MEvanicki Loc: Poughkeepsie New York

I'm looking for a polarizing filter and a neutral density for my Canon but can't spend a lot of money. I would appreciate input as I've read where cheap filters are a bad idea. Please advise.

LarryD Loc: Mojave Desert

You have read the Internet wisdom correctly...

However, this is one of the most controversial subjects in the digital world... (filters as a whole)

Generally speaking you want a multi-coated filter. A "coated" filter applies a film on the filter that will block stray visible light and reduce flare. A "multi-coated" filter applies additional film in adjacent non-visible light spectra and provides some additional margin. Note - there is very little difference between "coated" and "multi-coated", but a huge difference from a non-coated filter - definitely not recommended..

Brass construction will be most durable but will be more expensive.. Thin (wide angle) filters may help if you have an issue with vignetting, but the thinner filters are less durable...

So - stick with a good brand name and you should be fine.. now, the floor is open to everybody's opinion of which brand name is better than others... :-D

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

Would you put rabbit ears on your 50" Plasma TV?

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

If only to hop from one channel to another.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

My advice would be identical to what is said by LarryD. I would add that filters are fun and can reduce post-processing.

SQUIRL033 Loc: Chehalis, WA

Larry's got the gist of it. you can easily spend hundreds on filters by makers like Singh-Ray, but unless you're making money with your camera, it's hard to justify the expense. fortunately, there are some decent manufacturers out there that are priced for more budget-conscious shooters. Tiffen filters are cheap, but do the job. Hoya makes inexpensive filters that hold up better than Tiffen and offer pretty good results. if you can afford better still, B&W makes excellent filters that are still much more affordable than Lee or Singh-Ray.

lfdaly

I like HOYA, but slightly more expensive; for digital, you'll need a circular polarizing filter, and that may run $50-100 for mid-range quality.

Jersey GRRRL Loc: Long Beach, CA

Amazon.com is always a good source. While I try to support my local camera shop, I'm not above buying from Amazon. For a DSLR look into circular polarizing, skylight and/or a graduated filter. The thing about any filter is quality. You can ruin a great image with cheap glass just as much as really hit it out of the ballpark with good glass. Sometimes you just have to put out the money for quality items in order to bump up your quality.

No1Shutterbug Loc: Greencastle, PA Live in The Villages, FL

I'm new here and looking for a good DSLR. Why does a digital camera need a circular polarized lens over the standard polarized lens for a film camera?

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

Under the forum's Links & Resources look for the Photography Gear Advice post.

PJT Loc: Sarasota,Florida

Linear Polarizing filters bend light into straight lines. This is OK for most but not all older model and some latter model SLRS. However A circular Pol filter bends light rays into concentric circles. YOU MUST USE A CIRCULAR POLARIZING FILTER ON ALL DSLR CAMERAS. Without getting to technical, it has to do with the focusing and mirror arangement of todays silvered and partial silvered mirrors and the photo sensors placed inside the camera body. IF you use a linear pol. filter you can rotate it 360 degrees and find no difference at all. Even with the light rays bent to the same direction due to filter rotation the effect will be none at all on a DSLR.
You can find some used on E-BAYand spend as much as you can afford.
Personally I like the B+W. line of filters. The rings are made of brass and the glass is Schot. German Glass. They Are consistently made to higher standards and that is reflected buy thier cost. Also a brass ring is less likely to bind up on your lens than one made out of aluminum. HOPE THIS HELPS :thumbup:

MEvanicki Loc: Poughkeepsie New York

Thank you for your help everyone. Rabbit ears Bob? I love it :) B&W?

JimKing Loc: Salisbury, Maryland USA

If I was close enough to the station, sure. OK at least I'd try it.

MEvanicki Loc: Poughkeepsie New York

Thank you for your help.