Filters

[Groucho]

For buying, I've bought Hoya filters a couple times from Spotlight Photo on eBay. Cheap prices, quick shipping... I'll check there first next time I need to buy another filter.

I'm most definitely in the "no UV filter" crowd, too. They are an unnecessary degradation in IQ. Lens hoods give you solid protection and give a very clear and noticeable improvement in image quality.

Are there certain circumstances where a UV filter may save a lens where a lens hood wouldn't? Maybe. Am I willing to buy and use UV filters and deal with IQ loss to protect against those pretty unlikely occurances? Nope. If you're that concerned, Op/Tech and others sell foam wraps you can put around your entire camera that will help protect the rest of it.

(I also don't use an LCD protector on the back of my camera, either. I just don't like 'em. I guess I live dangerously!)

 

[PhotobearSam]

I am really looking into Infrared and have even bid on a camera on ebay...Does anyone here do IR? Do you like it?

Filter or converted camera? What company did the work?

 

[JR6ooo4]

Filter, on my sony F717. I have not tried any IR since I got the Canon Rebel.

My favorite:

what camera are you looking at? Is it fully converted to IR?

Mikeeee

 

[PhotobearSam]

Yup...looking at cameras converted to IR by companies like Life Pixel...

I was thinking I would love a DSLR converted to bring to France but now I am thinking more like a Canon G7 or S3IS converted as I want to keep the weight of all the things I need to carry each day down a bit.


I just love the look of IR...so cool. Love the one you did. I assume tripod, long exposure then some photoshop?

 

[JR6ooo4]

Yup...looking at cameras converted to IR by companies like Life Pixel...

I was thinking I would love a DSLR converted to bring to France but now I am thinking more like a Canon G7 or S3IS converted as I want to keep the weight of all the things I need to carry each day down a bit.


I just love the look of IR...so cool. Love the one you did. I assume tripod, long exposure then some photoshop?

Yes, tripod and manual exposure. It has been a while since I did that one, I think it was just autolevels in PS to get that look.

Mikeeee

 

[TheLionKing]

Since the Canon 50D is coming out, I bought a 40D that was on sale and had it converted by LifePixel to the standard IR.

What I like about it the shutter speeds I can get without having to use the deep red filter. The "colors" don't come out quite the same though, so I usually just convert it to straigh black and white.

It is definitely fun to play with and am looking forward to the spring when the mountains are greener for a better effect.

Here is one of our local train station converted to black and white.

 

[kenny]

I recently bought the Nikon D60 with the 18-55mm VR kit lens. I am leaving for Disney on Saturday and wanted to get UV and Polarizer filters. I am confused. I thought I read in the book that the Nikon lens take a 52mm filter. Is that correct or am I supposed to get a 55mm filter?

At BestBuy they had a SunPak 55mm Polarizer that says compatible with 55mm lens. Is this what I want or do I need a 52mm filter? Yet they do not sell a 52mm Polarizer in the store. Thought that was odd as there are lots of Nikon users and figured that would be something to carry. Guess that is why I was confused.

Thanks

 

[annnewjerz]

I recently bought the Nikon D60 with the 18-55mm VR kit lens. I am leaving for Disney on Saturday and wanted to get UV and Polarizer filters. I am confused. I thought I read in the book that the Nikon lens take a 52mm filter. Is that correct or am I supposed to get a 55mm filter?

At BestBuy they had a SunPak 55mm Polarizer that says compatible with 55mm lens. Is this what I want or do I need a 52mm filter? Yet they do not sell a 52mm Polarizer in the store. Thought that was odd as there are lots of Nikon users and figured that would be something to carry. Guess that is why I was confused.

Thanks

52mm would be correct! I just got my D60 and bought a neutral density filter for my kit lens. If you want to buy a 55mm filter, that's fine, you will just need to buy a step-down ring.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

That lens takes a 52mm filter. Different lenses can take different sized filters. If you look on the lens, it's usually engraved somewhere on the lens as a circle with a diagonal line through it followed by a number. That number is the filter diameter. What some do is buy filters for the largest diameter lens they have and then buy step-up rings for the rest of the lenses. You would only use a step-down ring to put a smaller filter on a larger lens, which you typically don't want to do because you'll likely get some vignetting.

Also, make sure the polarizer you get is a circular polarizer. Linear polarizers can interfere with proper metering.

