
( Brand: Vivitar ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: VIVFK343 ), ( Model: VIBFK343 ), ( Part Type: Filter Kit ), ( Filter Shape: Circular ), ( Filter Color: Uv/fld/cpl ), ( Custom Bundle: No ), ( To Fit: Camera/ Lens/ Camcorder ), ( Unit Type: Oz ), ( Manufacturer Warranty: Yes ), ( Circular Size: 43mm ), ( Mount Fitting: Threaded ), ( Country Of Origin: China ), ( UPC: 681066117248 )
The **Vivitar VivFk343 43mm UV/CPL/FLD Lens Filter Kit** is a versatile and high-quality accessory designed to enhance the clarity, protection, and creative potential of your photography, whether you're shooting landscapes, portraits, or any other genre. This comprehensive filter kit includes three essential filters each serving a distinct purpose all housed in a durable metal frame that ensures stability and precision during use. The **UV (Ultraviolet) Filter**, the first in the trio, is a must-have for photographers seeking to protect their lenses from dust, scratches, and the harmful effects of ultraviolet light, which can degrade image quality and introduce haze. Beyond its protective role, the UV filter also serves as a convenient lens cap when not in use, making it both practical and space-efficient. Its optical clarity ensures minimal impact on image sharpness and color fidelity, allowing photographers to maintain their lens s native performance without compromising on quality.
Complementing the UV filter is the **CPL (Circular Polarizing) Filter**, a powerhouse for landscape and outdoor photographers aiming to maximize contrast and depth in their scenes. The CPL filter works by selectively blocking polarized light, which can cause glare, reflections, and muted colors particularly problematic when shooting near water, snow, or bright skies. By reducing these unwanted elements, the CPL filter dramatically enhances the vibrancy of blues in skies, the richness of foliage, and the overall saturation of your images. Its circular polarization ensures compatibility with modern autofocus lenses, preventing focus issues that can arise with linear polarizers. The filter s smooth, graduated effect allows for precise control over polarization strength, enabling photographers to fine-tune their shots with ease.
Rounding out the kit is the **FLD (Full-Light Density) Filter**, a neutral density (ND) filter designed to balance light exposure without altering the color temperature of your photograph. Ideal for long-exposure shots, the FLD filter is perfect for capturing silky water effects, smooth motion blur in fast-moving subjects, or achieving shallow depth of field in bright daylight conditions where your aperture alone isn t sufficient. With a consistent neutral density, this filter maintains the original color balance of your scene while allowing you to use slower shutter speeds, creating artistic effects that would otherwise be impossible in high-light situations. Its robust construction ensures durability, making it a reliable companion for both casual and professional photographers looking to push the boundaries of their creative vision.
Together, the Vivitar VivFk343 filter kit offers a compact yet powerful solution for photographers who demand versatility and quality. The 43mm size ensures compatibility with a wide range of lenses, from entry-level to professional-grade optics, while the metal frame guarantees stability and longevity. Whether you're protecting your lens from environmental elements, enhancing the drama of your landscapes, or experimenting with creative long-exposure techniques, this filter kit provides the tools to elevate your photography with precision and ease. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned shooters, the VivFk343 is a practical investment that expands the possibilities of your camera, ensuring every shot is sharper, more vibrant, and more dynamic.
The **Vivitar VivFk343 43mm UV/CLR Filter Kit** is a budget-friendly option for photographers looking to add basic protection and color correction to their lenses. Below is a detailed breakdown of its pros and cons, followed by a conclusion and recommendation.
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### **Pros**
1. **Affordable Price**
The VivFk343 is one of the cheapest UV/clear filter kits available, making it accessible for beginners or photographers on a tight budget. It allows users to experiment with filters without a significant financial commitment.
2. **Basic UV Protection**
A UV filter (ultraviolet) can help reduce lens flare caused by sunlight and slightly improve image clarity by blocking harmful UV rays. While professional-grade UV filters are unnecessary for most modern lenses, a budget option like this can be useful for entry-level photographers.
