Best Filters for a noob? I just received a Nikon D3100 with 18-55. Started shooting and really loving it, especially compared to my Coolpix point & shot. I was wondering what are the...

mastiffpal2000 Loc: The City of Big Shoulders

I just received a Nikon D3100 with 18-55. Started shooting and really loving it, especially compared to my Coolpix point & shot.
I was wondering what are the best filters to have in my kit and what would be the best filter to just leave on the lens as protection? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
I intend to do mostly nature/landscape and natural light portraits, as well as snapshots of my son (mostly indoors).

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

UV/Haze filter for protection and it depends on what you like to shoot as to other recommendations. I have a polarizing filter that I like and when I have my Macro lens on I have a close up filter that's kind of fun to play with. There are a ton of filters to choose from depending on your shooting preferences. Enjoy!

nyweb2001

Pepper wrote:

UV/Haze filter for protection and it depends on what you like to shoot as to other recommendations. I have a polarizing filter that I like and when I have my Macro lens on I have a close up filter that's kind of fun to play with. There are a ton of filters to choose from depending on your shooting preferences. Enjoy!

Same here....UV for protection, CP for blue skies, set of 4 for macro....+1, +2, +4, +10......they ARE fun to play with !

mastiffpal2000 Loc: The City of Big Shoulders

Pepper wrote:

UV/Haze filter for protection and it depends on what you like to shoot as to other recommendations. I have a polarizing filter that I like and when I have my Macro lens on I have a close up filter that's kind of fun to play with. There are a ton of filters to choose from depending on your shooting preferences. Enjoy!

As to "a ton of filters", do you have a link maybe to a good source of info on what filters to use when and for different effects?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Except for polarizers, Neutral density & Ir pass filters, the effects filters from film days can be duplicated in post processing. Save your money for lenses. As for protection, use a lens cap &/or a lens hood. Think about it. Lenses are designed using elements. When you add additional glass into the equation, that changes what gets recorded. Granted, the effects of the additional glass are not always obvious, but they are there.DSLR's do not require UV filters as they effectively remove UV wavelengths

mastiffpal2000 Loc: The City of Big Shoulders

Screamin Scott wrote:

Except for polarizers, Neutral density & Ir pa... (show quote)

What would be the advantages to shooting with a neutral density filter? Is that something that should be left on all the time? I found a good deal on a set with a Neutral Density and a C-PL filter. Are these filters that should be in my kit?

nyweb2001

mastiffpal2000 wrote:

quote=Screamin Scott Except for polarizers, Neutr... (show quote)

Read up on ND filters before buying....they're for cutting light back....for instance...long exposures for making moving water look like silk......also for using on the occasions the sky is brighter than surrounding landscape.....CP for making blue skies blues......as far as having a kit.....how long have you been shooting....what type of photography do you do ? The advice to spend the money on better glass is the best bet !

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Be careful when buying filters. Normally the cheap sets are just that...Cheap & low quality...I take it you are fairly new to photography?...Neutral Density (ND) or the graduated ND filter allow you slow down your shutter speed so get effects like soft, misty flowing water in a scene whereas without the filter, the exposure would not be able to accomplish that. Look for & read about filters before you purchase any...Here's a link to a Wiki about ND filters
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_density_filter

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

mastiffpal2000 wrote:

quote=Screamin Scott Except for polarizers, Neutr... (show quote)

The ND filters are only used for cutting down on the light without introducing any color. If you need to shoot at a slow shutter speed to get that blurred flowing water, for instance, then you need to get your shutter down to somewhere in half second or so. Once you have your ISO as low as it will go and your f-stop to f16 or f22 and STLL have a shutter speed of 1/15th or so, your only recourse is to slap on that ND filter to cut even more light so you can lengthen the shutter duration even more.

You NEVER leave it on the lens.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I ran across a very good article in a magazine a year ago and then got on this site and asked the same question you asked, I considered all the input and made my choice. Dont forget about Google, you can find a boat load of information just by entering photographic lens filters in your search bar. I would not disagree with Scott either, the DSLR has rendered many filters obsolete however there are still filters like the close up filters and ND filters that are fun to play with and very effective. Its like any other tool in any other trade, understand the tool its your friend if you dont understand the tool its nothing more than a frustration.

nyweb2001

And one of the most important tools to consider is the camera.....as the original poster seems to just now be making the transition from a P&S to a DSLR, I'm wondering if mastering the camera before getting into filters might not be a better choice. Not to be a snob but with the exception of a CP, most filter effects are available in all but the most basic photo editing programs.

mastiffpal2000 Loc: The City of Big Shoulders

Thanks all for the advice. Not really looking to "build up" a kit, but was just wondering if there is something that everyone has on the front of their lenses for protection or some other purpose. I am new to digital photography and aware that most of the effects that used to be possible from filters can now be done in post.
Just wanted to know if I should get a haze or UV or C-PL filter to slap on the front of the thing.
Thanks again!

nyweb2001

mastiffpal2000 wrote:

Thanks all for the advice. Not really looking to "build up" a kit, but was just wondering if there is something that everyone has on the front of their lenses for protection or some other purpose. I am new to digital photography and aware that most of the effects that used to be possible from filters can now be done in post.
Just wanted to know if I should get a haze or UV or C-PL filter to slap on the front of the thing.
Thanks again!

You could get UV's for all your lenses...or just be careful !

keithsnyder Loc: Houghton, MI

My three indispesibles are my C-PL, grad ND (I actually use a Cokin so I can slide the transition to where I want it to be), and an intensifier to heighten yellows and reds when shooting fall colors, red rock formations, etc. I'm will be experimenting later next month with a couple of NDs I picked up when I see what I can do to improve my snow shots. We get 220-250" a year where I live, and hope to catch a particular overlook after the right storm. Been watching for the right opportunity for about four years now...

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

An excellent guide to grad & normal ND filters:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/peterh111/journal/4421304-the-ultimate-guide-to-neutral-density-filters