Filter Buying help.

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Joec1

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Ok,

Ive currently got a

Nifty Fifty, 18-55 (Kit Lens) and a 20-80 lens...

Ive decided i had better start putting Filters onto my lenses (for protection more than anything else)

but dont want to make images any worse than they already are (im a beginner) As the world of "filters" is new to me. can i have some suggestions as to what would work for me?

I tend to take lanscapes, architecture, and people.. however i also shoot the odd motorsport (im aware my lenses arent suited to motorsport at the moment)

Ive been told that a UV might be best (for each lens) and another person has suggested a skylight filter?

Im really keen to hear from other people who may use the above lenses, to hear what they get the best result from etc.

Cheers

Joe
 
I'd suggest don't use any filters on your lenses unless it's for a specific purpose, e.g. circular polisar or an ND/ND Grad for landscapes

Using a UV filter can only make the image worse, not better and seems a bit pointless except for as you said, bit of extra protection..........but I don't know why people use this form of protection because unless you are really careless, how are you ever going to smash something into the front of the lens?

When not in use, you can put on a lens cap, and when in use, if you have a hood this provides protection. Of course, this is subject to what terrain you are usually in........
 
I use a UV filter on my lens for protection. I've managed to scratch and nearly smash the filter tripping over whilst taking photos in forest and I was very very glad to have the protection as it meant I simply replaced the filter, not a £1000 lens.

However, I didn't realise it might make the photos worse. Is there any other option?

It seems to me the risk of scratching a lens is pretty high isn't it? surely some protection is advisable?

:)
 
hmmmm........I suppose it's possible to fall over and drop your camera lens facing down........but I've never had this happen *touch wood*. I just make sure I'm really careful when carrying my camera and put the lens cap on whenever i'm not using it.

Unless you buy a really expensive UV filter, like a Hoya PRO Multi Coated UV or something similar that I think is really not worth the money, then you are going to get some kind of image degradation, so using a real cheap UV filter on a £1000 lens is just kicking yourself in the nuts. I think even with the expensive UV filters........it's still going to affect the image slightly because the light is having to pass through another layer of material.
 
lauy said:
hmmmm........I suppose it's possible to fall over and drop your camera lens facing down........but I've never had this happen *touch wood*. I just make sure I'm really careful when carrying my camera and put the lens cap on whenever i'm not using it.

Unless you buy a really expensive UV filter, like a Hoya PRO Multi Coated UV or something similar that I think is really not worth the money, then you are going to get some kind of image degradation, so using a real cheap UV filter on a £1000 lens is just kicking yourself in the nuts. I think even with the expensive UV filters........it's still going to affect the image slightly because the light is having to pass through another layer of material.
Click to expand...

hmmm maybe I better invest in a good filter then.
I'm always careful but I'm tracking monkeys and taking photos as I follow them in a tropical rain forest with rough rocky terrain underfoot so accidents will happen! :)

How much should a good filter cost?

Apologies for hijacking the OP's thread! but maybe this is useful info for them too :)
 
Haha........well your case is quite unique, I wish I had your job, following monkeys around a tropical rain forest sounds awesome!!! Which lens do you use? I think I recall you posting regarding a new body recently.

Anyway.....staying on topic, UV filters aren't that expensive.....for a Hoya Pro1 HMC UV it is about £60 for 77mm. Cheaper for smaller thread lenses.

Here is a link to WHE

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-hoya-77mm-shmc-pro-1-digital-uv-filter/p1011139

I just tend not to use UV filters, because I'm either using an ND or ND Grad or a Circular Polariser..........meaning having to annoyingly unscrew the UV filter each time.
 
ukphd said:
Apologies for hijacking the OP's thread! but maybe this is useful info for them too :)
Click to expand...

No Worries... Really useful stuff.....

So what is the difference betwen a UV and a Circular Polariser? and would they be beneficial to me?
 
A UV filter nowadays with digital cameras, are essentially useless except for a bit of added protection.

A Circular Polariser however, is a very useful tool, especially for general walkabout landscapes and subjects. It brings out colours more, especially blues and greens and also takes out reflections in glass or water. You lose a stop of light using one but it can make colours look a lot nicer.

ND Grad's are filters that have one half clear and one half tinted. This is used solely for landscapes where you have a very light/bright sky but a dark bottom half/ground. Therefore the camera will not be able to meter both halves of the image correctly and will either blow out the sky so it is completely white, or make the bottom half too dark to make out any detail. The ND Grad darkens the top half so that it balances both out and create a correctly exposured shot across the image.

ND Filters (Non-Grad) are tinted filters that darken the entire image........so that longer exposures can be used (typically few seconds or longer). This can create certain effects with the sky/clouds or with water, or can be used at night time to capture light trails.

To OP, for normal landscapes that contain both land and sky, a set of ND Grad's are essential to balance out the image so if this is your primary subject, then concentrate on getting at least one of these. The most commonly used ND Grad is a 2 stop Soft grad/0.6 Soft Grad which darkens the sky by 2 stops and has a soft gradient on the horizon. They usually come in the form of "Square" filters that require a holder that you can slot them into.

A Circular Polariser can be used in many more situations and can stay on the camera even when walking about and just brings out colours more. These are more often used as a screw on type filter and is a useful tool to keep in your bag.

