Quick filter question

[Kate]

I've been reading this month's practical photography, and I'm itching to get practising with black and white shots. However, I need a couple of coloured filters.

Just one basic question really.. probably a silly one too..

Is there a difference in quality between screw-on filters and the type you slot into a filter system? I have both types of filter, but was just wondering whether I could get away with buying red and a ND filters for my filter system so they would fit both lenses rather than having to shell out more for the screw-in types. Will it produce the same results as a screw-in filter would?

Thanks in advance

 

[Matt]

i cant see why the cokin filter system wouldnt work for you? If you are worried about stray light then drape a cloth over the gap...i think...lol

 

[Matt]

forgot to say, the A series is a plastic filter, the P series is glass...

 

[Pook]

I've been reading this month's practical photography, and I'm itching to get practising with black and white shots. However, I need a couple of coloured filters.

Just one basic question really.. probably a silly one too..

Is there a difference in quality between screw-on filters and the type you slot into a filter system? I have both types of filter, but was just wondering whether I could get away with buying red and a ND filters for my filter system so they would fit both lenses rather than having to shell out more for the screw-in types. Will it produce the same results as a screw-in filter would?

Thanks in advance

Are you shooting digital? If so, just use the channel mixer in Photoshop. If you're still on film, then I'd recommend good quality glass one, such as Hoya HMC or B+W ones. Cheap filters can reduce contrast, increase flare, and in some cases soften an image. Your lens uses the finest optical glass, and coatings.. why put a piece of plastic in front of it? People will counter this with "yeah, but it's optical grade platic"... but it's uncoated plastic, and once you get a few scratches on then (inevitable), then they'll start to impact on your image.

B+W make the finest filters in my opinion.

 

[Matt]

pook is correct, pointless spending £150+ on glass only to stick a bit of plastic in front of it!

 

[CT]

If it's a Cokin type system then I'd say as long as it's glass and not plastic you shouldn't see any appreciable difference from screw in filters. You might need a very discerning eye to see the difference with plastic anyway - the differences are usually measured by photographing lens testing charts and assessing the ability to resolve the max number of fine lines per mm.

I'm not a big fan of filters having had hundreds (well dozens) of the things years ago. Most people stick a UV filter on the front of their lenses for protection and it's no bad thing but the Super Multi Coating (SMC) on any decent modern lens renders UV filters redundant anyway as the coatings protect for UV. The other thing is you're putting a big flat glass surface right on the front of your lens which is just where it's likely to cause flare from stray light - even with a lens hood- just something to be aware of. For B&W photography, a few filters are certainly essential, but I can't see the sense in buying a very expensive lens and stickig a bit of plastic in front of it.

There are some test results here:-

http://home.c2i.net/jostein.oksne/Utstyr/filters.htm

 

[CT]

Sorry Pook we crossed in transit there! I agree that with digital you probably have more control in PS than with filters.