Probably a very stupid Filter question.

liam08

liam08

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Liam
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I'm very new to photography, so please excuse my ignorance.

I bought myself a 'nifty 50' lens on the weekend, the very nice girl in Jessops threw in a UV filter too. No idea why, but no complaints.
She did tell me I should have a UV filter for all of my lenses, which leads me to my question.
I'm looking at getting a Polarising filter and some ND Grads, but I need to know if I have to put the UV filter on the other filters. This seems to me like it wouldn't work on the slot style Grad filters. I'm looking at the slotted ones, due to a recommendation in a thread a browsed earlier.

Apologies if this has been covered a trillion time, I'm not here to annoy, just to learn.

Thanks guys.
 
first off are you looking at a cokin filter holder if so you can leave the screw on one on your lens then attach the filter holder, cokin P hold up to 3 filters but if used in conjunction with a Cokin circle CP you can only fit 2 square filters in the holder

6201273991_3cb46c5e80_b.jpg
 
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You do not need a UV filter on a DSLR, unless you want to protect the front lens from the elements. Keep it on by all means when walking around, but take it off before you push the button.
CPLs are a different thing, they can enhance blue skies and make clouds stand out more, but only if it,s bright.
She told you wrong.
 
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Just Dave said:
first off are you looking at a cokin filter holder if so you can leave the screw on one on your lens then attach the filter holder, cokin P hold up to 3 filters but if used in conjunction with a Cokin circle CP you can only fit 2 square filters in the holder
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A square filter in a round hole???? :nono:
Who are you trying to kid? :D
 
Just Dave said:
Ha ha it is round but in fits in the thinner first slot nearest the base,so it can be rotated, the subsequent square filters go in front of it
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Anyone would think you were a photographer! :naughty:

Incidently Dave, do you have any film camera's? just bought an Oly trip 35.
I knew all those A Cokin filters would come in handy one day!
 
Ah, it seems to have confused me somewhat. I know what sort of effects I can get from the ND grads, this is what I would like from my photos. Very much clutching at straws right now, but I'm trying to throw myself in at the deep end to force myself to learn.
There was a link to an online shop (I believe it's run by a guy on this forum) that had the slot filters at a good price. They're recommended as a good budget/starter set. I can't for life of me, find the thread.

Do you guys have any idea? Are these okay for a newbie?
 
Hi there!

I'm new to photography too. According to my tiny knowledge, putting any kind of glass between your subject and sensor will reduce the image quality. Filter is not exception.

I did watch a video about filter somewhere and they said that the filter had some meaning in film camera day ( I don't remember exactly because I don't care about film cameras). Nowadays, it is used for only one purpose: protect your front glass from damage and dust.

Therefore, for the protection purpose, I suggest you to buy a lens hood instead. Actually, I don't use filter as I don't think that spend more money for another protector is worthwhile. Lens hood and lens front cover are enough for me.

If I say something wrong, please correct me. English is not my first language :)
 
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Ah, I see your point in the last paragraph. It's certainly an expensive hobby, so money saved anywhere is handy. Not that I'm tight. It's just know what brands to buy.
I'm still really stuck, plus I don't know any reasonable website. Well priced and trust worthy.
 
I would say yes put a filter on for protection (cheaper to scratch that than the lens) as you wont always be using a hood, if your using a filter holder, (although then you wouldnt need the filter for protection,)

so I would get a UV filter and a Cokin P filter holder, ring to fit your lens, and 3 ND grads, 1 ND8 filters

P holder http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-cokin-p400-p-series-filter-holder-with-catalogue/p1013825
Grads Cokin H250A ND Gradual Filter Kit http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-cokin-h250a-nd-gradual-filter-kit/p1000795
ND8 http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-cokin-a154-grey-nd8x-filter/p1000476

Total £75, or so you know what you want to buy 2nd hand if you can you intend to use them with
 
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Just Dave said:
I would say yes put a filter on for protection (cheaper to scratch that than the lens) as you wont always be using a hood, if your using a filter holder, (although then you wouldnt need the filter for protection,)

so I would get a UV filter and a Cokin P filter holder, ring to fit your lens, and 3 ND grads, 1 ND8 filters

P holder http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-cokin-p400-p-series-filter-holder-with-catalogue/p1013825
Grads Cokin H250A ND Gradual Filter Kit
ND8 http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-cokin-a154-grey-nd8x-filter/p1000476
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You are a diamond. I assume on top of this would be some sort of adaptor for my lens size. 52mm for my nifty 50 and 58mm for my 18-55mm kit? Or is there a way around this? For example, I was told to buy a 77mm Polarising filter and step up ring for my lenses?
Apologies for all of these questions, but I really do appreciate your help.
 
liam08 said:
You are a diamond. I assume on top of this would be some sort of adaptor for my lens size. 52mm for my nifty 50 and 58mm for my 18-55mm kit? Or is there a way around this? For example, I was told to buy a 77mm Polarising filter and step up ring for my lenses?
Apologies for all of these questions, but I really do appreciate your help.
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you just get 2 rings 1 for the 52 and 1 for the 58, oh forgot to mention the CP

Cokin P CP that fits the holder above http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-cokin-p164-circular-polariser-filter/p1000705 so you may want to buy 2nd hand
 
If you really need a filter, I would suggest you use Hoya: Hoya HMC or Hoya SHMC or something I don't remember exactly as I don't care too much about filter.

