Filters

Tomcat

Tomcat

Anytime
I've read in several posts recently about filters so I thought I'd start a thread about them and see where it goes. I'll admit most of my filter experience is from using film vs digital so some of them may not relate or be needed. I used to be almost everyone kept a daylight filter on a lens more for protection, but it also gives your sky, clouds a better look. Other than that I used some specialty filters (starlight or diffused) for special effects. There were filters to correct for indoor lighting, incadescent or flourescent but I believe youo can correct for this with your white balance with a digital camera, or some of the point an shoots have a selection on the thumbwheel for different types of lighting. Jump in and see where this thread goes. Oh yea, here's a link CAMERA FILTERS
 
jbr13

jbr13

www.jbr.smugmug.com
Nice link, that pretty much explains any filter you may want.

With my limited experience to filter with digital cameras and Photoshop I will add a few comments.

With photoshop you can do a lot of what color filters used to do for film, as well as white balance type changes.

The big ones I believe for digital users are a UV filter pretty much just to protect your glass, and a circular polarizer to enhance color and cut glare. The other filter I would like to add is a Graduated Neutral density filter for skylines and sunsets. This helps with the exposure of the lower part of a sunset scene

Just my 2 cents
 
GWguy

GWguy

*
A filter I used a lot during my film days was a polarizer. Cutting the glare could vastly improve a picture. What I never got used to tho, was that the filter imparted a slight color change, kinda gray/green on Ektachrome. Since going digital, I haven't had a camera that allowed filters.
 
MrX

MrX

High Octane
The filters i use are Circular Polarizer, Neutral Density Grad, and a Neutral Density. Like said above, the white balance adjustment can take care of the different lighting, and the color filters can be simulated in PS. Even though most say not to use a screw on ND Grad, mine seems to have worked okay thus far.
 
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desertrat

desertrat

0_0
MrX said:
The filters i use are Circular Polarizer, Neutral Density Grad, and a Neutral Density. like siad above, the white balance adjustment can take care of the different lighting, and the color filters can be simulated in PS. Even though most say not to use a screw on ND Grad, mine seems to have works okay thus far.
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I just got my polarizing filter and hope to try it out very soon. Well, as soon as it gets sunny.
 
M

Mousebaby

Guest
I have a polarizer, uv, and Flourescent light difuser, or something like that. I figure I may not need any other ones for a while. :shrug:
 
MrX

MrX

High Octane
LusbyMom said:
Okay I beginning to feel really stupid :( I am looking at getting filters but how do I know which ones will work with my camera/lense? I have the nikon D40 with the 55-200 mm lense. When I look it up the accesories show 52mm filters... but in this thread Mouse says our cameras use 55mm http://forums.somd.com/photography/151851-free-uv-filter.html
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Look on the back of the lens cap (that goes onto the front of your lens) it should say what size it is, then buy filters that are the same size. The filter size depends on the lens you are using, not the camera.
 
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desertrat

desertrat

0_0
LusbyMom said:
Okay I beginning to feel really stupid :( I am looking at getting filters but how do I know which ones will work with my camera/lense? I have the nikon D40 with the 55-200 mm lense. When I look it up the accesories show 52mm filters... but in this thread Mouse says our cameras use 55mm http://forums.somd.com/photography/151851-free-uv-filter.html
Click to expand...

Depends on the size of your lens. Look just inside the outer rim of the lens and it will tell you the size. 52mm, 72,, etc. This is not the same as the focal length. Ie 70-300 mm or what ever. If you see a 52mm on your 55-200 then thats the size you need.
 
jbr13

jbr13

www.jbr.smugmug.com
Yes the nikon 55-200mm lenses use 52mm filters. the 52mm is diameter for the threads on the front of the lens.
 
M

Mousebaby

Guest
LusbyMom said:
Okay I beginning to feel really stupid :( I am looking at getting filters but how do I know which ones will work with my camera/lense? I have the nikon D40 with the 55-200 mm lense. When I look it up the accesories show 52mm filters... but in this thread Mouse says our cameras use 55mm http://forums.somd.com/photography/151851-free-uv-filter.html
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You need the extender tube. It will allow for the difference. Someone has probably said this, so now it is my turn to feel stupid! :lmao:
 
M

Mousebaby

Guest
Mousebaby said:
You need the extender tube. It will allow for the difference. Someone has probably said this, so now it is my turn to feel stupid! :lmao:
Click to expand...

Also you need a tube because the lens needs room to move back and forth to focus.
 
Dead Eye

Dead Eye

T.P.F.er
Mousebaby said:
I have an extension tube that goes on the camera so it doesn't bump into the filter. Is that not normal?
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Never have I seen such a thing. Filters screw directly to front of lens or on high end stuff drop in a slot internally. An extension tube is used to do macro . It goes between lens and camera and turns any lens into a macro lens by moving the rear element away from film plane.
 
M

Mousebaby

Guest
Dead Eye said:
Never have I seen such a thing. Filters screw directly to front of lens or on high end stuff drop in a slot internally. An extension tube is used to do macro . It goes between lens and camera and turns any lens into a macro lens by moving the rear element away from film plane.
Click to expand...

I'm not right in the head lately. I guess I was thinking of my macro lenses. Maybe I should blame my Acupuncturist for making me such a limp noodle. :lmao:
 
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