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.
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 ...
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 ...
50
votes
10answers
3k views
Are there any downsides to using a good-quality UV filter?
Are there any real downsides to using a UV filter?
I know that a poor quality UV filter can effect image quality ... but, assuming I use a good quality UV filter, will that actually be an issue? Is ...
23
votes
3answers
619 views
What is the difference between a linear and a circular polarizer?
When I bought my polarizer, a friend told me that I should get a circular one, because the linear ones can mess with the autofocus. Is this true? What should each be used for?
28
votes
5answers
2k views
In which situations should I use my circular polarizing filter?
I received a circular polarizing filter as a gift, but I have a hard time determining when I should be using it.
I've done river shots with some success, but other than that, it doesn't seem to do ...
18
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I use Graduated Neutral Density filters?
I want to improve my photos of landscapes with high contrast (sunset/sunrise). What are good selections for GND filters and what are some techniques for using them correctly?
34
votes
13answers
2k views
10
votes
7answers
1k views
Is a UV Filter required/recommended for lens protection?
Is it still required/highly recommended that I buy a UV or similar filter to 'protect' the front element of my lens?
I ask because this advice has been around for 30 years and you would think that ...
35
votes
9answers
2k views
What is the best way to clean lenses and filters?
After removing dust with an air pomp and a brush, what are you using to remove stains from the lens and filters?
So far I'm using the liquid from a Giotto's CL 1002 cleaning kit for the lens, but I'm ...
18
votes
4answers
924 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 ...
15
votes
6answers
10k views
How do I find the right size of filters for a lens?
I was looking to get a circular polarizing filter and an UV filter for my Canon 550D, 18-135mm lens. When I checked online I found these filters came in different sizes, like 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm. ...
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 ...
9
votes
3answers
923 views
How can using a color filter help to improve a black and white photo?
Okay, so I know that using a color filter can have some desirable effects, for instance, if you use a certain color filter, it will diminish the effects of any skin problems a person has. What color ...
20
votes
14answers
8k views
How do I get a stuck screw filter off of my lens?
There is a UV-filter screwed on my Canon 16-35mm. For some reason, I'm not able to get it off the lens.
Does anyone has a simple but safe trick?
15
votes
7answers
5k views
Is a UV filter better for lens protection than a protector filter?
I'm usually very good at getting water/finger marks on lens, so I must use something for protection. Is there any downside of using an UV filter instead of a protector filter?
Example: Hoya HD ...
3
votes
2answers
862 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 ...
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 ...
14
votes
6answers
632 views
What types of filter cannot be emulated by post-processing?
What types of filter cannot be successfully emulated by digital post-processing?
Polarizing, obviously. and neutral density for depth-of-field control.
But what about UV filters? and are there other ...
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 ...
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Why does a linear polarizer work as well as a circular one on a P&S camera?
I have just purchased a Canon SX30 IS and though extremely happy with it I will need to use a polarizing filter due to the fact that I am travelling to Indonesia to do volcano photography/landscape ...
21
votes
8answers
1k views
What ND filter would you recommend?
I'm thinking about getting an neutral density filter to shoot some silky waterfalls and smooths waves on the beach.
What would you recommend in terms of:
1. Brand - quality, durability, price
2. ...
11
votes
4answers
298 views
What are your preferred filters for certain subjects?
I know that filters have in common a protective aspect. Beyond that, which filter type would you use for certain shots? e.g. Sunsets, waterfalls, daylight...Any case where you would change filters!
I ...
21
votes
7answers
783 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 ...
11
votes
9answers
779 views
Galapagos vacation — what photo gear should I take?
Soon I'm off to the Galapagos Islands. I have to admit I've been spending a lot of hours talking to people and reading reviews, and that has left me very confused choosing the correct gear for my ...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
Will a variable neutral density filter produce similar results to a fixed neutral density filter?
I've decided to look at experimenting with neutral density filters and I found this variable neutral density filter on Amazon here in the UK.
It's a lot cheaper than buying a set of filters of ...
8
votes
3answers
872 views
Is there any filter opposite to Polarizing filter, to emphasize reflections?
Polarizing filters are mainly used to reduce glare on water or similar surfaces. My question is, are there any filters that do the opposite job? ie that allow the camera to capture more glare or ...
6
votes
1answer
336 views
Will Cokin-Z and HiTech 100mmx150mm filters fit on a Lee Holder?
I have a bunch of Cokin Z and HiTech filters. I may be able to get my hands on a Lee Foundation Kit. Would these filters fit into the Lee?
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 ...
3
votes
4answers
668 views
Where to buy cheap UV filters online?
I like to be extra careful with my lenses, in the hope that I can resell them for nearly what I pay. To this end, I use UV filters as an extra layer of protection(in addition to my paranoia :P ). ...
16
votes
5answers
1k views
Does longer exposure increase saturation?
I have read that longer exposure times lead to increase/improved saturation and that landscape photogs use ND filters to allow for longer exposures to get better saturation.
Is this true and does ...
14
votes
0answers
610 views
Is it possible to use two polarised filters to create a variable ND filter? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the difference between using an ND filter versus 2 polarizers?
I was reading that by attaching two polarised filter we could create a variable ND filter.
Has ...
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 ...
9
votes
2answers
389 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, ...
7
votes
1answer
589 views
What is the highest quality graduated neutral density filter?
I've been trying to find a Lee .9 Hard stop GND since November. Really, November of '09. Adorama, b&h, amazon were all out. I finally found one on amazon through a third party in the beginning ...
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 ...
6
votes
3answers
877 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
9
votes
4answers
601 views
What filter should I buy if I wanted to do 5 min shutter speed in daylight?
What type of filter would I need to create an image such as the following: http://500px.com/photo/10158205
9
votes
3answers
706 views
What type of effect is caused by different cutoff lengths for IR filters?
I'm looking at getting into IR photography, and am trying to decide what cutoff frequency filter to buy. Has anyone done a comparison of the same scenes using different filters?
8
votes
3answers
566 views
Are there any known issues with using filter step-up rings?
My 3 lenses all have a different size thread. (77, 67 and 58mm) I am to purchase a good CP filter for the 77 and 67 thread. I don't have any filters for the 58mm thread lens but I was thinking about ...
12
votes
2answers
796 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?
6
votes
2answers
710 views
What considerations are there when buying a polarising filter?
I have an Olympus EPL1 with two lenses: the micro 4/3rds 14-42mm and the 4/3rds 40-150mm. At the beach today, I could see the sea creatures in the rock pools but couldn't take a picture of them. The ...
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 ...
5
votes
4answers
548 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 ...
5
votes
3answers
5k views
Which filter is the more generally useful: Skylight 1A or Skylight 1B?
I'm looking to buy a Skylight filter leave permanently attached to a lens for the primary purpose of protecting it. I don't really understand the difference between Skylight 1A and Skylight 1B ...
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
214 views
What is the use of these Hoya +1 and +2 filters?
I found some old filters (labeled +1, +2) which my dad used on his SLR back in the day. I'm not sure what they're good for or if they're useful on my DSLR. Can someone tell me more about them (i.e. ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
How do I chose a vari-ND fader filter without color cast?
Masters,
I would like to buy a vari-ND fader. I have maximum $70 for it so i can't buy the high end faders.
I try to get every information about:
POLAROID 67MM NEUTRAL DENSITY VARIABLE FADER
...