Jessop (http://www.jessops.com) is the seller you can trust. The price is tiny bit overpriced in my opinion, but it's worthwhile for the brand name.
 
tester777 said:
If you really need a filter, I would suggest you use Hoya: Hoya HMC or Hoya SHMC or something I don't remember exactly as I don't care too much about filter.

Jessop (http://www.jessops.com) is the seller you can trust. The price is tiny bit overpriced in my opinion, but it's worthwhile for the brand name.
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I've seen Hoya suggested a lot, but I think I will buy the Cokin kit, so it'll all fit together nicely. Thanks you though.
 
To throw a spanner in, I'd say ditch the uv filter. If you are using a Cokin or similar square system, then the uv will be at the back and pointless.
If you use the lens hood, nothing should be able to get near the front element.
The only time I might consider using any filter other than a circular polariser or grads is if I was in a warzone or a rally and there was a chance of rocks being thrown towards the lens. Even in this case I probably still wouldn't, as if a rock has enough force to break the thin filter, pretty much likely it'll hit the element anyway.

It's up to you though, if you want to use it, go for it.
Just don't start a post asking why your images are soft or have weird flares all over them ;-)
 
Liam cokin are only one manufacturer theres also Lee which I think are more expensive, I wouldnt go for cheaper than the Cokins to be honest, I know there are a few like kood and a few more

I use the cokin system and am very happy with the results

heres a shot with and Filter, P121M (I had a UV filter fitted as well) turned the holder slightly to give a grad on the Top left down to the horizon as you can see the blue is darker on the left to a grad on the right


Trees And Rapeseed Fields, Hunters Hill,Standish Nr Chorley, Lancashire by Just Daves Photos, on Flickr
 
TCR4x4 said:
To throw a spanner in, I'd say ditch the uv filter. If you are using a Cokin or similar square system, then the uv will be at the back and pointless.
If you use the lens hood, nothing should be able to get near the front element.
The only time I might consider using any filter other than a circular polariser or grads is if I was in a warzone or a rally and there was a chance of rocks being thrown towards the lens. Even in this case I probably still wouldn't, as if a rock has enough force to break the thin filter, pretty much likely it'll hit the element anyway.

It's up to you though, if you want to use it, go for it.
Just don't start a post asking why your images are soft or have weird flares all over them ;-)
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I'll lose it I think. :p
 
Just Dave said:
Liam cokin are only one manufacturer theres also Lee which I think are more expensive, I wouldnt go for cheaper than the Cokins to be honest, I know there are a few like kood and a few more

I use the cokin system and am very happy with the results

heres a shot with and Filter, P121M (I had a UV filter fitted as well) turned the holder slightly to give a grad on the Top left down to the horizon as you can see the blue is darker on the left to a grad on the right


Trees And Rapeseed Fields, Hunters Hill,Standish Nr Chorley, Lancashire by Just Daves Photos, on Flickr
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I'll be happy to use your recommendations, you know what you're talking about.
1 more question though, the ND8 is A Series, that site recommends me a different holder. Would it still be compatible with the P series? Sorry to question your integrity, just making sure.
 
Just Dave said:
but you wont be using the filters all the time, just get one and if you feel you have to take it off :thumbs: I never do, but as Tom say you may see some IQ loss, its a trade off, easy to take off, so no probs
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Haha, I'm enjoying the friendly banter. My IQ is low anyway, I'm really stuck now. I'll leave it on for now, although I took it off the other day, and the focus ring fell off of my 50mm. I panicked, but luckily it popped back on.
 
liam08 said:
I'll be happy to use your recommendations, you know what you're talking about. s, that site recommends me a different holder. Would it still be compatible with the P series? Sorry to question your integrity, just making sure.
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sorry I linked to the wrong fit youll need all P, then if you get wider lens in future ie 10-20 sigma, it will still fit

soz for the bad link:bang: youll need the same just youll need the P

sorry about that
 
liam08 said:
Haha, I'm enjoying the friendly banter. My IQ is low anyway, I'm really stuck now. I'll leave it on for now, although I took it off the other day, and the focus ring fell off of my 50mm. I panicked, but luckily it popped back on.
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:lol::lol: I mean Image Quality not Intelligence Quotient :D
 
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Just Dave said:
sorry I linked to the wrong fit youll need all P, then if you get wider lens in future ie 10-20 sigma, it will still fit

soz for the bad link:bang: youll need the same just youll need the P

sorry about that
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I'll have a look for that one then. Glad I asked now.

