What beginner filters can you recommend?

Question: What beginner filters can you recommend!?

For general photography!.

it would be nice to get a good one for sunsets!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I am assuming you talking about digital photography!.
1!. Circular Polarized - a must have -> will cut the glare and as a result the colors and the blue sky will look much impressive
2!. UV - only to protect the lens from dust, has no significant effect as UV (cutting the UV radiation) on digital cameras; but there is a question about adding and extra layer of (cheap) glass in front of that lens!.

Look for big brand names!. Don't be cheap with filters !!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

The first, as mentioned previous, is the circular polariser!. I use B+W which aren't cheap, however you will end up buying a good poariser, so it is always cheaper to skip the 'cheap' stage!.

If you are clumsy, you may want to get a UV filter for protection of the front lens element!. Do not buy a cheap UV filter in this case as an extra filter on the front of the lens can only degrade image quality, not improve it!. If you are spending your hard earned cash on a lens, you will want to retain as much image quality as possible!. Keep in mind that camera stores sometimes make more $$ on this 'protection' filter as they did on selling you the camera!. I do not use a filter on the front of the lens and none of the pro photographers that I have worked with in the past do either!. The best way to protect the front element is to keep the lens hood on the lens!. This has other advantages as well!.

For sunsets, I would also recommend a graduated neutral density filter!. You can could also get a graduated colour filter such as a 'sunset filter'!. I think Singh Ray make these but I am not sure!. These effects can be replicated in Photoshop, but it is alway better to get as much right in the camera as possible!. It is also more satisfying!.

Another filter that is quite common, is a neutral density filter!. This cannot be replicated in Photoshop, as it's main aim is to reduce light entering the camera!. This is good to reduce shutter speed, or allow you to use a larger apeture whilst retaining the same shutter speed!. If you are shooting sunsets, perhaps you might like to slow the shutter speed down to get the sea nice and milking in the final image!. also good for waterfalls, and to get sync speed on your flash in bright conditions!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you are using a digital camera there are really only 2 filters you absolutely need!.

1) A Haze/UV filter to protect the front element of your lens!.

2) A circular polarizer!. The polarizer will darken a blue sky and also removes glare/reflections from glass, water, sand and painted metal - but not polished metal!. It also enhances colors!.

Buy a lens cleaning cloth when buying your filters!. In 37 years I have never used a liquid lens cleaner!. For stubborn smudges I just breathe on the filter and use my lens cloth to clean it off!. If you can find a "lipstick brush" (it looks like a tube of lipstick with a very soft brush inside) buy it!. Its great for removing dust on a filter!.

When choosing your filters, buy the best quality you can afford: Heliopan, B+W, Singh-Ray, Hoya, Tiffen!. Don't waste your money on no-name filters!.

All other filter effects can be done in Photoshop if you're using digital!.

Now if you're using film, you'll still need the first 2 filters plus a set of colored filters!. Red, Green, Yellow and Blue are the ones most commonly used with black and white film!.

Of course, there are speciality filters that can be used with film or digital!. The "Star Burst" is one!. Used with night (non-flash) photography the Star Burst will cause every point light source (streetlights, individual lights) to radiate 4, 6 or even 8 "rays"!. You can also buy "Soft Focus" filters of varying degrees of softness to give a dreamy look to your pictures!. Some have a clear center section and some duplicate fog!.

Here are some resources for learning more about filters:

"The Photographer's Guide to Filters" by Lee Frost

"The Photographer's Guide to Using Filters" by Joseph Meehan

Another worthwhile book for your library is "Understanding Exposure: How To Take Great Photos With A Film or Digital Camera" by Bryan PetersonWww@QuestionHome@Com

UV Filter, Polerising filter and any of the gray Cockin filters ar good the blue and tan ones are a bit extream
good luck Www@QuestionHome@Com

What Edwin said and, ND gradual and solid can be useful also for when you want to take speed out of your exposure!. E!.G!. to capture water like milk over 2 seconds or so!.

KrissyWww@QuestionHome@Com