For questions pertaining to photographic filters, which are usually glass or plastic accessories that are either screwed onto the lens or otherwise added in the optical path.
8
votes
4answers
2k views
Screw-in or square filters in the field?
I currently carry a circular polarizer and a screw-in 4X ND with me in the field. I've decided it's time to upgrade my filters, because there are too many times when I really need an 8X ND (or more) ...
5
votes
2answers
215 views
What type of filters should I get for high sunny conditions?
I'm planning a trip in Sri Lanka and Maldives Islands next month. In such sunny conditions, I would like to buy filters for a Pentax K20-D, to be able to take pictures of the sea, the beach, etc. (but ...
12
votes
7answers
2k views
What is the difference between using an ND filter versus 2 polarizers?
I know what an ND filter does. I know what a polarizer does. I also know what two polarizers stacked together and rotated properly do.
So the question: why should I use an ND filter to achieve a ...
1
vote
1answer
193 views
“Grown Graphic” filters - legit or fakes?
I went to buy a Nikon lens here in China for my D5100 and the salesman tried to talk me into buying a protective filter by "Grown Graphic".
My scam-radar lit up for two reasons:
this is China
there ...
4
votes
2answers
225 views
Why are doubled polarization filters as continuous ND not popular? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the difference between using an ND filter versus 2 polarizers?
One thing I was always wondering when it comes to ND filters is why there's need for such a large ...
1
vote
3answers
605 views
Would a polarizing filter help get better images from a security camera pointed out a window?
I'm evaluating some security cameras for home use.
To avoid vandalism, I'm probably going to have to position the cameras inside the house, facing out the windows into a not very intense southern ...
14
votes
5answers
3k views
What should I look for in a polarising filter?
I am wanting to invest in a polarising filter for my camera (a Canon T2i/550D). What sort of things should I be looking for? What differentiates a good polariser from a bad one? Are there any brands ...
1
vote
2answers
286 views
Could a filter damage the curved front element of the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM?
I just got the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM and I really want to put a UV filter on the lens to protect the front element, but I feel uneasy screwing one on because of the curved front element. I ...
1
vote
3answers
3k views
What filters fit a Sony E-Mount 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens?
I have a Sony Nex-5 with the E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS. I want to know if I can buy these macro filters.What I should be looking out for?
2
votes
2answers
474 views
Why am I getting dark spots with my Singh-Ray 77mm vari-ND filter?
I've been using a Singh-Ray vari-ND with my Panasonic GH1, and I'm seeing obvious dark spots in the image. On a lower setting the left and right side of the image have dark lines and when I go to a ...
4
votes
2answers
225 views
Why do the noon skies look nasty in these photos, and what can I do about it?
Posted for evaluation. Why is the sky so nasty? These images where shot at high noon with a polarizer. Is there a way to "clean up" the sky. Keep in mind also these have already been processed in post ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Hoya HD vs B+W XS-Pro filters?
I've read reviews of the Hoya HD line of lens filters that say they're the best filters on earth.
I've read reviews of the B+W XS-Pro line that say the exact same thing.
How do these filter lines ...
1
vote
2answers
191 views
Does an NDX400-equivalent exist for a 95mm filter thread?
I found this beauty at a low price and I would like to shoot the sun. That would require me to use an NDX400 but I can't find it for a 95mm filter screw. Does it even exist?
1
vote
1answer
615 views
Are there modern lenses with a 49mm filter diameter?
I have found four color-filters in my desk: intense red, orange, light green and light blue. Are there lenses with 49mm filter size which these could be used with?
13
votes
2answers
1k views
Which suits better for hobby usage: extension tubes vs. close-up filter?
I am looking to do a little macro work, but am not ready to invest in a macro lens. For hobby work like photographing flowers and such would it be better to invest in a set of extension tubes or in a ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
What is an appropriate set of filters for a Canon PowerShot SX30 IS?
I'm buying a Canon PowerShot SX30 IS camera, and also would like to buy a filter to protect its lens. I would like to have complete set of filters ranging from polarized, starburst, UV, and red for ...
3
votes
2answers
298 views
How to shop for a lens filter?
