What camera filters are most useful for outdoors photography?

kendrab · Nov 12, 2012

Hello,

I am a novice photographer, returning to photography after a long absence. I just bought what I believe is a pretty decent entry level+ D-SLR system. It is based around an Olympus E-620 camera body. I know it is not the latest and greatest in digital technology, but feel a 12.3 MP camera is good enough as a learning tool. It is not great in low light conditions, but that is okay with me. It still works better than any film 35mm I ever owned.

I currently have a couple UV filters, but know that a few other filters would help a lot. What TYPES of filters will be most useful for outdoor photography (landscape and nature photography)? What BRANDS offer the best compromise between quality and price?

I was thinking of getting all 72mm filters, and using a step up ring from 58-72mm to fit them to my 70-300mm lens. I am willing to spend decent money for good products, but at this point cannot spend more than $400 for two or three filters.

Any suggestions?

Kendra

KmH · Nov 12, 2012

The image sensor in digital cameras have a UV filter in front of the sensor, so one is not needed on the lens. Some people put a UV filter on their lens for 'protection'.
The added air gap, can cause lens flare issues as well a other image quality issues like softening focus. Thew thin glass in a UV filter is also easily broken and the sharp shards of glass can scratch the lens it was supposed to 'protect'.

A Circular Polarizing (CPL) filter is useful. The linear polarizing filters we can use on film cameras cause problems for some of a digital cameras systems
Neutral density (ND) and graduated ND filters can also be useful with digital cameras.

Getting big filters and using step rings is definately the way to go. I also agree that getting good quality filters is smart.

TheLost · Nov 12, 2012

I wouldn't waste any money on filters unless you HAVE a specific need for them.

Your money would be better off spent on a program like Adobe Lightroom and a good book on how to use it.

Solarflare · Nov 12, 2012

Err ... what ? LOL

Yeah, they have always been unable to do landscape photography before digital photography was invented ! LOL

Landscape photographers are THE users of filters.

And about the OP question, in your shoes I would get at least a polarizer (which I have anyway, even if I dont do landscapes) and a "grad", i.e. graduated neutral density filter (basically a tool to make the sky darker so its not so much brighter than the land/sea).

spacefuzz · Nov 12, 2012

I concur, get at least a polariser. Neutral Density & Graduated Neutral Density filters can also bee useful. B&W and Lee are two big brands that come to mind when I think of quality filters.

Big Mike · Nov 12, 2012

I agree, a circular polarizing filter is a landscape photographer's best friend. You may also find a use for a neutral density filter or graduated filters (get square ones). I wouldn't bother with color or effect filters...that stuff can be done much more easily and with more flexibility with software.

kendrab · Nov 13, 2012

It sounds like a circular polarizer plus perhaps two graduated neutral density lenses (square ones) with a holder is a good starting point. Are there preferred brands for these square filters and filter holders?

What about warming filters? Does adjusting WB temperature do everything a 81B filter would, or is having one of these still beneficial?

Finally, I can get B + W, Hoya, Rodenstock, or Sigma filters locally. Which brand tends to give the best results? Or is it a matter of each company being better at a certain types of filters?

Kendra