What are the UV Haze Filter and Circular Polarizer for? I have Nikon D50 SLR, should I buy these stuff?

Answer 1

Hi, good ?

UV Haze filters cut down on Haze, hence the name. The slightly reduce glare. The filter also protects your lens from dust and scratches-well worth the $20.

A circular polarizer is a different horse altogether. It will cut down glare more effectively than a UV filter, but can also be used to darken the sky. Polarizers cause light, which normally travels in all directions, to enter the lens in one direction only-so you can eliminate reflections in windows, water, ect. It will, as noted above, cause colors to appear more saturated because it has elimated stray light. You have to be standing at a 45 degree angle from the reflection and rotate the filter. You will see the image become darker and the reflections disappear. It is very cool. I consider this filter indispensible.

40 years shooting.

Have loads of fun,

PS-I read some of the later answers and cannot emphasize enough two points brought out:

One- leave the haze filter on the lens all of the time.

Two-Only put the polarizer on when you want the effect as it will cost you 2-21/2 stops.

Also, kudos to the lens hood person, it is very helpful with flare, but I don't feel it replaces the haze filter.

Good shooting to you all,

jeannie

Answer 2

I will agree with the second answer, but instead of what one person said, I would get the haze filter also. They do radically different things and if y ou leave the Haze filter on the camera, it serves the double purpose stated in the second answer.

There are two different types of polarizers - probably more than that. Check with yoru camera store about which one you really need.

There is also a plethora of other filters that modify pictures. One group is specifically for black and white and can do some things that you would not think could be done. The others are for color. I suggest you get a book on filters alone.

Knowing how to use filters often is one ofthe marks of a professional.

Another group of filters have special purposes, such as a star filter, fog filter, spot filter and things like that. The only problem is that filters cost a few bucks and to get all you want might be an expensive ordeal.

Check with people like www.keh.com, camera stores that have a "junk" counter, etc and find those things cheaply.

Answer 3

Do NOT keep a polarizer on your lens all the time! It will take at least 1 or 2 stops of light away, and give you results you don't always want! (Unnaturally dark skies, for instance.)

The haze filter is OK to live on your lens, it will protect the front element and haze is almost universal now. Be aware, the more elements you introduce, the greater the chance of lens flare or ghosting. So buy a decent UV filter if you're planning that route. A lens hood will actually protect the lens just as well, and reduce lens flare as well.

The polarizer is great to use to saturate color, particularly on a wet day, it reduces the glare from the sky on wet landscapes. In a pinch, you can use it as a mild neutral density filter. If you only have one filter, the polarizer should be the one!

Answer 4

You're a new father? Congratulations! In that case, I suggest you just buy the D50 and a good lens. My reasoning is this: 1. The D50 is a great camera for what you want to do. 2. You get to save your money for the more important things in life, like family and travel. 3. Once the D80 becomes available, Nikon will have already announced the D90 ;-) It never ends... 4. If you do decide to wait, by the time the D80 becomes available you would have already taken *tons* of great photos of your son with the D50! Trust me, in a few years those photos will be worth more to you than 10MP. BTW, the Nikon 50/1.8 is a cheap, sharp, and great lens for taking natural low-light baby portraits. Mom holding baby near a window in the early morning light: can't be beat! You might also want to look into getting an external flash like a SB-600 (or SB-800 if you can handle the cost and size) and triggering it wirelessly with the built-in flash which can also give you very nice lighting. Good luck and have fun taking photos

Answer 5

Polarizing filter increase color saturation, giving your richer and more intense hues, greener grass, redder roses, bluer skies.
and it eliminate most objects that reflect a certain amount of glare or reflections, giving richer colors.Creates a ummm, dramatic looking picture.Should definitly get Polarizer filter

Answer 6

Go for the polarizer... you don't need both.

They also help protect your lense an keep it cleaner.

beaux