Which filter?

[ldibo]

The lens I am using most on my Rebel XT right now is my 50mm 1.4 with hood. I want to get a filter for it. Which would be the best to keep on it at all times. Thanks.

Lynn

 

[boBQuincy]

You will likely get two distinct answers to this question, here is one.
No filter.

You have a $800 camera and a $300 lens, almost any filter you put on it will cause degradation to the image for which you just paid so much. Some filters are better than others but none are as good as no filter at all.

Protect the lens with the hood. If you must use a filter get a good multicoated one but be prepared to spend some $$$ for them.


boB, sitting back and waiting for the "always use a filter" group to arrive.

 

[mhutchinson]

Yes, you don't want to bring up the filter no filter debate. I have used them on most of my lenses for years. Personally I would rather frame a shot with a filter than spend hours trying to correct the problems with a photo editor.

B&W makes a very good UV filters that produce nice results with minimal reflection (thus the prior multi-coated suggestion), for a slightly lower priced option I have used both Hoya and Canon filters. If you want to spend almost as much as the lens you could look at Sing-Ray.

Mike

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I'm the odd one out.

I use filters for ALL my lenses except for my 50mm f/1.8 (at the time I thought I will never use a 50mm lens to get paid so I bought the cheaper one) and for the price for a decent filter, I can buy another 50m f/1.8, so I decided to buy a rubber lens hood bought used through eBay for $5 including shipping and can't be happier. Now it's my most used lens for portrait assignments.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I love to show people my cameras. Especialy now that I have accidental damage insurance. Like dropping it! And a UV is great protection from misplaced fingers.
Mikeeee

ps I paid $110 for a 72mm polarizer for my 28-135 IS

 

[jockey]

I have 2 lenses and I use UV filters mainly protect them - could prove expensive if you need to have the lenses repaired or replaced!

 

[ldibo]

Thanks for the information guys. I'm not interested in a big debate though on whether to use one or not. If you use filters, what kinds of filters do you use? Thanks.

Lynn

 

[jockey]

Lynn I am very new to the world of photography at the moment I only buy UV filters mainly to protect my lenses while I learn what the other filters do!!

 

[boBQuincy]

I use a polarizer whenever I can. Not too many other filters are useful to me as I can get the same (or better) effects in Photoshop after the fact. Others on this board still use filters instead of PS, it's a personal preference.
I suppose it depends if you prefer to blame your mistakes on the equipment or the software!

I sometimes use a ND filter to allow long exposures in bright light (think dreamy waterfalls) but the polarizer can do much of that as well.

In any case get the best filters you can afford, multicoated at least. And try not to stack them, besides flare and image degradation you can quickly run into vignetting.


boB