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07/06/2004 01:19:16 PM · #1 |
So I'm in the market to buy a nice little store of filters, but I'm having a bit of a hard time deciding which brand.. I know that B+W is the best, but they're also substantially more expensive - twice the price in most cases. Is it REALLY worth it to pay that much more, even if it means not being able to buy other stuff that I also need? If so, why? And if not, what other brands are reliable? Are the cheap generic brands really THAT bad? Is the degredation in image quality very noticable, and can I compensate for it in some other way? I've seen some great filter packages on eBay, has anyone ever tried this? how was your experience?
Furthermore, do I even need filters? I know that the digital darkroom can produce similar effects.. Is it worth it to invest in filters, or should I stick to photoshopping effects that I want?
These questions beg to be answered! :) |
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07/06/2004 01:28:34 PM · #2 |
A circular polarizer is a MUST if you do any kind of outdoor photography. It can dramatically improve the majority of shots taken in bright sunlight and this can't be replicated with digital editing.
I personally have only a circular polarizer and a 3x enlarging filter for macro work. Both are Quantarays from a local Ritz Camera.
P.S. UV filters are also a good way of protecting your lenses. I don't use them, but then again, I also shower during lightning storms.
Message edited by author 2004-07-06 13:32:04.
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07/06/2004 01:39:50 PM · #3 |
I've got a circular polariser, haven't used it much yet, I've also got a "skylight" UV filter as a permanent "protection" on my lens.
I'd definatley like to get a macro lens too at some point
Message edited by author 2004-07-06 13:40:12.
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07/06/2004 02:01:44 PM · #4 |
I use UV filters (to protect lenses AND to expose tree tops/greenery better in wide landscapes under bright light), circular polarizers (reduces exposure, saturates colour, increases contrast, manipulates reflections; great for dramatizing clouds, managing whites in running water with slow exposures, renders animal coats, fur and plumage etc. nicely), and graduated neutral density filters (grey only) to combat washed out and bland skies.
The best brand of filters I know of is the German-made Heliopan. I do, however, also use Nikon, Conkin (NDs) and Tamron, since a 77 mm Heliopan polarizer costs about CDN $ 300, more than I am prepared to spend.
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07/06/2004 02:44:12 PM · #5 |
Personally, I love filters. I think they are fun, and they save me hours of work in photoshop!
I always have a UV filter on (protect my lens).
I often use my circular polarizer (great for taking photos through windows or glass and for taking photos where the sky not blue enough).
I use my star 8 filter during the holidays to make everything twinkle just a little more.
I use my +1, +2 & +4 diopter set every week (for macros / closeups)
I have a diffuser that I don't use often, but i want to since I love photos taken with these. I just don't have the artistic skill to capture the moment right without people complaining that the picture is not in focus.
I have red1 filters for black/white photos to make them very very high contrast/stark (but i use these on my 35mm since my canon 10d doesn't have a b/w mode).
I want to get an ND filter because I LOVE how the colors pop when you use these!!!
I use any brand I find, I can always take out imperfections in PS later if needbe.
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07/06/2004 03:42:06 PM · #6 |
I have a few lenses for my Digital Rebel and a few for my Dimage7i. The ones for the Dimage are round screw in lenses, the Rebel's ones are Cokin.
THis is what I have for the Rebel:
Liner Polarizer (I know, I should get a circular)
Gradual Fog 1
Gray ND 2
Warm 81A
Gradual Gray G1
Sunset 1 (I still have to see a natural looking sunset with this filter)
Yellow
Diffuser 1
There's a few more I wanna get, but then again I want to get so many things I would need a whole year's salary.
June
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