filters?

[vjack]

I have a new 20D on the way, and I need to get prepared. Do most of you use filters on your Canon dSLRs? If so, what type would you recommend? Please keep in mind that I'm a complete SLR newb.

[aparmley]

I put a UV filter on my 50mm lens for protection...I'd feel more comfortable cleaning the 15 dollar filter over and over than the front lens element. I have noticed no change in image quality and its good knowing that if I get out of control, that filter is there to protect the lens... I will most likely be getting one for my other lenses as well...

[Rhys]

I put a UV filter on my 50mm lens for protection...I'd feel more comfortable cleaning the 15 dollar filter over and over than the front lens element. I have noticed no change in image quality and its good knowing that if I get out of control, that filter is there to protect the lens... I will most likely be getting one for my other lenses as well...

I'd prefer better photos than put some fuzzy glass filter over the lens.

[D Thompson]

I have a new 20D on the way, and I need to get prepared. Do most of you use filters on your Canon dSLRs? If so, what type would you recommend? Please keep in mind that I'm a complete SLR newb.
I used to have a uv on all my lenses, but no more! I think there is a thread here somewhere that shows some effects. I quit after I talked to a guy at a local studio and none of his "L" glass had filters. I was shocked until he explained why. If the front glass gets scratched he can replace it for $35-$50. A decent filter cost $20-$25. In all the years with my old Canon Ae1 and now my 20D I have never scratched a filter, so why lose maybe a little quality? I am pretty anal now about the front lens cap if I will not be shooting for a bit. Just my opinion!

Dennis

[Bluedog]

I am pretty anal now about the front lens cap if I will not be shooting for a bit. Just my opinion!

Dennis

LOL ... me too and the thread I posted about UV Filters: http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7912

[jeisner]

Using a hood is also important to protect your lens, and reduces flare rather than increase it (like UV fliters)

[vjack]

Then it is settled - no filters unless I'll be shooting in conditions that would require one. It is nice to have one less expense for a change!

[Bluedog]

Wise choice ... just get in the habit of using the lens hood and keep the cap handy.

[Rhys]

Yup. Hoods and lens caps... The best way of avoiding problems. I used UV filters for years then whipped them off, noticed how much better my photos were and never used them again. Of course, if you sell the lens, put a UV filter on - it'll make the buyer think it's been there all the time and will get a higher price.

[ReF]

i'd recommend a good quality mulit-coated circular polarizer. i use a HOYA SMC version of this filter. if you are not familiar with what they do, they cut haze, reduce or eliminate reflections, and increase saturation. i also find that in many instances a polarizer darkens the sky more than the forground, enough to lower the dynamic range in a scene to a point that your camera can handle. below is a recently shot example. this was shot towards the direction of the sun where a polarizer is least effective. still, the polarizer made quite a difference. polarized shot on top, both unedited jpegs extracted from RAW files.

about UV filters, i bought good quality ones but i found that i kept taking them off. now, i only use them at the beach. when the filters get too much sea spray on them, i take them off and keep shooting. that way i avoid having to stop and clean my lenses in windy conditions where a tiny grain of sand might get between my lens and the cleaning cloth while i'm wiping it down.

[Bluedog]

Good Job ReF ... my Tiffen Circular Polarizers certainly came in handy at the Grand Canyon. Time of day was around 11:30am.

Sigma 18-125mm DC at 18mm without any filter:

http://www.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/44523058/medium.jpg

Sigma 18-125mm DC at 21mm to eliminate vigetting using the Tiffen Circular Polarizer:

http://www.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/44523059/medium.jpg

[camerafox]

i'd recommend a good quality mulit-coated circular polarizer. i use a HOYA SMC version of this filter. if you are not familiar with what they do, they cut haze, reduce or eliminate reflections, and increase saturation. i also find that in many instances a polarizer darkens the sky more than the forground, enough to lower the dynamic range in a scene to a point that your camera can handle. below is a recently shot example. this was shot towards the direction of the sun where a polarizer is least effective. still, the polarizer made quite a difference. polarized shot on top, both unedited jpegs extracted from RAW files.

about UV filters, i bought good quality ones but i found that i kept taking them off. now, i only use them at the beach. when the filters get too much sea spray on them, i take them off and keep shooting. that way i avoid having to stop and clean my lenses in windy conditions where a tiny grain of sand might get between my lens and the cleaning cloth while i'm wiping it down.

Nice comparison shots with and without a polarizer-is that Waimea Canyon on Kauai?

[vjack]

Okay, I'll add a decent circular polarizer to my list. Thanks for the recommendation.

[ReF]

Nice comparison shots with and without a polarizer-is that Waimea Canyon on Kauai?

thanks bluedog and camerafox.

camerafox: so you've been there too eh? the islands are awesome.

to anyone: i don't know which lenses people will end up with, but if you want to avoid ending up with filters that are too small in the future, i'd recommend a 77mm size. lots of high end and large aperture lenses use this size. then you just have to buy step up rings for your smaller size lenses

[cwphoto]

thanks bluedog and camerafox.

camerafox: so you've been there too eh? the islands are awesome.

to anyone: i don't know which lenses people will end up with, but if you want to avoid ending up with filters that are too small in the future, i'd recommend a 77mm size. lots of high end and large aperture lenses use this size. then you just have to buy step up rings for your smaller size lenses

...and do without your lens hood :(

[jeisner]

...and do without your lens hood :(

Most of the time its a pain to use a polariser with a hood anyway as it is bloody hard to turn the polariser... a few exceptions exists (Pentax 28-105 3.2-4.5 for example) where the included hood has a small door (cutout) at the bottom to allow you to turn a polariser even when the hood is attached, I wish all hoods had that feature...

[ReF]

hmm, never thought of the hood problem. the canon 17-40 i have comes with a huge hood so polarizers are easy to use. i use a left over 58mm filter with a step down ring with the tamron 28-75 f2.8 (since the APS sized sensor on my camera chops off the outer edges of the frame, there is no vignetting) so using it with the included hood isn't a problem either. my other lenses didn't come with a hood and one can only really be used with rear filters. i guess just buy what fits then since using a hood with a filter is important.

[ekk]

hmm so what size filter (polarizer) is recommended? right now i just have the kit lens, probably be awhile tll i can pick up a different lens. 50mm f/1.8 probably will be the next one as it is cheap.