What accessories, like filters, should I buy for my new Olympus OM-D E-M5-II? There's so many filters out there. What are the most important that I should buy right away? Polarized? UV...

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

There's so many filters out there. What are the most important that I should buy right away?
Polarized?
UV protection?

I am an enthusiast, not a PRO.
I now have extra batteries, a nice custom case, extra SD cards, it came with a hood, LED flash.
Thanks for your help.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Polarisers mostly if you shoot 'scapes.
"Protection" filters only if you are shooting in inclement weather like heavy rain or dusty conditions. (you may also need some protection for your camera)

If it was me I woulds spend the money on a good photography workshop.

I am just a hobbyst.

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

RichardTaylor wrote:

Polarisers mostly if you shoot 'scapes.
"Protection" filters only if you are shooting in inclement weather like heavy rain or dusty conditions. (you may also need some protection for your camera)

If it was me I woulds spend the money on a good photography workshop.

I am just a hobbyst.

Thanks for this information. I am probably an enthusiastic beginner, really. I only took an excellent online course, 31 Days to Be a Better Photographer, 2 years ago, and a film B&W course at Kansas City Art Institute, and I am not saying exactly how long ago I went to KCAI.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

GalaxyCat wrote:

There's so many filters out there. What are the most important that I should buy right away?
Polarized?
UV protection?

I am an enthusiast, not a PRO.
I now have extra batteries, a nice custom case, extra SD cards, it came with a hood, LED flash.
Thanks for your help.

Polarizer if you do outdoor shots, and I always keep a filter of one type or another on my lenses. Even at $100, a broken filter is less expensive than a busted front lens element.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

GalaxyCat wrote:

Thanks for this information. I am probably an enthusiastic beginner, really. I only took an excellent online course, 31 Days to Be a Better Photographer, 2 years ago, and a film B&W course at Kansas City Art Institute, and I am not saying exactly how long ago I went to KCAI.

That's ok, I purchased my first SLR over 55 years ago.

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Polarizer if you do outdoor shots, and I always keep a filter of one type or another on my lenses. Even at $100, a broken filter is less expensive than a busted front lens element.

Excellent point. I'm going to order one right now. Any Brand recommended? Any type I should buy immediately? I have Amazon Prime. I want to buy one immediately.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Funny that nobody mentioned a tripod.

You might find yourself taking a more deliberate approach to photography composition by using one, never mind the steadier support it offers if such is needed.

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

f8lee wrote:

Funny that nobody mentioned a tripod.

You might find yourself taking a more deliberate approach to photography composition by using one, never mind the steadier support it offers if such is needed.

That's a very good idea. I do have a tripod, but to tell you the truth, I bought it for my Canon 77D, and it never worked right. The threads to screw in the camera into it are not right, so there must be many different tripods with different threads? I just don't know.

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

Do I need a 37 mm filter?

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

There's NO filter entry in the index of the "Mastering the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II" book I bought.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

GalaxyCat wrote:

Do I need a 37 mm filter?

What's the len's indication say, It usualy located adjaect to the theta symbol?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

GalaxyCat wrote:

That's a very good idea. I do have a tripod, but to tell you the truth, I bought it for my Canon 77D, and it never worked right. The threads to screw in the camera into it are not right, so there must be many different tripods with different threads? I just don't know.

Canon tripod socket is 1/4" the same as your Olympus socket (I have both camera brands).

See this for more info.
https://www.flickr.com/groups/35034359018@N01/discuss/72157629918023980/

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

GalaxyCat wrote:

There's so many filters out there. What are the most important that I should buy right away?
Polarized?
UV protection?

I am an enthusiast, not a PRO.
I now have extra batteries, a nice custom case, extra SD cards, it came with a hood, LED flash.
Thanks for your help.

If you are like me, you will buy a top circular polarizer for eash lens size. B+W, Hoya, and Breakthrough are some of top top brands. I suggest nano coating and Kaesemann grid (will cost big money, but you will get what you pay for). I would consider buying neutral density filters after that. There are some on this site that will tell you to buy a protective filter. I, for one, believe that a lense hood and a lens cap provide much more protection at a cheaper price.
As you start deviating from general photography, you will start purchacing any other filters as you will need them.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

f8lee wrote:

Funny that nobody mentioned a tripod.

You might find yourself taking a more deliberate approach to photography composition by using one, never mind the steadier support it offers if such is needed.

He owns an Olympus E-M5 mkII. If he works on proper steady holding techniques, he should be able to shoot up to two seconds handheld. He will have 5.5 stops IBIS.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

GalaxyCat wrote:

There's so many filters out there. What are the most important that I should buy right away?
Polarized?
UV protection?

I am an enthusiast, not a PRO.
I now have extra batteries, a nice custom case, extra SD cards, it came with a hood, LED flash.
Thanks for your help.

After you buy all this stuff the most important thing to do is add your stuff to your homeowners/Apt. insurance.