Best Filters for Canon EF 70-200 F 2.8L Lens for Contrast and Exposure

If you are looking for filters for Canon EF 70-200, which can assist your camera sensor in balancing the contrast, we are here to help you. Lens filters are available in wide varieties, and it is nearly impossible to put each of them in a particular category.

Since you are looking for professional-level filters for Canon EF 70-200, we wanted to clarify that a single lens filter can serve a variety of purposes based on scenarios. For example, a neutral density filter is mainly used for controlling exposure and UV light. By doing so, it indirectly helps in contrast as well. In black and white photography, filters serve the purpose of contrast controllers too.

Also Read: Best budget Speedlight Compatible Flash for Canon DSLRs for beginners

However, today we will be discussing filters that assist photographers in maintaining contrast and exposure in their frames.

For controlling exposure to ND or neutral density, filters are ideal. They restrict the amount of light passed through the sensor so that exposure is maintained without relying on shutter speed. Black and white captures are the ones that demand the most contrast control.

There are dedicated filters available that are specially used for contrast control to take black and white pictures. Most of these will also perform as lens protectors as well.

In today’s discussion, we will be discussing both of these categories as they contribute to contrast and exposure control. Just remember that magenta filters are ideal for black and white photography, where neutral density filters would assist in maintaining exposure in colored pictures. So without any further discussion, here is the list:

Filters for Canon EF 70-200 for balancing contrast

1. Firecrest ND 0.3, One-stop filter:

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• Dimension: 22 x 3.03 x 3.03 inches
• Weight: 05
• Key Features: Neutral for all whole spectrums including UV light, infrared and visible light, stackable design, reduces light by one f-stop, hydrophobic and scratch-resistant, Schott super white optical glass

If you are looking for a budget filter for color neutrality, this can be an ideal choice. It is a good quality ND filter with a pretty even surface. The construction quality is comparatively superior to standard filters in a similar category, which makes the price tag quite considerable. You will feel the difference when you notice that the mount threads would not get jammed on the lens like most of the cheap filters do.

2. Kenko YA3 Professional Lens Filter:

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• Dimension: 62 x 4.37 x 0.55 inches
• Weight: 13 pounds
• Key Features: Helps in contrast adjustment, complements in black and white photographs, stronger than YA2, protective filter, mysterious color effect in non-black and white photos

It is a contrast filter for black and white photographs by Kenko. You can say it is a more of a superior version of Y2; apparently, it delivers a greater and stronger effect compared to Y2. It takes control over contrast only as long as you are using black and white photography. However, this is one of those rare filters that can be utilized with both colored and black and white photography. When you use it with colored captures, it would add a confounding effect.

3. Hoya HMC YA3 Pro Orange filter for balancing contrast:

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• Dimension: 8 x 3.6 x 4.3 inches
• Weight: 6 ounces
• Key Features: HMC YA3 orange colored filter, four filter factor, and two f-stops, HMC multi-layer coating, balanced contrast in black and white photography, add special effects in color photography

It is used to increase black and white contrast in B&W photography. The effect it delivers has high corresponded to the effect of Wratten 21 Filter. Like most of the orange contrast filters, the HMC YA3 Pro darkens the shades of Green, Blue, and Violet and lightens shades of Yellow, Orange, and Red. However, during the daytime and the haze is reduced, so perfect B&W can be captured. It comes with a multi-coated optical glass with a 2.5x filter factor and 1.3 stop. Moreover, it comes with an aluminum alloy mount ring and plastic case.

4. Firecrest ND 2.7, 9 stops filter:

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• Dimension: 22 x 3.03 x 3.03 inches
• Weight: 02 pounds
• Key Features: Neutral behavior towards visible and infrared light, UV light, and whole spectrums reduces light by nine f-stops, stackable design, multi-layered hydrophobic and scratch-resistant coating, Schott super white optical glass

Unlike other Neutral density filters, Firecrest products are neutral towards most types of light and all colors; it includes visible/infrared lights, UV lights, and whole spectrum. It is a 77mm stackable filter, which is ideal for 70-200 F 2.8L lenses. It possesses multiple layers of scratch-resistant and hydrophobic coats. It is manufactured in the UK with high-quality optical Schott glass with automated manufacturing units.

