Lens Filters, and your recommendations

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Alright, here is the deal. Well first off I will be shooting 35mm film via canon lenses. I am definitely investing in some lens filters such as a polarized, a couple Neutral Density, and a couple gradual color filters. I have been really researching Cokin lenses but was curious if there were other companies/systems that you would prefer? Also if you have used filters in bright skiing days do you layer polarized and a neutral density lens? Any suggestions with filters use or just general shooting on sunny days? Thanks

Jan 26 2011 9:04PM

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SeanTom

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Threads because i never use specific filters. and would like to get learned.

Jan 26 2011 9:10PM

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DrZoidberg

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Polarizers are nice for sun/snow, removes a bit of reflections and increases saturation. Also creates rainbows out airplane windows... NDs are good for getting larger apertures or slower shutters in the day. I've always wanted a really dark one for longer exposures of the ocean in the day. Graduated nd filters are good for landscapes or anywhere the sky is a lot brighter than everywhere else, so I'd get one of those. Never tried the graduated color ones, I've seen them used well a few times, I've wanted one to try shooting surfing to make it look more sunset-y.

Then you could look into stuff for black and white. Whatever color the filter is, it darkens it's opposite and lightens it's own.

Never tried the square cokin ones or whatever, I just have step up rings.

Jan 26 2011 9:29PM

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1337

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Orange/red filters are good for B&W shooting
Circular polarizers can keep autofocus, you can't with a linear polarizer.
Fader ND filters can be pretty handy and allow for a vast number of ND stops

Jan 26 2011 9:29PM

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tSki

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Insane

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/676824-REG/Genus_GL_GNDF_77_77mm_ND_Neutral_Density.html

ND faders are pretty necessary for filming skiing or in any other bright environment

Jan 26 2011 11:57PM

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Tucks

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Bermp...Bermp probably looking at Hoya, their polarized lenses look prime

Jan 27 2011 7:39PM

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bakedpow

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Are they really that necessary? They are pretty pricey it seems for a nice one.

Jan 27 2011 10:09PM

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DrZoidberg

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Well it depends. If you buy a 700$ lens do you put a 5$ piece of glass in front of it? If that 5 dollar piece of glass is clear and doesn't degrade image quality then sure.

Jan 27 2011 11:33PM

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kfilenda

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ND's and Polarizers like the replies have mostly stated are a near necessity, but dont skimp out on them, set aside some money for a decent set, I use this set of ND's from bh and Ive had great image quality, even when I stack 2-3 ND's and a polarizer.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674658-REG/Tiffen_52NDK3_52mm_Digital_Neutral_Density.html

and after looking they went down in price, theyre really reasonable and the build quality is very satisfactory.

Jan 29 2011 7:08PM

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Tucks

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Well I went ahead and grabbed a Tiffen Polarizer filter:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/56636-REG/Tiffen_72CP_72mm_Circular_Polarizing.html

Neutral densities will be the next purchase and then probably graduated colors, but seeing as I don't shoot a lot of color I am buying that last

Jan 29 2011 11:27PM

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