advice for a filter

[Marija]

Hi

I'm an Olympus E-520 with 14-42 lens user. It's my first camera and only photo gear I own...
In the place I live there are many magnificent rivers, streams, waterfalls etc. I tried to take a decent photo of mentioned in different times of day but I couldn't.
So I figured, it's the time to buy a filter, or filters perhaps. The problem is I don't really know anything about filters (I've never seen one actually). When I read about them I get confused...
There's the cheapest and the most expensive with performances I barely understand...
The question is: Could someone please, recommend me a decent polarizing and ND filter with price range 50-100$ that can I bought on the net?
Thanks in advance!

[Michael_2010]

Do a search on amazon.com for "circular polarizing filter" and you will see a bunch. The price will depend upon the size of your lens. B+W is a popular brand and on the higher end of the price range.

A polarizer is good to put some color saturation in a boring sky and it can reduce reflections when that is desired. It doesn't work well when looking directly into the sun or other bright light sources. It will cause that refracted light that bounces through all the glass, in and on, the lens one can see in so many photographs.

Personally, I would not spend my photo budget on this filter. Go with a decent name brand and see if it really does what you hope it will. If you love it and think that the one you bought might be causing some degradation in quality of output, go for the more expensive one.

Maybe some long-time experts will come along and give you some better advice.

[Marija]

thank you Michael for your words.
I'll do some more research, and I hope I'll decide good.

[Nicole]

When you say you want to take a decent picture of them, what do you mean? It could help us figure out what kind of filter to recommend.

If you're trying to get more saturation, cut out some of the reflections, get darker skies, a polarizing filter is probably just what you need.

If you're trying to get those slow silky waters that you see in many photos, a ND filter is probably going to serve you better.

I think that both polarizers and ND (and GND and other filters) have their place as long as you know what you want to do. But figuring out what you want to do is going to help make sure you get the right tools for the job.

[Marija]

I'll give you an example... here is a photo of a source of a river.
The place is under constant sun, amount of the water that flows is huge, it's not very approachable for shooting...
The photo was taken handheld, with my husband's fly-fishing polarizing sunglasses in front of my lens (thanks God I thought of that )
What filter I need to use for this place? I got smooth look of the water, the best I could get with the camera handheld, but sunglasses did more important job, at least I think...



f.e. If I want to take a photo of a fly-fishing competition I figure I'll need a polarizing filter. Fly-fishing is done in calmer rivers. When I try to take a photo of my husband I got reflection of water.
If I want to take photos of small waterfalls that are near my house I figure I'll need ND filter

Hope I was more clear...

[Henry Wilt]

Sorry, I can't add anything regarding your question as I was only reading the thread to try and learn myself.
I did want to say you made a great job of that shot, it's beautiful and the sort of thing I would love to be able to capture.

Obviously you don't need expensive filters, you've got the talent to wing it and get the results.

[Michael_2010]

I should say that I did spend 50 bucks on a Hoya 58mm circular polarizer and I wouldn't be without it in my backpack. However, if working with a tight photo budget and trying to build up a nice gadget bag, I would not put it at the top of the list of must haves. But......... then again........ ya never want to put a piece of cheap trash over a nice, expensive lens.

B+W, Hoya and Tiffen should give you fairly good results with a range in pricing. I would stay away from the cheap, no name brands offered for a dollar two ninety-five. lol

[Marija]

Henry Wilt, you made me blush... because I think I don't deserve this compliment... thank you for your kind words.

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

I should say that I did spend 50 bucks on a Hoya 58mm circular polarizer and I wouldn't be without it in my backpack. However, if working with a tight photo budget and trying to build up a nice gadget bag, I would not put it at the top of the list of must haves. But......... then again........ ya never want to put a piece of cheap trash over a nice, expensive lens.
B+W, Hoya and Tiffen should give you fairly good results with a range in pricing. I would stay away from the cheap, no name brands offered for a dollar two ninety-five. lol

Ok, so now I know from where to start... Hoya and Tiffen...
Can you please explain what does it mean "Hoya 58mm"? If I use certain lens (in my case 14-42 Olympus) is there a type of a filter for that kind of lens in particular or what?
You answered about producer, but is there more to pay attention at? when I order a filter, does it mean that my job is done, I just need to attach it t my lens?
Thank you!

[Michael_2010]

Yeah, the focal length of your lens and the size of the filter shouldn't be confused. My Canon 18-55mm kit lens has a threaded receptacle that is 58mm in diameter. I think your lens also requires the 58mm. The sizes are pretty well standardized. I have a big ol' heavy Sigma 150-500mm that requires an 86mm filter and those things start costing real money. Needless to say...... lol

The beauty of a circular polarizer is that you can mount it to your lens and then spin the adjustment ring around until you get something in the view finder that suits your purpose. You can make it subtle, or very dramatic by simply turning that ring around.

[Marija]

I've figured it out, finally
in my case, it's also 58 mm.
thank you a lot!