filter help?

[Kathleen]

I'm thinking about getting a filter for my Canon rebel. The one I'm in need of would be for shooting sunsets. I only own two lens, Sigma 70-300 and the 50 mm f 1.8. I know the 50mm is used more so in portrait photography, but could I use this for the sunsets with good results? If yes what filter would I need. If not what filter for my 70-300? I'm about to purchase a circular polarizer for my 70-300. I'm new to using filters, so this may be a dumb question, would I still use a lens hood?

 

[Mike_E]

Hi, Kathleen, the only filter I can think of that you might need for sunsets is a neutral gradient filter. This will darken the sky by a stop or there about so that you won't have too dark a foreground. Any colored filtering can be done in an image editor.

I don't know why you would need a lens hood if you are shooting into the sun on purpose.

 

[Kathleen]

Thanks Mike. The lens hood question wasn't for shooting sunsets. It was about use or not use the hood while using a filter.

 

[ann]

use the correct white balance option and exposue properly and you won't need a filter.

auto white balance is not the correct option as it is trying to correct the temperature . Test out the options and see what works best for you

IMHO , one always uses a lens hood, with or without filters, however with a polarizer it is going to make life difficult for moving, so you may need to remove it for this filter.

 

[airgunr]

If you are starting to use filters I would suggest looking at either the Cokin or better the Lee square filter systems.

For sunsets I would also recommend the "Split Neutal Density (ND)" Filters. 2 stops (or for Lee filters .6) is the most common. Get a soft edged one.

They come in soft or hard edge versions and are rated:
1 stop (.3)
2 stop (.6)
3 stop (.9)

I would suggest staying away from the screw in kind except for possibly the Polarizing ones. If you go for screw-in, get one in the largest size you need and then get "Step-Down" rings for any other lenses you use.

 

[WDodd]

GND or split ND filters can be replicated in photoshop if you are proficient in it at all.

Circular polarizer cannot be duplicated. I would recommend that as your first filter. And whatever you decide to buy I would get filters for the largest diameter you will need and use step up rings for the smaller ones.

If you end up getting a Cokin system you will just get an adapter ring for each size that you have. Hope that helps.