Filters?

[Ajf350d]

Couple of questions on filters.
Firstly, I always notice when I have my sunglasses on that landscapes look a lot nicer.
Slightly difficult to quantify!
What part of the lens is likely to be doing this so that I could get a suitable filter to replicate?

I know my sunglasses are UV, polarised (I think) and are tinted brown.
I think the brown tint helps give a warming feeling obviously, but what about UV etc?
Any thoughts?

Secondly, on the basis of buying filters, what are decent makes?
I've used some Cokin square filters in the past (ND) and they gave a noticeable tint,

 

[Steve Smith]

Your sunglasses are probably increasing contrast by making the blue parts of the sky appear darker. A polarising filter might give you the effect you need.


Steve.

 

[ghoti]

What you're seeing can probably be attributed to the polarising properties of your sunglasses. The brown tint likely adds some warmness, but I'd put money on this unquantifiable effect you describe being down to the polariser. I doubt the UV filter is changing anything perceptible.

Polarising filters are easy to find. A warm tint is pretty easy to achieve with white balance adjustments or in post.

 

[Ajf350d]

Thank you. Might have sounded like a rather simple question and whilst I have done photography for years I have rarely used filters and got to know what does what.
Had a quick read and yes that sounds most likely.
Amongst other points things like bright skies look more contrasty through the sunglasses, and generally less glare.
I think did have a circular polarising filter a few years back but not sure where it has gone!
It was only a cheap one.

What are good quality makes to go for? Also, do I still want to go with a circular polariser or are square fixed better?
Both lenses I would use them with have non rotating fronts.
Hoya and Lee seem to be obvious choices?

 

[pingu666]

and b + w (costly but good)
square filters are fairly universal, screw thread less fiddly

 

[Keebsuk]

Andrew, you most definitely need a circular polariser (make sure you do not purchase a linear polariser by mistake) and as mentioned B&W are very good, if on the expensive side.

What you decide upon really boils down to what you can afford or the amount of lenses/times you intend to use a filter like this. If you intend to progress onto neutral density filters then it may be worth looking into a Lee or Cokin Z Pro kit. The major downside of this is cost as you can expect to pay anything up to £250 for a good 2nd hand 105mm circular polariser that works with the aforementioned kits.

If you just want to use the polariser on its own and only have a couple of lenses then a circular polariser to fit your lens is a good way to proceed. You can find the lens diameter by looking on the lens housing. The common size is generally 77 mm or there abouts. If you have more than one lens, then purchase the filter that will fit the largest diameter lens as you can purchase step down ring adaptors to accommodate the smaller diameter lenses.

As far as filter manufacturers go you could also consider Tiffen, Hoya, and Marumi makes. These are all very good makes and are quite reasonably priced ( under £100 ). Make sure that you see the initials DG or similar as this indicates that the filter was made specifically for digital lenses. Also try and buy the slimmest you can find as this will help to prevent vignetting.

To get the best results when using circular polarisers try and shoot at 90 degrees to the sun. This is the optimal angle to achieve the best results. Also don't forget that these can be used and are very effective when there is snow on the ground.

Personally speaking the circular polariser is a "must have" bit of kit. Remember that the effect of this filter is the only one that cannot currently be reproduced in the likes of Photoshop.

Andy

 

[Ajf350d]

Thank you, there are some helpful points in there.
I had not realized that linear polarisers were not suitable for digital SLR cameras. I had always thought they were just designed for use where the lens front did not rotate.
I think for the moment I will get a standard threaded type filter.
I do have some Cokin ND filters and their basic holder, but as mentioned found they left a strong tint on the image, so rather put me off using them unless I can invest in a top quality brand.
Most of my photography would benefit more from the polariser anyway than ND as I don't do much long exposure imaging.

I was going to go with this Hoya unless there is a reason to look elsewhere. There didn't seem to be much difference on paper between them.
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-hoya-77mm-shmc-pro-1-digital-circular-polariser/p1011132

 

[Keebsuk]

Andrew, the Hoya will do the job just fine. With regards to the Cokin filters, were these the P series? I understand that there is mention of strong tinting (normally easily fixed in Photoshop etc), I had very little problem when using the Z Pro series filters.

Andy