Camera Lens Filters Price Comparison

Compare 864 camera lens filters from Hoya, Tiffen, B+W and more — find the best price on ND, CPL and UV filters across top UK retailers.

Camera lens filters are one of those accessories where the gap between a £10 purchase and a £100 one is genuinely visible in your images — and yet the market is flooded with options that make choosing feel unnecessarily complicated. We've analysed 864 filters across this catalogue, and a few things stand out immediately: Hoya dominates, accounting for nearly half of all listings, whilst brands like B+W and NiSi sit at a significantly higher average price point, catering to professionals who won't compromise on optical neutrality.

The most important thing to get right before anything else is your filter thread diameter. Check the front of your lens barrel — it's marked with a ø symbol followed by a number in millimetres. Get this wrong and the filter simply won't fit. Common sizes like 77mm and 82mm attract the widest range of options; more unusual sizes (40.5mm, 43mm) can be harder to source and occasionally pricier. If you shoot with multiple lenses of different diameters, step-up rings paired with a single larger filter are a cost-effective solution worth considering alongside your camera lenses.

Neutral density filters make up the bulk of what's available here, and for good reason — they're the workhorses of landscape, long-exposure, and video work. The difference between a cheap ND and a quality one isn't just sharpness; it's colour cast. Budget ND filters routinely introduce a blue or amber tint that requires correction in post. Hoya's PROND EX and Fusion Antistatic lines sit in the mid-to-upper range of this catalogue and are consistently well-regarded for their neutrality. At the premium end, NiSi and B+W command prices well above 0 £, but deliver measurably better light transmission and optical flatness.

Circular polarisers (CPL) are the second essential type — indispensable for cutting reflections off water and glass, and for deepening blue skies. Unlike ND filters, CPLs can't be replicated in post-processing, which makes quality here especially important. Tiffen offers a solid mid-range option, whilst Kenko provides some of the most affordable entry points in the catalogue, starting close to 0 £. For photographers building out a full kit, pairing filters with the right lens hoods helps reduce flare and ghosting further.

One category worth flagging: diffusion filters, represented here by Tiffen's Pro-Mist range, have seen a significant resurgence thanks to the cinematic look trend in video. They're not for everyone, but if you're shooting portraits or video content and want that soft, filmic quality without heavy post work, they're genuinely useful. Finally, if you're investing in quality glass, don't overlook a good camera case — filters scratch easily and a scratched filter is worse than no filter at all.

How to Choose the Right Camera Lens Filter

With prices ranging from 0 £ to 0 £ and filter types spanning everything from basic UV protectors to professional graduated NDs, it's easy to overspend on the wrong thing — or underspend and ruin your shots. The key is matching filter type and quality tier to your actual shooting style, not buying the most expensive option available.

Thread diameter: measure before you buy

This is non-negotiable. Your filter must match your lens's front thread size exactly — check the barrel for the ø symbol. The most common sizes in this catalogue are 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm. If you own several lenses, consider buying filters for your largest diameter and using step-up rings for smaller lenses. It's cheaper than buying multiple sets, and avoids the frustration of ordering a filter that simply won't thread on.

Filter type matched to your shooting purpose

ND filters are for controlling shutter speed and depth of field in bright light — essential for waterfalls, seascapes, and video. CPL filters cut reflections and boost saturation; they cannot be replicated in editing software. UV/protective filters guard the front element with minimal optical impact. Diffusion filters (like Tiffen's Pro-Mist) create a soft, cinematic look favoured in portrait and video work. Graduated NDs balance sky-to-foreground exposure in landscape photography. Don't buy a filter type you don't have a clear use case for — they're not interchangeable.

ND rating: matching stops to your conditions

ND filters are rated by how many stops of light they block. ND8 (3 stops) is a versatile starting point for daytime long exposures. ND64 (6 stops) suits bright midday shooting. ND400 or ND1000 (8–10 stops) are for extreme long exposures — think silky waterfalls in full sun or 30-second cityscape shots at dusk. The Hoya NDx400 in this catalogue is a strong example of a high-density option at a very accessible price point. Be wary of variable ND filters at the budget end — they often introduce a cross-pattern (X-pattern) at higher densities that ruins images.

Optical quality and colour neutrality

This is where cheap filters genuinely hurt your images. Low-quality ND glass introduces colour casts — typically a blue or warm amber tint — that require correction in post and can't always be fully removed. Multi-coated optical glass (look for terms like 'multi-coating', 'ACCU-ND', or 'PROND') minimises reflections, ghosting, and flare. Hoya and Tiffen offer reliable multi-coated options from around 0 £. B+W and NiSi, averaging well above 0 £, are the benchmark for colour neutrality — worth it if you shoot commercially or in demanding conditions.

Screw-in vs drop-in filter systems

Most photographers start with screw-in filters — they thread directly onto the lens, are compact, and cover the majority of use cases. Drop-in filter systems (like Cokin's holder-based range) accept square or rectangular filters and are better suited to landscape photographers who swap filter types frequently, or those using very large front elements. The Cokin WP series in this catalogue represents a solid mid-range drop-in option. The trade-off: holder systems are bulkier and require adaptor rings for each lens diameter you own.

Vignetting risk on wide-angle lenses

Thick filter frames cause darkened corners (vignetting) when used on wide-angle lenses — particularly anything below 24mm on full frame. If you shoot wide, look specifically for 'slim' or 'thin' profile filters. Stacking two standard-thickness filters almost always causes vignetting regardless of focal length. This is a common and avoidable mistake: check the filter's frame thickness specification before buying, especially if your lens has a short focal length.

