Advice on filters

Charlotte Wilson

Charlotte Wilson

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Charlotte
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Hi everyone

Sorry if this is repeated thread ... I was reading up on filters as lots of people seem to use them, and whilst I am not quite ready to buy yet there seem to be lots of different options - and actually I am not sure if I need them yet, I am a beginner so very much practising the basics of photography... does anyone have any feedback to offer?

Is it best to buy a kit and and a converter for different lens sizes, or buy individual filters per lens? Should I buy round or square filters? I'm looking specifically at polarising and ND filters for landscapes.
- I already have round screw UV protective ones....

Currently using and EM5 Mk ii and 12-40 mm pro lens and 40-150 lens.

Many thanks in advance

Charlotte
 
It all depends on what you shoot and what you want the filters to do.

As a landscape photographer I often use2 or even 3 filters at a time so I use Square filters.
If you just want a polariser or a ND filter then you can go for screw on filters.

Square filters means you can buy a single filter that will fit all lenses with the help of a filter holder whereas with screw on filters they will only fit a certain size lens unless you buy step down rings for each lens size. As a good quality filter can cost near on £100, you probably don't want to be buying one for each lens.

As for the UV filters, I'd chuck them in the bin.
 
Ok many thanks for this...Why do you not use the UV filters, do they affect the photo quality?
 
Charlotte Wilson said:
Ok many thanks for this...Why do you not use the UV filters, do they affect the photo quality?
Click to expand...

That depends on the quality of the filter, but even with expensive filters they add another layer of glass to the front of the lens which could introduce lens flare.
UV filters come from the old film days as film was susceptible to UV haze, this is no longer the case with digital and they are now sold as add ons by camera stores in the guise of lens protection. I can assure you that your lens is probably a lot harder that your thin UV filter and if the UV filter did break there is a chance it could scratch the lens coating.
 
I own an EM5 ii and find it to have a good degree of ISO invariance. What this means in practice is that you can shoot under exposed to protect the highlights and then boost the shadows in post processing without introducing a lot of noise. So you take a shot that looks very dark on the screen so the histogram shows that the highlights are not blown and then brighten it up later. That basically rules out the need for graduated filters.

A polarizer is very useful for bringing out colour and detail in the sky and for controlling reflections in water, it can also help with greenery. You don’t need to spend a fortune on one.

That leaves ND for longer exposures, since you don’t need a holder for square filters (which you would need for grads) go for screw in. SRB photographic have a good range of filters at reasonable prices and you could do a lot worse than buy from them to find what you really need and use before spending a fortune.
 
ecoleman said:
That depends on the quality of the filter, but even with expensive filters they add another layer of glass to the front of the lens which could introduce lens flare.
UV filters come from the old film days as film was susceptible to UV haze, this is no longer the case with digital and they are now sold as add ons by camera stores in the guise of lens protection. I can assure you that your lens is probably a lot harder that your thin UV filter and if the UV filter did break there is a chance it could scratch the lens coating.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this - I had no idea my lens was as resilient as that - maybe I'll just remove the lens hood and use a hood instead?

sirch said:
That leaves ND for longer exposures, since you don’t need a holder for square filters (which you would need for grads) go for screw in. SRB photographic have a good range of filters at reasonable prices and you could do a lot worse than buy from them to find what you really need and use before spending a fortune.
Click to expand...

perfect - thanks for the recommendation re SRB photographic I will take a look

Greatly appreciate feedback from both of you :)

C
 
Charlotte Wilson said:
Thanks for this - I had no idea my lens was as resilient as that - maybe I'll just remove the lens hood and use a hood instead?



perfect - thanks for the recommendation re SRB photographic I will take a look

Greatly appreciate feedback from both of you :)

C
Click to expand...

For generally shooting that's what I do.
Obviously when using filters such as polariser or square ND Grads you can't have a lens hood as well so you just have to be a bit more careful :)
 
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