Best Lens Filter for Irix 15mm f/2.4
Finding the right glass for the Irix 15mm f/2.4 can be a daunting task due to its massive 95mm front filter thread. As a landscape photographer who has lugged this lens across jagged coastlines, I know that poor-quality filters can ruin its legendary sharpness. While many wide-angle lenses require bulky adapters, the Irix offers both a front thread and a rear gelatin slot. My top recommendation is the Irix Edge UV & Protector for its seamless compatibility and ultra-slim profile.
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Best Lens Filter for Irix 15mm f/2.4: Detailed Reviews
Irix Edge UV & Protector 95mm View on Amazon View on B&H
When you are dealing with a 15mm focal length, the biggest enemy is vignetting. The Irix Edge UV & Protector is specifically designed for the Irix lineup, meaning the threading and thickness are perfectly calibrated. Iβve found this filter essential because the 15mm f/2.4 has a large front element that acts like a vacuum for dust and sea spray. The multi-layered coating is remarkably easy to cleanβa simple microfiber swipe usually does the trick. Performance-wise, it maintains the lens’s native contrast without adding any noticeable color cast. The frame is only 3.5mm thick, which is critical; even slightly thicker 95mm filters from other brands can start to creep into the corners of your frame. Itβs a set-it-and-forget-it piece of gear that provides peace of mind without sacrificing the optical excellence you bought the Irix for in the first place.
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Haida NanoPro MC ND1000 95mm View on Amazon View on B&H
95mm filters are notoriously expensive, but the Haida NanoPro series hits the “sweet spot” of professional performance at a mid-range price. This 10-stop ND filter is a game-changer for Irix users shooting waterfalls or moving clouds. In my testing, Haida filters consistently show less of the dreaded “magenta shift” than filters costing twice as much. The NanoPro coating is particularly impressive; water droplets bead off the surface, which is a blessing when shooting near mist or light rain. While it isn’t quite as slim as the native Irix Edge filters, I haven’t noticed significant vignetting on the 15mm f/2.4 until I start stacking it with other filters. For the price, the build quality is surprisingly rugged. If you want those silky-smooth water effects without spending a fortune on a 100mm square system, this circular Haida is the most logical investment you can make for your kit.
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Irix Edge Gelatin Filter Set View on Amazon View on B&H
The Irix 15mm f/2.4 has a secret weapon: a rear gelatin filter slot. If you can’t afford a $150 front filter, this gelatin set is your savior. For the price of a couple of pizzas, you get a pack of various ND strengths (ND4, ND8, ND16). Because these are placed behind the lens elements, they are tiny (30x30mm) and completely eliminate the possibility of front-end vignetting or flare from external glass. The main drawback? They are a bit fiddly to install, especially in the field with cold fingers. They are also made of thin film, so they aren’t as optically “pure” as high-end glass, but for social media or smaller prints, you’ll barely notice a difference. Itβs an ingenious solution for photographers on a shoestring budget who still want to control their exposure times in bright light without the bulk of a 95mm glass plate.
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B+W 95mm HTC Kaesemann Circular Polarizer View on Amazon View on B&H
If you have the budget, B+W is the gold standard. The 95mm Kaesemann CPL is an absolute beast of a filter. What sets this apart is the HTC (High Transmission) glass, which loses significantly less light than a standard polarizerβusually only about 1 to 1.5 stops. On the Irix 15mm, this allows you to keep your shutter speeds higher while still cutting through reflections on water or enriching the blue of the sky. The build is brass, which means it won’t bind or “freeze” to your aluminum lens threads like cheaper filters often do. I’ve used this on the Irix to photograph coastal shelves, and the way it brings out the detail under the water surface is unparalleled. It is thick, so you must use it as the only filter on your lens to avoid dark corners, but the optical quality is simply as good as it gets.
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Irix Edge IFH-100-V2 Holder View on Amazon View on B&H
For those who find circular filters limiting, the IFH-100-V2 holder is the gateway to 100mm square filters (like Graduated NDs). Irix designed this holder specifically to be the world’s lightest and thinnest in its class. When you’re shooting at 15mm, most square holders cause massive vignetting, but the IFH-100-V2 is remarkably low-profile. It feels sturdy and snaps onto the 95mm threads with a dedicated adapter. I love using this when I need to balance a bright sky with a dark foreground using a Soft Graduated ND. You can stack two filters without seeing the holder in your frame, which is a feat of engineering at this focal length. It’s a bit of an investment once you add the square filters, but if you’re serious about light control in-camera, this is the most elegant solution for the Irix 15mm.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose a Filter for the Irix 15mm
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irix Edge UV | Daily Protection | β β β β β | Check |
| Haida NanoPro ND | Long Exposures | β β β β β | Check |
| Irix Gelatin Set | Budget ND | β β β β β | Check |
| B+W Kaesemann | Pro Polarization | β β β β β | Check |
| Irix IFH-100-V2 | Square Systems | β β β β β | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the filter thread size for the Irix 15mm f/2.4?
The Irix 15mm f/2.4 features a 95mm front filter thread. This is quite large for a prime lens, so you will need to look specifically for 95mm circular filters. Additionally, it has a 30 x 30mm rear gelatin filter slot located at the base of the lens mount. This dual-system approach gives you great flexibility for using both glass and film filters depending on your budget and needs.
Does this lens suffer from vignetting when using filters?
Yes, because it is an ultra-wide 15mm lens, it is very sensitive to filter thickness. If you use a standard-width filter, you will likely see dark corners (vignetting). To avoid this, you should only use “Slim” or “Nano” profile filters. The native Irix Edge filters are specifically designed with a 3.5mm thickness to ensure there is no vignetting even at the widest aperture of f/2.4.
How do I use the rear gelatin filters?
The rear gelatin filters are small 30x30mm squares that slide into a dedicated slot on the back of the lens (the end that attaches to the camera). To use them, you simply slide the filter into the bracket before mounting the lens to your camera body. While they are very affordable, remember that you cannot easily change them once the lens is mounted, making them better for consistent light conditions.
Can I use a circular polarizer with the lens hood on?
Yes! One of the best design features of the Irix 15mm is the “petals” on the lens hood. There is a small sliding window on the side of the hood. You can open this window and use your finger to rotate the circular polarizer without having to reach into the front of the hood or remove it entirely. This is a massive time-saver for landscape photographers.
Is it worth buying the square filter holder for this lens?
If you are a serious landscape photographer who uses Graduated Neutral Density (GND) filters to balance bright skies, then yes, the IFH-100-V2 holder is worth it. Square systems allow you to slide the gradient up and down to match the horizon, which you cannot do with circular filters. The Irix holder is particularly good because it is slim enough to prevent vignetting at 15mm.
Final Verdict
For most users, the Irix Edge UV & Protector is the essential “first purchase” to keep that massive 95mm front element safe. If you’re a landscape enthusiast looking for long exposures, the Haida NanoPro offers the best balance of cost and color accuracy. Professionals should look toward the B+W Kaesemann for elite polarization or the Irix IFH-100-V2 holder system for maximum creative control over complex lighting situations.