Ulanzi's Buyer Guide to Camera Lenses & Filters
Want to make your phone or action camera videos look way better? Ulanzi lenses and filters can help. They attach to your small camera and let you take shots that look more professional and tell a cooler story. So, if you make vlogs, film your trips, or want your videos to have that movie-like look, Ulanzi has gear for you. This information will show you the different Ulanzi lenses and filters. You can then pick the most suitable ones for the kinds of videos you like to make.
Lenses vs. Filters: What's the Core Difference
It's easy to confuse these two powerful accessories, but they serve distinct purposes. Think of them this way:
Camera Lenses
These are optical attachments that change the fundamental way your camera "sees" the world. They alter your field of view, magnification, and overall perspective. For example, our Wide-Angle Lens dramatically expands your scene.
| Lens Type | Primary Function / Effect | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Wide-Angle | Captures a broad view; expands scene | Landscapes, architecture, vlogging, group shots |
| Standard | Natural perspective, similar to human eye | Everyday shooting, street photography, portraits |
| Telephoto | Magnifies distant subjects; narrows field of view | Wildlife, sports, isolating subjects, distant details |
| Macro | Achieves extreme close-ups; high magnification | Insects, flowers, intricate details |
| Fisheye | Ultra-wide, distorted view; unique barrel distortion | Creative effects, extreme landscapes |
| Anamorphic | Cinematic widescreen aspect; oval bokeh, horizontal flares | Filmmaking, artistic video |
| Tilt-Shift | Controls perspective/plane of focus; removes distortion | Architecture, product photography, miniature effect |
Camera Filters
These are optical overlays that change the way light comes into your camera without changing the main view of the lens. They let you control the exposure, deal with reflections, or add effects. For instance, an ND filter lets you shoot in bright conditions, while a Black Mist filter adds a dreamy glow.
| Filter Type | Primary Function / Effect | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| ND (Neutral Density) | Reduces light; enables slower shutter speeds or wider apertures | Motion blur (water, clouds), bright light video |
| Black Mist / Diffusion | Softens highlights; lowers contrast; adds glow/haze | Cinematic look, portraits, dreamlike atmosphere |
| CPL (Circular Polarizer) | Reduces glare/reflections; boosts color/sky saturation | Water, glass, blue skies, vibrant landscapes |
| GND (Graduated ND) | Balances exposure between bright and dark areas (e.g., sky/land) | High-contrast landscapes, sunrise/sunset |
| UV (Ultraviolet) | Protects lens; reduces haze from UV light | Lens protection, outdoor shooting (especially high altitude) |
| Star Filter | Transforms bright light sources into starbursts | Night cityscapes, festive lights |
In essence, lenses are responsible for "seeing" and "focusing," while filters, building on what the lens "sees," "refine" and "control" the captured stuff. Together, lenses and filters work in harmony to give you unparalleled control over your final image.
Ulanzi Lenses: Expand Your View
Ideal for: Travel vloggers, real estate content creators, adventure enthusiasts.
Our external lenses are designed to give your camera new capabilities, letting you capture scenes in ways your built-in lens simply can't. Ulanzi 112° Wide-Angle Lens C051, as the name suggests, can broaden your field of view, which means capturing significantly more of the scene than your camera's native lens.
You may need it for landscapes, architecture, group shots, and vlogging, where you want to include more of your surroundings or get yourself in the frame more easily. It's fantastic for making small spaces feel larger.
Pro Tip: Always check lens compatibility with your specific camera model (e.g., DJI Osmo Pocket 3) before purchasing.
Ulanzi Filters: Master the Light
Filters are important tools to fine-tune your exposure, make colors look better, and give your photos a more cinematic look.
Ulanzi PK-03 ND Magnetic Filters Kit for DJI Osmo Pocket 3 F004 & Ulanzi DJI ND Filters for Osmo Action
Ideal for: Filmmakers, landscape photographers, anyone shooting video outdoors in bright light.
Our ND filters reduce the amount of light entering your camera without affecting color balance. You can think of them as sunglasses for your lens.
Achieve cinematic motion blur: In bright conditions, ND filters let you use slower shutter speeds, creating that smooth, creamy look for moving water, clouds, or vehicles.
Maintain proper exposure with wide apertures: Shoot with a shallow depth of field (blurry background) even in bright sunlight without overexposing your footage.
Ulanzi PK-01 Black Mist Filter for DJI Osmo Pocket 3 F002
Ideal for: Vloggers aiming for a refined look, portrait photographers, creators wanting to add artistic flair.
This specialized filter diffuses light, taming harsh highlights and subtly reducing overall image sharpness to impart a more organic, film-like aesthetic. It artfully minimizes skin blemishes and imperfections, creating a softer, more flattering look for subjects, particularly in portraits and close-ups. The result is a unique, captivating visual style with a pleasing, gentle luminosity around light sources. It’s perfect for adding an artistic, dreamlike quality to your footage.
Keeping Your Ulanzi Gear Looking and Working Great
Your Ulanzi lenses and filters can last a long time if you take good care of them. Here are some simple tips:
Keep Them Clean
Dust and fingerprints can mess up your shots. Use a soft brush, like a lens brush, to gently remove loose dust. For smudges, use a microfiber cloth – the kind you get for eyeglasses works well. If it's really dirty, you can use a tiny bit of lens cleaning solution on the cloth, never directly on the lens or filter.
Protect Them When Not in Use
Lenses and filters come with caps or cases for a reason. Always put the caps back on when you're done. Store them in their pouches or a small camera bag. This stops them from getting scratched or dusty.
Handle with Care
Try not to touch the glass part of your lenses or filters with your fingers. Oils from your skin can be hard to clean off. When attaching or removing them from your phone or camera, do it gently. Don't force them.
Keep Them Dry
Water and electronics don't mix well. While your phone or action cam might be water-resistant, your add-on lenses and filters might not be. Try to keep them dry. If they do get wet, wipe them gently with a soft cloth.
Avoid Big Drops
This one's pretty obvious, but dropping your gear can break it. Be careful when you're handling your camera with a lens or filter attached.
A little care goes a long way in making sure your Ulanzi gear stays ready for your next great video.