So, next time you’re out shooting, remember the UV filter – your secret weapon against UV haze and a front-line defender of your camera lens’s.

Over the years of taking photos with various filters for lenses. I've witnessed situations where having a UV filter on your lens has saved the lens, and opposing scenarios where the absence of a ultraviolet filter resulted in needing to replace the lens.

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Using a UV filter manipulates how your camera captures environments, particularly those high in UV light. By blocking these wavelengths, UV filters reduce haze and improve clarity. Additionally, as UV filters protect your lens from scratches, dirt, and fingerprints, they can keep your images crisp and clear. So, while UV filters don’t directly enhance images, they help maintain optimal lens condition, contributing indirectly to better photo quality.

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The English and Scottish lighthouse authorities wanted to produce all Fresnel lenses and other lighthouse equipment in their own country and persuaded the Cookson Glass Company to begin production of Fresnel lenses in 1834. Cookson brought in Leonor Fresnel, Augustin’s brother, as a consultant and produced Fresnel lenses from individual pieces and prisms as done by the French lens companies.  The first of these better designed Fresnel lenses, built by the Cookson Co., was installed in Scotland in 1835, in the Inchkeith lighthouse.

The French Commission for Lighthouses was established on April 29, 1811.  In 1819, Arago who had become a member of the French Commission for Lighthouses in 1813, offered to make a systematic review of possible improvements in lighthouse illumination.  He requested that Claude Mathieu and Augustin Fresnel be assigned as his coworkers on the project.  His request was granted on June 21, 1819, and Augustin agreed to serve on the committee.

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The first National Lighthouse Lens Survey was released in 2001 at the Sixth Maritime Heritage Conference in Wilmington, N.C. It listed more than 400 classical Fresnel lighthouse lenses in the United States, and two pre-Fresnel, Winslow Lewis lenses. The inventory was a compilation of databases researched by Mike Vogel of the Buffalo Lighthouse Association and the American Lighthouse Coordinating Committee, and by Al and Helen Gademsky of Ohio.

Quality UV filters don’t necessarily need to break the bank. Some budget-friendly models aren’t far behind in performance. K&F or Neewer UV filter  offers optical excellence coupled with affordability.

Below is a listing of the major changes in the Fresnel lens through time and in most cases who the creator of each change was.

Some years ago Chad Kaiser of the US Lighthouse Society ran across a photograph of what was supposed to be the most powerful lighthouse in the world at 1 billion candlepower.  Yes, that is billion not million.  I became intrigued and started researching this light and its history.  This story will describe this very unusual lighthouse in France and how it came to be.  It is actually not a true lighthouse at all.  Instead it is an example of one of the earliest and most powerful Airway Beacons ever built.  But, first we need to understand a little more about air

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The German government etched symbols onto the prisms of their Fresnel Lenses. This is the story of those symbols. The German government marked most of their lenses with a government certification symbol. Before 1933 and the Nazi Reich, the symbols used were the German Imperial Eagle and a symbol that looked like a castle, which represented the German Seamarks Service. These marks were etched onto the lens glass to certify that the lens met the requirements for government usage.

A UV filter’s benefits come to the fore in harsh environmental conditions. These include arid, sandy regions like deserts and beaches, where it can protect your lens from dirt and scratches. In rainy weather, a UV filter helps keep your lens dry, though it’s wise to take additional precautions to protect your gear from water damage. When photographing easily smudged objects like children’s hands, UV filters make cleaning a breeze.

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Yes, there are alternatives to glass screw-on filters. Photographers can explore filter systems with square or rectangular filters that slide into holders, offering versatility and avoiding potential vignetting issues associated with screw-on filters.

Several industry-leading UV filters are known for their efficiency. Some of the best filters on the market are, Hoya, Sigma, Tiffen are my top picks for their remarkable compatibility with digital cameras and film photography. They are what I would call quality filters and at the top for lens protection capability without sacrificing image quality.

When buying a UV filter, start by checking the filter’s diameter to ensure compatibility with your lens. The quality of the glass is also crucial – look for a filter with high-quality, anti-glaring, and anti-scratch properties. The frame’s thickness should be considered when using a filter on a wide-angle lens or with other filters to prevent the vignette effect. Other features to consider are impact resistance, waterproof properties, durability, and ease of cleaning.

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Most lighthouse enthusiasts think that the Fresnel lens was the first lens used in lighthouses.  However, that assumption is incorrect in that a number of lenses were proposed and put into use in the years before Augustin Fresnel designed his famous lens.  This story will give you information about these early attempts to use lenses to augment the power of lighthouse optics.

