Filter recommendations

gloobag

Just wondering if you guys could recommend a decent brand of Filter for a decent price (I'm only starting out, so I havn't a clue who makes gold and who makes ****e)?

I'm in the market for a Polarizer and a UV, and maybe anything else you guys would consider a must?

I got a couple with my camera, but even I can tell that they're muck :rolleyes:

Cheers

Freddie59

gloobag wrote: »

Just wondering if you guys could recommend a decent brand of Filter for a decent price (I'm only starting out, so I havn't a clue who makes gold and who makes ****e)?

I'm in the market for a Polarizer and a UV, and maybe anything else you guys would consider a must?

I got a couple with my camera, but even I can tell that they're muck :rolleyes:

Cheers

I bought the Hoya ones from 7dayshop ( http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/default.php?cat=1&type=1260&man=0&filterwords=&go=SEARCH&comp= ). I obviosuly sought advice from an Eos head before buying, as I'm only starting out.

Hope that helps.:)

run_Forrest_run

I bought a Hoya Pro-1 Clear UV filter as it was recommended by a fellow boardsie. I got it in B&H so it was well priced. However the Pro-1 circular polariser was just too expensive to justify so i bought the ordinary Hoya polariser.

amcinroy

I'm assuming from your post that you are interested in landscapes?

I'd personally forget the UV filter and probably ditch the polariser as well. The polariser is often overused and misused and it might be better not to lead yourself into temptation.

A 2 stop hard edged neutral grad is a very useful filter and it's the one I use most often. You could easily live without it if you are good at exposure blending but I find it very handy for contrast control in landscapes.

I personally use Lee filters (1,2,3 stop hard edged neutral grads, sometimes a 3 stop straight neutral density filter and VERY ocassionally a polariser). These are expensive. I would probably buy the 100mm Hi-Tec filters if price was a concern

A UV filter is a worthless knick knack that should only be of interest to paranoid photographers and marketing men.

Andy
www.andymcinroy.com

Paulw

amcinroy wrote: »

A UV filter is a worthless knick knack that should only be of interest to paranoid photographers and marketing men.

I wouldn't specifically agree. The UV filter is brilliant just to protect the lens. A scratch on a filter is much cheaper than a scratch on a lens.

But, cheap filters will certainly degrade your images to a degree.

Your camera certainly doesn't need a UV filter since the camera already has built in UV protection.

I use Hoya Pro filters for the most part - UV, circular Polariser. I also have a set of Cokin P filters - graduated, warming, etc.

SemperFidelis

Buy a UV filter, its easier and cheaper to replace than a lens.

I'd also get a polariser, its good for removing reflected light from water or glass and to darken overly light skies. It can be over used but we all learn by doing.

ND filters are good too if you want to slow down the shutter speed by a few stops. e.g. if you're photographing water on a bright day and want to get that flowing effect.

run_Forrest_run

amcinroy wrote: »

A UV filter is a worthless knick knack that should only be of interest to paranoid photographers and marketing men.

sorry but this sounds like something a certain Mr. Rockwell would say! Perhaps you are correct about the 'UV' part but I use it really as a protective shield for my lens.

amcinroy

Paulw wrote: »

A scratch on a filter is much cheaper than a scratch on a lens.

A scratch on a lens cap costs nothing. :rolleyes:

I find it's very difficult and dangerous to walk around and look through the viewfinder at the same time. If you are on the move then put your lens cap on. When you've stopped you can then take it off in less than 0.5 seconds and be confident that your are getting the highest image quality possible.

Don't let those magazines brainwash you with their marketing hype.

Freddie59

amcinroy wrote: »

A scratch on a lens cap costs nothing. :rolleyes:

I find it's very difficult and dangerous to walk around and look through the viewfinder at the same time. If you are on the move then put your lens cap on. When you've stopped you can then take it off in less than 0.5 seconds and be confident that your are getting the highest image quality possible.

Don't let those magazines brainwash you with their marketing hype.

I'm TOTALLY confused now. Just from my perspective I am a naturally clumsy person at times:o and I don't want to take any chances with the lenses. Regarding the polariser, from what I've seen (and I stand corrected here - please remember I'm a novice) it does seem to give definition to skies, etc but can darken the photo overall. How do you combat this?

MartMax

now i'm confused too

paul... which cameras u were saying have UV protection?

and i also thought a good UV filter at least protect the lens from any scratches...

Marty

MartMax

back to the OP question...

any decent brand of UV filter that i can get around dublin city centre?

cheers,
Marty