Comments on: Introduction to Filters for DSLRs

By: JackiGail

JackiGail — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:34:21 +0000

Thank you for this blog, just purchased my first L series lens and wanted to fully equip it. After reading your blog I went on line to see the cost of Hoya filters. I found a sale and was able to purchase all three; UV, circular polarizer, and ND.

By: Ausdoc

Ausdoc — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:01:49 +0000

re: ND Graduated Filters. There are many shades of ND grad filters (ND 2-8 for example) depending on how much light you need to eliminate. Screw on filters are easier to work with in the field but you cannot control where the Dark bit ends, usually in the middle. Square Cokin type filters are much more flexible in this regard but they are bulky and fiddly and it is easy to damage them outdoors. I guess experimenting is the only way to find out what works for each situation. I find Polarizing filters will achieve reasonable results unless you have really bright sunlight. Avoid really cheap ND filters as they can affect Image Quality.

By: Michael Currin

Michael Currin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:49:44 +0000

Nikon 18-105mm – polariser, yellow-green filter, yellow filter, blue filter
Nikon 85mm f/1.8 – polariser
Sigma 30mm – UV filter

I prefer to keep a lens hood on as protection for my lenses

By: Rahela

Rahela — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:32:46 +0000

I have a question, as I’m a DSRL newbie: which ND graduated filter should I buy for Nikon D3100 with AF-S 18-105 VR lens – for the landscape (mostly seaside) photography?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:23:44 +0000

Can i use a polarizer on a 50mm f/1.8g lens? I have d7000 and im an amateur planning to buy 50mm lens and a cpl/IR/ND filters. Just wanna know if i can use CPL on a 50mm?

And What type of lens do IR FILTERS are compatible of? Can i also use it with 50mm?

By: Ausdoc

Ausdoc — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 07:39:10 +0000

Not easy to find filters for small lens sizes such as 49mm. I looked for a Skylight but ended up with a UV. Works fine. Then I tried adding other filters to the UV. Polarizers, Graduated NDs, Fader, Star etc. Several things became evident, (1) the camera not longer fits into the case (2) Dark corners on the wide angle shots called Vignetting (3) Increased noise (4) reduced light. So the moral of the story is; One filter at a time.
Can anyone tell me (a) if using a step-up filter ring and a larger diameter filter will get rid of the vignetting?(b) where to buy secondhand reasonable quality filters in Australia?

By: Jenny J. Smith

Jenny J. Smith — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:09:27 +0000

I bought UV filter for my 2 lens and I noticed my pictures having a haze on them, I thought I wasn’t really knowing what I was doing then realized the filter were foggy. I was bummed!

By: MargoJH

MargoJH — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:38:21 +0000

I saved the lens on my old Olympus OM1 with a UV filter when the camera slipped off my shoulder, Also dropped my C8080 & the filter shattered & had to be cut from the camera so that is 2 saves. All my cameras & lenses have filters

By: JP

JP — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:16:59 +0000

@agroped

The difference is that you need the circular polarizing filter for auto-focus. So, even if you had an auto-focus film camera you would need the circular polarizer. If you focus manually, you should be able to get away with a normal polarizer.

By: JP

JP — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:12:04 +0000

“who here that uses UV filters to protect their lens has ever actually damaged their UV filter and saved their lens from a scratch or a ding”

I once had my camera with a 50mm lens hit the ground (long story). Filter was shattered and bent. It was so bad that I had to cut the filter off of the lens. Although the filter was toast, the lens survived and I kept using it until I upgraded to a better version.