Fresnel lenses represent a unique aspect of U.S. Coast Guard history.  These artifacts are highly sought by a wide variety of museums and associations.  Due to their historic significance, fragility, high value and the U.S. Coast Guard’s policy to protect and preserve these artifacts, an additional set of conditions is placed upon prospective borrowing organizations.  Requirements for the care, security and display of Fresnel lenses are as follows:

Think about the UV Filter as a shield placed at the front of your lens, standing guard against those invisible UV rays that can dull the brilliance of your photos. Not only does it preserve your lens, but it also ensures that your images come out crisp and clear.

Despite advanced digital cameras boasting built-in UV protection, UV filters, including the skylight filter, continue to be valuable for photographers and enthusiasts. A ultraviolet filter protect your camera lens from dust, moisture, grime, and accidental hits by tree branches ( <– Experience, this is why I’ve mentioned it twice). This helps extend the lifespan of the lens. Don’t you want to protect that expensive lens?

In the world of photography a UV Filter is like the guardian at the front of your lens. The multi-coated glass filter attachment, like the K&F concept filter, protects your camera from UV light and the lens from environmental damage.

A UV filter serves as both a protective measure for your lens and a tool that can enhance your images. It blocks UV rays to safeguard your lens while reducing haze, resulting in clearer and more vibrant photos.

Using a ultraviolet filter for a camera lens has been a topic of debate among photographers for years. Some argue that it is necessary for lens protection, while others believe it is unnecessary and may hinder image quality.Why do I use use a UV filter, as a protective filter! I use one to protect the lens from scratches, dust, dirt, flying rocks, and tree branches. However, dropping the camera or lens can still result in damage to both the protection filter and the lens. Ultimately, the decision to use a UV filter, or type of filter, comes down to personal preference and risk tolerance.

What AreFresnel lensesused for

UV light, although invisible to the human eye, plays a vital role in photography. Particularly in film photography, UV light can result in a bluish cast and haze. In digital photography, this effect is minimal due to the inherent UV protection in camera sensors and lenses. UV light can affect the white balance and make the image cooler or bluer.

As for the belief that UV filters impair image quality, this depends on the quality of the UV filter itself. High-quality UV filters can maintain image clarity and avoid unwanted artifacts like reflections and ghosting. On the other hand, filters with inferior glass may compromise image sharpness. Hence, the supposed degradation in image quality is a myth if you’re working with a superior ultraviolet filter.

UV filters can slightly impact image quality, but it’s usually negligible. In most situations, their primary role is lens protection. High-quality filters are key to minimizing any adverse effects on your photos.

Prices of UV filters range from $30 to $200. The price of a filter can vary due to factors such as its diameter (larger filters cost more), the quality of the glass, whether it has multi-coating, its design, and the manufacturer. It’s worth noting that quality comes at a cost.  Even moderately priced filters can offer good protection for your camera.

Many companies were involved in the development and refinement of the Fresnel lens.  Some supplied only the glass for the lenses, either in rough form, or both cast and polished.  Other companies assembled the glass elements and performed finish work on the lens elements.  Still other companies produced both the glass and the finished lenses.  This story will be divided into several parts, each discussing one or more of these companies and their contribution to the development of the Fresnel lens.

Another common concern is the alleged loss of light and decrease in resolution through UV filters. A good quality filter has little impact on reducing light transmission, despite the theoretical possibility of an additional glass element affecting it. In fact, modern lenses often consist of a complex array of optical elements. Any loss of resolution is often down to grimy or poor-quality filters, making cleanliness and quality key considerations.

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Now, when you’re packing your camera bag for your next adventure, make sure that UV filter is right up front, ready to face the elements. It’s a simple, yet indispensable tool that every photographer, new or seasoned, should have in their arsenal.

Is the UV filter on my lens at all times? No! a ultraviolet filter is not on my lens at all times, this decision allows me to use my Polarizing filter without doubling up the glass in front of my lens

Certain situations may call for the removal of your UV filter. If there is bright sunlight, it is best to take photos without the UV filter because it can darken the photos unnecessarily. Similarly, using a flash with a UV filter may cause light to be reflected into your eyes. If you use a telephoto lens, you may not require a UV filter because the lens already provides some protection against UV rays. When using a lens hood, or other filters like a ND filter or a circular polarizing filter. You never want too much glass in front of your lens.