Filters

Messages
179
Name
I
Edit My Images
Yes
Filters for me are a completely new thing. i have no idea what they do and what to use for what i know nothing....

ive just purchased my first decent lens, 24-105 L lens and i think i may be correct in saying that using a filter is a must to protect the front, is this correct?

I have no idea which to get it will be on all the time until i know what filters are needed for different subjects. Im not overly fussed on the cost i don't want to go stupid but also don't want some cheap Chinese job! (Again i'm new so apologies if the Chinese happen to make the best in the world!!)

Thanks
 
Thanks, so im best of saving the money! Your articles are great and explain things great for me. You may have just cost me some money!
 
i like that way of thinking danny, think i will take it onboard!
The website is very good and already saved as a bookmark!
 
The worms have been freed from the can!

I am a filter convert, at least for lenses which don't have a particularly deep hood (such as the 24-105).

There are good filters out there such as the Hoya Pro 1 or the B+W which I defy anyone to pick out a print which has been filtered from the same shot which has not. All I know is that I'd far rather cream cracker a filter rather than a front element.

You pays your money ...
 
I've never had an issue using filters and I've never ever detected any degradation in image quality when using them. The most useful (IMVHO) are polarisers (for nicer looking skies and cutting reflections,) ND's (for shooting at wide apertures in good light and generally obtaining longer shutter speeds) and grads (for evening exposure between brighter and less bright regions.) I also have a couple that give special effects.

Having said all that I hardly ever use them on my 5D but I use the ND's all the time with my G1 when using wider aperture lenses.
 
IMVHO that filter would be useless for all but providing some protection in a sandy/dirty or otherwise nasty environment and at knocking on the door of £50 I personally would pass and head off to ebay and buy a branded but much cheaper filter.

I've bought cheap ones off 7dayshop.com. that've been perfectly ok.
 
Sorry, I should have been a bit clearer.

My previous statement really only pertained to UV filters. Polarisers, Grads etc serve a distinct and useful purpose so should definitely be used where and when required.

I think it's widely accepted that with any filter you should always get the best quality product that your budget allows. I've tried quite a few horrors from eBay and the like and it's true that you get what you pay for.
 
Back
Top