Do you use filters with your camera?

[RBennett]

Ok, so here's my daily "Clueless" question; do you recommend filters for your lens when shooting and if so, what type of filters do you use? I've seen different types of filters that are supposed to help keep the picture from getting washed out, but to me it looked like there were sunglasses in front of the camera so I'm not sure if filters are that great. If the camera makes a difference, I'm using a Pentax K100.

 

[RBennett]

Ok, so you can disregard this post. I found the previous thread from early March on this subject and I heard that people didn't want to start this debate again, so I don't want there to be any "debates". But if you DO want to chime in, feel free.

 

[jann1033]

i don't think most would debate about a circular polarizer and maybe a neutral density i use the first and plan on getting the second, now uv filters do= heated debate so that's all i'll say on the subject

 

[0bli0]

yup, same here. circular polariser, neutral density and occasionally IR pass (r72) filter.

and a hood

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I just got a CP ... I like what it can do.

I'd also like to have an ND so I can slow down my shutter outdoors to get that silky waterfall effect....

OK, without starting any flamewars, can someone explain, briefly, what's the big deal about a UV filter? Aren't they just for added lens protection while walking around?

 

[Groucho]

The debate over UV filters is that, while they performed an actual image-quality task on a film camera, that same task is not necessary on a digital camera. So, the only reason to use one is for protection of the front lens element. The debate is, do you need the protection (I generally don't think you do, especially if you have a lens hood on), and if you want your expensive lens shooting through a cheap piece of glass all the time. While it theoretically shouldn't make much of a difference, it can only degrade the image.

Personally, I'd rather put the money towards better things.

For other lenses, I sometimes use a circular polarizer (but it's not nearly as "magical" as I had hoped) and I do have a cross screen (4-point star) filter that I use rarely.

 

[jann1033]

i lied.. i have a bunch of star, soft spot etc old filters i use maybe once every 6000 shots
i did see an article about uv filters that did a comparison test between a cheaper one( tiffen, remeber that brand as it is the one i had) an expensive one( thinking b&w but could be wrong) and none and the tiffen lost by a mile...so i started using just hoods. probably i'd use a uv for protection if i was going something really disgustingly dirty or during a sand storm or something just as an"incase" but my thinking is my oldest uv filters are scratchless so what are the chances of my lens getting scratched.

 

[deletedpenguin]

CP filter. That's it for now.