ND filters are for more long exposure experimental type stuff like I have mentioned above, so maybe used less but it depends on your type of photography.

Hope this helps.

Allen
 
Perfect Thankyou,

So Its worth me buying a CP, and looking at a Grad Filter... (the suggested 2/0.6)

:)
 
lauy said:
Using a UV filter can only make the image worse, not better and seems a bit pointless except for as you said, bit of extra protection..........but I don't know why people use this form of protection because unless you are really careless, how are you ever going to smash something into the front of the lens?
Click to expand...

what utter shi'ite...:cuckoo:

This has been gone over time after time.
A good filter will impart almost no degradation of image under 99% of any shooting situations...

Do a search, because I'm tired of typing the why's and wherefores of all this three times a month or more..

To the OP: buy a good-quality UV or Protection filter by Hoya or B+W...

Hoya HMC or Pro-1 or the B+W equivalent.
 
Yep........that is definitely a good starting point.

I bought a CP first.........and have recently bought some Hi-Tech ND Grads.

I suggest staying away from the Cokin P series because they give an unwanted purple colour cast..........however, the Cokin P holder works perfectly with the Hi-Tech 85mm ND grads so this is a good combination and cheap. You can get a set of Hi-Tech 0.3/0.6/0.9 for £40 and are very good quality, fully recommend them.
 
Arkady said:
what utter shi'ite...:cuckoo:

This has been gone over time after time.
A good filter will impart almost no degradation of image under 99% of any shooting situations...

Do a search, because I'm tired of typing the why's and wherefores of all this three times a month or more..

To the OP: buy a good-quality UV or Protection filter by Hoya or B+W...

Hoya HMC or Pro-1 or the B+W equivalent.
Click to expand...

Why utter *****? All I stated was that cheap UV filters can cause image degradation which is true and the more expensive ones even though a lot better can still have an effect. No matter how good the filter is, it is still an extra piece of material. My point is..........spending a lot of money on a UV filter that simply does nothing apart from protection is imo a waste of money, and probably better spent on a filter that actually has a purpose.
 
Not in that post you didn't, not until pressed on the matter...if you're going to throw in spurious comments like that, please qualify them with some evidence to back them up.
 
Right, So back onto Topic,

A UV would effectively act as an extra glass on the end of the lens purely to protect the lens, but would offer no image enhancment qualities, where as a CP filter would help bring out the colours?

Is that a generalised statement?

Can you advise if any makes are worth paying extra for? i want a CP Filter....
 
Arkady said:
Not in that post you didn't, not until pressed on the matter...if you're going to throw in spurious comments like that, please qualify them with some evidence to back them up.
Click to expand...

Why so pedantic? If you noticed in that post, i said that it CAN cause image degradation.........not that it DEFINITELY will. And then in my next post.........I elaborated and mentioned higher quality expensive models that are not as likely to cause this.

Not sure why you are jumping down my throat because all I was trying to do was give the OP as much info as possible, as he is obviously new to filters in general.
 
Joec1 said:
Right, So back onto Topic,

A UV would effectively act as an extra glass on the end of the lens purely to protect the lens, but would offer no image enhancment qualities, where as a CP filter would help bring out the colours?

Is that a generalised statement?

Can you advise if any makes are worth paying extra for? i want a CP Filter....
Click to expand...

Yes............UV filter has no effect on the image.

Brands such as Hoya and B+W make good quality CP filters, the more expensive Pro models being of better quality.
 
Hoya Pro 1 Digital Protector, clear glass, £23 from CameraKing,
Jim
 
jimybell said:
Hoya Pro 1 Digital Protector, clear glass, £23 from CameraKing,
Jim
Click to expand...

some probs with CK on eBay lately - and I dont have the time to search

a good alternate to Hoya HD Protector and B+W UV - both of which i have in 52mm BTW - is the Marumi DHG series
got 72mm slimline C.PL and a Protector version from Crooked Image - well pleased............."link"

they have a higher grade called Super DHG similar to Hoya HD series
 
UV filter tests...

- http://www.kenandchristine.com/gallery/1054387
- http://lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html

I have good quality UV filters to fit all my lenses but almost never (unless shooting in harsh conditions) use them. For physical protection and other benefits a good hood is the way I choose to go. A UV is handy to complete weather sealing in inclement conditions, or to protect against abrasion from airborne sand/mud/grit. At other times I never use a UV/protection filter. I have seen a reduction in contrast when using a Hoya Pro 1 UV filter on my 100-400 lens. I see no reason to suffer such a hit to IQ if I don't need to.


CPL tests...

- http://lenstip.com/115.1-article-Polarizing_filters_test.html

I use a CPL rarely, and only for its specific effect. If I don't need polarisation, or to lose a couple of stops of light, then the thing comes off.
 
lauy said:
Why so pedantic? If you noticed in that post, i said that it CAN cause image degradation.........not that it DEFINITELY will. And then in my next post.........I elaborated and mentioned higher quality expensive models that are not as likely to cause this.

Not sure why you are jumping down my throat because all I was trying to do was give the OP as much info as possible, as he is obviously new to filters in general.
Click to expand...

Rob loves this link :D See post #22 http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=212297

Clear evidence of image degradation caused by filters, and an explanation of why ;)
 
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