Filter Set Recommendations

RogersDARogersDA Registered Users Posts: 3,502 Major grins
edited June 20, 2007 in Accessories
Curious what to get for a set of decent to very good filters for everyday use to once-in-a-while use. I don't know what is really out there besides uv and polarizing. Never even heard of neutral density filters until Andy's post mentioned them.

Also, what makes one filter better than others? Are there manufacturers that are just plain better than others? Is higher cost worth it?
David
GreyLeaf PhotoGraphy

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,156 moderator
    edited June 17, 2007
    Check these threads:

    http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=+site%3Awww.dgrin.com+%2Bfilters&btnG=Search
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • TanukiTanuki Registered Users Posts: 184 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2007
    RogersDA wrote:
    Curious what to get for a set of decent to very good filters for everyday use to once-in-a-while use. I don't know what is really out there besides uv and polarizing. Never even heard of neutral density filters until Andy's post mentioned them.

    Also, what makes one filter better than others? Are there manufacturers that are just plain better than others? Is higher cost worth it?

    I think you've already mentioned the main ones for application to digital photography. You might also consider a graduated ND filter for bringing the exposure of the sky in line with the foreground.

    Warming filters and other colored filters aren't really necessary for digital since you can take care of this better with Photoshop, but on rare occassions, I like to use an 80A (dark blue) when the light source is so warm that my blue channel is being clipped even with my lowest WB setting.

    Some digital cameras will work with infrared filters. It works with my D50 but not my D80. If you want to know about your particular camera, just do a Google search on "digital infrared (your camera model)".

    Another option that just came to mind is close-up filters, which is a poor man's macro lens. I have one, but I don't really like it that much.

    What makes one filter better than others, you ask? A lot of things, but the main issue is probably the quality of the antireflective coatings. This can be so important that some serious photographers won't use protective filters at all.

    If you're just starting out in photography, I would go for the low end filters from the more respected manufacturers. They aren't so expensive that you will mind upgrading later, the quality will be decent, and you won't be too aggrevated if you accidentally scratch one.

    I'm not the most knowledgeable about filter manufacturers, maybe someone else can chime in with some recommendations.

    Hope this helps.

    Mike
  • cmasoncmason Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited June 18, 2007
    Well, I am a huge fan of B+W brand of filters, especially for the more 'used' filters: UV/Skylight and circ. polarizer. However, I have abandonded colored or 'trick' filters, such as soft focus, starlight, etc, in favor of doing virtual filters in post-processing.

    The only exception is ND and Gradient, which do not work well in post. So I am just now trying out the Cokin line of filters, which are inexpensive (good for my occasional use) and with at $15 adapter, can be fit on all my lenses.

    Havent tried them out too much, as I just bought them this weekend, but it looks promissing, at the cost was so low that I can buy several, and not feel pressured to have a specific project for them.
    Photos
  • greenplasticdavegreenplasticdave Registered Users Posts: 85 Big grins
    edited June 20, 2007
    cmason wrote:
    Well, I am a huge fan of B+W brand of filters, especially for the more 'used' filters: UV/Skylight and circ. polarizer. However, I have abandonded colored or 'trick' filters, such as soft focus, starlight, etc, in favor of doing virtual filters in post-processing.

    The only exception is ND and Gradient, which do not work well in post. So I am just now trying out the Cokin line of filters, which are inexpensive (good for my occasional use) and with at $15 adapter, can be fit on all my lenses.

    Havent tried them out too much, as I just bought them this weekend, but it looks promissing, at the cost was so low that I can buy several, and not feel pressured to have a specific project for them.

    I use Cokin filters and some other cheapy brands that fit the Cokin holder that I got off eBay.

    An eBay search often reveals sellers getting rid of packs of several so you can usually get a good range in one go.

    However, after using them a fair bit I can really only reccommend Grads and Polarisers, they're the ones I use anyway and I tend to only use them when I'm shooting a landscape.

    If I had lots of money to burn I'd go for Lee filters but I don't so I can't :(

    Regards

    -Dave-

    www.mirkwoodcottage.typepad.com/davidjamesphotography
    www.mirkwoodcottage.typepad.com/davidjamesphotography
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