Entry-level (From 0 £ to 0 £) : Basic UV/protective filters and budget CPLs from Hama, Kenko, and generic brands. Optical quality is variable — fine for protecting a kit lens, but not recommended for serious ND or CPL work where colour accuracy matters. Good for experimenting with filter types before committing to a higher-quality option.
The sweet spot (From 0 £ to 0 £) : Where most photographers should start. Hoya's standard ND and CPL range, Tiffen's diffusion filters, and Cokin's drop-in system all sit here. Multi-coated glass, decent colour neutrality, and reliable build quality. Covers the vast majority of everyday shooting needs without overpaying.
Enthusiast tier (From 0 £ to 0 £) : Hoya's PROND EX and Fusion Antistatic lines, plus Tiffen's Pro-Mist range. Noticeably better optical flatness, improved anti-static coatings, and more consistent colour neutrality. The right choice for landscape photographers and videographers who shoot regularly and want results that hold up at 100% crop.
Professional grade (Over 0 £) : B+W, NiSi, and PolarPro dominate this tier. Brass frames, premium multi-coating, and near-zero colour shift. NiSi averages around 0 £ territory for their top systems. Justified for commercial work, cinematography, or anyone who demands the absolute minimum of post-processing correction. Overkill for casual shooters.

Top products

Hoya NDx400 62mm Neutral density camera filter (Hoya) : The most-listed filter in this catalogue and for good reason — 8.6 stops of ND at a price that undercuts almost everything else. Ideal as a first high-density ND, though check for colour cast at maximum density before relying on it for critical work.
Hoya PROND EX 8 Neutral density camera filter 77 mm (Hoya) : Hoya's PROND EX line is where optical quality genuinely steps up — multi-coated, colour-neutral, and built for 77mm which covers most enthusiast zoom lenses. The go-to recommendation for landscape photographers who shoot regularly.
Hoya Fusion Antistatic Next Protector Camera protection filter 55 mm (Hoya) : One of the better protective filters in the catalogue — the antistatic coating genuinely reduces dust attraction, which matters if you shoot outdoors frequently. Not cheap for a UV protector, but the optical impact is minimal and the build quality is reassuring.
Tiffen 72PM18 camera lens filter Diffusion camera filter 72 mm (Tiffen) : Tiffen's Pro-Mist range is the industry standard for cinematic diffusion — this 72mm version suits a wide range of telephoto and standard zooms. Excellent for portrait and video work; pointless if you shoot architecture or landscapes where sharpness is paramount.
Kenko 352915 camera lens filter Circular polarising camera filter 52 mm (Kenko) : The most affordable CPL in the top listings and a reasonable entry point for photographers new to polarising filters. Don't expect B+W-level colour saturation, but for cutting reflections off water and glass on a tight budget, it does the job.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size filter do I need for my lens?

Check the front of your lens barrel for a number preceded by the ø symbol — that's your filter thread diameter in millimetres. Common sizes include 49mm, 52mm, 58mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm. If you can't find it on the barrel, check your lens manual or the manufacturer's website. Never guess — a filter that's even 1mm off won't fit.

Is there a real difference between a cheap ND filter and an expensive one?

Yes, and it's visible in your images. The main issue with budget ND filters is colour cast — a blue or amber tint that shifts your white balance and requires correction in post. Cheap glass also tends to reduce sharpness and introduce ghosting. From around 0 £, you start getting multi-coated optical glass from brands like Hoya that avoids most of these problems. Below that, results are genuinely unpredictable.

Do I need a UV filter on a modern digital camera?

Not for optical reasons — modern digital sensors are not sensitive to UV light the way film was. A UV filter today is purely a protective filter for your front lens element. Whether it's worth it depends on how you shoot: if you're working in dusty, wet, or high-risk environments, a quality UV filter from Hoya or Hama makes sense. Just make sure it's multi-coated, otherwise it can introduce flare and reduce contrast.

Can I stack multiple filters together?

You can, but with caveats. Stacking two standard-thickness filters almost always causes vignetting — darkened corners — especially on wide-angle lenses. If you need to combine filters (say, a CPL and an ND), look for 'slim' or 'thin' profile versions designed for stacking. Even then, limit yourself to two filters maximum. Stacking three or more degrades image quality noticeably regardless of filter quality.

What ND filter strength should I start with?

An ND8 (3 stops) is the most versatile starting point for most photographers. It's strong enough for daytime long exposures and video work without being so extreme that it requires very long shutter speeds in moderate light. If you shoot primarily in bright midday sun or want dramatic waterfall effects, add an ND64 (6 stops) as your second filter. The Hoya NDx400 in this catalogue is a strong option if you want to jump straight to high-density work at a low entry price.

Are variable ND filters worth buying?

Variable ND filters are convenient but come with a significant trade-off: at higher density settings, most introduce an X-shaped cross-pattern across the image that cannot be corrected in post. This is a well-known optical limitation caused by the two polarising elements inside. Budget variable NDs are particularly prone to this. If you need flexibility, it's generally better to own two fixed ND filters (e.g., ND8 and ND64) than to rely on a variable ND for serious work.

Which filter brands are actually worth buying in 2026?

Hoya is the safest all-round choice — their PROND EX and Fusion Antistatic lines offer excellent optical quality at mid-range prices, and they have the widest diameter coverage in this catalogue. Tiffen is a reliable alternative, particularly for diffusion and Pro-Mist filters. B+W and NiSi are the premium benchmarks for colour neutrality and build quality, but at prices well above 0 £, they're best justified for professional or commercial use. Avoid unbranded or unknown-brand filters for anything beyond basic lens protection.

Camera Lens Filters Price Comparison