Filters from Scratch - what would you do?

[dviv]

Hi All,

I've been using my 350D and 40D's for a couple of years now and have never used any filters. I have seen some of the fantastic photos taken on this site using them and am thinking of getting some. I was thinking a CPL, ND and maybe UV?

So the question is: If you were starting from scratch - what filter(s) and filter system would you get?

Cokin P? Hoya? B&W?

I am using the 40D with 10-22, 17-50, 70-200 and 100 Macro

Thanks for your thoughts

David

[dm_td5]

UV/protection filter. Personal preference - I'd rather damage a filter than the front lens element, others will disagree.
CPL - definitely worth having - B+W Kasseman is the pick, I find the others just don't last.
ND - depends on what you shoot. Great for slowing down water and reducing a bright landscape. This leads into Grad ND's and Cokin etc. I'm still working out what I need here so can't give advice, but will accept any.

For screw on filters if you want to save money with things like CPL, get filters that fit your largest lens and then use step down rings. Also watch the filter width on ultra-wide lenses.

[dviv]

Thanks for the comments.

I guess I'm also trying to work out whether it's better to go screw-on for all the filters and use adaptor rings, or invest in a system in the Cokin.

Decisions, Decisions....

[Mr Darcy]

If you are going down the filter route, you probably want both Screw in and Cokin.

Screw in gives you minimal enlargement of the lens as the filter is the same diameter as the front of the lens and just a few mm thick. The Cokin system on the other hand relies on an external frame that adds significant bulk to the front of the lens.

However, Screw in filters are poor at filters that vary the effect of the filter across the image e.g. Graduated ND. Usually you can only have it across the middle. The Cokin system on the other hand lets you place the transition wherever you want it.

So Screw in for CPL, UV etc. Cokin for graduated effects. and for specials that you only use once in a blue moon, like diffraction and star burst.

[dviv]

Thanks Greg - that helps explain things

[dawesy]

Not to hijack the thread, but this is something I am interested in as well and I think the idea here is good. Go for a screw in CPL and Cokin style for the rest. The question is, what is the best value way of doing it? I seem to recall a supplier in Western Sydney someone visited that was great but haven't been able to find the post.

Sorry dviv if this moves away from what you want to know!

[dviv]

Sorry dviv if this moves away from what you want to know!

Not at all! All part of the answer I'm looking for

[adam]

If I were to do this again, I would go for Lee holder and Singhray filters
My China-holder falls off too easily and the filters I have are a bit scratched and I just like to have new stuff

[aim54x]

I prefer to use Marumi DHG Protect (and Super DHG Protect) for my UV and CPL needs (I prefer to keep UV's on my lenses) and have started down the road of Cokin ND filters. I have the mounting kit, but have found that I am more likely to hold the filter out the front than use the mount.

[Shoot]

I've been doing some research on this also of late, and this thread couldn't have come at a better time
I've heard of the 'Pros' not even using a holder and just buying screw in UV's and then just the cokin filters with no holder and using blutac to hold it in place? Could be an option i guess?

[adam]

Before my filter holder arrived, my friend held the cokin filter against the filter ring of his UV filter and pressed the focus button, making the front filter rotate and make scratches over my filter

[aim54x]

I guess I never thought of that, but then again the lenses that I use my Cokin filters with are internally focusing.

[Shoot]

Before my filter holder arrived, my friend held the cokin filter against the filter ring of his UV filter and pressed the focus button, making the front filter rotate and make scratches over my filter

Ohhh Hope you got a new one from him Adam!! If he's a friend and all I mean??

I think I worded my post wrong, they didn't use a screw in UV and a cokin together. Just one or the other.

[dviv]

Thanks all - I'm starting to get an idea of what to look for.

If I was going to use screw-in for CPL/UV etc and use step-up rings, what would be the best size to get? I don't have a lens bigger than 77mm at the moment, but wonder if it's worth going to 82 (or bigger??) to future-proof.

is http://www.hvstar.net the best place to be buying from?

Thanks again

David

[Mr Darcy]

but wonder if it's worth going to 82 (or bigger??) to future-proof.

sIMPLE WAY TO WORK IT OUT...
Is there a lens on your wish list (that you are ever likely to afford) that uses this size.
The down side of going bigger is that all your lenses have an effective diameter of the filter.
The upside is that ultra wide angles are less likely to suffer from vignetting

[dviv]

Good points again

Thanks Greg

[paulmac]

Hey David

If you'd like to give some cheapie alternatives to the real thing a try, there's always these:
http://stores.ebay.com.au/LinkDelight-Photography-Aus-Shop_Lens-Accessories_Filter-Access_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ7870144QQftidZ2QQtZkm

$11 each posted, plus $11 for the adapter ring and holder. The holder will take the genuine articles as well. Too cheap not to try!

I wouldn't use them all the time, but it does put a different spin on photos.

I've bought the ND2 and 4, and the graduated grey, blue and orange filters.

Not the sharpest picture, but you get the idea. This was a 15 second exposure, taken in the late afternoon. I actually used the ND4 as well to give me the longer shutter speed.



Paul

[adam]

I saw this method of attaching filters http://bp1.blogger.com/_9OLTJDwSRt0/SEc ... rSetup.jpg
(on this blog http://singhray.blogspot.com/ ) and reminded me of this thread

[aim54x]

I saw this method of attaching filters http://bp1.blogger.com/_9OLTJDwSRt0/SEc ... rSetup.jpg
(on this blog http://singhray.blogspot.com/ ) and reminded me of this thread

Whoa, wouldnt you get some vignetting???