Basicly I would like to know if filters are all they are cracked up to be I have a slr/compact crossover and I am wondering if filters are nesessarily the right way to improve my photography? Any advice
yes... there are things you can do with filters you cannot do is post... circ pol filters to clear up relections and haze come to mind, same with grad filters and ND filters to let you keep the shutter open longer in bright areas...
but they may or may not fit with your style that is up to you...
Because I cannot afford a macro lens right now I made the small investment into some macro filters, and they really do work, not like a lens mind you . . . but a good, cheap start to practicing macro shots! Also use a UV filter . . .
@jackcaulfield When it comes to filters, there are really only 3 filters you will ever need.
The first is a Circular Polarizer Filter. This filter can be used at about 30 degree angles to the direction of the sun to block out unwanted reflections on the surface of water or on the side of glass buildings. It can also be used to enhance blue skies and separate white clouds from that sky. I never shoot a landscape without using a CPL filter.
Then there are Neutral Density filters. These filters are used to decrease the amount of light entering your camera. This allows you to use slower shutter speeds in full daylight for nifty effects. You can also purchase Gradual ND Filters that are dark at the top and clear at the bottom. This helps you to darken a very bright sky so you can have the sky and landscape the same exposure.
The only other filter you'll ever really want, which isn't much of a filter in the first place, is a UV filter. The UV filter makes an almost-unnoticeable difference but serves to protect the front of your lenses from becoming scratched. Very useful considering the most expensive UV filter only runs about $50, but lenses cost hundreds of dollars.
These are the only filters that make any difference on a camera. It doesn't matter how good Photoshop eventually gets, you can never replicate the conditions of these filters.
@jasonbarnette@lynnmwatson@icywarm thank you all for you help i dont have much spare cash at the moment and would like to invest in the right kind so what you all had to say will really help me. So massive thanks!
The soft filter is great for backlit sujects as seen below and cannot be easily faked in Photoshop
the polarizing filter is great for shots with water or windows as it removes reflection. Colored filters are great for black and white photography but can be dubbed in Photoshop.
I also use infrared filters(720 and 750)
@jackcaulfield When it comes to pricing, CPL filters are just as good cheap as the most expensive you can buy. I have a $10 CPL and a $140 CPL, and they both produce the same results.
When it comes to ND filters, you will want to spend more money here. Cheaper ND filters tend not to be so "neutral", turning your photos a shade of gray. B+W makes good ones for about $50 each (they come in about four different strengths).
You do not, however, want to use colored filters for shooting B&W photos. For one thing, you still want to shoot them in full-color with your camera and render them in B&W in Photoshop. If you use color filters, it will distort colors and produce some funky results.
I use em. All depends on you. Some do get filter crazy though. There some filters, like an FL-D that you really don't need for digital, as it is more for film, etc.
@meshinka@jasonbarnette@moncooga Thank you all for helping me to make an informed decision as to what filters to get I will post some picture with filters soon wish me luck LOL
Hey Jack, I'd been wondering about his myself so thanks for posting this. I have the UV filter on one lens all the time and had been looking at others and also reading up on what they do. I got more info from your replies!!! I was also looking at the 8 point star filter but don't know how much use I would get out of it. I do know the results look pretty cool though. @meshinka@jasonbarnette@moncooga thank you so much for the info!!!
@kdrinkie@jackcaulfield Just for giggles, I do use a post process filter program sometimes. It does a good job on some, but not everything (like Jordan said...Polarizers do not work post).
Check out Tiffen DFX. Made by the filter company. 99 bucks. It also does different film process techniques. I like it a lot.
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but they may or may not fit with your style that is up to you...
The first is a Circular Polarizer Filter. This filter can be used at about 30 degree angles to the direction of the sun to block out unwanted reflections on the surface of water or on the side of glass buildings. It can also be used to enhance blue skies and separate white clouds from that sky. I never shoot a landscape without using a CPL filter.
Then there are Neutral Density filters. These filters are used to decrease the amount of light entering your camera. This allows you to use slower shutter speeds in full daylight for nifty effects. You can also purchase Gradual ND Filters that are dark at the top and clear at the bottom. This helps you to darken a very bright sky so you can have the sky and landscape the same exposure.
The only other filter you'll ever really want, which isn't much of a filter in the first place, is a UV filter. The UV filter makes an almost-unnoticeable difference but serves to protect the front of your lenses from becoming scratched. Very useful considering the most expensive UV filter only runs about $50, but lenses cost hundreds of dollars.
These are the only filters that make any difference on a camera. It doesn't matter how good Photoshop eventually gets, you can never replicate the conditions of these filters.
Jack
the polarizing filter is great for shots with water or windows as it removes reflection. Colored filters are great for black and white photography but can be dubbed in Photoshop.
I also use infrared filters(720 and 750)
When it comes to ND filters, you will want to spend more money here. Cheaper ND filters tend not to be so "neutral", turning your photos a shade of gray. B+W makes good ones for about $50 each (they come in about four different strengths).
You do not, however, want to use colored filters for shooting B&W photos. For one thing, you still want to shoot them in full-color with your camera and render them in B&W in Photoshop. If you use color filters, it will distort colors and produce some funky results.
Jack
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/filters.htm
@meshinka @jasonbarnette @moncooga thank you so much for the info!!!
Check out Tiffen DFX. Made by the filter company. 99 bucks. It also does different film process techniques. I like it a lot.
i dont have any other filters, but have used the circular polarizers, and they are pretty great... good luck