3. **Clear (CLR) Filter for Neutral Use**
The kit includes a clear filter, which serves as a neutral glass option for when no special effect is needed. This can be useful for protecting the lens during storage or transport.
4. **43mm Size Compatibility**
The 43mm thread size is common, making this kit compatible with a wide range of lenses, particularly those from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and other major brands that use this filter size.
5. **Easy to Install and Remove**
The filters are designed to screw directly onto the lens, and the kit includes a carrying case for safe storage. The simplicity of use is appealing for beginners who may not yet have specialized filter holders.
6. **Good for Learning**
For photographers still exploring photography, this kit provides a hands-on way to understand how filters work without investing in high-end alternatives.
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### **Cons**
1. **Low-Quality Glass**
Vivitar is not a premium brand, and the glass quality in this filter kit is subpar compared to brands like B W, Hoya, or NiSi. The coatings may not be as durable or effective, leading to potential issues like ghosting, flare, or reduced image sharpness.
2. **Thin and Fragile Construction**
The filters are thin and lightweight, which can make them more susceptible to scratches or damage during handling. They may not provide adequate physical protection for the lens.
3. **No Specialized Filters**
This kit only includes a UV and a clear filter. It lacks specialty filters like polarizers, ND (neutral density), or gradient filters, which are essential for advanced photography techniques like landscape or astrophotography.
4. **Potential for Image Quality Degradation**
Due to the poor glass quality, the filters may introduce vignetting, color casts, or softness to images. This can be particularly noticeable when shooting at wide apertures or high ISO settings.
5. **No Multi-Coating**
The lack of multi-coating on the filters means they are less effective at reducing reflections and flare. This can be problematic in bright lighting conditions or when shooting near strong light sources.
6. **Limited Brand Reputation**
Vivitar is not a well-known brand in the photography community for high-quality optics. While the filters may work adequately for basic use, they are not recommended for professional or high-end photography.
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### **Conclusion**
The **Vivitar VivFk343 43mm UV/CLR Filter Kit** is a practical choice for beginners or casual photographers who need a cheap and simple way to add a UV filter and a clear protective filter to their lenses. It excels in affordability and ease of use but falls short in terms of image quality, durability, and overall performance. For photographers who prioritize sharpness, color accuracy, and protection, investing in a higher-quality filter kit from a reputable brand is strongly advised.
If you are on a tight budget and only need basic protection, this kit can serve as a temporary solution. However, if you plan to use filters regularly or for professional work, it is better to upgrade to a more reliable brand.
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### **Recommendation**
- **Buy the Vivitar VivFk343 if:**- You are a beginner and want to test filters without spending much.
- You primarily shoot in controlled environments where image quality is not critical.
- You need a cheap alternative to protect your lens during transport.
- **Avoid the Vivitar VivFk343 if:**- You are a serious photographer who demands high image quality.
- You plan to use filters for advanced photography (e.g., landscapes, astrophotography).
- You want durable, multi-coated filters that reduce flare and ghosting.
**Better Alternatives:**For a better balance of quality and price, consider mid-range filter kits from brands like **K&F Concept, Hoya, or Tiffen**. These offer improved glass quality, multi-coating, and better protection at a modestly higher cost. If you are serious about photography, investing in a high-quality filter kit is a worthwhile upgrade.
Vivitar 43mm UV, CPL, FLD Three-Piece Filter Kit, Specifications, CPL FILTER This filter is used to increase color saturation darken blue skies so white clouds stand out and removes unwanted reflections from surfaces such as water glass, it will also reduce the softness scenery caused by atmospheric haze. Serves to protect your lens from all dust, dirt, scratches and fingerprints. UV FILTER filters are considered a standard accessory for every camera. When shooting under natural light, fluorescent filter dramatically increases color saturation of subjects.
It also absorbs the Ultraviolet rays of sun thereby reducing or eliminating distortion. FLD FILTER The fluorescent light correction filter gives true to life color rendition by removing the harsh yellow green cast ordinarily resulting from bulbs. This filter will not change the overall color balance of photograph. The size is designed to fit the threads in front of your lens.