What type of filter do you use most?

[codeblue2k]

Im currently using a standard cheap UV filter that I bought at Best Buy. Well I have been looking at some AMAZING shots using a neutral density filter. I thought I might use one as my primary since I dont often shoot portraits. Well im interested in knowing what type file you all are using on your camera a majority of the time.Whats your primary and whats your favorite?

[Lorax]

You will hear good arguments for or against filters. I use B+W on all my lens and am very happy. IMO if you have a nice piece of glass don't get a cheap filter.

[inkista]

B+W has better build quality and is more of a "prestige" brand, but when it comes down to UV filters, Hoyas beat 'em. Pretty handily.

to the OP: UV filters are used for physical protection because they are clear: they don't add a color cast, and they don't rob you of light. That way, you can leave them on all the time and it's the closest you may get to shooting without a filter. Whether you want to use them or not for physical protection is going to be a matter of personal preference. Some people think it's worthwhile to put a cheaper piece of glass in front of their front element to eliminate having to clean the lens, some think it's not worth muddying up the light transmission they paid a ton of money to get with a top-flight lens.

An ND filter is never used for physical protection because its sole purpose is to be dark and to cut down the amount of light coming into the lens--they're like putting sunglasses on your camera. These are two different types of tools for two different purposes.

The most commonly used filters are likely to be the UV (for physical protection), circular polarizer (for cutting down glare/reflected light/darkening skies), ND (neutral density), and graduated density.

Less common filters would be color filters: skylight, colored filters for B&W shooting, and infrared. The visible color filters have mostly been made obsolete with digital processing. And ultraviolet filters are pretty much useless unless you have a lens that transmits UV, rather than blocks it (rare in these days of coatings). Infrared, of course, is a whole 'nother ball of wax.