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02/21/2006 12:57:29 PM · #1 |
Well, since deciding on what lenses (Tamron SP 24-135 and Sigma 100-300, wide lens will wait) to get. I need to know more about filters. If there is a site I could read about it I'd appreciate the link. Otherwise, here's my question. I have a pretty general idea of what each filter does. My question is...which to get and is 1 brand really better than the next? The Tamron uses 72mm and the Sigma uses 82mm which doesn't help monetarily, but oh well.
1. UV Filter is a must
2. Polarizing filter - these I see come in varying degrees. How can I determine which is right for me?
3. Neutral Density Filter - not sure what this one is for?
I've read this thread. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My primary shooting would be outdoor sports, hopefully on a 65 degree sunny day (wish they could all be like that).
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02/21/2006 01:16:53 PM · #2 |
If you're going to get a UV filter (the camps are split as to whether or not it's worth it) make sure you get a good one since they do in fact degrade image quality.
For a polarizing filter, go with a multicoated one...Hoya or B&W are the better ones. You don't need ultra slim or pro or whatever...Hoya HMC is fine...don't know about B&W stuff.
Neutral density filters cut the light evenly so you can slap it on and reduce the shutter speed (great for getting silky water). If your camera has a crop you can get step down rings and buy cheaper filters (I have a Tamron 19-35 that takes 77mm filters but on my 20d I can step it down to 58mm with no vignetting). |
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02/21/2006 03:23:47 PM · #3 |
As cresus mentioned, there are basically two camps regarding UV/Haze filters.
Here's an interesting read regarding the subject: //www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-feb-05.shtml
Polarizer: if you're going to be shooting outdoors, can definitely be helpful. This is probably the most popular filter. Any circular polarizer should be fine. Personally, I went with cheap, but not cheapest...I also didn't feel I needed to spend extra for the best 'pro' CPL.
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02/21/2006 03:32:49 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by tsheets:
Here's an interesting read regarding the subject: //www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-feb-05.shtml
Polarizer: if you're going to be shooting outdoors, can definitely be helpful. This is probably the most popular filter. Any circular polarizer should be fine. Personally, I went with cheap, but not cheapest...I also didn't feel I needed to spend extra for the best 'pro' CPL. |
Interesting article. Makes perfect sense though. Thanks.
Edited for spelling
Message edited by author 2006-02-21 15:33:39.
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02/21/2006 03:41:31 PM · #5 |
Regarding that luminous landscape article, I would have preferred to see the same shot with the filter taken off to see if that flare/ghosting was gone. I've often taken shots with bright lights without a filter b/c of concen about flares and got flares anyway on my Tamron 17-35, even with the hood on.
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02/21/2006 04:41:28 PM · #6 |
I agree, yido. I thought the same thing. I want to see the difference visually in an article like that. But, it was an interesting read, anyway. I'm not convinced 100% either way at this point.
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02/21/2006 05:40:30 PM · #7 |
I've seen a lot of shots where sharpness and contrast drastically changed with filter on and off. You're always going to have flare with cheap UV filters but flare isn't really what I was talking about with respect to the UV filter. Mainly that you're going to lose what people love in their expensive lenses...contrast and sharpness.
So I've stopped using UV filters. |
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02/21/2006 05:54:53 PM · #8 |
Hmmm,
This test of real world images using none, cheap, and expensive UV filters on a 70-200L IS lens is pretty good.
//www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/uvtest
I'd be interested in what folks have to say.
The only time I've seen filters affect my shots are flares when shooting timed exposures in the dark, where a bright light causes flares. I've see them in the LCD when I chimp, so I started to take the filters off and they were gone. Maybe I should have saved those images.
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