Using Filters. Yes, No, Maybe?

[LittleItaly]

Just bought a set of filters. Now what? Not sure when they should be used or if at all??

 

[Abby Rose]

First off, what filters?

 

[LittleItaly]

First off, what filters?

Polaroid Filter Kit

-UV Protective Filter
-CPL Circular Polarizer Filter
-FLD Fluorescent Filter

 

[mjhoward]

Just bought a set of filters. Now what? Not sure when they should be used or if at all??

Then why'd you buy them? :raisedbrow:

 

[Josh66]

The CPL might be of some use, assuming it's halfway decent.

UV ... Some people like to use them to 'protect' their lenses...

FLD - You only need that if you're using daylight balanced film under fluorescent light.

And yeah - it's probably not a good idea to just go ahead and buy stuff if you don't even know when or if you'll need it.
In this case, there is only one filter of the three that you might be able to use...

The UV filter, yeah - you can put that on if you want. Most likely all it will do is ruin a few pictures. There are very few times when you actually need it. There are many times when using it when not needed will have a negative impact on your pictures.

The FLD ... Are you shooting digital or film? If digital, it is 100% worthless.

 

[LittleItaly]

HAHA! I don't know...because I'm a girl...and I like to shop?? Figured I would figure it out! I bought the camera with out a single clue on how to use it too....

 

[burgo]

UV yes no harm.

CPL. Good for outside photography

ND good for waterfall, waters shots

FLD - waste of money

otherwise you can do most of the rest in photoshop or Lightroom. Best advise shoot in raw (if you can) so get as much data as you can then filtering post processing is much easier.

 

[kundalini]

HAHA! I don't know...because I'm a girl...and I like to shop?? Figured I would figure it out! I bought the camera with out a single clue on how to use it too....

In an effort to not sound too flippant, this sort of comment will not entice serious responses. If you have a particular question concerning filters, than ask beforehand. Otherwise, it is food for folly.

You probably bought a crap kit and wasted the purchase price.

 

[Josh66]

You probably bought a crap kit and wasted the purchase price.

Yup, that's pretty much it.

Hopefully it didn't cost much, but I'm sure that for whatever it cost - even the CPL is crap...

Basically you bought:
1 filter that you have absolutely no use for (FLD)
1 filter that you have extremely limited use for (UV), and most like not a 'good' one either
1 filter that might be useful (CPL), but I have a feeling is crap because of the other filters that came with it.

(BTW - a 'good' CPL will run you about $80... Not sure what that kit cost you, but I have a feeling it was much less...)

 

[Derrel]

The larger ones work great as coasters for beer and soda cans and bottles...they give your house or apartment that "pha-tah-gra-fuhr" look!

 

[LittleItaly]

Alright.....now that everyone has gotten their smart ass remarks out of their systems. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a better filter or filters to use?

 

[Josh66]

Alright.....now that everyone has gotten their smart ass remarks out of their systems. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a better filter or filters to use?

B+W Filters.

You can get them from B&H, among others.

 

[burgo]

Alright.....now that everyone has gotten their smart ass remarks out of their systems. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a better filter or filters to use?

Cokin, screw the rest

Get a polariser, Neutral density set, & a graduated neutral density set. To me that is all you need with Digital photography. Just my opinion though. :mrgreen:

 

[mjhoward]

Alright.....now that everyone has gotten their smart ass remarks out of their systems. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a better filter or filters to use?

B+W Filters.

You can get them from B&H, among others.

+1... add Hoya Multi Coat. Expect to pay ~150. You might also consider a larger size and use adapters if you want to use the filter on different lenses with different diameters.

 

[kundalini]

Alright.....now that everyone has gotten their smart ass remarks out of their systems. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a better filter or filters to use?

Ohhhh, we're only beginning darling....

MUTLI-COATED - That's the watchword.

Trusted brands (IMO): B+W, Singh-Ray, Lee, Hoya & Tiffen.

You can spend upwards to and exceeding $200 for a particular filter. $50-100 should be sufficient for general use.

Keep in mind, if you're using a consumer grade lens............. hang on, any time you place something in front of your lens's front element, there is a compromise. So if you're using a consumer grade lens, it then becomes more important to use a better quality filter. Sh1t begats sh1t. Easy mistake to make, but like the old Fram Oilt Filter commercials.......

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Just my 2¢.​