What should I consider when shopping for a lens filter?
I see filters that range from $15 to $115 and more. What are the differences between the $15 and the $115 filter?
I'm asking in the ...
18
votes
4answers
927 views
What types of filters are there and what's their use?
I have basic idea of what a filter is and what it is used for. I would like to know what are the different types of filters are available and if possible would love to have the following questions ...
11
votes
4answers
747 views
How can I use wide aperture with fill flash?
I was working with an off-camera flash this weekend for some portraits of my son. I was shooting in medium sunlight (early morning, partly cloudy, w/ some shade), and I like the lighting control I ...
2
votes
2answers
531 views
What are best brands and (side) effects of UV filters?
I just bought a Canon T2i and I'm concerned that I need a UV filter (for protection) and I have some questions.
What are the best brands of filters?
What (side)effects filters brings to the table?
...
5
votes
1answer
3k views
What effect does UV filter provide?
I know that I should always use a filter on my lens to protect the camera lens, however, exactly what impact to the picture does using a UV filter have since that is the one most often used? Do I ...
7
votes
2answers
504 views
How to determine optimal color correction filters for a sensor?
Originally, this question was titled: How to detemine native color temperature of a sensor?
For questions about warming filters and color filters in general, leading answers indicate that for optimal ...
20
votes
4answers
896 views
Do ND filters increase the dynamic range that a camera can 'see'?
I am attempting to work out, conceptually, how the use of a neutral density filter effects the resulting captured image.
Do ND filters allow a camera to capture higher contrast scenes (without ...
36
votes
7answers
3k views
Are there reasons to use colour filters with digital cameras?
Digital photos can have colour filters applied after the fact by software, so are there any good reasons to use colour filters with a digital camera? As I understand it, the main reason for them ...
3
votes
1answer
216 views
What do all the polarizing filter acronyms mean?
I was shopping for a decent polarizing filter for my camera, but I got confused by all the acronyms and the variance in prices. For example in B&H stores, you can filter by Polarizer Combination:
...
12
votes
3answers
1k views
What are neutral density filters and how do I use them to create long exposures in daylight?
I've seen a few related posts on the site but nothing specifically on this point:
I'd like to be able to take long exposure photos during daylight (like the examples in this Flickr group). I'm told ...
9
votes
4answers
398 views
Why do filter sizes vary for lenses of the same focal length?
I have a Nikkor 18-55 kit lens that has a 52mm filter, and recently I was looking that the 17-55 lens has a 77mm filter.
Is it because the latter is a better quality lens? I assume a bigger circle ...
0
votes
0answers
137 views
What filters would you recommend for a digital SLR beginner/medium [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are the must-have filters for a new photographer?
I am a beginner/medium experience digital SLR user, and would like to start using some filters with some of my ...
21
votes
7answers
786 views
How do you handle the varying sizes of filters in your kit?
I have a variety of Nikon DX lenses that take differently sized filters. Most take 52mm filters, but there are a few that take larger 67mm or 77mm filters. The advice I've read most commonly online is ...
12
votes
2answers
801 views
What's the result of stacking ND filters?
If you stack two 3-stop neutral density filters, does it reduce the exposure by 6 stops or 9 stops?
11
votes
6answers
1k views
Does stacking more lens filters decrease overall image quality?
As stated by @t3mujin in another thread's comments:
Stacking filters will decrease image quality, as it's another piece of glass light has to go through before reaching the sensor.
I was ...
6
votes
3answers
879 views
What is the best choice of filter for infrared photography?
If I choose to remove the hot mirror off the sensor of my D70, should I absolutely drop in an IR filter in it's place? I understand that dropping an IR filter shall put an end to all visible ...
2
votes
2answers
108 views
Is this a good polariser and is it for an appropriate price?
I'm thinking about purchasing Hoya HD 58mm Circular Polariser and I was wondering whether it's a good choice and also whether it's for an appropriate price. What do you guys think?
3
votes
2answers
863 views
How can I fix the color of blue photos using settings from “good” photos?