 

[annnewjerz]

That lens takes a 52mm filter. Different lenses can take different sized filters. If you look on the lens, it's usually engraved somewhere on the lens as a circle with a diagonal line through it followed by a number. That number is the filter diameter. What some do is buy filters for the largest diameter lens they have and then buy step-up rings for the rest of the lenses. You would only use a step-down ring to put a smaller filter on a larger lens, which you typically don't want to do because you'll likely get some vignetting.

Also, make sure the polarizer you get is a circular polarizer. Linear polarizers can interfere with proper metering.

I've got to say, step down and step up still confuse me. If you are buying a big filter and putting it on a smaller filter size, to me, it seems logical to call it a step-down ring (sort of like pants sizes - you would go down a size). Who knows!

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I've got to say, step down and step up still confuse me. If you are buying a big filter and putting it on a smaller filter size, to me, it seems logical to call it a step-down ring (sort of like pants sizes - you would go down a size). Who knows!

One way to think of it is that the rings are always in reference to the diameter of the filter threads on the lens. You either step up the diameter or step down the diameter of the lens threads. Take a 67-77 mm ring as an example. The first number is the lens filter thread diameter, the second the filter diameter. Therefore, this one is a step-up ring. You're "stepping up" the lens diameter to match a filter that is larger than the lens diameter. If it were a 77-67 mm ring, it'd be a step-down ring because you're "stepping down" the lens diameter to match a filter that's smaller than the lens diameter.

 

[YesDear]

I believe the original poster was confused with the mm size of the lens 55mm and the size of the barrel of the lens that accepts the filter, 52mm.

I will use a step up ring on a smaller off sized lens when a larger one is normal for several other lens.

 

[Tickla]

Just wondering if DSLR's need to have filters on (like a uv one) all the time? And also, is a polarizing filter good? We bought a Nikon D40 for my DH's parents for Christmas, & the salesperson said they would need those both--thanks for the help!

 

[MICKEY88]

Just wondering if DSLR's need to have filters on (like a uv one) all the time? And also, is a polarizing filter good? We bought a Nikon D40 for my DH's parents for Christmas, & the salesperson said they would need those both--thanks for the help!

generally there are 3 schools of thought on this...

1.. those of us who will not put any extra glass between the subject and our sensor, due to image degradation, unless there is a real benefit to doing so...such as a circular polarizer to darken a blue sky and make white clouds really jump out..

2.. those who always use a filter as a form of protection for the front lens element..
those in #1 believe a lens hood does a better job of protection..

3...salespeople who will sell every filter they can, because more sales = more money in their pocket...

 

[ukcatfan]

3...salespeople who will sell every filter they can, because more sales = more money in their pocket...

We have a winner!!!

 

[PhotobearSam]

I have always had a UV filter on all my lens just as a form of protection...I was be naive but I don't usually use lenshoods so ....

I also owned a polorizer when I shot film as all my lens had a 58mm diameter and so I thought it was a good buy but only if pone knows how to use it.

 

[MICKEY88]

I have always had a UV filter on all my lens just as a form of protection...I was be naive but I don't usually use lenshoods so ....

I also owned a polorizer when I shot film as all my lens had a 58mm diameter and so I thought it was a good buy but only if pone knows how to use it.

lenshoods offer protection against bumps etc... there is a train of thought that filters being rigid/metal don't reduce shock and therefore can actually cause more damage..the breaking glass of the filter can scratch the front lens element..whereas a lens hood, usually plastic will reduce impact if the lens is dropped, kind of like the theory behind crumple zones in cars, they reduce damage to people, by absorbing the impact..

 

[Tickla]

Thanks! I knew I could find the truth here! I will pass this info along to the in-laws when they open it & let them decide.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

UV filters are inadequate for protection. Keep the lens cap on. It offers the best protection. Just make sure that you bump up your ISO and open your aperture really wide because lens caps block A LOT of light.

 

[annnewjerz]

UV filters are inadequate for protection. Keep the lens cap on. It offers the best protection. Just make sure that you bump up your ISO and open your aperture really wide because lens caps block A LOT of light.

As funny as that is, I'm embarassed to mention that I have done that plenty of times. I pick up the camera, get my shot and try to press the shutter only for my camera to tell me the subject is too dark. Doh! The lens cap was still on. Live and learn.