Stacking ND & CPL filters together: the ultimate guide from Kasefilters

Can you stack multiple filters in a photo camera? The answer is yes, it is indeed possible to combine different filters to achieve various effects and textures in your photography, and to balance exposure in dynamically lit scenes. Take a look at what type of filters you can combine and how to do it using Kase systems.

What type of filters can you stack in photography?

In photography, the main types of filters that are often stacked include:

• Neutral Density (ND) Filters: These filters reduce the amount of light entering the camera, allowing for longer exposures or wider apertures in bright conditions. Stacking ND filters can allow for even longer exposure times, useful for effects such as smoothing water or clouds in landscape photography.
• Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filters: GND filters are dark on one end and transition to clear on the other, helping balance the exposure between a bright sky and a darker foreground. You can stack different types of GND filters, like soft-edge and hard-edge GNDs, to balance complex lighting situations
• Polarizing Filters (CPL): In some cases, a polarizing filter might be stacked with an ND filter. However, care should be taken to avoid vignetting or other undesirable effects. Generally, a polarizing filter should only be used when needed, such as to reduce glare or enhance color saturation.

Remember, stacking filters should be done with caution, as it can introduce unwanted effects like vignetting, especially with wide-angle lenses. Also, stacking can reduce overall image quality due to additional glass elements in front of the lens. Always ensure the filters are properly aligned, particularly when using GND filters, to avoid harsh or unnatural transitions.

What effects can you get with stacking different types of filters?

When stacking different types of filters, you open up a world of creative possibilities that can greatly enhance your photography. By controlling and manipulating light in various ways, you can create effects that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.

Combining ND and CPL filters

Combining ND and CPL filters can offer a potent mix of creative control. The ND filter reduces the amount of light entering the lens, allowing for longer exposures or wider apertures. This can be beneficial for capturing motion blur in moving objects like waterfalls or clouds, even in bright conditions. On the other hand, a CPL filter can help reduce glare from reflective surfaces and enhance color saturation, particularly in the sky and foliage. Together, these filters can help you capture vivid, dynamic landscapes with moving elements, while maintaining color saturation and reducing unwanted reflections.

Combining GND and CPL filters

Pairing a GND filter with a CPL filter can provide a solution for managing complex lighting situations, particularly in landscape photography. A GND filter, with its gradient transition from dark to clear, allows you to balance the exposure between a bright sky and a darker foreground. When this is combined with a CPL filter, which can reduce glare and enhance color saturation, the result can be a well-exposed landscape image with vibrant colors and reduced reflections. However, alignment is critical when stacking these filters to ensure smooth transitions and to avoid unwanted effects.

Combining a CPL and a UV filter

While a UV filter's primary function is often to protect the front element of your camera lens, when combined with a CPL filter, it can still contribute to the overall image quality. The CPL filter will handle the reduction of glare from non-metallic surfaces and enhance color saturation. Meanwhile, the UV filter can help reduce the amount of ultraviolet light that reaches the camera sensor, which can contribute to a clearer, crisper image, especially in high-altitude or seaside locations. Just bear in mind that stacking these filters, like any other, increases the risk of vignetting and potential light loss, so they should be used thoughtfully and appropriately.

How to combine different filters in a camera: Kase filtetholder systems

When combining different filters in a camera, a filter holder system plays an essential role. Kase filterholders allow you to quickly combine multiple filters in different ways without hassle. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the Kase filter holder systems for combining filters:

Combine different filters with Kase filter holders step-by-step:

1. Install the kase Adapter Ring
   Start by attaching the appropriate adapter ring to your lens. The adapter ring's size should match your lens' diameter. Screw it onto the front of your lens.


2. Attach the Kase Filter Holder
   Once the adapter ring is secure, slide the Kase filter holder onto it. The holder will click into place and should be firmly attached but still adjustable.


3. Insert the First Filter
   With the holder in place, you can start inserting your filters. If you're using a square or rectangular filter such as a Kase ND filter, it will slide into one of the slots on the holder. Ensure the filter is securely in the slot.


4. Add Additional Filters
   Kase's filter holder system is designed to accommodate multiple filters. If you're adding a CPL filter, it typically goes on the front of the holder. Make sure each filter is secure in its slot before moving on to the next.


5. Adjust Filters as Necessary
   Once your filters are in place, you can adjust them as needed to achieve the desired photographic effect. For example, you might want to rotate the CPL filter to control how it interacts with the light.

The Kase filter holder system is designed to make combining different filters straightforward. Not only does it allow for easy installation and removal of filters, but it also provides flexibility for photographers to experiment with different filter combinations and effects. With the Kase filter holder system, the possibilities for creative expression in your photography are expanded.

Advantages of stacking different filters in a photo camera

Stacking different filters on a camera can offer several advantages:

• Greater Control Over Exposure: Stacking filters like neutral density (ND) filters allows you to decrease shutter speed further, which is useful for achieving effects like motion blur in bright conditions.


• Balanced Lighting: Graduated neutral density (GND) filters can be stacked to balance complex lighting situations, allowing you to manage the exposure of both the sky and the foreground in the same shot.


• Enhanced Visual Effects: By combining filters like polarizing and ND filters, you can reduce glare and control light intake simultaneously, offering more creative possibilities.


• Versatility: Stacking allows the use of different filters for varying conditions and effects, enhancing the versatility of your gear without needing to swap out filters constantly

What should you be careful about when combining different filters in photography?

While combining different filters can enhance your photography, there are several factors to consider to avoid potential pitfalls:

• Vignetting: This is a common issue when stacking filters, especially with wide-angle lenses. Vignetting refers to the darkening of the corners of an image, which can be aesthetically undesirable in many scenarios.


• Image Quality: Stacking filters can sometimes degrade image quality. More glass in front of your lens can introduce unwanted artifacts, such as glare or reflections, and reduce sharpness.


• Filter Alignment: When using graduated neutral density (GND) filters, it's important that they are properly aligned to avoid harsh transitions. This is particularly crucial when stacking hard-edge GND filters in high-contrast situations.


• Light Loss: Some filters, like polarizing and ND filters, reduce the amount of light entering the lens. Stacking these filters can intensify this effect and may require adjustments to your camera settings to compensate.

Combining filters with Kase systems: Conclusion

Through the integration of quality filters, photography transforms from simple image capture to an art form that allows for endless creative possibilities. Kase filters, specifically their ND, CPL, and innovative ARMOUR range, offer photographers the opportunity to diversify their shots and truly bring their creative visions to life. Combining these filters, facilitated by the robust Kase filter holder system, enables the capture of a range of stunning effects that single filter use cannot achieve.

Whether you're a professional seeking to refine your technique or a hobbyist aiming to explore the breadth of your creativity, the utilization and combination of Kase's high-quality filters will surely elevate your photography journey. We encourage you to experiment, learn, and continually push your creative boundaries with Kase filters, because in photography, the only true limit is your imagination.