Filter help need pleaseee :)

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Nick
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Hey guys. Im hopefully getting my 55-250mm Canon lens on monday, Im getting a lens hood and also i would like to get a filter. What filters would you suggest i get.

Dont really know much about filters to be totally honest :(

Thanks

Nick
 
Depends entirely on what you want the filter to do and what you'll be using the lens for. A lot of people put skylights on their lenses purely as another layer of protection for the lens (cheapo skylight damaged vs. expensive lens damaged...I know what I'd prefer!)
 
Can u still put a lens hood and cap on it if i get a cheapo? And tbh, at the moment im just taking random photos everywhere. Im new to all this photography lol

Thanks

Nick
 
You can still use the lens cap and hood so long as you get a filter with the same thread size as your lens. This price is not important.

As to what to get, there is no simple answer. They are all designed to help with different problems, so if you don't know what problem you want to fix, you can't know what filter to get.

Here is a web page that describes what various types of filter do:

http://www.bythom.com/filters.htm
 
If you have a local camera shop, they often have bins of used filters, just pick up a cheap Hoya one, i got all my Hoya Filters for 4 quid each. And they are fine! beats killing a len's. Also at the second hand price of filters, its cheaper to use them and buy a new one than it is to buy Len's caps! Jessops charged me 7quid for a Lens cap!
 
I got a UV filter off eBay for £3 a few weeks back for my 55-200. Just make sure you get the right size! I nearly messed up with mine lol
 
Nick, save your money. If you put a cheap filter on that lens you will get image quality problems for sure at the long end. Get a Hoya Pro-1-D or HD if you must, but why do you want one? A hood is plenty protection enough for most people, unless you are working somewhere there is obvious danger of crap flying through the air.

If you shoot motor sport, a polariser can help cut reflections on windscreens. I can't think of any other filter you would want to use with that lens.
 
Nick, save your money. If you put a cheap filter on that lens you will get image quality problems for sure at the long end. Get a Hoya Pro-1-D or HD if you must, but why do you want one? A hood is plenty protection enough for most people, unless you are working somewhere there is obvious danger of crap flying through the air.

If you shoot motor sport, a polariser can help cut reflections on windscreens. I can't think of any other filter you would want to use with that lens.

This ^

A hood is good enough for most situations. The only time I use a UV filter for protection is when I'm at a rally and theres stones flying at me! Even then I dont always use one, but when I do its a B+W MRC filter so to minimise the impact on IQ.
 
In order of usefulness -

* CP - Can be used to enhance an image in a way that's totally impossible with software.
* GND - Has an effect that can be replicated in software, but never with equally good results.
* ND - Specialised uses where a very slow shutter speed is required in bright scenes.
* Special Effect Filters - things like Star filters - Can often be replicated in software (if you should ever be sad enough to want to).
* Coloured filters - Can normally be replicated easily in software.
* UV/so-called 'Protective' Filters - Can easily be replicated by using the 'Blur' and 'Lens Flare' tools in Photoshop.
 
This ^

A hood is good enough for most situations. The only time I use a UV filter for protection is when I'm at a rally and theres stones flying at me! Even then I dont always use one, but when I do its a B+W MRC filter so to minimise the impact on IQ.
I agree with these guys, the hood should be enough. A CP would be of some use but it will be a bit of a pain on that lens as it has a rotating front element.
 
Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap filter. Either buy an good quality multi-coated filter, knowing that you'll be more confident when cleaning that than the lens, or go without. Buying a cheap filter is a false economy. I prefer B+W filters, but the good Hoya filters are fine too.
 
Thanks for all the help guys. I ended up just getting a UV one for now :)

Nick
 
You mean you ignored all the good advice you got?
 
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