A few newbie questions

[arcooke]

Last night, I found another review on my camera and in that article they recommended that camera owners also buy UV filters to protect their lens. I was just about to order one, and I found something else. So, here are my questions:

- The other product I found was a bundle of 3 filters: UV, fluorescent, and polarizing. Can someone tell me what each of these do, and maybe show me an example if there's any visible difference? Are they worth it?

- Since the generic 46mm UV filter I had originally planned on buying is said to fit my FZ18, should any standard 46mm lens attachment fit fine?

- There's not a lot out there I can buy for my camera, but does anyone have anything else in mind I might find useful like these filters?

- Can someone recommend a good, inexpensive product for cleaning my lens? I have a few pieces of dust on it, and maybe a few tiny water spots.

Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[saltface]

The polarizer is definitely worth it. This will cut down glare and can be used to make skies more blue, as well as other tricks. If you could only have one filter, this is the one you want.
UV filters also cut down UV glare (you usually only have to deal with this if you're shooting across a lot of atmosphere, such as on a lake or from mountain to mountain). Lotsa people also use them as lens protectors since a scratched filter is cheaper to replace than a scratched lens.
Fluorescent filters remove a green haze caused by that kind of lighting.

 

[Big Mike]

UV filters are typically used to protect the front of the lens. Personally, I just use hard plastic lens hoods and try not to 'poke' the lens with anything.

A fluorescent filter is a color correcting filter for when you are shooting under light of a different color temp...or that's what they were used for with film...because most film is balanced to day light. With digital (adjustable White Balance) the flourecent filter is not needed.

A circular polarizer is the one filter that I recommend most. It is the one filter that is not easy (or impossible) to replicate with Photoshop. I use these very often when shooting outdoors but I take them off to shoot indoors or when the sun isn't shining.

As for cleaning your lens, you can probably find a simple cleaning kit that has a blower brush, some cleaning fluid and a lens cloth or lens tissue. I will also use 100% cotton (clean t-shirts) and some moisture from my breath. Another tool is a 'lens pen'. You can pick them up pretty cheaply.