Imagine how photos with a bad blue filter look. I can recolor those pictures with the color filters from any image manipulation program like gimp.
Now my question is: can I "grab" the right settings ...
5
votes
3answers
401 views
Are UV filters required for shooting film?
I know that digital sensors have filters that filter out UV and IR light and thus do not require UV filters, but what about film? Are IR or UV filters required when shooting film?
4
votes
3answers
233 views
What is a source for small pieces of thin, high-quality, polarizing film for use with rear-filter lenses?
I have some pieces of polarizing film from polarization.com, which are reasonably good and not too expensive, but I have some problems with them:
They are too thick (only just fit in the filter ...
6
votes
3answers
735 views
Does my L lens need UV filtering, or does it already cut out UV?
Now I know the "should my expensive lens have cheap glass on the front?" is an age old question that will never be agreed upon and ends up down to preference. What I'm interested in is the UV vs ...
8
votes
1answer
395 views
Do UV filters stop excessive blue light?
I have noticed that taking photos in bright Texas sunlight on my Canon T3i with a 50mm f/1.8 lens results in a blueish look over the whole photo. Someone said that a UV filter would help to remove ...
11
votes
1answer
172 views
Is it normal for a small portion of a polarized lens filter to appear unpolarized?
Just picked up my first polarized lens filter from Tiffen — a 52mm SR Polarizer.
It looks like a small portion of the lens is NOT polarized, but this being my first lens, I wanted to confirm this ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
Which is the correct filter size for Canon SX30 IS?
I bought the Canon SX30is last week. I want to buy a filter for that. Can you suggest to me which is the better filter for that?
I read lots of reviews on that — there is confusion about 52mm UV ...
19
votes
4answers
1k views
How do I choose a polarizer?
It was suggested that I should get myself a polarizer filter to get over my reflection problem.
(
How to avoid reflection when taking a picture of a ceramic object with a shiny glaze?
)
I found out ...
4
votes
1answer
304 views
Is there a lens hood, step up filter ring combination in the market?
I have a 58mm filter threaded lens and I want to use my 77mm filters on it. I thought maybe I could buy a hood that is double threaded for different sizes. This would probably look less awkward than ...
9
votes
2answers
390 views
What filter should be used to lengthen exposure?
I would like to take long exposure shots in the day, but I just can't imagine how to do it because even fireworks (night shot) exposed for more than five seconds are too bright.
I did some research, ...
9
votes
3answers
425 views
What are the benefits of infrared conversion?
I just picked up a Hoya R72 infrared filter, and I'm having a lot of fun experimenting with it. I'm in love with the false color style that can be added. So now I'm contemplating converting my DSLR ...
5
votes
4answers
549 views
Does custom white balance cancel out the pink of skylight filter?
I currently have a cheap UV filter that was initially purchased with the camera.
I am looking at buying a HOYA UV or Skylight filter as it is suggested this may help improve the image quality.
Many ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the difference between UV and Skylight filters?
I was used to put a Skylight filter to protect my lens, but last time the shop assistant recommended me to use a UV filter instead for Digital SLR.
I though they were the same, only different in ...
6
votes
3answers
526 views
Do I need a special filter to shoot candles without damaging my sensor?
The guy from the photo shop pointed out to me that I need special filters if I want to shoot directly to the sun with long exposures in order to not ruin the sensor.
Is this the same when I shoot ...
4
votes
1answer
357 views
Cokin a-series or p-series filters for 52mm filter thread lenses?
I want to buy some ND grad filters but am unsure whether to purchase the Cokin a-series or p-series. I prefer smaller and lighter equipment because it is easier to transport and since my lenses ...
13
votes
5answers
534 views
Why don't today's lenses come with a polarizer by default?
As I am now looking for a decent polarizer for my 18-105mm and 50mm (Nikon D80) I realized how important they are for outdoor photography. So why aren't they directly hard-mounted on every modern ...
6
votes
1answer
163 views
Does anyone make filters thin enough for a Voigtländer Bessa III?
Do you know of any manufacturer that makes filters thin enough so that the can stay on the Voigtländer Bessa III even when folded? I would need yellow, red and polarising filter.
