Tiffen 62mm UV vs Polarizing Filter: Which to Choose?
By Ritz Camera | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Tiffen 62mm Photo Twin Pack's UV and circular polarizing filters. Learn which filter suits your shooting needs and when to use each.
Quick answer
For everyday lens protection and reducing UV haze, choose the UV filter. For cutting glare and deepening blue skies, choose the circular polarizer. The Tiffen 62mm Photo Twin Pack gives you both, so you can swap based on the scene.
What each filter does differently
The UV filter acts as a permanent lens protector. It blocks UV light that can cause haze in outdoor shots, but its main job is shielding the front element from dust, moisture, and scratches. You can leave it on all the time without affecting exposure or color.
The circular polarizer is an active creative tool. It rotates to remove reflections from water and glass, reduces glare on foliage, and saturates blue skies. It does cost about 1–2 stops of light, so you may need a slower shutter or wider aperture in dim conditions.
When to use each filter
Use the UV filter when you want constant protection—for example, at the beach, in dusty environments, or when handing your camera to someone else. It’s also useful in high-altitude or coastal areas where UV haze is noticeable.
Use the circular polarizer when you need to control reflections or deepen colors. It’s ideal for landscapes with water or wet rocks, through glass windows, or for making clouds pop against a blue sky. Remember to rotate the ring while looking through the viewfinder to see the effect.
Trade-offs at a glance
- UV filter: Permanent lens protection against dust, moisture, and scratches. Reduces UV haze but does not alter reflections or sky color. No light loss.
- Circular polarizer: Removes reflections from non-metallic surfaces and deepens blue skies. Cuts 1–2 stops of light, requiring slower shutter speeds or wider apertures.
- Twin pack advantage: Owning both means you can keep the UV filter on for daily protection and swap to the polarizer when the scene calls for glare control or color saturation. Store the unused filter in the pack’s case to keep it clean and scratch-free.
Product facts
- Tiffen 62mm Photo Twin Pack (UV and Circular Polarizing Filter): The Tiffen 62mm Photo Twin Pack includes both a UV Protector and a Circular Polarizing Filter. The UV filter protects against dust, moisture, fingerprints, scratches, and damage while reducing ultraviolet haze. The Circular Polarizer removes unwanted reflections from water or glass and deepens blue skies. This twin pack lets you carry two essential filters in one box, so you can switch between all-day protection and creative polarization without buying separate filters.
Tiffen 62mm Photo Twin Pack (UV and Circular Polarizing Filter)
Which filter fits your style?
Best for
- Photographers who want a single lens protector they can leave on at all times (UV filter)
- Landscape or outdoor shooters who need to cut glare and boost contrast (circular polarizer)
Not for
- Shooting in very low light without a tripod, because the polarizer reduces light (choose the UV filter or skip a filter)
- Removing reflections from metal surfaces—polarizers only work on non-metallic reflections
