Weekly Photography Challenge Thread (see first post rules and then the poll at top before entering)

Polarized filter to get the sky, clouds and colors to pop.

 

Something old, something new



This was my first camera I bought in HSchool, photo taken with i6s

 

Neutral Density (ND), Graduated ND, and Circular Polarizer. It’s very infrequent that I shoot without a filter of some sort on the lens. I also have access to a bunch of art filters that fit my kit lenses, but I haven’t really played with them.

 

Graduated ND, and Circular Polarizing filter. Both reduce light which is already a struggle the further North you go in the winter so don't use them a lot. And I use long telephoto lenses more times than not with a 1.4x tc so that is a double hit. But I should use the circular polarized filter more than I do. Normally I want to decrease exposure time not increase it but the ND is good for those times you want an extended exposure beyond what your situation offers. I blame @medic2230 Actually he did talk me into both of them and it was not a bad call. At all.

 

Good deal! Sounds like I need to hit up Amazon for a couple of filters then!

 

Neutral density or circular polarizer.

Pros: They can help make photo's better or allow you to do something you normally can't.

Cons: Putting cheap glass in front of much better glass. If you use a filter buy a good one not the cheapest thing you can find. My cheapest filter was $90.

 

How do you know what’s good glass and what’s bad glass? Like for lenses and stuff.

 

x2
I bought a cheap one. Works great. But I’m sure a more expensive one would result in better quality but oh well. I don’t take enough pics to make it worth the extra money

 

B&W tend to be the better “screw on” filters and can be pretty up there in price. I have a $70 UV filter from them that basically just protects the front element on my lens aside from filtering some UV light which is its main function. Then I use LEE filters for the rest.

 

You got that right!

 

The better brands use better glass and you can also look at where they are made. The coatings that are on the filter. If the filter is $10 then you can rest assured it’s not the best glass optically. Germany makes some of the best glass out there. Stick with the better brands like B&W, Lee, Hoya, Nikon and Canon.

There are also polyester, gel and resin filters. Some of them can be more optically pure than glass. But then again it comes down to brand and quality.

I do like screw on filters for polarizing but the others I like using the 4x4 square filters in a holder that goes in front of the lens.

With the kit lenses you might not notice much of a difference in the “Best vs Better” filters out there. But if you’re using the upper end lenses it will make a difference. Those lenses aren’t very forgiving with cheap things in front of them. Plus if you move up later it’s better to have a great collection than having to upgrade a full set of filters cause you saved a little before. Plus why would you pay the money you do for this great lens then put cheap shit in front of that great glass and coatings on it?

 

This ^

If you spend money on good glass you should spend money on good filters. It’s like truck mods and tools, I Prefer to “buy once, cry once” rather than “buy cheap, buy twice”. I could have put a Hazard Fraught (Harbor Freight) winch on my truck. But when I need it, it needs to work, I went with Warn. Sure you pay for the name, but with that you’re also paying for reliability and quality.

I highly recommend looking at https://www.bhphotovideo.com/ for your photography gear. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with them. You can find some filter kits which are affordable, and descent quality. If you’re really serious then definitely go with the rectangular filters and the adapters for each of your lenses. That said screw on filters also have a place, both for CPL’s and they work with hoods.

 

I'd recommend doing some research into who sources the glass for your filters if possible. You may find that you are paying a markup for the boutique product that is made of the same material as a more affordable product

 

Headed out to see if i can get an entry in this week

 

They say the best camera is the one you have with you...
In that regard, cellphone cameras are great!

 

Murph, Wade, are filters absolutely necessary? Or is it something you guys use when you're getting paid for photography?

 

What makes the square/rectangular filters better than the screw on filters?

 

No. They’re for different situations. You don’t use them on every shot.