Filters???

[frankgh]

My S2 Pro is my first digital SLR. Every salesman I talk to says the same thing, "You must buy a polorizing filter". Well, I've shot with it and without. Other then the effect you would expect to see with a polorizing filter, I can not see the differance. Ok I have a cheap Sigma 28-105 f2.8 but what opinions do y'all have?

[Swampy]

Polorizers can make or break a shot I think. Here's a thread about polarizers and I also posted two shots from relatively the same time (time to shoot one with and put it on and shoot a second). There is a major difference. Hopefully you purchased a circular polarizer where the filter can be turned to get the greatest effect. Another good use besides this shot in the thread below is for reducing reflections on windows.

http://www.theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349

[smunky]

Ah thats exactly why I dont use polarizers, I prefer hte reflection on the window :)

[frankgh]

I fully understand the use of polarizers on film cameras but these "salesmen" state that it must be used at all times with a digital SLR. I have some wonderful shots from a recent trip to Hawaii taken at the beach with the cir polarizer doing its intended job. My issue was with the guy who says you have to use it "all the time, not matter what". Just pushy salesmanship?

[AndreK]

Yes he was. I have 5 filters. 2 ND grad filters, 2 grad filters and a pol filter. Many people use a haze/UV filter to protect the lens. Some say that with digital you should use a UV filter. I never use a UV filter. The more glass you have in front of the lens the more flare and gosting you get.

This is my use of filters:

ND grad is used to hold back the sky to even the exposure and bring out details in the shadow areas.

Regular ND filters are used to slow down the camera and I often use long exposure with water to blur it.

Pol filter is used to remove reflections in water, glass and other places. Pol filter is also used to darken blue sky and bring out details in clouds. Too much polorizing will darken the sky too much and it looks muddy. With a wery wide angle the pol filter someitmes ruin the image since the wide angle change the strenght of the pol effect.

Hope it helps:)

Here is a few samples:

http://www.aknudsen.com/samples/DSCF5956.jpg

http://www.aknudsen.com/samples/oldbarn.jpg

http://www.aknudsen.com/samples/DSCF6118.jpg

[Swampy]

Most definitely a pushy salesman. Ask for someone else next time or go somewhere else. I can't stand sales people like that. Most of my pictures are done without a polarizer, or any filter for that matter. The only filtered shots I always do are with my 70-200 VR and that is with a UV filter. Call it quality of glass, or call it the filter, but my VR pics come out brighter/contrastier/crisper than almost the same shots taken with my Sigma 50-500mm without any filter. I say it's the UV filter myself.

UV and IR have an impact on your picture. A few people kinda show that when they take IR and UV pictures. I guess it would all depend on how you look at it. I like my pics with the UV on it and have never been disappointed, I always leave it on.

[S_Leeper]

"... I prefer the reflection on the window..."

Is that a mirror thing???

----
I find the UV filter's help the color outside...

[Andre]

AndreK, I love the water pictures.
Is there anything I should look for in an ND filter to do this?

[AndreK]

Originally posted by Andre
Is there anything I should look for in an ND filter to do this?

Andre,


This is like talking to myself :) OK here goes. As mentioned elsewhere I use a total of 5 filters. Pol filter, 2 ND grad and 2 ND filters. The Pol and ND is just filters but the ND grads come in different types. Soft, medium, hard and full. There might be other descriptions for these.

Here are a few pics of the different ones:

Soft
http://www.aknudsen.com/samples/other/121-light.jpg

Medium
http://www.aknudsen.com/samples/other/121-medium.jpg

Hard
http://www.aknudsen.com/samples/other/120.jpg

Full
http://www.aknudsen.com/samples/other/121-full-.jpg

These filters are made by many different manufacturers and different materials. The Cokin filters are resin filters (plastic) and scratch easily. Other make them in glass which might break easily. Singh-Ray's website is a good article about ND filters.

http://www.singh-ray.com/srgnd2.html

Hope this helps.

[smunky]

S_leeper:
Yes I have a thing for mirror shots.

[frankgh]

Ok Guys, Next question same topic: Good glass vs. cheap glass.
I got no problem with getting what you pay for but I am also certain that some manufactures have higher prices on their filters then what they are worth. After spending the amount of money I did on camera and lens I don't mind spending some more on GOOD filters but I have not seen any good filter reviews. OK, I’m a little laze and didn’t look to hard! Anyone like to recommend a brand to get and some to stay away from?

[ballroom_boy]

I like these brands of filters in the following order:


1. Nikon
2. B&W
3. Heliopan
4. Hoya HMC

yes you are right, buy great glass to put in front of your lenses. Stay away from filters that are not multi-coated. They increase the chance of flare and will decrease colour/contrast.

My 0.02

[AndreK]

Just an FYI. The Nikon filters are made by Tiffen.

[ballroom_boy]

HI Andre

I have spoken to several people on another site who dispute Nikon filters are made by Tiffen. Is there any proof of this?

Tiffen filters are made in the USA whereas Nikon filters are made in Japan.

Nikonians would be very annoyed to learn that their expensive filters are made by a company that produces cheaper (albeit good) filters.

[Igor]

Here is an UNPROCESSED (only USM) shot taken with Hoya green (low ? quality) circular polarizer. I don't think it's low quiality...

[Andre]

Wow. Looks good quality to me.