Lens Filters

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by conor5150

I was told today that I should get a lens filter for my Nikon D60 , it'e the kit lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR.

Now I was told to get primarily as protection for the lens itself from dust.dirt. Does that make sense?

Should I get one anyway , should I get a lens hood too?

Could you also advice me on what make I should get , looking at a budget price here....I guess $20 - 30 range.


Conor

You don't need filters for lens protection-that's what the lens cap and lenshood are for-The only filters you really need are a polariser and a Neutral Density filter-all other effects(including Graduated Neutral density filters) can be replicated in photoshop

You will need a circular polarizer, not a linear one-both types can be circular in construction, but it's how they polarize that makes the difference . Polarizers are grey in colour, and you need to sacrifice two stops in exposure to use one. The front part of the filter can rotate to adjust the amount of polarization. The proper, intended use for these filters, is to cut glare and reduce reflections from all materials except shiny metal objects. A polarizer will help you to see through the glare of a river or a lake’s surface. Wildlife and nature photographers use polarizers sparingly, to cut the sky’s reflection on animal fur and feathers, and the land itself. To set a polarizer for such images, you point it at something earthy-brown in colour-this can be a tree bark, dirt, etc., then the front lens of the filter is rotated to give the brown dirt a dark chocolate-y colour-then it is ready to use for your nature, landscape and wildlife images. Polarizers can also deepen blue skies, making white clouds stand out, but realise that over-use can accentuate noise in blue skies. To cut glare the camera needs to be at 30 degrees to the water surface, or shop window to work 100%.To use for darkening the blue in skies, the camera needs to be around 90 degrees to the sun to have any visible effect, you just turn the front element to the shade you desire .It is a good idea to have your white balance set to cloudy, even on sunny days, as sometimes images can come out cool-looking.

If you need to slow down your shutter speed more than your camera will allow, at the exposure you need, say to get that cotton-wool effect of waterfalls,etc., then you will need a neutral density filter-a 2-stop will do-if you need to slow down more, just add your polarizer to slow down up to 2 more stops.

When there are more than 3 stops difference between the land/sea, and the sky-where the sky will be blown out, and the land/sea in heavy shadow-here's how to make things right in Photoshop:

Graduated Neutral Density Filter effect

Add adjustment layer> levels
Drag right slider to left
Drag middle slider to left (These moves enable you to get the ground or sea how you want it)
Press “D” or "X" to make foreground color black
Press “G” for gradient
Choose linear gradient -black to transparent-2nd icon from left
Drag cursor from top of image down to horizon
flatten/save

Regards, Ken
.

[rediguana]

Some quick pros and cons of filters...

+ they do provide protection, and in some cases are required to provide full weather sealing of lenses
+ they are very useful in harsh environments - windy conditions, down by the sea with lots of spray, or in the desert with sand blowing around

- sometimes objects breaking the filter have caused more damage to the front element of the lens than if the filter was not there
- don't get a cheap quality filter and put it on a good quality lens
- they can degrade image quality, and cause relfections and ghostly artifacts by light bouncing around between the filter and lens
- they may possibly cause vignetting at extreme focal ranges

I used to use UV filters, and mostly don't now. The main filter I (selectively) use is the circular polariser.

[morts]

I lost the lens cap to my 18-55 kit lens but thankfully I've had a UV filter on the front of it and it's served me well so far - I'm in the "better to pay £20 for a filter than £200 for a new lens" camp!

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by morts

I lost the lens cap to my 18-55 kit lens but thankfully I've had a UV filter on the front of it and it's served me well so far - I'm in the "better to pay £20 for a filter than £200 for a new lens" camp!

HeHe, until something smashes your filter and it scratches the front element of your precious lens-then you'll wish had used the lens cap-that's what it's for,- protection!

Uv filters are sold because there is a higher percentage mark-up for the retailer,than there is for cameras and lenses-all modern lenses have uv coatings-so there is no valid excuse to ever use a UV filter-I have been a photographer for neqarly fifty years,and I have never used a UV filter-they attract flare and reflections that you don't need,and degrade the quality of your images.Better to pay $20 for a new lens cap. regards, Ken

[dcclark]

Oy, the old UV filter debate!

I will add that I have used and loved UV filters for a long time. They really can protect your lens -- yes, they may break and scratch yoru front element, but in that case, your front element would have been scratched anyhow. I have had my lens saved by proper use of a UV filter.

Of course, you should keep your lens cap on when not actually using the camera -- that's just good sound advice. But a UV filter is another line of defense, and a pretty good one too.

[Jim Bryant]

I'd rather have a smashed filter than damaging the front element to your lens, which you won't be able to repair. Get filters for your lenses, they will protect them from dirt, water, dust and banging the lens into something. Keep your cap on, ....why? By the time you raised your camera to get that once in a lifetime photo only to realize you left the stupid lens cap on and the moment is lost forever. Get a filter!

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

.... Keep your cap on, ....why? By the time you raised your camera to get that once in a lifetime photo only to realize you left the stupid lens cap on and the moment is lost forever. Get a filter!

I totally agree. My lenses always have some kind of filter -- if not a polarizer, ND, etc., then a UV. As for the cap, I should clarify what I said: if you use your camera like I do, you should keep your cap on when you're not actively using it. This is because, when I'm not actively using my camera or looking for a photo, I'm usually bushwhacking through forests, swamps, trees, briars... lots of lens-damaging stuff. Use your own common sense about how big of a problem that will be for you, of course.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by dcclark

I totally agree. My lenses always have some kind of filter -- if not a polarizer, ND, etc., then a UV. As for the cap, I should clarify what I said: if you use your camera like I do, you should keep your cap on when you're not actively using it. This is because, when I'm not actively using my camera or looking for a photo, I'm usually bushwhacking through forests, swamps, trees, briars... lots of lens-damaging stuff. Use your own common sense about how big of a problem that will be for you, of course.

How true..........the UV filters I use are from B & W, they are high quality glass filters made in Germany. But cheaper ones made in Japan would serve the same purpose as well. Main thing is to carry your caps with you, not on your cameras (read above post) when taking pictures.

[OsmosisStudios]

I only use filters if I need them for an effect (polarizer/ND/IR/other) or if Im going to be really putting myself in harms way (photojournalism, mainly)