What filters do you use?

GSDog

GSDog

GSDog

Soldato
Joined
12 Jun 2004
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Exeter
Hi all, I am new to photography and I have been enjoying it so much for the last 5 weeks! I just want to know what filters you use, and what is your favorite? I am considering getting a polarizer and I like the effect of the Infared filters. Are there any other filter's you would recommend?
 
ND Grad is useful for landscapes. But this requires a Cokin of similar filter holder etc.

Polarisers are generally useful.
 
Joe T said:
ND Grad is useful for landscapes. But this requires a Cokin of similar filter holder etc.

Polarisers are generally useful.
Click to expand...

What Joe said :)

Also, there's an argument for using the likes of a UV filter in front of the lens for protection. Some argue it degrades image quality but it's cheaper to replace a damaged filter than a front element.
 
dod said:
What Joe said :)

Also, there's an argument for using the likes of a UV filter in front of the lens for protection. Some argue it degrades image quality but it's cheaper to replace a damaged filter than a front element.
Click to expand...


I have a Polariser and a UV for protection
 
Have :
UV for lens protection
Circular Polariser for sunny days
Wratten 89B (Infra Red)
Wratten 87 (Infra Red)

On "to get" list :
Graduated ND filters
ND filters
Wratten 87C (Infra Red)

Most "classical" filters can be simulated in photoshop (red for B&W, for example)
 
apart from uv and protectors i use polarizers most.

also use a selection of nd grads, sunset(orange grad), warm up, blue, red and green for black and white photos and occasionaly use close up filters. i find it much easier to use the filters rather than trying to simulate the effects in photoshop, usually get better results too.
 
Can someone tell me what ND means? My Polarizer has just arrived and im going to try an IR filter.
 
nd means neutral density. its a grey filter that will block out a certain amount of light without affecting the colour in a picture. a nd grad is grey at the top and fades to clear at the bottom, usefull for shots where you want to balance the exposure between the ground and sky.
 
My essential filter list is just the polarizer and the skylight.

ND's and ND grads are good, but if you are using a DSLR playing with ISO settings can give you a similar effect. For the ND grad blending multiple exposures or HDR effects can have a similar effect too.

One of the problems I have with images taken with a ND grad is that they often look very obvious.
 
ND's can be very useful when you want to force a long exposure. If you want a long exposure of, say, a stream, and you're in bright sunlight, then even a high aperture and low ISO may not give you the length you need.
 
Are there any filters people would recommend for sports shooting...i.e Motorsports or indoor sports?
 
Phoenix_Cosmos said:
Yes. A UV filter.. A flying stone could be the death of your nice glass!
Click to expand...
I use one all the time for that exact reason. Having said that a stone went through the side of my flask at the snowman rally last year, if it had hit the lens a filter wouldn't have made much difference ;)
 
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