SLR Lens Filters

[N Parker]

Know we have some very talented photgraphers here and was curious how each of you apply these to your photos? Pro's and Con's?

Finally have got "comfortable" with my new RebelXS and am going this evening to get a polarizer and a neutral density filter for now. (Have a gift card to use up and getting a remote trigger too)

Any replies appreciated as I am a serious newbie in the photography world....

 

[John Vandehei]

I'm not sure what good a neutral density filter will do for you, at least as it applies to weather photography. Neutral density filters are typically used in bright light when you need to slow down the shutter speed. A good example is waterfall photography, where a slower shutter speed gives the water a silky look. When dealing with weather, specifically storm chasing, you usually want to go the other way (i.e., faster shutter speed). Now the polarizer filter will come in handy for weather related photography. It's useful for darkening the sky, which can increase the contrast between the clouds and the sky. It can even cut down the haze somewhat. Also, if shooting across a body of water, a polarizer can cut down the reflective glare off of the water surface. Be sure you get a circular polarizer, not a linear polarizer (circular refers to the type of polarizer, not its shape - all screw on lens filters will be round). I could go on an on here, but I'll point you toward a couple of web sites, which I've learned a lot from. Photo.net and Luminous-Landscape are two sites that I recommend.

 

[Mark Sefried]

I always have been pleased with HOYA filters as far as brands go. Although I also have heared that B+W makes decent filters also. I suggest that you don't go with the cheap filters as they have a tendency to wash out the overall sharpness of your image.

 

[Dave Rennie]

I would also suggest having a Skylight or UV filter on each of your lenses for use whenever you're not using any other type of filter. The purpose is to protect the front element of your lens. Replacing a scratched filter or dented filter ring is a lot cheaper than repairing or replacing a lens!

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

I would also suggest having a Skylight or UV filter on each of your lenses for use whenever you're not using any other type of filter. The purpose is to protect the front element of your lens. Replacing a scratched filter or dented filter ring is a lot cheaper than repairing or replacing a lens!

I always recommend the exact opposite. Putting a UV filter in front of your expensive glass will just increase flare and slightly decrease contrast. It's pretty hard to break the front element of a lens, but on the off chance that you do -- just insure your gear.

UV filters are (IMO) a direct result of the fact that camera retailers make very little margin on the sale of bodies and lenses. They make their money on accessories, so they convince you that you need a protective filter on your glass.

 

[Patrick Martin]

I agree with Ryan on not using filters. I learned my lesson trying to shoot pics of the moon with my former XSi and a 55-250is with a filter, and got some horrible ghosting. I've also encountered flare on a former 50 1.8 with a Hoya UV filter. I've since gone filterless with the exception of a Hoya S-HMC Circular Polarizer that I carry to use for specific scenes, but otherwise don't use one. I don't worry about a couple of drops on the front element of my walkaround lens (15-85is) or a possible smudgy fingerprint if I get to close to my 13mo old daughter with one of my 30 or 85mm primes. That's what micro-fiber clothes were invented for.

 

[Greg Campbell]

I use a Pol for classic blue-sky landscapes. Shooting most severe weather, a Pol doesn't do much.

I have a 2 stop graduated ND filter that gets occasional use on my film bodies. IMO, the denser grad filters create visible side effects on most scenes. When shooting high contrast scenes with the Drebel, I just blaze several bracketed shots and smoosh the files into an HDR image.

I'll use a UV in places that are dusty, or when the odds of bashing the front element are high. My FD 17mm was once saved from a chunk of slot canyon wall by a heroic UV filter. Otherwise, I tend to leave them off - certainly when shooting lightning, sunsets, etc. where there is a notable source of very bright light. Lightning in particular does not play well with uncoated or poorly coated filters!

 

[Lanny Dean]

I'm not sure what good a neutral density filter will do for you, at least as it applies to weather photography. Neutral density filters are typically used in bright light when you need to slow down the shutter speed. A good example is waterfall photography, where a slower shutter speed gives the water a silky look. When dealing with weather, specifically storm chasing, you usually want to go the other way (i.e., faster shutter speed). Now the polarizer filter will come in handy for weather related photography. It's useful for darkening the sky, which can increase the contrast between the clouds and the sky. It can even cut down the haze somewhat. Also, if shooting across a body of water, a polarizer can cut down the reflective glare off of the water surface. Be sure you get a circular polarizer, not a linear polarizer (circular refers to the type of polarizer, not its shape - all screw on lens filters will be round). I could go on an on here, but I'll point you toward a couple of web sites, which I've learned a lot from. Photo.net and Luminous-Landscape are two sites that I recommend.

This is not entirely correct. IMO nothing beats a good ND filter. An 2-8 stop either split or graduated ND will do wonders for you....most particularly when your exposing a scene that has a significant differnce in light between the sky and ground or foreground and back. Many of us experience this almost everytime we chase. Another good example would be a good backlight tornado. Exposing for the tornado renders the baclight/sky with blown highlights and ground or foreground well underexposed. Of course, your type of metering will help as well (spot, matrix, center and so on) While it is correct that ND filters are used in bright light to help slow shutter or gain the correct shutter needed as explained above, they can and are also used to help expose sky and landscape. How useful are they in chasing?
I guess that depends on your needs and wants. I use a ND filter regulalrly when I am out.
If you can't afford a decent ND filter then just go with a CP filter. A circular polarizer will give near 2 stops of ND in and of itself and will certainly help you. All pictures I shot below with either a CP filter or a ND or even both as with the Tulsa skyline. Some people don't use any filters at all and if your not used to them or do not know how and when to use them it might do well to leave them alone until you do. Good luck!