Question on filters?

Question

Pixie had a good question, and I want to follow up by asking the real camera buffs what different filters they own for their digial cameras. I stopped buying filters years ago for my 35mm, and was used to paying $13 to $15 for each. Went to local camera store to snoop around and was shocked by sticker price of $48- for 1 filter.

Answer 1

I've got a UV filter on my 18-200 lens and (oddly enough) a Skylight filter on my 17-55. I think I was going to compare to see what the difference was and I never paid much attention to this. I never had filters on my lenses before I got into the high-price spread of pro level lenses. I guess I have fallen for the idea of protecting the investment. You can also get optically pure plain glass filters, although I don't think either the UV or the Skylight make much difference - if any. I did a comparison recently, since someone else asked about this.

"This is a sample image for those who ask whether a UV filter will alter the colors in a digital camera image. Download the image, cut a small section out of the top half and drag it to the same section in the bottom half and see what you think. The photos were taken about 15 seconds apart in subdued sunlight, so I think the lighting was virtually identical for each. There was no post-processing at all so you can make a fair comparison."
Nikon D200 - ISO 100 - 18-200 VR lens @ 112 mm - f/5.3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/441244796/

I also own a circular polarizer for my 17-55 lens. I bought this for a specific job where I had to shoot through a glass display window and then shoot some photos in an exhibit that were under glass. I have used it only a couple of times other than that job, but I always had a polarizer for my film cameras. It's nice to use on a sunny day or especially if you are doing any shooting near water. Talk about "not cheap." Price a circular polarizer from Hoya for a 77 mm lens!

I used to have ND filters for the film camera also, but so rarely used them I gave them away. I can see how a split ND2 or ND4 would be nice at times, but I never tried one.

Answer 2

I happened to answer that question by Pixie: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlSDbjUmS2EvK8On4lk648nsy6IX?qid=20070405013921AAPqOAs&show=7#profile-info-376abf017f5ceda0dc7a5f6414b42db2aa
I'm no expert on filters but here's what I use:
For my 50mm f/1.4: Nothing. I bought it used with a cheap uv-filter attached and I tossed that filter in the garbage. I didn't want an extra layer of glass to possibly cost me a fraction of a stop or introduce ghosting or flare. I sometimes use this lens in jazz cafes etc. with terrible lighting.
For my 70-210 telezoom and 60mm micro: Again, nothing. I don't use them enough to invest in filters.
For my 17-55 f/2.8: Two filters. This was a $1200 lens so when I wanted filters I bought expensive ones without giving the price a second thought. I use a 77mm B+W UV MRC as permanent protection and a Hoya CP filter (when I use the CP, I simply stack them). I also keep the hood permanently attached.
Like I said in my answer to Pixie, I might one day add an ND grad filter for the 17-55, but other than that I can't see myself needing anything. I use a dSLR, so I can set a custom white balance on the camera and make various other adjustments in Photoshop.
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Just checking back to read the second response & I noticed my thumbs-down. I don't have a problem with that but I am curious if / where my thinking was wrong...
Interestng topic. And a popular one, too. Here's today's third question about filters: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgExnMjkMVk2PRnYlESJdvm0xQt.?qid=20070405115201AA0KhdW

Answer 3

i mainly use the UV filters for protection ....the UV filters r the cheapest and don't produce a significant effect on the shoots
...the other type i have is the circular polarizing which i use rarely...
i believe that filters and their effects r efficient with the film SLRs but with digital cameras u don't need their effect since there's alot of computer software which acts much better....and that made me going with UV filters for protection .