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Do you use a UV filter with your lenses?
- Thread starter glocke12
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I generally stick with B+W neutral density filters, but they are out of your price range.
I will mention that it's cheaper (in my opinion) to just stick with one standard filter size - 77mm is a good one - and use step-up rings for your lenses that have a smaller filter thread. That way you don't end up buying multiple polarizers, ND filters, etc. as you add to your lens collection.
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Several good brands are B+H, Heliopan (both German made) and Hoya (the high end filters.) Not cheap, though.
Nikon's filters are also first rate, and expensive. I have their 77mm circular polarizer for the rare occasion I go to the trouble of using one. My UVs are B+W and Hoya.
Even the best filters reduce your lens's resolving power. I can't find the source any longer, but my recollection was that it's on the order of 15lp/mm. If you shoot in places where the front lens element might be exposed to salt water or sand, then a filter may be advantageous in those situations, though I'd generally go with a multi-coated clear filter personally, rather than a UV filter. My favorites are B+W, but I don't currently carry any with my digital kit, as I think the negative affects are more visible on digital than they were on film- but I shoot with a D2x and D3x, both of which are high enough resolution sensors that they can challenge some lenses.
For straight ND filters, I prefer to use the 100cm square gels and a holder rather than the screw-on ones- it's easier to stack the filters and one filter and holder covers pretty-much any lens you'd put an ND on, the Lee Gelsnap works for me, with an additonal ND4.00 from Kodak (13 1/3 stops)- they now hide that filter in the Cinema collection.
Paul
For straight ND filters, I prefer to use the 100cm square gels and a holder rather than the screw-on ones- it's easier to stack the filters and one filter and holder covers pretty-much any lens you'd put an ND on, the Lee Gelsnap works for me, with an additonal ND4.00 from Kodak (13 1/3 stops)- they now hide that filter in the Cinema collection.
Paul
I used to be a big user of filters but i have all but stopped and noticed that my image quality has gone up. I do admit they were cheap filters. I do see the merit like one person said when doing extreme activities dirt bike track jungle safari etc. My normal usage i through the hood on and go. I have been doing lots of studio work as of late so they are just off period. I get the flare i payed for when i use straight glass. I like what some one said why would you pay 1300 bucks for a lens and put a 150 dollar filter on it. Your choking that massive lens. If you need it for conditions they are life savers but every day use i just do not see it.
It's a very fun filter to use! Yes it's expensive, but as long as you take care of it the thing will probably last a decade or two.
I'm hoping to get their Color Combo sometime, but I'll have to save up for it (like I did with the Vari-ND). Plus I think higher on my priority list is one of the newish Nikon PC lenses - and that's going to take saving up for a while (talk about expensive...). Darn real life, having to make house payments and buy food!
