Wangmantian Fish Lanterns: Preserving Huizhou Memories with an MCUV Filter

DawnTideNN, Landscape Pixel Member
Member of Changzhou, Changsha, and Zhangjiajie Photographers Associations

Nestled deep in the eastern mountains of Shexian, Wangmantian Village still preserves a raw and authentic layer of Huizhou folk tradition. Rooted in the ancestral philosophy of “using water to overcome fire,” the centuries-old “Fish Lantern Festival” represents an enduring dialogue between people and fire.

For this year’s shoot, I used the Sony α7C II and α7M5, paired with the Sony FE 28–70mm F2.0 GM and the LAOWA 12mm F2.8 lenses. In Wangmantian, firecrackers and fireworks quickly fill the ground with debris and smoke. At the moment of explosion, fragments scatter in all directions, easily sticking to camera equipment. High-temperature debris can even damage the coating of the front lens element.

Facing flying sparks, I equipped my lenses with a K&F CONCEPT Nano-Xcel series MCUV filter featuring 28 layers of nano-coating.

 Crafted by artisans, the fish lanterns are built with bamboo frames and covered in paper, forming giant carp-shaped structures up to 12 meters long. Inside each lantern, hundreds of candles flicker. The fish bears the character “王” on its head and spits out sparks like shooting stars.

As night falls, six fish lanterns emerge one after another. Each is carried by over twenty villagers. Torches light up the sky in red, accompanied by gongs and thunderous firecrackers. The spectacle of “playing in water and scattering flames” creates a chaotic yet mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow, full of primal energy.

The Nano-X MCUV filter’s optical glass and 28-layer nano-coating deliver over 99.6% light transmission. While preserving fine image details, it accurately renders the warm tones of the flames and the cool hues of fireworks against the night sky, with smooth and natural tonal transitions. Comparison shots taken with and without the filter on the Sony FE 28–70mm F2.0 GM show no perceptible loss of sharpness—even at 500% magnification, the image remains crisp and clear.

The 72mm filter fits the LAOWA 12mm F2.8 lens perfectly, producing no vignetting while allowing normal use of the lens hood. Its hydrophobic and anti-smudge properties prove especially useful in smoky, debris-filled environments—dust and firecracker residue can be wiped off effortlessly with a cleaning cloth, restoring clarity instantly and ensuring uninterrupted shooting.

The 86mm filter matches the Sony FE 28–70mm F2.0 GM, one of Sony’s “trinity” lenses. With a front diameter exceeding 82mm, standard filters are incompatible, requiring a larger 86mm option. K&F CONCEPT provides a wide range of sizes from 37mm to 127mm, accommodating various lenses.

In documentary and cultural photography, crowded environments and physical contact are common. When shooting in intense folk events involving strong physical movement, photographers may also consider reinforced protection options such as the MCUV Protection filter or the more robust Armor MCUV shockproof filter. With their solid structural design, these filters can withstand strong frontal impacts and provide reliable protection for the front lens element. They cover standard sizes from 37mm to 82mm, while the Armor version also offers a dedicated 95mm large-diameter option.

A high-quality UV filter not only preserves accurate color reproduction but also provides dependable physical protection. When documenting vibrant rural traditions and ancient beliefs, the K&F CONCEPT Nano-Xcel series is more than just an accessory—it is a reliable tool that allows photographers to focus on creation and capture fleeting moments in complex environments.