The best light pollution filters are the perfect tools for capturing spectacular astro photography – even if you live in the middle of a city. Light pollution emitted by houses, cars, street lamps and more will usually scupper an astro shoot, preventing you from being able to see or capture the stars and constellations above, no matter how clear the sky is. However, light pollution filters can fix this.
So, what exactly are light pollution filters? Well, these glass filters are designed to suppress the emissions that are generated by artificial lighting. Placing one of the best light pollution filters in front of a lens will reduce the yellow/green color caused by city lights.
This means that your astrophotography images will have more clarity, more natural colors and improved contrast. However, not all light pollution filters are created equal, as some are more effective than others. We've put together this guide to the best light pollution filters to help you find the best filter for you.
A good quality light pollution filter can actually be relatively affordable, but some of the higher end models can be a little more expensive. However, no matter what your budget is, one of the best light pollution filters just makes sense for astro photography within urban areas. After all. while post-production can fix many sins, it's always best to sort out any problems in-camera if you can.
Some of the filters included on this list will have extra features such as anti-reflective coatings, or are built to be water- or oil-repellant. We've made sure to highlight these qualities when they pop up in the products below. As you scroll through our list, just make sure to remember to get the right filter size for your lens' filter thread.
Gavin Stoker
Gavin has over 30 years of experience writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News, and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography.
The Irix Edge targets yellow light and gets strong marks for durability, with anti-reflective coatings and even a toughened special edition. Read more below…
With no fewer than 16 different sizes available, it’s highly likely that there’s an Astroklar light pollution filter that will fit on your lens of choice. Read more below…
4. K&F Concept Natural Night Light Pollution Filter
Targeting the yellow and orange light of city streets, this filter is scratch- and water-resistant, with a slim but strong aluminum alloy frame.Read more below…
The best light pollution filters in 2024
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Best premium light pollution filter
(Image credit: Irix)
1. Irix Edge Light Pollution Filter
Definitely a premium filter, but worth it if your budget goes this far
Specifications
Available sizes: 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm, 86mm and 95mm
Reasons to buy
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Anti reflective coating
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Higher contrast and sharper images
Reasons to avoid
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A costlier option
If you’re attempting landscape, nightscape or astrophotography, Irix claims that this light pollution filter guarantees more accurate color by greatly reducing the yellowish haze given off by artificial lighting.
The result? Clearer, cleaner images and better overall contrast.
The screw-in filters themselves are durable, with nano surfacing keeping the filter free from moisture and dirt, and preventing anything nasty sticking to the surface. Furthermore, both sides of the filter are covered with a multi layer anti-reflective coating, to help prevent any lens flare and ensure clarity of image every time.
The 86mm filter in the range goes even further by using what Irix calls Super Resistant glass, which uses toughened glass for extra protection.
Available sizes: 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm and 82mm
Reasons to buy
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Reduces colour casts
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Improves contrast and visibility
Reasons to avoid
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Large sizes are pricey
Available in a broad range of sizes to fit your lens in question, this Japan-made screw-on example from filter specialist Hoya seeks to reduce yellowish and greenish color casts caused by areas swamped by street lights.
The intended result is improved overall contrast and natural color, thus reducing the amount of time needed for post processing the pictures later.
The filter has the further advantage of a low profile and is compatible with both wide- and super wide-angle lenses, which makes them ideal for shooting low-light landscapes and astrophotography. A ‘heavenly’ option!
Rollei's filter impresses, although you'll want to tweak your white balance
Specifications
Available sizes: 39mm, 40.5mm, 46mm, 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm, 86mm, 95mm, 105mm and 112mm
Reasons to buy
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Double-sided nano coating
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Water-repellent
Reasons to avoid
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Expensive
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Requires tweaking white balance
Rollei claims its offering is made from high-quality optical glass and behaves in a neutral fashion within the infrared light range, providing night-time images with a cooler tone. Its water- and oil-repellent surface also helps prevent unwanted reflections.
Rollei advises you to use manual white balance to select a color temperature between 700K and 1,500K before using the filter, to obtain authentic colors when it comes to the end result. Inevitably some trial and error will be involved in order to arrive at an optimal result.
This K&F Concept filter promises more clarity, contrast and natural-looking colors when shooting at night in urban areas. It features double-sided nano coating to help stop yellow and orange wavelengths of light from entering the lens. This makes it adept at reducing the impact of conventional street lighting, making this filter a good option if you like to shoot urban scenes at night.
Constructed from aviation grade aluminum alloy material and claimed to be scratch- and water-resistant, it is also conveniently super-slim, with a frame design just 3.8mm wide. This means it doesn't add significantly to your camera and lens’s combined profile. It is also available in a 100mm square design for standard filter holder systems.
To ensure the color authenticity of shots, the makers advise using a manual white balance setting and selecting a color temperature between 700K and 1,500K.
Probably! If you enjoy shooting astrophotography, you’ll likely be aware of how the glow from street lighting can make stars less visible. If you visit a designated Dark Sky area where there is very little or no light pollution, this is less of an issue; the rest of the time, your astro shots will benefit from you using a light pollution filter, with heightened contrast bringing out more stars.
Even if you don’t shoot astrophotography, any scenes you shoot at night in or near cities can look more natural with the help of one of these filters.
Do light pollution filters counter the effects of all street lighting?
No – they typically address the yellowish cast of conventional street lights, but more cities are gradually switching to energy-efficient LED street lamps, which are typically a purer white tint. They will present greater challenges to night-time and astro photographers as their use spreads.
When we test filters, we look at both optical performance and general build quality – how robust the filter feels, how easy it is to use and how securely it attaches to the lens. We use a combination of real-world and lens testing to inform our comments in reviews and buying guides. For filters, we test light transmission levels, color neutrality (i.e. if the filter introduces a cool or warm cast) and the impact a filter has on image quality.
Gavin has over 30 years’ experience of writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News, and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography.
He has also written for a wide range of publications including T3, BBC Focus, Empire, NME, Radio Times, MacWorld, Computer Active, What Digital Camera and the Rough Guide books.
With his wealth of knowledge, Gavin is well placed to recognize great camera deals and recommend the best products in Digital Camera World’s buying guides. He also writes on a number of specialist subjects including binoculars and monoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, trail cameras, action cameras, body cameras, filters and cameras straps.
