Which filters?

[Krioni]

Which filters would you guys suggest (if any)? I'm really just trying to get into photography so I'd like to experiment with a range of picture types.

Are certain name brands better than others, or is this something that's kind of basic an you get whatever's cheapest?

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Jawo]

B+W, Heliopan, and Hoya tend to be the best and most used. http://hvstar.net/ is a great website for great discounts on the filters!

 

[OdiN]

B+W are arguably the best, but you usually pay for them.

Hoya offers filters in a range of different prices. If you get their SHMC's you should be fine.

 

[Krioni]

Which *types* of filters do you recommend? I understand UV is universally recommended for the protection of your gear, but what else after that?

 

[corkyg]

I protect all my lenses with UV filters (Hoya or Heliopan.) Then I use circular polarizers in certain situations. (Also Hoya.) That's about it unless you want special effects.

 

[soydios]

I use all Hoya filters, because they're a good bang for your buck. I use the multi-coated UV filters to protect all my lenses' front elements, and I have 52mm and 72mm circular polarizers.

Beyond UV filters and Circular Polarizing filters, there isn't really any need for anything else, unless you do UV/IR photography. Any other color filter effects can be added in post-processing.

 

[Krioni]

Great! Thank you guys for the info. I'll try to get my hands on a UV and Polarizer filter.

What does the Multi-Coated part mean? Does that increase durability or effectiveness?

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: Krioni
Great! Thank you guys for the info. I'll try to get my hands on a UV and Polarizer filter.

What does the Multi-Coated part mean? Does that increase durability or effectiveness?

Multi coated lenses basically means that it will attract less dust, and make it harder for fingerprints to show. The difference between Hoya's SHMC and B+W's MRC is nearly amazing!

 

[Krioni]

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: Krioni
Great! Thank you guys for the info. I'll try to get my hands on a UV and Polarizer filter.

What does the Multi-Coated part mean? Does that increase durability or effectiveness?

Multi coated lenses basically means that it will attract less dust, and make it harder for fingerprints to show. The difference between Hoya's SHMC and B+W's MRC is nearly amazing!

With which one being better?

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: Krioni

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: Krioni
Great! Thank you guys for the info. I'll try to get my hands on a UV and Polarizer filter.

What does the Multi-Coated part mean? Does that increase durability or effectiveness?

Multi coated lenses basically means that it will attract less dust, and make it harder for fingerprints to show. The difference between Hoya's SHMC and B+W's MRC is nearly amazing!

With which one being better?

Ooops....The B+W being better and of course more expensive. The 67mm KSM MRC Circular Polarizer was $100....its $130 at B&H!

One another note...I want to get one of these filters

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: Krioni
Great! Thank you guys for the info. I'll try to get my hands on a UV and Polarizer filter.

What does the Multi-Coated part mean? Does that increase durability or effectiveness?

Multi coated lenses basically means that it will attract less dust, and make it harder for fingerprints to show. The difference between Hoya's SHMC and B+W's MRC is nearly amazing!

actually, totally the reverse. multi-coating means that dust, fingerprints, and condensation stick more easily, and are more of a problem. but, the multi-coated filter reflects less light, allowing more to hit the sensor, and significantly reducing flare and ghosting caused by bright objects in the photo (like the sun).

almost all lens elements have been coated-glass for a long time now. it's how I can take my 16-element 18-200VR lens and shoot directly into the sun, with minimal ghosts. if every piece of glass in your lens is multicoated, then shouldn't the filter on the front be, as well?

 

[blackhawk]

why dont you just take some pics for a bit before spending money on filters, it can get expensive and if you want to learn about them you can apply most filters through software like adobe photoshop and test the effects on pictures you take

at 25 to 75 a filter its expensive and time consuming swapping them out for shots

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: blackhawk
why dont you just take some pics for a bit before spending money on filters, it can get expensive and if you want to learn about them you can apply most filters through software like adobe photoshop and test the effects on pictures you take

at 25 to 75 a filter its expensive and time consuming swapping them out for shots

Yes, but its a good idea to spend ~$20-$30 for a UV filter to protect the front element of an expensive lens. I don't swap between shots and purely use the UV/haze filter as protection for my lenses.

 

[Krioni]

Yeah, I think I've decided to simply get a UV filter for lens protection at this point. I think I have gotten myself way too caught up getting neato accessories, etc. and not caught up enough in simply enjoying the fact that I now have a great tool to begin learning how to take decent, and eventually good pictures.

 

[pennylane]

Originally posted by: Krioni
Yeah, I think I've decided to simply get a UV filter for lens protection at this point. I think I have gotten myself way too caught up getting neato accessories, etc. and not caught up enough in simply enjoying the fact that I now have a great tool to begin learning how to take decent, and eventually good pictures.

Yeah that's good. The only other filter you may want to consider soon is a circular polarizer for reflections and stuff. The rest you can mimic in photoshop (to some degree).

 

[virtuamike]

I have a Rodenstock circular polarizer that I use occasionally. Other than that, I don't bother with filters.