5. Kenko 77mm Y2 multi-coated lens filter:

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• Dimension: 6 x 4.4 x 3.6 inches
• Weight: 9 ounces
• Key Features: Complements in adjusting contrast in black and white photographs, acts as a protective filter, does not affect quality in color photography

Yellow filters are widely used for controlling or say improving the contrast level of black and white tones in B&W photography, and this one belongs to the very same category. Besides, being a contrast filter, it acts as a protection to your lens glass. However, this one cannot be used in colored photography, probably the only flaw of this contrast adjustment lens filter. The build quality is decent, and it performs according to the manufacturer’s claims.

6. Firecrest ND 2.1, 7 stops filter:

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• Dimension: 03 x 3.03 x 0.22 inches
• Weight: 4 ounces
• Key Features: neutral for all lights and colors, light is reduced by 7-f stops, stackable filter, multi-layers of coating for scratch and hydrophobic protection, manufactured using optical Schott super white glass

Being color natural is the most popular feature of Firecrest ND filters among photographers. The surface is pretty even, and you would hardly have any complaints about screening performance. We talk about the color neutrality; it is as good as it is advertised. Besides filtering, it reduces vignetting, only a little, though. There would be nearly no color casting issues. However, you may face a little color shift in certain conditions.

7. Kenko R1 lens filter:

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• Dimension: 62 x 4.37 x 0.55 inches
• Weight: 18 pounds
• Key Features: delivers strong contrast effect in black and white photographs, darkens the sky, even more, the depictive effect on clouds suspended in a blue sky

When used in black and white photographs, a strong contrast effect is generated. Effects or say differences made by this filter are quite easy to notice. The sky would become much darker; clouds suspended in the blue sky would be depicted. For standard black and white capture, green and yellow filters are ideal. However, the red filter has its advantages. In black and white photography, the red filter is ideal for capturing portraits.

8. Firecrest ND 1.5, five stops filter:

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• Dimension: 22 x 3.03 x 3.03 inches
• Weight: 15 pounds
• Key Features: Neutral behavior for every light and color, light is reduced by five f-stops, stackable filter, manufactured using Schott super white optical glass

When it comes to managing and controlling exposure using external filters, firecrest products are well known and popular. Besides restricting light, it cuts IR and UV contamination from your frame. It is cheaper than most of the Kenko filters, so we are assuming that price is not going to be a problem for you. Even if it is, you will not regret investing in this filter. It also helps in reducing haze and brown contamination.

9. Kenko Low Contrast No.1 Camera Lens Filter:

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• Dimension: 4 x 0.04 x 0.04 inches
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Key Features: Black frame, it is ideal for shooting in fine weather both bright and dark areas, decreases contrast with light-diffusing material

So as the name implies, the sole purpose of using this filter is to reduce contrast from your pictures. Unlike other filters, it does not matter if your image is black and white or colored. This does the same job in both cases. These filters are ideal in situations where your frame includes both the darker and darker light shades or reflections.

10. “Format Hi-tech UV 400:

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• Dimension: 67 x 4.34 x 4.34 inches
• Weight: 02 pounds
• Key Features: nonstackable filter, ultra-slim 3mm ring, 400nm multi-coating, anti-reflective and hydrophobic, outdoor UV protection, snow, and high altitudes, produces with computer-controlled manufacturing based in the UK

It is a nonstackable filter that comes with a 3mm thin ring. It is all set to protect your lens from tough conditions with multicasting and anti-reflective coats. It is manufactured using high-quality Schott super white glass that helps to deliver high-class image fidelity.

Conclusion

We hope you like our list of the best Filters for Canon EF 70-200 F 2.8 L lens. Since all of the filters on this list have high-quality glass, choosing one should not be a huge problem.

If you do have some suggestions or questions, feel free to drop us a comment below in the comment section.