Chasing Clarity: The Lake District through HGX Prime Filters

Discover the professional HGX series

For this project, I had the pleasure of exploring the stunning Lake District National Park, one of the UK’s most iconic landscapes, to showcase the versatility and performance of ProMaster’s HGX Prime filter range.

The aim was to capture the essence of this wild and beautiful environment, from serene lakes and majestic mountain reflections to cascading waterfalls, all while demonstrating how the right filters can elevate both technical quality and creative freedom in the field.

Here I explore the application of Circular Polarizer (CPL), Variable Neutral Density (ND) and Ultraviolet (UV) filters in various Lake District settings, highlighting how these tools can help photographers manage challenging light, enhance natural colors, and bring landscapes to life.

So what do these filters do?

ProMaster’s HGX Prime filter series are made in Japan and feature ultra hardened optical glass with a scratch resistant coating for top tier lens protection. The Repellamax II anti-static barrier helps resist dust, dirt, oil, water, and fingerprints, essential when working in ever changing outdoor conditions. Each high performance filter is individually ground, polished, and coated to maximise light transmission for the clearest possible image.

HGX Prime Circular Polariser (CPL)
Removes unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces like water and glass. It also enhances saturation and contrast, giving colors more clarity and depth.
HGX Prime Variable Neutral Density (ND)
Offers creative control by reducing light (from 1.3 to 8 stops) without affecting color. Ideal for long exposures, motion blur, and wide aperture shots in bright light.
HGX Prime Ultraviolet (UV)
Blocks ultraviolet light and protects your lens from environmental elements like sand, water, and dirt, all without interfering with image quality or color accuracy.

The Power of the CPL

A window of sunny weather was approaching for the coming weekend so I set my alarm for 3am and ventured out into the heart of the Lake District to try and catch the first light across the fells. Nestled beneath the striking Langdale Pikes lies Blea Tarn, a small, serene body of water, seen as a jewel of the Lake District and a favourite of nature lovers and photographers alike. A calm, warm morning provided the perfect conditions to put ProMaster’s HGX Prime CPL filters to the test.

By carefully rotating the filter I was able to target the sky and prevent the bright morning glare from washing out the details in both the sky and reflecting water. The beauty of this is being able to prevent the bright morning light from over powering the subtle blue hues in the sky which without a CPL would be difficult. This balance allowed me to capture both the vivid reflection of the peaks and the soft early light without sacrificing detail.

I was genuinely impressed by how well the HGX Prime CPL handled the conditions. The optical clarity is superb, a clean, well balanced image that retained the natural feel of the scene. The build quality is also worth noting. The filter feels robust in the hand, with a smooth and precise rotation that makes fine adjustments easy even in low light. It’s clear that this is a filter designed with professionals in mind and it delivered exactly what I needed out in the field.

Silky Smooth VND

Variable Neutral Density filters always come into their own while shooting cascading water scenes. With this in mind, I immediately knew where I wanted to test out ProMaster’s HGX Prime Variable ND.

Aira Force is one of the Lake District’s most famous waterfalls, featuring not only two dramatic long drop falls but also a series of smaller, intricate cascades that wind their way through ancient woodland. It was among these more delicate features that I wanted to put the ProMaster HGX VND filter to the test, capturing the smooth flow of water and subtle movement in a more controlled and creative way. These intricate cascades offer an abundance of compositional opportunities, from leading lines and layered textures to natural frames, making it an ideal setting for experimenting with long exposure techniques.

What stood out the most was just how smooth these filters were, not just in their seamless usability but in the images they helped produce too. The ability to shift effortlessly from 1.3 to 8 stops meant I could adapt to changing conditions as sunlight filtered through the trees, creating a dynamic scene of shadows and highlights. Between the precision, the build quality and the creative control, these will definitely be a staple in my outdoor kit going forward.

Invisible UV Protection

While UV filters may not have the immediate visual impact of a CPL or ND, they offer essential protection especially when photographing wildlife or working in rugged environments.

During this project, I set out across various locations and terrain in search of the elusive red squirrel, a threatened species whose remaining populations survive in small, isolated pockets across the Lake District National Park. From damp woodland trails to mossy riverbanks, each environment presented its own challenges, not only in finding these shy animals, but in keeping my equipment safe from the elements.

Having the HGX Prime UV filter on my main wildlife lens meant one less thing to worry about. The filter acted as a barrier against rain, dirt and accidental knocks as I navigated dense forest and waited patiently for a squirrel to emerge. With that peace of mind, I could concentrate entirely on observing and capturing images that create impact.

Final Thoughts: Professional Filters for the Wild

From the first golden light over Blea Tarn to the cascading textures of Aira Force, ProMaster’s HGX Prime filters performed exceptionally in every scenario I threw at them. The robust construction, optical brilliance and thoughtful design reflect a high end product clearly made for enhancing professional work.