Recommend me some filters

[macs]

I am new to the world of DSLR cameras (got a Nikon D3000 with their 18-55 and 55-200 lenses (52mm thread)) and would like some advice on filters that will give me a good start.

I intend to mostly take landscape and urban/architecture images so filter advice for these fields of photography would be great.

I have heard that UV filters tend to make the camera not focus all that well - is this true or just the case with some filters?

I would like to experiment with some long exposure shots so I think an ND filter will be needed, would it be a good idea to get a variable one or should I get a range of different stop filters?

I read in a magazine recently that a Polariser filter will help bring the blue out in the sky on landscape images and can also alter the way reflections appear.

If you can provide advice on which filters to buy or, even better, provide links to the exact filter. I don't have a money-no-object budget but I also don't want the very cheapest filters on the market. Or should I just get some cheapo ones and find out which ones I use and then I can spend some more on half decent ones?

I know all these questions are quite open ended but any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks

 

[stupar]

The only three I think you need concern yourself with are -

1.Circular polariser (helps saturate the colours and reduce glare/reflections on some surfaces like water windows and mettalic objects)
2. ND filter if you want to do long exposure work
3. ND grad for holding back the sky/foreground when one is brighter than the other

I won't go into the whole UV debate other than DSLR's are not sensitive to UV light therefore the UV filter is only really acting as a lens protector.
If you are using decent lenses then don't get cheap UV filters unless reduced IQ is your goal.
For me personally I don't use UV's, instead I just use my lenses with the hood permanently attached, each to their own on that one though.

 

[gad-westy]

Hate to be a spoilsport but tread carefully a little because your 18-55 (I guess you'd be using this for most landscapes) has a front element that rotates. This is of no consequence for the Neutral density filters but it will make using a circular polariser a bit trickier, though not impossible, same applies to graduated filters.

 

[macs]

Hate to be a spoilsport but tread carefully a little because your 18-55 (I guess you'd be using this for most landscapes) has a front element that rotates. This is of no consequence for the Neutral density filters but it will make using a circular polariser a bit trickier, though not impossible, same applies to graduated filters.

Presumably I could focus the lens then switch to manual focus, set up the polariser/graduated filter to the correct position then take the shot. Admittedly it's a bit of a faff but not impossible to work around.

 

[gad-westy]

Presumably I could focus the lens then switch to manual focus, set up the polariser/graduated filter to the correct position then take the shot. Admittedly it's a bit of a faff but not impossible to work around.

Yep, that's how you'd do it though the bit that's a little fiddly is that the focus ring is quite slack and right next to the filter thread so very easy to knock when you're adjusting the polariser. Don't let it put you off though, you'll be able to do it, you'll just need to be more methodical.

 

[modchild]

Very wise not to go for UV filters as it can kill the sharpness of your lens, even the quality makes can make a big difference. As for the CPL it should be easy enough to adjust it once focussed. I only have non rotating element lenses that I use a CPL on and it makes it so much easier.