 Filters are very cool
#81 Filters are a little bit warm
#82 Filters are a little bit cool
#85 Filters are very warm

"A Type"	For use on movie sets. Movie sets use 3400°K lights A Type = 3400°K photofloods for movies = special tungsten film for movies
80A Blue filter	5600°K daylight color films with 3400° photofloods.
81A Brown/orange filter	3400°K tungsten color film with "Type B" 3200° photofloods.
82A Light blue filter	"Type A" 3400°K tungsten color films with 3200° photofloods.
85A Orange filter	"Type A" 3400°K tungsten color films can be used in 5600° daylight.

"B Type"	For use with standard photofloods. These are 3200°K films and lights B Type = 3200°K photofloods = Tungsten Film
80B Blue filter	Daylight color films with "Type B" 3200°K photofloods.
81B Brown/Orange filter	Eliminates blue cast found in high altitude mountain photography or when shooting during a very clear day. Also "Type A" film with "Type B" photofloods.
82B Light blue filter	"Type B" 3200°K tungsten color film with household bulbs (2800-2400°).
85B Orange filter	"Type B" tungsten color films in 5600°K daylight.

"C Type"	Refers to "clear flash" (5800°K) and work well with daylight balanced films
80C Blue filter	5800°K lights with daylight color films.
81C Brown/orange filter	Prevents blue cast in cloudy and rainy weather.
82C Light blue filter	Reduces the reddish cast from shooting in early morning or late afternoon.
85C Orange filter	Convert 5500°K lighting to 3800°K.

Other Filters
Skylight	Absorbs ultraviolet rays and blue. Used to eliminate blue cast in distant scenes and in shade.
UV	(a.k.a. "Haze") Used to eliminate blue cast in distant scenes and in shade. Absorbs ultraviolet rays.
FL-D	Eliminates green cast when daylight type films are used under fluorescent lights.
FL-W	Eliminates green cast when daylight type films are used under white fluorescent lights.
ND	Of various darkness, they are used to lower the intensity of light striking the film to enable larger apertures for shallow depth-of-field, slower speeds, and special effects.
ND 2/4/8	Used to lower the intensity of light striking the film to enable larger apertures for shallow depth-of-field, slower speeds, and special effects.
K2	Absorbs part of the spectrum between ultraviolet and violet. Makes clouds stand out. Also used for natural rendition of colors in black and white tones.
G	Absorbs part of the spectrum between ultraviolet and blue-green. Provides stronger contrast than K2. Especially effective for distant scenes.
X0	Transmits green and absorbs part of the spectrum between ultraviolet and blue. Natural rendition of skin and lips of female models. Highly effective for outdoor portraits.
Polarizer	Helps reduce reflections and glares while reducing haze.
25A	Absorbs the spectrum between ultraviolet and yellow. Provides the strongest contrast. Makes daylight scenes as though photographed at night. Also used in infrared photography.
25 red	To be used with infrared film, this filter will allow you to see through the viewfinder and shoot pictures without a tripod outdoors, but anything moving will create motion blur. Creates a dark sky and more overall contrast.
15 orange	To be used with infrared film, this will block some unwanted visible light. This may not create much contrast but will preserve details in shadows and highlights while allowing short exposure times.
Variable ND	Can decrease the light coming into the camera by 2-8 stops. This filter allows very long exposures during the day time and is great for video in order to shoot in bright lighting conditions while maintaining a shallow depth of field.
Star Filter	This special FX filter creates streaks of light from one central source of light in the frame, making the light source resemble a star.
Streak Filter	This special FX filter creates a singular streak of light from one central source of light in the frame.