I haven't really used many filters in the past, minus a cheap-o 77mm filter for my old D200 and its 18-200 lens. Since moving WAY beyond those entry level products, I was wondering which filters are popular for UV, Neutral Density, etc.
Filters of preference
(46 posts) (18 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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Personally I use Nikon neutral UV filters on all my lenses, and, occasionally, Nikon circular polar filters. The rest can be done on the computer… :o)
If you can get these from Japan (Yadobashi or Bic Camera) they are sold for less than half the price that can be found in Europe, and probably half of the USA price.
Posted 3 years ago # -
polarizer and graduated ND. I also use a infrared and a regular red filter a lot.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Interesting. I was checking some of them out on Amazon and saw a huge price difference between the top and bottom models. Any benefits from purchasing a more expensive model over the cheaper ones?
Posted 3 years ago # -
expensive ones have very good glass quality. The cheap ones give you "soft-ish" images.
Posted 3 years ago # -
And probably ghosting too, which happens a lot more on my 52mm Tiffen than my 67mm Tiffen, for some odd reason. That's okay, I'm not expecting anything insane from my Tiffen filters. It's just a transparent lens cap.
Posted 3 years ago # -
B+W - You pay the price, but it's worth it. I love the kassemann pol-cir filter.
Posted 3 years ago # -
NSX - is the issue you describe /really/ correlated to the filters themselves or to the lenses they are on? Do you use a step-down ring to put the 67 on 52mm threaded lenses?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Nope, I didn't put the step down ring on the 52mm to put the 67mm on it. The lens I'm using is the 35mm 1.8.
You do bring up a valid point though- the lens itself can ghost. Eh, I dunno. The only way to check is to use some really good glass.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Ghosting is more often caused by filters than not.
For those you think I'm referring to paranormal activity, ghosting is when light reflects off the inside of the filter and back into the lens. It appears as something like lens flare or transparent specks.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I like the multicoated UV filters from B+W and use them on all my lenses. I also use polarizers frequently, and graduated NDs occasionally. When I was doing more portraiture, I used various soft focus filters, although a mesh over the lens worked well, but was annoying to use. An additional benefit of more expensive filters is their superior materials and workmanship - brass, a slippier metal is often their threading. I would recommend purchasing a filter wrench for those awkward moments when it's hard to get a filter off (and neither sweet nor nasty words help quite so much).
Posted 3 years ago # -
Oh you had to bring up stuck filters didn't you ted2001. That's like rubbing finger nails on a chalk board :^(
Posted 3 years ago # -
I use mostly B & W filters, like the quality. UV, PL, ND and split ND mostly
Pete
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yeah, I should try shooting without filters. Too lazy. And it doesn't always happen, so it's all good.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I use gradual and full ND and circ.polarizer filters. At the moment I have the cheaper Cokin P-series resin filters but I plan to upgrade to medium quality glass filters as the resin ones are starting to show some wear.
I don't use UV filters, I use the lenscap/hood for protecting the front glass. Perhaps that is because I'm too lazy to unscrew the UV filter every time that I want to use some other filter.
@bernard, you can't really simulate a full ND filter in PS when you use it to get longer shutter speeds :)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Split ND filter and PL can also not really be simulated on your computer
Pete
Posted 3 years ago # -
You also can't simulate color filters in post if by using them in the field you are preventing one color channel from clipping.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks for all of the feedback guys! I am thinking about offering filter options to my wife for Christmas gift ideas. I'll probably order them from Amazon...I'll make a list here soon.
Posted 3 years ago # -
PBrigido - if You can't afford B+W go for Hoya, You save some money but still will have a quite good quality
Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks! I was starting to wonder about some of the differing qualities between manufacturers. For my limited intended use, Hoya may not be a bad idea!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Can someone elaborate on the use of Circ. Pol. filters? From what I read, they are useful in landscape/city photography on sunny days. I'm thinking of buying a 10-24DX lens prior to travel, and wondering if I should spring the extra dough for a CP filter for that lens.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I'd recommend both the 10-24 and a thin mount polarizer for it. If you can afford a graduated ND, that's also useful for travel with the 10-24, but the get the polarizer first.
Posted 3 years ago # -
CP filters are useful for isolating images from just one of the projectors during a film shown in 3D. Just kidding, but that's true.
Really what you'd use them for are minimizing/maximizing reflections in water (rotating it will take you from one to the other), reducing glare from some surfaces (you can choose vertical or horizontal by rotating it), getting deep blue in skies since skylight is partially polarized with the amount of polarization depending on the angle that the sunlight went through it when it scattered, and it's kind of like a 1-stop ND filter too. I'm probably forgetting something here if anyone else wants to chime in.
Posted 3 years ago # -
JA - I would only add that they polarize all light reflections, not only the water one.
Posted 3 years ago # -
So, it sounds like a CP filter would be very useful in spots, but it wouldn't be on your camera all day. Still, seems like a tool worth having in your bag.
The specific issue with an UWA lens like the 10-24 is that it captures such a span of sky that you may see a gradient of polarization (some areas obviously darker). Does anyone find that takes away from the usefulness of a CP filter?
Thanks in advance guys.
Posted 3 years ago #
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