Use of lens filters !!

[robodad]

Just curious if someone could give me a quick lesson in the use of filters, What type for what situation, are they necessary ? can you stack them ? (put on more then one) and are they effictive that way etc.. etc........

Thanks for any input !! 

[popeshawnpaul]

We use to use them a lot more with film.  However, with digital we don't use colored filters at all because that can all be adjusted later in Photoshop.  I carry 2 filters that are indispensable.  One is a circular polarizer.  The polarizer makes clouds pop out and, more importantly, takes the glare off of water and can enhance warm tones.  The second filter I carry is a ND or neutral density filter.  It's essentially a dark piece of glass that allows me to slow my shutter speed down.  There is usually only one reason to slow your shutter speed down...water.  It's perfect for waterfalls so you get that silky smooth water.  Usually it's too bright during daylight hours to get that look with moving water so the ND filter helps limit how much light gets to the film/sensor. 

You can stack filters.  The only problem you may have is that they will vignette on a wide angle lens.  (meaning you will see black or darker corners on your picture with stacked photos on a wide angle lens sometimes)

One common filter everyone seems to like is a UV/skylight filter.  It's essentially a clear piece of glass and people put them on their lenses to protect the front element of their lens.  I don't suggest this as it's just adding a cheap piece of glass and degrades image quality.  Just be careful with your lens or leave a lens hood on and you won't have to worry about it.

[robodad]

Yeah the filter I have is a "Multi coated UV HD filter" and like you said I use it to protect the lens from scratches, I also have a "Multi coated circular polorizer HD filter" and it is a light smoke color and have only used it a couple times cause I didn't really know what it was for, it will get more use now that is for sure.

on another subject, what do you recomend for keeping the lens clean, I have those eyeglass lens cloths with alcohol or whatever is in them but I have heard that a brush is better and never use wood products like paper towels or kleenex or what ever ??

[popeshawnpaul]

The UV filter does nothing but protect the front of your lens.  If you are just talking about cleaning the UV filter, who cares really...  I clean with toilet paper, kleenex, soft shirt, etc.  I have never had a problem with scratches and I've used paper towels even.  I don't use any cleaners.  Sometimes I dampen the towel or whatever I'm using with a tiny bit of water.  That does the trick.

Take out the polarizer and look at a shiny reflective subject or the sky.  Now rotate it and see how it changes the way things look when you rotate it.  Notice all the glare and how it disappears at the right setting.  It should be noted that a polarizing filter will slow your lens down.  Because it's gray colored it prevents some light from going into the lens and it often slows the lens down by about a stop or two.  Sometimes this is an advantage, othertimes it isn't. 

If you plan on taking really nice pictures of a landscape scene or some time.  You can always screw off that UV filter and then put it back on once you have taken important pictures that you want to come out looking their best.

[robodad]

The UV filter does nothing but protect the front of your lens.  If you are just talking about cleaning the UV filter, who cares really... 

Yeah I don't care about any scratches on the filter really either but you mentioned not using the filter so I was concerned about the exposed lens and how to keep it clean and scratch free with out the filter installed, I don't know what the lens's are manufactured out of and if they are fairly scratch resistant what I do know is I bought some sunglasses and they say to prevent scratches to avoid using products made out of wood so I just assumed that it would go for the camera lens as well. I don't claim to know anything about camera lenses but am trying to.

Thanks for all your input, I really appreciate it, every little bit helps !!!   

[popeshawnpaul]

You know what really helps Robo?  A lens hood.  Nothing can get to your lens if you always have the hood on.  They don't weigh much either and they cut the glare.  That's what most of the pros do.

The lenses are actually pretty scratch resistant.  I've only scratched one in my life and it was pretty substantial to do it.  It could have been prevented by the use of a hood...

[robodad]

I have a 35mm film Minolta that I used a hood on and I tried it just now and it won't fit my Canon  Oh well they can't be that expensive. I will be on the look out for one of them now, I just can't afford to be replacing lenses due to scratches.

Thanks again Shawn !!!

[popeshawnpaul]

There are a lot of aftermarket ones on ebay for cheap...  Just figure out the model number of the one you need and look it up.  Good luck.