As melhores câmeras para fotografia de paisagem - Format
Embora as DSLRs e as câmeras sem espelho ofereçam muito mais flexibilidade, uma boa câmera point-and-shoot ainda pode ser excelente em fotografia de paisagem.
filtro passa-baixa
A maioria das câmeras usa um <anchor>filtro passa-baixa</anchor> para reduzir os artefatos de cor ao custo de perder alguns detalhes. Mas essa câmera pode desativar o filtro passa-baixa para capturar a imagem mais nítida possível, perfeita para tirar fotos de paisagens enormes, porém detalhadas.
What is a Low-Pass Filter?
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# What is a Low-Pass Filter?

Last Updated On June 10, 2024

A low-pass filter, also known as anti-aliasing or “blur” filter, is used by camera manufacturers to eliminate the problem of moiré by blurring what actually reaches the sensor. The low-pass filter blurs the image very slightly. While extreme details are lost in this process, the problem of moiré is completely resolved. Most cameras that are designed for day-to-day photography use a low-pass filter so that moiré is avoided, whereas higher-resolution cameras or smaller-sensor cameras sometimes do not have such a filter to maximize detail.

Table of Contents

## How a Low-Pass Filter Works

A typical low-pass filter contains of 3 or more different layers, as shown on the top illustration below:

Nikon D800 vs D800E Low-Pass Filter

As light rays reach the first “horizontal low-pass filter”, they get split in two, horizontally. Next, they go through an infrared absorption filter (illustrated in green color). After that, the light rays go through the “second vertical low-pass filter”, which further splits the light rays vertically. This light ray conversion process essentially causes blurring of the details.

With the Nikon D800E DLSR model, Nikon took a different approach. The full low-pass filter cannot be completely removed, because it would cause the focal plane to move; plus, the camera still needs to be able to reflect infrared light rays. Instead of making a single filter with one layer, Nikon decided to still use three layers, but with two layers canceling each other out. As light rays get split into two with a vertical low-pass filter, then through the IR absorption filter, those same light rays get converged back when passing through a reversed vertical low-pass filter. Hence, instead of getting blurred details as in the first illustration, we get the full resolution:

Nikon D800 vs D800E Sharpness

## Advantages of a Low-Pass Filter

The only benefit of a low-pass filter is that it ameliorates the effect of moiré. This problem is especially prevalent in shooting fine patters such as those present on clothing with fine lines or in the feathers of birds:

For photographers shooting many scenes with fine patterns, a camera with a low-pass filter is a great benefit.

## Disadvantages of a Low-Pass Filter

Having a low-pass filter is a big blow on landscape photographers that never see moiré and yet end up with blurred details. Indeed, with any kind of photography that does not involve very fine patterns, a low-pass filter is only a detriment.

Even with bird photography, where moiré is occasionally present, it is usually better not to have a low-pass filter. That’s especially true since modern Raw developers have moiré reduction tools that work pretty well in the usually mild symptoms of moiré in bird photography.

Therefore, if you are very concerned about fine detail, it’s better to use a camera without a low-pass filter.

## Should You Get a Camera with a Low-Pass Filter?

The truth is, these days, the choice between a low-pass filter and no low-pass filter comes down to resolution. Higher-resolution cameras like the Nikon Z7, Canon R5, and Sony A1 do not have a low-pass filter. Moiré is less of a problem on such cameras due to their higher resolution, an due to the situations where most people use them.

On the other hand, lower-resolution cameras like the Nikon Z6 do have a low-pass filter, especially as they are more susceptible to moiré. The truth is, in most practical scenarios, a low-pass filter will not be a massive detriment to your image quality, and it is far more important to choose the resolution you’ll need rather than worrying about a low-pass filter.

PlainParakeet_Eating_Jason_Polak The Nikon Z6 has a low-pass filter and yet most of the time, it does not seriously impact image quality (Photo © Jason Polak)

That being said, if you’re after extreme image quality, getting a high-resolution camera without a low-pass filter is ideal.

## Conclusion

A low-pass filter is used mostly on lower-resolution cameras to prevent the moiré effect, whereas higher-resolution cameras typically omit the filter. The filter does affect the sharpness of your photo ever so slightly, but it is not something to worry about with most kinds of photography. Additionally it can save many photos from moiré, which is very hard to remove properly in post, especially if the effect is strong.

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#### About Nasim Mansurov

Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Read more about Nasim here.

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Michael Colman

Michael Colman

February 25, 2013 12:45 pm

So is the answer to increase the sharpness in a D800, is it?

My camera is set to the D800 default, around mark 3. I have been told a lot of my shots look soft so should I up the sharpening to 8 or 9 for landscapes.

Would be grateful for your comments.

Great website, keep up the good work.

Mike

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Anoniempje_123

Anoniempje_123

April 22, 2015 3:30 am

Sharpness is BULLSHIT it doesnnt EXIST !

Its just local contrast !

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Peter

Peter

December 24, 2017 12:17 am

Yep, and you are a moron.

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EricD

EricD

February 23, 2013 12:55 pm

‘Anti-aliasing filter’ on Wikipedia is interesting, too.

The birefringent crystal material mentioned there is Lithium Niobate – it expands and contracts in electric fields, which may be how the self-cleaning function works (Surface Acoustic Waves – also used in focussing !). Conversely, it also generates voltages from vibration or temperature changes, which might attract dust – so it probably has an outer conductive coating, too, to prevent this.

Amazing how much can be done in one component.

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