2 Dog Don Loc: Virginia Beach VA

I think the most useful filter is the circular polarizing filter great for through glass such as museums. Check them out. On utube. Don't go cheap those do not work

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

A polarizer is "almost" a must for outdoor photography. The effect cannot be duplicated in PP. Also get a good one. I bought a cheap one once and the effect was hardly noticeable. As for protection, it depends on the conditions you shoot in. I can say without a doubt that a filter saved one of my lenses once (a huge scratch on the filter which would have been on the lens)

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Simple statement.. replacing a filter is low cost; replacing a lens is expensive. The stress of a scratched filter is low, the stress of a scratched lens is high.. ULCER maker.

I have a permit to carry... no not side arm, rather I shoot with a 24/7 camera, a Panasonic ZS20. The wonderful
Leica lens is protected by a very delicate thin leaf closure... the rest of the camera is rugged. To protect the lens/shutter I modified the camera for filters. OK UV or as cmc4214 says polarizer.. but I would protect that with a lens cap or even a metal crew cap.

For mod of a 24/7 (ultra P&S) see my post:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-75114-1.html

davidheald1942 Loc: Mars (the planet)

polarizers can cost you a couple of stops of light.

I would just experiment with my camera for a while and

get to know it well, and then start thinking about filters.

ronny

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

As I had pointed out a few comments before this one, there are two filters whose effects CANNOT be replicated in post - the polarizer and the neutral density. I merely wanted to point out the error of this poster's comment, as he evidently did not read what was already written.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

You have offered the best advice so far :thumbup:

Moles Loc: South Carolina

Depends on what you want the filter to do. If it's to change the image, like a polarizer, then I don't know. However, if you are asking about clear UV protective filters, then there is a clear division of opinion among professional photographers.

Probably more do not use UV filters than do. Personally, I have a smashed 77mm filter from my 70-200 lens that has many scrapes, bumps and abrasions which were accumulated over a few years. If it weren't for the filter, all that damage and the broken glass would have been on the lens.

Does the filter degrade the pictures, of course, but to a negligible extent. Sports photo agencies still buy my pictures, filter and all.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I am going to agree with both joer and f8lee - the effects of most filters CAN be duplicated in post processing, but there is the question of practicality. One can make a washed-out sky as vivid as one likes, or grey clouds pure white. And if you don't like the sky, it can be replaced with the floorboards of a 1946 Dodge pickup, if you wished to go to such an extreme. Likewise, reflections are simple enough to correct. The use of a good polarizer is, of course, preferred.
As for the effects obtained with a neutral density filter, running water can be made to look like cotton candy, grits, or a basketball court.
(Sorry f8lee, looks like I agree more with joer.) But since I am not proficient with post processing, nor do I wish to be, I will use filters instead.

djenrette Loc: Philadelphia

They make a difference to some photographers, but most filter effects can be done in post production --- except for polarizing filters!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

No, not a must, an option.

allstahl Loc: Bedford, OH

I, like yourself, was asking the same question a few years back. I did my own reasearch and read what the filters are used for. Because I shoot alot of landscape photos, I decided on Promaster Circular Polarizing Filters (CPL) as my first choice and they worked great for me. In hazy situations, it allowed me to dial in how much haze I wanted to leave in while still allowing me to remove excess mist from my subject. You can dial in when using live view how much contrast you want. It also removes glare from water. Again you can control the intensity of the glare in the water. When taking pictures of subjects encased in glass the CPL is an absolute must have item. It eliminates glare and mirrored reflections in glass that no postprocessing software can fix. One drawback on CPL's is that they should be used 90 deg. or more from the sun or lightsource. For sunrise, sunsets and extreme backlighting scenes, I decided on a Promaster variable neutral density (ND) filter. For me it is a must have filter. It neutralizes the bright light to prevent blown out shots from intense light. Also with the ND filter, you can do much more then I can explain in this forum. Of course it all boils down to the type of photography you plan to do. Read up on these two filters and decide for yourself if they suit your needs. Jerry

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I would only suggest you equip all your lenses with UV filters and leave them on the lens, using it or not. A UV doesn't effect your end result but it does protect that very valuable front element on your lenses.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I would get a circular polarizing filter (I have one) and learn how to use it -- there are good tutorials on Youtube. The second I would get would be a circular neutral density filter (it cuts down the amount of light coming into the camera so you can increase the shutter speed (make it longer) which is good for photographing moving water, adding motion on a bright, sunny day and other situations.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I would get a circular polarizing filter (I have one) and learn how to use it -- there are good tutorials on Youtube. The second I would get would be a circular neutral density filter (it cuts down the amount of light coming into the camera so you can increase the shutter speed (make it longer) which is good for photographing moving water, adding motion on a bright, sunny day and other situations.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

As you have probably read in all the input so far, you should consider a Circular Polarizing filter. I also agree, that if your intending in shooting outdoors, this filter is necessary for great results. But, the one caveat is you will have a learning curve on how to use it, and when. A CPL filter purchase should not be taken lightly. There are many different brands out there, and which to purchase is confusing at best. Remember the old adage "Garbage in, garbage out." this is true with a CPL. Cheap ones will not polarize the light enough to make that polarizer useful. To make the judgement of which to buy is difficult as newbie in the field. You must understand what this filter will do for your photography. First, when used correctly it will darken the blue of the sky against the clouds, and add contrast to the colors. When used to photograph through a window, it will remove the glare of the glass, making ghost images disappear. As this states the CPL will control refracted light. You can adjust the amount of polarization the filter will allow as you turn the outer element of the filter. Lastly, you should select a CPL filter with the best quality glass available. This filter will screw into the outer threads of you expensive lens. So, you'll want to look into what type of material the outer ring of the filter is made of. It is best to find a filter that has brass threads, they will not bind, nor damage the threads on the lens. Aluminum will bind, and sometimes require a filter wrench to be removed. The size, and what lenses you have in your collection will have a bearing on the cost. The size of the outer threads is a factor. If you only own one lens this is easy, just buy a filter for that lens, but if you have more than one you may want to look at buy a CPL filter for the largest diameter lens, and step down rings for the smaller lenses. Plus, you will only have to keep track of only one filter, and step down rings are really cheap compared to a CPL filter. So, for buying a 82mm CPL of the proper quality, expect to pay about, or over $250.00. I would look at B+W for excellent quality filters. They are made in Germany, and use "Schot" qulaity glass. Look at B&H, and Adorama for their best quality filter.

B