What filter and when

[IDLaxStar]

So everyone always talks about certain filters are must haves and it seems like the most ones said to be must haves are uv and polarized. But i haven't seen anyone talk about why these are must haves. Can some one shed some lights on the uses of these filters and why should i buy them. Thanks a lot for the help.

 

[AdrianC]

UV filters aren't really must haves. They are used to protect the lens from dust and fingerprints. I am fairly rough with my equipment so I do use one.

A polarizing filter will give you those nice blue skies. It will also remove reflections from water, and improve the colors overall. Note that a polarizing filter is mostly used for outdoors/landscape photography. Its fairly useless in a studio(with a few exceptions).

 

[IDLaxStar]

So should you always have a polarizing filter on if your shooting outside?