Filters

[Albedo]

I'm thinking of investing in a filter or two.

I have a Sigma 10-20, a Tamron 17-50 and a Canon 55-250mm.

My main uses would be to:

1. Get a blue (rather than blown!) sky when taking landscapes.

2. Allow less light in so that I can do long exposures during the day without blowing highlights.

So my questions are do I need two filters or is there one that would cover both jobs? Also, any recommendations for what to go for? And... would it fit all the lenses (especially the wider two!)

Thanks! And sorry for all the questions.

 

[jerry12953]

It sounds like you're looking for (1) a graduated neutral density filter which will cut down the amount of light reaching part of the image - eg the sky.

There's a whole range of different ones available with different strengths, cutting out 1,2 or 3 stops of light, with hard or soft graduations between the 2 sections.

A polariser will help as well.

I get excellent results with a combination of a 1stop hard grad and a polariser.

and (2) a neutral density filter which will cut down the amount of light reaching the whole image. Again different strengths are available.

 

[Albedo]

It sounds like you're looking for (1) a graduated neutral density filter which will cut down the amount of light reaching part of the image - eg the sky.

There's a whole range of different ones available with different strengths, cutting out 1,2 or 3 stops of light, with hard or soft graduations between the 2 sections.

A polariser will help as well.

I get excellent results with a combination of a 1stop hard grad and a polariser.

and (2) a neutral density filter which will cut down the amount of light reaching the whole image. Again different strengths are available.

Sorry for the late reply - been away and had forgotten I'd posted this.

Thank you very much for the advice and info - much appreciated!