What filters to start with?

[Ariana Murphy]

I have a question about filters for shooting birds and wildlife and some landscape photography. I want to get the best, so I have to choose only one. so here are my questions:

What is the difference (in results) between a Circular Polarizing Filter and a Linear Polarizing Filter? Under what circumstances is one preferred over the other?
Should my one filter be a Polarizing, or a Neutral Density?
I have seen some "kits" with 3 filters for around $200. A good buy, but I can't find any reviews for Neewer brand, or Camray brand. Any input, anybody?
Is it a mistake to pair a great lens like my Nikkor 70-300 mm with a modest filter, or I should hold out for a Hoya? Any other brands suggested?

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I really value the information on DPS. I couldn't be a photographer with it! Thanks, everybody!

- Ariana

[OsmosisStudios]

If you use a linear polarizer on your autofocus camera, you wont get autofocus. The linear polarization tricks the AF system. Just get a good circular one.

You should have both a ND (neutral density) and Circular Polarizer.

Dont bother with kits: filters are important glass and should be treated as such.

Dont skimp on filters. Theyre special use, but they need to be good.

[Ariana Murphy]

Thanks for the information, OsmosisStudio. It's very helpful! I am definitely going to put it into action.

[Digidave]

Yea, you don't want to go cheap with filters as Os pointed out. If you can only get one, I would get the circular polarizer first.

I'm going to link you to a place that I have purchased from in the past. Best deals on filters on the internet. They are based out of Hong Kong & it may take longer to get your stuff but, as you'll see, you can't beat the price. They have not let me down. I believe you want the 62mm filter for the Nikkor 70-300mm lens.

http://maxsaver.net/Hoya-Polarizer.aspx
Scroll down to the 62mm Pro1 Digital. Here's a link to the description page.
http://maxsaver.net/Hoya-62mm-PRO1-DIGITAL-Circular-Polarizer-Filter.aspx

I see they have free shipping going on now. Here's a link to the equivalent filter at Amazon. Check out the price difference!

http://www.amazon.com/Hoya-Digital-Circular-Polarizer-Filter/dp/B000B73PJU

Here's a link to their reviews on ResellerRatings

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Maxsaver

[Ariana Murphy]

Wow! That is a great price! They were up around $100 in-store locally.

[bono]

My advice is to have a look on ebay for filters. Many people buy them and never use them. That is the place where I bought my Hoya HMC Super Slim Polarizer for nearly nothing (like new) and my B+W ND10000x (!) for 20 Euros or so.

[ASCpHoto]

Awesome questions, Ariana! I've been also wondering about what kind of filters to get as well. I've invested in the camera and lenses, and it's now the filters' turn! I have a Canon 18-200mm lens and after reading the DPS posts and other online forums, I've decided to invest in a Circular Polarizing Filter (brands to look for: Hoya, Tiffen & B+W??) as I love photographing the Great Outdoors. I'm also interested in something for the indoors to get clearer, sharper images. It seems like what I've read online is to get a good glass UV filter. Could I get some advice on this issue? I'm shooting a baptism (indoors) this weekend (first time photographing an event for someone) and would love any and all advice.

[Ariana Murphy]

Hi, ASCphoto,

I finally settled on a Tiffen circular polarizing lens. I thought it would do everything I want it to do for my landscape and nature photography. I just got it yesterday, so I haven't tried it out yet, but I'm hoping for good things when I go up to the foothills of the Rockies on a camping trip.

I don't know what to use for indoors. I think a circular polarizing is a good general use, but perhaps one of the more experienced photographers will be able to give some advice here?

[Digidave]

Originally Posted by ASCpHoto

Awesome questions, Ariana! I've been also wondering about what kind of filters to get as well. I've invested in the camera and lenses, and it's now the filters' turn! I have a Canon 18-200mm lens and after reading the DPS posts and other online forums, I've decided to invest in a Circular Polarizing Filter (brands to look for: Hoya, Tiffen & B+W??) as I love photographing the Great Outdoors. I'm also interested in something for the indoors to get clearer, sharper images. It seems like what I've read online is to get a good glass UV filter. Could I get some advice on this issue? I'm shooting a baptism (indoors) this weekend (first time photographing an event for someone) and would love any and all advice.

Skip the UV filter all together. You will get glare from lights, candles, etc... It's really only good for protecting the glass of your lens from scratches & such. As far as I'm concerned, it's just another piece of glass between your subject & camera sensor. It won't do your photos any good and may even make them worse.

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by Ariana Murphy

Hi, ASCphoto,

I finally settled on a Tiffen circular polarizing lens. I thought it would do everything I want it to do for my landscape and nature photography. I just got it yesterday, so I haven't tried it out yet, but I'm hoping for good things when I go up to the foothills of the Rockies on a camping trip.

I don't know what to use for indoors. I think a circular polarizing is a good general use, but perhaps one of the more experienced photographers will be able to give some advice here?

Your circular polarizer is good for reducing glare off non-metallic items outdoors. It is most effective at 90 degrees to the sun, but you can adjust the amount of polarization as you turn the dial. It does cause a gradient effect in the sky on wide angle shots, though. A graduated neutral density filter is used when the sky is too bright relative to the rest of your image. It only filters part of your image. A non-graduated ND filter will filter out some light from your camera, but it filters the light evenly. This is often used to slow down waterfalls when you want to block some light so you can use a slow shutter speed.

None of these filters were designed to filter indoor light. I have never heard of anyone using these filters indoors. Why do any of you need an indoor filter? Your white balance setting should adjust for different types of light.