Filters

[sjt269]

Hey all

Got a Fuji S5600 and I'm wondering if I can get any filters to fit this camera? I've been seeing all these great shots on the forum, and people keep talking about all the various filters they use, or think others should use etc etc. I've got a particular interest in infra-red (got some very good ideas for those kind of shots) but I've no idea if I can get a filter to fit my camera. I did quickly measure the lens with a ruler, but I got a size that didn't match up with any filter sizes I've seen on the internet, so either my ruler or my eyeball was a little bit out.

Anyway, if someone could enlighten me about what the various filters actually do, and which ones I could use on my camera (or which would be beneficial to use?) then I'd appreciate it. Anyone who's interested can check out my makeshift photo galery in my sig (I never get many comments when I post my pics, so the gallery is going in my sig to try to provoke some responses). It's the usual story of sky shots that's made me post this - skies always seem blown out (I know I could combine images etc, I'm just a little reluctant to do that - I'm quite proud of getting good images with minimal post processing).

Thanks
tTz

 

[sjt269]

So what exactly is a circular polariser, then? What's the benefit of having one?

:edit:

Ah. The camera has '55mm' and a diameter symbol written right beneath the lens. Should've noticed that, methinks.

 

[sjt269]

Cool, I'll take a look. Interesting that you say a UV filter can protect the lens...if I were to be taking pictures of a sunset, would it be a good idea to have a kind of filter? I've wondered that a few times, actually, but never got round to asking.


:edit:

Oh, any preferred makes of filters? I've seen the name 'Hoya' talked about a lot, but dunno if they're the top-end filters, or what. I'm looking at filters on a retailer's website just now.


:edit2:

Just found a Hoya IR filter that would fit my camera for £30.99, which seems promising. While I've got a thread open, has anyone got any links to IR photography tutorials? I seem to recall IR shots needing custom white balances, but I don't know what kind of setting it would need.

 

[sjt269]

I dont want to confuse you but the R72 filter only lets in IR light and the in-built filter in the camera stops IR light, so if you attach an R72 to a camera with inbuilt IR reduction, your not going to get much of a photo

Yeah, I'm going to try to find out this stuff. I've got exams for the next month, and I'm not buying anything til they're done, so I'm going to wait a bit, do my research, and get something that's as near as certain to work as I can get.

Depending on how much IR light is around, and how sensitive your camera is to IR light, exposures can take anywhere between a few seconds up to a few minutes. So if your camera only does a few seconds max exposure, then IR may be a no go.

My camera does 15s max exposure. Dunno if there's any way to make it longer (kinda wish there was, then when I get a decent telescope I could do some astrophotography with it) but I seem to recall someone, might have been yourself, saying that in bright sunlight, 4s was all that was needed. I know that was with a different camera to mine, and it's likely not going to be the same, but I'm gambling on 15s being enough in bright environments, and if it's not, then the filter shall go on evilbay and I'll not get too wound up about it.

 

[sjt269]

So, in a nutshell, the review basically says that it's possible, but requires post processing work on levels to get it to look good? I'm perfectly comfortable to shoot in manual with longer exposure times, as suggested in the review, if that's what I'd need to do. Or is it just not bothering with?

I'll get myself a CP filter or something instead if IR would be a waste of money, since I'd like to keep trying to improve my pictures, however I can.