Just Dave said:
:lol::lol: I mean Image Quality not Intelligence quotient :D
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Oh, I certainly didn't. Hahah. ;)
 
Those are FOR Cokin not actual Cokin. Whether or not they are any worse, who knows. I dont think I'd fancy trying it.

I used to use Cokin and there were crap to be fair, but I think they have improved considerably over the last few years.
I'd stick with a known store, then you know you are getting the latest and genuine.

You might also want to look at Hitech or formatt filters. Slightly more expensive than cokin, but also slightly better made, and they also use a different holder which opens up more options such as Lee filters, if you find yourself feeling flush later on.
 
TCR4x4 said:
Those are FOR Cokin not actual Cokin. Whether or not they are any worse, who knows. I dont think I'd fancy trying it.

I used to use Cokin and there were crap to be fair, but I think they have improved considerably over the last few years.
I'd stick with a known store, then you know you are getting the latest and genuine.

You might also want to look at Hitech or formatt filters. Slightly more expensive than cokin, but also slightly better made, and they also use a different holder which opens up more options such as Lee filters, if you find yourself feeling flush later on.
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The thing is, I'm not too worried about how much things cost. I would prefer quality, but I don't want to be one of those 'all the gear, no idea' people. I obviously don't want people to tell me to get the most expensive stuff out there, because it's the best. I just want the best for a beginner. Or up a few levels, just for overall product quality and longevity. To know that it'll still be okay for me in a year or two, would be perfect. I hope you understand my point of view.
 
Sorry to add my bit,but first you got to know what you want the filter to do,from their you can decide what filters to buy.
Do you need an UV to protect your lens,I don't used them,buy a good lens hood.

I think all us at one time or the others,have gone over the top with filter buying,usually when we first buy a camera,but they can be a waste of money if you don't need them :)
 
simonblue said:
Sorry to add my bit,but first you got to know what you want the filter to do,from their you can decide what filters to buy.
Do you need an UV to protect your lens,I don't used them,buy a good lens hood.

I think all us at one time or the others,have gone over the top with filter buying,usually when we first buy a camera,but they can be a waste of money if you don't need them :)
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I kind of know what I want in my photos. I'll buy the filters and play around until I'm comfortable with their abilities and my own.
 
liam08 said:
And.... I just looked. Cokin it is. Hahaha.
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i think you can get a Lee holder and use Cokin square filters, then upgrade as necessary if thats the way you want to go, maybe wrong but think you can, then you could get the Lee ND10 (big stopper) dont think it fits a Cokin holder though maybe wrong
 
Just Dave said:
i think you can get a Lee holder and use Cokin square filters, then upgrade as necessary if thats the way you want to go, maybe wrong but think you can, then you could get the Lee ND10 (big stopper) dont think it fits a Cokin holder though maybe wrong
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I'll do a bit of research in to it, I've seen a starter kit for £200 on WEX, but it's on backorder.
 
I would buy the hitech holder and filters myself. It's a good compromise between cost and quality. If you decide to later on, the hitech holder can be used with lee filters.

Or you can scour eBay for a bargain. I got my lee holder, adapter and 3 ND grads for £150.
 
TCR4x4 said:
I would buy the hitech holder and filters myself. It's a good compromise between cost and quality. If you decide to later on, the hitech holder can be used with lee filters.

Or you can scour eBay for a bargain. I got my lee holder, adapter and 3 ND grads for £150.
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Ah, this is also good to know.
Do you use a separate CP filter?
 
TCR4x4 said:
I would buy the hitech holder and filters myself. It's a good compromise between cost and quality. If you decide to later on, the hitech holder can be used with lee filters.

Or you can scour eBay for a bargain. I got my lee holder, adapter and 3 ND grads for £150.
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there's alsorts Tom i was just going down the cheapest road, Im happy with mine.

you got a good buy there

I was lucky I was given all my Cokin P 6 filters and holders rings from Russell, oh and Mark (whiteflier gave me a 58mm ring) also Mrgas gave me a holder and hood, when I was first starting out with filters, nice folks on TP :clap: while Im on about it I was the luckiest member on here that Andy gave me a gimbal head free for my bird photography, how lucky is that, just love TP Ive even been given free a full studio set up lights, stands soft boxes umbrellas

Dont think Ive bought anything but my cams and lenses :D
 
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